Friday, January 7, 2011

Third ride and I rode him!




Michelle came up again today and she noticed Maraschino took less to get focussed on the ground (only a few minutes) and also he had more rhythm. So after a small play in the round pen she hopped on, then off then on again - and I got on Garbo bareback too!



This way we 'led' Maraschino - first round the round pen, then round the middle paddock.


It was so much fun. We had little stops for grass and a couple of times (while Garbo was eating)
Michelle rode Maraschino away and then trotted back to us. I even have one on video!





Then I got on!


How cool is that - third ride for him.

I hopped on and Michelle led him - not with the reins just by walking at liberty. Then we had a little go going off by ourself, and then I had a little trot! I just smiled with all four cheeks, Michelle trotted on the ground and off we went. OH MY GOODNESS I can sit bareback to his trot - it's so much less bouncy than Garbo's. Yay!

He is so soft - he follows a focus, and sticks to it! I am so pleased. What a dude is all I can say.

I had goosebumps after the trot (and it was 29 degrees and 70% humidity!).

*Big Smile*

A friend recently said when she heard I was going to start him soon - "Oh you have to ride them out - don't hold them back" - but Michelle and I discussed this at length and basically - why? Why can't it be calm like this and just take one step at a time and do exactly how you would do on the ground online. One step at a time till they have confidence, then the next step.



3 comments:

Cilla said...

Marvelous, just marvelous. You guys look so good together and what a wonderful start. Calm, happy and just as it would be online. Couldn't ask for better. x

Unknown said...

xx

Jen said...

I haven't checked your blog for ages, Vicki, but yea!! Go you! :)