It’s been a hot summer, I have already complained about that. I feel I progressed a little slower as a rider because of it. But progress isn’t about how fast you get somewhere it is about where you go.
Last May we had Angie Aristone, an animal communicator, come to help us learn about our horses and dogs. One of the things that stuck is my mind was what Addie said about my riding her. She is, one of the more talented horses I know and that is something most who see her agree upon. That, and the fact she is stunning (God Bless Her as my mother would say). She is powerful. She has lovely large strides. She has lots of lift and suspension. At time she appears to tiptoe as she trots. At others she pushes off behind and stretches forward like magic. She is an athlete. She is hard to describe other than to say she is magnificent to watch, even if you don’t know about horses. But staying with that movement and controlling it is no easy matter. Riding her is very challenging. When Angie listened to her she said, “She’s really fast!” I l laughed as I agreed – no question, she is fast. And Addie was justifiably proud of that. But then Addie told her I should relax when I ride her. She promised she would never throw me off. If I fall, it’s because I lose focus, not because she dumped me. Then she said in her charming way, “I will teach you how to ride”.
Today I rode her in a lesson with Joe, facing all the challenges, real and imagined, that await me when I get in her saddle. It was one of the most rewarding lessons I have ever had! I did things I thought I could not do. I was elated. And at the end of the lesson, Joe told me well done, that I should be proud. And then he said, “This horse will teach you how to ride.”
Addie turned to me and raised her eyebrows.
Thank you, Addie May!
Last May we had Angie Aristone, an animal communicator, come to help us learn about our horses and dogs. One of the things that stuck is my mind was what Addie said about my riding her. She is, one of the more talented horses I know and that is something most who see her agree upon. That, and the fact she is stunning (God Bless Her as my mother would say). She is powerful. She has lovely large strides. She has lots of lift and suspension. At time she appears to tiptoe as she trots. At others she pushes off behind and stretches forward like magic. She is an athlete. She is hard to describe other than to say she is magnificent to watch, even if you don’t know about horses. But staying with that movement and controlling it is no easy matter. Riding her is very challenging. When Angie listened to her she said, “She’s really fast!” I l laughed as I agreed – no question, she is fast. And Addie was justifiably proud of that. But then Addie told her I should relax when I ride her. She promised she would never throw me off. If I fall, it’s because I lose focus, not because she dumped me. Then she said in her charming way, “I will teach you how to ride”.
Today I rode her in a lesson with Joe, facing all the challenges, real and imagined, that await me when I get in her saddle. It was one of the most rewarding lessons I have ever had! I did things I thought I could not do. I was elated. And at the end of the lesson, Joe told me well done, that I should be proud. And then he said, “This horse will teach you how to ride.”
Addie turned to me and raised her eyebrows.
Thank you, Addie May!
May you all have horses that want to teach you how to ride and may you listen to them with open hearts and minds.