I went on a ride today with the wife of the firechief and a friend of hers. Kerstin rode her huge Irish Tinker, Merlin, and her friend rode an Andalusian/Paso Fino (!!) mare whose color took my breath away - a bright bay with no white. A breathtaking color. The mare wore Easyboot Gloves (in Germany!) and Baasha had his Bares on. The mare fussed a bit, glaring at Baasha the first part of the ride, but then calmed down. What calmed her down was a mad gallop that scared years off my life. That mad gallop did NOT calm Baasha down. Total opposite effect. He was a freak the rest of the ride, prancing and jigging even when they let me ride in front. I was pissed, and annoyed that I agreed to ride with two people when one would have sufficed and he wouldn't have seen it as a race. I found it interesting that the mare went into self-preservation mode after she worked up a sweat, and to save energy, she behaved herself the rest of the ride. Sometimes mares are just the best, the way they take care of themselves!
If I'd been on my lease mare Princess Buttercup, I'd have enjoyed a gallop or several. But Baasha's old and fragile, and retired from hard riding. However, I have to admit he came back to me a bit during that gallop. He actually let the mare pull ahead and I was able to finally rate him. The Tinker's not much for galloping, he's really built for logging, but for some reason Baasha and Merlin were lighting each other on fire the entire ride. If Merlin was behind Baasha, I could hear him "roaring" in agitation. His huge chest was dripping sweat due to the manes on those horses. If Baasha was behind Merlin, he did his "growl" every stride, telling the world how pissed off he is. Not fun at all for me. I finally spoke up and told them that my horse is retired and we mostly walk and trot. They were totally cool and let me lead. Thank God, but even then, Baasha was jigging sideways and daring them to try to pass him.
They both commented how beautiful Baasha was as he jigged, chin to his chest. They said he looks like a fairy tale horse. I was simply ashamed. I purposefully relaxed and let the reins loop, and one stride later he'd jump forward to jig, and I'd pull him back, drop the reins, and the next stride he'd jump forward again. We went back and forth like this a long time. Finally, eventually, he settled down a little, especially where the ground was really uneven, or when we rode on pavement. Strangely, when Merlin and Baasha were side by side, they both relaxed and walked normally. Odd, huh?
I found a horse that looks exactly like White Horse Pilgrim's - I have to go back with a camera! Spitting image. He had this odd leather and chain link halter on and stood behind barbed wire, tempting fate.
When we finally split up and I got Baasha home, he was filthy and covered in sweat, and I gave him a bath mostly cuz I'm mad at him. He has no idea what my problem is. They want to ride again on Wednesday and I know that practice is what he needs, but practice with one other horse to start would be nice! Hopefully that will work out. He's such a pleasure to ride out alone, it's amazing how unpleasant it is with a group. This kind of training requires the patience and cooperation of riding buddies, and I have a hard time asking people to help when I've only just met them.
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7 comments:
Champ was fantastic to ride solo and horrible to ride with any other horses. I just enjoyed riding him by himself - good for you for trying to teach Baasha to be nice in a crowd!
I've found that people have very different ideas of what makes a good group trail ride. Its important to speak up so you aren't put into situations where you're uncomfortable. It's good to work on different trail skills, but sometimes our trail companions are insensitive to what we need (or want) to do that day.
When my mare wants to jig, I find giving her a job to do sometimes helps - doing serpentines, deliberately speeding up or slowing down while staying in walk, etc.
Funder, thanks: ) I was just telling my man the same thing about Baasha tonight. He's so fun alone, and such a headache in a group. I usually just enjoy him alone, but in my defense, I don't have much choice - I'm totally new here and don't know other trail riders yet. Next time I'll be able to say, "OK that didn't go so well, do you mind if we intentionally leapfrog our horses..."
I have had a couple of those types of rides...no fun! Now, I am very careful about my riding partners. The last bad one lasted 6 hours in 90 degree temps with 6 riders...I was constantly bending and asking her to walk. I was so sore the next day..never again! Sorry you had a bad ride...I am sure wednesday you will have your good boy back.
Boy o-boy do I know where you are coming from!
I do not have a problem anymore though...telling folks that I may not be able to ride with thwem if they will not help me train...for us a threesome IS a training ride- as you know Lytha..compettion runs deep with my mare!
If they are addicted to speed..then I ask to lead off the gallop ..no one has ever passed me yet(save a huge Thoroughbred Vinnie)
Well, new horses always get my mare in a thither...she jsut takes longer to clam down with new ones and sometimes not..depends on them too.
Sorry that it was not too enjoyable for you this time...maybe one next time, eh?
To answer your question about Gemma...I did another Post on it but am unable to find the blasted thing..wanted to link it to her post.
She came into me for hair one year...and me knowing that she had horses... said, "I grew up riding horses..." she did not hear me that year. So the next year she came in for her hair...(she goes long times in between!)I mentioned it again...she said,"oh! do you wish to join us at the beach, I have an extra horse?!" I canceled and resceheduled 2 days worth of people in an hour!
I only had cowboy boots and no helmet..went to a local western store and they had 1 pair of whitish breaches that you could almost see through..I looked rediculous! I loved it and they were all a bit pensive about my skill till I rode for 15 minutes then, even I, was convinced I could still do it!
She has Hep C...and it was from her former life of drugs and wild living...she almost died. She is so devoted to Christ I just LOVE her to pieces.
I will help you pray for the direction and answer for a church home!
You take care girlfriend!! Wish i could meet up with you when you come to the states!!!
Boy, I have just the opposite problem. Poco is great in a group but HATES to be taken out by himself. More and more I am realizing that he is fearful and insecure.
Yikes! Baby Doll was a lot like Baasha when I took her out by herself. Much calmer and easier to control. With other horses, especially geldings, she'd get pissy and grumpy and oftentimes spooky, jumping and snorting at just about anything. gah!
It's interesting how our horses relate to other horses and how some mixes, even if they work out well between the humans, just are a disaster and no fun between the horses.
I've learned that it's very important to listen to and respect your horse when they are unhappy about a riding partner, too. Learned the hard way actually.....bah!
~Lisa
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