I didn't realize he hadn't been on a horse for 3 years when he asked if he could ride Mara.
Why of course! It would be a family outing, one of us would ride, and one would lead Bellis. Most of the time it was my man on Mara, and me leading with Bellis and trying to block Mara from taking off.
She was really up, what was somewhat helped when I realized J was gripping her with his legs. Oops.
I kept asking him if he was nervous at all, and he said he wasn't. Mara was bit chewing, head tossing, but at least not jigging. My man kept stopping her and making her stand, and then letting her catch up. I kept saying, "Don't push it, don't ask her to do something you're not sure you'll succeed in getting." At one point she got very light on the front end, a tiny little rear, but he didn't even notice it.
It was quite frustrating for her to have a donkey in the way, the entire time!
I was so pleased that he was working with her - in fact, when we came to some things she normally spooks at, he would drop treats onto them and let her eat off the scary thing.
Some of those weird mushroom people were out their with their mushroom baskets, both the donkey and horse found that strange.
Bellis had a very fine day, she'd never been on such a long loop. I wanted to jump on her back so badly on up hill stretches!
When I finally got on Mara, sure she was very very "up", but I was completely absolutely calm, because my man and my donkey were forming a wall in front of us.
For now, here's a video I took when I realized my man had left the trail. He said she's really good at bushwhacking, which is interesting to me because she's so bad at descending hills.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-EZRh767Zo
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He looked great on her and seemed to be in total control!
What strikes me Lytha, is that J seems very relaxed, with fairly loose reins. I know when I *expect* trouble, I usually have a death grip on my horse's mouth, and then it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Also, it seems like the "bush whacking" gives her something to think about. It's good for a horse to have something to think about, instead of worrying!
By the way, nice job, all of you. (I love that Bellis got to immovable object!)
What a grand outing that was. J looks great on top of Mara, and she look like she was enjoying picking out where she should step. That was so kind of you to bring Bellis out as well, she must have felt very special to be included in this adventure. All this variety that you throw at Mara has to be good for her. Do you think that Bellis enjoyed the outing the most? Or you man?
Yipeeeeeeeee!
Whoohooo! Very happy to see your man riding Mara. Must have been nice for all 4 of you to be out together, too.
Such dark and mysterious looking trails you have there.
~Lisa
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