Thought I would do this as a separate post.
A year ago today I made the decision to purchase a super experienced, trained, forward jumper to be my very first horse. She wasn't exactly what I had in mind for my first horse. She is a mare, first of all, plain bay with a little bit of chrome and well, did I mention she is a mare? I had always imagined I would end up with a gelding of some sort because I have always clicked better with male animals in general. But, the first time up on her back and I was sold. Even though she was forward and a bit hot, I immediately felt safe on her. I knew that she wouldn't do anything stupid, or try and hurt me.
That much has turned out to be true. She has a great brain, without a doubt. Her spooks are pretty few and far between, and there is nothing crazy about her. I've never seen her buck/bolt/rear, even when pushed hard. She stands quietly when I get off her in the arena to set jumps, and only once have I seen her run around in turnout. For the most part, she just meanders off to eat some grass and roll.
This is not to say that we haven't had our challenges. She is a tough ride, for me at least. I got her coming off a nice, confidence building horse who is simple and sweet. Basically just had to sit there and he would tool around a course like a good boy. Didn't have many bad habits, other than being sloooooooow (which for a beginner is good). After him though, I knew I wanted something with a little more fire and I definitely got her. She has proved to be a true challenge. No more sitting up there, expecting the horse to make decisions, only having to worry about the "go" button. Arwen wants me to help her make choices. She wants me to tell her what she is supposed to be doing. And most of all, she wants me to support those decisions and not throw the decision to her at the last minute. She has truly made me into a rider who is thinking about all aspects of the ride, as opposed to just "there's a fence, lets go!".
She really has taught me so much in this past year. She has taught me to be patient but firm. That consistency is good but that you have to ride the horse you have, and sometimes the plan goes out the window. She has taught me to see distances, whereas before I saw nothing. She has taught me about pace, impulsion, responsiveness and compromise. Most importantly though, she has shown me how rewarding it is to have an equine partner in this crazy journey of riding I embarked upon in adulthood. I love you Ponyface, even if you're a brat sometimes!
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