Philosophical Horse Musings

I have written a lot lately about my new mare, Mayfly. She is a new experience for me. She is teaching me a ton about softness, consistency, and how far to push. As much as I am enjoying learning from her, I haven't forgotten about my gelding. The more I work with green horses, the more I adore my gelding. Bechler is still green in some ways. He could be a lot softer in the bridle. He needs more work on lateral movement. In other ways he is the most solid horse out there. I can do anything on his back and he puts up with it. He can cover ground in any country.

Today, I wanted to go for a ride in the sunshine and fresh snow. I wanted to enjoy the elements and not have to worry about my horse. I wanted to go for a ride with an old friend. Like usual, Bechler met me in the pasture with a nicker and a belligerent head toss. He is easy to catch and happy to take his long stride to the barn. Once groomed, I threw a bareback pad on him and grabbed my softest snaffle bridle. I am terrible at mounting from the ground with a bareback pad, so I climbed a fence and jumped onto his back. Bechler was feeling good (and there were helicopters overhead making a ruckus), so we took off out of the barnyard at a n easy trot. Once we hit the main driveway, we lengthened out to a good ground eating trot.

After a short walking break, we were ready to feel the wind in our faces. Once we hit our stride in the lope, my bareback pad came undone. Bechler spooked at the strap coming from under him, threw a crow hop, then settled back into stride. Who needs a cinch on a bareback pad... stay balanced and don't grip with the knees and you will stay on fine. Bechler was feeling good spooking at shadows and chasing the wind. My dog, Daisy, was hot on our heels. I love the way Bechler and I become one when we ride. He follows my seat. I can lengthen or shorten strides without touching my reins. We were free and alive and owned this world.

As we got near the end of the driveway, we got in one last good lope then turned from home. We walked home on a loose rein. Daisy was dancing at our feet with a grin on her face. Life was happy. I was centered. This horse is my relaxation. He is completely trustworthy for me. We have been through everything together.

Back at the barn, I groomed Bechler down. Cats and dogs twined around our feet. I fed him his grain and gave him a few last hugs before turning him back out with his 55 herd mates.

I love having time for my own horse every now and again. I love Sundays without a schedule. I love standing by the barn watching him eat his grain, watching the dog and cats play at my feet, watching the ranch go on around me without doing much to help it along. This is the way I have found to take a day off when I live at my job.