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| Marms ears looking out at a part of the hay field. |
Yesterday morning I really wanted to ride but there were great big black storm clouds on the horizon and I had no interest in getting caught out on the trail when it finally let loose. Up until now I've avoided riding Abby out in the big hay field. It has just felt like too much space. It seems like riding in a big field with no walls and no trail would be the easiest thing in the world but it can actually be challenging... but I'll leave that for another day. As we saddled the wind picked up, making the grass ripple in waves and the horses freshen. The second I stepped on Abs I knew she was jazzed. She wasn't paying attention to me, spooked at something I couldn't see and would paw if I stopped to talk to L for a minute. I know I've pussyfooted round a little with her in a sense... I've just been trying to avoid any situation where I feel like I'm asking a lot of her or where she is put under too much pressure... which is kind of "setting ourselves up for success" and kind pussyfooting:) Well, that had to stop. So I spent some time taking her nose around and waiting for her to relax and bring her attention to me. I was surprised how long it before really settled and became soft. Success came when I asked her to stand and she did, patiently... for about five minutes. We went for a little walk along the edge of the field and called it a day. I will definitely be spending some time out in the big field.
I can so relate to this! I have a little mustang gelding, and so far I've only ridden him out on the trails and in the round pen. I've stayed out of the big arena because there is so much more space and he gets pretty nervous and won't "give me his ears" as I like to call it ha ha. That's awesome that you were able to get her to stand still!
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