The next day I got on Hola again in the paddock towards the end of the day. I wasn't going to because the wind was blowing really hard and she was fresh. And then I reminded myself that excuses such as those are for pussy-footing-ninny muggins which I am certainly not (*whispers conspiratorially* I total am a pussy-footed-ninny-muggin!) So I got on and sure enough she was a little jacked. Now the real question is, was she jacked because of the wind/time of day or was she jacked because I thought she was going to be jacked? *raises one eyebrow* She didn't do anything really wrong, she was just back talkin' a little. Ha! A back talking mare,
On Saturday I tacked Hola with the plan to walk her in hand down the trail near the farm with Laurie riding Ella. I thought I would take my helmet out to the edge of the field so that when we got back to the barn I could just hop on for a short ride while she was good and tired. I wasn't going to tie my helmet to the saddle as to not be tempted to get on her while on the trail because I just didn't think we were ready for that. Remember, I've already admitted to the ninny thing... Well, by the time we headed out for the trail I had decided I would take my helmet and just play it by ear. We had been walking for a about twenty minutes when Laurie stopped and asked, "Well? You getting on." I thought for a moment and said "No. I am not ready. I think I just want to ride that last stretch from the garbage can to the hill before home." Laurie agreed with the plan and we happily continued on. Half an hour later I noticed we were nearing the garbage can that marks the final stretch for home. I stopped Hola and adjusted my girth and put my helmet on. And then I continued walking for a few minutes while trying to really key in to how Hola was feeling. What I got was that she was a little bit tired, a little bit keen to get home, and very relaxed. When we got just past the garbage can I stopped Hola and mounted. She stood quietly. I asked Laurie to stay behind me as I did not want Hola blindly following Ella. I asked Hola to walk on and she did. For the next ten minutes she walked down the trail like a broke old ranch horse. She didn't balk, spook or get tight backed even once. She whoaed when I asked. I pat on her. I got off. And then I shed a little tear. I had just rode down the trail on my sweet little Hola- a dream come true. The feeling of her striding out down the trail, solid and confident is one I will never forget. I am so grateful for this filly. For the opportunity I have been given. I am so blessed. I know it comes with risk. But I know that, even if the worst should happen, I am living the life I dreamed.
This afternoon I rode Hola down the trail again. Same trip. But she was much more fresh this evening. It was actually really nice to feel her look around a bit more. At one point she hesitated to walk past a tree stump but she never actually stopped and didn't try to bolt by or rush off once past. Riding her when she is buzzy with energy really helps boost my confidence. I want to train through how she reacts when stressed rather than avoid any stressors. Or least I want a happy medium between the two. The challenge of the day was to ride her up the hill at the end of the trail. This hill slopes off sharply on both sides and is steep enough to be blind at the top. She gave both sides a hard look and was pretty bug eyed coming over the crest but we made it and she stood for me to dismount. It was far from the quiet walk through the park that we had on Saturday but a reason to give thanks nonetheless.
