Gentle

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Dandy is so gentle. From the saddle I spend too much time looking down. "Head up! If you look at your horse's head, he thinks he should slow down."
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But he's so pretty. So buckeye red soft. I keep trying not to look down, but I want to see his solid soft self. His cheeks are firm and warm from the sun; how he enjoys a soft scrubbing scratch on his neck, alongside his long wiry red mane. A firm rub is a way I can let him know how wonderful he is. Wonderful in his patience as I press the wrong heel for the wrong command. I'm grateful for his take off in the lope, even though I'm pulling the right rein too tight.

This time I loped gently. On Dandy. I'm starting to understand this soft, gentle gait. It doesn't have to be wildly frantic. No gasping fright. No fear of where the heck am I going at this speed.
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Dandy is a big gentle horse. I climb up a mountain, so it seems, proudly even though I barely make it into the saddle, he's so tall. I'm high enough to meet the birds half way. A blue bird, looking like a sparrow, but no, it WAS a bluebird on the fencepost watching me go by. A red-winged blackbird flies just above, nipping at the tail of a vulture. Canada geese sound off as they land, having passed my height on the diagonal to the flooded pasture next door.
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Dandy appreciates a good rubdown, while winter, itchy hair falls like fluff to the floor. The cement floor of an old dairy. Think what hooves have passed by for generations here.
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No, this afternoon it's just the big horse Dandy and me, finishing up riding and walking together to his pipe pen. Dandy waits so politely for dinner.

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Autumn Riding Lessons

The teacher's concentration is evident.
It never wavers from her students.
She's got her eyes on all riders at all times.

The new student is getting the jist of riding. Trot, trot, listen to the teacher!

The horses are a handsome bunch, just as the cowgirls are so pretty.

Look at these cowgirls go!

Loping never looked so good!

Uh, oh. One rider is not paying attention.

Put your hat on buddy, and ride!
In the end the teacher praises the student. Good job!

Riding a big furry animal.
The student was amazed.


Petting the horse is frosting on the cake.




Content and competent riders lead the horses up to the stables, heading back to put away the tack and pat their horses...always good therapy to pat those big, gentle animals.

Good horses. Good students.

Working together and learning new things...everybody is always learning.

It's Almost Like the Rodeo

But not yet.

...................................................................................

No rodeo quite yet.

We're still learning.

Our ground work is looking good

and our riding is improving

with help from the best of teachers.

Remember, trot straight over the poles.

Good job, M!

Looks like the grown-up needs to pay more attention.

She'll get it one of these days.

Enthusiastic students.

Look at them go!

............................

Look who's riding!

My daughter is a teacher.
One of her former 3rd grade students had never seen a horse up close.
We took him for a riding lesson.








The adults, who'd each ridden a couple of times as teenagers,
went, too.

This kid is a natural!

A few minutes into the lesson, he was off the lead rope and on his own, Frankie leading the way. Frankie, who wants to please, now that's a good teacher.
My daughter rode Alan, the famous show horse!
Her friend rode good 'ole Dandy, the gentleman.













Here are the beginners. They are looking good!
Trotting came easily.



Watch this!
Straight from the walk into a gentle jog.
Good job guys!

Lesson 2 at the Ranch

O.K.

I'mFinally figuring out the movie camera.

So take a look at riders and horses.

Lovely day, beautiful hills

and wonderful jogging;

posting, too.

By the way, you can't see it, but there IS a video below. You just can't see it. Sometimes I don't get this blogging thing!

Please click the arrow above.

I'm impressed, friends.

Lesson in the Evening

What do we love best of all?
In the whole wide world?
Riding, of course!

Well, let's get to it!

It's too hot for an afternoon lesson. The lowering sun shines on golden hills in the cool evening and Dee Dee and Buddy rest easy.

We head down from the barn.

Lead your horse, get ready to mount up.
This is how it's done.

Horses and riders are ready to go.

Some of us are jogging,

some trotting,

some loping,

but some are strolling...

Frankie, this means you,

though the judges would be proud.




Line up cowgirls!

Good job one and all!

Click here re: therapy horses.