Solid

Okay I know I'm supposed to be blogging on dogs and life, but so far I've been with horses, horses and more horses.

Today was unbelievable 🙆 Jade joined me on an outride with her horse Fox. Jade's only seventeen years old and has taken on an amazing thoroughbred which is a lovely three year old chestnut just trying to keep up and understand what us humans are asking of him.

I haven't blogged on yesterdays outride which I took Free on, alone, but pretty much there are loads of cows which the horses just don't understand. I have found that the cows are alot more curious and confident so the horses tend to turn and run and then the cows run with us. (Jade is scared of cows👀) Yesterdays cow issue was successful with Free even though she stopped dead still a few times to observe and every now and then tried turning home to avoid them. Free eventually decided to trot full speed ahead past the cows which I felt gave her confidence so I went with it. That was the worst of yesterdays ride.

Moving onto today.

Jade struggled with Fox. Fox spotted the cows and found his out (wanting to run away) which exhausted his rider, Jade, which I only found out later is asthmatic 😵 Fox dropped the rein on the right and tried to avoid the cows which meant he was trying to head home and refusing Jades command. Jade needed to learn not to give in. He took the rein everytime and powered through leaving Jade weak. FREE (my mare which was a mess in previous blogs) was super patient and I couldn't have asked for a better horse in that scenario. I worked through Jade and Fox's problem verbally constantly working with Frees confidence reminding Jade NOT to let Fox get away with it and literally guiding her through how to use her reins, seat and legs all at once. He needs to believe and trust in Jade just the same way Free was dealing with everything with me.

Wow eventually Fox did and the change in both horse and rider was incredible to witness in that instance. Not one whip to smack him nor anger. Unbelievable!!!!😵

We progressed through fields when Free found a water pump a challenge and frightening and having a drop (a deep ditch) next to us on our right could've been a problem but her and I have developed a relationship and bond and understand each other and I trust her enough to let her work through it. When she resists, she trusts my reinforcement.

Once again we met a herd of cows and Fox took off. Nothing outrageous to myself but I realised that Jade stood in her stirrups weakening her seat and the chances of anything happening were weakened for herself literally by her seat.

I took a look ahead and there was a fence and the options Fox had was to jam on brakes or to jump. Either or Jades seat was a disaster. Fortunately Fox stopped, looking after his rider. Jade was completely out seated and I kept on telling her to sit because Fox was heading for home.

Jade was unbelievable because any other rider wouldn't have heard the advice at that speed and with that adrenaline pumping. She was brave and had never been on such a challenge. Wow Jade you have an amazing quality.

This type and level of outride doesn't seem to be around anymore. Our riders aren't true rider's anymore. Today Jade found that out and I hope she's proud of herself and of Fox. Fox was softer towards the end of the ride and I just wonder if Jade is going to remember the connection that they had when Fox and herself were in trouble.

I saw an amazing, young, promising horse rider with true qualities.

Believe and work hard.

Work through your fear and you will become.

Good luck Jade and Fox you're an amazing team.