Building a partnership

Saturday, Jupiter and I built another level of trust. With Lynn's arm in a sling, her riding is postponed for a few weeks; but I decided it could be a possible learning experience for me and Jupes. I went up in the afternoon and caught both Ziggy and Jupiter. (Caught is such a misnomer--I walked up to Ziggy and put his halter on and Jupiter came to me and put his head into the halter himself, practically!) We took them over to the hitching rail and proceeded to talk to them and brush them and give them carrots. They were happy. They know they are well loved.

Then I saddled Jupiter and he and I went for a ride on the hill above Lynn's house. We started out a little rough, as he did not stand for me to mount and I hopped one time too many with my foot in the stirrup. I think I strained a little muscle in my butt! Anyway, I got his attention and he stood still and I easily got on. We headed up the road to the green gate with a few whinnies calling out to us from Brady and Ziggy. Jupiter did not whinny; he was focused.

We rode the trail that parallels the fence the line. It was pretty steep and the sweat was pouring off him. He was nervous, but he didn't attempt to turn back or call out. We came to a tree across the trail. He did not want to cross it where I wanted to, so I let him choose his way. We went over it and on up the trail as far as we could go. We turned around at the big pile of brush and trees. As we headed back to the downed tree, he started side stepping a little. He was obviously nervous and did not want to cross; so I got off and pulled the large branches around me and braced them so there was an clear opening to step over. He did not want to, but he came along and I gently let the branches ease back into place as both of us stepped over the tree. Then I turned him on the hill so I was on the uphill side and remounted. We continued on down the trail.

When we got back to the fork in the trail, I felt him relax. He saw the "trailer court" and knew he was in familiar territory. But then I turned him onto the upper trail toward the water tanks. I felt only the barest hint of hesitation, then he headed up the hill. We trotted a little and I had to stop him once as he took the side of the trail with stiff manzanita branches about rider high, but he adjusted and we went on. He gave the water tanks a good look, but did not shy. He carefully navigated down the steep side toward the horses's regular water hole and then down by the feeder boxes on the hill near Shirley's.

As we turned onto the road that parallels the pastures, all the horses were looking at us and starting to call out. I let him trot a bit, but kept it a controlled, steady pace. When we slowed to turn at the green gate, he whinnied for the first time. It was a short ride, but I took him back to the hitching rail where Ziggy and Lynn were and unsaddled him. He was dripping with sweat. I loved on him and told him what a good horse he was and gave him some carrots and grain. Hopefully that helped make his experience something he would want to do again.

It was a good day for both of us. I have never ridden by myself and I don't know if he has ever gone out by himself. We did well and our trust for each other increased. He did something he thought was scary and trusted I would take of him, and I was able to talk him into doing something he didn't want to do, which increased my trust in him.

Afterward, Lee and I moved feed boxes while Lynn supervised. Everything is about ready for them to go up on the hill for winter. With some gate opening help from Lynn, I fed the horses and had one last rub on Jupiter. Doing farm girl chores is always a pleasure as well!