Fiona ran forward around Don and turned to see what the noise was, then she stopped! She calmed right down and kept walking. She was a little jittery after that, spooked at a truck behind us, spooked at my car parked in an odd spot. These were minor scares though. Several months ago, that dog barking would have caused her to drag Don halfway across the property.
The first saddling with Don didn't go well. Fiona bucked and fell down on her knees. I didn't see it, but apparently it was a pretty bad blow up. She also bit Don's Palomino gelding. I felt awful about that. She's usually very good around other horses. During a drill team event at Red Mountain last month, an arabian and a palomino were trying to go after each other...maybe it's a cultural thing? :)
On of Don's recommendations to me was to ride a horse every time I am at the stable. So, I have done exactly that. On nights that I don't have lessons, I ride other people's horses. My latest riding companion is Cinnabar (Sinny for short). He is...get this...a 22 year old Polish Arabian and he is FULL OF IT! He is all the things Fiona is, but oddly not dangerous. He is pushy, he had a mind of his own. He is ALWAYS checking things around him, ears in the air. He doesn't hold still to get on or to get saddled. He is the perfect horse for me to practice on! He is easy to ride, it's like once you are on him he is a different horse. He does spook sometimes, but very slightly and it doesn't cause him to jump sideways or bolt.
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| Sam and Fiona at Wildhorse Ranch Rescue |
Awww, look at the lovely Fiona.
ReplyDeleteDon's advice is good. I did that for a few years. Rode as often as possible and on lots of different horses. Now, it's all Buster, but that experience definitely helped me.