What made the morning extra worthwhile is that I had a breakthrough related to coordinating my aids... or more accurately I realized that I had mostly been thinking of / using my aids - hands, arms, seat and legs - separately. While I knew intellectually that the aids must work together, a "symphony of the aids" as Erik Herbermann says, I really hadn't had a feel for it before yesterday. There have been moments when it happened, but I wasn't conscious of it at the time. I'm psyched to see where this takes us.
Afterwords, Val got a nice rinse +
Yesterday was pretty close to a perfect day. It was everything I dreamed about before having my own horse.
Very nice - those perfect days are to be treasured!
ReplyDeleteI remember those days when I first had Keil Bay, and again when I first brought him to November Hill. They are still perfect days! So happy for you and Val.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to hear that you and Val had a perfect day. It's always such a great feeling that leaves you smiling and in a good mood isn't it? And the best part is you know there will be more coming in the future. Enjoy this weather and your rides.
ReplyDeletep.s. I always curry any horse I'm going to ride top to bottom before brushing. They really seem to like it and it does get that deep down dirt out. I always have this feeling in the back of my mind that if I don't get the dirt off as well as I can the saddle will grind it into their backs. Whether I'm right or wrong I don't know, but I guess it's one of my quirks.
I love this time of year...when things start cooling off and the dangerous heat disappears. I will ride in sub-zero temps, but when it hits those nasty hot and humid highs? No thanks!
ReplyDeleteGlad you and Val had a great ride! Achieving that harmony through your aids is a big bonus...most of us try too hard to get the aids "just right" and if we just let go and feel it, it comes eventually.