Today I rode Kiki!
I was having a strong feeling Thursday that little Ms. Kiki was going to be ready for B or me soon, and lo and behold, L told me as I was tacking the little mare up for her exercise ride that I would be riding her TOO!!!!!! Agh!
She was a complete angel today, overcoming screaming children, leaving the herd (apparently she spent much of the morning making other horses impossible to catch), and standing quietly for grooming. I got there extra early so we could have some quality time together, and she thoroughly enjoyed it. I had tied up some hay in her stall (which usually helps her stay focused while I am grooming/tacking) but she was content to stand there while I groomed her for almost an hour...she even relaxed enough to rest of of her hind legs...hooray! As I was tacking her up (which she was fantastic for -- even dropping her head for the bridle), L informed me that I would be riding her and then he left for almost a half hour. Just Kiki and I to soak it all in. She was super quiet even for tacking...I think she gets the fact that I am NOT going to torture her. So I spent the half hour or so, hugging her and stroking her chest. I whispered to her that "today was our day". I think she knew.
I long lined her for maybe 20 minutes before her exercise rider showed up and she was fantastic. No moments of crazy protest, just happy to be working, focused on me and going happily. I help Andrew mount and away she went! I finally got to see her under saddle! Her only vice so far is that she is reluctant to move forward, but once she does...whoa! The most beautiful gaits!
We switched saddles (this would be her first time wearing something other than a training saddle in ages) and then I would get on her! B was reasonably concerned that the saddle switch would freak her out...but she took it in stride and accepted me on her back easily. L walked us around once or twice and set us free! I was riding her! She was listening and she felt fantastic! We trotted around happily and other than having to keep her moving forward, she was wonderful. Her steering is pretty awful and she falls in tracking right, but that can all be improved in time. Another young horse came in (he has been ridden maybe 10 times) and we led them around at a trot with lots of changes in direction to get him accustomed to going forward. L made a comment that we would be hitting the hunter circuit this fall -- ha, imagine that???
A short walk out and bath later and she was off squealing with her herd.
What a wonderful day!
I am going to get confirmation photos of this week so we have some great before and after photos! She looks like a fuzzy broodmare right now!
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