It was my first overall ride at the new place so in addition to being late I also didn't have my routine down. I just ended up tacking her up in her stall to keep things simple and repeated my mantra, be brave, as we walked down the hill and into the ring.
Ellie, to her credit (her only credit), was decidedly chill despite the wind and cloudy skies so we managed to avoid any "arabian" moments which typically result in a small horse head in your face while the rest of her dashes off someplace.
No. Not today. Ellie had a new trick up her sleeve for me.
She decided that after every fourth trot step she would then pretend to pick up the left lead canter- which literally felt like she would canter a step off her left front...but then didn't actually canter.
This fake out led to a number of ramifications. Panic- is she lame? Why does she keep doing this? She must be off.
Indecision- how do I make this stop. Pull more? Kick more? "You want to canter- fine we'll canter. Oh really- you actually don't feel like cantering? Then STOP pretending like you want to canter."
And probably most embarrassing- wrong diagonals. Because every time she took her funny step I would pause a beat before carrying on and then Diane would say "diagonal" and I would say (to myself) "you've got to be kidding me." Because throughout this whole situation I've also been thinking "perfect equitation for new trainer."
Where is the lovely collection? The using of the hind end that we've been working so hard on?
Oh Ellie. She is not lame. She does not want to canter. She is trying to get out of actually using her bootie and seems to think this is her ticket to a quick ride. Not so friend- despite trantering along three lessons in a row she finally settled down in my hack today. When there was no one around to see it of course!
 |
| Everyone seems to be twinning. And it was not planned. |
Trantering is the worst... Hopefully she continues to settle :)
ReplyDeleteI always have my best rides when no one is looking, too! Sounds like Ellie will continue to settle in to your new home.. and so will you!
ReplyDeleteoh no haha - silly Ellie! lessons w new trainers are SO stressful, esp with tricksy trantering mares. glad you got it sorted out
ReplyDeleteObvi Ellie and Miles are talking long distance about how to throw their adult ammies off and avoid cantering.
ReplyDeleteThe fancy matching blankets! Very attractive.
ReplyDeleteOh Ellie. I was about to ask if you already picked up matching barn blankets! That twinning is impressive.
ReplyDeleteI wish! Apparently all of my new barn friends have an affinity towards green/ maroon!
Delete