A Penance Declined.
- From: Brian Whatcott <betwys1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2008 21:30:43 -0600
Tonight was school night. I went to the ranch first - in the Festiva -
because though the truck is fixed and running, it's drinking oil and
needs a rebuild, no doubt.
Without a saddle I led my horse to a tree stump and with the lead
clipped and tied either side of a field halter for reins, sat him
bareback. Mystic has never been ridden bare-back, and my
seat is mediocre so I was prepared to spill if he put on the pace.
And I was willing to contemplate it as a penance, and to correct the
horse immediately, if he broke into a trot, towards a tempting bowl of
feed nearby.
Here's why....
I had allowed myself to put a tot at risk last weekend, when she had
asked to be released during a horse back ride. I had brought along a
well-fitted hard hat for her of course. She was so enthralled and
pleased with being ground walked, that it was easy to comply when she
asked me to release the lead in the round pen - and the horse was
happy to follow me - essentially at heel. She was by far the most
confident of the four youngsters that I walked.
But I should certainly have known better when I led her out of the pen
again, and she begged for a free rein while walking back towards
home base.
I didn't expect it, but Mystic soon stepped up to a trot - and she
slid out of the short stirrups I had fitted over the Western saddle.
The one person who was terrified was me.
The horse stopped immediately; she was unhurt - but I was aghast.
And in a minute or so, she was demanding to be put up again.
This time I held onto the lead with no arguments.
So today, I wanted to give the horse a chance to break into a trot
again unbidden and unseat me, if he cared to, as a penance.
But he was just what I expected - as controlable bareback in a halter
as in a bridle and saddle....
Then, onto class. At the College arena, a young 2 yr old colt made his
first appearance. His owner announced he had previously
been led and hobbled. Nothing more.
I saw what I formerly thought was only a trainer's show stunt: a
progression of free driving with a lasso in a round pen, landing a
rope on the back and flanks to desensitize, while keeping the pace up.
Landing a noose on the neck, and lungeing with the lasso as a
war-bridle.... Sacking with a saddle pad then a saddle blanket.
Saddling then lungeing some more (with several impressive initial
four legs off the ground vertical broncs in an effort to shake the
Western saddle, with a belly cinch in contact) then with the horse
tiring a little, weighting either side, after which, a young rider
mounted, and was driven at walk jog & lope..... In less than an hour.
Brian W
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