This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Kari Ann,
Not sure I understand your question?? Are you reluctant to canter on a horse or do you mean you don't think your Fjord can canter,----???? Are you referring to a fear and overcoming it? If that's the case, I can tell you of my "past" fear of riding bareback. I used to ride bareback all the time as a kid but now that I'm "middle age" with back problems, I wanted no part of it. When I watched a Pat Parelli seminar at our Expo, he said everyone should ride their horse bareback at least 3 hours a week to truly be in touch with their horse. That statement haunted me for a few weeks until one night my daughter, 12, was riding her Quarter horse in the round pen bareback and I was riding at an adventurous walk with her. I had been thinking about what Pat had said ever since and my daughter started to encourage me to trot, then canter. The trot came pretty easy but the canter was far off in my mind! Then, I kept envisioning myself on my childhood horse, Big Red, loping through the woods bareback and jumping logs! Of course, you do these nutty things when you're young and your mom isn't around to tell you not to -- and of course, all with no helmet. I kept thinking -- here I am in a round pen, on a horse I've ridden for 4 years who is totally dependable, in familiar surroundings, with a helmet on my head. What's the worse that could happen?! (Not to mention that my daughter can't figure out why I can't do such a "easy" thing). I mustered the courage to kiss and off she went in her rocking horse gait! I hadn't felt so excited about such a "small" accomplishment in years. I had forgotten how easy it was. Only the few seconds from the walk to the canter was I feeling a little reluctant. Now, I ride Spicy bareback at least twice a week in the round pen. No, I would never venture out on the trails that way. There are too many variables there, but I did get brave and enter a bareback class at the next show -- pretty funny, me with all those teenagers! It's now one of my best classes. Spicy seems to love the ease of moving without being encumbered by a saddle -- and -- Pat Parelli was right, you do get in touch with your horse better that way. She moves off my leg like a dream. I don't know if this is what you were looking for but your question made me think of this. You feel on top of the world when a fear is finally put to rest! Susan in steamy hot Minnesota
