I had a couple of interesting rides on Saumur these last
days. Tuesday’s trailride started well, until several hot air balloons quietly
floating up over our heads, their captains choosing just that very moment to
ascent – with the unmistaken help of lots of gas. The noise unsettled Saumur
quite a bit, he couldn’t figure out where it was coming from. When that happens
I feel like sitting on a black powder barrel just waiting for the spark to
ignite the whole thing. Over the years I’ve learned to deal with it, and
luckily the forest trail loomed ahead. Once in the woods he felt “out of the
woods” (how’s that for a word play?) and by then also the balloons had sailed
away gracefully.
Yesterday was the first lesson in a while, and I had been
really looking forward to it. Ah, but then, “he’s Saumur”, having perfected the
“I can lay on your hand” shtick quite well. When I think I have him on my seat
and leg he’s still diving down, putting his weight in my hands. I have the
Popeye-muscles to proof. Judy focused on having me getting him off my hands and
onto my seat. Whew. I tend to give and take constantly, where really the goal
is to be quick with the half-halt, even if it has to be strong, and then get
light.
To top it off, Remy got send home from school today with the
teacher’s note saying “Half-halts in a forward motion.. the better he
half-halts from your seat and you use less rein the better he is – just like
Saumur”. What, another one that needs my seat and leg?Judy’s job security = my
misery J
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