Catch Ride

A friend of mine contacted me a few days ago about riding her horse once or twice a week.  

I love riding other people’s horse. Plus,  there’s always a bit of an adrenaline rush when being asked to sit on someone else’s beloved horse.  😁 
Since I’ve been super depressed about how far away from my goals I’ve gotten,  and how I really miss interacting with other horse people,  I thought this might be a good way to feel helpful and satisfy my social interaction a bit.  

I especially wanted an opportunity to ride a horse  like my friend’s horse.  A 16.3h Oldenburg cross with movement to die for, and a temperment to match. It’s been ages since I’ve been on a horse this nice. 

So we met up yesterday for a test run. 

After climbing a full set of stairs,  I was able to mount the beast.  Unfortunately,  no one owns stirrups for midgets anymore.  If I pointed my toes down I could almost keep the irons from rattling around below me as I rode,  but not much use to me.  

Big trot on this guy.  Lot of upward movement.  Smoother than Ava,  but more powerful.  Unfortunately,  he was lame… 

A lot of nervous,  yet lazy,  energy.  The kind of horse that is normally safe,  but can be frustrating because their feet are sticky while their brains are going a million miles an hour.  

i.e. The typical TB brain,  but stuck in a warmbloods body.  😂 

Anyway,  I think I could do the horse a lot of good.  His issues right now are all issues I’ve dealt with before with Ava and Joy.  Forward off a light aid,  keeping the forward energy without being nagged,  straightness,  etc. The normal,  basic stuff. 

What really got me last night was how incredibly insecure I felt about riding my friend’s horse in front of her.  

I felt like I wasn’t going to measure up.  I was afraid to address any issues,  for fear of being judged as incompetent.  I was afraid that she would realize I suck and never ask me to come back again. 

Talk about insecure!  Gesh! 

Don’t think this was any reflection on my friend.  She’s one of the nicest people I know.  This was entirely my own insecurities giving me a good shake up last night.  

The plan,  as we left it,  is to meet up next week for another try,  I’ll bring my midget stirrup leathers this time,  and hopefully the horse will be sound.  I’ll have to figure out how to bash down my own insecurities so I can do this horse justice and not just be a passenger.  

Also,  I found out this barn the horse is at has several clinics a year.   Now that i know where it’s at,  I’ll have to audit a couple.  

I’ll keep you posted on what happens next.  Fingers crossed I get asked back.  Second fingers crossed that I overcome my horrendous insecurity issues before then.  😀