Tonight was my official 2nd date with Maestro. Riding to me is all about forming relationships with the horse. After all, these animals have the power and ability to seriously injure you if they truly wanted to. To put it in perspective – Alfie and I are like an old married couple. Martini and I, we are engaged. Maestro and I are in the getting to know you flirting phase.
When I started taking lessons with Martini, it took me a long time to build up our relationship. A big part of the relationship is developing trust with each other. So with Maestro, we are taking things slow.
Tonight’s lesson, I mean “date” was mostly at a walk. After our warmup I noticed that while we were walking, Maestro kept turning his head to the inside and his butt was going into the wall. So instead of trotting, I asked my trainer what we could do so I could correct this. So we continued walking around the arena but not directly against the wall. Without the arena wall to help with keeping him straight, it was up to me to give him the proper aids to keep him straight. It was a hard exercise to do, but by the time the lesson was over, Maestro was walking much straighter.
Sure, I know how to trot and canter, so why am I simply walking with Maestro – because this is building the foundation to our bond. I want him to enjoy our time together, I want him to get to know me. I also want to get to know him.
People approach riding in all different ways. Some hop on the horse and enjoy the ride without caring to get to know the animal that is carrying them around. Some are only concerned with their own advancement of riding and believe the horse is a robot, void of any feelings. Neither one of those scenarios is me.
Tonight, Maestro and I learned a little bit about each other. And I can’t wait to get to know him more.❤️🐴
Confessions of an Equestrianoholic 