Is this the right thread? I just had one of the best rides of my life.
I bought new reins for Ella, identical to ones on my old long-term share.
Leather, so they are slippy in one's hands and there is nothing for the horse to lean on. The result was that Ella suddenly didnt lean, moved nicely with her hind legs and became sensitive to tiny touches of the rein. Particularly to divert her from snackng. With the right reins, her mouth is not like leather as I had assumed. She went so like my old share that Iaccidentally called her by the wrong name once.
We covered most of one of my previous favourite RS summer hacks and I hope to ride the other half with her next week. And insert the canters.
I got back very tired and stiff but I am no longer young, even when riding.
For me this raised a question, as I pointed out to YM. I am a RS rider. I ride in the tack I am given. But it seems I could transform the mare and up the level of my riding her, just by buying her new reins.