At last. The difference of riding a different pony.
I never did solve the problem of riding the wider mare and Old Faithful's ungovernable canter spurts wrecked my nerves. My hacking dwindled and I hadnt the heart for it.
RI thought this a pity and suggested a pony I didnt know. Well, she gave me a wide choice but this was the first name she mentioned and pony turned out to be lovely - forward going and softly responsive. I even dared canter her out in front on our very first ride just as I used to on Maisie.
My escort and me were just chatting away and I noticed that, as soon as we stopped talking, the little pony offered to trot. She must have learned over her years at the RS that there would be no trotting so long as her rider was talking away - but silence meant she would be asked for trot or canter. Quite sad really. I dont know why I found it sad. I just did. But the consequence is that she is totally tuned in to one's intentions even on a first ride with a complete stranger. Which makes her a delight to ride.
I never did solve the problem of riding the wider mare and Old Faithful's ungovernable canter spurts wrecked my nerves. My hacking dwindled and I hadnt the heart for it.
RI thought this a pity and suggested a pony I didnt know. Well, she gave me a wide choice but this was the first name she mentioned and pony turned out to be lovely - forward going and softly responsive. I even dared canter her out in front on our very first ride just as I used to on Maisie.
My escort and me were just chatting away and I noticed that, as soon as we stopped talking, the little pony offered to trot. She must have learned over her years at the RS that there would be no trotting so long as her rider was talking away - but silence meant she would be asked for trot or canter. Quite sad really. I dont know why I found it sad. I just did. But the consequence is that she is totally tuned in to one's intentions even on a first ride with a complete stranger. Which makes her a delight to ride.
