So tonight I had my first fall of Ruffi. This was HUGE.
For a refresher, when we first went and met Ruffi, she bucked me off pretty immediately. While we still decided to bring her home, I was RIDICULOUSLY nervous whenever I would get on her. Then we had her Kissing Spine issue. And the she was still having referred pain.
I have been riding her pretty regularly since March. We have been working pretty steadily on dressage basics. Rhythm, relaxation, straightness, a little bit of lateral work. Encouraging balance and self carriage. Its been a really magnificent journey so far. Every ride brings improvement.
Tonight was a little different. Let’s back up to a little earlier this week. I don’t remember where I was or what I was doing, but I was thinking about how even when Bacardi is naughty, I am relaxed and confident. This led me to a decision that I was going to start riding Ruffi the same way. She hasn’t been naughty. She has been calm and confident. So I decided it was time to put the past behind us.
This evening, I swung my leg over and got on with our ride. Walk/trot both directions. Long rein to relax. As we are approaching the “scary” end of the arena. She spooks. Next thing I know I am on the ground. I lay there, take stock of my body, I get up. And I decide to swing my leg back over. No hesitating. No anxiety. No nervousness. I just did it. Like I would with Bacardi.
This is HUGE! This is such an AMAZING step in our relationship. I am not SCARED of my mare anymore. I am SO PROUD of ME!
Happy Riding and Overcoming Fears.
A+R