Dreams Do Come True

Two days ago I rode Elliot for the very first time. I have been on his back before, even sat there for about 20 minutes, except he didn't understand my cues to walk forward, so he just stood there, turning his head to nudge at my legs.

But Sunday I was ready, had made plans to ride him. I brushed him, cleaned his hooves, and saddled him up. Then I put on the hackamore I have had for 20 years. I had purchased it for a little Arabian I had way back in 1988 - Sasha.

I lunged him first to take any piss and vinegar out of him and then Hubby took the dogs for Jeep ride around the property while I walked Elliot to my pick up. I led him to the back where the tail gate was down and used that to sit in the saddle. He wanted to stop by the bushes to munch, so I had to use some coaxing to get him to keep walking, but he did.

We did two ventures around the pasture.

Looking at the pictures Hubby took, I plan to do a couple of things differently.

One is is bridle. I knew it was small and had looked at others, but hadn't found anything here I really liked. I will order one today. It is much too small for him. Plus, I didn't have reins. I do now.

Two, I don't like the look of the Austrailan saddle on him. Hubby has been encouraging me to buy a Western saddle. I will do that real soon as well.

And, three, the martingale has to go. I realized that Sunday when I was riding him - you see, because he is still green, he does not understand reining and the martingale restricts the radius of pulling the reins from one side or the other. He is not a head thrower or anything like that, and all I was using them for was to keep the saddle from slipping back. We'll just leave them off next time.

It felt so wonderful to be up on his back. Now for me to get back to the weight I was when I brought him home and for him to grow a little taller.