Me, Hampton. No saddle. Just a halter and a lead rope.
Galloping along the beach. The wind whipping through our hair.
That's how last night's ride went.
Ok. Except that there was no galloping. Only me riding bareback and Hampton packing me along at a slow trot, clearly concerned that I had lost my mind. I love watching the sunset from his back and just spending time enjoying my horse. No bridle. No saddle. No dressage. No on-the-bit. The dressage part of me feels guilty for not demanding the best from him during every single ride. But the little kid on me - the Alec Ramsey - loves these rides. I was even holding my arms out to the side while trotting down the rail. (Further proving that Hampton is indeed an actual Saint).
He gets today off (but I'll still ride the pony) and Saturday we will return to dressage-ing.
I absolutely love that scene in the Black Stallion. =] It's so good that you two have that level of trust that you can do that!
ReplyDeleteWe are totally going to have to let our inner kids out on the first nice weekend and go for a trail ride. Lets pick what trails we want to go to then as soon as we see a break in the weather on a Sat. or Sun. lets do it. We have trails south of us that are decent. It is a one 9 mile trail and one shorter trail. Then there is brown county that I have never done but heard it is the best around. Those are the only ones I know of. Do you know of any good ones?
ReplyDeleteI just noticed that in that picture the heels, hips, shoulders and ears are all lined up perfectly. I'm amazed and awed. Bareback. On the Black Stallion. On the beach. Perfection. ...don't mind me. My inner little girl is just dreaming... wouldn't that be awesome?? when I was a kid galloping bareback I looked like an Indian from an old western movie - gripping with my knees and hugging down over the neck. Sheesh!
ReplyDelete"....what a wonderful mental picture you've painted for me, the idea of no saddle, bridle, etc. and just ridin' your horse with no goal other than to relax and enjoy, this is something that everyone should do even if it's only once in awhile!
ReplyDeleteI love doing the little kid things. I rode bareback today too. I especially like riding my horse bareback out to the pasture rather than trekking through the mud myself :D Reminds me of old horse camp days when I was a CIT and we'd ride all the lesson horses bareback.
ReplyDeleteI used to ride my Arabian bareback all the time with nothing but a halter and a lead rope...and me with no shoes on! Memories...... :)
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