FOREST RIDING

Out in the forest today, sun shining through the winter trees, gentle breeze. Horse keen and bright.

What I realise afterwards is how normal it is for me to be switched on to where the horse’s attention is…

Their hearing especially is more acute than ours and I want the horse to know I am also listening out, for her and for me…

I keep her light and attentive in my hands, the reins playing softly between her mouth and my fingers, especially the left rein. On the way home we like to do a power trot on a particular long track but today when we came to our power trot track she asked to come back to walk and enjoy the view…

I knew then she had relaxed and handed responsibility over to me… nice… back in the stables she snoozed with a serene look on her face. Job done.