Meeting 'Boy' - 3rd time riding with 'Calamity Jane'

As previously suggested by 'Calamity Jane', I was to test my directing abilities on a more experienced horse. I was told that I may find it easier dealing with a pony that was used to hacking out etc, rather than an ex-racehorse that seemingly had done nothing but racing.

I was quite uncomfortable with the thought of riding a horse that I did not know. It is important to me to get to know the horse I am about to ride before actually getting on. The horse ought to be able to trust me or at least feel comfortable in my presence to eventually accept me on its back. Getting along surely will make things much easier, that was my point of view.

With mixed feelings, I made my way over to the menage.

When I arrived, 'Calamity Jane' was still busy and so I used the waiting time to spend some time with 'Boy'. 

As I approached him I felt quite sorry to be riding him, he looked so relaxed and was half dozing. And to be fair, he was old and really looked old. To me he didn't look like a horse that should be ridden any longer. However, I was here and declining the very kind offer would have been rude. I knew he was still being ridden occasionally and he needed to be exercised because of his arthritis, so I was informed. Standing still all the time in a field was making it worse. 

I started to do my usual talking, scratching behind years and just 'listening' while standing with him.

Eventually it seemed as though he was ok with me. He is a lovely tempered and well mannered, senior age pony.

'Boy' being quite a lot smaller than 'Mr F',  felt a lot different to ride. Very uncomfortable, choppy and somewhat asymmetric, kind of out of rhythm.

Once in the menage, we did the same directional exercises as I had attempted before with 'Mr F' and my 'steering' abilities seemed to improve. It was indeed much easier to direct 'Boy', in comparison to 'Mr F' and I now felt less 'useless' as a rider.  It seems that I have to teach 'Mr F' to be a 'normal' riding horse.

To end the session, we rode the horses up to their fields, which meant to go on the road for a few yards. It was most enjoyable! My first time 'hacking' out, much more fun than hanging around in the menage. Much like 'Mr F', to me the menage is repetitive and it somehow draws out all energy.

It appeared that 'Calamity Jane' thought I was doing well on boy because she suggested that I would go on a hack with her. 'Boy' needed to be exercised and I was light and small enough for his old body, so she said. "OK, that would be most helpful." Although I really wanted to go and explore with 'Mr F', this was only my 3rd time in the saddle and for 'Mr F's sake I rather practise once more so that at least I somewhat have an idea of what I am supposed to do as a rider. And so that my body gets a feel for it. Admittedly, my body loved every minute of being in the saddle.

'Calamity Jane' would let me know when she had time for a hack.

I thanked her for letting me ride 'Boy' and made my way back to 'Buttercup Farm' where I spent some time with 'Mr F'.