Today is the day - Our first riding experience

At last, after 5 months, I was ready to go and ride 'Mr F' for the first time.

'Mr F' hasn't been ridden for a while. I understand that after he finished his racing time, he's been stood in a field for 4 years or so.

As mentioned earlier, my riding experience is minimal and going back to teenage days where I had lessons for some 6 months in turn for mucking out stables.

'Mr F' and I have been spending the past months just being together, in shape of grooming, going for walks along the countryside and spending time in the open fields behind 'Buttercup Farm', etc etc. I felt that we by now knew each other well enough to dare going out together.

'Calamity Jane' kindly offered us her menage to start our adventure and to give me some basic instructions. We arranged to be there for very early in the morning, I wanted to avoid the heat of the day and the flies.

I was ready and went to fetch 'Mr F'. Both him and 'Luke' were chilling out in the already warm, early morning summer sun.

'Mr F' (flat out), not a worry in the world, soaking up the sunbeams ....

'Luke': "Nope, I'm not coming, I'm chillin' "

I sat next to 'Mr F' for a while, until he decided it is time to get up, which really should have been 10 minutes ago. The phrase "Hurry up and be patient" springs to mind ...

'Mr F': "Alright, I'm up. What do you want?" 

The lack of tack situation was temporarily solved by 'Lillian' lending me her father's old, well used English saddle and I used 'Mr F's old bridle. It was a very slippery and hard saddle, it had seen a lot of use in its years. But it was a start. 

I bought myself a body protector, just in case, and of course a helmet. Being a 0 budget rider, I was thankful for certain online auction places. It was time to get to grips with the tack and where it all goes. All had to be explained to me. The saddle in particular seemed to me a dodgy matter. 'Mr F's back was so long, where am I supposed to place it? How do I know he is comfortable?  And this metal piece in his mouth, I wasn't keen on it. All I could think of was: this doesn't feel natural.

'Jane' accompanied us to the menage. I was leading 'Mr F' as I didn't dare ride over there on my own. The only experience of riding goes back 25 years, over about 6 months did I get to ride a riding school pony for half an hour a week. It was nothing like 'Mr F'.

So far I have learnt that this horse isn't just a 'normal' horse. 'Mr F' always know; he knows what I am supposed to do, he knows what I am going to do and therefore rather often looks at me almost disapprovingly or with a 'go on, make me do it' face. He knows what he wants and if he doesn't get it we have some sometimes serious discussions. Being with 'Mr F' isn't like being with other horses. 'Rose' is totally different and so is 'Luke'. They are less 'intrusive' or lets say: they don't look straight at me in the manner 'Mr F' does. Oh I know, most people think I am crazy but I don't care.

It was time to mount. Once I sat in the saddle, I was surprised to find myself instantly 'at home'. It was a totally different feeling to when I sat on those riding school ponies years ago. This time it was more 'personal' as I spent so much time with 'Mr F'. I was expecting that I might feel on edge but much the opposite, I felt safe and I trusted 'Mr F' not to take advantage of my beginner status. It was somewhat bonding, now I was in his 'hands'. It was time to see just how much we are really 'partners' in this.

'Calamity Jane' was giving me some instructions with regards to 'steering' etc. I was told to keep the reins short, SHORTER and shorter. Not knowing better I did as instructed but it didn't feel right, it seemed to upset 'Mr F' quite a lot.

He also didn't react to any leg aids and my ability to direct 'Mr F' from one point to another was hopeless. I had also noticed that he wasn't in the slightest motivated. As soon as we entered the menage his face went dull. Over the past months I have been out with this horse everyday. We either walked the countryside or went exploring in the open grazing fields behind 'Buttercup Farm', where we would say hello to all the calves and enjoy the juicy grass. 'Mr F's face was always awake, interested, taking things in. Here in the menage he was totally different.

I had a feeling that he was actually refusing my leg aids simply because he could but also because they were not clear nor consistent. It all annoyed him. 

We continued for a while but not much improvement. Then we decided that this was enough for a first time and we'd try again another day. I was grateful for at least having had the chance of using the menage but had a feeling that this riding matter was a path I had to work on on my own, with 'Mr F', somehow.

We made our way back to 'Buttercup Farm'. Perhaps he's not been ridden like this before, I guess he was just used to racing which would have been very different.

First though I needed to know what I was supposed to do as a rider. I didn't want to frustrate 'Mr F' any further and spoil it.