We had been riding up in the fields a few times recently in the company of 'Jane' and 'Madame'. While I have spent many hours up there happily on my own with 'Mr F' on lead rope, riding him up there as a beginner is a different topic altogether. Therefore I had asked 'Jane' to watch us just in case something happens. Should come off at least 'Mr F' could not get himself in any danger as there was no way out of those fields.
The first few times we went riding up there were just in walk, perhaps 20 minutes at best, depending how late 'Jane' would turn up and for how long she'd be on the phone while being up there.
Today's plan was for me to do some trotting, which I had not yet done.
After warming up first it was time for our first trott (well mine, 'Mr F' sure knew how to trott!). Let's say he did not need much encouragement. I don't remember having even had to use any leg aids, I think he just read my thoughts and off he went.
What a fantastic feeling it was! 'Mr F's gait was unexpectedly soft and flowing, it was like riding on a soft cusion! I was expecting a 'bumpy' gait like good old 'Boy' due to stiffness in the back leg, but not so!
'Mr F' seemed to enjoy it just as much - each time we would enter a new field I could feel him getting excited - and he probably felt that I was thinking the same! I couldn't get enough. But 'Mr F's fitness had to be taken into consideration and things had to be built up over time.
Luckily I have a rather muscular body and certainly strong legs. Probably due to all the skiing and ice skating in my teenage years back in my home country. Raising myself out of the saddle wasn't a problem but I did struggle with my balance.
It seemed to me that the stirrups where not in the right position, they seemed to 'push' me backwards. In the end I found myself having to gently wrap my legs around 'Mr F' so that I could rise and make it at least a little more comfortable for him. The saddle was also very 'slippery', it had well used by 'Lillian's dad and possibly people before him. It was an old English saddle.
There was one other matter of discomfort I noticed the last few times I was riding 'Mr F' in the fields he spent considerable time with quite wild head-shaking. I was told that some just do this but I wasn't happy with that answer and so once again went to do some reading. Eventually I figured out that it could perhaps be that 'Mr F' is not happy with his bit.
I already learnt that he HATES (I mean this) being ridden on short reins. At first I was instructed to do so but it just resulted in more head shaking. I realised that 'Mr F' was much happier on loose reins. And I felt more comfortable with that too because I noticed that he likes to stretch his neck. Sometime he likes to walk and even trott with his neck all the way on the ground. I am not stopping him as he seems to enjoy it, my guess is he is stretching his muscles.
I asked 'Lillian' if there were other, better bits that I could try. She brought me one of her Sprenger KK-double joint bits for me to try next time.
As it was a hot day, I let 'Mr F' have a 'shower' before putting him back into the field. He seemed generally rather pleased with himself. I sure enjoyed the trotting and he does pick up some speed if I let him.
Mr F
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