'Mr F' and I are back on agreeable terms and are having our daily 'discussions' about matters and who wants to do what, how and when. I enjoy those discussions and all the different expressions of 'Mr F'. I would say we are on a whole quite content with each others company although its not all smooth sailing.
It was time for another riding lesson, I wanted to learn how to canter.
After a few hinderances (drive out of 'buttercup farm' was blocked and path over fields was blocked, too by farmers and cows) we managed to finally get onto the road. 'Mr F' coped fine with it all and was very willing to follow me regardless of which route I chose. The traffic was very busy but we got there just in time.
It was a hot and humid day and just as we entered the menage the skies opened! At least it kept the flies away for a while.
'Mr F' is still wearing hoof boots when out on tarmac, his feet are still sensitive on hard ground. I decided to leave the boots on as it was raining so hard.
We did our excersises, working on my aids to help 'Mr F' to carry himself a little better. Then we were working up to the canter. We trotted around the menage at quite high speed (which felt marvelous!) for some time.
Then, all of a sudden, 'Mr F's gait changed.
'I don't know what canter is supposed to feel like but it can't be this ...'
Immediately I had lost the stirrups (which I never got on with anyway!)
'... oops, lost the stirrups, so much for 'legs forward, heels down!'
I bounced a few more times, hugging 'Mr F's body with my legs to steady by body, stirrups flapping about.
'... this is getting a bit difficult to stay on ...just what on earth is wrong with 'Mr F'?'
I was bouncing about although felt still quite ok with it, strangely enough. When things go wrong I tend to go calm ... which probably helped here in this situation. I began to go through my options:
'... perhaps this is were I have my first fall. OK, fine but which side should I choose, left of right? And how do I fall so that I don't land underneath his feet?"
I couldn't come up with a reply and decided it would be best to stay on.
'... ah ... we are slowing down ...'
And we stopped. I still had NO IDEA what just happened. I sat there in the saddle a little puzzled and was petting 'Mr F' to help him calm down. Only then I noticed 'Rupert' who had a face as white as a sheet. He said: "Could you please make sure you are safe before you pet your horse." - "Ok, but I am safe. 'Mr F' is fine now. What happened?" - "His back hoof boot has come loose." 'Rupert' replied.
I dismounted and 'Mr F' looked at me as though to say 'sorry' and then looked at his back foot: indeed, somehow 'Mr F's hoof slipped out of the shell of the easyboot glove but the gaiter still was fastened it to his leg. Although it couldn't possibly hurt him, he never before experienced something flapping around his leg and so it upset him and he was probably trying to shake it off.
And so I took off all boots and petted 'Mr F' and appologised and then got back on. We continued for a little bit with our lesson but had run out of time to work on canter. Other horses and students arrived and it was time to leave. 'Mr F' was fine with having the boots put back on and the trip home it was as though nothing happened.
Later that day I saw 'Lillian' who also had a lesson with Rupert that afternoon. She told me that apparently 'Mr F' was truly bucking and that Rupert was impressed that I staid on - at least I seem to have good balance!
When I heard this I was surprised as to me it didn't feel like bucking. Then again, I was busy thinking up a solution while it all took place.
But in any case: it never felt as though it was aimed against me.
It was good to find out inside the menage that the boots didn't stay on. It could have been a different story if this had happened on the road! When we trott now I notice that 'Mr F' is quite hesitant not to reach a certain speed and I too am watchful.
We have to look at the sizing of these boots more closely.
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