Today the sun was shining beautifully. I went to attend to 'Mr F' in the early morning as usual, mucking out feeding etc. The short drive to his stable is a very scenic route and it starts quite high up, which in autumn/winter offers many breathtaking sights with the sea of fog and the sun rising. The same this morning, it was stunning!
After having breakfast with 'Mr F' - its such a peaceful way of eating, all the chewing and munching sounds - I went to fetch some more seeds and other bits and bobs.
I hadn't taken 'Mr F' out on my own for some time yet I have always greatly enjoyed it. Today I had time as it was a day off so I made my way over the the stables again just after midday.
He was sunbathing / snoozing in the field with 'Luke' and 'Little Sam' and I went to say 'hello'. I spent some time in the field with them. It's a first pointer to get an idea of his mood and the way he communicates when putting his head collar on: is he interested (turns towards me, lowers head so I can put on headcollar easily) is he not interested (stays put or gently turns away) is he in discomfort (usually communicated by 'Mr F' walking away at the sight of the head collar and herding the rest away from me) and so on.
He was in a kind of neutral / interested mood. Once in the stable I took my time to see to his hooves and to put on his hoof boots. Two layers of vet wrap around the hoof edges help making the hoof boots sit snug without twisting.
Then it was time for some grooming etc. A great deal is communicated between us when grooming. All the while I let him chew some of the haylage that is in the stable.
Other people are too at the yard, all getting their horses ready, some going for lessons, others going for rides.
We are the last ones to get on our way.
As my journey (some may call it spiritual journey) or as I call it: shedding of all the conditioned layers continues and brings changes and revelations every day, so did our ride today. My placement on 'Mr F' was different, my lower body was part of his and for the first time I very clearly felt a figure of 8 movement in walk. Sway to the right, slightly forward, back and sway to the left, slightly forward and back, and repeat. It was a very even rhythm, just letting my hips 'roll' with it, having my upper body completely still.
There is an exercise I do often when out riding: I balance my little whip (not actually sure why I bring it nowadays) in my open hand during walk and trott. Today I was pleased that I could balance the whip without actually holding it even during trott and transition back to walk (while not riding with stirrups). It appears that my body is learning, or more: I am less and less separating myself from 'Mr F'. I don't resist his movement, hence it is all much more balanced and united.
Being on our own he had to do the work of look out while also paying attention to me which made it all more interesting for him. He reacted very well to me 'steering' with my hips and the leg aids too were acknowledged immediately when 'slaloming' through groups of trees or making space for passing cars. He patiently would stand still (without eating grass!). Gait transitions too were accepted without arguing and by me just using my seat. It appeared that 'Mr F' was not minding me as his rider at all today. It was a true partnership today on this ride and being on our own I was not 'distracted' by talking. Although I do enjoy riding out with 'Lillian' because of our often silly conversations, I prefer being out on my own, just 'I' and 'Mr F'.
The last stretch just before getting back to the yard I use to let 'Mr F' enjoy some grass while I admire the views. It was a lovely late afternoon, the sun was setting and the fog was trying to creep up. We just stood there, in silence, beautiful joy and bliss.
Back at the yard I was getting 'Mr F' ready for the night, when 'Lillian' returned with the trailer. She came to spend some time in the stable with 'Luke' and as she was watching 'Mr F' stand next to me while I was listening to 'Lillian' she suddenly said: "You know, his (Mr F) face has changed so much over the past 3-4 months ... he no longer looks as though he thinks he is 'above it all', he is softer, but he knows he can trust you, I think he is 'in love' (not in a romantic cheesy way) with you."
Indeed, I felt a strong connection from deep inside flowing through all of my body, a wordless communication. 'Mr F' stood right next to me, his head very close (he isn't one for much body contact, but he sometimes likes to lean his mouth very gently against the curve between my neck and shoulder). He seemed extremely content.
Although I really am less and less looking back into the past nowadays but one thing is for sure: our countless walks too have very much contributed to our partnership level. For most this sounds a boring thing to do but I can only recommend it to improve the trust level between you and your horse.
It appears that somehow today's ride has united us some more. 'Mr f' stuck his head out of the stable door for ages seeing what I was doing while I was sorting out stuff in the yard. Normally he just goes and chews haylage oblivious of what is going on. I didn't want to leave and would have happily slept in the stable. It was a sensation of belonging ... among other fellow beings.
Because in truth we are animals too, except over the past several thousand years we have developed emotional thinking ... or self awareness, other than that, there is no difference. We have the same basic needs. And I am quite sure that at some point in the past there was communication (without words) among all living beings ... all understood one another. We have 'lost' or unlearnt this ...
But that's an entirely different topic.
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