Ace Ridden

After a weekend off, I started up with Ace again last night. I'm almost afraid to say anything out loud, but I think we've reached a turning point. He came when I called and I tacked him up like any old horse. We wandered down to the ring with Mike in tow with the camera.

I decided to play it safe and steer him from alongside as our warm up. Then I laid across his back for half a lap just for good measure. Then, without any ado whatsoever, I climbed on board.

We picked up right where we left off, walking a cautious circle around the ring. I dismounted, praised him, and re-mounted. I was even able to pick up my stirrups! There was no flailing about. There was no buck. It was lovely.

We even had a moment where he saw something that concerned him and worked through it. He paused, and I dropped my stirrups again just so I could have a quick escape if I needed one. Then I asked him to walk off and he did.

I'm hoping that the day when I can just lead him to the ring and get on board and pick up my stirrups is in the foreseeable future. We still have to walk, walk, walk until he gets completely comfortable, but it's hard not to get excited. He is so light in the bridle and so willing to learn. I'm hoping this is the glimmer at the end of a very long, dark tunnel for this horse.

This is how normal people do it, right?

Parking brake is very effective.

Stirrups like a real rider!