I got there and he was looking out the gate of his dry lot (Bill calls it his 'back yard') at me when I walked up the driveway to him. He stared at me and when I talked to him and turned to go into the barn he was on the money & turned to walk into his stall & meet me at his door. He nickered a few times and got so excited he whinnied. His voice is always so bright, and cheerful. It's like a little kid on Christmas when they walk down the steps and see all the presents from Santa...that kind of "eeeeEEEEE!!!!!!!" shriek of excitement? That's Jimmy's voice :-) He's the happiest guy I know.
To him, I couldn't get my stuff out fast enough. Brushes, saddle, bridle, helmet. He watched me take it all out and get it ready and nearly leaped into my arms when I opened the door with his halter in hand. When he's needy like this, all I can do is pet and hug him. I just could cradle his head in my arms forever. Oh my gosh I love him.
I tacked up and when I put the saddle on something in him got fired up. He knew it was time for a real ride, and I honestly believe he was as excited as I was. He stood so tall and proud in the aisle wearing his tack I swear he grew a full hand. He's more than just intuitive, he's nearly clairvoyant.
When we walked outside he continued his tall stance, walking proud with his head in the air, with a very "Arabian" look on his face – very elegant and beautiful. I walked him right up to the mounting block, pulled down my stirrups, tightened my girth, stepped up the block and he just stood there, like he knew. All this time every time I've tried to sit on him and see how he's feeling, he dances at the mounting block like he did as a baby. "No Mom. I don't wanna. I don't wanna, Mom. No." Today he was a statue, tall and proud to say, "Yes, I'm getting ridden today, and I'm ready." He waited to walk off until I exhaled and patted him and we walked around together for a few minutes.
To start with I carry my reins at an appropriate length. I don't hold them tight and force him to flex, but I don't just sit like a lump with my hand on the buckle either - yet somehow this medium length rein really worked for Jimmy. I noticed Sunday also as he put himself into a proper package from just the lightest medium length rein.
Stepping up into a trot was slow but effortless. He trotted slowly and a bit uncomfortably for probably the first entire trip around the arena, but as he moved on and on he worked out of it beautifully. I can tell he's definitely weak because he slightly weaves on and off the rail - he can't quite track straight yet. To be expected, really. I kept my reins at this medium length and used the grip of my thighs and seat as well as my posting rhythm to tell him how much to slow down. He trotted very long and low, almost too long at some points, but consistent. He would adjust himself between a long and low hunter frame to a more upright dressage-type frame while I just sat and enjoyed the ride. It amazed me that all of these (nearly 10) months without a consistent reminder of me on his back saying "put your head down. put your head down. put your head down" is what actually drove the message home. I have to think that those chips were causing him discomfort for a lot longer than he let on and that's the reasoning behind why he'd never give up his head to me. Now he WANTS to carry it 'correctly'. What a good boy.
I stepped him into a canter after we trotted another few times around - that time he felt even stronger than the first. He cantered soft, like butter in the bridle. The slightest touch on his mouth and he'd basically fall into my hand and seat, so I just let him be. To change direction I went across the diagonal & realized there was a 2 stride ground rail set up so I just allowed him to continue and he rounded himself up under me, cantered over the first, did a perfect two, and jumped up and over the second. It felt unreal!! Then he landed and did his lead change (had to skip for the back *ahem weak hind end, I won't let you get away with this forever*) and cantered off the second direction. He was lighter still the second way, nearly upright and choppy in the bridle. I stood up off of his back and let him stretch down and enjoy his own canter once around and called it a day.
It's been hours and I still feel like I'm on cloud nine. I know we have a long way to go in strength training and rehabilitating and stamina...but man, does it ever feel great to ride my own horse again. I left his stall door open while I cleaned his bridle & even though he had flax in his bucket, he popped his head out of the door and hung out with me. When I stood in front of him, he either licked every inch of my bare skin, put his nose onto mine so I would kiss him over and over, or dove his head right into my chest so I would wrap my arms around his perfect little head.
This horse fills my whole heart and body with love every minute I am with him, and for hours and days after I leave his side. Nothing can replace the feeling I have right now. Undying hope and trust that we will once again become what we were - but even better. I can't wait until tomorrow so I can go out and do it all over again, but better.
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