tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post3101004653716205493..comments2024-02-29T09:31:25.294-05:00Comments on camera-obscura: more reasons why I love the Big Baybilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18187141867284800597noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-13134780977520045972010-01-17T18:17:12.684-05:002010-01-17T18:17:12.684-05:00j, that big, relaxed walk is amazing to see in any...j, that big, relaxed walk is amazing to see in any horse, isn't it? I love your image of "the force!"billiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18187141867284800597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-23583404111162970992010-01-17T18:04:00.170-05:002010-01-17T18:04:00.170-05:00Sheaffer, please tell The Woman that the Micklem i...Sheaffer, please tell The Woman that the Micklem is quite lovely. The only thing I don't like about it are the plastic bit clips, but since I don't plan to use it with a bit, I won't need to use those. Keil Bay likes it so far, and it is well-fitted when adjusted and much better than simply using clip-on reins with his halter.<br /><br />If only I didn't need 3 different sizes for the 3 geldings! I would love one for each of them.billiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18187141867284800597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-65864964835696410942010-01-16T20:47:10.810-05:002010-01-16T20:47:10.810-05:00oh, doesn't that big, loose walk just take you...oh, doesn't that big, loose walk just take your breath away? nate has a walk like that at times and it makes me giddy, and i have no idea why! <br /><br />i love those days of sort of riding meditation where it feels like horse and rider share one mind and you can ride just with your eye and intention.... trying to help students discover that feeling i used to refer to it half-jokingly as 'using the force' ;-) <br /><br />it seems like that's the place where all the 'real' work springs from and i've started to strive for that kind of relaxation (or as close as possible) before, after and in between work sessions. not always possible, but something to hope for... <br /><br />i still have to try riding in the mickelm, but after your successful day in it, i will have to give it a try!jmehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04295140724737185132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-22361236779595878732010-01-16T18:38:31.368-05:002010-01-16T18:38:31.368-05:00Billie, please keep us updated on the intriguing b...Billie, please keep us updated on the intriguing bridle - the woman is thinking of getting one for Doc and Molly to share. She is also thinking of getting me a sort of bitless driving bridle affair - I insist on having my tongue over the bit - I feel much more comfortable, in control and unworried that way. I think bits are something that make more sense to humans than to equines...ponymaidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02996833096239732307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-14893126424079576612010-01-16T15:52:44.182-05:002010-01-16T15:52:44.182-05:00Jane, it's easy to get caught up in the extend...Jane, it's easy to get caught up in the extended trots and perfect canters, but the big swinging forward walk is really the foundation, and you're right - something about it snaps everything into a sort of zen moment of awareness. <br /><br />Even seeing Keil Bay do his big panther walk across the paddock or pasture makes me happy, but riding it is something else. :)billiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18187141867284800597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-11115171491884772022010-01-16T15:36:30.967-05:002010-01-16T15:36:30.967-05:00*happy sigh* I felt like I was on that ride!
Th...*happy sigh* I felt like I was on that ride! <br /><br />There's something about the working walk that snaps everything back to go for me. Whatever problems I was having, (mostly mine) stop happening, and I sync up with the program.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing...Janehttp://www.theliteraryhorse.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-9227283990769777082010-01-15T18:19:54.064-05:002010-01-15T18:19:54.064-05:00Thanks, Wendy - I hope there's some warming go...Thanks, Wendy - I hope there's some warming going on for you too!billiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18187141867284800597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-32369943537472028092010-01-15T18:19:29.593-05:002010-01-15T18:19:29.593-05:00Arlene, it's been since returning to riding in...Arlene, it's been since returning to riding in my 40s that the mounting thing has been true - but for some reason it has become worse in the last year. <br /><br />Keil never had an issue with mounting until I started getting fidgety this year. I feel almost certain I've created the problem by stepping up, starting to mount, hesitating, and then he seems to think if he steps back one step it will help. <br /><br />I can fix it if I can do the trick where I put my left foot in the stirrup and keep it there, but lately I haven't been feeling nimble enough to do that!<br /><br />Today when I rode he stepped back and I decided to just stand on the mounting (every time I typed mounting in this comment I first typed "mountain" - which is sort of what it feels like!) block and see what he did if I just stood there.<br /><br />He backed up until his eye was even with mine and just looked at me, like, "we have a communication problem here, don't we?"<br /><br />LOL.<br /><br />It was nice to be in the saddle two days in a row. An even warmer day tomorrow, so let's see if I can make 3 be the charm!billiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18187141867284800597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-64308996139560985202010-01-15T14:52:44.548-05:002010-01-15T14:52:44.548-05:00Brilliant on many levels. Glad that you got to en...Brilliant on many levels. Glad that you got to enjoy the warmer weather with your horse!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-41079717013533879762010-01-15T13:26:04.290-05:002010-01-15T13:26:04.290-05:00I'm so happy to read about your ride. The way ...I'm so happy to read about your ride. The way you describe the whole experience is simply perfect. You and Keil Bay seem to have had a beautiful journey together for a space of time.<br /><br />It's funny I thought I was the only one with mounting issues. Everything has to be just perfect. Erik was trained to stand like that for me, Dusty on the other hand is difficult. For now j. stands at her head with treats and I don't use the stirrups to mount. Just throw my leg over like a bicycle. <br /><br />Love the stirrup incident. Very funny, it's amazing the things we do sometimes. I once went to mount Lifeguard and j. never let a bridle be too tightly buckled, guess I overdid it because when he put his head down the bridle fell off! He calmly looked at me as if to say, "nice job".<br /><br />Hope you have another great ride soon.Grey Horse Mattershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05837575441967937196noreply@blogger.com