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When our friends came to visit, we had to borrow a couple saddles to cover all the horses' backs. While Josh was gone to get them, Tanis and David and I put my saddle on Tex to let their 2 year old daughter ride for the first time, ad gauge whether or not she would make it through a whole trail ride or not.

First, we led her around on a lead line, and David walked beside her. When she warmed up to the idea, David, an excellent equipment operator but with limited experience at horse riding, hopped onto Tex to let their daughter ride with him.

The first thing David did was try to neck rein, and Tex doesn't do that yet. His response was to back up and move his shoulder over.
Next, David picked up the left rein and (unknowingly) squeezed with his legs toward the back. Tex moved his hips over to the right.
I realized this wasn't working too well for David, so I tried instructing. "Pick up the right rein and push with your left foot to make him turn right." It worked until Tex kept on turning and had made over a 180 degree turn, when David only wanted a 90 degree one.
I began to get amused at the situation, but continued to try to help. Tex was doing every single thing he was asked to do- moving shoulders in when David repositioned and stuck a heel toward his front outside shoulder. Moving hips over when David accidentally pushed with a foot into the rear girth area. Backing when he gathered too much rein. And so on...
Finally (to David's thankfulness, I'm sure) Josh arrived with the other saddles and we had to dismount. But I couldn't help but smile and feel proud. My horse had done everything perfectly.
TM



Tara Marie Photography
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