Back in the saddle.

Last night, I got to the barn pretty late.  It was dark, and there are no arena lights.  Crazy Texas weather, it was 80 degrees, and I was hot in a tank top.  But it didn't matter.  I pulled laredo out of the pasture and we saddled up.  He wasn't super happy about working before dinner, but his contempt was only mild.  We got to the arena and all alone, in the dark, we had a wodnerful ride. 

He is softening.  He is responding.  He bends when I remind him with a little pressure from the outside reign, and yields well.  He is a whole new horse.  When I got this horse, he was confused, angry, defensive, upset... He didn't understand the bit, or leg cues.  His fear pushed him forward, and the thought of slowing down or even stopping was terrifying to him.  Every cue meant "RUN FASTER!" and he did.  

But last night, in the dark, with William jelously whinnying from the fence, Laredo slowed down.  He put his head down.  He softened in the mouth, and listened to my heels.  He circled with a wonderful bend, and then found center, both ears back listening to me tell him "good boy, atta boy!" 

Something about the dark, about being totally alone, about not knowing if its going to be a good ride, or a bad one... there is something to be said about that.  And there is something to be said about great accomplishment and improvement, even after the road has been terrifying.  I can't imagine the peace Laredo must feel now, knowing that I am safe, that I am going to guide him, not push him, knowing that there is nothing to run from... not even fear. 

It was a good lesson.  For us both.