Horse Illustrated Magazine

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• One of the most inspiring quotes I was told is: "We expect horses to learn our language, but in return we never learn theirs" Since hearing that I have made it a goal in every lesson to connect with my horse using signals she understands; her language.

• The horse I used to ride would yank against the reins and almost pull me out of the saddle. When I asked her to move forward she would yank and then back up. When I used the crop on her she would lurch forward and try to ram me into the arena fence. Why does she do that?

• a lot of great info!

• t

• I wouldn’t call it a match, but rather a destiny.
  Loping up the pasture from the creek, all I saw was a mesmerizing muscular body with a silky smooth beautiful flowing mane, simply a beauty queen. I had seen multitudes of breeds, colors, and personalities, from the high spirited brats to the slow gentle giants. Not a single steed could compare to my Peppermint Patti.
  It was a pleasant aha moment type of day in September of 2007, the day I asked the barn owner if I could ride that Quarter Horse mare Patti on the trails with the group. Patti was just a pasture ornament, occasionally ridden by beginners on trail rides. Men definitely were devils in her eyes and not all beginners could ride her, so she always got tossed to the back seat. Mind you, I had my own family horse to ride, although Queen Patina was the mare I was recklessly determined to ride. Luckily for me, approval was given to saddle up, and let me just say, you think winning the lottery is overwhelming, well you are sadly mistaken. My excitement was enough to give my little heart a never ending violation. From that trail ride forward, I knew what I saw loping up the pasture that day was a soul mate I could never loose. I looked beyond her occasional witchy ways that made her second class. Surprise, surprise my Mother and Father had seen the match too. In a box beneath the Christmas tree that year was a bill of sale and Patti’s American Quarter Horse registration papers with my name labeled on the bottom. Can you say happy?
  I had never moved forward in lessons from the trot before I owned Patti. The next day I was in the round pen riding. Okay, even casually trail riding I had an assurance that if she loped off, I’d be safe. So, I decided to give it a try on my own, no trainer and no mom, and my assumption was right. Although it took me a few more months afterwards to get fully comfortable with cantering, Patti was my confidence builder. She had such a cadenced lope, that no matter how fast she went, I would always feel safe. One of my worst fears while riding was steep hills and sides of mountains. Every step that mare took, she took with my safety in mind, with one ear forward and one listening back to me. She sensed my every emotion, whether I was balling in tears from frustration or nauseated before entering a class at the horse show.
  All she wanted was a little girl to know as hers. We both understood one another’s strengths and weaknesses and loved each other anyways. I didn’t really have a girl best friend, you know the one you do girly things with and know each other’s deepest darkest secrets. I also had some confidence insecurities. Conclusive Patti was that girl, my first class; confidence builder; best friend. It did not matter what we went through, she always proved herself unfailing. So was she a match? Yes she was, love at first sight for me, but a destiny is more like it, two souls wanting acceptance through thick and thin, meant to be, a match with destiny.

• I wouldn’t call it a match, but rather a destiny.
  Loping up the pasture from the creek, all I saw was a mesmerizing muscular body with a silky smooth beautiful flowing mane, simply a beauty queen. I had seen multitudes of breeds, colors, and personalities, from the high spirited brats to the slow gentle giants. Not a single steed could compare to my Peppermint Patti.
  It was a pleasant aha moment type of day in September of 2007, the day I asked the barn owner if I could ride that Quarter Horse mare Patti on the trails with the group. Patti was just a pasture ornament, occasionally ridden by beginners on trail rides. Men definitely were devils in her eyes and not all beginners could ride her, so she always got tossed to the back seat. Mind you, I had my own family horse to ride, although Queen Patina was the mare I was recklessly determined to ride. Luckily for me, approval was given to saddle up, and let me just say, you think winning the lottery is overwhelming, well you are sadly mistaken. My excitement was enough to give my little heart a never ending violation. From that trail ride forward, I knew what I saw loping up the pasture that day was a soul mate I could never loose. I looked beyond her occasional witchy ways that made her second class. Surprise, surprise my Mother and Father had seen the match too. In a box beneath the Christmas tree that year was a bill of sale and Patti’s American Quarter Horse registration papers with my name labeled on the bottom. Can you say happy?
  I had never moved forward in lessons from the trot before I owned Patti. The next day I was in the round pen riding. Okay, even casually trail riding I had an assurance that if she loped off, I’d be safe. So, I decided to give it a try on my own, no trainer and no mom, and my assumption was right. Although it took me a few more months afterwards to get fully comfortable with cantering, Patti was my confidence builder. She had such a cadenced lope, that no matter how fast she went, I would always feel safe. One of my worst fears while riding was steep hills and sides of mountains. Every step that mare took, she took with my safety in mind, with one ear forward and one listening back to me. She sensed my every emotion, whether I was balling in tears from frustration or nauseated before entering a class at the horse show.
  All she wanted was a little girl to know as hers. We both understood one another’s strengths and weaknesses and loved each other anyways. I didn’t really have a girl best friend, you know the one you do girly things with and know each other’s deepest darkest secrets. I also had some confidence insecurities. Conclusive Patti was that girl, my first class; confidence builder; best friend. It did not matter what we went through, she always proved herself unfailing. So was she a match? Yes she was, love at first sight for me, but a destiny is more like it, two souls wanting acceptance through thick and thin, meant to be, a match with destiny.

• I knew my match with Willow, my 7yro Paint mare when i first saw her on the cross ties. She was a beautiful horse with the kindness in her brown eye and the wildness in the blue one. It was a mix of everything i look for in horses. I love challenges which she sure is but she would never do anything to intentionally hurt me.

• I have the best horse. While having Meniere's I am still able to ride only because my little girl knows when I get off balance and will put herself back under me or if I am tofar off she stops altogether until I position rright in the saddle. Never letting me fall off. Love her so much and thankful for her.

• Keep calm, head up, heels down, and do what your supposed to do, and you will be just fine!

• The first and most important thing about riding: know your horse. If you can understand him, then rides will be better for both of you. Who wants to obey someone who doesn't understand them or take the time to get to know them. Take a few minutes every time you're with your horse to try and build your relationship. However, the relationship doesn't need to b best friends. While you can still be friends with your horse and play with them, your the dominant one, the boss. But you don't have to e a commanding dictator, they just have to know that you make the rules, but that you don't want to hurt them. If you can create a good, trusting bond between you and your horse, then they'll respect you, and it'll be happy riding from there on out.