Finding our seats

It may seem like a strange thing but part of our horsemanship this week has been finding balance in our seat.  With the three horses that are ready for this, we are walking in the round pen on them bareback. 

No saddle, no bit.  Just mecate reins. 

Walk off... one rein stop.

Repeat.

It's amazing how much different this feels.  You really have to "feel" the horse.  I paid more attention to my posture, where my feet were, and the cues I was giving.

There was such freedom in riding this way, even at a walk.

With that freedom, there was a little fear too (at least for me).

It's amazing how that saddle gives us a false security of being attached to the horse.

We've been watching the Clinton Anderson DVDs and following his program step by step.

Along with all his Natural Horsemanship exercises, we will be practicing this for a few weeks.

I have to tell you, the more time I spend with horses, the more I like them.

Oh, and Wayne gave D back to me!

If you have been following for a while, you may know that my hubby and I traded horses.  D (Doll) was super skittish and so was I so we switched horses.  I've learned a lot from calm but stubborn Bobbi but I have never just loved her.  D ~ I have always just loved!  Anyway, we are taking it slow, working together, trying to build trust.  Mostly, I just need to be strong enough to lead (which is nothing new).  Going through natural horsemanship with a horse is teaching me much about myself ~ more than I ever imagined!