I've been fighting my way back. Riding is still often in conflict with other commitments but; moment of epiphany here; riding wins, more often than not. I've got two set riding lessons into my weekly schedule and last week, when I showed up early, I was asked to school one of the newer lesson horses to remind him of his manners.
This week, I rode three times as well, and I'm a better, happier person for it!
Mac, pictured above is a large (16h2) quarter-horse, and my most regular steed. He likes humans, has a big bouncy stride and a sensitive mouth; All pretty amazing for a riding school horse, and a tribute to the way the horses are treated at this establishment.
Mac is a good task-master. If my hands are quiet and my legs are working hard enough, we get cadence and balance, duh! Mac has no withers; the raised area where shoulder and neck converge, so the saddle sits on top of his fully rounded physique and will slip to one side or another if the rider (me) doesn't center properly. It's been weeks since I've circled the arena on the side of my horse, like a limpet clinging to a rock. Progress is tangible and satisfying.
