Someday...

The boat sinks and in the chaotic struggle to stay alive in the water a young boy grabs hold of a rope attached to a horse that is swimming past him.  The horse tows him to a deserted island where overtime they form a bond and the horse allows him to ride with nothing more then their love and friendship guiding each other.  That was the opening to the Black Stallion book series.  That is exactly when I knew that someday I would like to have that same relationship with my dream horse.  I would ride my horse free of saddles, bits and reins.  Our friendship and love would carry us on our adventures. 
Years passed, practicalities set in from life's lessons learned and I sort of forgot about that childhood fantasy until one day when this YouTube video got sent to my email.

Stacy Westfall riding Wizard's Baby Doll bridle-less and bareback.  Get some tissues.



If you just watched the above video and you're like me every time I watch it, you're choked up.  This video brought back my Black Stallion dreams. This video is proof of what can be done.   I decided that it was time to get my head out of the clouds and to climb up on  my black stallion...well...my chestnut Belgian draft filly that is.  I started teaching Autumn verbal cues which matched with rein and leg cues with her bridle & saddle on.  I've been doing this inconsistently for a while now and not really thinking we've made much progress.  Work clogs my week and when the weekend hits the thought of training in the arena sends me out lallygagging on the beach or trails.  So I've been slacking a bit on my dream to reality making. 

The other morning, I got Autumn from the pasture, gave her breakfast and decided to just sort of play with her loose in the arena.  She followed me around little obstacles, trotted after me and when I climbed to the highest step of the mounting block she cozyed herself right against it.  How could I say no?  I slid on to my fuzzy, chestnut colored best friend who was free of ropes, halters, saddles...everything but me. We sat still for a bit and then I gave her a squeeze.  She walked a few strides and I asked her to stop by sitting deep and exhaling.  The smart girl that she is came to a stop.  We did that a few times and she nailed it each time.  She was heading to the gate and I thought this is going to be the true test.  Will she turn away from the barn?  I turned my body, used my legs to guide her and she did it!  She knew what I was asking her and she did it!!!!!  Wow! We practiced a few more turns and circles and she did them all.  It wasn't pretty and we almost walked into the hillside bank but we did it.  It was a glimmer in to a realm of making my dream come to life. 

Someday....This...

Plus this... 

with practice...

will hopefully equal this.

Someday this will be Autumn & I except it will be her and I won't be an adolescent boy.

That short ride has ignited the fire in me to work harder at this.  Maybe someday I'll have a video to post of us that isn't totally embarrassing and doesn't have an ambulance driving away as it's closing scene.  Our boat full of doubtfulness has sunk and I'm holding on to the rope of my chestnut filly carrying me into my dreams.

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