I took my old boy for a hack yesterday...

Spot_the_Risk

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... and he was fabulous! I've not ridden him this summer as I've been on the four year old (also fabulous, but best not digress) and friends and OH have been on Harley, so yesterday we had a little 'us time'. Lovely hack in the sunshine, little trot, little canter, through the village, slipping along on a loose rein, hackamore on him which is his easy lazy control, he isn't strong... and he suddenly pops into dressage horse mode of his own accord! Started with the suddenly arched neck, and slowing down, so then I had a play with weight aids - bingo, he was so good! We had leg yield left to right and back, again and again along the lanes, then we had shoulder in, then renvers. Perfect square halts still in an outline with no contact from me, just from a squeeze of my thighs, then walk to canter... hilarious, and he was so, so pleased with himself! I should point out that in our 16 years together we've done one walk and trot test, that's it, and haven't had a lesson or schooled for probably eight years, so I have no idea where everything came from yesterday! Bit of a pointless post, but I supposed it just reminded my that just because there's a youngster coming along behind, and that the old boy is a bit stiff sometimes and starting to look his age I shouldn't ignore him, he's still got it!
 
That made me smile! :)

Our girl is 24 now. She is mostly an occasional lead rein pony but sometimes my older daughter takes her out for a hack and you can tell the old girl loves it.

Gotta love the oldies!
 
He's just carried my OH 'around the block' while I led on the four year old... I think Harley was asleep the whole time, eyes half shut, ears half mast, you know the look!

I know that look!! I once knew a horse who spent most of her riding life on 'stand by', but turned into a fire-breathing dragon at the chance of something interesting happening :)
 
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