The Occasional Dave Part 2.

My first pony was an Exmoor! Taught me everything I know about sitting handstand bucks, head snapping shies, the ocassional necessity of one rein stops, heels down/hands light and low/relaxed reins when jumping and the lean-forward-at-all-times rear.
If he didn't do what I had asked, it was my fault, not his. I hadn't asked in the right way. He (usually) repeated his query in a way I could understand and learn from.
He taught me to throw my heart over first when jumping giant hedges out hunting, to kick on when I was frightened and to pat your mount every time you both finished what you had set out to do. Even if you had failed, it was NEVER the pony's fault.
Those are lessons I have practiced ever since and, seventy years on, still use the insights he gave me.
 
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