John Lyons. 

Truly, truly this is a true statement. The first time Cody ever followed me, without being asked, and rubbed my back and blew on my neck a part of me fluttered with joy and life. 

You took me to adventure and to love. We two have shared great joy and great sorrow. And now I stand at the gate of the paddock watching you run in an ecstasy of freedom, knowing you will return to stand quietly, loyally, beside me.

Pam Brown 

Sorry, I love these quotes they say little but mean a lot. I think I'd walk out to get Cody twice or thrice to watch all the horses come to the fence and here the chorus of nickers. Even if it's just for treats, I still like watching them come and hearing each different nicker. It's relaxing. Today was a cool 69° in Michigan. Even the grey clouds couldn't make this day depressing. Cody hasn't been cantering for me when I ask and when he does keeping him in it is a challenge. I decided today was nice and didn't lunge him for very long. I read an article that said when one lunges their horse, it's to mainly tire them out. I lunge him not to tire him out, but to give him the opportunity to act up while I'm on the ground. If he's calm, I won't lunge him for more than maybe ten minutes. But if he's jittery and constantly bolting on the line we'll lunge until he's relaxed. Today we both were reasonably calm. So I didn't lunge for very long. I mount from the ground as it's easy in a Western saddle and he's small(although I did mount a sixteen hand horse in an English saddle with no mounting block).  Usually he stands still and I always bend his head to where I'm standing. Today was different though. As I was mounting, my toe in the stirrup, a jump fell, making a loud crash. This loud noise caused Cody to spook and bolt forward. I managed to pull my foot out of the stirrup and drop the reins as he ran forward and turned to look at me. Both his heart and my heart decided to see who could race the fastest. I turned him loose and ran in circles for a few minutes then I got on. My theory was if I didn't lunge him long and hard he wouldn't be tired and be more willing to canter. I setup two poles to canter over as we haven't done that in a while. While my theory worked, he had more jitters than usual which meant a faster canter than what I prefer. After that I took him outside and allowed us both some time in the fresh air. A Young girl and her Arab mare were already out so I figured we'd be fine. When finished we had t go get the carrot stick and lunge line from indoors. Cody hates going back in after going out and puts up a fight. He didn't fail today as he refused to step through the door. I finally get him to come forward, and as I'm walking her rushes past me, basically crushing me against the door frame. It basically went downhill from there when I made the incredibly stupid mistakes of waving my arms near a horse who already is highstrung and doesn't like me all that much. You can imagine his reaction.

I keep being told 'you've been doing this six months. You're still learning. You'll make dumb mistakes, learn form them and don't kill yourself over them'. While this is probably true, mistakes like the one just listed, I feel shouldn't happen and can't help but to hang myself for. I'm a perfectionist. It runs in the family, lol. Since I was twelve people have told me to relax, lighten up, laugh a little and don't push yourself so hard. Easier, as I'm learning with these horses, said than done. 

Today's ride went better than Saturday when I was 'horse wrangler', perhaps the nicer weather is helping us all out. 

That's all, have a happy ride.  

Riding is a partnership. The horse lends you his strength, speed and grace, which are greater then yours. For your part, you give him guidance, intelligence and understanding which are greater then his. Together you can achieve a richness that neither can alone.

Lucy Rees