During my youth, I used to read dressage books that insisted that a person could learn to ride dressage only by riding an already schooled horse. I used to dream of finding a stable full of these wonderful equines who could transform me from my usual slightly effective riding to become a polished top rider.

And guess what? I never found that dream dressage riding stable, not that I would have been able to afford lessons at one. When I finally got to go to a horse school (North Forks School of Equitation) Kay Russel flatly told us that we would never become advance riders riding perfectly schooled horses, and put us up on horses with at least one PROBLEM. Of course she was right, and I went on learning on and helping less than perfect horses.

Then last weekend at one of the stables I ride at, the lady told me that the horse I usually ride needed time off to resolve a hoof issue and asked me to ride a horse I had not ridden in over 4 years. I came prepared to ride Cider, and instead I got to ride Mars, using tack that did not fit perfectly. Due to the fact that he has been running in a big pasture for the past 4 years while the arthritis in his knees improved, Mars is a little uncertain about being a riding horse again. During our discussions (horse we are going THERE at a WALK), I was getting slightly frustrated with him because he would not go straight unless he felt like it, no matter what I did. This reminded me of my first ride on him oh so many years ago. So at the end of the ride I got off, so glad to ride a horse that only needed light leg aids, but feeling very challenged on getting him to go correctly.

The next day I was thinking about my ride and realized that Mars was acting like those dressage school horses I had read about. Mars was only going to do what I asked IF I ASKED HIM PERFECTLY, every aid perfectly timed, with the perfect degree of strength needed, and perfectly relaxed after application. Mars was setting a very high standard for me, and Mars was also totally unwilling to accept anything else than my very best. When I did everything perfectly Mars was quite glad to obey me, but when I did ANYTHING wrong, well that was not good enough for him. I also realized that the other Arab-Welsh pony I ride at that stable also acted this way, if I don't do everything perfectly these horses will continue to do whatever they are doing until I GET IT RIGHT. I had finally found my school horses, and boy it can be so humiliating riding them!!!

So today I got to ride Mars again in tack that fit him better. He was more comfortable and much more cooperative on a few issues. I had worked on my visualizations of using the indirect rein of opposition behind the withers effectively while still keeping a soft, following, but definite contact with the outside rein, and today Mars did improve. I improved too because today Mars was INSISTING that I use my legs properly in time with my hands. But every once in a while I did everything up to Mars's exacting standard and he would get into the groove until my next mistake.

I am also having to work Mars on staying at a halt on loose reins. Since all his buddies were at the other end of the pasture Mars in no way, shape or form was willing to stand on a loose rein. Dancing in place, trying to go this way or that, trying to get to his owner, anything but stand still on a loose rein. I am so glad that I was using my Nurtural cross-under bridle today, at least I could have these lengthy discussions of "Yes, you are going to stand still until I say you can go" without hurting his mouth. I did get him to stand some (like one breath), but I will have to work on this a lot more.

And I can't wait. I am really getting to like these Welsh-Arabs. They are different from the Arabs, yet they are so full of fire that it takes good riding to control them. Of course they are not accepting anything else from me.

Yes, I finally found my perfect school horses. Thank you Mars and Cider for pointing out my imperfections so clearly.