Back off!

For the first time in almost three weeks, I have been back in the saddle again!

My back has been feeling a teensy bit better, though I still need to see someone to sort it out. I figured would just have a little go on Max and see how things feel. Last time I rode him, anything beyond walking hurt too much.

So on a hot and muggy afternoon, the first we've had in weeks!, Max and I went into the school because although it's boring, hot and dusty, it's our safe place for concentrating.

He was wearing his saddle and bridle, and we did our version of longeing, which means I walk with him and keep him on a big circle, rather than staying stationary in the middle and working him round me. Much better for Max to have a larger circle to work on, and also more guidance from me as to what I want. Horses are clever things, and pick up body language and changes in energy very quickly, so I move with Max, and put in the energy myself, which Max will match with his own. It's down to that natural following the herd thing horses have.

I'm still getting the hang of it, in the early stages of trying exercises from the excellent book "Dancing with Horses" but Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling, which I have read with great interest. I am delighted to find that his instructions, with practice, definitely do get an amazing response from Max as he follows my posture and energy, and collects from his hindquarters and goes into quite a light movement and the very beginning, just the glimmer of self-carriage. It's incredible stuff, and I'm going to stick with it, in amongst our other exercises and play-time fun.

After after ten minutes of good trotting on each rein, with some work on transitions up and down, I got on his back to see if I was up to it.

I felt OK, but Max told me my back is definitely NOT better. Although I have felt a little less strained physically, Max was coming to a dead stop and then looking back at me, patiently, with an ear cocked. I re-adjusted and asked him to walk on. He turned in tight little circles.

He did this beautifully and smoothly, but we have been here before. I have learned this reaction is the way Max tells me that I am arse-about backward crooked and, "If you don't mind, Lady, dismount! Off, off, off!"

I re-adjusted again and we did have a little bit more of a go than that. Tried some sitting and rising trot which wasn't painful, then a little canter which was painful.

We stopped then, with big praise for Max because he had a go even though he was lumbered with crocked rider.

I am going to seek out help for my back this week to try and get me straightened out for my own benefit and Max's too.

In the meantime, I am encouraged to note that my boy is still sensitive enough to feel when I'm not balanced, and is opinionated enough to protest, rather than just wear it and end up crocked himself.

After a few weeks of quite wayward behaviour and attitude from Max, I appreciated his generosity today, and his kind and measured discussion with me, through "feel".

It's not just about my "feel" for how Max moves, it's a two-way communication so how Max "feels" about me is also important.

"You're not quite there yet, mum, but I'm ready when you are. Sort yourself out, eh?"

I shall sort myself out. Many people have told me I must, and I know that I must, but the gentle reprimand from Max today is the last word.