Excitement!!!

I just finished playing with my horse.
I am bouncing up and down
I have this enormous grin on my face.

If you haven't already guessed what happened, I will tell you...
I rode my horse!!! :)

I really did.  For about ten minutes straight.  Needless to say, I am floating on about cloud 95 right now... hehe... :)
For the past week or so, I have been trying not to have any sort of plan or expectation when I go out to see the ponies.  I've even stopped saying that I am "going to play" because too many times I am disappointed, and thus discouraged.  Today was no different.  I went to the pasture, caught Lady, groomed her, and then went through some simple exercises so that I could get an idea of how she was feeling. :)  She seemed pretty good; she was stiff and quite one-sided and doing hindquarter disengagements looked quite uncomfortable.  As usual, some gentle walk and trot circles - with the emphasis on rhythm and relaxation - eased some of the kinks out and I had a happier, more comfortable horse in front of me.  During the time we were doing circles, I also asked for (and got!) one canter transition in both directions.  Of course, it only lasted for a stride or so, but it was very encouraging! :)
We did some patterns and little mental games and then I got the notion into my head that I should try getting on.  Now, I've still got this nagging fear that if I ride her, I might throw her out of balance again, but I decided to go ahead with it anyways.
And so... bareback, with only a halter and rope reins and a carrot stick for support, we explored the corral at a slow walk.  :)  Softly and carefully (always focusing on rhythm and relaxation!) we had a very pleasent Passenger Lesson and went through several little tasks like backing up (found a bit of a hole there!), forequarter yields, sideways and extreme friendly game.
I am proud to say that I never once had to correct or get irritated.  I managed to keep my inner joy and peace while my horse kept her sould and her dignity intact.  There was a sparkle in her eye tonight that I have not seen in a long time and a connection I have rarely felt.  :)

Savvy on (gently)!
-Kit Marie