I rode all three horses today, and once again I was impressed with how well educated they all are. On my first ride, on Raudi, I had her canter on Raudi’s Runway, going in the direction of the Murphy Road turnoff. Before getting to the place where I stop and get off, I slowed her down, to a trot, to a walk, to a stop. I then asked her to back and sidepass. I then asked her to canter from a walk. Very impressive.

Bernie Willis once said about Tinni that he was really valuable because he was so well trained and knew so much. I must now say the same of Raudi. She is an amazing trail horse, even more so than Tinni. Hrimmi, 11, and Tyra, 10, are not there yet. They will be much like Raudi when they are her age.

I never imagined that all three would be such a joy to be around and to ride.

Alys and Raudi

I was thinking today that I’ve been so involved in the Bright Lights Book Project that I have lost my connection to them. This is a truism. What I mean by this is that I have abandoned their schooling – and this is a shame because they love to learn.

I also have done less with them, thinking that someone with a horse or a horsey interest might materialize and take an interest in schooling my or their horses. It does not appear as though this is going to happen.

I also have been entertaining the thought of my getting a middle-aged Icelandic gelding, one that has had some training.

So with all this in mind I vowed today to find the time to work with all three horses. I went into the agility arena and I put the equipment that was out in the shed, in the shed, so that it does not get buried under snow. I will tonight, begin reading a book I ordered, 50 Things to Do in the Rain with Your Horse, by Vanessa Bell, who founded the International Horse Agility Club. My plan is, on days I’m not riding, to do the exercises in this book.

I’m also going to spend time in the evenings rereading my horse books, and in this way bring back to mind what it is that I do know.

And I’m going to continue to work on making the human mind/body connection.

I must do all this. I have already carved out time tomorrow to do a few exercises with the horses. If there’s time, I’ll also work with Shadow and Sassy.

I am still thinking about how I was so out of mental horse training shape in Fairbanks. I have now accepted the fact that I am not a good instructor. Why, I have been wondering, did it take me so long to see the writing on the wall?

It took me a while, but finally I have articulated my thoughts on this matter. As my tee shirt with the Icelandic with the wind swept mane reads: Let’s Go.

Next: 298. 10/30/23: Re: Re: Reconnecting