It’s been a long time since I’ve seen this view. I still love those ears, always focused on what’s coming next! Freedom is aware of his environment more than any other horse I’ve ridden.

This week I broke down and decided to ride him. It’s not that I don’t enjoy Zelda, but this shiny horse was miserable every time I took his girlfriend away. He needed a job. As soon as I sat on him I remembered how completely different he is than Zelda. Where Zelda is content to walk and take it easy, Freedom was tired of walking about 30 seconds after I settled into the saddle. He jigged, he trotted, he felt coiled and powerful. He wanted to run.

“Where have you been?” He asked me. “Can we gallop now? Or at least canter?” When I first got Freedom, he was so bouncy, so full of energy, that I always started every ride cantering for at least ten minutes. Well, we called it cantering but it was mostly just bouncing up and down. After that he’d settled down and focus. He just needed to get it out of his system.

Now I’m asking him to walk first and he’s not so sure about it. I’d forgotten how sensitive he is to every shift of weight, every nuance of my body. He’s a pleasure to ride in that regard because he is always right there with you, always balanced. For him the challenge is relaxation.

We got there, but I will admit, I felt defensive and guarded. I’m not ready to let him go and we have to learn new ways to be patient.