I got dumped off a horse today. That hasn't happened in a good many years of riding, even when I was breaking and training horses many moons ago. I had ridden this 2 year old (Reese) a month or so ago after it had been 'broke' the previous year but hadn't had any rides on it since.
My boss wanted me to try him out to see if we could start him as a kid's horse. I'd taken him into the indoor arena and gotten on him without any trouble. He didn't know how how to stop or turn, and was rather 'spooky', so I nixed the idea of him being used for anyone inexperienced anytime soon.
So, that brings us to today. I got on him in the indoor arena and he behaved just like he did previously; spooky, didn't turn or stop, but no freak-outs. My boss wanted me to try him outside (she wanted to take him to the track and start galloping him) so I headed out to the great outdoors.
And promptly found myself on a rodeo horse.
Before I hardly knew what was happening I was face up on the ground watching him run back into the barn. He pretty near ran a person over before crashing into one of the stalls for refuge, and I picked my beat up body off the ground (along with my pride) and went to fetch him.
Won't be back on that one. He's not dirty or nasty, he just wasn't truly 'broke' and there's no point in me putting anymore time on him if they're just going to sell him.
But, I will be doing more of this sort of thing. I've agreed to work with/break for the track a bunch of babies (1-2 year olds) over the winter. Where will the time be found? I'm working on it.
