Leaning on each other as watching sunset together is such a good time for me...

.........................

Actually you will need more than ability to ride a good horse. To ride well, every rider needs respect from the horse.

In any kind of horse riding, acceptance from the horse will make controlling of the horse easier, and make the horse and rider become a good couple in any performance.

(An indication of horse acceptance is when a horse is "on the bit". I will discuss this later.)

Soon after I started horse riding, trainers told me to look at a pretty rider as my role model for horse riding. She is pretty and slim. She rode an elegant white horse. They were an excellent couple. The movements they had together were so smooth and easy.

I said the horse was so beautiful. A trainer told me not everyone can ride the horse. A macho military officer requested to ride the horse. But before he properly put his feet into the stirrups, the hose sent him out of the arena.

The pretty rider told me it took almost all of her energy to ride the horse.

The point is, the horse accepts her, the way she treats him.

Another good example would be a kicker of Sanam Pao. I would be quite frighten if I have to ride a horse in the same arena with this horse. He would kick other horses nearby and the rider could get thrown off his back.

But the trainers told me he is an old, good horse. I have no doubt when I saw a girl riding him. They became a so perfect couple that I barely remembered the horse.

When the horse was freed in an arena in his leisure time, he just stood next to the arena's fence where the girl was standing. She had to ran along the fence to get the horse run too. When she stopped, he stopped. And when I tried to touch his forehead, he shied away.

Talking about MY LOVE...

My beautiful, beloved partner is called Chanida. We have been together for years. She is not so sensitive but a very smart horse. You have to get acceptance from her. Otherwise, she won't even walk for you.

What make me proud more is that she allows me to hug her when she barely lets others touch her. She would bite or kick.

There were times that I leant on her body and watch sunset as I let her enjoy the grass after the class....What a happy and relaxing time.

These days, just being with her is my happy time.

I love her so much and I know we trust in and respect each other. This is what partners need.

(p.s. Thanks all who wished me a great time with Jomjai. Jomjai is still in service for new riders. It is good to have a kind and gentle horse like him train beginners. :D)