The Mustang Diaries: Penny's First Ride!

Last week was a significant milestone for Ms. Penny; her first few rides! Months of groundwork had led up to these last few days. Penny had accepted the saddle, the girth, the hackamore with a surprising willingness that hints at a deep-seated intelligence.

Joe started by doing the groundwork exercises that she is very familiar with, to get her in the right mindset before I got on her. Once she was ready and using the thinking parts of her brain, I stepped into the arena and prepared to mount up for the first time. Penny tensed, but she didn't bolt, buck, or rear. She simply stood, processing the strange weight on her back as I flexed her head left to right. Joe, calm and reassuring, cut through the tension, directing her forward once we were ready.

And then, she walked.

I kept my weight light, my hands soft on the reins, letting her find her balance, her rhythm. Joe, still in the center, guided her around the roundpen, his voice a steady compass, helping her navigate this new landscape of responsibility.

Soon, the walk evolved into a trot when we were ready. Penny found her stride, her movements becoming more fluid, more confident. I focused on my own posture, mirroring her movements. I felt a surge of pride as I watched this wild horse, this creature of the open plains, embrace the task before her with such determination and grace. The pinnacle of the ride came with the canter. Joe encouraged her, and Penny responded with a burst of energy that sent dust flying. We circled the roundpen a few times as she got used to carrying someone on her back. I then moved around in the saddle, patting her butt, and her neck letting her know that its okay to have presence above her.

The ride only lasted a short time; she did everything textbook perfect, and there was no need to push her harder. I dismounted and flexed her left and right one more time before showering her in praise and giving her a big treat reward.

We rinsed and repeated this process for rides 2 and 3 the following days after her first ride. The only difference is less and less influence from Joe in the center of the roundpen. She is doing fantastically and coming along way quicker than I had anticipated! I am proud of this little filly and Joe for all of the hard work and determination that has gotten both of them this far!