AJ avoided joining in a conversation around the radio station. She could not admit to having lived on assistance. She would not admit to worse either, having lived without assistance… it was only years later, with huge debts weighing her down, did she realize she had had options besides borrowing. She had used her line of credit for food and rent in those hard years, healing from post traumatic stress. She had thought it was all just so temporary… and she also fled from the medical supports she had at the time, because they wanted her to pursue disability benefits or a law suit with her former employer over the way she went on to suffer as a result of the violence in her work back then.
When Jill was home for reading week, AJ arranged to meet her a the barn for a free “lesson.” She was trying to take a leadership position in the horse’s development. No more the rule of no eating with the bridle? In his case he needed to chew more?
“The new bit is working out great. I’m finding him less locked in his jaw, and I’ve been trying to really ride the rhythm and not use any hand at all for transitions.”
“Are you coaching?” the farm owner asked, essentially interrupting AJ’s update to Jill. No no, AJ assured. I just want to bring Jill up to speed on how I’ve been working with Bob.
I will insist she get him to go long and low though…
“Good Luck” said the old man mucking stalls.
AJ did accidentally speak once while Jill was sharing the arena with a group lesson, “THERE. you’ve got to soften instantly, in those moments when he does offer to go soft.” And then, after that tiny bit of "coaching", Jill did get Bob relaxing, stretching and maybe even chewing the bit at trot!
A couple days later AJ was on a split shift from work, so she did not stay behind to clean up the new broken glass she noticed, outside the barn door window that someone else had duct-taped over the cracks.... she had to rush back to work, but for a change it was an amazing visit to the farm!
She had sat and had a think in the parking lot outside work, before actually deciding to go to the farm. It was sooooo windy! Wouldn’t going home for a nice delicious feast for lunch be nice? “Don’t get blown off the horse” her friend had joked, suggesting a meal bar to help tide her over.
“Do you mind if I share the arena with you?” she surprised the strangers by asking, “when I’m ready” she added, as they were tacked up already and she was just arriving. Clearly, she’d surprised them… but the answer was "Sure."
When she’d come in ready to mount, the mounted rider said, “Its so windy!” I know, AJ answered. “All the horses are running around out there.” It was a fun ride. Both of the horses were spooky, but it was fun. There were lots of trotting poles to work through to keep the rhythm without having to use strong hands of the speed the weather was inspiring.
He turned out to be a Grand Prix rider who would be willing to hack with her, around the fields, to help work through Bob's running off issues. The woman, explained their invovlement/partial ownership of an impressive nearby international event biz, and mentioned having young horses in need of more work. AJ explained some of her own background and equestrianism. She mentioned doing a long-standing horse talk radio show at the campus/community station. It felt like a great new connection!
It was kind of hilarious how she practiced with Bob in the wash stall. She explained the odd approach to them "I don’t know what else to do, because I'm in such a rush and there's someone’s in Bob’s stall." She heard him say, under his breath, to his companion about her method, “its so weird its actually working.” What didn't work, was that she had forgotten to get their contact info!
I just put the lead on so when he breaks the cross ties, I’ll have a little more to work with.
Did you buy him?
Oh no, I would never! His owner is in second year. Kingston, is that Queens? She thought she might bring him back with her for the summer, but she just got a sweet research gig in Germany, so I’ll ride him this summer.
“The new bit is working out great. I’m finding him less locked in his jaw, and I’ve been trying to really ride the rhythm and not use any hand at all for transitions.”
“Are you coaching?” the farm owner asked, essentially interrupting AJ’s update to Jill. No no, AJ assured. I just want to bring Jill up to speed on how I’ve been working with Bob.
I will insist she get him to go long and low though…
“Good Luck” said the old man mucking stalls.
AJ did accidentally speak once while Jill was sharing the arena with a group lesson, “THERE. you’ve got to soften instantly, in those moments when he does offer to go soft.” And then, after that tiny bit of "coaching", Jill did get Bob relaxing, stretching and maybe even chewing the bit at trot!
A couple days later AJ was on a split shift from work, so she did not stay behind to clean up the new broken glass she noticed, outside the barn door window that someone else had duct-taped over the cracks.... she had to rush back to work, but for a change it was an amazing visit to the farm!
She had sat and had a think in the parking lot outside work, before actually deciding to go to the farm. It was sooooo windy! Wouldn’t going home for a nice delicious feast for lunch be nice? “Don’t get blown off the horse” her friend had joked, suggesting a meal bar to help tide her over.
“Do you mind if I share the arena with you?” she surprised the strangers by asking, “when I’m ready” she added, as they were tacked up already and she was just arriving. Clearly, she’d surprised them… but the answer was "Sure."
When she’d come in ready to mount, the mounted rider said, “Its so windy!” I know, AJ answered. “All the horses are running around out there.” It was a fun ride. Both of the horses were spooky, but it was fun. There were lots of trotting poles to work through to keep the rhythm without having to use strong hands of the speed the weather was inspiring.
He turned out to be a Grand Prix rider who would be willing to hack with her, around the fields, to help work through Bob's running off issues. The woman, explained their invovlement/partial ownership of an impressive nearby international event biz, and mentioned having young horses in need of more work. AJ explained some of her own background and equestrianism. She mentioned doing a long-standing horse talk radio show at the campus/community station. It felt like a great new connection!
It was kind of hilarious how she practiced with Bob in the wash stall. She explained the odd approach to them "I don’t know what else to do, because I'm in such a rush and there's someone’s in Bob’s stall." She heard him say, under his breath, to his companion about her method, “its so weird its actually working.” What didn't work, was that she had forgotten to get their contact info!
I just put the lead on so when he breaks the cross ties, I’ll have a little more to work with.
Did you buy him?
Oh no, I would never! His owner is in second year. Kingston, is that Queens? She thought she might bring him back with her for the summer, but she just got a sweet research gig in Germany, so I’ll ride him this summer.
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