Events and Happening.

I had a great trail ride on Da Dunc yesterday. Every time I ride up there I learn something new. For awhile I felt like I wasn't learning anything. I was frustrated because I knew what needed to be done, but could not do it, so I never advanced with Duncan. Now there is this whole other world that I want to understand. I was so opposed to trying Western, and so opposed to doing anything that wasn't dressage, and I've realized why not? I am glad I am struggling to understand something, because it means I will learn. I am 17 years old. I want to hop on and go western, go on a trail ride, go to New York and do dressage for kids, and go to the beach. There is no reason to limit myself. If I learn some western, it won't hurt me, in fact it will probably be good for me. What Buck and Terry do with horses is something I am only beginning to understand. And it really works. So why should I not stay there and try to understand everything I possibly can before I go to college?
For example... Duncan was trying to run away in the paddock the other day, because he's a Duncan. He's done this a lot in the past and I just get was too mad and chase him around. So I did my thing and blocked him, and then would turn him away from me, like usual, and like usual it did not work out so well. But Terry does this thing where you hook them on to you and get them to come in to you to change direction. It works a hell of a lot better than what I try, but I don't really get it yet. The main principal of it is to look at their body language and when they slow down you back up. They should turn in to you then, and you keep their attention. I watched a Buck video and they said do not do anything until the horse is ready. But you have to keep their attention on you by moving. I'm not sure if the horse is looking to the right, if you would look to the right or to the left. And then I think if you want a horse to go to the left you drive them from the right. But when you ride if you want a horse to turn left you use your left leg. Which is the complete opposite of dressage, but she did have a point. When you use your left leg, the horse moves their left ear. And when I first started riding, before I rode with Robyn, if I wanted a horse to turn left it made sense to me to ask them with my left leg. I just did it and didn't think of it. Not that Robyn taught me anything wrong, Terry just has a different way, and it really works for Duncan. I don't love it, but if it makes him happy I suppose I will give it a try. I will also have to try out one of these western saddles everyone raves about... We will see how that goes. Terry and I went on a trail ride yesterday. It was really fun. We went through a new bridge, around some trees that came a little too close to my knees for my liking (I literally had to put my leg on his neck one time so I didn't loose a limb), and went for an awesome gallop through the snow. Who thought Duncan would be the reliable gallop buddy. Miss Misunderstood Bella went a little crazy on me. I am SO glad I sold her. I love her to death and she will always have a part of my heart... but she is a pain in the ass. Duncan is so much better now that I realize it. And boy does she move like a draft. Duncan was a hard adjustment at first, but I'm liking him a whole lot better now. Thank God!
I've also decided I am going to dressage for kids. We will see how my new western techniques work out here. I feel like I am sometimes going in every direction, but I think that was because I had no idea what I wanted. I am glad I have finally reached a place I want to be.

Bella is doing well. She is at Hearts and Horses for a tune up. She came and would NOT move... no matter what. She would rear in my face, try to bite me, try to kick, run you over, buck a lot. She is doing well now. The groundwork I do with Duncan like disengaging the hind end and bending is both relaxing and makes her listen. She hasn't bucked once under saddle... except for when she bucked me off in the field, but that doesn't really count. I am very glad I have some new tricks to try with her, and hope they prevent some of the problems we had in the past. I also really want Bella's owners to understand how to do some stuff with her. I want them to do a Terry clinic. She can give them so much more to help them than I can.