Hi Everyone
I’ve been meaning to join the forum for ages and have just finished reading Heather’s book, which has finally given me the impetus to go for it. I’m Sarah and I think I know a couple of you from Interdressage (Janet and Mel) and I also know Trudi, who has been helping me immensely with my riding and ground training.
I’m new to this Classical/Enlightened lark and I turned to it because I was deeply confused and dissatisfied by the concepts of riding as I was taught (which I now know were based on modern German). I knew there must have been another way of doing things that didn’t involve a push-pull situation and I had a play with western-style and bitless riding before finding where my heart lies, which happened in somewhat of an epiphany when I read Twisted Truths by Philippe Karl.
My neds are: A miniature mule called Maverick, who I’ve had since he was a baby. I’ve been clicker-training him and he is far too clever for me, but I’m hoping he’ll be a suitable ride for my kids one day (and I might do a bit of trick-training to occupy that brain so he doesn’t keep using it to work out how to break out of the paddock).
I have an aged coloured mare, Squaw, who is at least 18 and is a happy hacker –she is meant to be a bit of a plod, but there is a lot of life in the old girl yet!
My horse of a lifetime is Isba des Bois, who is a French-bred Anglo Arab, 16.1hh, rising 16. She’s an ex-show jumper and she is full of energy, hyper-sensitive and highly strung but I think she’s absolutely magnificent!
I’ve spent the last 4 months going back to basics and working on flexions, in-hand gymnastic exercises, liberty work and ridden laterals at a walk. I have got so much to learn and so many bad habits to correct, not least my dodgy seat.
I’m 38, I live near Toulouse in SW France, with husband, 2 young children and various cats, dogs, chickens, pigs etc. Really looking forward to meeting everyone on here
Sarah
