Post by april on Jun 29, 2009 11:30:45 GMT -5
Ransom is full of young thoroughbred energy and the love of running that naturally goes with being a thoroughbred, and he dances under me as I warm him up first at a walk, and then at a bouncy trot. He’s never been trained in dressage, but the way he steps is almost like the passage, stepping highly with his neck and tail arched gracefully. I grin, almost laughing with joy thinking how much he's improved. Each step is telling me he wants to run and show what he knows he can do. I give him the signal once every muscle is limber, and he goes into his beautiful rocking horse canter. It’s so smooth, like his hooves never come close to the ground. Unbelievable after how he started out. Then we go into a gallop that I call his "magic carpet gallop." It's like he has wings. He has a long, ground eating stride, with the speed of his sprinter mother mixed with the staying power of his father. His pure pleasure at running is obvious, but when we cross the finish line he slows like he’s been taught, however reluctantly. I grin, pet him, and cool him out.