16/06/2026
Yes yes yes !!!
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18hdXZsk3B/
I wanted to ride - but my horse didn’t.
Yesterday I finally had time to ride Mayana again after more than 10 days. The weather was good too. Not too hot, no horse flies, no rain.
I took all tack down to tack her up. She was still ok to put the halter on, came to the grooming place and was happy as long as I focused on brushing over itchy spots.
But when I was done with grooming, and about to saddle up, she was clear about leaving.
(I never tie my horses up for grooming - this way, I always get good feedback about where the horse is emotionally that day.)
Misbehaving horse? She has to stand still?
No, for me this is feedback. Sometimes she needs to go for a quick p**p or p*e before she is happy to put the saddle on.
So i let her go. But she went straight to the bedding area in the shelter and went to stand at her spot where she always takes her naps.
Hm…
Alright. Disappointment creeping in. I really wanted to ride.
But I know Mayana - she either is happy to go for a ride, or not.
And when she gives a clear yes, she will stand at liberty for tacking up!
So, this was a clear “I don’t feel like it today. And on top, it's my nap time. Please not now.”
That little voice “come on, just take her anyways” was there and it would have been so easy.
But then the other voice kicked in "hey, whats most important? Why do you love horses?"
Mayana is my precious and riding is really just the cherry on the cake. My main goal is to spend a good time with her and knowing she has fun too.
So, I went to her, took the halter off, put it away and sat down on the wooden beam that keeps the bedding where its supposed to be.
Masi, Tara and Salimah joined us and we had a nice 45 minute nap all together in the shelter. ( I obviously came right before collective nap time...)
Mayana and Masi with their heads over mine. It was so calming and relaxing.
After 45 minutes they woke up, wanted some scratches and then wandered off.
I got their dinners and fed them as it was time.
And afterwards - Mayana came and stood at the gate looking at me “can we do something together now?”
“Yes, we can go on a walk in the forest!”
And we had the most happy, energizing and relaxing walk in the forest! With a happy, ears forward, bouncy Mayana who clearly enjoyed our time together.
You know, I 100x prefer to just sit with my horse or change plans and just go on a walk if I feel my horse doesn’t feel right that day, than ride anyways and have a mediocre ride.
Why do I have horses?
Because I love them, because I see them as my friends and my first priority is that we all have a good time.
Yes, I love riding and I love the feel of a good ride, of making progress and feeling my horse move well.
But it's the second motivation. And I do my best to never let it override my first priority.
I know when Mayana says YES to riding, we have the most amazing rides. I rather have 1 amazing ride a week, then 4 rides that feel pushed and mediocre.
What would you have done?
P.s.: today she said YES to riding and we did have an amazing ride!
