UPDATE to last post: “IT’S HAPPENING TODAY!”

It was AMAZING. I got a wonderfully behaved (if not a bit snacky) big boy named Cooper. He’s a giant horse, but he wouldn’t hurt a fly.

I started off with brushing him, it’s very soothing to brush a big guy like that. Unfortunately I was a bit jumpy every time he moved a bit, but I’m working on my own spooks. (If he can avoid spooking, I can too!)

Then we got his bridle on. I didn’t get it on, but I did manage to remove it without much issue later. We were doing a bareback ride to start off with. (They start bareback to get the rider used to the feeling of riding there, but I hear other places differ.

Our group started with the basics, stop and go. I was definitely a bit off with my timing and posture, but they said I did well for my first time around.

This was fun! We are returning next week for another lesson, and I’m more than stoked. I cant wait! I’ll also have to put up another post then about how that one goes.

Also, a few notes if anyone is worried about particular pieces of information.

• They had good upkeep of material and stalls. Mom commented on it too, usually she has issues being in stalls due to the smell of some she’s been in, and how she’s slightly allergic to horses. The bridles were a tad bit worn, but well maintained. A lot of good uses, I suspect.

• There IS horse drama. Cooper is stuck in between two jealous lovers lol. I don’t remember exactly which two, but there was in fact an attempt at a romantic kiss between Cooper and one of the other male horses (I think I have a bisexual horse haha.)

(QUICK ADD-ON, I do understand that the above behaviors can be explained by other means than just “romance”. I understand that there was not going to be a male romance, I understand that horses don’t get “jealous” of each other. However, that is the joke I am going with, as the trainers themselves began the gag.)

• Personally, I think I did okay. I was definitely a bit iffy, but I think I was tolerable for Mr. Cooper. I had the hardest time with starting/stopping.

• And a bonus: I have a dog named Cooper at my Grandmother’s house. I won’t be sharing an image here, (this is a horse page after all, but there is another reason) as I have had some hate due to his… roundness. I do not control his diet, if I could, I definitely would.