Yesterday I felt the world was spinning in a frantic cycle of bad news. The fires in Australia and the loss of life there both human and animal was what disturbed me the most. It was time to go for a hack . Fortunatley I had already told my Florida coach Lou Denizard that I wanted to book in one hack outing per week and he had happily agreed.
So off we went.
From Silver Drache farm we walk down a dirt road to the Equestrian Trails. At the start of one of the trails there was a large puddle. About 2-3 inches deep and about 6-8 feet in diameter. There has been a lot of rain lately. Lou was riding Biasini’s paddock mate Eli. Well, Eli was in the lead and he looked at the puddle and said: “No way!” Lou tried to encourage him but he was having none of it. Then I tried Biasini. He also gave it a firm NO. Neither of them would go through the puddle or even step over the more narrow part where the puddle was draining away. So Lou dismounted and led Eli through. I thought that would encourage Biasini but he still gave it a resolute NO! Eli walked back through the puddle on his own. Brave horse! Then Lou turned him and walked back toward the puddle. I walked Biasini behind him. And then…I could feel him gathering himself and I knew what was coming.
Airborne! With a leap that could have cleared Beecher’s Brook, or a ditch at Badminton or Burghley, Biasini leapt over the puddle. I am talking about being up in the air at least 2 feet and none of his nooves touching the water when he landed!
“You OK?” Lou asked with a laugh. “Yup!” I replied. I made some comment about Biasini wanting a career as an eventer and we rode on. I also made a mental note that I should introduce Biasini to puddles more often so he could have faith that he could step through the water and not need such a leap.
The rest of our ride was without incident. We made it home all in one piece.
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