At the top of my bucket list has been learning to ride a horse. And last week, I joined my friend, Jean, for lessons at the Woodland Horse Center.
I've been on horses before, but I'd never learned how to get the horse to go where I want to go at the speed I'd like him to go, and to stop when I'd like him to stop.
It's about communication.
So my new buddy, a gorgeous roan named Applejack, is teaching me about communication, and not just with a horse. A lot of it applies to clients as well. For example:
- It's subtle. It's easy to say "canter" when you want him to trot.
- If you don't say "go" just right, he'll stop altogether.
- You really need to show the horse who's in charge, but sometimes the horse is in charge - unless you're really good.
- Sometimes the horse will give you this look like he must think you are a total idiot.
- Sometimes you are a total idiot - at least when it comes to horses.
So while I'm trying not to get too concerned about Applejack's judgments of me as the human who rides him every week, I'm learing to sit on an English saddle and post and trot and basically sit on this guy's back without falling off.
And the other fun thing is the shopping opportunity at the tack shop. I got my cute new helmet - although I'm striving to get one with a fuzzy surface - they are really cool.
And Jean got these chaps - I have to have some! They are beautiful brown supple suede.
There are also boots and outfits and saddles and before long I'll be leasing a horse! Then I'll need to buy one and move to Potomac where thre are lots of places with stables that go with the house!
My broker will love all this. I'll have to sell a lot of real estate to support my new horse habit!
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