Good old Roscoe.
I’ve been going to Woldgate Trekking Centre. They are just outside Bridlington. I found them online and rang them up a few weeks ago. “I need to raise my confidence on a horse again as I keep getting asked if I can ride by my agent and I don’t want to say yes and then look like a prat.”
Becky has taken me out a couple of times now, and man she really knows her horses. It’s a glorious thing to spend time with truly skilful people. She has a lifetime of care and understanding with horses and it really shows. I’m in good hands. Not like with the expensive chancers I gave up on in London. Under her observance it is all coming back.
Roscoe is his own boss and he isn’t very used to doing anything but plodding, but we seem to be getting on. He trotted a bit with me on top of a hill this afternoon. He’s only little in some ways – he’s short with a stubby neck. I feel much further forward than I’m used to. His little fluffy ears are quite eloquent and he’s an absolute fucker for trying to run my head into low branches so I gave to duck so it’s harder for me to rein him off the tasty morsels at the side of the road. I’m wise to his ways now, but he’s clever.
Just cos it’s the modern world we have to be on roads a fair amount. Cars that have to wait respond in a variety of ways, but about one in three they just sit there looking pissed off and won’t make eye contact. Friendly old Yorkshire and still the old “should” comes in, like those yobs that roadrage cyclists. “This unusual thing exists and my behaviour has changed as a result so now my latent rage is finding a target with the unusual thing.” “They shouldn’t be on our car road those horses.”
We were mostly on bridleways.
I’ve had a great day but mostly in the fresh air and lots of persuading Roscoe to trot. Just had a hot bath but I’m whacked out with the country air and it’s barely 9pm. Feeling good though, and very glad to be back on the horse. Next time Becky says she reckons I’m good to take him for a canter. Will he canter? He’s got long legs despite his little stubby neck… I’m up for having a go with him. Can’t tell the casting director I’m back on the horse unless I’m back on the horse. And once this week is over I’ll have to find somewhere nearer to home to tick it over maybe once a week. A bit of regulatory, I love horses, free exercise and it could help me get a decent job. Win win win.
AlBarclay 