Speed Dating for Horses

Knight has a special mare in his life, and this week they got to be quite close-in a riding lesson. She’s a pretty gray with a princess mentality. This new “friend” is 11 so my gelding has a thing for an older woman.

A Budding Romance

The pair traveled together to the horse show two weeks ago and she was quite nervous about the new setting. Knight escorted her around the property and showed her there was nothing to be afraid of, although he did a doubletake at the food truck. I technically don’t think he shied; he was checking out the snack options. The watermelon slices did look tasty.

During the lesson it was just the two Thoroughbreds (and us riders there to chaperone). They began their special time together distant from each other walking on loose reins, heading different directions. The princess mare began circling and Knight strode across the diagonal.

After some leg yielding and a bit of trotting, our trainer announced we were going to do a figure of eight, together.

“Simultaneously? Like a drill team?” I sought clarification.

“Yes, this is what we used to do in Pony Club,” she responded. If little kids in Pony Club could do this, I could do this.

I noticed a jump standard that was particularly close to the arena rail, and wondered how the two horses would fit through the gap trotting abreast.

“You can talk to each other and plan it out.”

An so that is how the speed dating started. Knight and his crush trotted around the arena keeping pace with each other. Only in the corners did their noses not match up precisely. But soon her rider and I began to converse about our route.

We trotted twice through the narrow spot by the standard and both times the duo was perfect: no ears back, no tails swishing, no heads shaking. It was like they were meant to be ridden in Spanish Riding School performances.

When we completed the exercise, our trainer said complimentary things which I now can’t remember exactly.

The mare’s owner said, “That was just like speed dating. Speed dating for horses.”

I was still marveling at how Knight seemed to enjoy being so close to her.

Everything Was Going So Well Until. . .

We then began to jump, thus separating the cute couple so they could work individually. Everything was going so well until Knight pulled a Cinderella and lost his shoe with 20 minutes remaining in the lesson.

I dismounted and led him from the arena, and after a few minutes of hand walking, put him in the crossties so we could both watch the remainder of the riding lesson.

Maybe that was Knight’s plan all along!

Comments: Does your horse have a significant other? Is there another animal (or human) your pet has a “crush” on? I’d love to hear about it. Maybe share a guest blog post? 🙂

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