04/24/07 Get off

Some times, it is best just to get off and start over. I'm Jeff Keane and I'll be right back. Telling yourself it is ok to dismount a broncy, or an unsure horse is a lot harder than it sounds. Egos often make it much easier to tell your self, "Cowboy Up", or get on or go home or any of the other favored lines used to guilt a rider to bearing down and riding it out. Here's Becky with some thoughts. I am here to tell you that no harm ever came from deciding to step down, going back to a little groundwork and getting on when both horse and rider are more prepared. The reason why is unlike us, horses have no pre conceived notions or plans for the day. They don't wake up in the morning trying to figure out whether or not they should let us ride today or not. Well Becky I'm pretty certain I've ridden a horse or two that's planed a bad day for me. I know it feels that way sometimes but let me tell you horses aren't that complex, they are usually affected less by past events and more by their current surroundings. Even the best saddle horse, on a windy day, can seem distraught and excited, and this would good day to practice a little groundwork before throwing your leg over a potential bomb of a horse. Take the time to be a smart rider. If you listen to your gut and your horse, I guarantee they will both let you know when you are ready for a ride or not. That is sound advice to follow Becky, but sometimes there is only one horse in the corral and a lot of work to get done, I'm Jeff Keane.