Finally Ruby

Well, I finally rode Ruby and she is just as lovely as I had hoped that she would be. It was not very nice out today, it seemed to alternate from drizzling to pouring rain, and I wasn't too ambitious either. I just wanted to start to get to know her. I was a little nervous to start, but she made me feel very comfortable pretty quickly. I was very encouraged to see how nicely she frames up and comes onto the bit. It is my own shortcoming that I can't keep her there for every beat, but now I know that she does it and does it nicely and relatively easily, so it gives me something to strive for. It's good to know that I will get good results from her when I do everything correctly. I just have to work on being steadier and more consistent. I also had trouble keeping her pace consistent, but her gaits were very nice and very comfortable. Not too bouncy, nor too flat. So I think I have a lot to work with and am very happy about that. Best of all, she didn't seem at all spooky, seems to have a good, sensible mind. Even though she looked around a bit at her new surroundings, She didn't freak over anything and never took a step wrong. I am very, very happy.

I don't plan on jumping her until my lesson next Tuesday, so we'll see how that goes then. However it is, it's going to be a work in progress. Ruby is young, so we have years to work together and become wonderful partners.

I was also very happy that my new (well, new to me) saddle fits her and seems to fit me as well. I was a bit worried about that, since I bought it on eBay and before I even had a horse! The saddle fitter is coming tomorrow, so I'll get official feedback from them then, but so far so good.

So, all-in-all a good first session and very positive overall. I'm very happy!