Today I got to make a new acquaintance. As we signed in, and our horses were assigned to us, our instructor asked me if I’d mind trying Nelson today. For a moment, I blanked. Nelson who? Was it the big grey they’d been borrowing for a while? No, that was Winston ... so, who? Ooh, the cute white pony! Once I remembered that, I quickly said that I certainly would not mind that one bit. Always happy to add a new pony to my riding repertoire, after all.
So, other than being white (pretty much all white), what’s Nelson like? Well, it seems likely that he’s got some Knabstrub in him, since there are faint spots on his skin. His coat, however, looks almost completely white, and its so thick (there must be some polar bear in him too) that it hides those spots pretty darn well. He’s quite squarely and sturdily built (just what I like), and he’s got a very roman nose and looks like he’s got a bit of an attitude. He was pretty sweet to brush and tack up, however, though he’s a bit mouthy (in a soft, non-bitey way) and a little pushy in a way that suggests spoiled pony to me. When I walked him down to the arena, he pretty much walked with his nose in my hand all the way, sniffing it for candy.
He’s only six, and one of the things he’s not yet learned all that well is to stand still as you tighten the girth and get ready to mount up. Once I was up in the saddle, however, he seemed content to stay put, though he was quite alert and curious as well. He was also very comfortable to sit on, as he’s got a nice, sturdy back. My legs do perhaps come down a tiny bit too far under his stomach for his height to be perfect (he’s clearly smaller than Murphy, who is about 151-152, so I’d guess he’s over 140 but under 145), but the fit is definitely good enough, and the way he moves he certainly didn’t feel too small.
Right, the way he moves ... that would be pacing a bit (okay, a lot sometimes, including doing a really high-stepping walk from time to time) when walking, rushing a bit when trotting and moving along like a small (but very comfortable) steam engine when cantering. Unsurprisingly, given his youth and relative inexperience, he’s a bit wobbly and doesn’t really have the strength to work properly for most of the time. He’s definitely got a habit of lowering his back and leaving his hindquarters behind (hence the steady, comfortable back), and to some degree I think this may be due to some carriage-horse blood and a conformation that encourages back-dropping. However, his back is not long, so it should definitely be possible to strengthen him by lengthening his topline.
Initially, I was fooled by the short, compact neck and his tendency to walk too fast, which resulted in me riding him on far too short reins in order to try to keep his pace slow but steady. I did realize myself that this probably wasn’t right after a while, as his head (and forelegs) just came up higher, but before I had had a chance to ask my instructor about it, she pointed out that she wanted me to lengthen his topline, as that would be the best way to get him away from the pacing and more engaged from behind. But hey, at least I had been thinking in the right direction. Of course, actually getting him lengthened was easier said than done until I got a feel for how to keep a longer rein and more leg on him without getting a too hasty pace.
The walk I made some progress with, especially after we had cantered some, and for a few short stretches towards the end he did start coming forward and down with some more hindquarter activity, so that his topline lengthened and his back came up. The trot, however, I didn’t make any great strides with, in particular on the circles, mainly because I had a hard time using my inner leg effectively to curve him while also riding a slow, controlled rising trot to keep his pace down that way. It was actually easier to affect him in the canter than the trot, probably because his movements were naturally rounded then. And boy, what a canter he had. Mind you, the lack of hindquarter activity certainly accounted for some of its comfort, but it felt like it also was pretty round and steady in itself. I think it will be pretty darn good once he’s got enough strength to do it properly. As it was, he sure put in one heck of an effort. He would probably have kept galloping until he dropped if he had been allowed, and he did that without becoming rushed, just very ambitious.
I also didn’t think he felt all that strong as the girl who had previously tried him noted when I asked about him. Then again, compared to her I am a good bit sturdier, so that would make probably make a difference. She’s a very good rider, though. She actually got Murphy today, now that I vacated him for once, and he looked really nice. I need to take some private lessons to catch up. ;P And because I really feel like riding more at the moment. Might even consider doing some on Nelson too, and not just on Murphy.