Near Randolph, MA, where I grew up, there was a conservation area called Blue Hills. There was also a summer camp called, Ponkapoag camp. When I turned 13, I was the right age to be in the horse camp that they offered. I learned a lot about horses and how to ride a horse. There were a few different horses that each camper would get to ride.
One of my favorite horses was named, Ceasar. He was a medium size quarter horse. He had a neat coat color referred to as Blue Roan. It consisted of back and white hairs that blended into each other. When the sun shown on his coat it would have a look of tinted blue. Thus the name of his coloring was called Blue Roan. His mane, tail and legs just below the knees were black. I thought he was the coolest horse. He was very gentle and patient with children.
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| I'm riding Ceasar here at camp Ponkapaog Horse Camp |
One year I was able to move to the advanced group. We would work on walking, trotting and would add learning to ride at a canter. A canter is similar to a gallop, but much slower. It has a 3 beat rhythm. It has a rocking back and forward motion that the rider experiences. Some horses move smooth and steady in a canter, that can feel like being in a rocking chair.
Ceasar had a smooth and steady canter.
The day came when we would do our first canter ride. I was riding Ceasar that day. When it was my turn to canter my instructor not only instructed me in what to do but told me Ceasar has a real nice rocking horse canter. "Once he goes just sit back and enjoy it." she said.
I asked for the canter with my "outside" leg, right leg moving in the direction to the left. Ceasar went into the canter. He moved off into a rocking motion. It felt really good. I felt relaxed and moved with his rocking motion. It was really good. We slowed down as we got close to the end of the line of riders. My instructor said "Good." Then added "How was that?" I exclaimed "That felt really good. Awesome."
