Gypsy Wind

This is a Stunning Morgan Gelding (former Stallion) that I admire. This pic. has nothing to do with the post other than the fact that he's the same breed as Miss. Gypsy.

I ride Gypsy once a week. It takes me over an hour to get to her barn, so unfortunately, that's all I can afford to do. Just once a week! Is it possible to get anywhere with her if that's all I can swing? Is it fair to ask more of her if I'm only there once every 7 days? I know that getting her nice and solid under saddle is in her best interest. She, along with all of the Barn Owner's horses, ARE for sale after all.

Last Sunday I rode Gypsy. She is at the stage of testing I think. I ride her with a snaffle bit and would really like to continue down that path. I do not want to add a heftier bit at this point as I'd like her to remain soft a supple with a very light bit. On Sunday, she was bratty about being soft and consistent with her headset. At the trot, she'd pull with her head and then raise up out of the bridle. I was able to get her to soften, but not before her owner (the B.O.) came out and witnessed some of these shenanigans. The B.O. lightly chastised me for not using either a German or Running Martingale on her. I have nothing against Martingales, and think they are very useful under the right hands, however, I am more than capable of getting Gypsy to soften without the use of one, which she does do with not much cajoling on my behalf. At some point, she will be in a curbed western bit, but I'd like a snaffle or very low port mouth piece if possible....I'm just weird like that I guess.

A secret - of all of the years I've ridden horses, Gypsy is the first horse I have ever started under saddle on my own. At times, I didn't know if I was approaching it correctly. I went about it verrrrry slowly, but I suppose that's the best way when one is uncertain about what they're doing. I am very proud to say that she is a well rounded lovely mare with (thus far) no vices. This is all speculation on my part, since nobody other than the grumpy B.O. pays us much mind :). On a few instance though, I have had people tell me how lovely she looks, so that's encouraging.

(SIDENOTE) I am overall a firm but gentle horse person. I allow no nonsense and if a horse acts up at all, I put a stop to it immediately. Horses are large animals and they will walk all over a person and in some instances can become very dangerous if allowed to do so!