Ride with love

When I ride my horse like this, there is a long story behind it. The sad story of young and "difficult" Taktur belongs to those who already know it. I just want you to know that it is not that this horse is so "easy" that makes it possible to ride without equipment.


Taktur was born knowing how to run in the forest. I had to learn what he needs from me to bring me along safe and comfortable.
He needed me to be more attentive, respectful, humble, calm, balanced, and with less agenda. I had to do some work on myself to be honest.


I get continuously challenged by my wise horse. He knows who he is, and he knows what he wants. He wants to feel freedom and at the same time feel connected with others. He likes to get along, and he can be very helpful when somebody needs him to be.
He does not give his goodwill away for free, and there must be a reason for him to say yes when I ask him for a favor.

A favor I might ask is: “Will you carry me a while, galloping in the forest?” My reason is that I love it.
I feel that this way he loves it too.




Photos: Hanne Bratholm

A feel of the mountains

One September weekend we visited my friend Tina, and 11 natural living Icelandic horses in the mountains.

I got to ride an amazingly sensitive and cooperative gelding, Sindri. I am always happy to get to know really mental healthy horses, but Sindri was a special one. Sindri had no reason not to meet me with an open heart and we quickly got a deep connection. He was such a gentleman, very polite to respect everybody’s space, and always making sure I was comfortable in every situation.

Tina is always there to look after the horses’ wellbeing when they are doing their job to bring tourist to the mountains. She is clearly in her instructions to those coming to ride with her, and is highly aware of how to interact with horses in a way that inspire them to do their job. Well trained and cooperative, there is of course no need for bits on the bridles to have a pleasant trip.

These horses are living outside on large areas always moving in a big herd, and their hooves are healthy enough so they can go on these long mountain-rides without shoes. I have ridden many shoed and barefoot horses, and always enjoy the feeling of bare hoofs in the terrain with this special flavor accuracy and balance.

You can watch more pictures from the trip on my Flickr

Read more about Tina and Dreamvalley at:
www.dreamvalley.no


When we left the farm after the weekend, Sindri followed us to the gate and waited, and I was touched by the depth of our short meeting.