A Special Kind of Love Read Online Free PDF Page B

bounce. Keep your upper body firm, but not stiff,
with your shoulders in line with your hip bones and center your weight in the
saddle. Most horses can be steered with both direct reining and neck reining,
but when riding in a western saddle, neck reining is the preferred method. Lay
the rein gently but firmly against the opposite side of the horse’s neck from
the direction you want to turn, do not pull on the bit in the horse’s mouth.
Some horses can also be turned with leg pressure commands. Press firmly with
the lower portion of your leg on the opposite side of the desired turn to
indicate which way you want the horse to go. Don’t kick. Pressing with both
legs will cause the horse to increase in speed. Hold the reins in your left
hand, above the horse’s withers and in front of the saddle horn. Keep your
right arm bent at a forty-five degree angle and pressed close to your torso. Do
not wave your arm around, it will distract or spook the horse.”
    Sharon
was trying very hard not to laugh at the look on Tanner’s face. The man looked
like he was about to swallow his tongue. Aaron continued his dissertation.
    “If
you want the horse to canter, press the heel of one foot firmly into the
horse’s side. The horse will break into a canter using the lead on the opposite
foot.”
    “Well da …uh dang. That just about covers it all doesn’t it?
Did you get all that, Mom?” Tanner turned toward
Sharon and arched a brow.
    Sharon
cleared her throat, struggling against her mirth.
    “Well,
I may still need a little help, Chief West.”
    Tanner
smiled.
    “Since
you seem to have it all under control, would you like to try a trot, so we can
catch up to the group?”
    “I
want to gallop,” Aaron demanded.
    Tanner’s
demeanor firmed.
    “That’s
not going to happen right now, Aaron. Just like you have to walk before you
run, no matter how much you’ve read about riding, it isn’t the same as having
experience. We need to take things one step at a time.”
    Tanner’s
firm voice brooked no argument, and thank God, for once Aaron conceded without
an argument.
    “Okay,
let’s trot.”
    “Give
your horses a squeeze with both legs and let’s give it a try.”
    All
three horses took off at a gentle trot. They rode for better than an hour,
alternating from a trot to a walk as the trail permitted. Aaron had taken the
lead and Sharon rode beside Tanner as they discussed the town, the coming
school year, and the RNR.
    They
rode into a large clearing and Tammy halted the procession.
    “This
is our first rest stop,” she called “Everybody dismount and let’s give the
horses and our fannies a break.”
    Their
little group stayed together. Tanner dismounted first and was in the process of
helping Sharon dismount when Tammy walked over to them. Once Sharon had both
feet on the ground, he turned to help Aaron, only to discover the child had
already dismounted.
    “How’s
everything going over here? You have everything you need?” Tammy asked.
    Sharon
smiled. “Things are great. This is beautiful country, I’m really enjoying the ride.”
    Tammy
directed her next question to Aaron. “How about you, big
guy?”
    I
like Missy. But I want to gallop.”
    Single minded, that’s
my son . Sometimes she wished Aaron was as easily distracted as other children. It would
sure make her life less stressful.
    “We
don’t gallop on trail rides,” Tammy replied. “The ground is uneven and there
are too many horses grouped together. It would be dangerous. The horses could
trip and hurt themselves, or their riders.”
    Aaron’s
brows drew together and Sharon recognized his thinking face.
    He
nodded. “Okay.”
    That
was one thing about her son, if you could give him a good explanation, he
accepted it without challenge. Sharon smiled and mouthed thank you to Tammy.
    “Grab
some water and a snack and walk around a little while we’re stopped so you
don’t get stiff. We’ll be heading out again in about fifteen