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X Water Crossings X

Many years ago I leased a horse to compete to help get an upper rating in Pony Club. I first saw him at a Horse Trials in Oklahoma. He moved impressively in the dressage phase but when it came to the cross-country… well, lets just say the water hazard did him in. Come to find out, every cross-country phase he had ever entered ended at the water. We had quite a challenge to overcome if I was going to compete in the 'B' Regional Rally in only three weeks!

After getting accustomed to his new surroundings, I had a student ride my trusty veteran school horse and we set out to tackle the dreaded water. My first goal was to simply get his feet wet in a fair sized puddle in our driveway. Following on the heels of the experienced steed, who yawned in the face of 'menacing water,' I drove onward. The nervous horse looked, sidled, backed-up, looked again, danced, etc.. Fortunately for me, this horse had a great attitude and wanted very much to please, so I kept him directed at the puddle and waited for him to work things out for himself. He figured out that I wasn't going to allow him go around, over, or away from the very daunting puddle. He also saw the other, very courageous horse, going through without being sucked into oblivion. Hmmm. Finally, with eyes as big a saucers, he put a faltering and visibly shaking hoof in the puddle in such a way as if to feel if there actually was a bottom to stand on, and then froze. I waited. He investigated and blew his nostrils at the puddle. I waited. He was about to back out when I asked again to go further into the puddle. With one foot in, he braved the next step, again tentative and shaking, again feeling for the bottom. I waited.

Click! The light bulb lit. "There really is a bottom that will hold me up!"

We went forward until all four feet were in the puddle. What a sight! This worried horse, nostrils flared, head down, was standing with each leg spread oddly wide, just in case the bottom might dissolve. A real wish-we-had-a-camera moment with any on-lookers trying hard not to laugh too loud. Nonetheless, all four feet wet. Eureka!

It seemed that the only problem at this point was… that it was… you know… WET. Yuck.

"Oh well, there are worse things, I guess." And all the: "What a brave boy! Good boy! Very clever boy!" " Plus all that rubbing, petting and fuss, well that's always welcome and makes me feel proud!"

We went through that puddle a few zillion more times, walking, trotting, and finally cantering. From then on, with the able support from the trusty veteran, we continued to take baby steps with water until he ultimately learned to swim in our pond. However confident he might be with water now, we never, EVER passed that puddle without going through it. He learned to bravely pounce through splashes, ford across streams, and eventually to leap into and out of any water hazard he faced.

We made it to the Rally in St. Louis, Missouri and even though we had to ride the dressage test in torrential rain, (WET. Yuck.) we made a good showing, which included three imposing water obstacles. Thank goodness for trusty steeds, patience, and great attitudes!

Learn more about this author, Jeanne Adams.
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