Definition Debate

Me: Hi, Carmen do you have minute to chat? 

Carmen: That depends, do you have carrots? 

Me: Of course. I wanted to chat with you about the 'free walk'

Carmen: *munch, munch*  I'm listening....

Me: I don't think that it means what you think it means. You see-

Carmen: Oh, I'm pretty sure I understand it

Me: Weeeell,, by 'free' it doesn't mean 'do whatever you want'

Carmen:  I beg to differ. According to the OED: 

adjective

1. 1.

   not under the control or in the power of another; able to act or be done as one wishes.

   
   

   "I have no ambitions other than to have a happy life and be free"

   • 
     
   • 
     
   • 
     
2. 2.

   not physically restrained, obstructed, or fixed; unimpeded.

   
   

   "she lifted the cat free"

   synonyms:

   unimpeded, unobstructed, unrestricted, unhampered, clear, open, unblocked "the free flow of water"

Me:  But..hey wait- where did you find a dictionary? 

Carmen: Honestly, you are so easily distracted!  And I'm considered the 'spooky one'. It doesn't matter. However, your argument is invalid, QED. 

Me: (muttering to self- and now she knows latin?). Yes, you are correct, that is the techincal definition of 'free' but in dressage 'free walk' has an entirely different meaning.

Carmen: *skeptical face* 

Me: *speaking quickly*  you see, in the test it says "reach and ground cover of the free walk allowing complete freedom to stretch the neck forward and downward; straightness, willing, clear tranisitions."

Carmen: ......

Me: Soooo, that means staying straight on the diagonal stretching over your back. It does not mean 'lifting up head and running off in the opposite direction'

Carmen: hmmm, I think that I prefer my definition. We can agree to disagree. 

Me: Well, we can both agree that when you take things into your own hooves you don't always make good decisions. 

Carmen: I beg to differ. Just the other day I saved our lives with my initiative and lightening reflexes. 

Me: Umm, that was a 3 ounce sparrow trying to find some food (and, no they don't eat horses). 

Carmen: What about that time that the two yellow birds banged right into us? 

Me: Oh that- two goldfinches were in a spat over territory and didn't see us. They didn't hurt, it was just suprising. 

But to get back to the topic....I really think it would be better if you trusted me even though the reins are long.  I promise that I'm there and will keep you safe. 

Carmen: I shall take it  under advisement. Now where are the rest of the carrots?

Me: I guess that will have to do....

Carmen and I walking towards certain death