Yup, it was a disaster!

I must say, the boy was NOT good today. NOT good, at all. He is SO much better with consistent work, and he has just not been consistently worked due to all the rain. I decided that since it was SUCH a beautiful day, and I'd just ridden him Friday, he didn't need to be longed. Hmm.

Yeah, he needed to be longed. The goob stood still while I climbed up on the little step ladder and swung my leg over, then was good while I walked a lap around the pasture in 2 point, but as soon as I asked for the trot, that head went down, swung back and forth, and he tried to go fast. I half halted, got him slower, then he'd leap up in the air. We'd bend, go forward, try to run, buck. It was the crappy, endless cycle that went on and on. Finally, I removed my spurs.

For those of you shaking your head at the stupidity of big roller spurs on a fresh Thoroughbred on a late December afternoon, he's gone GREAT in them before, at Crazy Lady's farm. In fact, it had ben a real epiphany how well he went in them. Well, today, he was having none of it. So, I dismounted, removed the offending metal posts, and climbed back on. After attempting to trot in a big circle somewhat resembling a RING, I felt what it was like to Capriole. Let's just say I won't be applying to the Vienna School of Riding anytime soon. I finally slapped on a little good 'ol discipline; circling, yelling, and stinging my hand with a slap on the rump. I didn't give in to his shenanigans, and continued to ask for the trot, one rein stopping when he tried to run off, and attempting to work in a ring-like area. FINALLY, he gave up ... a little.

I was very grateful for the warm weather, because I had JUST enough sweat to stick really well, but I wasn't uncomfortably hot or anything. Tiki, on the other hand, was soaked to the skin. We FINALLY got in some productive trotting; I got some really good practice remembering how to maintain a consistent rhythm at the trot despite a non-consistent rhythm by the horse. We finally got a nice pace, a relaxed head and neck, and some relative straightness. Cantered a few times, and experienced lots of crow hopping, flat out bucking, and lots of switching out behind. Needless to say, I will be borrowing a saddle from the barn until I can get a new one that fits. It's a pain, but I'd rather be uncomfortable and the HORSE be comfortable until funds allow for BOTH our comforts. I don't know that that had anything to do with it, but I will be interested to see how he reacts to a regular tree saddle. We're planning that trail ride Sunday, but I hope to squeeze in another ride or 2 Thursday and Friday, weather permitting. No sense in having a horse if I don't ride him! Wish us luck.:)

Finally ... the rain STOPPED!

So, after an eternity of rain, rain, and more rain, I was able to more or less forget about my horrible bareback event, and actually ride. And he had another fat ankle. AGH! I just pretended I didn't see it, rubbed on some liniment gel, and fastened on his spiffy new boots. (The fat ankle was just a little soft swelling on the outer left hind; it was just stocked up, for anyone horrified.;)) I waited around on Joyce and Debbie, the 2 ladies riding with me, and we set off across the street to wander aimlessly through right of ways, and pray the hunters didn't mistake our chestnut and appy horses for deer.

Literally, as we traipsed through belly high grass, crossed over rocky dry creeks, and wound our way through the power lines, we sand loudly so the hunters wouldn't shoot us. Hunting season is almost.over. Woo Hoo! Tiki didn't try to kill me! He was very unspooky, didn't squeal at me, and didn't dance/jig/or otherwise act like a bone head. He DID want to be in front, but we had NO idea where we were going, so I made him walk in the back. He got a little anxious when Peaches the appy pony wanted to prance and jig, herself, but he just put his head down, snuffled, and power walked the whole time. SUCH a good boy!

I will enjoy the 65 degree weather tomorrow, and ride him in his pasture, hopefully doing some transitions and getting in some meaningful work. Some ladies are planning a Sunday trail ride in the 1000 acres across the street that will have been vacated by the hunters, so I am planning an actual hour plus ride then. I hope it all works out!!:) I love my pony.

Finally got to ride!

Double edged sword. GA needs rain ... badly. However, since I STILL don't have a ring to ride in, I haven't been able to ride in a week. Today, I said the heck with it! The pasture I ride in wasn't too bad, so I brushed out the rain and dirt, and longed him first just to be safe. He was his normal, calm self. So ... I got on bareback. Oh. My. Gosh. I will spare the embarassing details about how that was the MOST PAINFUL thing I've ever done to myself on purpose, lol. I managed to stay on about 5 minutes, and NO TROTTING! :) I think he still needs to put on a few lbs before I try that little trick again. Kudos to the boy, though, he walked on the buckle twice around the pasture and only jigged twice when big, scary trucks roared down the road. He is such a good boy, I just love him! I plan to ride tomorrow after work; the only thing in my way is the forecast which is calling for possible showers tomorrow, so I'm just hoping things hold off until at least 4. At that point, it can rain all it wants!

Exhilirated!!

I ... galloped! Yup, I aimed my pony across a huge pasture, got in 2 point, and held on for the ride! I had tears streaming down my face from the cold wind, but it was INCREDIBLE!! Very fun. My pony was great the other day. Lots of transitions, stayed very quiet at the trot, did some nice canter transitions on both leads, worked on straightness, attempting to do some bending. I definitely think he did have an ulcer, and is feeling better now because he DOES go more forward for me. I think he enjoyed his gallop, as did I, and I should have ridden him today, but I actually have to LIVE with my husband. So, I cleaned up some around the house, which I have been seriously neglecting lately. Maybe I'll get lucky and can ride in the morning before the rain comes, but that is supposed to come in tonight. Anyway, just wanted to update! My High school and Middle school riding teams went to a show this weekend and earned Reserve Champions/Champions, respectively.:) I'm the proud mama all the way around!!!!

Relieved:)

I'd had my saddle in the car all weekend long, and pulled it out on Wednesday before going to the barn. Once I finished cleaning the stalls, it was absolutely beautiful, and I was kicking myself in the butt for taking the dang saddle out!

In lieu of riding my boy, I groomed him and longed him. He was so filthy. He's looking a little bit more fat, though, and that makes me happy! I took him out to the grass ring and actually longed him outside the ring in the pasture. Happily, he would work, then leap in the air and buck. Then he'd squeal, canter forward and buck. Then we reversed, and he'd slip, then buck.

Why is this good? It's good because it means he was not bucking out of pain, just out of feeling good. I worry about my saddle on him; he's not fat at ALL, and my saddle's a wide tree. I've tried to sell it twice on ebay, but wide tree saddles are a more specialized market. I have a big felt pad on him right now that takes up a lot of space, so I'm thinking the saddle is fine.

Anyway, he's starting to stretch down into the side reins and round his neck a little. He still doesn't stretch down into the trot, but he'll get there. I'm proud of my sweet little guy:)