After Margaret and I had such a fun time at the fall hunter pace, we opted to go again this spring! This time, while I rode Rejoice again, Margaret rode her horse Jester and had a friend ride Ladyhawke. All Kennebec Morgans!! Jester and Rejoice have the same dam and Jester and Lady share the same sire. Unfortunately instead of a lovely late spring day, we had one of the first intensely hot and humid days of the year. It was definitely a bummer, but the ride was mostly in the shade of the woods and we had a great time! most of the fences were 3' coops but we found a small log and this hay to jump haha Until we didn't. 😑 We brought along a third friend who rode Margaret's older mare, Ladyhawke. She's a good rider but hasn't known Ladyhawke for very long and didn't realize how much of a cranky boss mare she could be at times. She kicked Jester right in the front leg just about halfway through the ride, and while the cut itself ended up not being a big deal in the
Sometimes I am amazed at how different two rides can be.
Dreamy had Monday off because of the show on Sunday. It is her typical day off. Then Tuesday afternoon/evening it was thunderstorming and HAILING, so no ride. :(
Last night, Wed. June 18, I had a fantastic ride. We just did flat work, including some lateral work. Dreamy was forward and light in the bridle, she cantered both directions as soon as I asked, and we actually had HALF HALTS after our canters! It was absolutely astounding. I quite honestly think it was one of our best rides yet. Her left canter felt a bit more balanced than usual, which was exciting. I only rode for about 45 mins., seeing as I did not get on until 8PM and it was getting rather dark by 8:45PM! LOL!
THEN....tonight was the exact opposite. I wanted to do some of the movements from my tests this weekend. But forget it. It was an obedience ride. She ran through my aids, no half halts, and could NOT canter to the left. And hell, the second time I asked for a right canter, she could not do that either. UGGGG. It was so awful, I really should not have even ridden. It was not worth the time it took to tack her up. I did NOT want to just give up and put her away without some sort of positive....so I worked her in the trot until she settled down a little. Then we tried the canter again....no dice.....so I walked and trotted and walked and trotted......tried again and we got a canter in each direction. It was very rushed and unbalanced, but at least I got it immediately. She was honestly a completely different horse.
I had to keep telling myself in the past half hour since I got off, that this is what training is all about. Two steps forward, four steps back. One step forward, three steps back. UGGGG....it is just so frustrating, because on Wednesday night she PROVED she can do it. I told her she was a shit, but I still loved her.....but I did want more consistency. LOL! And you know, maybe she is hurting. I wish I could have gotten the chiro vet out here sooner. But he cannot make it until the middle of July. Oh well.
I have been doing carrot stretches with her for the time being. She was really stiff the first time I tried, but then since she has been much more flexible. I wonder how much of that is because I used those apple wafers the first time I tried and now I am using real pieces of carrot. ROFL! I think she is more flexible because she likes the treat more.
Deep breath......it will be OK.....this is how training progresses.....you cannot have perfect rides all the time.....Saturday's show will go just fine......just think of how far you have already brought her along.....she tries really hard (OK, well....except when she loses her mind after cantering). AND I am taking lessons which is so fabulous and has helped us out so much.
Alright, I will NOT get down about this. Wish me luck for this weekend's show! :)
Dreamy had Monday off because of the show on Sunday. It is her typical day off. Then Tuesday afternoon/evening it was thunderstorming and HAILING, so no ride. :(
Last night, Wed. June 18, I had a fantastic ride. We just did flat work, including some lateral work. Dreamy was forward and light in the bridle, she cantered both directions as soon as I asked, and we actually had HALF HALTS after our canters! It was absolutely astounding. I quite honestly think it was one of our best rides yet. Her left canter felt a bit more balanced than usual, which was exciting. I only rode for about 45 mins., seeing as I did not get on until 8PM and it was getting rather dark by 8:45PM! LOL!
THEN....tonight was the exact opposite. I wanted to do some of the movements from my tests this weekend. But forget it. It was an obedience ride. She ran through my aids, no half halts, and could NOT canter to the left. And hell, the second time I asked for a right canter, she could not do that either. UGGGG. It was so awful, I really should not have even ridden. It was not worth the time it took to tack her up. I did NOT want to just give up and put her away without some sort of positive....so I worked her in the trot until she settled down a little. Then we tried the canter again....no dice.....so I walked and trotted and walked and trotted......tried again and we got a canter in each direction. It was very rushed and unbalanced, but at least I got it immediately. She was honestly a completely different horse.
I had to keep telling myself in the past half hour since I got off, that this is what training is all about. Two steps forward, four steps back. One step forward, three steps back. UGGGG....it is just so frustrating, because on Wednesday night she PROVED she can do it. I told her she was a shit, but I still loved her.....but I did want more consistency. LOL! And you know, maybe she is hurting. I wish I could have gotten the chiro vet out here sooner. But he cannot make it until the middle of July. Oh well.
I have been doing carrot stretches with her for the time being. She was really stiff the first time I tried, but then since she has been much more flexible. I wonder how much of that is because I used those apple wafers the first time I tried and now I am using real pieces of carrot. ROFL! I think she is more flexible because she likes the treat more.
Deep breath......it will be OK.....this is how training progresses.....you cannot have perfect rides all the time.....Saturday's show will go just fine......just think of how far you have already brought her along.....she tries really hard (OK, well....except when she loses her mind after cantering). AND I am taking lessons which is so fabulous and has helped us out so much.
Alright, I will NOT get down about this. Wish me luck for this weekend's show! :)
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