So they were moving barns and I offered to help while I was in town. I was really just in for the day as I arrived late Sunday after spending my weekend in Camden at a massage seminar (which I'll talk about in another post!).
We moved a total of 5 horses, hay, shavings, tack, and an assortment of other things. It took us about 3 trips to get them moved. The new barn though is phenominal! I wanted to move in and just sleep on the couches in the lounge (yes they had a lounge that is nicer than my house!)
This is the front entrance of the 20 stall barn.
So after I picked my jaw up off the ground I spent a bit of time working with Roy, Cathy's talented German Hanovarian. Being that he is very fit and ridden correctly he generally only requires a good tune up with the massage. Cathy though believes in my work and always has me work in him. She knows that it keeps his muscles in good working order to prevent any potential strains or injuries. So she is my favorite kind of client!!
I then watched her ride him which to me is always a treat. He is such a big mover and is lovely to watch. And Cathy as a rider is also a joy to see as well. Very classical in her seat and position and I get so much from just watching her. Her horses are always very straight and balanced and truely do over their backs and are forward.
His piaffe and passage are coming along in leaps and bounds...its amazing to see what she has with him.
Roy hanging out in his field waiting to go to his new home. Love the face.
So on Wednesday I made the trip out to McCord Farms to ride the Joe! He is a great lil guy and was a ton of fun to ride. Such a willing attitude and nothing phases him. I of course only did dressage/flat work with him, but the silly boy wanted to veer off to the jumps as we passed them.
We did work alot of going to the outside rein and staying under himself during transitions. He tended to want to dump (but hey so many of them want to do that right?), but he reallys started to use his lil tush by the end.
Kate put her eventing cap on me as she said I will event one day. Ha!
What a lovely lil trot he has. :)
I love him and will beg Kate to ride him again without a doubt!So I then went from pony onto my mare Gracie...hence the horse.
She had spent a wonderful week OFF from work. Wasnt she shocked when I brought the saddle back out. I saw the smile fade from that pretty face of hers. Oh well I had planned a day of hillwork so figured she would enjoy herself.
And she did..though a bit too much for my liking. I will say it was stupid of me to take her out in the fields after that long with no work. But hey were told fresh air is good for them and it was a nice day.
All was fine just walking up and down, and even with trotting up the hill.
BUT...BUT when you add the canter in it was just too exciting. First time up at the canter, she perked her ears and you felt the energy buzzing in her, but she was good and steady and balanced.
So went for a second time. She went right into the canter and then right into bucking.
I could feel her trying to wiggle her head further down to put in some better bucks. But I just sat back, held her head up, and hoped that Charlie had 911 on speed dial.
Funny how things run through your head in moments like those...
But I guess I had superglue on my ass because I didnt come off. Even when she continues to put in small bucks at the top of the hill and kept tring to bolt forward.
Abandoned the hillwork and just stayed at the top and made the damn mare really work. She got the picture and settled down and stopped trying to bolt. Mares....
So today I went back to the ring. Gracie has been in our indoor a bizillion times. But today the monsters had taken it over. I swear she was spooking at everything and nothing. The entire ride she was like "OMG IM GOING TO DIE!!!!" It was one of those rides that kinda sucked the whole time but I was okay with where it ended. I went in with one game plan and it changed almost immediatly. In the end I just wanted her forward and listening.
The canter work is getting there though. I was not together to the right so the up transition was hard for her. I just couldnt get her and myself where we needed to be to have a successful one. I got it eventually but I really need to work on myself when it comes to that.
To the left?? Well it was really good. Which is suprising as it was the harder one for the last few months.
She picked it up each time and in the canter itself stayed fairly well balanced. I even got her to do a walk/canter transition like she was an old pro at it!!
Goofy mare...I must say I love her.
My friend Julie says the two of us have a bizarre and sick relationship. ;p;p
She does have such a pretty face when she's not making evil eyes at everyone.
