Knight and Pepsi (As usual, very long)

So, I rode both horses today which was good, but I'm EXHAUSTED. I was going to go to the CDI dressage show, but I'm too tired to make it now. Oh well.

I'll start with Knight, since I rode him first. He was very good, but a little lazy. I'm not sure if he's still a little sore, or if he was just hot. I DO know that he's still VERY out of shape, and that he wasn't thrilled with leaving his herdmates. ;) But he wasn't bad by any means- just a little sluggish.

I only rode Knight for about 30 minutes, and most of that was walking. We did a few trot 'sets' but only for about 30 seconds each. He just wasn't very forward, and I didn't want to push him since he is still SO out of shape. But he didn't put up a fuss about anything, and eventually we went back to the barn to hose him off and give him some yummy alfalfa cubes. ;)

Now, on to Pepsi. Like Kate, this post almost became a 'for sale' ad.

He started out VERY well and was very responsive and listening. When I got on (after doing groundwork!) he was a little up but I was thrilled with that, because that means his bruising is growing out.

Anyway, we worked on some walk-trot-halt transitions and some bending and collection. He was SOOO good and I was really happy with him. Then it started to get windy (a front was coming through) and the barn manager was doing stalls for the night. He was a little worried about the muck bucket cart that she was wheeling around, but it was really quite cute because he got all tucked underneath himself and was really using his hind end! I was just about ready to walk him out to cool him down when some JACKASS decided to start shooting RIGHT OUTSIDE THE RING!!! (Unfortunately, that land is NOT part of the barn, so people are pretty much allowed to do whatever the hell they want to out there.) Also unfortunately, Pepsi lost it. Now, for once in my life, I don't blame him, because the shots were close enough that they scared the hell out of ME! The poor thing started freaking out, and when I could get him stopped long enough I got off and tried to get his attention back on me. Yeah.....not so much. We walked/jigged/chomped on the bit all the way back to the barn. And when we arrived? He promptly tried to bolt back to the field. Finally, after watching me struggle for nearly 10 minutes trying to get Pepsi's bridle off and his halter on, the barn manager came over and helped hold him for me. It then took both of us to get him in the wash stall (he was COVERED in sweat and foam and NEEDED a shower) and also took both of us to keep him there.

Honestly, the poor horse was so distressed he was SHAKING. But even while he was shaking he was trying EVERYTHING he could think of to get OUT of that wash stall, out of the barn, and back to his pasture, where (I'm assuming) he thought he'd be safe. He tried rearing once, struck out about 15 times (and nearly got me in the head once and almost got Debbie- the barn manager- in the thigh once or twice!) and then, on TOP of all of that, he actually squished me against the wall TWICE! The first time wasn't so bad, because he pinned me so I couldn't get arm out to beat him off of me, but it didn't hurt. The second time however, I SMACKED him as he was swinging his body toward me, but I don't even think he noticed. He just slammed right into me, and he pinned me against the wall so tight I could hardly breathe. Debbie was REALLY worried about me, but Pepsi was just being so crazy that even between the 2 of us, a lead line, cross-ties, a crop AND a sweat scraper (great for smacking when nothing else is available!) we could STILL barely control him. I swear, I've been around horses my entire life and I have NEVER seen a horse react to ANYTHING like that. It was truly frighteneing.

Anyway, after a while we got him calmed down enough for me to start leading him out and back to his pasture. We had to wrap the rope around his nose (I can't find my chain!) for extra control, and that STILL barely kept him from bolting. Debbie even told me 4 or 5 different times, if he takes off YOU LET HIM GO! Do NOT try to hang on to him like this, especially with your ankle! And believe me, if you knew Debbie, she does NOT tell people to let go of their horses. At that point though, I think she was truly scared for my safety.

Anyway, we got back to the pasture ok and when I let him go he took off running and bucking like a looney toon. I wish we had a gigantic 15 acre field where I could just gallop him around until he exhausts himself and calms down, but we don't. So, tomorrow we're back to more ground work and HOPEFULLY a good ride!