Mary Rode Twice Today!

I started off today by working with Pepsi. It went really well right up until the end. (Again )He started out a little hot (obviously most of the bruising has grown out!) but we worked through it on the ground. He seriously thought about taking off toward the barn a few times (the first time I asked him for a jog in-hand he cantered, bucked, and tried to run out the gate!) but we worked through it. After about 10 times of asking him for a CORRECT jog and not a free-for-all gallop, he settled down and really listened.

After he was being a very good boy and listening I got on him and he was SO good. I think I finally have my 'hot' horsey back and not my lazy little horse! I can do SO much more with him when he's up...it's hard to collect the energy when there's nothing coming through to begin with!

So, we worked on listening and some leg yields. Our leg yields are no where NEAR being great, but he's starting to get the idea. He likes to pop his shoulder out a lot (we're definitely still working on balance!) but today I tapped him with my heel ON his shoulder when he did that. After a few times of him moving off my foot, I could tell a light bulb went off in his brain..."Oh, so THAT'S what you've been trying to get me to do! Ok!" :D

We trotted and walked around a bit more (I was on bareback again, but I think tomorrow the saddle is coming back on so the REAL work can begin!) and then I finally got off. We did a few more minutes of groundwork before I took him in, and he was VERY responsive.

Anyway, upon taking him in and hosing him off, I decided I should soak his foot. I noticed it started smelling yesterday, and while I don't think any thrush is developing, I'd rather be safe than sorry. Now, one thing you should know about this horse is he HATES having his feet soaked and standing still. Like, he needs horsey Ridalin to be able to even THINK about standing still for more than 50 seconds at a time. So, this is where it STARTS to get bad. I'm trying to get him to stand with his feet in a bucket of water and he's trying his best NOT to stand with his feet in a bucket of water. Finally (after about 10 minutes and 3 re-filled buckets of water later) I give up and take him out to graze. As I'm walking him out a student having a lesson falls off and screams as she hits the ground. (And yes, she was fine- just bruised pride.) Still, as if the screaming wasn't bad enough, her horse decides to gallop arond the ring for 5 minutes instead of being caught. Finally, Pepsi just can't take any more and goes galloping off toward the pasture. I hung on for a few strides, but finally let go when I tripped and nearly fell down! (NOT the best thing for my ankle right after surgery!)

So, he takes off GALLOPING AND BUCKING toward the pasture, and I've just had it. I go catch him, and it's been a LONG time since this horse has seen me this mad. As in, he starts backing up away from me as soon as I touch the lead line. He's blowing and snorting too, probably because he's telepathic and could tell I was thinking of throwing him in the nearest river and letting him fend for himself. Anyway, after YET ANOTHER 10 minutes of groundwork, he's settled down but is still listening to everything I ask of him, and I'm too freaking tired to do any more with him. I throw him out in the pasture (note: NOT the nearest river!), give him a pat, and leave.

I then make my way down to my friend's house to ride Knight. By the time I get there, it's almost 8:30 and there's hardly any light to see by. So I tack him up and hit the trail in the almost pitch dark. We're out all of 7 minutes before it IS pitch dark and I can't even see, so I finally turn him around to head back home. Of course, like all horses, he doesn't actually have to SEE anything in order to go home. You could probably blindfold him and tie 2 of his legs together, and he'd STILL find his way back to the barn. ;) But he was angel about everything (even my BIG SCARY TRUCK with lots of stuff inside the bed!) and got lots of petting and grazing time when we got back.

Anyway, tomorrow I'm going to 1) get out to ride Knight earlier and 2) put a chain on Pepsi for hte next several weeks or so. I want to be SURE that when I say stop he STOPS! I'm also going to throw a saddle on and make him WORK tomorrow. Then maybe he'll be too tired to pull anything when it's time to go back to the pasture. ;)