Friday, March 4, 2011

Breakthrough? Maybe

Well, today C decided we should ride Aidynlou, and I immediately had this feeling of dread that either he was going to dump me, or be lame, or both. I tacked him up with trepidation and got on to find I had an audience of a client and my dad. Yippee. First we just got him going forward in the walk and kept a steady but light contact for him to go into. Then we started trotting and he was really fluid behind and felt strong. And for some reason I felt pretty stable in my position and my aids. We worked on putting his hindquarters to the left when he wanted to put them right...which means baby shoulder-in while tracking right and counter bend to the left. Then we did baby leg yields tracking right which he actually did...amazing! He listened to my leg aids and really tried to do as I asked. Then we cantered both directions and I almost laughed out loud going to the left, his canter was SO smooth and fluid! It hasn't felt that good since...ever. His left lead is usually a very choppy, uneven stride. I couldn't believe how good he felt and how much more responsive he was...the combination of the good injections and roping him all week really made a difference. Thank GOODNESS. Then he got his feetsies done and they look so darn good..my farrier seriously needs a medal for all the hard work he's done on this horse. I will post pictures tomorrow of the before and after feet...it's crazy.

:) So hopefully this will continue. And we have a new pony coming tomorrow...stay tuned for details!!
God Bless,
Ry

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Catching up a bit...

Tuesday:
Today was Day Two of roping Aidyn to strengthen his hind end. I got the honors, which always makes me nervous immediately because each time I lunge him I don’t’ seem to have good results. It was made perfectly obvious today that my horse has no respect for me whatsoever. He plunked around the circle for ten minutes ignoring me until C came out to the ring, and almost immediately he surged forward into an energetic trot. After five more minutes C took the line and Aidyn was like 100% better. He was paying attention, going forward and bending. The SECOND I took the line back he went back to plunking. C would raise the whip and he would go forward immediately, but I could literally snap the whip at him and he just looked at me and continued plodding along. I was so frustrated. :-/ And had myself completely convinced by the time C came out that he was hurting and that was why he “couldn’t” go forward. C said I’m crazy and that he’s fine…I swear I see something off behind, but I think I’m just trying to make excuses or something. I don’t know. I do know that I’m frustrated. I have to make him pay attention to me and move out when I ask. I have to be more firm and be the boss mare. Tomorrow is a new day, I just pray I’m not wrong and that he really ISN’T in pain and is just lazy. Urg…really wasn’t a good day in general, I am feeling quite anxious right now and just want to go to sleep. So I think I will. :)

Wednesday:
Tried lunging on my own again, with a determined expression that said "Don't mess with me"...which Aidyn merely laughed at and started plodding along with his ears sideways. I got so mad and chased after him with the lunge whip, which made him buck and aim right for my head. Prick. I did manage to get him going forward but it took the full 20 minutes. At least I got something for my effort..I was sweating more than him at the end, which is sad since he has his full winter coat. Oh well, progress is progress, right? At least he looked pretty strong behind and there wasn't much tripping!

Thursday:
Aidyn had the day off today, tomorrow he gets his second dose of Adequan and new shoes, so hopefully both of those things will improve his work this weekend!
God Bless,
Ry