Post by racaille on Nov 8, 2008 12:12:52 GMT
After week away it was so wonderful to get back on a horse! I dashed to the club yesterday afternoon for the group lesson, but only the old chap and I turned up. The arena was fine, despite the torrential rain of the last week, so we decided to do some flat work but with 'games' for fun.
Paco was brilliant for once! The week off has done him good and he was really making an effort. He likes relaxed sessions like that and tends to go better - we had some real progress on left lead canter. The trainer and I think it is because he wasn't stressing (he is a real worrier - apparently while I was away the automatic drinker in his box got jammed and flooded the WHOLE barn. Next morning poor Paco was found cowering in the corner of his box and then had to go out and face the farrier. He was a trembling wreck) but enjoying himself. He is pretty brilliant at canter slalom anyway but he managed a whole series on left lead without changing leg, the good boy!! But if I'd asked for counter canter in a serious workout he would have got all stiff and stressed and got his legs in a tangle. Silly boy.
The I took little Gospel out on a hack with the novice group. I'm working with him as he's young and needs improving and is either a total plod or a bomb. He was good as gold and strode out nicely when I asked him firmly, and didn't try to bolt in canter. Sadly though, he has a mouth like iron and tries to follow the other horses slavishly, so I was trying to get him to listen to me instead and was pleased when he started to concede.
The weather was lovely and I was riding in just a Tshirt, enjoying the views after all the rain. It was simply paradise. ;D
Paco was brilliant for once! The week off has done him good and he was really making an effort. He likes relaxed sessions like that and tends to go better - we had some real progress on left lead canter. The trainer and I think it is because he wasn't stressing (he is a real worrier - apparently while I was away the automatic drinker in his box got jammed and flooded the WHOLE barn. Next morning poor Paco was found cowering in the corner of his box and then had to go out and face the farrier. He was a trembling wreck) but enjoying himself. He is pretty brilliant at canter slalom anyway but he managed a whole series on left lead without changing leg, the good boy!! But if I'd asked for counter canter in a serious workout he would have got all stiff and stressed and got his legs in a tangle. Silly boy.
The I took little Gospel out on a hack with the novice group. I'm working with him as he's young and needs improving and is either a total plod or a bomb. He was good as gold and strode out nicely when I asked him firmly, and didn't try to bolt in canter. Sadly though, he has a mouth like iron and tries to follow the other horses slavishly, so I was trying to get him to listen to me instead and was pleased when he started to concede.
The weather was lovely and I was riding in just a Tshirt, enjoying the views after all the rain. It was simply paradise. ;D
for so much hard work we thank ye!!
