He jumped his first line of cross rails last week and was tickled pink! He's becoming incredibly adjustable, learning his simple changes, working on transitions on the lunge and under saddle, and has now learned how to canter on the lunge in his Pessoa with minimal meltdowns. Other boarders have commented to me about how happy and relaxed he's becoming.
He continues to stress me out, though- I wonder how he'll do with the cold temperatures on the way. I've begun the hunt for a Back On Track mesh sheet to see if that helps, and plan on keeping his routine of 5-6 days of work under saddle/in the Pessoa through the winter.
He's had a few "twinges" here and there, but overall, is now "green horse" naughty instead of "painful" naughty. His latest fun trick has been backing up to avoid work; he'll even back up nose to my boot and refuse to turn so that's been frustrating, especially since one of our arenas requires a short trek over and into it. He's also developed a panic button when he meanders too far back in the cross ties and startles himself (as in sits down, and slips out of his halter) when he hits the slack. I'm hoping he gets over these vices soon- I really think he would be benefit from hacking out more (mentally and physically), and so far I only trust him to "hack" on the lunge line in the Pessoa. Baby steps, I guess? I've had some offers to hack out together from boarders, but my schedule is so erratic it will be hard to coordinate.
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| Geese will murder him. |
Fingers crossed, he keeps doing well!
Meanwhile, Candy has been a champion as a confidence booster- one ride, and I remembered I DO know how to sit a buck.
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| Post-peppermint boy |
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