Ace has never been better in any respect! The toe-flick that I mentioned two days ago, which seemed to me to be a little excessive, has calmed right down. I think his toes were aching, which would fit with grass laminitis. But they certainly aren't today. I have never seen him more sure of his feet.
Whether that was responsible for the ride I had I don't know for sure, but I think so. He was a complete delight. His mouth has never been more steady or more elastic. His walk has never been calmer or more forward. His trot has never been more up and rythmic. His canter has never felt more controllable. He got shoulder in walk, and he began to understand change of pace within the trot. It was a fantastic schooling session, by far the all-round best he has ever done. If he was my only horse he would bore me witless :-), but boy is it nice once in a while to handle and to ride such a quiet, kind, willing, generous horse!
Jazz was good too, except that for the first time in his life he would not take the bit. It took ten attempts to bridle him, and a lot of self control not to get very angry. I have no idea what was up, because he accepted it just like normal in the end, did a good work session. We had to go indoors because by that time it was heaving down with rain!
We practised bits of his next test. Walk pirouettes, which seemed to be quite good. And halt, rein back 5 strides, canter, canter/walk after half a side. It's a tough call as you can imagine, but he got it with no trot strides in the rein back to canter as well! I was well pleased with him too.
The bad news of the day is that Sonia has cancelled because she is going to Hickstead and had not realised when we booked for Tuesday that she was already committed. Unfortunately, this chaotic diary management and truly appalling timekeeping are part and parcel of training with Sonia. I thought that I would be able to cope with it, but I find myself so irritated that I shan't ring her again, I will wait and see if she ever gets around to ringing me. History would suggest that probably won't be for several months!
C.
Could be Jazz had a sore spot...but bite...or something somewhere where either your hands or the bridle was touching during bridling? I know Tucker had a little rub one time and made a big fuss about it.
ReplyDeleteOR, it could have been the change in the weather as the rain moved in.
OR....
If only horses could talk.
How lovely of Ace to be such a star. It is a pleasure riding a horse like that and can be a bore....but there is so much yet to teach him that I'm sure you will have plenty to keep you busy on the path to Grand Prix.
i'm with you on that sort of appointment keeping. and in these days of smartphones linking to the pc, there's no real excuse.
ReplyDeleteback when i used farriers, i found most of them didn't have diaries, you had to ring them when you wanted them and hope they turn up! only had one would prebook the next appointment. My RI occasionally runs late, but we all know that and allow for it!
That is very frustrating re Sonia, I would be annoyed as well.
ReplyDeleteJust saw your comment about Brewers Yeast from Charnwood, I struggle with that as well from them, I get two very different types, one a pale yellow powder which has quite a light smell and the horses seem to eat it ok, the other a darker sand coloured powder with quite a strong yeasty smell which the horses don't like as much. Think the last stuff that mine liked was from Poland.
If only Jean, what would they say???
ReplyDeleteI have done Sonia a slight injustice Claire, right at teh end of her very long text it does say same time same place the next week. But her diary management is dire!
The Polish stuff is fine Tracey, but they can't get it.The current stuff is German and the stuff they had real difficulty with was Czech. Mine is the Czech stuff and they have refunded my money, which is good of them.
C
Hi, back from sunning myself.
ReplyDeleteRubbish planning from Sonja, I'd be miffed too, I hate my plans being messed up.
Well done for removing the toe flick, I'm convinced its a key indicator in grass troubled horses. I went to see two New Forest types last week, I've been doing them for 8 months, lovely feet, any surface, no problem. This time they were both fatter, crests on their necks and both toe flicking for the first time ever. Grass. I told the owner to keep them in for 24 hours, and if he flick had gone, that was the answer, I'm convinced the right diet for 24 hours will get rid of it if its mild. From then on its up to you to manage it day to day and work out what they can cope with in grazing terms. Fascinating.
Anyway, I'm on the withdrawl from sun and good wine, but back to riding tomorrow, so I'm happy.
xx
T
Oh, just been catching up on previous days....George? Any progress, I hope he can come to you. Its not a George you used to own is it?
ReplyDeleteJust had a really interesting read, catching up with all the news, having been off line for a bit - well truthfully being too busy with a new puppy which is just like having a baby to look after. Haven't had full care of a puppy for years and years but in 2 weeks she has gone from a timid baby to a cheeky child.
ReplyDeleteAs for horse, well with scant preparation, I was very pleased with him at our showing outing yesterday and we had a couple of rosettes. Next to try practicing for dressage, not his favourite thing.
Ace sounds - well ACE! Very interesting about Jazz too. Are WB slow to mature, or something?
Walk to canter. My horse only learned to walk to do canter, so he doesn't really like going from trot. I have to slow the trot right down which gets interesting comments from judges. I also had a horse that couldn't seem to get the correct leg, until I taught him from walk, which gave me enough time to think the aids clearing and once he got it he was fine.
Hope SH is doing well - another 5 mile walk? Phew, no wonder you want to sleep!
It's THE George Tracey, the one off the cover of Feet First. He has been badly trimmed for a couple of years, I think, and is now limping proof that barefoot horses can get navicular. He is not with me, the owner is trying to get him to Rockley. Nic is happy for me to take him meanwhile, but the vet who the owner needs to get on board does not cover my area, so he is at his normal home at the moment. It's all a horrible mess of closed minded hospital vets and insurance companies :-(
ReplyDeleteHi Judith. Five miles is routine now, every other day! KWPN warmbloods are renowned for being late to mature mentally, yes. Well done with the rosies. What's the puppy?
C
Darn, I'm so sorry that this has befallen George, poor balance will cause pain eh, shod or unshod. I hope it gets resolved in his favour quickly, brave big fella.
ReplyDeleteHugs