Better Barn Behaviour

I rode Jazz outside and he was absolutely sound and did not hop when I tried some shoulder in. He may still be affected by the bute, so we'll see what happens as it wears off. I forgot to give him last nights and he was fine this morning, so I have stopped giving it to him. His hocks are cold and the slight stiffness that he had yesterday has completely gone, so fingers crossed the injections help him over the current phase and it doesn't need repeating.

It was horribly windy so I took Ace indoors and his behaviour was completely different from normal. He relaxed and did some lovely walk work, circles, shoulder in, serpentines. He also did a few great walk to canter transitions, followed by one 30 yard side of canter and down to trot again. The canter was lovely, balanced, bouncy, and he came down to a lovely punchy trot, even in such a small area. I think he must have been claustrophobic and got over it with continued exposure. If it was lack of space to move I'm sure it wouldn't suddenly have disappeared like it has. It is a relief to know that when the weather is foul this winter we will still be able to get some nice work done.

Radar is fine. One little graze on a knee, one long but very thin scratch inside a hind leg, both from hawthorn or blackthorn hedges. He looks very self satisfied  today and made up for not eating his breakfast or tea yesterday. He knew it was Saturday before I even plaited him up and left his breakfast, and when he got home he was still too overexcited to eat his tea. Silly chump!  I am aching all over, but nothing too seriously pulled or strained thank goodness.


C.