Wintervals

I can't help it, I still  have a stupid grin on my face.  I was waiting for a friend to come and see the arena today so Radar got to go on it again rather than out on a hack. We had a good schooling session first and then we interval trained two five minute canters. It was great. I managed to get up a good sweat (him, not me!) so I know he got plenty of exercise.  He's not into schooling any more than he used to be, and is constantly attempting to go at twice the speed I want him to. Life is a half halt every ten seconds for Radar.

I rode Ace then. I put my air jacket on because he seemed to me not to be in a very good mood when I tacked him up - swishing tail and slightly reluctant to take the bit. But he was fine. He took a sharp intake of breath when I went to put my leg on, which on other days has made him buck. But this time he just relaxed again, as if to say "I thought that was going to hurt, but it didn't".  We did a short walk, trot and canter session, with some leg yield in walk and some walk/trot transitions. He seemed much happier and more pleased with himself when we finished.

One of the airbags in his saddle went flat yesterday. Thankfully WOWs are velcro'd together so I got it out and have attempted a repair with superglue. It made it air tight when I tested it in a sink of water, but I have no idea how long it will hold for. I've left it tonight pumped up very high, and I'll see if it has held the air tomorrow. It's only £50 for a new one and I can put it in myself. You can pay that for a simple restuff, so I'm not unhappy about it. 

Meanwhile, coming in off the arena earlier I still felt like a kid whose Christmases have all come at once. How incredibly lucky am I?

C