It has been a fabulous week weatherwise, hasn't it? It's certainly made life a bit more bearable than it would have been if it had stayed cold and wet.
I forgot to mention the other good news yesterday, that Ace's joint fluid analysis came back clear of infection. We expected it to, but it was good to have it confirmed.
Dear Radar, I think he is going to die of frustration if I make him school three days in a row. I wanted to try a different bit today, but I will hack him when I ride on Tuesday. I am doing one day on one day off at the moment because his back will be a bit soft from having seven weeks off, even if he is still pretty fit.
I used a straight bar snaffle today, and like many horses I found he was happier in it than in any other snaffle. I still had my usual problem, that unless he is held together with hand and seat, he drops his back, and then panics when asked to turn a corner. So we spent a loooooong time in careful serpentines with him variously trying to run forwards, drop backwards, wriggle sideways and any other evasion that seemed a good idea to him at the time. He got it in the end, and then we also did some trot. I had to keep the ryhthmn very clearly with my seat and not let him rush and then I really got the impression that he may even have gone forward to the bit! Heavens to Betsy at this rate we may even canter in a snaffle :)
I won't be hacking out in one though. The last time I tried that he got scared by a bunch of cows and it was 100 yards before I could stop him :o
Fingers crossed that Ace's xrays are clear tomorrow and then we can get him back home, even if he still has a catheter in his neck and intravenous antibiotics. I would really enjoy having him around to nurse now.
C.
Yes, I think that will be good medicine for you, to nurse Ace. The news is good on him!
ReplyDeleteI'll get my little white cap and apron on.
DeleteC
Good stuff, I'm so glad to hear he's coming right and you're all relaxing regarding his condition.
ReplyDeleteRadar??? Bless him, he's trying to entertain you, I hope he can go for a gallop again very soon :D
Speaking of which, I went on a fun ride today at Cirencester Park. I took both horses with a friend riding one of them.....near the end that horse's mind boiled over and I told her to get off before she was deposited. We were swapping horses, me legging her up on the horse who was more settled, and I "let go" of the horse who was boiling and off she went!!!! At the gallop, back to the lorry park, but then decided she'd rather carry on, veered left and careered across the polo park full tilt, and rejoined the start of the ride to do it all again!!! I've never been so embarrassed!!! Thank god she's barefoot, and thank God my horse whinnied so hard for her as we galloped after her to get her back. All home safe and sound, but feeling rather daft!
Take care x
I used to work in Cirencester, I know that park. She just wanted a little run!
DeleteC.
"The last time I tried that he got scared by a bunch of cows and it was 100 yards before I could stop him"
ReplyDeleteHe definitely needs to come and have August on Exmoor ;-) Just put him on a train and I will pick him up the other end ;-) I'd prefer if you all came, though...!
You'd have to offer him some jumps though Nic :-)
DeleteC
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ReplyDeleteFinding the right bit is an interesting experiment. Wonder if Radar likes the bar bit better because there is less movement in his mouth. It may make him feel a little more secure.
ReplyDeleteGood news about Ace. It will be great for you to have him home so you can fuss over him. I am sure he'd like that too. It's a good way to bond.