Woody acted as lead rein pony for my brother's friend today and he behaved really well. I used a headcollar with reins on because he is far too reactive in the mouth to give a novice reins to a bit, and he was fine.
He was also stonkingly sound on the lunge after doing a much tougher hack and the big hill yesterday. And when I rode him first in the barn, to check that he was not going to be silly on his first time ridden in there, he trotted the extremely tight bends perfectly sound in spite of both my weight on him and him making them into 5 metre bends by swinging in off the track.
Something has changed in him. I could not describe exactly what it is, but this morning, and again as he walked into the barn this evening, his fluidity has gone up a level. He has stopped looking like a horse doing really well in spite of foot and body issues and suddenly looks like a horse with no issues at all.
It may not last, but if it doesn't I'm sure it will soon be back again. I would be extremely surprised now if we had any setbacks that threatened his return to a full working life.
C.
All I can say is that your "diamond in the rough" is polishing up to be a rare gem indeed.
ReplyDeleteLove a good pony but love even more a sound horse moving into his new found comfort, ready, willing and able to do for you.
Bet your smile is huge!!
I wasn't one bit surprised when it transfered through into our training session earlier Jean. I'm about to write it up.
ReplyDeleteC