I took Woody out for a hack in the dusk and he was walking home doing a horribly jarring and disunited walk in his anxiety to get home. I held him together for the sake of my poor jarred back and he started backing into a wall. He was stuck between a wall behind his bum and my hands in front, refusing to accept that he could just do a nice relaxed walk home. Then suddenly, from nowhere, he launched himself high into the air and landed again a minimum of 15 feet away, having jumped an imaginary 6 foot fence on the way. I am trying not to exaggerate, that's certainly how long it was, and how high it felt.
I couldn't let that go unchallenged so we spent some time walking nicely away from home, then turning for home. And every time he went into a horrible walk or jog, we turned away from home again. It took three goes and then he suddenly relaxed, stretched his neck out long, and walked home really sweetly.
Another lesson learned, I hope. I certainly don't want to jump too many imaginary fences that high!
C
ps I did some in hand shoulder in, renvers, backing up, pirouettes and turn on the forehand with Ace in the barn and as in hand work usually does it bored me witless!
Whoa - a six foot fence! Good thing you are an experienced jumper! He has a thing or two to learn, Woody does.
ReplyDeleteI too just can't get excited about in hand or even lunging work. I rarely do it because I enjoy riding so much.
Yes, I enjoy the riding too much as well ML. I was trying to do something that I wouldn't have to cook him for, but I was so bored! C
DeleteUhm, that's one of Tucker's trademark moves....sort of. At least it was when he was younger. I used to call it the "rocket launch." Not exactly my favorite exercise. *G*
ReplyDeleteWell, at least you know Woody can jump. *lol* I agree with MaryLou. Good think you are an experience jump rider.
I actually like in hand work. It's amazing how well it can carry itself into ridden work too. It's an important part of Kenny Harlow's training techniques.
He can jump all right :-)
DeleteC.