I rode Ace today because I want to feel the day by day difference that having him on a full treatment dose for ulcers makes. I am cautiously optimistic. He was still a bit naughty, but the best way I can think of describing it is that he was less "brittle".
I was able to give him a kick when he started to think about being silly. Also, when he napped to the gate to the left I was able to turn him right. On a bad day, he will not do that and you have to turn a full circle left instead. He did not rear or buck at all, in walk, trot or canter. He skipped a few times in the early trot, but I pushed him on and he stopped it. He's actually done some more than half decent work.
Meanwhile, the plan is now this.
If he continues to be naughty we take him off the grass completely. If that does not settle him, we try to work out what the devil has gone wrong.
If that does settle him, we send him to a professional dressage trainer/dealer on selling livery and look for a new horse.
If he settles in the next fortnight, we return to Beaver Hall to compete the same test again.
If he completes that test reasonably, he stays and we carry on.
If he spooks badly in that test, but works well at home, we keep him and give up competing. The joy for me is in riding a horse of his quality when he behaves as he has all winter and up to 12 days ago. I want to ride Grand Prix movements on him, not compete at Grand Prix. My main goal will still be achievable, I just need to find some other excuse for a coffee on Wednesdays :-)
What do you think to that plan?
C
Well thought out, with several acceptable outcomes for both of you. Fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteThanks DR.
DeleteC
Damned predictive text!! ER not DR !
DeleteC
Sounds like a plan. I never like the "sell the horse" option, of course, but there is no reason for you to keep a horse you cannot ride...well, safely, at least.
ReplyDeleteSince he was being so good prior to the grass, I am every hopeful he will be good again if you get the digestive problems sorted out.
Frankly, I have stopped showing and do not miss it at all. I even attended a show at the Horse Park--my main venue--and did not feel any tug at all to get into the competition arena. Now, I may take Chance to a local schooling show that's earning money for the horse rescue--or a I may not. But that would be mostly for fun and not to really compete.
Showing is OK and I did it for well over 30 years, but there comes a time when the fun is drained out of it. Having an unpredictable horse--like Tucker and Ace--makes it drain more quickly.
So, on all fronts, your thinking is just fine and being able to play and train at home--or with a good teacher--is just as rewarding as chasing points and rosettes.
I am now very hopeful that I can get back the sweet, kind boy I had less than two weeks ago.
DeleteC