Loopy Larry and Sensible Sid

We had another hack today and he was Loopy Larry going away from home and Sensible Sid coming back :-)

Three times he spun for home, and found himself continuing the turn to face his demon again every time. I kept my cool, gave him a long rein, let him spin (because trying to control him makes him fight more), and after a while he just walked calmly past the terror article.

On the way home, he was relaxed and calm and the swing from behind the saddle was the best I have ever felt. I couldn't get the girth up to the normal hole today and he has definitely not put on weight. It is no warmer than it has been lately, so it's not that the air in the saddle has increased in volume. I can only put this down to muscle increase along his spine.

One of the most noticeable things, apart from his movement, (which saw me this morning holding myself in the saddle using the rounding I attach my air jacket to!!) Is how little he now lies down compare to what was normal for him. It was obviously a strain on his back to sleep standing. 

The eagle eyed amongst you will notice that I am hacking him more than normal. That's for two reasons. One, it's pretty boring for both of us doing long and low circles every day. Two, his back feet are changing to a much steeper angle. If I do plenty of road work, that change will happen quicker, and it will create exactly the foot he needs to match his new loose back.   The steeper angle suggests that he is standing with his back feet further back than he was. It has to be another good sign, I think. 

C