Puzzle time!

Ace has a new character emerging and it's a mix between playful and naughty. We went out for a short little hack because the last few days have seen a very big increase in the amount of work he has been doing. He trotted up the yard and out of the gate and I had to restrain him from overtaxing himself up the hill. He was very silly about some white junction markings on the road and tried to take me home. I had to take a deep breath and tell him off for that, but he took it fine. It was only me that was a problem :-)

On the way  home he tried to dive into the open gateway into the yard. So that had to be swiftly corrected, of course, and he found himself walking back and forth past the open gate several times. 

On the arena, this is going to be a challenge. I'm not yet sure how I can distinguish between fresh and playful behaviour and fear of pain. They are quite similar in feel. I hope to have the weather to start that tomorrow and report back.

I schooled Radar and had a typical frustrating time. He walked nicely, trotted nicely and did trot to canter on the right rein really nicely. Then I turned him round for trot to canter on the other rain and he was running away, leaping about and trying to gallop off round the arena. This is normal, and it does not matter which rein you are on, it's what he does on whichever rein is second. 

I kept him out there until he did it properly, but I do hate having to be hard on him to stop him dashing off. I wish he would just wake up and realise that it never gets him anywhere but even more work.

The hole in his foot where his sole has died away is about a centimetre deep. It shows how thick barefoot soles are. He isn't bothered by it and all the infection is gone, so I should be able to pack it up safely to hunt on Saturday, weather permitting. 

C