So there we are, coming to the end of a great session on the arena, when the cat jumps the wall straight under Ace's feet, panics, turns and jumps,back out again quick as a flash, and Ace goes into orbit. I have to say, he can buck a lot higher now his back is free! I didn't have a hope, I was a mile off the saddle and there was no horse under me when I started to return to earth.
I did not need this right now, it's a completely depressing thing to have happened.
On the plus side, we had just done two lovely canter circles, one on each rein, and at the time it happened he was lengthening and shortening the trot really nicely. He didn't mean to do it, and was very unhappy himself. He did not even leave the arena and go back to his stable, he just stood and waited for me looking crestfallen.
I took off the inflated jacket and got back on and made myself do a little more trot lengthening and a walk to canter on each rein, which were all fine though understandably tentative.
Now I'm going to hide away and sulk for a while. What a way to spoil a beautiful day.
C
Darn it. Oh, well, I suppose you did feel the effects of his newly liberated and flexible back. *sigh* Hope you are OK and that it didn't affect your nerves too much.
ReplyDeleteMy barn kitty likes to come out the arena when I school. I always keep an eye on where he is as he particularly likes to lurk under the mounting block or in the bushy area along the woods. Upon occasion he will bound out and streak across the arena. If I am cantering Tucker....well, the buck is there as is a sudden gallop off.
Not sure if the cat does this on purpose or if it's just cat behavior. Had one cat years ago that used to hide under the jumps and leap out at erratic intervals when I was working Russell. Got so that Russell just ignored him. But if he was lungeing, he would actually go at the cat who seemed to love it!
He does it now and then, but never that close before! He is actually lucky Ace didn't step on him.
DeleteI'm fine, no aches or pains, which is a surprise as I definitely landed on my left SI joint, the one I get trouble with.
Oh poop, but what happened to the cat? Need to eradicate it ;). Tlc, paracetamol and a hot bath for you. Chin up.
ReplyDeleteThe cat is lucky I have not wrung his stripey orange neck!!! He's on the end of my bed, I've come up early to read.
ReplyDeleteC
oh dear.... nothing could have been done... but perhaps lock the cats in in the future? but then it might be a random pheasant/whatever....and thank the inventor of blow up jackets, who deserves his millions IMHO...
ReplyDeleteHe's Japanese I think Claire, he's saved the lives of a number of motorbike and horse riders
ReplyDelete