We had a heavy frost this morning and I was quite delighted to see this unique pattern of frost on the hood of our truck.
So dimensional and layered! It would make a great wallpaper pattern.
It warmed up to a beautiful day for taking Sophie to the arena. She was a little reluctant to load, I did have to go in with her at first, and then unloaded her and sent her back in on her own. My trailer is a 2 horse angle haul but she wants to stand facing backwards. I'm all right with that for now but it might be an issue if I have to haul 2 horses.
Once we got to the arena, there were only a couple of other people there. I walked Sophie one tour around inside, letting her check out all the signs on the walls, the roping dummy, the barrels in the corner, all no problem.
Then at the mounting block, well this is a work in progress. She went around it several times before stopping at the perfect spot for me. I'm going to have to work on this at home some more.
For the most part the beginning of our ride was pretty good. She walked out at a good pace, steering was good and she was interested in her surroundings but not silly about anything. Then when the other horses came in she did start getting a bit anxious. She started losing her focus on me and got more concerned with where the other horses were. One horse was acting up and quite ramped up; we just stayed out of her way. Sophie started diving into the bit and tossing her head. I worked on changes of direction and small circles, straight lines and backing to keep her focused but she got to the point where I just stopped her and let her stand still and just watch . This was very much like when we get to that spot at home where she just stops and won't go any further. I had to let her chill out and get her mind back in gear, so I stepped off and lunged her with the reins so she could burn off that anxious energy. Then back to the mounting block (another round and round session). This time I let her stand for quite a while before riding out. One fellow there, an old friend , was getting on his second horse; a Fjord/quarter horse cross, who was a lovely quiet fellow. Sophie seemed drawn to him, so I asked if we could just ride around the arena side by side with him.
That worked really well. Having a nice quiet companion was just what she needed . Sophie relaxed so much that she did that shake horses do that just about shakes you out of the saddle; I had to grab to stay on and it scared her so that she jumped sideways and scooted; I did a one rein stop and was kind of laughing at her. I think she was so relaxed she forgot I was up there!
A couple laps around the arena in that relaxed frame and I called it quits there on a good note.
She got to soak a bit at the hitching rail while I practiced roping the heels of the roping dummy.
She loaded better for the ride home too.
Lovely view; if you zoom in you might see the hawk on the right of the photo.
Wednesday is the only day they have open riding at this arena, but there is an outdoor arena just down the road from us that I have to phone and see if they do drop in riding.
I made arrangements to go riding with Sophie's new friend as soon as the trails are passable. A few more arena rides to get the measure of her and work on some of her issues and we will be trail ready.
I am pretty sure she hasn't had consistent riding for over 2 years so it's going to take time to get her back in the groove.
6 comments:
That is a cool frost pattern you found. What a great first arena ride you had with Sophie! Nice to reconnect with a old friend, and make plans to trail ride with a buddy that Sophie connects with too! I am super happy for you!!
Beautiful mountain photo! Saw the hawk. I almost always click to enlarge Blogger photos. Life is all about the little details for me.
Those fjords are old souls. If you can hook up with one as a buddy horse, they’re worth their weight in gold. One of my closest friends has one, and he’s so smart, it’s scary. I’ll be riding Tweed with her on the trails.
What are your thoughts on her balking? That’s a pretty standard evasion, and it’s scary when you feel them building, like a dam ready to break. I would have done the same thing, try to move the feet, get off and work from the ground, if necessary. Cowboy used to do the same thing at water crossings, and we’d have to work and work and work. Once he crossed, he’d always cross that particular one, but balk at a new one.
Linda- I think with her balking she shuts down mentally. I tried lateral flexion from a standstill- it worked to the left but to the right she just fussed and leaned on the bit and tossed her head. I know from ground work that she can flex right. Her teeth have been done so no excuses there.
So that's why I stepped off and worked her from the ground- to get her brain back in gear.
I think it's going to be a long journey towards softness and willingness with this mare. I also think she will be a happier horse if she has a job to do so I have to mull that over a bit.
You sure have her looking good! Love the frost pattern.
You are making progress, glad she found a friend to calm her down:)
SO nice that you had a buddy to ride with, anything that helps our horses settle into routine again is a good thing in my books
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