Exercise: Asking Rodney to trot in hand. Result: Hopping, fussing, and bouncing sideways at the strike-off. Noticeable but less than previously [Weekend]. Afterwards, we were able to keep going and develop a decent jog for a respectable distance. Theory A: This is progress. While not calm, he is definitely calmER. The performance was better. ByContinue reading “What is Progress?”
Category Archives: Horse Behavior
Who Me?
Pile the shavings bags by Rodney’s stall, he says. Rodney won’t mess with them, he says. Toys! Rodney says. I need both arms to pick up a bag. Imagine picking this up with your teeth & heaving it around the barn. This is one of two.
Magic Feet
Rodney and I did our mounting block exercise [Where]. Since the ground crew was absent, I did nothing tricksy. After a while, I got bored with sitting and did some flexion exercises from the ground. Look right, look left, give to the bit. Lather, rinse, repeat. After any work session, I can tell Rodney’s moodContinue reading “Magic Feet”
Placeholder
Text drafted. Gratuitous cat picture selected. Had a cavity filled. Feeling too punk to assemble the bits. Back tomorrow. Update, Tuesday evening: Feeling better gradually. It isn’t so much the dental work as the epinephrine in the Lidocaine that lays me low. If I remember in time, I can usually convince my dentist to useContinue reading “Placeholder”
Learning Styles
Crazy Opinionated Jumper Mare [pictured here and here] learned like lightning. She could scope out the height of an entire course as she trotted through the ingate. The only time I ever felt her unsure of a fence height was at an evening show. The ring was covered, the lights were low-power, and the sunContinue reading “Learning Styles”
Hissy Fits
It’s dark. It’s late. I’m lying in bed. Awake. My mind begins to ponder life’s inscrutable mysteries. What if something terrible happens and I’m a widow and I have to lie in this bed alone for the rest of my life? What if they never get the Fujiyama reactor under control and nuclear armageddon oozesContinue reading “Hissy Fits”
Where’d It Go?
Since Rodney appears to get anxious when I lead him toward the ring, we have been breaking the process into (microscopically) small steps. In the current exercise, we walk over to the mounting block, wearing our bridle like a big horse. He stands next to it. I sit on it. We wait until he takesContinue reading “Where’d It Go?”
Virtual Brush Box 