We had a great day today. I started things off with a change in routine, which is normally very disturbing for Willig. I got there and was grooming him in the cross-ties as the other horses were being put out, and he pranced around until he got two good, hard smacks with the crop, and then he was as still and docile as a lamb. He lunged (no crazies), and did a little lunging over a jump. Then I rode him (excellent) and we rode the jump both directions at the trot, and once at the canter. He is sooooo smooth to ride over fences. Even when he does a hop or takes off too close or too far, it is like floating on a cloud. I can feel the hang. And, special bonus, he isn't getting all crazy in the head and running around after.
The approach I am taking is to let him figure it out - on the lunge line and with me on him - I want him to learn, on these little flimsy ones, where to take off and how to control himself, instead of me telling him. In case of trouble, I want him to know what to do.
Then my friend Janis showed up with her mare, Erin, and we went on a trail ride. I tried to take them down the super steep hill, but Willig was scared and Janis declined, so we did the other hills (everyone was great), and then the dreaded stream. I got off, jumped the first bit to a gravel bar, turned around, saw Willig doing the little leap dance, and then shrieked like a little girl as he leapt at me. Being on the ground, with Willig slightly uphill, both legs tucked and coming straight at you like a torpedo is a little heart stopping. He splashed a little into the water, realized it didn't kill him, and then happily pranced around in it, doing his little downward horse, flipping it with his lips, and just stomping all around happy as a clam. Eventually Erin decided it couldn't be that bad if the idiot gelding was stomping all around all merry-like, so she came in too. Then, like a mare, when Janis had her foot in and was about to leap up, Erin took one step forward so that Janis fell in the stream. It was totally on purpose, and adds to my reasons to never, ever have a mare.
So then we rode around on the other side of the stream, went back across the stream, did some more trails and hills, went across the stream a third time, and just a little bit after that Willig's brain got tired.
He was excellent. Sometimes he led, sometimes he followed, but after that first big leap, the water was never a problem again. He's not as careful with his feet as I'd like, but he's learning, and best of all, he's starting to trust me.
Mercury was good today too, but Willig blew me - well, out of the water.
Charlie with the long sought after cooler
Spring NWEC 2013 Novice
2 comments:
Look how much you are learning from just riding! Maybe you needed time without instruction to get to know Willig yourself. Well done
I really like your blog! I'm not even sure how I stumbled across it, but it's been fun to read. I live in Washington, too, closer to Seattle, and have gotten into eventing with my new horse.
I noticed you have had lots of abscess and bruised sole problems with your horses. Have you ever tried Keratex Hoof Hardener? My farrier and everyone at my barn swears by it. My Thoroughbred has very flat feet, so I was worried about bruising last fall and this spring. The Keratex really helped us avoid all problems!
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