08.11.06
Making strides with green horse
AUG. 11
I rode Gil again last night, in the lights! It was kind of sticky and rainy early in the evening so I went over at about 7:30 pm and by the time I was on him at 8:00 pm or so it had cooled and was really pleasant. He got a kick out of the lights and shadows at first…all the spooky monsters coming out to get him…but after a few times around the ring he settled. He really seems so happy to be worked and to learn new things. I never get an ounce of resistance from him… no twitchy ears or tail, no annoyed looks or protest. He can be a little inconsistent with his pace, but we’re working on it. Baby steps.
Gil used to be afraid of the hose!
I did some work at the trot yesterday, round his circles and asking him to move off my leg. Then some speed change exercises, asking him to speed up & lengthen and then collect and track up without losing momentum. He really seems to get it. He has a really nice natural pace about him. He covers ground really well so sometimes it’s hard to tell from his back if he’s actually moving forward and tracking up, or just has a big step.
Relaxing on a longer rein, starting to stretch his neck down
When I was cooling him down I worked on circles and serpentines at the walk, asking him to lengthen and continue to move forward, even while at the walk. He responded well to my corrections when zigzagging or popping out his shoulder and I really think he seems to understand what I’m asking. I can’t get over how responsive he is to cues. I guess that’s a young horse for you… almost over-doing it, because he’s so light and responsive.
I think Gil is feeling right at home at the barn. They’ve got a very relaxed schedule, and feed late at night and keep them out until dark, kind of like at home. Gilford did get a big scrape on his butt on Tuesday night… It’s not bloody or scabby, but it’s a big bald strip across his hip. It doesn’t look like a horse nip or anything, more like he rolled on a stick or rubbed up against something too hard….
I bought some basic ointment for it, to keep it moisturized and help promote the hair to grow back, but it’s likely we’ll have to cover it up with shoe black or something for the inspection. He doesn’t seem the type to rough house at all so I’m not sure how he got it.
EM
BACKGROUND:
Gilford, our 3 yr. old Arabian/percheron, was started to ride and drive at age 2. We have boarded him for August near our daughter Emmie, who grew up riding and schooling horses through 4H and Pony Club, open showing and the Arabian show circuit. Training descriptions are from Emmie’s Emails reporting her progress, working with Gilford under saddle and doing prep work for his upcoming American Warmblood Society inspection.
__________________
Connie Moses, petArtist– website since 2001:
Portraits With Pets.com aka PortraitsWithHorses.com
