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Lately, Jean-Luc hadn’t had much focus. Since our 20-mile ride, he was a little all over the place. I figured it had to do with the season changing, so I gave it little thought. Saturday I went out and worked with him for about two-hours in the morning. As you can see, it was a beautiful morning.
We started around 7:30 AM. Let’s just say the beauty stopped with the sunrise. He was a basket case. He whinnied the entire way across the field. After I brought him in the barn he I just kept that crazy look in his eyes. I knew it would take quite a bit to get him to settle. Our newest focus, as you might remember, is working on strengthening up Jean-Luc’s top line. On Saturday he still wasn’t too sure (or willing) to pay attention to his side reins, for a few reasons, but I believe the main thing going on (aside from attitude) had to do with the fact that I changed his bit. Until now, we had been using a simple D Ring snaffle provided graciously to us by, Liz. That said, he tends to pull through it, chew on it, play with it, and sometimes, he can altogether ignore it - something I learned the previous weekend. Our BM had an extra Myler SS5 HBT Mullen Barrel Low Port that knew she wouldn’t mind me trying out. She and another boarder acquired them a few years ago at Congress. At first I wasn’t sure it was going to work. The little monster had quite the rampage when I moved him from the indoor barn arena to the outdoor grass area for work. He threw his head to the ground and assumed a bronco like position. His main malfunction - he wanted to be with his herd and he could see them. At the time I hadn’t given much thought regarding how many new things I had thrown a at him. I did know, however, that I was building on blocks that had already been put in to place. I knew Jean-Luc was familiar with the side reins. He’d worked outside before (just not successfully without throwing a mini fit). I knew Jean-Luc understood the concepts of lunging and changing directions. He did have a new bit though, and I should have probably expected his mini spazz. Yet, the reality is, I knew I wasn’t throwing anything at him he could not handle (he is 13, and was a part of a riding team prior to my ownership). The side reins were always on the most lose setting (something to be aware of). Jean-Luc was eager to canter as a means of misbehaving, and I kept him going at the canter outside for his attitude. After only a few minutes (2 or 3) he settled right in, and we continued out day like nothing happened). The bit did give me quite I bit more control after saddling up and leaving the barn. With Jean-Luc in the rare feisty mood he was in, I was pleased to be able to push him through and get him further from the barn than we’ve ever rode alone. Sadly, that is only about 100 feet from where we start out. Yesterday was much better. Finally, I felt like I had my horse back! Though he made me hike all the way on top of the hill again to find him, he never whinnied once, not even at the end of our time together. We followed the same routine as Saturday, only this time, he could not even see the other horses and he kept his head the entire time. The only thing we did not repeat was our attempt to see how far we could walk away from the barn. Turns out my saddle had lost one of the screws on the stirrups and I was a stirrup down! It isn’t “No Stirrup November” yet! I found my stirrup but not the screw, so I just figured I would end on an extremely good note. It was a 9/10 kind of day! Here are a few images of our work focusing on creating the right form with our surcingle. What do you think? We are getting there, slowly but surely.
4 Comments
Liz
10/4/2017 07:20:44 am
OMG look how much more relaxed he is in the second set of photos! And that hind leg REACH in the photo to the left! I do believe he's getting the hang of this new "game".
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Chelsey
10/5/2017 12:42:20 pm
Thank you! We have a great
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10/5/2017 11:38:24 am
Hi there! Found you through 2ptober and looking forward to following your blog.
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Chelsey
10/5/2017 11:41:58 am
Thank you! We are glad to have you!
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AuthorMy name is Chelsey. HorseGenerator's Cuevo Gold, or as he's known around this barn, "Jean-Luc Ponycard", was foaled in 2004 from Generator's Hurricane & Cheyenne's Little Bit. Top 10 Blog Favs.Archives
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