Not an asshole face...but can be an asshole
After fighting about walking for the majority of the way back to the barn, I got to a hill and had the thought "If you want to trot you can trot up the hill on the bit." He did quite lovely and was sulky when I turned and walked him back down the hill. He decided to trot up it again (I was asking for the walk and not being neutral/encouraging the trot) and this was repeated a couple more times. Right as I was starting to think that maybe he is strong enough to add in some hill trot work his right hind went from fine to super gimpy. Like feels very lame gimpy.
I got my tack locker organized
Luckily, he is smart and finally decided that walking was good, so I was able to get him to stretch a bit and get off without feeling like I ended on a bad note. I gave him a bath (much to his dismay) and hosed his legs for longer than I usually do. He didn't seem any worse for the wear and was quite happy to kick his stall with that leg, so I decided I wasn't allowed to worry (until after I rode on Sunday).
I love this picture, post rain and the sun setting.
Sunday I gave him an extra long warm up and I had a really hard time getting him to slow his walk and soften. I could feel that he was a little quick with his right hind which was part of the struggle with asking for the slow walk. He was really tight in his poll (which D had previously said relates to his hind leg) and it took a solid 20 min or more of walk to get him feeling supple. I did some trot work and while it was pretty mediocre, he did give me some good moments.
It has been super hot. This is from 35 min of calm walking (aka not this weekend).
Overall, I am calling things a win. I kept my crazy in check for once (if I keep this up I might be mistaken for a sane horse owner). Stinker isn't any worse for the wear. And I know that he isn't ready for that much push yet. I am trying to figure out the best way to keep getting him stronger, but that is a post in itself.
I mean, in a way it's probably good to feel him trying to get at those hills even if he isn't strong enough ? Maybe? Lol but seriously hopefully he chills out and loosens up thru that leg pronto!
ReplyDeleteYeah the first couple of times were amazing and I was thinking that we could do it regularly but it went from great to ick so quickly that it made me nervous.
DeleteMe too. I'm going to give him a light stretchy couple of days and hopefully he will go right back to chill(ish) Stinker. :)
It's always nice to feel like you have that "crazy horse owner" impulse in check :) also, I'm jealous of your tack locker (and also your mad organizational skills haha).
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure the check is temporary. Im sure my crazy flag will be flying free soon enough ;)
DeleteWe do have some pretty awesome tack lockers. I'm so spoiled because I also have to saddle racks and bridle hangers in the main tack room. Benefits of hanging with eventers, you can have a crap ton of stuff and be totally normal.
Glad the hind end wasn't anything disastrous! Leo has the same issues with walking. Jigging sideways is his preferred alternative, although we had a breakthrough Sunday where he actually walked on the lunge without throwing a tantrum.
ReplyDeleteWe spent the first nine months together with out walking under saddle. Finally last January I got a saddle that fit him and he started walking consistently. Occasionally he forgets how to horse tho :)
DeleteI think you did a great job keeping things in "check" - I struggle big time with that. Apollo is 17 years old and has some arthritis... my chiro lady told me that sometimes I'd have to push him through a bit of discomfort to find out where his limits are. I know it's a bit different but I know how hard it is!
ReplyDeleteIt's similar tho. And I'm terrified to push because I have a fear that I'll push too hard too fast and he will have a relapse with the EPM. It would be so much easier if they could just talk...
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