We get some snow, then it rains for a couple days, and then we get more frozen mud. Then things warm up to the low forties and the horses get excited. This pattern has not been good for my health, or anyone else's.
I supposed to join Jean and Chrissy for a trail ride yesterday. Jean was on Rebel, her son, Jake, was on Dakota, and Chrissy was on Harley. I'd tacked up quick and already warmed UK up with some trot and canter in the driveway, as most of our ride was to be walking for Jake's sake.
Once everyone else was mounted we started to go down the driveway, Jean and Jake in the lead. We didn't get more then twenty feet when Harley spun, bucked, and reared for no good reason (in my opinion he was just pulling some classic TB crap). Chrissy stuck with him, but everytime she touched the reins or tried to move, he'd act up again. Harley was so bad she couldn't get off.
So I put my leg on and marched UK into Harley's face and grabbed his bridle so Chrissy could dismount. Then I grabbed both reins and dragged his badly behaved ass down the driveway, determined not to let him get away with his temper tantrum. I have never used UK to pony before (that two times with Maggie don't really count as I did all the work and Jean was still steering her), but I rode with a keep seat and a firm leg, which told UK we could handle it. Harley was forced to walk and trot up and down the driveway until he settled down. Then Jean said she'd take him in the ring and school him, so I turned UK around and we headed that way. We were doing good until Harley decided to bite UK on the flank after I wouldn't let him charge ahead of us. UK bucked a little bit, but then settled. We successfully handed Harley off to Jean and then went back out into the parking lot.
UK had been nothing but good, so I wasn't about to make him go in the ring with the others. So we went down the driveway (one small fit, as he thought maybe I'd just let him be done), and then up the road pass the trail-head. We climbed up and back down a bank, then turned around and walked home.
So overall it was a win for UK and I as he was forced to do something he'd never really done before and he did just fine.
Tomorrow Chrissy is going to take Dakota and go for a trail ride with us. Here's hoping it goes easier then yesterday!
I supposed to join Jean and Chrissy for a trail ride yesterday. Jean was on Rebel, her son, Jake, was on Dakota, and Chrissy was on Harley. I'd tacked up quick and already warmed UK up with some trot and canter in the driveway, as most of our ride was to be walking for Jake's sake.
Once everyone else was mounted we started to go down the driveway, Jean and Jake in the lead. We didn't get more then twenty feet when Harley spun, bucked, and reared for no good reason (in my opinion he was just pulling some classic TB crap). Chrissy stuck with him, but everytime she touched the reins or tried to move, he'd act up again. Harley was so bad she couldn't get off.
So I put my leg on and marched UK into Harley's face and grabbed his bridle so Chrissy could dismount. Then I grabbed both reins and dragged his badly behaved ass down the driveway, determined not to let him get away with his temper tantrum. I have never used UK to pony before (that two times with Maggie don't really count as I did all the work and Jean was still steering her), but I rode with a keep seat and a firm leg, which told UK we could handle it. Harley was forced to walk and trot up and down the driveway until he settled down. Then Jean said she'd take him in the ring and school him, so I turned UK around and we headed that way. We were doing good until Harley decided to bite UK on the flank after I wouldn't let him charge ahead of us. UK bucked a little bit, but then settled. We successfully handed Harley off to Jean and then went back out into the parking lot.
UK had been nothing but good, so I wasn't about to make him go in the ring with the others. So we went down the driveway (one small fit, as he thought maybe I'd just let him be done), and then up the road pass the trail-head. We climbed up and back down a bank, then turned around and walked home.
So overall it was a win for UK and I as he was forced to do something he'd never really done before and he did just fine.
Tomorrow Chrissy is going to take Dakota and go for a trail ride with us. Here's hoping it goes easier then yesterday!
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