Today George called me as I was putting Rob's halter on to work. I was tired from not sleeping and hungry from my new "restrictive diet" to try and get the baby's acid reflux under control. I probably shouldn't have worked Robby today as I knew I wouldn't have much patience.
He actually stood pretty well at the cross-ties. I usually have the lead rope connected to the bottom of the halter, just in case something something spooks him and he bolts forward or back in the cross-ties. Today I took it off. He pushed his limits a couple times (went to the front and back) but it was nothing that got me concerned. I just pushed his chest or pulled him forward.
I brushed his tail :( I'm still very sad that he's lost so much of it lately. It's still very pretty though. Then I picked his hooves and he was great today. As normal he stood great for the bareback pad. He pawed once while I sinched him up, so I poked him and told him to stop. He did really well with bridling too.
He actually stood pretty well at the cross-ties. I usually have the lead rope connected to the bottom of the halter, just in case something something spooks him and he bolts forward or back in the cross-ties. Today I took it off. He pushed his limits a couple times (went to the front and back) but it was nothing that got me concerned. I just pushed his chest or pulled him forward.
I brushed his tail :( I'm still very sad that he's lost so much of it lately. It's still very pretty though. Then I picked his hooves and he was great today. As normal he stood great for the bareback pad. He pawed once while I sinched him up, so I poked him and told him to stop. He did really well with bridling too.
We played the friendly game and he was really, really good. He stood there and let me rub all over his body. He was naughty during the yo-yo game. He kept dropping his head so the rope was on the ground and the shaking did nothing. Then he'd pick at grass - arghhh. Total disrespect. Eventually I got him paying attention to me again.
He lunged really great to the left. He was light and actually moving in circles. Then the problems began. I had him reverse and he took off hopping, bucking, kicking and tearing around at the canter. He didn't like the dirt hitting him in the butt and stopped and reared. I jerked to the side hard and gave him a stern "NO." He went up again and flipped over. It was actually graceful and didn't look that bad. I got after him and said "NO!." And when he got up I pushed him forward right away after one stern jerk on the lunge line. I'm not sure if this is the correct thing to do or not - I've never had a rearer before.
I don't think he reared to be naughty, I think he sometimes doesn't know what he's doing and just flips out (literally). He didn't do it again. I worked him until he settled down. His circles were still oblong this direction, but they are getting better.
I reversed him again and had him work his good way (to end on a good note). We didn't practice triangles in the ring today. Instead we went back to the barn (and put on fly spray - I'm a bad horse mom, I forgot to before we started working). Then I grabbed the sport horse lead connector and put it on his bit. He was really good leading with it. I'm glad because this is all we have if I end up taking him to the Get-Together in July.
All-in-all I was crabby and not happy with a flipped horse, but he's fine (I put extra absorbine all over) and he landed on some really soft sand. I made sure to go in to his stall and give him a good scratch and say goodbye
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