Tuesday 31st August

Thoughts on Pony-Training.

This time two years ago, I'd have been thinking ... WTH ? Seriously, Rosie, you can cope with a two hour trail ride in the middle of nowhere with people you don't even know, and you can't simply walk around your own paddock ???

This year I'm thinking... Alright ! Butterkins ! We've managed the relatively easy task of a two hour trail ride in the middle of nowhere with people you don't even know, so today would be a great day for attempting the considerably harder task of walking three strides out of the roundpen, away from the barn, without rearing over backwards. And she did ! Without having to go back in the roundpen to be chased about a bit and have a rethink. She thought about it, and chose to walk where she was asked to, which resulted in a 30 second trail ride right round the round pen, and finished back at the mounting block (NOT at the barn).

Tuesday night is ACT night, so I dropped joseph and HunnyBunches off at Mccord, and Annie Bailes rode Hunny for me. I came back later to ride joseph. And thought .... aaaarghhh..... didn't Cathy just tell me that ideally we would be dressaging 2-3 times a week ? This is 4 times already within the week, and nother lesson tomorrow :( I hope I haven't soured him. He did well, but was tense, screaming for HunnyPony the whole time.

AnnieBailes meantime, had been Most Excellent with HunnyPony. This is the second time she has ridden her, and we put her in my Pessoa saddle. It didn't slide forward. Hurrah ! And they didn't fall on their forehand and careen about the arena flat out in canter. Hurrah ! All this work is on flexibility and balance is paying off with Hunny. And she is really piling on the pounds now. I can see noticeable differences in her weight week to week. As soon as I figure out how to post pics, I will show her progress. She is still getting HUGE amounts of feed, and is on major expensive gastric support supplements and ulcer meds to keep her eating. But at least I can see results.


Ride Log :

Butterkins - 3 minute trail ride in paddock

Joseph - 40 minutes dressage at Mccord

HunnyBunches - 1 hour lesson with Annie Bailes and Sarah.