And THEY'RE RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACING!
Saturday, I went to watch Ralph Hill give a clinic at Trophy Hill (KB has done an awesome job with her place). Coincidentally, P from work was riding in it. Before her ride was a most magnificent four-year old TB off the track. Wow! Wow! Wow! I was a little worried about seeing Ralph post accident but he looked and sounded pretty much the same. I love it when he says, "Now you're dancing". Ralph is awesome with young horses so I picked up a few pointers from him. I hope to ride for him in the next year or so. If I am very lucky :)
I neglected to mention how freezing cold it was. OMG! After the first ride, I went to check on the pups and get out of the wind - the bones in my wrists and fingers were locked; the cold had penetrated so far.
I watched KB and SG ride for him. They also did the water complex and some ditches and banks. Gosh I can't wait until Josie and I are up to speed.
Needless to say, I have the jumping bug BIG time now. I got to my barn and got Josie ready and rode to the updoor. I set out three cavelleti and proceeded to do our homework assignment. She was really, really good today. I felt I rode very well. There was marked improvement in her leg yield and turn on the haunches. The arena was freshly dragged so I could see exactly where we tread. We did so many circles. We were focused and very much insync. Gosh I love my mare. She was so focused she didn't notice the herd get turned out. I took her back and untacked quickly and let her go so she could get her grass time. They are going out at 2:30 p.m. these days. A good two hours of grazing makes Josie a happy girl.
Sunday our ride, not so good, she was more focused on what the other horse in the arena was doing and whether the horses were out yet. I tried and tried but finally headed into the indoor to at least get some good work done. She was wonderful inside. I had already practiced our leg yield and actually got a few steps of a very deep (fours tracks) shoulder in. I forgot to put her boots on again. At least she didn't hit herself but once today. We did some more circles and then cantered - oh, my! It was so nice we went around on a 20 meter circle three times. Look how far she has come. I didn't feel she resisted much. Keeping the canter going, I was relaxed and with her. I was able to move her over a bit to keep her from falling in when on the right rein. What a gooooood girl!
I took her back stripped her off and let her go to eat grass. I felt bad as she lost some of her two hours of grazing. I played with the pups. Tried listening to Pixie's belly with a stethoscope but no luck. Her heart sounds great though.
Josie let me put her bell boots on while out in the pasture. I am very pleased. The first foot was easier. She moved to thicker grass and I was able to get the second on as she wasn't tried to walk to get more grass.
After she had her grain, I treated her feet, conditioned her mane and tail. She scared herself once and was pulling on the lead (I hate it when she does that!). It was short lasted. Thank goodness for nylon halters. I am waiting for the day she doesn't do this any more. We had gone a month without it happening. So her track record is definitely improved.
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