Thursday, October 30, 2008

I worked at home yesterday to keep my suture area dry. Because of this I had to come in today. I like working at home. No commute, no @ssholes. I tried to keep a low profile but had to tell some people why I had stitches in my nose. You can't hide the obvious.

Josie took a little bit of coaxing to get her to come up to the barn. I think she was thinking, "the last time she rode me for four hours, not wanting to do that again."

We were attired in our dressage outfits. I just love Josie's new pad. I plan to take a picture before I wash it just in case.

We started out well enough. She still gets ear pinning as other horses come near. She has taken a dislike to Mattie, another mare. She was nicely forward and not doing any canter/trot things and the next thing I know she started it up again. I may have been keeping my legs too tight. With Josie less is better.

At first, there were four other horses so not a good idea to push her forward into the canter. I want to use this forward willingness to my advantage but just can't with a crowd. We did do a right lead canter depart that was lovely. I would get ready to try the left and this other person who will remain unnamed or initialed kept doing her 20 meter circle. Meaning, while there was a group lesson of three on one end of the arena, she and I were sharing the other end. A 20 meter circle is where the points of the circle touch the sides of the arena at four points. Well, that is wonderful if there isn't somebody coming towards you left shoulder to left shoulder. I kept having to stop Josie, who was trying to do her canter/trot thing and I am trying to ride her more forward but keep the trot in order to reinforce that this is what I want her to do. This person should have yielded into the arena to give me room to pass. At least once her whip touched my whip. She has an older horse that could easily have done 18 meter circles which would allow Josie and I plenty of room to pass by.

Finally, in frustration I hopped off and exited. It was very warm last night and I didn't want Josie being totally sweaty so I called it a day. Why keep trying to do something unsuccessfully and ruin any training I have accomplished. I may have to adjust my ride time on Thursday or perhaps switch to Wednesday's. There use to be a conflict with a jumping lesson. The board requires checking.

Josie cooled out nicely as I walked her to her barn with the Irish knit on. It covers her but allows air in and out.

I also left a note about double chaining the gate. Just because your horse isn't in there doesn't mean it doesn't need to be left undone. I mentioned it to J the BM. Hopefully those doing it will stop. Hwy 212 isn't that far and is a heck of a lot busier these days.

Cannot wait to ride Friday night! Hopefully I will have the place to myself which we both like the best.