In spite of the variable weather, I've been managing to work in regular rides on Larry, trying to implement the excellent instruction I got from Julie's lessons. Our first show is three weeks from Sunday, but at this point I'm not even thinking about the tests.
Anyway, I was schooling Larry yesterday in trot-canter-trot transitions, when all of a sudden, he threw his nose up, grabbed the bit and bolted down the long side of the arena, adding in a few bucks (not very good ones since he didn't put his head down) for good measure. I will admit that the one-rein stop is not instinctive for me, but self-preservation is, so I stuck with him until I brought him back under control. Then we proceeded to canter 10-15 meter circles for a few minutes before going back to work.
I have no idea what sparked Larry's behavior; he could have seen or heard something that startled him, or just felt feisty and wanted to try something. When you get a horse in poor condition like Larry was when we got him, sometimes you don't really know what you've got until they get some groceries and conditioning and start feeling better!
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3 comments:
Like the people who think lungeing a fit horse will tire it out. Just zizzes 'em up more, y'know? Glad you were in "survival mode" kept him moving and got his attention back to you ;o)
Who knows when those wild hares will attack. Dandy has been know on rare occasions to give a buck or two. Cooper, never in the 11 years I've owned him. One rein stops are regular practice material here. By the time everyone is in condition, one just needs to touch the rein and shift your weight and we get nice crisp stops. If I didn't do all trail riding I probably wouldn't work on them so much, but Gene is a novice rider and it's nice to know that at least one thing will probably work should there be a mishap. ;)
That would totally freak me out! Glad you held on :-)
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