FULL of "potential"

We drove to Lincoln City to administer Lance's third and final shockwave treatment today. As soon as I walked up to his stall, I could sense attitude – not surprising in a four-year-old after four weeks of stall rest with only a few short walks. I thought I'd take him out to walk around while Rick set up his equipment, but he minced along on tip-toe or jigged. Hmm, that stud chain hanging on the outside of his stall was probably there for good reason. It was starting to rain anyway, so I lead him back inside, threaded the stud chain through his halter, and took him into the arena to continue our . . . walk. Well, I walked – and kept my eyes open for exploding horseflesh. After some warm-up hops and pops, Lance performed a capriole that would have made a Lipizzaner proud!

To his credit, Lance never once aimed a foot my way, keeping his energetic expressions well away from my person but within the range of his lead rope. We finished his walk while his "sleepy shot" was wearing off after treatment....

Late this afternoon I got Horton out for some exercise. I figured he might be a bit full of it as well, what with colder weather and being cooped up since Sunday, so I lunged him in side reins first. While he was obedient at walk and trot, his clamped tail indicated tension. When I asked for canter, that tension exploded into bucking worthy of the National Finals Rodeo!

I just sent him on and insisted he get back to work which he eventually did, and we finished up with some work under saddle at the walk.

I finally got an answer on this weekend's show; it was under-subscribed so they cancelled it. So nice of them to make me track down that information less than a week before I expected to ride down centerline! Anyway, there is another show being held this weekend; it is full and has no cancellations on Sunday so far, but I told the show's secretary that I am willing to ride Intro tests HC in any time slot. Guess I'll just keep preparing and waiting, like I have been!