Three's a crowd - well not really.
George has had the day off. He had his tootsies trimmed again and this time he only pulled back once and then behaved really well. One front and one back foot had a fairly big flange on one side, which I've mostly managed to get rid of. The other front is a bit flared but is coming nicely into shape. He's got a ton of horn and it's rock hard and his feet are basically those glorious rock-clumping things with strong heels that cobs usually have. He's already sound on stone so there will be no problems with any "transition" to working barefoot :-)
Jazz has worked and is sound. He was really sweet when I was grooming and tacking him up, as if he couldn't quite believe that he was getting lots of attention. I was going to take him out for a hack but it was minus FIVE at 9 o'clock and a significant wind chill on top of that. I'd have frozen, so we went in the barn. We only did walk and he made it clear that after ten days off he really didn't see why he needed to do anything which would use his back. We disagreed for a while but he did do some good lateral work and some faster/slower walk for me in the end.
Zippy restored my faith. I was wondering if Jazz's reaction was me today, but Zippy was absolutely lovely. He did the best lateral work, bends and trot transitions he's ever done. We practised some halts too, and like many babies he finds halting with his bottom behind him quite difficult and tends to swing it sideways.
The two of them, with their wonderful flexion, highlight what George needs in the way of schooling. But he already showed a lot of willingness yesterday to reach forward to the bit and flex if I kept his neck bent inwards, so I don't think it will take him too long to realise what we want. My little herd are so lovely!
C
posted by cptrayes @ 12:05 PM
4 comments
4 Comments:
I can read you smiling all the way across the sea. *G*
I would think Jazz could be a little muscle sore after spending so many days seriously limping. I know when my knee bothers me, it throws the rest of my body out of whack. A few days of some good riding and he should be much more supple.
Good for the Zipster. Don't know if his suppleness is a curse or blessing for Georgie. Somtimes I find riding Chance frustrating after the other two who bend and go on the bit. I have to keep telling myself he's still a long way from being trained.
Getting George's canter under control will be interesting. Glad the cross country schooling "loves" a gallop. *S*
Jean I'm ashamed of myself. Of course you are right. Nine days of being unable to bear weight on one front foot will have put his whole body out of kilter even though he was sound. I never thought about it.
C
never mind caroline - i'm sure jazz will forgive you. i reckon lots of straight lines/no strain (subject to the weather of course....it's warm here now! relatively).
Straight lines as directed today Claire, even though I did risk getting very wet :-)
C
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