So today I did a bad thing. I didn't follow my initial instinct. Blue-pony Sam and I have been working mildly for the past few rides. Not super hard work, but also no real 'play' days. Just working on certain aspects he has issues with like his rather downhill canter, his bending issues and spots of stiffness.
Well today I was going to get him and his things ready for a clinic he'll be in this weekend, so I wanted to make sure I had the time. I thought "hm... we should have a fun day today." Some flat and forward work, but then maybe jump some little fences and tootle about. Well I talked myself out of it at some point... decided to work on response time and more uphill canter departs. To do actual work-work.
That wasn't a great idea.
He had moments of awesome, but even when I walked out there I could tell he really wasn't in a working mood. I tried to get him up in front of my leg with some hand gallop collected back to a canter after we'd properly warmed up and that was pretty good... but it wasn't too long after that it started to go back down hill... literally and figuratively. We had some good moments but I had to growl and swat him and really get on his case much of the time. He learned I was better giving a reprimanding tap on the right with consistent reins, but not on the left.... so he'd lean into my spur on that side when asking to bend.
Ultimately... it was frustrating and a mess. And I probably should have given up and tried to play a bit. Eventually I got some okay canter to halt to canter transitions and we called it a day.
So bottom line? Listen to that little voice.
I'm sure it wasn't just him. I was probably, in my frustration, loosing the softness in my body. I know I had to frequently check and stretch up with my torso and relax my legs when he was being a pill... and it would get better once I did so. Not where we'd been in the past, but better. I suppose bad days are normal.
Though, as I told one of the gals out there, it'll probably be that weird day where it feels like you both didn't get anywhere but next day it's like he learned over night. At least I can hope, since he goes to meet the lady riding him in the clinic tomorrow.
He was even a jerk out in the paddock when being caught to be fed. I wish I'd known... I wouldn't have put his blue butt back out prior.
I didn't get to the little paint mare, Suzette. There was still so much to do and I'd had to take my roommate to an appointment earlier that day. I thought I'd have time, but i suppose I didn't anticipate a disagreeable Sam. Well, after all, didn't I just recently tell my lesson girl that we have to be flexible around horses? I'll just have to fit her in on a Saturday or when I have a free Friday.
My lesson girl has been leasing the red-pony, Wheels. It's been going really well. She's been working on her lower leg and seat with two point and stirrup-less work. Really proud of her... and Wheels is behaving himself like a gentleman.
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