Capital B

I debated writing this post because it  might be rather lackluster and has zero relevant media, but whatever.

Coming up on B's 2 year anniversary with me I thought would give me mixed feelings, but more than ever I find myself grateful for his existence and the fact that he is 100% mine. I used to have my doubts, and sometimes still really can't stand him, but more than ever, appreciate fate and how it worked out for us.

However.

Rides like I had wednesday really make me momentarily hate his cute butt, haha. Yankee is pure joy to ride everytime-something that comes with age and a long partnership. He is just so EASY, calm, quiet and consistent. I love it and I love that I made him that way.

Training up another baby is and will be that rewarding someday, but most of the time, some or all of our rides are frustrating to a point.

Yesterday was the first ride in a while that he was an actual hellion. He wasn't wearing his bonnet, but also hadn't been ridden since Saturday, so I'm wondering which one affected him more, if at all.

I figured a nice, long, quite hack in the field would be sufficient for a day back after a long show.

It was not nice. It was not quiet. But it was long. And bad with a capital B.

I hope someone gets this reference.

Oh baby B. I was mildly surprised with the amount of sass I was getting, since it was our first truly hot day here (84*) and we both feel lazy AF in heat..., but he loaded on the jazz on our walk out to the field and I knew our ride was gonna be a bit wild.

Looking back, he's been much, MUCH worse in the past. Like dangerous. Wed. he was just snazzy and energetic. I can deal with that. Trying to kill me, not so much.

It was all I could do to keep him at a nice trot, as he was yanking my arms out of their sockets slash sideways flailing every direction. Finally, I gave up and let him canter and it turned into a tug-o-war in which many aggressive half halts were needed to keep said horse in check and not madly galloping off in every direction.

Media not from said ride

 I hate aggressive half halts. They make me feel terrible for invoking that amount of pressure on his face, but I also don't tolerate a horse that bolts (sideways or forwards) with me, or tries to.

Manners, child.

This type of fuckery carried on for another 15 minutes with him lurching into a canter, jutting his nose forward and taking off. If I attempted to corral the energy in a circle, he would pop a shoulder and carry on with an impossibly bent body in the wrong direction.

At one point though, I had to sit back and half halt so hard his tongue flopped out of his mouth and I was like, okay. This is not okay. I just want you to trot & canter calmly and not rip your face off. Also at this point, my very very old boots gave out and both of them ripped and my legs were getting rubbed raw. Probably because I was wearing leggings and not riding pants, but whatever, it was a spontaneous trip to the barn after work and I just cleaned out my car of spare clothing items.

We have had a lot of success lately with backing, so a new battle plan was created for this day. Whenever he would get jiggy at the walk or trot, we would halt as calmly as possible and back until he relaxed.

This strategy actually fucking worked and within 8 minutes I had a soft, relaxed and engaged horse that spent the rest of the time beautifully cantering, trotting and practicing flying changes.

Just kidding, not done. But it is a work in progress. Always frustrating to have a bad day, but it is a good feeling when you find a solution to the problem you're having, while you're having it. B is a very complicated, emotional and tricky ride and we are still figuring each other out, thats for sure. But I think its getting easier and he is learning much faster now.

I can never be certain when or how the change happened. I truly believe in the effects of Magnesium and his magical bonnet. Having him at EME has helped as well. I also truly believe in massage therapy and his lady comes tomorrow actually for another session!

Coming in to our two years together feels like a marathon, but a rewarding one. I think I have finally decided our direction. I will not event with B. At least for now. He is still much too green and I am much too poor and scared to spend $700+/weekend to compete, just to get eliminated in the jumping. Because it will happen. We need many many more XC and schooling shows before I am willing to drop a load on more events. Its fine actually, I have made my peace with this decision. I thought about it long and hard, and right now, with this horse, eventing is not for me. Maybe with Yankee sometime, when his leaser doesn't want to ride or something, but for now, I am done with it. Moving on.

Until we meet again Eventing

For now, I want to focus on show jumping. I have always loved the jumper shows with Yankee and its a blast with B as well. There's something inviting about speed, power, rollbacks, cheap(er) shows, more opportunities and more satin. Because lets be honest, everyone loves ribbons.

I'm not hanging up my eventing spurs just yet. For now, yes, but for good? Probably not.

Also, next post, stay tuned for a very legit giveaway contest!