That should be someone's blog name, by the way.
Pushing aside extreme guilt, I am happy it gives me time to read, COMMENT and blog, whereas I usually wouldn't (its gross and cold and raining anyways- though it doesn't matter because INDOOR ARENA :D) and I MISS you guys! Don't think I'm not stalking from afar. I am. I just can't comment at work, its a blocked function. But I have been lurking and still love you all.
As previously mentioned many times before, I love this barn, this arena and my BO. I just love it. And I love what its doing for us. When everything else seems pretty shitty, for ONCE, I am happy and positive about my horse.
He's been progressing in leaps and bounds. Quite literally.
Overcoming that hoof injury was scary. I really thought he would be out for months. Its still an open wound, for the record, but slowly (EVER so slowly) closing up. It doesn't seem to bother him too much, I can just feel the stiffness in warm-up at first. So not quite out of the woods yet, but almost.
While dealing with that, we've been coming back together, from injury and way too much time off.
In my last post I talked about us connecting. Its not stopped and only gotten better!
This week, I lunged a little before I rode each time because its been extra chilly (yay fall) and we are both creaky, and honestly I've been REALLY tired this week and wanted to be my best for the ride and not get beat by the warm-up.
I was expecting shenanigans and upside down moose-ness and was happily surprised with some of the best lunge work ever to come out of him.
And before I show the pics and people have a snit fit (there are some out there that will) about sidereins and reins and lunge line...chill.
Anyways, here's some lovely evidence of a very responsive, relaxed, and forward thinking horsebeast.
Serious swoon. I've discovered since re learning to relax myself, Bacardi truly enjoys the stretch work and willingly will trot around for 10 min on the lunge or under saddle with his nose on the floor.
Its really hard to video, and lunge and be sneaky about it (remember what I said about him being honest f you're not paying attention/being lazy?) but I did a few grainy indoor pics & it made me happy.
After letting him trot nicely around both ways all long and stretchy, I asked for more collection and energy. He responded and I almost cried with happiness.
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| SWOON OMG SWOON |
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| I just...I just love this |
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| And this |
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| And this |
Even his canter work on the lunge was wonderful. No insane, weird bending going on and very calm transitions. Literal tears.
Each ride we just worked on staying calm through transitions and maintaining proper contact. It was lovely. I was tired and beat from long days (I ride in PM's after gym and work) but they were productive rides- short and sweet. All very good.
Which brings me to my next and first horse, Yankee Pants.
There have been a few things going on in his life that I can't fully disclose yet, but I can say that Jackie has been riding him lately.
If you all remember Jackie, she owned Wondermare and is my beautiful best friend, and shes a saint and an angel and wonderful and perfect.
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| This is us. |
Again, I can't update fully, but I can show you pics of The Pants and he is still beautiful!
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| Still enthusiastic about everrything |
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| Still as darling as always |
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| Still perfect |
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| Still beautiful |
I do miss my guy, but I'm still grateful he' doing so well in my absence! More on that later, when I can.
HOPEFULLY I can get pics tomorrow outside, but its supposed to rain all day and I still dont have friends so probably not.
TTFN
You need to snag you some pony friends sister, or teach the Levi how to work the phone camera. He is looking lovely, and so is mister Pants!
ReplyDeleteSo seriously glad Bacardi is doing so well! Also very curious to hear the Yankee updates
ReplyDeleteIt is awesome that B is doing so well at the new place. Isn't it amazing and awesome to be able to ride at night and in the dark and the rain?! THE BEST. Can't wait to see Mr. Bacardi's progress this winter!
ReplyDeleteI love seeing this progression in now just Bacardi, but your relationship with him in general. You guys are amazing! Glad Yankee is doing well too of course. I think we need a sexy Blogger pony calendar!
ReplyDeleteYankee is so gorgeous!! I miss him! I'm glad he's doing well. :D
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy that being at the barn and having an indoor arena is helping you and B out so much. I see great things in his future now that he gets some consistency even in nasty weather hehe.
It's not the best, but a lot of people do it... you could set your phone on something in the arena, set it to record and then get snapshots after the ride. When you're all alone sometimes that's the only way to get pictures/video. I thought that's what you used to do when you rode at home, but maybe I'm thinking of someone else??
Anyway, even without pictures we still love your blog. Have fun!
I did do that, except now my phone is so full it won't record more than a few min at a time. I need to figure something out!
DeleteOooh yeah my friend has that problem too!! Can you not upload them to your computer and delete them off your phone? Good luck figuring something out! I for one do miss seeing pictures of your handsome boy. :D
DeleteSometimes you need to take time for yourself. Looks like you enjoyed :)
ReplyDeleteSrsly boarding ftw.
ReplyDelete