You know, horses are the best medicine. I've been having a really bad week, I've been ill, both Evo and Honey went unsound, and my dog almost died. I think I'm allowed to be a little down in the dumps for that! But I'm always the type of person that if I let myself get that low, it's hard to get back on track quickly. Today, Evo really boosted my spirits and made me feel so much better.
He's been difficult to catch for some time now, and has to wear a halter in the paddock. I don't really want to have him in one... but it takes so much longer without it on. We're working towards a level where I can take it off. It's getting to the point of frustrating me... although I'm not trying to let it affect me whilst catching him... I've been trying to figure out why he's doing it, is he playing games, is he scared, is something bothering him. It's definitely the third answer, well at least to a point. Today I realised how foolish I've been. I've gotten so focussed on Honey, with the upcoming show etc, that I've been opting to ride her more. This leaves him hanging out in the paddock. He's always been the type who likes to have a job, likes to do more than just "hang out". I guess I've forgotten that, and so he's punishing me for it. He thinks I'm just gonna catch him so I can do something, like rug/unrug him... and then let him go. So he doesn't want to bother... he wants my attention... whats a better way to get it by evading me!!! Lol.
Today I caught him, unrugged him, let him go be with his girls, did some chores and then caught him again. I then lunged him. He's been unsound, but after checking him out fully, I found him no longer throwing his leg and trotting very nicely. So after a big warmup, a walk, trot and canter, I thought I'd just let him navigate the trotting poles and we'd leave it at that, not pushing it. Mr Evo had other plans lol. He enjoys jumping and watched me set up two jumps earlier. As one was kinda near the poles, he eyed it up eagerly so I thought, why not, if he lands and looks sore, we'll stop. He was thrilled, cantering about and popping over the jump happily. I decided I'd try the bigger one... he could walk into it and bound over he's that clever lol (which he did at first cos it was a tyre jump and he hasn't done them in awhile I think)... he was so happy, and after doing that one three times we went for a huge as walk around the paddock to cool down. I was talking to him a lot, I think he liked that cos he'd nudge me and snuggle me lots... and I enjoy talking to him, it was really nice. So after our walk, I took him back to his paddock, rugged him back up and let him go. He wasn't interested in Honey at all (to my blatant surprise!). I thought he was just tired and wanting to stay where he was... but as soon as I moved off, so did he. I had a shadow, and it was the best shadow to have! He made all the crappy stuff this week go away and I just had to hug him for his actions. I think we're at a good level now... or here's hoping so anyways! Everytime after that when I tried to "catch" him, he didn't even walk away!
Tomorrow, I'm hoping I'll have some more news to add here about Bailey. But I don't wanna jinx myself too much about it, so I'll wait and see before annoucing it!
Signing off,
x
No comments:
Post a Comment