The last week has been quiet with Maddie. We lost a few days to rain and several times I just went to see her and do some quick ground work in the driveway. I re-introduced the tarp, draped it over the dumpster, the fence, etc. I did some direct and drive lessons between myself and the tarp hanging over the fence, too. It's funny that the tarp still bothers her at all, because I introduced it to her back in January on her 3rd or 4th session, and she never showed much fear of it. But I never used the tarp outside in the wind, and I think that is the new element.
One ride over the weekend had some unintended excitement. I had ridden over to Jane's and Maddie was not too happy with all the new jumps set up in the cross country course. I worked her until she relaxed a bit, then rode home. After doing a few roll backs in the last hayfield before home, I was resting her on a loose rein when Tracy rode past us in the next field over at a canter. Maddie spun and bolted when she saw the movement through the brush, and I could not hang on. I landed cleanly on my feet with both hands on the reins, but Maddie tore them from my grasp and ran another 20 yards. She turned and faced me and I walked over and hopped on while Tracy apologized for all the trouble. Crimenee! How can I be a mustang rangler if I keep falling off my ^%^$! horse? Oh, well, no harm done. And it was very classy of Maddie to stick around and not run home this time.
Tracy & I rode together over to Soderberg's to hook up with Sandy, meeting up with her daughter Terri on the way over. Then we ran into Katie and another rider, making a 6 horse group, all at a walk. Maddie did well but I did not like being in the middle in a pokey group, so I put her in back where she didn't feel the need to kick the horse behind her. We found Sandy and waited while she hopped onto Cricket and checked the controls. The group went out at a walk and I kept Maddie in the back. At one point we split up and Tracy escorted us back to the stable. I'd like to repeat this kind of group ride in a situation where I can work Maddie in all positions and gaits, do some circling, separating, etc. It would help her immensely, and be a lot of fun, too.
Today I had a pleasant ride in Kim's hayfield, and I was pleased that I managed to push Maddie through some spooky places. She was overall a bit unhappy about going out, and she got pretty hot and kept jumping into the field whenever we passed some sewer pipes laying on one side of the field. I kept circling the field at a canter and waited for her to stop jumping. After 4 or 5 passes she was doing well, and I went around once more for good measure. I let her walk home on a loose rein, occasionally doing a half turn on the forehand, followed by backing, followed by a turn on the haunches, plus some two track work. Overall I just need to keep challenging her and working through things more thoroughly.
No comments:
Post a Comment