Weekend ride roundup

Saturday: Hampton was fantastic. This was the first time I've ridden him with other horses in the ring and he did wonderfully. Thank goodness he steers now, but I did warn the other riders just in case I lost steering at some point. lol. We walked and trotted all over the outdoor arena. I didn't do many circles, but did make some sweeps across the diaganol and many transitions. I can't really ask much more from him ... I mean he's been fantastic. I realize at some point I'm going to have to grow a pair and canter, but for now I feel he's just a little too unbalanced and gangly to go there.

Sunday: The arena, while mostly good footing was somewhat wet and I'm not sure if it was causing Hampton to trip so much, or if his feet are getting a little long. But anyway, he was tripping. A lot. More than normal for an awkward young horse. At one point lunging, his legs got tangled and he fell to his knees, then lept up with a ginormous buck to express his opinion on the matter. Then in true Hampton fasion, right back to work as if nothing had happened. I noticed after I was done riding that he has scraped the cornet band on his back foot just a bit. Nothing serious, but damn, horse. I rode today as well, but kept trotting to a minimum because I was a little scared he might trip and fall again. Did not want that to happen with me aboard. But he was otherwise good. Steering like a champ and we had a couple of super transitions where I felt him really power from behind. *gulp* There is quite an engine in there.

His left eye also came up pretty red today. I think I will call the vet if it is not improved tomorrow. There wasn't any discharge when I brought him in, but there was a big booger in it when I hopped off of him after riding. Not sure what's going on there. I don't see any foreign objects in there, or any obvious trauma - it's just red. But still, eyes or nothing to screw around with. Plus, he needs his teeth checked again anyway. He's acting a little weird again while eating.

Goals for this week (as long as his eye turns out ok) are to try a mini trail ride around the farm. Walk and trot over a ground pole (maybe 2). More miles under saddle.

Stay tuned for some really good news!