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| "Grandma" bought him this bonnet. :) (for my birthday) |
Hampton and I are plugging along. I've been doing my homework, making sure to give him plenty of breaks and days off in between for any sore muscles to recover. While he is a wonderful 4 year old, I do have to be careful because 1) He has the mental capacity to try anything I ask, even if his body is not ready and 2) since he is my only horse to play with (basically), I might be tempted to try things he isn't ready for. I have been keeping those things in mind so that he doesn't become sour. He's so cheerful when I ride him and so happy to work for me, I do not want to ruin that by pushing too hard.
But hey yesterday we had a good ride and to change things up I tried forward and back at the canter. I haven't done this in a while - we've only been doing that at the trot - because at the canter he would lose his balance and break into the trot. Much to my delight, he has a canter half-halt now and can lengthen and come back to me without breaking. Woot woot!
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| Sniffin the camera lady |
I'm debating giving him a month off this winter. Just to grow and be a horse. Still just throwing the idea around, since he really seems to enjoy the work and all the attention - such as when I call him handsome and studly. Seeing as how we live in Indiana, it is likely that he will end up taking time off this winter anyway since Mother Nature around here can be testy.
Other than that I am looking forward to Octoberfest!
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| Wild poneh at a horse show! |
Having a few weeks off would probably do him good. The mental break will be good for him as well as the physical one. :)
ReplyDeleteWoah!! Hold onto your hat, he is out of control!!! Such a wild boy! hehehe. Maybe I am just boring but I didn't think this was a snoozer. I like to read about the day to day. It gets me thinking about what I could/should be doing. I am SOOOOOO excited about Octoberfest!! I am starting to pray for good weather now. I fully promote a nice long break over the winter. Even if they enjoy the work, they can still become burnt out. Absence makes the heart grow fonder right? Chances are good that sometime over the months of January and February there will be some forced time off anyways. I plan to ride as far into winter as I can handle, hopefully through December. Then play it by ear after that. Maybe just blanket on bareback rides here and there Jan-Feb until March then start back up regular work. But I pretty much don't do riding under 15 degrees, call me a wuss lol. Ewww why are we talking about winter? Blech, I am in denile that it is coming.
ReplyDeleteHampton does look studly and handsome in the bonnet!
ReplyDeleteI take the winter off too. However, last winter's break was more time then I normally do because I was healing from injuries. Normally the wickedest months - January and February.
But until then it's a ride-a-thon! Trails, schooling, I WILL canter (whole different story) Rosie...
This isn't a snoozer. I love reading about young horse progress. Congratulations on the canter lengthening and coming back. Good for you guys. That's really great for a four year old.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to read when people are careful about not making their horse sore or sour. Hampton will thank you.
Hampton sounds like he's maturing very well.
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that your taking things slow and letting him develop properly before asking for too much. So many people don't.