Camp Day 1: Meltdowns

I am finally getting my thoughts together about dressage camp. It was awesome as I expected, but it did leave me physically and mentally exhausted.

The good news is that Hampton is quite fit and he bounced right back! Prancing around and full of energy the next day. I rode him today and he was full of it - in a good way - and no hints of soreness.

But ...

Our first full day of camp did not go as I expected.

Friday morning selfie. Mirrors in the arena! Oh how I miss you!

Our first lesson was ok. We worked quite a bit on cleaning up our half passes, lateral energy and adjustability. But Hampton was snarky and anytime I would tickle him with the whip he could pig root and offer to buck. This is not unusual for him, especially since we haven't been off the property for several months.

We focused on opening up his shoulders through leg yields, and making him super obedient to my legs. I wouldn't say he was bad, but there was some tension there.

Several hours later we had our afternoon lesson. I chose to ride him in the double bridle this time. As soon as I got on I knew he was in a mood. When we started trotting I said "oh shit" to myself because he was SOOOOOOOOOOOO behind the leg and so uptight. He was behind the contact, fussy, tight in the back. When I asked him to go forward, he would pull his "hop up and down and threaten to launch" antic. I tried getting a little mad and booting him around, leg yielding on the circle (anything to keep his feet moving). He just kept getting nastier. He was totally unrideable, My coach suggested it might be the double bridle. I'm not so sure, but I guess it's a possibility. Eventually I got him to trot somewhat civil and we ended the lesson. We could not canter a circle without bucking, threatening to launch. At one point I thought he was going to do one of his mega bucks and I was grabbing mane. We would not have been able to complete a training level test. I started to wonder if he was in pain.

I'll admit I had a mild meltdown on the walk back to his stall. What if he was trying to tell me that he has reached a limit? Was he in pain? Maybe he is not mentally capable of the work? Did he strain something in the morning lesson? Maybe it's too much and I need to sell him. Hampton can be snarky and cop an attitude, but this was beyond his normal antics.

So I gave him some bute that night and some time in a paddock hoping he would feel better the next day.

If not, this was going to be a rough weekend.

WW: Sit, horse. Good boy

Just my horse. Being a total dweeb.

Nothing new.

But I promise to have better posts next week! We are off to dressage boot camp this weekend so I will hopefully have some worthwhile posts.

Trail ride

The Porkchop and I are slowly getting back into shape. He is much more fit than his rider, but I will get there haha.

Gorgeous trail system

We took a hack day on Tuesday and explored the large trail system that connects to the farm. I don't usually go out exploring alone, but I let the Boy know I was heading out and if I did not text him in two hours to call me and see if I was ok.

So we headed out.

The trails are in great shape, not too muddy. We only explored a few miles and there were not any challenging parts of the trail. To do the entire loop would probably take half a day. We have much more to explore! We crossed two small creeks and found a big creek with water that went up to Hampton's knees. SO fun. I bet it will be so gorgeous when everything greens up!

We even passed two fields of bloodthirsty, murderous cows without drama.

I don't think I wrote about the last time we tried to pass the cows. It was before winter really hit, and upon seeing said cows Hampton began shaking, snorting and threatening to have a total meltdown. So, I hopped off. When my feet hit the ground, he LEFT. Left me a mile from home, on the side of the road. And ran home. He was unhurt, but I was annoyed to say the least.

None of that crap this time though! Woot.

The barn with the track is way out in the distance

He did get a bit wound up when we found ourselves in an open field that was next to a busy road and another horse farm with a race track. I think he heard the other horses, and was startled by all the traffic. He started jigging and yanking the reins from me. This is the behavior that preceded the explosive black stallion move at the hunter pace last year. So, I did my best to sit heavy, guide him sideways but try not to block the forward. We were yards away from the big creek so I directed him back in there and said "There ya go, NOW you can go forward in this deep water you little shit!" ... and he indeed slowed down and was respectful again. We made it back home without incident.

I think next time we will take another route that doesn't go near the road. He has really turned into a lovely trail horse. He will go anywhere I point him!

He has been lovely in the arena, too. We have been focused on suppleness and getting a reaction. Many rubber band exercises, transitions and lateral work. This spring won't be as busy as last year. But we have some things planned!

P.S. Lady is starting to gain weight!!