_jetset_
Well-Known Member
Where to start???
As many of you will know, Hannah, my IDxTB mare, is up for sale at the moment. We have had a viewing and several people interested, so it is all becoming quite real. As a result, rather than dwelling on what 'might be', I decided to have a plan. I found a Novice sheet over 62% from the beginning of the year, and as Grace has two sheets for the Petplan Areas, I decided to try and get a second sheet for Hannah before we have a go at a Medium test
This morning I got up bright and early (dragging my poor husband out of bed with me) and we got to the yard in plenty of time. I plaited Han up, mucked out, did haynets, for the wagon ready and still had 45 mins so decided to do Grace's 'controlled exercise' before we left!
Today is her first day of trot work after three weeks walking and just under one week of complete box rest. This horse has been brought back to work so many times, and yes there has been some really horrendous moments, but nothing prepared me for today
I got on, walked two steps and Grace just pulled me out of the saddle, put her head between her legs and bucked four times
My poor husband went as white as a sheet as he said he had never seen anything like it other than on TV when the rodeo is shown. He asked me to leave it for today, but after that performance, I was worried about taking my feet out of the stirrups
So, we set off walking again (with a very braced position from me I may add), and all was going well until I put my legs on slightly and asked for trot
Once again, she just pulled me out of the saddle, head between her legs and bucked her way around three quarters of the circle!!! DISGRACE is back in action it seems!
After a few choice words, I picked up my reins, got hold of the pommel of the saddle (must put neck strap on tomorrow) and just put my leg on and kept hold. It is all very well the vet saying she must only trot on a straight line, but I am sorry, it was either make her work on a circle or I would not have been here to tell the tale
I did a good 5 minutes of trotting, complete with a full on Capriole (again, poor husband was absolutely in pieces watching me as she then cantered up the long side while I tried to get my knitting back under control) and finally after 25 minutes in total (20 mins walking, 5 mins trotting) I called it a day. I took my feet out of my stirrups, breathed out, realised I was absolutely wet through with sweat and all of a sudden Grace just lept of the floor from all four feet, spun 180 degrees and started squealing
A voluntary dismount was then performed
So, any suggestions how I can survive a few more days??? Sedalin and ACP does not touch her (it just makes her trip but her reactions seem as sharp) and she is already on TopSpec Calmer
Anyway, on to Han's BD report...
We set off to Warren Farm and I was really looking forwards to it. The wind and rain did not even dampen my spirits! We got there, tacked up and I went to warm her up. This is the first time she has been out since June and she was such a good girl and I enjoyed riding her in the warm up. Her medium trots were really starting to let go and her collected work was lovely.
The first test was the dreaded N35... I hate this test so much. I find it so stoppy and starty
Anyway, we did an ok job of it. There were a few little mistakes and I sometimes felt Han was not 100% with me and took over a little, but I came away pleased. She ended up 2nd on 64.8% which means we now have our second Petplan sheet
The second test I felt was much smoother. She was with me the whole time apart from when she broke in the second medium canter
Her counter canters felt lovely and straight and she was much more relaxed. I was pretty gutted to see she had achieved a lower mark than in the first test, but that is dressage for you!
So Han will be going to the Areas in October at Myerscough... woo hoo
(well, if I survive the next few weeks with Grace that is... could be in a full body cast by that point!)
As many of you will know, Hannah, my IDxTB mare, is up for sale at the moment. We have had a viewing and several people interested, so it is all becoming quite real. As a result, rather than dwelling on what 'might be', I decided to have a plan. I found a Novice sheet over 62% from the beginning of the year, and as Grace has two sheets for the Petplan Areas, I decided to try and get a second sheet for Hannah before we have a go at a Medium test
This morning I got up bright and early (dragging my poor husband out of bed with me) and we got to the yard in plenty of time. I plaited Han up, mucked out, did haynets, for the wagon ready and still had 45 mins so decided to do Grace's 'controlled exercise' before we left!
Today is her first day of trot work after three weeks walking and just under one week of complete box rest. This horse has been brought back to work so many times, and yes there has been some really horrendous moments, but nothing prepared me for today
I got on, walked two steps and Grace just pulled me out of the saddle, put her head between her legs and bucked four times
So, we set off walking again (with a very braced position from me I may add), and all was going well until I put my legs on slightly and asked for trot
After a few choice words, I picked up my reins, got hold of the pommel of the saddle (must put neck strap on tomorrow) and just put my leg on and kept hold. It is all very well the vet saying she must only trot on a straight line, but I am sorry, it was either make her work on a circle or I would not have been here to tell the tale
I did a good 5 minutes of trotting, complete with a full on Capriole (again, poor husband was absolutely in pieces watching me as she then cantered up the long side while I tried to get my knitting back under control) and finally after 25 minutes in total (20 mins walking, 5 mins trotting) I called it a day. I took my feet out of my stirrups, breathed out, realised I was absolutely wet through with sweat and all of a sudden Grace just lept of the floor from all four feet, spun 180 degrees and started squealing
So, any suggestions how I can survive a few more days??? Sedalin and ACP does not touch her (it just makes her trip but her reactions seem as sharp) and she is already on TopSpec Calmer
Anyway, on to Han's BD report...
We set off to Warren Farm and I was really looking forwards to it. The wind and rain did not even dampen my spirits! We got there, tacked up and I went to warm her up. This is the first time she has been out since June and she was such a good girl and I enjoyed riding her in the warm up. Her medium trots were really starting to let go and her collected work was lovely.
The first test was the dreaded N35... I hate this test so much. I find it so stoppy and starty
The second test I felt was much smoother. She was with me the whole time apart from when she broke in the second medium canter
So Han will be going to the Areas in October at Myerscough... woo hoo
