It has been a week and a half since we've gotten out and had a ride. You'll note Cibolo's "not amused" face above...
He was, indeed, not amused. He was reluctant to get in the trailer, practically dragged his hooves as we headed over to the arena and was heavy on his bit. He was even trying to grab the bottom of his bridle (which would render it basically useless). I felt like I was riding a horse with the brakes on.
There were also several head tosses and pill like behavior. But nothing I couldn't handle. Still, I suspect I missed the boat a bit. I think he needed a stronger line from me.
By the end, though, we were back in sync. Cantering on the correct lead, turning, backing, all of it was working. This despite the heeler mix that was running around the arena like a maniac.
Lily, on the other and, just wants to RUN. She loves the arena and she has a need for speed, which suits Stephanie just fine. Back before we loaded Lily had shown a touch of tenderness in her back and I did a few lifting exercises and the tenderness went away. We checked her over before saddleing and she was fine.
After two hours of hard riding, she began to get heavy on the forehand again, so Stephanie stopped riding. She had observed Cibolo and remarked that he seemed lazy.
I don't know if I think he was lazy, more like out of the mode to work for his hay. Cibolo is not one of those horses that needs a job to be happy. He'd be perfectly content to be a trust fund baby, checking out mares at the disco.
So he was quite surprised to have Stephanie step up for a brief ride. She rode the snot out of Cibolo. (ok, it was like 15 minutes of cantering) She got him sweaty and tired. And she got tired too.
"He's a lot more work than Lily."
yep. Especially today.
And Cibolo expressed his opinion of being ridden until he was winded.
And, just in case you missed it...
I'll be back out tomorrow. My goal is to do 4 days in a row because after Monday, my travel schedule will have me booked until MARCH!
Wah.
Tonight's your last shot in the contest... Tomorrow Roxie will pick a winner.
I hope you had a wonderful day with a horse!
PS New Mexico blogger sisters! Will brunch in Alb. next Saturday will work for a meet up? Email me at winter (at) winterdprosapio (dot) com We'll figure out some details...