The second day of strictly groundwork. Only 15 minutes but a productive 15 minutes. This lameness could be a blessing in disguise. (Note: Once a week we give ourselves a day off and feed the horses hay rather than a mixede feed. They do not mind. Rather they are enthusiastic, so much so Balthazar galloped up pig rooting sideways and cavorting like a foal. Not one sign of lameness. Will test him again tomorrow. Anyway, today worked especially on a quick back up and return as well as sideways. Because I'm not 'going through the motions' so that I can get on and ride, the groundwork naturally improves. Our back up and return was snappier, quicker. Our sideways was, if not to die for, at least good enough to faint for. Very pleased. 15 minutes work and 20 minutes green pick grazing. What horse wouldn't be pleased? Left him loose and called him as I walked back towards the driveway entrance (was grazing him on the road verge). At first he was quite good and followed on ... until he spied a particularly tempting bit of green pick across the road. I was completely snubbed in favour of some ripe Rhodes grass. Had to retrieve him. He did redeem himself somewhat by searching out the carrots with great enthusiasm that I hid in the Great Carrot Hunt - like an Easter Egg Hunt. Haven't done that in awhile but he was much more attentive to body language and hand signals in finding the carrots. I like how horses, once they have time to mull things over, are much more switched on about conundrums placed before them.
No comments:
Post a Comment