Lame? Maybe Not

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.

Really have to make up my mind about how I'm going to be. I'm still halfway apologetic that I've even asking him to do anything. Balthazar can certainly pick up on that. Played around tonight with a few of the seven games. He did very well with turns on the forehand and hindquarters (yielding), backing up and coming forward, less so circling (and worryingly and something I've forgotten to mention before now, Balthazar is very slightly lame circling right and has been for a few weeks. No swelling, nothing obvious in his foot. Lee was here last week, saw nothing. No idea what it is but he's already 'resting' and has been for over 2 years so bushing him isn't going to make any difference). Anyway, he hasn't much energy, lifted mine and he was better. Worked on getting him to sidestep, wanted to place his offside front on a leaf purely by me directing him without moving from the spot I was standing on. We got about 6 inches away. But he'd quit and I'd have to up my energy (pressure) to get him back in the game. When he'd try I'd quit, give him a break, trying to tell him that, Yes, that was the right thing to do. Also tried driving him (poor) and the squeeze game which, as we haven't done that in years, he didn't do too badly.

Took him out of the paddock afterwards for a graze, a graze that I invited (hand gesture) him to do and also a graze that I would put a stop to. Just working on that communication a bit.

Noticed again tonight that Balthazar was sweating when I got him out of the stall. His sweating increased while I groomed him. It's going to take a while before we lose that tension stemming from all those months of c/t. Poor guy doesn't really know what to expect from me. I'm all over the shop. Amazing that he does as well as he does. Have found that his ear pinning and biting at his chest lessens if I am very soft while grooming that area. Also that he is less annoyed with me brushing his face if I use long slow strokes. Surprising and rather sad that he has had to put up with annoying habits of mine because I was too dense to alter the way of grooming him.

Peter has invited us up to Long Grass and the Long Grass playpen for a session of the seven games. Not sure when yet. Plan to pack the saddle, bitless bridle and booties and get on him up there. He'll be away from his buddies and after an hour or so of mental exercise he won't be in a mood to play up. Seeing as he's favouring that offside front the riding will be minimal. But I think it's a good idea to hit him with everything (tacking up, booties and me on his back) while he's away from home. Then we can continue here (depending upon soundness). Have permission to ride on neighbour's property so can start slowly and build up fitness, mental, emotional and physical.