The rain, the humidity, the heat, the farrier, and maybe more?

Goodness you'd think since my last post we'd have some action packed stories to tell in all the time that has passed. BUT, no. It's been pretty darn boring actually - even Poncho thinks so. Ha.

[caption id="attachment_135" align="aligncenter" width="300"] *note snoozing pony in the crossties![/caption]

We've atleast stayed out of the ring, so that's something I guess. In our spectacular show-off fashion we have pretty much just been walking. Crazy, I know. But so many things have contributed to it. Either I was riding with Mom and Midnite (who can't trot in the big field yet), it was raining like mad or mega-muddy afterwards (which Poncho isn't used to doing speed work in - working on that though), or it was soo hot and humid I wanted to die (therefore I kept it light). We have managed a few little trots here and there but nothing noteworthy that would ever add up to anything.

I did decided to start taking (if I remember) monthly condition pictures of Poncho so I can see progression or regression.

[caption id="attachment_136" align="aligncenter" width="300"] May - month numero uno[/caption]

Today was pedicure day. Which meant the first time Poncho got shoes in almost a year. And maybe the first time Midnite has ever gotten shoes, we don't know. I must admit given how Ponch was last time I didn't know what to expect so I armed myself with some treats just incase. (For those who are curious a previous farrier lost patience when Ponchman got nervous and hit him on the back with a hammer - poooooor pony, needless to say said farrier was promptly fired and we've been letting him get comfortable with new farrier) I shouldn't have been surprised though he was a total gentleman. He did get a few well timed treats though- before he had a chance to pull a Poncho. He just got fronts this time, we'll see how that goes and we didn't hot shoe him today - we'll re-evaluate that next time around too. So proud of my little man, there was nothing noteworthy to mention about his feet good or bad. I suppose that's not a bad thing. Now onto Miss Midinte - the WildCard, as I like to call her in certain situations. I was hoping that after finishing her adequan she would be more comfortable. Not entirely the case - but I think a lot of it is just habit. She was hot shoed and we set her shoes back at the toe to help with her breakover. We also squared her hind toes to help with pressure. Then we wided and rolled various parts of the shoe to accommodate her various problems. We even found she had a couple of small bruises on her front left foot. Very curious since she hasn't been worked all week and hasn't been on much if at all gravel. Hmmm..... She was fairly well mannered on her fronts. Ironically she minded getting the nails clinched more than getting the shoes nailed on. Sillly. On her hinds true to Midnite fashion she pitched a fit. Luckily we were able to work out a system to get her to cooperate. 2 nails, rest, 2 nails, rest, and so on.

Then I had to leave the barn to run errands and such (chiro appt- me, bank, tractor supply for bell boots - for nite). Then I finally made it back out to the barn. Groomed Nite since it was sooo hot. I decided to do a quick hack on Poncho - 15 minutes walk and a small, small trot. And that was our first ride this week. Oh me oh my. Hopefully things will pick-up next week.

Squeezing in a few more rides.

On Saturday, after our wonderful hack out in the gelding field, I went out wayyy late to ride so I could ride with my Mom. We ended up going in the ring due to all the other ponies being turned out. Poncho was definitely less than pleased but was a gentleman nonetheless. He did have a nice pouty face going on however. We walked and trotted around for awhile sorting out his bolting issue from the last time we rode in there. Don't know what it is with that one spot in the ring but ohwell. After he got over that little issue, before we wrapped up the ride I wanted to try a quick canter with the hackamore in there. It wasn't horrible but the hackamore didn't cure his issues. I didn't really think it would though.

On Sunday Mom wanted to hack out in the gelding field with us. So we meandered around for awhile enjoying the nice weather.

Yesterday, Wednesday, it was so humid out I felt like I couldn't breathe. But I really wanted to ride. So I planned on doing a quick-ish conditioning ride out in the gelding field. We walked a lap, trotted a lap, changed directions, trotted a little more, then walked some more. When we turned for "home" I decided on a whim to let him open up a bit. We started off at a nice brisk canter - then I asked for a smidge more. He readily complied then about 6 or 7 strides in to our slow gallop he went full on bucking bronco on me. He was feeling GOOD! It was kind of adorable. I got him back under control in a matter of seconds and we trotted off to regain our balance. Then we picked our canter back up and finished going down the long stretch in the field. He felt wonderful! He was even straight! Ohmy! It was sooooo nice!

We also had the vet out for Midnite's recheck from her adequan. She passed with flying colors. Score now I can start really diving into her conditioning work. However the visit did yield some more expensive results with both ponies. Farriers Formula Double Strength - both ponies. Accel - both ponies. Four shoes - Midnite. Front shoes - Poncho. Joint supplement - Poncho. Wow they went from easy keepers to high maintenance in one short visit. HAHA.

Poncho Approved.

Today I actually got to ride! It's a freaking record!

When I got to the barn I had a bit of stuff to do which kept delaying my catching Poncho but that ended up working out for the better. One of the other boarders got there before I was done grooming so I was able to borrow a leather punch so that I could make my hackamore fit. SCORE.

We were quite gutsy and headed to the gelding field - hoping for the best. Poncho was like a totally different horse. Once the bit comes off the brain turns on I guess. He was so calm, cool, and collected! We had bunnies and ground hogs run infront, under, and behind us that never once made him bat an eye. Yet a bird did get him... Oh well. I ended up riding for over an hour. Mainly walking we did do a couple of long trots down the length of the field with our riding buddy.

I think it's safe to say the hackamore is here to stay!

The ride that could have been.

Ahh when the best laid plans fail. Today is beyond beautiful out. I could have been riding. But I did not.

When I got to the barn it was a tad windy, okay to be honest a bit gusty. That however was not going to stop me - last time it was windy he wasn't that bad. I chatted with some borders for a moment to get some things sorted out for the vet visit next week. Then I waltz around the corner to be bombarded with luchboxes, zebra prints, little saddles, and little helmets. Oh snap that means there are kids on the loose. Then I look a little further down to the trailer parking area. DAMN there's a little bus with a hoard of kids. I don't know what they were doing or where they came from but they effectively ruined my chance at riding.

Back tracking a little - Poncho HATES kids they are minions of the devil. As it were when I went out into the field to say hello sine I drove out all thay way and stuff his cute little face with treats he had spotted said children in the pond field and was on HIGH alert. (Choice well made not to ride, it would have been a suicide mission practically) He was calm and cool for me to love on him though. He even groomed me back a little bit.

It's not the end of the world that he's getting a little mini-vacation (3 rides in 2 weeks = nothing in the grand scheme of things). I just reallllllly wanted to ride today. However we will get back on track and tomorrow will probably be more conducive to me surviving. I mean come on 3 rides in 2 weeks and I want to ride on a gusty day with demons running around. Mr. Poncho would be looking for things to jump from behind every tree, around every corner, and maybe even fall from the sky. Who knows, hopefully tomorrow will be the day!

I am a ninja!

That's right. But before I get to the juicy details I need to mention that last week I only was able to work monster man two times. And our ride on Thursday was literally  10 minutes(in the pond field) - wayyy too hot. Then on Saturday we was HYPER. He got the notion in his head that when trotting around the far side he need to take off and run the other way. Possibly even smack into a fence. It took some coaxing but he finally managed to get it straight in his head. Other than that he was fantastic. He gave me some of the best trot and canter work we've had in a while.We even did some canter pole work - FANCY I know!

[caption id="attachment_109" align="aligncenter" width="300"] I don't like the heat![/caption]

So all  of that leads us upto yesterday. We headed back out to the pond field to spice things up a bit. I had envisioned a nice trot set up and down the nice little hills out there. We warmed up and walked around for a few. Then I asked for the trot. He was nice and forward, as we went along he started to loose forward and begin to rush. I might add I was in two-point through all of this. Then next thing you know we are running down the side of the field heading for trees and a hill. I nicely ask him to slow back down - benefit of the doubt right? He emphatically said no. Which then led to him jerking his head down and proceeding to do his best impression of a bucking bronco. I have no clue how I didn't come off. I mean I was in two-point I should have flow. But no I am a NINJA. After I finally got his head and got him slowed down we went back around for round two. He was nice a polite then. Go figure. Then for the remainder of our hack he was a perfect gentleman. Goober boy.

[caption id="attachment_110" align="aligncenter" width="300"] I'm innocent, I'm no bucking bronco.[/caption]

Also little man had decided he's too shy to pee while I'm on him. I know he has to go, he stops likes he's going to then doesn't. So when I get off almost immediately he pee's forever. Poor guy if only he knew.

I also worked Midnite for a bit yesterday. You can tell the adequan is making a big difference. However she has decided that outside aids are a no go. So we spend the majority of our ride working on yes you really do have to listen to these. Silly mare. She tries her hardest to get out of work. But I guess she doesn't realize what all I go through with Poncho so that her little "tricks" are nothing to me. haha.