When I almost lost my ninja skills!

Last week I had several nice flat rides. Nothing spectacular. Nothing horrible. Nothing worth noting.

Yesterday however was all around an amazing ride, and I even almost ate dirt! I'll start off with Poncho had 4 days in a row off. Which means he's ready to rock and roll. He's a horse who doesn't handle the heat well but it makes him mega hyper. We warmed up on a nice loose rein. I couldn't get him to stretch down at the trot even though I was practically riding him on the buckle. We did some figure eights to try and get his head in the game. No dice. So I decided to just let him canter it out. 7 laps in a row! Now this is a really big ring. At least 200 x 350 I'd say. And it wasn't a slow canter, he was booking it.

After he had that out of his system he was in more of a yes ma'am kind of mood. We did some nice trot work then I let him walk for a couple minutes on the buckle before we did any jumping.

I'm proud to say we have officially conquered the flowers. Absolutely no hesitation approaching them today!!!!

the oh so scary flowers!

 After that I was feeling a little gutsy so we decided to tackle this....

The first time approaching it from each direction he refused it (not too surprising from him). The second time we soared over it!!!!! I was on top of the world until mid-air I hear my mom in the distance yell woo-hoo and start clapping. The second Poncho landed he bolted and started bucking the whole way down the arena! I narrowly missed flying in a gate. Somehow I managed to stay on! Of course we had to try the jump again so he realized it wasn't the jump that was scary. Luckily no theatrics the second time around. What a goober.

After that I just cooled him, hosed him off, and let him graze for a minute.

I just love my Poncho man so much!

Losing our groove.

Yesterday and today's rides have left me feeling a little bummed out. Nothing horrible but looking back there are things I would have changed up....

Yesterday he was spooky as all get out! He was even uppity in the cross ties. He does this weird trumpet/snorty thing that freaks everyone out. So that put us off to a fantastic start - WHAT A GOOBER! By the time we were walking to the ring he was looking at everything and shying this way and that way. Super! Then some of the jumps had been moved so that the ring could be drug, which made the ring extra scary. SO I just decided we'd hack out in the field so there was no pressure. Well the dude even spooked at the gate to the field. Ha. We didn't have the most productive ride. We managed to walk and trot around a little bit and then called it a day. We did stop by the window for the office in the barn so he could really investigate his reflection (he was absolutely hilarious to watch!)

Today we put our game face on and were going to get some real quality work and we did until the last 15 minutes of our ride. I was feeling on top of the world until I messed it all up!!!! Tracking right everything was nearly perfect he was relaxing and moving out soooo well. However I worked to the right wayy to long so when we switched to the left things went flop. Plus he still had a little bit of fluid in his ankle but was still super sound so I figured we'd still ride. Maybe it was the fluid, maybe he was tired, maybe he wanted to be a but head. I don't know. But the second we tried to pick up our left lead canter it all fell apart. He just would not pick it up. So I tried wayy too many times to get it. Which frustrated him until he shut down. AND when he shuts down he grabs the bit and hauls ass!!!!!! We flew right out of the ring by the barn twice because I just couldn't get him back under control (luckily we didn't hit anything). Once I got him to just not try and run out of the ring we basically just ended. I of course was still on him just walking around on the buckle. We even went out to the field for a lap. I just feel sooo bad that I pushed things to that point today.

So my tentative plan is for the next 2-4 days (depending on work and weather) he will have off or just a quick hack. Hopefully we can "reboot" and his ankle will be completely back to normal. Fingers crossed!

PART 2 - The move!

Wednesday day morning started out a tad gloomy but as we arrived at the barn the sun was starting to peak out. We got there about an hour early because I wanted to make sure I had EVERYTHING done in time and that Poncho was semi-clean. The new BO ended up getting there about 10 minutes early so thank goodness I had a head start.

Now I will mention in the past Poncho has had off and on trailer issues. However the last 4 or 5 times we've trailered he's been a total pro! Well apparently our luck ran out this morning. After the first 15 minutes or so we decided we'd just put Midnite on so that she wouldn't think there was some horrible monster up there and so that Poncho could hopefully be a little more motivated? Not so...Ultimately it took about an hour give or take a couple minutes to get him on there. There were several almost, and by almost I mean he was literally on the trailer but then someone came racing down the drive way 2 different times. So every time after that when he was basically on at the last minute he'd run off again. GAHHH. And the worst part is during the second drive by I was already scooting under the bar up front and got some rope burn (plus several impressive blisters) from not being quite fast enough. :(

ouch!

So after all that we finally get to the new barn! Poncho had worked himself up quite a bit on the ride over he was covered in foam all up and down his chest. Poor guy, he knows better. So we got them into their stalls so we could coordinate who they would go out with and where. Because the plan was to turn them out with a buddy for a couple hours and then bring them in so once they went out at night there would be slightly less drama. Poncho of course got wayyyy to close and personal with his buddy. But ultimately spent his time running around like a dork. Midnite didn't even pay attention to her buddy. Go figure. Then we got all our stuff set-up and planned on coming back out later to see them get turned out. (I love being only 10 minutes away!)

Poncho went out first and was quite interested in all his new buddies and thankfully there were no immediate scuffles between anyone. Midnite on the other hand was a tad confused about going to a different field and took off to find Poncho (almost running into a shed on the way DORK). Then once she found him decided he wasn't cool anymore and ran off with the other mares. SO that left Poncho devastated. The remainder of the time we were there he was running laps, jumping over logs, just carrying on squeaking (he can't whinny and run or basically whinny at all.) Needless to say I left with my fingers crossed he'd calm down soon and just enjoy his new friends.

I don't even know where to start....

umm.


I guess we'll start with since I've been having to go out everyday to soak the hay and give the ponies their grain. Plus after all that I need to go home and take care of my doggie. It leaves a fairly limited amount of time to ride. Because due to gas prices it's not feasible everyday for me to drive home and then back to the barn. (As is I'm spending about $200 a month in gas) So our rides have been pretty sporadic here lately BUT that's going to change come May 1st! We're moving to a barn 10 minutes from my hourse! HELL YEAH!

However as far as our rides go I've manged  a hack, where thankfully I did survive. And a couple of sessions in the ring.

Luckily right before I decided to hack Poncho I switched out of the loose ring back to the full cheek. I just wasn't happy with how he was going in the loose ring once we started trotting and then forget cantering! So full cheek back in action we headed out (just around the field some). He was going great! UNTIL the deer scared him. Holy moly I though I was a goner! He spun and bolted so fast I didn't even realize it happened at first. Next thing you know I'm only half on him hanging off the side of the saddle while where bolting through a wooded part in the field. Thank goodness Poncho is the saint that he is because as I yelled WOAH he started to slow down right before I hit the tree in our path. So I got myself re situated in saddle and we headed back to the scary spot to conquer it. Which we did.

The two rides we had in the ring were nothing special only W/T because the footing is so hard it's unbelievable. He was very consistent rounding up at the walk. But took a little more time at the trot, of course we did just switch bits again so that's why.

Then this week it's been near 90 every day so no riding. TOOO HOT! I've mainly just been hanging out with him. Wednesday I even had to give him a bath just to cool him down he was just so sweaty and crusty. Poor man. He did enjoy the cool down though. Hopefully today I can manage a little tack walk if the rain eases up and doesn't leave us under water again.

But alas my glimmer of hope is only 19 days away!

An interesting turn of events!`

On the day I clipped Poncho was his first day back from "vacation"! I was pumped! And to top it off we had a fantastic ride. He was like a freaking dream. On the bit. Forward. Supple. Everything I could have ever wanted in a ride.

Then on Thursday the wind picked up. Poncho lost his mind! We were just hacking around the field on a nice long loose rein, when out of no where...he throws a huge buck. Spins and bolts (and man can this horse bolt) across the field. While he's bolting we're bucking and hopping about. I somehow managed to stay on and got him back under control and listening. But clearly this was not our most productive ride.

Friday was even windier. I was delusional enough to think I could a productive ride in TODAY. However I had several clues on the way to the ring that should have told me to turn back. I did not though. So once we finally got to the ring I got on and didn't even last 5 minutes in the saddle. Not because I was thrown but because he lost his marbles completely and there was no way to turn it around. Even in hand he was bucking and rearing, just generally freaking out. So yet another failed attempt.

Saturday I couldn't get out to the barn and Sunday I managed. We headed down to the ring again to attempt to rectify our last ride. I only rode for 10 minutes and kept it at a walk. Mainly because he was still on edge but listening. So I wanted to make sure I got off before it all went south!

Today it's raining ALL day long. Boo. I did go out to the earlier today and change the ponies into their Medium blankies since it didn't warm up like it was supposed to. Fingers crossed for tomorrow!

Two amazing rides and those damn cows!

Saturday and Sunday I had two amazing rides in the ring. We spent our time really solidifying our straightness and bending. He was super duper. Even with many distractions and being completely alone up there. He was nice and forward. Going on the bit amazingly (even though that wasn't our main goal he did non-the-less 80% of the time). His canter work was to die for going to the left the right somehow has gotten a bit messy. He just doesn't want to stretch out and really zoom on like he does going left. Tracking left I could just ride forever and a day!

Today he started his adequan again. Luckily this year the shots are still not a big deal. It just baffles me 6 1/2 years of extreme needle phobia and now nothing!!!!!! Anywho I was just planning a nice hack today. He hasn't been worked since Sunday due to some unforeseen circumstances. However that was fixed today! I got on and we were walking on a nice long loose rein when all of the sudden he jumps sideways. I straighten him back out and we go through this several times down the little hill at the front of the field. Hmmmmm. Then as we start rounding the turn I see it! Damn cows 5 or 6 of them in the field next door. Since it's such a huge field we rarely see them. And these are red cows not black. Oh no's. Poncho balked. I kicked him on he ran backwards. I kicked him on harder. He ran sideways up the hill. Then as we straightened out and I though we were in the clear BOOM! He did the weirdest run/hop/buck/rear maneuver I've ever ridden in my life! We went through that cycle several different times. I was able to get him semi-calm but never 100% throughout the rest of the ride.

Oh well there's always tomorrow. Since I work 6am - 12pm I'm going to stop out by the barn on my way home and sneak a ride in!

Poncho vs. Bogart and a hack in the field.

Yesterday Poncho and Bogart got to officially meet. They've seen each other from a distance. But I let them get up close and semi-personal yesterday.

 

 

As you know this is Poncho!

And then there's Bogart...

with his evil little grin!

It started off I was stopping by the barn to put on Poncho's medium blanket after work and had Bugman with me. He was barking non-stop (he didn't like being left for the big creatures) while I was attempting to blanket Poncho. So once I finally managed to get Poncho to realize I could blanket him whilst there was that god awful noise I took him out to meet "The Noise". Bogart was a bit concerned with Poncho closing in on the car. But he didn't freak out. He sniffed at Poncho through the crack in the window and didn't seem repulsed. So I rolled the window down a bit more so Poncho could get a good look at him. Naturally Poncho stuck his head in the window with out a second though. Bug was shell shocked and just sat there in awe. Of course once we walked away Bogart barked and Poncho tried to bolt off. Oh well it could have gone worse.

Today was Poncho's hack day! We've gotten up to 30 minutes of work in the hilly field. We even had a nice little canter. Not to shabby for my man. Once we were done he decided he was going to help me clean my tall boots off and proceeded to trot back and forth with me as I got my supplies. Then once he realized there was no yummies involved he promptly left for some grass. Silly man. 

4 rides with 4 different personalities.

One thing with Poncho is he's got about 7 different personalities. And you never know which one is going to show up on a given day.



Wednesday pony was all down to business. He was forward and bendy. By the end of the ride he was pretty much staying on the bit at all gaits except canter. That's still a work in progress. But he was so cool and calm I even hacked him back up the barn once we were done.

Thursday he had off. My knee was killing me so I couldn't make the drive out.

Friday was our "easy" day. Just a simple hack in the field. He was abit more defiant that day. He was most determined that my right rein would not be accepted and that my left leg would not be tolerated. Gooberhead was most determined to no accept either. Eventually we worked through it enough that I was I guess you could say pleased. I was hoping for better, but I can't always get ahead of myself and assume he's putting his A game on every single day. That's not realistic.



Yesterday he was extremely distracted. He could not and would not pay attention for about the first half of the ride. I eventually got him listening somewhat. And then he put on the brakes and tried to run backwards. Boy did I get after him. He got some well placed kicks and finally got down to work. I guess in his mind he was going to be "bad" but ended up going on the bit the best he's ever done in a long time! At the canter we were an epic disaster he was trying to do a 90 degree turn and run into a corner. So out came my GRRRRR face we got it. But it definitely wasn't pretty. Then we had to hack around for a long time. We went down the driveway then around the field for a while. It took oodles of time after that to cool him out though. He's going to need to be clipped soon.



Today was was HIGH AS A KITE. He was ready to run. It took forever to get him to be not be tense but we finally got it. We were out in the field. A few minutes before we called it quits for the day he took off! We ran straight through a tree. Holy Moly that was a bit too close for comfort. Silly dude.

Attempting to get back into the swing of things.

We're getting there. The week was off to a rough start however. I was out by myself on a cold, rainy, windy day so I wasn't setting up for success. The game plan was to smoothly change his abscess boot. What I did not plan for were his attempts to bolt while I was leading him and then his attempts to run over me to get out of the run-in. I'd love to say that I finally got him in the cross ties BUT I didn't so I tied him to a tree. And it didn't get much better from there. He was iffy at best taking the boot off I rinsed it out and was getting ready to re-wrap it when he slammed into me. I fell, he tried to run sideways (over top of me). I got smushed. I have a nice bruise on my left calf, right ankle, and right knee. After that you would have though I might give up. But I managed to successfully get the boot on so I decided I'd give him a treat. Well right once I got into the tack room I hear hoofbeats. That's right Ponykins untied himself and made a run for it. I did go back out and get and make him listen to me some. Then he acted like a puppy for awhile and I left.



Tuesday I would have loved to go out to the barn but I couldn't manage the drive so I didn't go.



Wednesday it was a beautiful day and I was really looking forward to riding. Thankfully Poncho did not disappoint. I took the boot off, and thank goodness it didn't look like he needed another one. Just to err on the side of caution I opted to ride in the ring just incase the Poncho from Monday reared his ugly head. He didn't though. We got some nice trot work and some lateral work. Our canter work was less than desired but I'm not complaining we're incredibly inconsistent on our canter work.



Yesterday I just hacked around in the field. It wasn't too great he decided that my left leg didn't exist.hmmmmmm. We made due and got some things accomplished we cantered once out there it was a nice forward canter. Until the end when we transitioned back down to the trot since I was in two-point out there he decided to try and bronc a little. What a goober.



Today the spurs and whip came back out I guess I'd been a little to lenient with the guy here lately. Back to the ring. He was much, much more on the aids today. We only had one spook - heck yes. Our canter was little better in there but he protested the spurs a little (only at the canter though).

Chaos ensues!!!!!!!

We've gone back to some more consistent ring work. The first day we went back in there, I thought at the time it was  a fluke, he was horrible. Just generally all over the place not wanting to bend, turn, stop, etc.

Wowzers was I shocked after how amazing he's been in the fields. Apparently the freedom went to his head. Goober. Since that ride we've been on a bit of a roller coaster. One day he's manageable the next not so much. The only thing I've found that he can "get to work" with is jumping. No matter how out of control he's being if I point him at a jump he almost instantly comes back to me.

So we've been having bouts of bolting out of the blue. It's only tracking left. Mainly at the canter, although the trot isn't all to pleasant just a prelude as to what will come at the canter. For instance after working hard to get the left lead he then locks on the whatever fence line is straight ahead of us and runs at. And he means it. Today we literally ran into the fence 3 times. I was able to manage on our last left lead attempt to careen him into a turn albeit it was UGLY and just awful but we did not hit the fence.

On to a more positive note is jumping is much improved. He's getting the hang of the gates. Ironically he has a harder time with a plain vertical than a gate. Our cross rails are obviously a piece of cake so we're slowly raising them up. AND his right lead is coming on in leaps and bounds. Today he kept the correct bend for about 80% of the time we were cantering on that lead!!!!!!!! We've still be hacking out just not for the whole ride mostly. Sometimes it's before sometimes it's after just trying to switch things up a bit. Keep him guessing.

Here's to hoping tomorrow we won't hit a fence.

http://youtu.be/DLfTm7xU9eY

Hot as hell(attempt2)

Wordpress happened to eat my last post leaving me without motivation to try again. So here we go...

I suppose now it was a week ago that we had those horrible storms. Due to that Poncho had Friday and Saturday off. On Sunday I wasn't planning on riding but Midnite lost her flymask so I offered to hack Poncho around to see if I could see it. Well the good news is I found it, eventually. However Poncho was H-Y-P-E-R! Before I even got all the way in the saddle he was trotting off. I managed to wrangle him into walking for a few steps at a time. But for the most part we trotted the whole 14 acres attempting to spot the flymask. I had figured at the time even if I didn't see it he would and we'd be flying sideways so i'd know it had been found. After finding he had a moment of some bucking, hopping, and squealing. Silly dude so we went to the ring for some productive energy burning work. And work we did. Lots of circles by the end I was actually really proud of our circles. They were actually CIRCLES! Score. Boy did he have a powerful trot that day. We never even cantered because by the time we got to that point we were both so drenched.

Monday and Tuesday pony had off.



Wednesday he was lacking his usual spunk but put in a respectable session. I figure he was still tired from being shod the previous day. He did not approve of Midnite being gone so long during her turn and proceeded to run and run and run some more around the field. Needless to say he was a tried and sweaty boy. So I didn't push the ride too much. Afterwards to reward him we hacked around the back of the barn for a change of scenery.

Thursday he had off.

Friday I wanted to have a nice hack in the pond field just to clear our minds. Instead we ended up burning off some energy. That morning Poncho got a new buddy, TC, who decided he just loooooves Poncho as in screaming his head off the whole time we are gone love. Poncho was trotting around off and on like the previous Sunday but much more controlled, thank goodness. We finally calmed down some when TC realized where we were. So he came running. Poncho was paying attention. Neither was I. Next thing you know we are facing the opposite direction just hauling ass back towards the run-in in that field. Holly cow it took about 5 strides for me to even process what happened. Luckily he came back fairly quickly and he walked semi-calmly back to the scary place. We ended it shortly after that so as not to push our luck too much.

Saturday we got out to the barn too late. So I just hosed him off.



Today however time was on our side. We started off in the ring just to make sure he was listening and TC's frantic running wouldn't spook him too much today. I put on my spurs to try and help with our cantering I though I may get a clearer aid to him. He was not too focused but complied with what I asked. He had 2 almost bolts one due to TC and one due to the BO's daugther coming onto their balcony and screaming at TC. I managed to get a right lead canter that he didn't fall in as much as usual. I got the left lead on the FIRST try, spurs = success! It was amazing he was wicked fast though. But I love his enthusiasm when he gets it right. Then we trotted a little more, cooled out and then headed out back around the barn to the mare field for a quick hack out there. Soon it will be open again to hack it all the time SCORE. Then he got hosed off and I gave him breakfast.

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.

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.

MAJOR catch-up!

Wow have I gotten behind. But I am not with out my excuses. First my laptop died. Second I got a new job - an oh so glamorous stall mucking job. Third I am also working with my dad to try get more money. So I have been pretty swamped. But still I have managed to get Poncho worked atleast 3 days a week.

Initally Poncho was horrible. Running all over the place and ignoringme completely. Luckily that only lasted for a few rides and then he was slowly working his way back to normal. He's still a bit crazy in the big gelding field but improving.

The secret to working on his canter is circles. So simple yet so easy to forget. He moves out beautifully on a circle. Although on the left lead he still has his issues picking it up but he will eventually pick it up for me now. PROGRESS.

We've also been working on coming on the bit more now - he constantly wants to fight against it no matter what. But he's slowly coming around to the idea a few steps at a time. When he gets it - it is perfect. So hopefully soon he'll decide the fighting is not worth it.

Also we've started to do some jumping to spice things up a bit. Apparently he forgot he could jump though. It took almost a half hour by my guess to get over it the first day. Goodness did that take some patience. Then the next day it didn't take as long but he was getting so strung out he couldn't jump. But I was able to get him to collect somewhat after a few attempts (we actually had to trot the jump) and then we had some success.

And that's the short version of everything. I had a huge list of things I wanted to mention but I'm currently at a loss of what they were.

My horse is a jerk, but I think he's perfect!

On Tuesday he was high as a kite. Run, run, run is all he wanted to do. But once I got him to calm down for a minute I got some b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l trot and canter work out of him. Although we did have to go into the ring after a few minutes because of his uppitiness.

Today he was a totally different horse. I like to tell people Poncho has about 5 different personalities undersaddle. Well today he proved me right. He was stellar for his hillwork walking with a nice big swinging stride. Then we went to trot down the field. He balked big time! Then he finally got moving, sometimes letting him canter first will make things better. So what the heck I thought - lets canter. Canter he did, then all of the sudden we cantering back to the water trough. So we turned around and trotted, maybe this was a mistake I don't know, back down the field and then walked back up. Then I decided to go into the ring to get some "real" work done. Nope that wasn't happening. His trot work wasn't horrible BUT I know he can do so much better. His canter work was nonexisitent. To the right he was majorly falling in to the point I just couldn't do anything he was totally nonresponsive to any aid I was giving. Then the left he didn't want to pick up the lead again, surprise - not. So I brought him back to a trot to try again. BIG mistake. He was speed trotting ramming into everything. I got him steadied and finally got him to pick it up again. I didn't even get a chace to feel if we got the right lead before...BAM he was off. Running through his right shoulder (big surprise again huh?) full speed ahead. It got to the point we were running out of ring and he wasn't stopping or turning. So unfortunately I ended up practically standing up in the stirrups trying to slow him down. After I finally got him to a trot we did a few circles then left the ring. I never really ended on a "good" note but I ended on a calm note. That counts for something I suppose.

I could speculate a million things that could have brought this on ranging from his hatred of a leather girth when his winter coat starts to shed to he misses having a riding buddy to the wind finally got to him. Who knows. Who cares at this point it's over. Tomorrows another day.

I will however add that he did pout by the water trough for over an hour once I turned him back out. I finally went back out there and gave him a good wither scratch, he even groomed me back, to get back on his good side. Silly pony. He's so dramatic sometimes. Following his pattern I susupect he'll be fine tomorrow. Gosh I love him so much, some people will never understand it though.