Big Bird

Does Tuck Have Wings?

Al least he thinks he does. I put him out on the lawn to graze since the grass needs mowing and he was not likely to run around with the other horses in the paddocks instead of out with him.

He found the bird feeder with corn and seed in it. As you can see, he had a grand time playing Tuckbird at the feeder. What can I say? When you're cute, you're cute!!

Tucker is still lame but as you can see, quite willing to put weight on his right front--still wrapped in vetrap and duct tape here. That is far better than he was on Friday, but definitely not sound. I still did not see any sign of an abscess blowing out anywhere. I hope sooner than later.



I have a lesson upcoming with Gabriel on Saturday, so I am schooling Chance as replacement horse #1. Stacie will be riding Toby, so I need another option. It's actually OK as Gabriel really does want to see Chance. But disappointing as we did have plans for Gabriel to ride Tucker to start working on the flying change.



I also have a clinic with Patrice the week after, so Chance may have to step in there too. The "man" is going to get right into the swing of things. He was much better today, though still erratic with his head. I really need to keep my elbows close to my side when I ride him to give my arm a more "fixed" though not stiff or resistant contact. Once I did, it started to make a difference as to how he was carrying himself.



As yesterday, the trot and left lead canter were better than the right lead canter, but the right was not as rushy as it was either. I could work the rein a little on the left lead but on the right he was too unbalanced to really insist on much. Still, whenever he did raise his head, he would stiffen a little and be more likely to break gait back to the trot. As long as I could keep him a little supple on the right, the canter stayed. I've only ridden one or two horses like that before, so I know the feeling and once I develop a technique to keep him a little bent and a little "on the bit" the lead will come really quickly.



I do like the feel of his canter under saddle. It has a bit of a bounce and I think, with work and strength, it is going to be really nice. His trot is actually quite good as well and with work is going to develop nicely as well. He really is a good little horse--only little in comparison to Tuck who is at least 5 inches taller.



I rode Toby in the arena as well, just going through the basic exercises Gabriel had us do in the last lesson. Ten meter circles at the trot, shoulder in, half pass, canter ten meter circles, half pass, counter canter, and some really nice flying changes on the center line. He was so easy to ride it was just delightful. I didn't close him up into a really tight upper level frame and still every exercise was as easy as could be. Amazing what 16+ years of training can accomplish.


So, as much as I miss riding Tucker, I still have two great horses to occupy me on a Sunday afternoon.



Lucky me.