We Came, We Saw, We Conquered

Saddled Up

For anyone reading this post who has not read the post below, you need to do that first, or at least look at the cute pictures.

I overslept this morning, so the plan to take Chance out early for a hack failed on all counts. I fed the Boys an hour later than normal. They didn't seem too upset, but I was.

I decided to go out to ride later in the afternoon.

I rode Tucker first in the arena. (He's not quite up to fire truck mode.)  He was very forward, which was nice. His trot work was quite good on the longish rein, and stayed good when I put him in a little frame on contact.  But better yet, the first set of canter departs on both reins were prompt off a very light leg aid and there was no hint of resistance.

We took a break walking and then started up again. This time, the left canter was lovely but the right?  Not sure what was going on as he offered to buck on the depart several times. Since I felt I had to correct that, when he finally did take the lead to canter the gait was all up and down with almost no forward.  Giving him the benefit of the doubt, I think he was expecting me to stop him as I'd done when he bucked, but eventually, with some forward riding on my part, we reached good canter on that lead as well.

Could be he had some kind of physical issue going on at the start of that right lead because he'd been fine on it earlier. As the King would say, "Tis a puzzlement."

I finished the ride with a version of a training level dressage test and he earned the required 90+%, so we ended the ride with a carrot treat.

While I was riding Tucker, I heard what sounded like a revving ATV engine out in the woods and I decided not to risk taking chances on Chance out there.

BUT....

It grew very quiet soon after and I changed my mind. I had planned on riding Chance past the scary blind curve today and I hate to go back on a plan.  Besides, the weather was so gorgeous, I didn't want to waste the rest of the day.

Out we went. Chance is one of those rare horses who travels fast on the way from home, so he had a nice big walk and wanted to trot. But my knowing the fire truck was on the horizon, I chose to keep him in the walk instead.

We reached the curve. We rounded it. The fire truck was still there. Chance stopped. He looked, and then with just the slightest nudge from me, he just walked on by, a nice as you please.  I praised him over and over and stroked his neck to let him know he was the bravest horse in the world.

The fire truck is conquered.

The rest of the ride was perfect.

Another good day at Follywoods.