Little Maggie

Well, Muffin is coming along. She was very good last Saturday, and then Sunday, with no martingale on ... lets play throw our head in the air and race around the arena! At least she was going somewhere... So, around and around we went, until she gave up and came round.

Monday, I was trying to give her a light stretchy ride... doesn't work if she's coming in season. By Wednesday, we had full blown evil child. When you can't get your horse past a little drip in the arena, because she'd rather scuttle backwards, or bounce up and spin right, you have a problem! So, onto the longe line with the bungees on. She gave in about 5 minutes and worked well. She's starting to grow up, methinks. There was a time when it would have been 30 minutes of squealing and being a nut. She's only 10....

Anyway, so we rescheduled lesson to Friday, and my sane horse was back. As sane as she gets anyway. Back to the lets race around with our head in the air, probably a good 5 times around the arena before she decided it wasn't getting her anywhere. She was lovely to the right, but that left canter, she just wants to brace against you and why on earth would we work through our body.

Today, it was about twice around the arena before she decided that even without my trainer in the ring, the jig was up. I'm sure she'll come up with something new and exciting for getting out of work, but we're on our way to extinguishing this one.

Tomorrow we ride tests, if I can remain calm, and we know her brain is out of hormonal influence, it should be a good day. First show is at the end of May, looks like we're back at training level, but, once we get her convinced that we can be round and have contact at the canter, and get me convinced that it's not the Olympics and it's not the end of the world if I'm not perfect.... we're off to the races. I carry a bit of tension...

I'm actually going to head back to the psychologist for my anxiety. She's also a sport psychologist, she used to ride, so it will allllll fit in nicely. I'll be ready once little Havoc is broke! Thank goodness for horses that will let you screw up all over the place. And she should really be thankful for owners that stick with you even when you are a boob!

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Comment by Ashley on March 31, 2011 at 4:33pm: Excellent point! :) Patience is a virtue more equestrians (myself included) need to learn to master. Horses live 30 years or more; we've got time ;)

Comment by MagsNMe on March 31, 2011 at 4:13pm: Thanks! We actually did well on our tests on Sunday, there was calm, even though she stuck her head in the air, and some of it was lovely. We're busted down to Training level, but it's a good thing. Too many people are in a big rush and don't do things properly, in addition to blaming their horses when they aren't winning or are misbehaving, etc. I was thumbing through an old Dressage Today, and there was an interesting statement... it's like grass, you don't see anything happening, but by the end of the week, everyone's out with their lawnmowers. It's a slowwwwwwwwww discipline.

Comment by Ashley on March 31, 2011 at 3:57pm: Best of luck with your girl, and your psychologist! I'm glad you are accepting of the problems you both may have, and willing to seek out help/be patient about it. Too many people (in my opinion) would rather throw up a bulwark and claim it's not their fault. Kudos to you :)

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