Steve Holt! and I have but a few days left before leaving. Saturday he reminded me how young he is, and how far he's come...and just how much I'm asking of him. The struggles of a couple weeks ago, his high head and racing speed, had melted away as he finally figured out how to travel in a relaxed mode. But Saturday...well, he just wasn't there with me, I got pushy, and he responded with sideways hand gallops, bolting across the arena in an effort to avoid me. One reign stops were the only way to bring him down and around. I made sure we got in one good circle without an attempt at bolting to the end of the arena, stopped and stepped out of the saddle. No point in beating a dead horse, right? He had nothing to give me, and I hadn't helped, so we called it a day.
Sunday he and I both had collected our thoughts and headed off to the arena in a new frame of mind where he went from his worst from the day before to giving his best. His jog was slow, his head was low and his nose wasn't sticking out a foot ahead of his ears. He was relaxed and didn't need much direction from me to get there. We jogged circles around cones and then went out to the rail where it is his habit to forget slow, but not this time. This time he continued to stay relaxed and showed me just a hint of a western pleasure horse.
There were other horses in the arena with us, so no obstacles out to practice on. I went back up in the evening and set up some poles. I swear this colt just has no concept of where his feet and legs are. I led him forward and was going to have him walk in between two poles and back out. They were set close together, so I walked along the outside. Then I heard clunk clunk behind me and turned to see Steve Holt! straddling the pole; left feet on the left side, right feet on the right side. Goof ball. When I climbed on him a little later I used the mounting block. Once on I asked him to step away, and he managed to turn just enough to get the block under his belly and tripped with his hind legs as he stumbled over it. He has literally run into it while I've led him up to it as well. No clue what he's thinking. Sometimes I really wonder about him.
Our goal in the next few days is to get back to the ground work, lightening him up in his turns, backs and sidepassing for his in hand course on Friday.
And speaking of Friday, I'll be in the Northwest Horse Source booth at 9:00 am that day. Come look for me! First 3 people who can answer the trivia question will receive a free gift!
Sunday he and I both had collected our thoughts and headed off to the arena in a new frame of mind where he went from his worst from the day before to giving his best. His jog was slow, his head was low and his nose wasn't sticking out a foot ahead of his ears. He was relaxed and didn't need much direction from me to get there. We jogged circles around cones and then went out to the rail where it is his habit to forget slow, but not this time. This time he continued to stay relaxed and showed me just a hint of a western pleasure horse.
There were other horses in the arena with us, so no obstacles out to practice on. I went back up in the evening and set up some poles. I swear this colt just has no concept of where his feet and legs are. I led him forward and was going to have him walk in between two poles and back out. They were set close together, so I walked along the outside. Then I heard clunk clunk behind me and turned to see Steve Holt! straddling the pole; left feet on the left side, right feet on the right side. Goof ball. When I climbed on him a little later I used the mounting block. Once on I asked him to step away, and he managed to turn just enough to get the block under his belly and tripped with his hind legs as he stumbled over it. He has literally run into it while I've led him up to it as well. No clue what he's thinking. Sometimes I really wonder about him.
Our goal in the next few days is to get back to the ground work, lightening him up in his turns, backs and sidepassing for his in hand course on Friday.
And speaking of Friday, I'll be in the Northwest Horse Source booth at 9:00 am that day. Come look for me! First 3 people who can answer the trivia question will receive a free gift!
9 comments:
He's done so much in a small amount of time, I guess he's entitled to a bad day. He certainly has been "made over"!!
Sounds like you are on the same track as Kevin and Princess. She is starting to come around again. I guess they go through the "I don't know what your talking about" stage.
Lisa
Can't wait to see you guys down there! He just had to get all the "I don't get it's" out :)
The youngsters always seem to have a bad day thrown in; nothing to worry about- more of a worry if they don't have one; at least you know that he gets it when he gives in. I have faith that you both will do well in the competition, wish I could come watch!
It really is impressive how much you two have accomplished!!!
Wish I could be there. My thoughts will be at the very least!
See you in Albany. I will be staying with Debby and her friends. It worked the best.I know you will do well.
Ohhh how much I would love to come and see Steve Holt! in action! Hehe, goofiness and all!!!
T:
GREAT LUCK to you and Steve Holt!....Can't wait to hear how you all do...Travel safe....
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