Thanks Cargo..

for not letting myself kill me.

Cargo has been back in work for 18 days now, after chiro visit and his diagnosis in his right front hoof (Calcifications on a suspensory). Today, I was unsupervised, and decided to try riding him in a modified nylon halter.
So far, so good. He is a good boy and we have a covered, enclosed riding arena. Only, I rode right out of it after a few rounds, and out on a well-known trail. He did test the new gadget quite a few times, trying to spin around and avoid going forward. His evasion techniques almost always included getting to somewhere softer, so wondering if I should put pads in his shoes or use boots? Hmm.
Anyways, we got going, past my SIL's house, past a lot of fields, past an old closed-down farm, and are almost at the forest, further away than we had ever been, when he balked. There was no getting forward anymore, so after a few rounds around and around I settled and standing still and looking in the scary direction, and turning around. That introduced a new, yet similar problem.. Cargo wouldnt go past the old farm. Had I worn a whip and used a bit he might have , but he was a lot less sharp without the bit, so I couldnt get him forward to matter what. I hopped off when he started to get light in the front end. He does not rear, but he gets light in the front end and hops up and down.
Led him past, tried to make friends with the scary house, but he is still not really comfortable with it. I had hestitated a long time to jump down because I've never tried to mount from the ground. Remember, Cargo is 17.3 hands! So I led him a little past, and placed him so he was an inch or two lower than me. Put my foot in the stirrup, and actually got up without much dangling etc! I was deeply amazed. I am afraid though that I hurt him, because he took off at a canter down a hill into a wheat field when I had barely mounted. I flung back the hand that held the reins and yelled "STOOOOP" and he stood like he'd hit a wall. He listened much more on the way home, even walked through the water puddles. He obviously liked not having a bit in his mouth.

But puh - if he had had a bit all that sh*t might not have happened. I could have gotten us both killed as he was on his way down into a moor/lake, a bottomless one. With a little luck we'd have been preserved perfectly for the nect thousand years.. oh my. I am so glad he stopped when I asked him, and that he puts up with me.

I got to name a horse!

Yes I did :)

On the FiSH (Former the Fugly Board) Dutchy posted about her BO's breeding - nice mares, nice stallions, and so much bad luck this year. The first not stillborn foal was born by that time, but very premature. She had seizures, was weak, wouldnt stand etc.
She asked for names, it had to be something special, start with E, and preferrably end with -linde since this filly was out of the BO's mare line she had had for 3 generations, all ending with -linde.

Among other names I proposed Engelinde, which means "Female Angel" in danish. This name was chosen for the little filly, who continued to get better and stronger. Until April 21 where she died, quickly and unexpectedly, from an infection that would not have mattered if she were not so premature :( I would have loved for her to grow up and maybe google her name from time to time, but it was not to be. Rest in Peace, little Engelinde.

/Lene

Cargo has moved

Cargo is living with my SIL and brother now. Not something I chose willingly, but it is OK with me, my SIL is a competent rider who can fix the mistakes I have made, and teach me better. I must face the fact that I chose the wrong teachers, sadly.
He now is on a new feeding plan that hopefully will make him look better soon, if not, I will look into ulcers etc. His new saddle fits well, his stall is very roomy, he has hay and straw out the wazoo, is standing on wood pellets, has several licking stones and the attention of a whole family.

Good Boy

Yes, that is what he is. My steady Eddy.
No, he is not 100% stable and will do anything in the first try, but eventually, he will.
I wrote before that he was etremely scared of poles, jumps and anything resembling that. I am a complete and utter novice to anything concerning jumps and the training involved in that, so I lunged him in walk over poles until he stopped bolting to a canter and jumping over them, and just walking over them. I watched people jump, watched the jumping lessons, and read about jumping. I discovered that it is not desirable to have a horse that will jump anything, and run faster when they see the jump - it might be a sign that the horse is actually scared and just wants to get over with it! I could understand that, in the light of Cargo plowing through me to get into his box stall, almost cantering, because he was so scared of going through the door.
I especially observed a big chestnut gelding whose rider is a bit of a chicken, but has taken up jumping because "The horse likes it". He does the "Overjumping over a simple ground pole" thing, will run dead on to a jump and overjump it, and will refuse any combination if the rider is not vigilant. He runs the show, not the rider. I learnt that he probably associated the poles with something negative, and tried to get over them, or away from them, if he felt he could not get over them. I dont think he has touched one yet, which some interpret as talent when he hauls ass over them.
How does this relate to Cargo?
Well, for once, I have realised I have to "hurry slowly". I can not work with him for a week and expect him to be a Steady Eddy 2"+ mount, even though he certainly has the bloodlines, and also to some extent, the build for it. I discovered that for a happy and relaxed mount around poles and possibly small jumps, he will need to accept and relearn some things from the ground on. For example that nothing will be jumped unless I cue him to jump!! There are no short-cuts in this massive project that should at least end out with a horse that does not spook at jumps, does trot-poles, and will take a small obstacle on the trail, and might end out with a good low-level jumper if ridden by a conscentious person who knows his issues.
I have started out, first by longing him as described earlier, but have had better results outside of the arena where we have a jumping course with cavalettis. I lowered them to be around 8-9" tall(low), and walked between them. Again and again. Then over them. I waited for him, patiently.. Then not so patiently.. Stood by his head, then by his shoulder, and by the 10th time we went over them he did not touch one pole, I stood by his shoulder, he only hestitated a tiny bit. I was so proud I could have busted! Instead we went out in the forest and I found two poles set up like an X-rail. We walked over it! I am pretty sure he would have jumped it in the first time I owned him. We walked over it twice, worked a little on other ground manners, and then I put him away, with a lot of praise. I do use a lot of praise, and it seems to work on him too. He got more and more confident with the cavalettis.

Also, with a big pot of luck I might have my saddle friday yes yes! I feel confident to walk over some poles and even cavalettis now while riding him.
I wow to never ever push him beyond what I think he can do, and if I fear he might do something I dont want him to - like breaking into a canter over a pole and jumping it - I will do something else instead and wait with that exercise.


Cargo might also go to the Danish National Riding Association's (DRF) Headquarter - squeal! My SIL will attend a row of 4 seminars up there, and for three of them they need to bring a horse. She does have a horse, but monday morning the horse started foundering in the fronts, laminitis.. :'( The acute stage is not yet over, and when it is she will have to be stalled for 6 weeks and then lightly walked - best case scenario. I have no desire to think about worst case scenario.
I promptly offered my SIL Cargo for at least the upcoming seminar, in the middle of May, where Kathleen will only be cleared for light walking. My SIL was happy for the offer, and I think it will benefit my boy, so I look forward to it. Even though I am very sad that her horse is sick (again). It seems as if every time she is ready and better than ever before, she goes down with something. One colic scare, three "colds", and the long long time where she recovered from girth sores and mental scars from being a lesson pony, pulled from a broodmare band as a 13yo and green broke, thrown into a lesson barn. SIL has done such a good job with her, it would be unusually cruel and heartbreaking if Kathleen wont pull through. Already when she told me Kathleen was foundering I knew how she had felt when I asked her if she would be with me when Basse was put down - the fear of seeing the pain that could so well be my own in just a little time, just a little mishap, and everything could be over.

Some people can not do it.They can not see their animals being dead, they can not be there when they are put to sleep, or even arrange it. It requires a certain strength, I think. I was brought up with that no animal is left alone or thrown away, and that you take care of them to the bitter end. I even brought a hamster to the vet to be euthed because it broke my heart to see him, so ancient at 3½ years, my little companion, suffering because I couldnt be bothered.. No. I have heard many stories about horses being euthed too, people who said goodbye and left the horse with a friend, with the vet and vet tech, people who hid until the animal was dead, people who said goodbye the day before and didnt come out before the carcass was removed, vets holding the animal through the whole procedure and so on. Initially, I was scared too. I have never made a harder call than the one to the vet, my hands shook, my voice quivered, tears began to run, and as soon as we were finished I cried. I had made an appointment 2 weeks in the future so my SIL could be there too, she had promised me to be there. I told her the vet wanted to come out at 8 am and she said something about it being early - I didnt mention it to her again. I did not want to send my best friend over the rainbow and seek solace from a person who'd rather be everywhere else. When the day came, it was a curious day. I got up early early, and was there at 6 am. It is among one of those things I will never regret doing, if if were shown me that that action caused storm and war and mass destruction. I held her when she went down, but that was not the hardest part. Until then she "was leaving" and I was the person who would be "left behind". It was not entirely my doing, I was still a little innocent, could still be weak and hurting. But then - she didnt die. 20 minutes. 20 minutes and 3 syringes of the purple stuff.

I begged my best friend to die.

"Please die" I told her. All innocense, all weakness left me, I could not allow myself to feel pain - I had to be there for her, I had promised her to be there forever, I grew up in a flash, she taught me another lesson. She died in my arms, the only person in this world who cared enough to end her suffering and not make another quick buck on her. We were left alone, and I learned another lesson - not the broken heart, but the heart with a missing piece that can never be pieced back together or grow a replacement piece. She was somehow filled with green grass, I dont know why, but I picked them all off of her, gave her my last promises, hugged her and I cried, I yelled, screamed, shouted, while I cried. Her best horsie friend said goodbye to her - it made me cry again, Regina had shouted for her but when I put her back into the field she never "said another word". I chopped Basses tail off because I knew I could never re-do any of my actions. Do it right the first time - or live with the regrets. I sighed. Heaved a heavy breath. Turned on my camera and walked down the little dirt road to the place where she lay, taking pictures along the way. The camera died after two pictures of her, which probably was a good thing.


See the gap between the trees?


I cuddled her one last time, saying goodbye, that I loved her, that I was sorry for all the things I did wrong, and that I would always carry her in my heart. Then a miracle of strength and love occurred!! I turned around, knowing I would never see her again, but there she was! In the sun, the sky, the birds sang her name, she gallopped in my heart in in the clouds. I've never lost her since, strange as it might sound. She has given me strenght many times, she gave me the strenght to hold a little lesson pony on her way over the rainbow bridge, when nobody else, not even the BO cared, strength to say yes and no, to follow my heart (and head), and almost every single piece of equipment I had that was hers has made a difference in some horses or kids life. Her blanket keeps an old broodie misused for lesson horse warm in the winter, her halter replaced a chafing and worn-out halter on another lesson horse, her polos, her bridle, her fleece blanket - they have all made a difference. Just as she made a difference in my life and taught an autistic person how to love unconditionally, I want to make a difference to others, to horses, to humans. The stretched-out hand that offers instead of takes, the kind eyes that do not condemn, the ever-forgiving soul of an 80 year old grandmother from who has been taken, and to whom has been given, and who knows that everything goes around.

Ah Basse, I miss you, my tears wrote a poem of love for you on my cheeks. I didnt know an animal could mean so much. Thankyou for coming to me in the fall of your life, and teaching me a little more of being a human.

Cargo

Ups and downs

Yesterday I called Cargos breeder :) He told me a lot of things about Cargo, everything about what a great dressage horse he was etc.
Today Cargos old owner, Andrea was here, and told me some things that definitely did not fit with the breeders description!

Vaulting: Breeder said he was used for vaulting competetively for quite some time. Andrea told me he had been tried out once with the vaulting group, but his back was too short because of his giant withers (Which, btw, was where they first met him).

Jumping: Breeder said he knew free jumping and had never had bad experiences with jumps. Andrea told me she had met somebody who had had him in training for jumps because he "refused all the time" - turns out he had been utterly destroyed at a former trainer.

Dressage: "He is a dressage horse!! Knows everything!! Needs a really good rider and can do anything!!". He is not, I didnt need Andrea to tell me that. He will do it, but not exactly willingly and eager to please.

Trails: "He has never been on a trail" the breeder said, Andrea also told me how they had re-trained him. He goes really nice on the trails, except that he will stumble a bit because he is curious and looks everywhere except for in front of him.

Bah. Ah well, Pony will have a good life with me!

Champion

"You are a great champion. When you ran, the ground shook; the sky opened and mere mortals parted the way to victory, where I met you in the winners circle and laid a blanket of flowers upon your neck."

I miss you Basse. Today I would have owned you for a year. You will always be the champion of my heart!! I cry for you.

I am a doofus.

Yes, that is just what I am. A complete and utter doofus.



See, I have this gorgeous horse, and most of what I do is NOT RIDING HIM. Argh! I worry sooo much, and do all kinds of strange stuff. Just look at this, I bought him a halter in the colours of his breed association. As if he gives a flying fuck?



Posing at a lake. I should have ridden him there - pah. The photographer, who owned a horse herself when she was younger (14.3 hh I think) asked me if I would jump up on him for the photoshooting. Aaaaah.. No, I dont think so.




But hey, at least.. I can show him off.

(Yes, I did ride him today again, and yes, it was horrible and I rode like a sack of shit, and no, I did not canter, even though I want to like nobodys business!)

With a bit of luck I will start out with lessons with two other persons in March, they are OK, the woman more so than the man, and I am hoping they can teach me the basics that I so desperately need - and want! The other trainer did not pay enough attention to the basics, IMO.

I remember

I remember then chickens! The birds in the cage! The nice little room where I slept! The plastic flowers! The outhouse! The little toilet by the barn that was still in use - with the tub you'd pee in.. I remember the little boat with water and flowers in it! The rabbits! The green yard with little trees, and the pear tree! The old kitchen with handmade counters! The giant bed in the master bedroom! The 50 year old Telephone! I remember the goat! The car without seatbelts! The neighbours horse! Vividly remembering the television, the mucky smelling carpet, the little dogs that bit, the little house on the lawn where I learned to play poker, the stoneset hedge in front of the house, the warm embraces when I came, the little rake and shovel to use with the flowers on the windowpane in the "Nice Living Room", the age-old "His Masters Voice"...

When I was 5, coming on 6, my mother had a big operation 800 km away from where we lived, staying there for two months and immediately after going away for 6 weeks for recreation. Meanwhile my father was almost always down there with her, my mothers parents were down there the whole time, and my 3 yo brother was either with them or my fathers parents the whole time. My older brother (7) and I were at school, 1st and 2nd grade respectively, and were either tended to by my father or this woman, Anita. Warm, motherly and becoming. She was supposed to stay at our house, but often "happened" to take us home with her. I loved it there. She was most always alone, all kids grown up, husband working as a trucker. When my mother was home again I would often visit Anita, and until I was 12 I felt as if her home was my second home. Then I kinda grew up, and it was not as inviting there anymore. I guess I got too old to be cute, or something. Today I got a call that the husband has died, and Anita is moving out. The place is by far not the same anymore, I have not been there for years. Some of the things, like the goat, have been gone for nearly 20 years. But I still remember..
Sigh..

Sorry for the OT.

On Topic: I had a girl sit on Cargo today without saddle, while teaching him to stand by the mounting block. Hes good, but still wont stand still when I place him beside the block in the corner. I may have to figure something different out.

How easy is it to make me happy?

Very easy, apparently.



Just look at my pretty boy. So relaxed, so calm and at ease. It has come recently, with ground work and a lot of carrots. I had the hardest time to get him to go away from me :) This is a really good picture IMO, the sky is so incredibly blue and clear and the stomach feeling I get from looking at it makes me all fuzzy.



I also got this shot. A quiet, contemplating horse. Interested in what I am doing, alert, but still resting.

Today I borrowed a saddle because I need a new one. It was very interesting how I rode much better in it. I concentrated much better, and when trotting I could post much better, and sitting was much easier. I did not once encounter the "Foot through stirrup" problem once, which has been my constant enemy for a long time. No bracing against the cantle. I sat the trot, relaxed, draping my leg. It was amazing. I got approving looks, which made me incredibly happy. Kimber rode Cargo at the canter, and he looked so very very good. She did a really good job at it. I wanted to do it myself, but we were 6 people in the arena, two of them newbies, three of them doing dressage work, and I just could not see myself trying to navigate my "little" boy around all of them. It was hard enough at the trot. When he was finished he was quite tired, so he got a little sun while drying off, and a warm blanket while I ate cake *yumm*. After one hour he was already dry again, munching his hay. Umpf, the BO wants to limit how much I give him because he is very much afraid of colics. I am, too. An empty stomach that produces gallons of acid while the horse has nothing to munch on except for straw that can block his intestines.. Not my horse. I know plenty of people who give this type of hay ad libitum, or 30-40 pounds a day. Cargo "only" gets 20 pounds, thereabout, and he is a big horse after all. The BO hands out 2-4 pounds, he told me himself. I dont like that. All my googling and asking knowledgeable people has shown that I am not doing anything wrong. Sure, if it is very wet I will not give him as much, but right now it is nice and he can get as much as he wants.

Another adventure

We are embarking upon the adventure called "Custom Saddle" and "Riding without saddle for months until it arrives". I look forward to it. It was only possible because I killed my savings book that I have been putting money into since I was not yet born.. lol. I am very happy.

I tried to get up on him without a saddle, but I have decided to buy/try a Sheepskin Saddle/Pad. It has a cantle, room for the withers, kneep rolls and everything. But it does not have a tree. Secretly hoping I can buy one used, if it works out what I have in mind, I might have it by the weekend!

That amazing Being

Oh wow, Cargo-Argo was good today. He was very forward, which was good. He has had a lot of time off since last wednesday - I lunged him Thursday, rode him Friday, then he had Saturday off, we rode the trails for an hour Sunday, Monday I wanted to ride but had forgotten there was a meeting I had to go to, and yesterday he met the vet for his yearly shots. His teeth were floated too. So he should be good to go for another year!
He was very forward, and more giving than usual, more supple. I actually had to practice my half-halts, and we did many transitions because he was constantly running away from under me! Now, what a change in the horse. We did circles, the big ones were OK but with the small ones he was not so sure - so we did a lot of them. Shoulder-in, shoulder-out, leg yielding, you name it. He was on the bit more than he was not, so success! When we were almost finished I asked him to pick up a canter, and he instantly reacted and jumped forward into a big bold canter. Weeehee. I get more and more familiar with that gait, and soon I am sure we will be able to do good transitions from the canter too, just as I am now able to, sometimes, keep him on the bit in my transitions walk/trot/halt. Right now, when I try to transition to the trot from canter, he gets heavy in front and "falls over". My fault! But oh my God, he is such a good horse. I am sorry to leave him when I have to go home, want to kiss and pet him just one more time!

Rest for the weary.

Cargo was only longed Thursday, worked medium Friday, and got today off, too.
I did try to canter friday, but we only got a few steps in. I think I was too tired afterwards to do something really. It is a shame that I am so out of shape, I wish I could ride more! At least I have tomorrow to look forward to, there may be a trail ride :) Always being in the indoor arena is really getting to me.

I had Lis over this evening, and she showed me some of the horses she had ridden in the US when working with a lady called "Shawna", talked about the lady, and showed me pictures of her mare that she has borrowed a friend, because Lis dislikes mares just like me, and prefers geldings. I showed her pictures of Basse, sniffed a bit, showed her the video of me testriding Cargo and we both had a laugh about how much better he and I look now. Then I showed her pictures of when I had the professional photographer out who took pictures of Basse and I in August.



She was quite excited, and we agreed to get together and get him out sometime in the spring to take pictures of us. We were pretty positive that others would want to join us, too, so we could get a good deal. Seems the price had gone up some since, but a quarter, but meh. If I want something, I should be ready to pay what it costs, and I really got it for a steal last time!

Onward

With Basse, it took 4 months to get to the canter. With Regina, her owner chased her with a whip the second time I rode her. With Cargo, I did try cantering after 2 months and 10 days. Today, 3 months and 1 day after I got him, WE DID IT! I took my own sweet time, we have trotted so much, walked, and I get better every day, I dont believe we have started cantering one day too soon. Last time I tried on him, I think I made the mistake of starting at the end of a long side in the arena, meaning he could not go forward and "find our balance", plus I leaned forward, let go of everything and so on.

But, to be honest, I think his canter is the easiest thing I have ever sat on. He canters incredibly smooth. So now I can learn how to canter, too! I have set a goal for us to ride a beginners dressage test around May 1. I will need to walk, trot and canter relaxed 20 m circles and trot a ½ 10-m circle. All but the cantering circle is easy-peasy, so I am looking forward to the test :)
We also did some acceptable sidepasses, but man is it hard to control my body with those long legs dangling and the hands and my shoulders and the horse is losing his butt..

(I made my teacher laugh out loudly when he told me the horse was "Losing his Butt", and I asked him how I was supposed to remedy that, after all I could not pick it up and put it in my pocket!)

Distorted

I like this picture. He was looking at something outside the barn, and I was just looking at him while talking to my little brother, telling about Cargo, horses, and different stuff.

So, I put it here, just because I like to gaze at him.

"When the Student is Ready..

the Teacher will appear".

This post is devoted to Basse.



I dont know where Basse came from, or rahter, theoretically I could find out, but I do not want to. I am afraid of finding the trail end at a slaughter house or something worse.
I was riding at the local lesson barn, and there was another woman in my group. I found her to be kind of strange, which she has only confirmed in her actings lateron. She bought an adorable gray pony mare. When they tried to ride her, she was lame. Always lame when ridden. Nothing wrong with her physically, I believe the term is "String Halt" in english.
So she wanted another horse, found Basse on the net for cheap, and exchanged the gray pony for Basse. I never saw her riding Basse though, and other people have confirmed it. Things change, and I did not go to the lesson barn for two months, and when I returned some things had changed and I was in for a part-lease. The horse I wanted to part-lease was already leased out against an earlier agreement, so I was offered Basse who in the meantime had transferred from being the womans horse to being a lesson horse. I was the only one who rode her. Three days a week, for over half a year, cantering, trusting her, outside on the trails and in the arena. We also had a bad fall, and I think it triggered her arthritis to get really bad.

Look at that face - the most beautifull expression ever.



I worried about her, I groomed her, I fed her, blanketed her with a blanket I bought for the money that was supposed to buy me a new coat (I froze a lot last winter), and in February I was told she was almost sold and that I should seperate my tack from the tack that the barn owned. Well. I paid too much for her, but I loved her, simply put. I was, and am, so inexperienced, but I knew that if I let her slip away I would never ever forgive myself.

She was the teacher, and I was the student. I learned love, and forgiveness, and how far you can stretch yourself if you truly love somebody.

She fattened up, I moved her to pasture board, she lightened up, loved her buddy Regina (It was mutual), and we spent a summer in Paradise, Basse and I. We did not ride much, because of the snake in the paradise. Her front legs. She would stumble, and I had the vet out who told me she was navicular and arthritic in her front legs. We tried with pads, very very expensive, feeding supplements etc. I found out she was not 15, but at least 21-22, if not older.
I did not ride her much anymore, I would walk her bareback all over in the little town, clicker train her, lunge her, but try to spare her front legs as much as I could. Come September I got out to find her very sore in her front legs, lame in the field. That was it, my horse was not supposed to hurt, and I knew what he responsible action was. I called my SIL and asked her if she would kindly be with me, before I called the vet, and she agreed. We made out a date, and I called the vet, crying. It was so incredibly hard. It didnt work out, I had made the appointment too early in the day, and I did not feel like pressing the issue.



Sept. 15, I came out at 6 am and fussed around the horses. The pasture owner came out, we agreed on the spot I had picked, and at 8 the vet came out. Basse was not intent on leaving yet, and taught me the last lesson, that even though your heart is breaking and life comes tumbling down, love is still stronger than death and fear. We waited for 25 minutes until she left us, and at the end, I was asking her to leave me.



She kind of never did. I cried by her side for long, picked up her "Twin" - Regina, 100% Dependent on Basse, let her sniff and say goodbye, went back and said my own, final goodbyes - when I turned around she was there. Just everywhere. She galopped in the sky, grazed the fine grass at the rainbow bridge, nickered in a place inside my heart. She is still here with me.



When I close my eyes for the last time, I hope to look into these eyes one more time, and express my gratitude to her one more time.

/Lene

Yes, he is perfect

Oh my, what *cant* we do?

We did an extended trot today :) Only in the beginning stages, but it was such a huge thing that he was *fast* and not sloooow. When I bought him I was told I needed spurs when doing dressage. Thats roughly 3 months ago. Time just flies by..

Turns out it was not that bad that he arrived here thin. I gave him time to fatten up, get better, we walked a lot, bonded, and he learned how to go forward without a spur in his side. By now I have to do halfhalts when he is warmed up well and goes forward! I am a so much better rider now, and I hope he is happy with me as well. I am concerned because he has taken to bite when tacking him up, and will weave a bit when I come to take him out - not much, just the head thing, but it worries me nonetheless. At least I have taken the blanket off of him now and will not have to stress him with it anymore. It only goes on for turnout on wet days.

I was so happy today that I gushed about him to my trainer/teacher and marveled at how much horse I had gotten for such a little price - he pondered and bid 800 USD more than I had given, for him! NOPE!! We had a laugh about it, and he told me he'd never expected us to progress as fast as we had. Cargo is a Saint.

He stands still with much less headtossing than before, he is much more forward, those are the two main things that have improved that were not caused by my inabillity to ride a horse.

Hit on the head

Oh yes! Still gritting my teeth. Came out today to the barn and promptly laid flat with my bike on the icy surface in the driveway. OUCH. Hit with my head first, and boy can I feel it. I think I went out for a second, and I found my hat and my glasses (unhurt, thank God) several feet away from me. Brought the horses to pasture, very cranky! Everywhere it was slippery, and I am happy every day Cargo comes in, unhurt.

I was not too sure I would make it to my riding lesson tonight, because I have been moved to 8 pm, and with my head and leg and shoulder hurting, well. But I thought I should, so I showed up. Good thing I did, wow did I ever learn something, and got some stuff to think about and try and practice. I did not get to trot enough (IMO) before the lesson started, but it ended up OK since we started with trotting circles. Then, trot/walk and walk/trot, sidewards movements, a little canter, sitting right - he was quite taken with us today, and I did sense Cargo moving better than usual which was affirmed by the onlookers. He was easier to ride, and, get this: My sweaty boy was not even a little wet today. I am sure it is because it was so damned cold, but huh? We must not haven ridden enough for him to sweat today, but he worked himself up good towards he end and started cantering without the cue - too smart for his own good :) I like it when he is a little "on" though, as long as it is no more than I can handle, and it certainly isnt.

Its cold outside.

Oh daaaamn it is COLD!
I put the heavy blanket on Cargo, 200 g. He has a heavier one, but he is only wearing a rain sheet normally, so I did not think it was neccesary, especially because I stopped giving him the 200g on after finding him drenched in sweat under it one day.

I was almost an icicle after being in the barn for a few hours, feeling very bad, so we only walked for like 15 minutes. I know, lame, but whatever. He was very good today, for what little we did, so it was not wasted.

Guess I'll see what I do tomorrow before I let them out, if I change his blanket or not. He is so hot naturally, and I just dont think I want to clip him entirely :-/

Cant Canter

Yesterday, it seemed as if everybody wanted to ride at the same time. Understandably so, before dinner and after the horses pasture time was over, a gap of 2-3 hours. When I rode there were 5 horses in the arena, one of which is a young (5) gelding who, in his owners words, only has one braincell ;-) (I agree). He was really good when he was finally warmed up, and at one point he really started trotting well, going forward, lifting his legs. Maybe because I at that point rode better than usual?
We tried cantering, but there was so much pressure because I had to ask everybody, especially Pluto (The young one) to go to the other side of the arena because I had no clue if Cargo would weer off, if I would fall or some such. It is hard to canter! In the first two tries I leaned crazily forward, which of course stopped him in his tracks immediately. The next two tries I leaned back, and actually got one or two strides on the right lead, but I was holding on too tightly on the reins. Ah well, today Lis will help me, I am sure. Hopefully the arena wont be as full as yesterday, too. We originally had planned to go hacking, but I doubt she will want to go out in this pea-soup weather, well I can always hope!

If everything goes like planned I will test-clip Cargo today too, to see how bad he reacts to the clipper (Seller used to sedate him), and what I need to do to keep him comfortable, or if he maybe can get used to the clipper if I work with him.

Thanks, 2008.

Yesterday I watched 2008 pass and 2009 come up. I thought about what 2008 had brought and what happened, and I was quite pleased and thankfull for this year.

I got to buy the soul (Basse) I cared about and loved dearly, and even though I had to send her on after 7 short months I am happy I had the oppotunity to care for her and make the tail end of her life good. I did well in school, had a good time with my boyfriend, my niece was born, I bought Cargo, and not a single really bad thing happened in my family.

Since dec. 8 my riding has been developing so rapidly that you wouldnt believe it, and yesterday I overcame a fear that has been ruling my riding since Mogsy, a school horse, ran with me fall '06 and threw me at a full gallop, and that was not helped by falling with Basse March '07.
Cargo and I Cantered. The Perfect Horse Cantered underneath me and I just sat like in a chair. I wrote the previous owner a long letter of thanks for selling me this horse, and for me it ended the old year 2008 with a very very positive shine.