Tootsies

Gareth came today to trim the boys and it was good news all round! Cacahuète and Chapiro have always been fine but Moo has proved more tricky, he has taken a while to thicken his soles. Well it would seem that the hacking and consistent work are paying off because Gareth was very pleased with his progress. I'm such a numpty that I didn't take before pics so you'll have to take my word for it but they have changed lots. Today Patrick had a quick lesson on a maintenance file so that we can keep Moo even better between trims.
After lunch I rode Moo and Chapsi, both went well but Moo just feels so much stronger and able to carry himself in the trot work (of which we did a good 20 mins). After schooling I took Moo down the track to have a canter up the field and again he felt strong over his back and was not leaning on the rein, about the best canter I've had from him in a long time.

Well today we had feet trimmed and sunshine YAY. I wasn't actually expecting Gareth to turn up because he was sick this morning, he was very quiet but I was very grateful that he'd been (11 weeks since last time) and very pleased that he thinks Moo's feet are really getting there now. He was 100% on the sharp stones after the trim which is a first.

After trims we worked on the in-hand, concentrating on bend and massaging the tight bits of the neck whilst in motion. Something that I'd been forgetting to do in-hand (but that I'd noticed on the recent vids) was to look up  ; whilst it's important to see what's going on with him it is very important to have the forward (or sideways) focus to draw you.

Added in some small circles after bending  (making sure to straighten the neck for the circle) and some then shoulder/hind yielding into a halt and rein back  I love this little exercise because they really 'sit' into the rein back. Ended up working from larger to smaller circles and asking him to move out through the shoulder first on his sticky left rein. Lots of transitions direct and progressive and some great stretching down.

Had a short canter which somewhat spoiled the session  as he had eaten ALL the beans. I'll try and get it on camera so that you can pull it apart for me, I don't think it's any discomfort more that he has memory that it wasn't comfortable before and he's so very sensitive, takes it all too personally.

twinkle toes

Gareth the trimmer came by today, all the boys are doing well but I'm especially pleased that Chapsi (after just four trims) is pretty much back to where he would have been without my ex-farrier's rubbish trimming :-(  he now has tight white lines and has lost the nasty flares :-)
It's always lots of chat and some trimming and Gareth really is a source of great info regarding lots of equine matters. He's a good listener too and I answered some of my own questions literally by airing my thoughts.
Moo is going to be a longer job because he had been badly trimmed for much longer but he is on the road and doing well.
I am so stupid not to have taken some 'photos right at the start, doh, so you'll just have to take my word for it. I may post some of them now just as a reference for me.
It was too late to work them after we had finished but they all went out to eat grass, soak up the sun and get INCREDIBLY filthy rolling, bless 'um.

I'm on the top of the world..

Funny how some days just feel good; today was one of those.

Moo worked well on the lunge and I shall continue to ride him every other day and ground work in between. Yesterday's ridden work was great and he was very responsive; moments in the trot when he felt really *carried* and relaxed. Today he seemed 99% but it's early days and I'm waiting to hear about the osteo but I'm somewhat heartened by his freedom in the shoulder and quarters and it seems he won't be in retirement after all (the thought went through my mind many times on holday).

This afternoon the trimmer came and I'll have to take pics but Moo's feet are looking soooo different. Gareth is pleased with all three, phew, and when the hoof boots arrive Moo will harden up his soles and be ready for all terrain, lol.

ouch

Not me but Moralejo. As I had surmised he has sore feet, thin soles and no heels and so he is bruising easily. The good news is that my fab new trimmer (thanks Jane) can sort it with time. Bad news for Moo is that he should exercise as much as possible in the sand but no hacking until I sort out some front boots (oh help this is new territory and very bad news for my pocket).

Worked him today in the hackamore, haven't done this for some time and he felt really good...makes me aware of my hands as they are somewhat obselete in a bitless. The difference now is that he is so aware of my body turning aids that he does work pretty much *off* my hands. I need to video because it feels good but maybe it isn't. As always the *doubt* creeps in, LOL.