This afternoon, the temperature was in the 80’s, but the killer humidity had gone away. I made the decision to play ground games with Fancy. It has been so hot, you just want to get the saddle on and ride. Ground games can kill a person my age in this heat and humidity.
Fancy and I went to the big arena. The big arena is directly next to her own turn out arena with a gravel driveway in between. What she sees in her pasture is what she sees in the big arena. We did the normal stuff to get her “hooked” on me. I also did some body work to massage her back, rear and left rear leg, the problem areas.
At the present time, Erin has not decided whether her cross firing was because she is now used to it or that there was a pain problem.
I had her walk, trot and canter around me on the 22′ rope. She cantered beautifully on both leads the first time. I didn’t ask her to do much cantering, trying to save that body.
Tonight was a treat night for some fun. We haven’t had ground fun for a long hot month while. She hasn’t had a treat in a half year!
She walked around with me, following me on-line. I decided it was time for liberty, or as we call it, “the truth.” She did follow me for a while. She did move her hindquarters and forequarters for me at liberty.
And then I lost her. She sauntered away and turned into a Missouri Fox Trotter wild Arabian, prancing with tail up. What a beautiful sight this is. She stopped and snorted. This is a loud alarm snort which means, I’ve seen something dangerous that could eat me.
And off she went galloping around the arena, tail up. She slowed down to a walk near the gate and took off for more galloping rounds. She would gallop to me and at the last minute, change directions and give a mighty kick as she zoomed by.
Once she cantered correctly both ways. Then she started to cross fire. She fixed it a couple of times, but then several galloping rounds to the right, with back legs on the wrong lead.
I was stunned by her beauty, head up, tail streaming. Fancy obviously was feeling great and needing exercise. What ever the cause of the alarm snort was from the brain of a horse wanting to GO!
Finally, she came to me at a trot and stayed calm, breathing heavily. We rested and did a few hindquarter moves. When her attention went elsewhere which happened in 30 seconds, to a full minute and finally a long time, we quit.
Fancy was not taking it easy on her back or stifle problem, not one little bit.
Monday, I ride in a group lesson!