Wizard Session 77; JR Session 32: Holding Pattern

Sunday, 4/19/09

This was my last visit with the boys until I return from Kentucky. Not as much of a training session as it was playtime and an opportunity to make sure they both were ready for some time off. I’ve traveled many times during the years when I owned Alibar and it was a different feeling when I left- not as intense.

I made sure Wizard had plenty of Alfa Supreme and I made sure both horses were exercised, clean, and comfortable. Both horses had free-longeing sessions. JR kicked up his heels, bounced around when he saw deer in the woods, and played for a little bit, and then he was quite responsive. I’ve seen a nice change in his interaction with me- he is more attentive. I was able to get a trot and a canter in both directions in a HUGE arena, with JR stopping and walking toward me on command. When we were done, I cooled him out at a walk on the longe line- he gave me a really nice walk.

Wizard was also happy to get out and stretch his legs, run, and buck a little. He is so much fun to work at liberty. The combination of his desire to move out and his willingness to respond to me makes him a really cool horse. He’s also quite fit! Even after what I thought was a good workout, he had not broken a sweat and was not even breathing hard by the time I cooled him out. When I return from my trip, I will have the vet look at Wizard and hopefully we can move out of this holding pattern. In the meantime, the boys can kick back and relax.