JR Ride 48: A-
Thursday, 7/2/09
Wizard’s got a brand new pair of roller skates…
JR’s got a brand new trim…
The farrier was happy with the horses’ feet. The only unfavorable change he noticed was that Wizard was flaring on the inside of his right hind hoof. This makes sense, since he sort of rolls it with whatever injury he sustained in his hind end. Tomorrow, I’m making a call to the chiropractor and hopefully we can get this resolved or at least diagnosed. In the meantime, I have been turning him out in the large arena so he can stretch his legs and I can see how he is moving. He also got a bath, which he hated. He’s better outside than inside, but he still needs more practice. I keep reminding him that he used to be a racehorse and they get baths all the time, but he must have blocked that part of his life out of his memory :^P
JR had a very good session. I’d give him an A-. We longed for about 15 minutes, working on transitions and doing a little work with contact and a bit of lateral commands. He was doing a little bit of the banana-shaped longeing instead of a perfect circle, but I think that really means we need to spice up the routine a little bit.
Check out how nice he’s looking. I hope I can keep this lovely balanced trot once we increase our under-saddle workload…
I rode for a short time, working on responding to leg and hand cues. I rode in the afternoon, so there were fewer distractions and JR was nice and responsive under saddle. I asked him to move off my leg as well as stand quietly. My ankle is feeling better so I hope to spend more time in the saddle and less time on the ground.
And for anybody who was wondering, I cannot use Alibar’s old fly bonnet anymore. I tried my best to be practical but for some reason, that particular piece of fabric is somehow the essence of so many nice rides. I like riding with the rest of his tack, but that fly hat is sacred. It has been officially retired. I’ll just have to get a new one for the hooligans.
I’ve got a brand new pair of roller skates, you’ve got a brand new key…
Rock and Racehorses: The Blog 
I understand the hating baths thing. Casey hates them too. And sometimes, so does my son! Maybe it’s just a boy thing??
I’ve been thinking about getting a fly bonnet for Casey as we’re moving to a new place in about 10 days with woods so I expect that there will be more annoying flying things.
JR does look lovely! He just keeps looking better and better!
Thank you so much- I’m really pleased with JR’s recent progress. I Hope it’s the beginning of something good.
The funny thing is that Wizard was better on Monday, after being turned out 24/7 for a few days. Maybe it’s just excess energy?
I’ve heard good things about the Cashel riding fly masks, but I’ve also heard that they get quite sweaty.
I know that Casey is much, much happier with 24/7 turnout or as close as can be got. His behavior did a complete 180 when the weather got nice and that happened. So, I imagine your boys love it too and that it will make a big difference.