Wizard Ride 459: Photosynthesis

Wednesday, 4/3/13

The grass gets greener and greener each day. Wizard looks like he put on a little weight, and is still shedding like crazy. We got a cold snap over the past few days, and he’s back in his medium blanket. I turned him out in the outdoor arena before our ride and he trotted and cantered around. In the corner of the arena, a bunch of barrels and poles were jumbled together, and Wizard ogled them with playful surprise.

I tacked him up and we rode for about 30 minutes, including warmup and cooldown. The wind was whipping, and Wizard was a little snarly in the beginning of the ride. He also pinned his ears when the wind blew in his face, so it might have been partially due to weather crankiness. Each time we passed the poles and barrels, he danced and snorted. Of course, in typical equine Murphy’s Law fashion, the wind howled just as we approached the poles and barrels each time. I worked him in circles, getting closer and closer, but keeping the bend. It worked.

And you know what else I think is working? The Micklem Bridle! I got some real, genuine contact. We’re riding in a French link loose ring snaffle, and Wizard chomped on it significantly less than he did in the past. We rode in both directions at the trot, and each time around, we went over one pole on one long side, and two on the other long side. By the time we finished the ride, Wizard had gotten into a really nice tempo and was working beautifully. I hope this is a taste of things to come!