Naughty Engela

On Thursday, I took Engela out for a ride. She had been sick for a bit because she caught a respiratory infection and had to be off of work. So, this was pretty much her first time being ridden in about a week. 

I took her down to the dressage arena because it was empty. I had a nice, light workout in mind to ease her back into her normal work schedule. We did some walking and 20-meter circles. Then I moved her into the trot. She was pretty quick, actually, a lot faster than normal. I went with it. At least she was being forward for once! She was getting hard to turn. I just was firm with her but it didn't get better. I guess it was just something we had to work out of throughout the ride.

We were speedily trotting at the far end of the arena, and then she started getting especially quick. I started to circle her left off the rail. We were nicely turning until she decided that she was done with work. Next thing I knew, Engela was bolting at full speed towards the exit. I was pulling hard on the reins, but especially the left rein to turn her away. Already off balance from her bolting, she threw two bucks in a row. I stayed on for the first one, but on the second buck I fell forward in front of the saddle. By this point, I was positive that I was going to face plant but I kept yanking at the left rein and she slowed. I was able to get back in the saddle, and prevent butt-to-ground contact.  

I gave her three huge whacks in the butt and I sent her off trotting again. I was PISSED. I continued to do trot work in both directions without a walk break. I then asked her to canter. Two more bucks. I asked her again. Another buck. I gave her a huge whack and then she went. She was going pretty fast and wasn't turning easy. She would be good cantering away from the exit but then cut corners and speed off when we were heading towards the exit. 

After each mini tantrum, I put her to work. This, off course, completely threw our "light ride" idea in the garbage. After the ride, she was drenched in sweat. Her shoulders, and neck were completely soaked.

After a difficult ride, Engela was still a little butt. She ran into her stall as I was unbridling her, and she stepped on my foot. 

Hopefully tomorrow will be a better ride. If not, I am well prepared and ready with my spanking whip!!

:)
 

Awkward Kassian

I found a strange new fact about my little Kassian. It turns out that his tickle spot is on his left shoulder, and his "weirdness button" is activated when you curry it really hard. 

Observe:

I've never seen a horse react this way to a tickle spot. I think it's so cute when he does it though! Although it's kind of noisy hehe.

Western Pony Club Rating

I participated in my first Western Pony Club Rating last, last weekend. I first groomed Prima to perfection and cleaned her tack spotless the night before, which was a lot of work!

The next day, I groomed Prima super well again and checked over her tack. Our rating began. The examiner looked over Prima's tack and my dress to see if it was safe. She approved and I got on. 

Our riding portion consisted of basic walk, jog and lope. We did emergency dismounts and western pattern work. Prima was perfect through it all. 

At the end of the day, we passed!!! I can now say that I am a D2 HM/Flat/Western Pony Clubber. :) 

The examiner said that we both looked great together and that they had no critique on my riding. I was pleased with that of course! I am so proud of Prima for being great. I am looking forward to our next rating together. We'll be going for our D3!

The Great Prima Freakout!

One day, a couple weeks back, I took Prima out for a ride. It was one of our practice rides for a Western Pony Club rating that weekend. I was expecting Prima to be the little angel that she always was. We did some walk/jog work in the main arena but it soon got much to crowded, so I moved down to the dressage arena. 

Prima was very restless and was quicker than normal. I did circles, lots of transitions and talked to her to try and keep her attention. She continued to do little spooks along the long side. Then we got to the far corner of the arena and she blew up. She was backing up furiously and rearing up. She was prancing and not listening to my aids. I tried to keep her attention but it wasn't working. She kept trying to bolt off and I was getting worried. I decided to get off, then put her in an arena to get all of her energy out. 

You can see the rest:

It was out of the ordinary but all horses have their moments! We were ok afterwards and I finally got her to the vista. I turned her out and she was a complete nutcase!!