2007-2010 April 22nd

April 22, 2007

Phoenix was exceptionally well-behaved today.  I added the flank cinch to his saddle, then lunged him for awhile.  He did a few little kick-bucks, but I think that was more because he hasn't cantered in awhile.  I rode him for a bit; we worked on passenger lessons and one-rein stops.  He was good, but I was bouncing all over the place!  Dave and I gave him a bath afterwards and he was incredibly good - he just stood there grazing and even seemed to enjoy it!  He's obviously used to it!

Yes, as a retired racehorse, he must have associated baths with rest, as he loved them - he would willingly stick his face/muzzle in the spray from the hose, almost with a grin on his face.  But he never did get used to the flank cinch and it became such a source of unpredictable bucking, that I eventually took it off my saddle.

April 22, 2008

Another gorgeous evening - it's like we went straight from winter to a mild summer.  The roundpen and riding ring were being used tonight, so we groomed the boys, then I tacked up Onyx and rode him in the hayfield as Dave watched.  We worked on leg cues, one-rein stops and yielding the hindquarters.  He did good, except for always wanting to graze!  After, we grabbed Phoenix, stripped Onyx down, and took both boys for a walk around the farm block!  The "peeper" frogs are so loud this year!

April 22, 2010

Took the boys out for some grazing on the front lawn this morning (by myself) and almost got trampled by Phoenix, so I got pretty strict with them.  By the time I finished, they were standing in the middle of the grass, 14' away from me, waiting until I gave them the cue to lower their heads and eat.  Phee was still pretty disrespectful, though, so he got lunged in the roundpen at a canter for awhile and then desensitized.