Show reveals respect hole

OK, so I have lots of catching up to do since I got a really nasty cold three weeks ago. Amazing how far behind you can get when you sleep most of a week to recover. Anyway, despite my cold, I rode in the last dressage show at Sienna Stables.

Walker took advantage of my lack of energy. STOPPED in the middle of my first 20 meter circle to poop. No amount of urging would get him to budge until he was done. Needless to say, we did not score well at all. As hard as this is to believe, in all the time we practiced our pattern, he had not done this, so I had not had an opportunity to work through it before. With my flagged energy, I just did not respond well.

Needless to say, we had work to do! Walker gave me the opportunity the very next evening to work on this when in the middle of playing under saddle he stopped again. This time, I asked him forward got nothing. Then I tapped him on the behind, no movement, tapped him harder, nothing. Finally, I smacked him hard and he jumped forward with double back kick. I think I really surprised him with the energy I put into the last smack! Since then, just a slight tap on zone four is all he has needed, if that, to remind him he can poop and move at the same time. In fact, Walker has proven he can poop daintily and move at the same time. Last Sunday, he left five very precisley spaced piles of poop, having timed his poops between trotting strides. :)

The following Friday, Cody, Walker and I had a very good lesson. Cody said she was impressed that Walker had become so much more obedient and willing to get round under saddle. I think she was surprised we had made so much progress in such a short period of time. I believe that Walker has upped his respect for me, as I was willing to go to phase 4 when needed under saddle, something I was hesitant to do before when Walker was so unconfident and emotional under saddle. But when I corrected him about stopping to poop, he was not emotional at all, just surprised. And when he has kicked out since then, I have corrected him with an appropriate swat, which has again upped his respect level for me. Walker and I learned how to get better rythmn under saddle both at the trot and at the canter. Now, we need to work on maintaining contact when transitioning gaits. And we need to practice the training level 2 test for out next show. Stay tuned . . .

On the Trail Again

Walker was doing so well on Saturday,  I asked Wendy if she and Bingo could hit the trail again on Sunday, and the answer was "Yes!". So we hit the levy about 10 AM. It was overcast and warm with a nice breeze, making for a lovely day to ride. It worked out well because Wendy did not have a lot of time to ride, and I did not want Walker to get over worked, so we mostly walked and stopped to eat grass. Both Walker and Bingo gave us nice extended walks, as they both seemed very happy to be away from the arenas.

We knew they were enjoying themselves when we turned for home and they did not want to go back! It is an amazing feeling to know that your horse wants to hang out with you instead of heading back to the barn where all the other horses are.

The best news is that Walker should be good enough to ride in the dressage show on Sunday, so we are going to get another crack at our first show.

And, before I forget, here is a shout out to Sandy in Iraq. Here's to you, Sandy, spreading the can do optimism of America on the other side of the planet.

Vet trip

We got some good news on Friday. We took Walker to Katy Equine Clinic where he was examined by Dr. Josh Zacharias. They were very nice there and took good care of Walker. Walker did very well in a new environment, I was very proud of him, he gave the vet tech and the doctor no trouble at all. 
Of course, the day started with some drama when I got to the barn to find one of my trailer tires had literally fallen apart. Shame on me for not checking it out more regularly, I won't do that again. Thankfully, Wendy was near by and willing to lend me her trailer, so we were able to make the trip. I was anxious to rule out a major injury. Randy helped keep me calm, as he usually does when I get a bit too emotional about unexpected, adverse events.

And we got, at least for now, good news. The vet tech trotted Walker around and he already looked much better while moving than he had all week. Still favoring his right hind, no doubt, but not nearly as much. Dr. Zacharias then put Walker through a lameness exam, stretching each area of his leg to see which was sore. Again, the stifle stretch showed that area to be sore.

Once that was done, Walker was taken back to the stocks, and he resisted only slightly then walked right in. He stood quietly while Dr. Zacharias gave him a mild sedative to take the x-rays, which showed no bony problems and no reduction in joint spaces. So, for now, Walker is on stall rest to see how he will do without any other treatment. Dr. Zacharias said to see how he does over the next 10-14 days, and if all looks good, we can start a light work schedule. I feel badly that he has to be cooped up in his stall all that time, but it can't be helped. At least for now, he seems to be on the mend.
On Saturday, Ben changed the bad tire on my trailer. Thanks, Ben! In retrospect, I am really happy the tire did not fall apart while we were on the road! I think that is a blessing pure and simple. 
We are finally having beautiful weather here in the Houston area. After all the rain we've had, the Brazos River is straining its banks. The levy near the barn is as high as I have ever seen it. The turnouts are so sloppy, it will be another day or two before all of the horses go out, so at least Walker will have his buddies with him during the day until it dries up.