Runaway Pony Train

We introduced bounces to Ms Bridget last night and it was a total non event. She was supremely bored by it all. So, we added a vertical, then a tight bend on 3 strides to the bounces. "Meh, I am bored", said Midge. Ok then...

The fences got raised to "T may or may not stay in the tack height" (For the sake of honesty, still not very high, I was really not in the zone last night!). Bridget got inspired and starting using herself. Then she got REALLY inspired and excited and did the runaway train thing. By then, we had added in a two stride vertical to oxer combination, and I was really having troubles there. Jumping in way big and getting left a little behind, with the train only accelerating onwards. We landed over the second slightly out of control, with Midge fairly certain the arena fence was a legit part of the line. No such luck for her, for once my western days came in handy and a stop and rollback happened...slowly, but it happened. Next time through I was ready for her, but she was also ready for me and threw in a very sassy little buck and rear in protest of not being allowed to drag me to the next "jump"(the arena fence?! Seriously, could this pony have a bigger ego?) O was laughing, "Bridget is saying going 4* is totally not a problem!" And then we laughed and laughed...poor Midget, she didn't find it funny at all.

"La la la...I can't hear you!"

Other updates: I have cancelled out on the show with Bridget this weekend. Ginger is still going with trainer M. The pony budget can only stretch so far and I feel like Ginger will benefit more from the outing. I am going to the city the following weekend to catch up with Ginger and get some rides in on her. It's looking more and more like our Ginger story isn't done yet and she will be coming back to live with us. She's going to be boarded with Bridget. One of the working students is going to help me keep both ponies ridden. Long term, I really only can afford/have time for one horse, but I'm choosing not to worry too much for now and just let things work out as they need to. Plus, I think it goes without saying that I've really, really missed my big mare. A large part of me wants to keep the both of them, and let the finances and a life outside the barn be damned :)

KateRose5 November 2015 at 12:59
Miss B is a spicy jumper pony! I always think that if they're quite forward they must be having fun :) sounds like a good plan with Ginger. The "no money & no life outside the barn" plan is working ok for me these days haha :D
emma5 November 2015 at 15:17
verrrrrrrry interesting developments with Ginger! things are going so well for you in this new program and with Ginger being in regular work lately, who knows, maybe it's exactly what was needed to get back on the same page?
lytha8 November 2015 at 07:48
Hiya T. What is the incidence of sway back in Welsh cobs? I would think negligible, but found one recently that I like, but looks predisposed with such a long back and dip behind the withers.

Look, look, I found an adorable Welsh after all this time searching! In entirely the wrong color. *sigh* Pretty but straight pasterns, loooong back tending to sway, choppy gaits, but sweet eye, perfect age, and I can wash her tail. (Please see my blog if you wanna see the pony.) They say she's a joy to ride, but looks quite "looky' in the arena, so ....hmm....

Would you think she's a purebred Welsh with that butt? And that long face? I will try to take a look at her papers when I'm there. Then again, it could be she's a broodmare and green. What do you think?

Thursday, 5 November 2015

Runaway Pony Train

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