16-12-2018

The Pasos were in a different paddock this morning. They got moved because the paddocks were all cleaned. There was a small emergency last night with one of the horses so uh. There was a bit of panic, and the Pasos weren’t moved back, and more importantly they apparently forgot to shut the doors. Thankfully Pumpkin and Lacey didn’t get out because they like their stalls, but Spot opened the door and locked himself out and spent the night in the Paso paddock.

Travis is unfortunately pretty sick. He hasn’t been eating or drinking much, and has been down a lot. He’s also 30, which is very old for a horse, so there’s not a whole lot they can do for the poor old fellow.

After we got the horses sorted out, we just cleaned stalls. I found some time to ride Quattro afterwards, and he was really good for me. He’s been a lot better. I haltered him twice outside today, and he was really well behaved for it. He’s iffy on the mounting block, but it seems to be the mounting block in particular. He really doesn’t seem to mind when I get on him, and he gets anxious about going near the block whether I’m walking or riding.

But he went over a stack of poles and did some little hops over a pile of jump stands. He also nearly fell off the podium because he went up it the wrong way, but we circled once and got on again and he did just fine with it. I’m really proud of how far he’s come. The fact that he’s willing to try makes a huge difference.

So yeah. It’s been a very up-down day. 

Just have to keep moving forwards.

15-12-2018

Today was definitely a harder day for us both. Quattro was feeling anxious and he didn't really want to be haltered, but I was proud of him because eventually he submitted to it outside. That's a big step for him: like, a big part of the reason he has to spend his life in the paddocks instead of going in and out to the runs is because he's always been uncatchable. But slowly, he's accepting that it's okay to be caught.

He was upset in the aisle, but I did spend a lot of time poking at his rain rot. It's just about gone, I'm really happy to say: he just needs maybe one or two more doses of Bannix and it'll be done with. I think he's sore, too, though. He's always ready to run but I think he's still overexerting himself a little.

He was hard as hell to get on. He actually reared up right beside me, and he almost climbed on top of the mounting block. When I first got on him I thought he was going to spin and fling me off. But then we got going, and as always, the moment we got going, he was... well, he was still stressed. But he accepted me on his back and he immediately accepted my directions, and we slalomed cones, we went over poles, we even did a tiny jump and he didn't balk at me bouncing on his back.

He's a good, brave boy.

He also got to meet Miestro, who is my trainer's horse. Teacherlady doesn't get to ride him a lot so she seemed to be enjoying just toodling around on him, and I liked having the chance to see how Quattro reacted to a new horse doing different funny things.

After I got off, teacherlady hopped down from her horse to help my partner try and get the mare he's been helping get into shape to stand properly on a podium. Miesty wandered over and started curiously nosing Quattro, who was half-awkward about it. Standoffish. Not hostile but still clearly a little nervous. He's good with other horses, though. They don't bother him like people do.

He was still nervous afterwards, but less stressed. We stayed in the crossties for a bit, and I gave him some treats, then took him out to be with his friends and fed them their bucket of fodder. He still came up to me, and he only did his awkward 'don't touch me' lean away, not any warning stomps or fear.

I'd much rather see him irritated with me than anything else.

He's getting a lot better. He's absolutely going to have good days and bad days and the last two days have been rough on him, with the weather and everything else that's been going on. But we'll figure it out together.

7-12-2018

Quattro saw the dentist today. They had to give him a double dose of sedative so he was very grumpy and exhausted. I was able to put his Bannix on, but. Not much else with him today.

Pally was also grumpy and tried to kick me. Not like kick-kick, he does this. Very childish flail with one rear foot thing, more of a tap but still super bad behavior, so I chased him across the paddock.

I rode Jaeger today. He tired out fast and kept tripping because his hooves are about twice the length they’re supposed to be. 

Partner rode Elly, who was being a super bitch and kept being a huge jerk. He got her under control, though, and she cantered nicely for him at least once or twice. Just. Otherwise super resistant to everything.

I got Pally to just. Give him some exercise. We fought the entire time but I got a few nice canters out of him, at least, and avoided making him too hot or sweaty. He was still very grump, though. 

Quattro’s side is looking way better, though. Tomorrow I’ll give him a full bath, and that should finish off the worst of it.