Tuesday 7 April 2015

Nekkid

We've good weather forecast for the week & I was almost as excited as the monsters to let them out this afternoon without their "raincoats". Now here's hoping they roll a lot and rub out the last of their winter fuzzies as I'm rather tired of scoffing horse hair while grooming ;-)
I was away for a long weekend in Ireland from Thursday to Sunday evening visiting family. My mother stayed in Lux having been back the previous weekend so she very kindly minded the hairy children by turning them out and bringing them back in Saturday & Sunday.

Nekkid Nancy
Monday i made my return to the tack, starting with Kika and almost regretting my decision as all the good work from last week's lessons seemed to have dissolved. When she was good, she was very good and relaxed but all around the good she was a nuisance. Spooking at i have no idea what, loosing all rational thought; taking complete advantage to oogle and ignore me when the horse sharing the arena with us came within her immediate eye line. We did get ok walk, good trot and a good canter on each rein with less initial flailing as i took care with my upward transition request only when our trot was good.
Sometimes she really is just a moron! Best to draw a line in the sand and start again next time.

Nekkid starving creature

Nancy on the other hand was an absolute angel! She had retained our lessons from last week. She was less squirrely on the left rein, we didn't need our 10m circles or shoulder in to get a nice walk. As always her trot work was lovely as we worked through serpentines, changes of rein and played with w/t transitions. Even our canter was lovely, patient and balanced. Such a welcome contrast to the frustration of the supposedly older more "broke" horse. Kika really does make me question my sanity sometimes...maybe I'm not the right rider for her. I sure as hell am far from the best rider for K, but at this stage I'm not sure many would bother with her, I mean she is 11 years old and has had all her formative years under me & my incapabilities. That would be a lot for anyone to take on at any age ;-)

She is a great snuggler  (apologies for my concentration face)
Despite yesterday's frustration with Kika, I still couldn't imagine not having her in my life. Maybe that makes me the moron...

18 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Their spring coat change is my fav time soooooooo much dappled goodness - although tree shadows helped there. See a couple posts back for actual dapple representation

      Delete
  2. Kika is the girl with the curl in the middle of her forehead, when she's good she's very good and when she's bad she's horrid lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Knock-on-wood she hasn't been truly horrid in ages, but she got closer than she has for a while yesterday - cheeky sod. I'm hoping to corner the osteo to check her out as that is usually part of her trouble-searching if she is out. A martyr she is mat definitely not

      Delete
  3. naughty Kika !! glad Nancy was there to make up for it with a great ride :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. N is such a great counter balance to miss moody & independent ;-)

      Delete
  4. I feel like that with Pig sometimes. Maybe I'm not the right rider. I try to remember how far we've come and how much we've both learned from each other. I heard someone once say you ruin a good horse learning to become a good rider. Guinness is truly my Guinea Pig in that respect, maybe Kika is that for you.

    I'm sure as long as she has food and a good home, she's happy with you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe...Thanks lady *hugs*

      Delete
    2. Ruin is the wrong word, but I think you get what I mean. :) When we're learning, we just don't take them to their potential. I don't think they care.

      Delete
    3. I completely understood where you were coming from & 100% agree that she in particular couldn't give two hoots whether I ride her at all let alone how we work together...In fact I can almost guarantee she prefers being outside and/or eating to carting me around in circles. ☺

      Delete
  5. Kika is so adorable you can't get rid of her!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She was so happy to see me this evening, she whickered to me (rarely happens - usually only when in or around being in season), came trotting to the gate and then followed me around as i refilled the haynets and water...she is a sweetheart really if annoying under saddle at times ;-)
      In all honesty though it is not her fault she has a numpty for a rider who is ill equipped to deal with all the brains & ideas she has!
      #shetoosmartforme

      Delete
  6. You aren't a moron. Some horses are just difficult. I think you're doing a great job with her. I'm glad Nancy was nicer to you hehe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't know about doing a great job with her, many could achieve more with her as she can do much more than I know how to ask for - but we have our super fun times and is well in our world's ☺

      Delete
    2. Ha!! I've been riding Chrome three years now and he still doesn't know anything about contact and we rarely ever canter.... You are light years ahead of me. :)

      Delete
    3. Every partnership works at a pace that works for them - i think you guys are doing awesome. Especially as you're doing it alone when time & back permits. I must really catch up on your blog! Who is Rocky?! ;-)

      Delete
    4. Rocky is our new horse so hubby can start riding with me! :-D

      Delete
    5. Squeee!
      I must catch up!

      Delete

I love to hear from readers, thank you for your comment :-)