Saturday 14 February 2015

Mischief Managed

My return to the tack today was eventful. I knew Kika would be spicy, wiggly and awkward as she's Kika and i hadn't managed to ride her in about 3 weeks or more. So i knew I'd be in for some fun with her and took the necessary precaution of lunging her first.

Moi?! I'm an angel
She is always such a sweetheart to lunge, she just gets on with things without much fuss. There was some head shaking and front leg flailing in two of her canters - but no massive bucking/farting fits. This having gone well i hopped up and the wiggling started, she let me know that the sides of the arena were simply terrifying and walking in a straight line alongside them was going to be an issue for her.
No problem says I, I kept my cool and we walked and walked till her brain re-engaged. Lots of circles, changes of rein and serpentines finally got her brain clicked in enough for some trot and canter work.

Kika being sweet with my friend who helped me
 with new conformation photos.
It wasn't a bad spin compared to her rearing antics of the past (hopefully distant never to return past); but it was a far cry from the lovely work we are capable of. I am under no illusions that I have but myself to blame for not managing to keep up the saddle time so far this winter.
Fingers crossed this is now behind us...

Non-blooper shots to follow early next week for BBS critique
Nancy has been quite antsy the last few days when I turn her out. When we leave the confines of the stable buildings she'd bounce on the spot making faces at Kika - to be fair Kika is always a lazy sod and lagging behind me when I lead the two of them out, so she may well have been needling at Nancy. I have no idea as i do not have eyes at the back of my head. However methinks it unlikely as Kika doesn't often annoy her when being led. I'm thinking now that maybe Nancy is in season and was just being witchy towards Kika. N also took to trotting in her excitement to get to turn out, not appreciated by me as mentioned above K lags behind so I'm stuck in the middle like a scarecrow.


Saying all this I did not foresee Nancy's silliness under saddle coming. I mounted no problem and she stood like a good girl as i sorted myself out. When we started walking things got interesting, I felt her back come up under me and she coiled like a spring before kicking out - she has some bulk & power when you feel her bunch below you like that. So rather than the walk warm up i favour, we went straight to trot work where she threw another buck but half hearted as she didn't drop her head at all. She was one very unhappy camper through the whole ride when I asked her to walk going left handed (i get confused is this when your left had is on the inside, right?!).
I could feel her curl under me and swing her backside into the arena - we have been struggling with walking in a straight line on this rein our last few spins - she was very evasive today. I am hoping to get a lesson on each on Monday as I have the day off and i want eyes on the ground to help guide me through the issues with both girls before they become deep rooted problems.

Meet - derpyness
N was much happier trotting and gave me some lovely trot and canter work. First canter also had a  bit of a hop, skip & a buck - but this often happens when we first canter after a break. I hadn't cantered her our last few spins under saddle.
I also hope to get the osteo out to check both girls over, they are prob a little ouchy as i don't think they have been seen by her since the summer.

She really is such a sweetheart


18 comments:

  1. Sounds like a fun day overall, a little back bunching isn't so bad after time off:) Yay for a friend for a little while at the barn too for picture help! Your girls are so cute!

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    1. I don't mind the back bunching so long as she doesn't drop the head and use all her power to fire me off - that'd be a total test of stickability and i am not sure I would pass ;-)
      She didn't do anything like that last weekend, but was kind of back bunching the previous spin. I shall get her checked out and make sure nothing untoward going on ...
      Said friend is great with them as she used to have a pony in her teens and likes to fuss over them too

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  2. Your title is ironic, because I just bought an iron-on "michief managed" patch for my dressage pad...

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    1. Love me some Harry Potter references, cannot wait to see ya'll rocking that patch *thumbsup*

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  3. Both girls have such excellent clip jobs! Especially Kika. Apollo is going to be a bit sassy when I ride next. It's so hard to get out riding consistently.

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    1. Clip jobs are the only good thing about winter ;-)
      Hopefully Apollo behaves when you get back on board

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  4. Kika looks so filled out and great!!! And i always love your clip jobs!

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    1. It's actually surprising she doesn't look more of a state as she has been ridden so little these last few months...

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  5. haha certainly sounds like a 'lively' ride -- at least you know the girls are feeling good after some time off!! hopefully things calm down and riding can become more regular again :) also, good luck scheduling a lesson!!

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  6. Silly ponies! They are so cute :) Im sure their winter willies will work themselves out

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    1. Yep, already doing better for some more saddle time & a lesson no less...wonder of wonders. Am so glad I managed to schedule them for today!

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  7. You certainly got to ride. Such opinated lassies.

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    1. That they are, pity for them i think out loud ;-p

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  8. I think we're all feeling a little bit crazy at this point in the winter!

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    1. Mhm I'm well ready for winter to be OVAR

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  9. I hope the osteo can sort her out. This seems like new behavior for her, isn't it? So it might be some kind of soreness. I'm glad she didn't give it her all hehe. It could just be that she's in heat though considering how she acted when you led her out to her pasture. I hope you're able to get more saddle time soon!

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