Two stepping

Second day of camp and our second lesson. This time flat work. Now we all know that it’s not our favourite thing. But the more I learn, the more I’m beginning understand the benefits. We had many a conversation about it while watching the lessons. There was also a lot of running about picking up poos and moving poles.

If your horse has a good walk, you can get a good trot. A good trot leads to a good canter. And a good canter leads to a good jump. Hardly rocket science, but something that’s worth keeping in mind.

Today’s lesson was on zig zag and turning using your legs rather than too much rein. Really made my brain hurt. Especially when we changed rein. I have to say, Buddy feels so much softer and improved in his flatwork since his rehab. He’s new and improved. Sadly his Mother wasn’t as improved. I seemed to have lost the ability to ride his canter, resulting in a few wall of death moments.

Then the lightbulb went on in my head and I muscle memory kicked in. Once I actually sat into him and went with him, it was a very different picture. Just shows that I have had time out too.

Last day tomorrow. This really is my happy place. And I’m very happy with my little boy today. As Ed Sheeran would say I was two stepping with the one love. Maybe it’s time to dust off the dancing shoes after all.

Canter

This is the face of someone who just cantered her horse! Another massive milestone in Buddy’s rehab.

He’s given me a few strides before when we’ve been doing poles. But this was the first time I’d intentionally asked for it. And the first time since 23 April!!

I took him out for a 40 min hack first, to make sure he was definitely warmed up. Then took him in the school. Think he was a bit surprised at first that I was asking him to canter.

We didn’t go mad. Just tested both reins. Oh my goodness, it felt so good!

We’re coming back…

Moonwalk

I’ve been using Equilab to track Buddy’s rehab. It’s amazing how hard it is to time yourself. Especially in trot. It’s also amazing how accurate it is!

I’ve been building the trot up slowly. First few times I was worried I was doing too much – till I checked and I’d barely done a minute. Of course it did record a few seconds of canter when Buddy spooked at something. Let’s keep that bit between us huh?!

Today it recorded Buddy’s antics as he decided he didn’t want to leave his friends and go for a hack in the rain. Mr Nappy Pants was back in full force today! Sadly, it’s not accurate enough to track his moonwalking back down the lane.

We’re booked in on 8 July to have his leg rescanned. Let’s hope his dance moves haven’t put us back. Let’s also hope that Mr Nappy Pants does one too. At least I know how to deal with him…

Kicked the bucket

Fear not, the only thing that’s died is my bucket. This is the result of someone having a teenager tantrum because they’d eaten all of their recovery mash. I fear I may have created a monster!

He got a bit of a time-out after that.

Thankfully he was exemplary in his two lessons today. First up was jumping. Finally we’ve cracked the perfect canter that Caroline’s been asking for. Only taken me 6 years!

This afternoon it was flat work with Jo. She put me in resistance bands. Well that was an experience! Not sure my thighs will be the same after that. But definitely helped with my lower leg.

In between, Buddy popped on the Spillers weigh-bridge. He’s now 646kg. Which sounds like a lot, but he’s all muscle. He got a perfect body score.

It’s so lovely to hear how well he’s looking. From many people. Sadly my bucket has seen better days…

Side-saddle

Today Buddy and I did something new. We had a go at side-saddle! I honestly wasn’t sure how it would go. But Buddy, once more, proved he really is an ‘all rounder’. He was bloody awesome! I, on the other hand, may need a few more sessions.

Given I’ve only had a go at side-saddle once before, and only in walk and trot, the fact we were cantering by the end of the lesson blew me away. My downward transitions weren’t great. Muscle memory kicked in and I tried to rise in the trot. But we definitely improved as the session went on.

The instructor was incredibly complementary about Buddy and my riding ability. The words ‘elegant’ were used. I’ll take that!