Sunday, September 19, 2010

Catching Up

“If everything seems to be under control,
you’re just not going fast enough.”
Mario Andretti

If what Mario says is true, then I am, indeed, not going fast enough. The nature of learning is that when we get to that point, it's time to push our personal envelope to a new threshold. For me, that means tentatively attempting the canter a few wobbly steps at a time. Considering how long it's taken me to feel relatively secure at the trot, I'll be eligible for Medicare by the time I get the canter.

Both Poco and Jaz have been giving me really sweet, perfectly paced trots. I haven't asked Jaz for the canter, nor has he volunteered it. Poco seems to understand what I'm trying to do, and transitions to the canter without increasing his speed. As soon as he feels me start to bobble, he picks up the trot again.

Lest you think he's turned over a new leaf, he still makes me work for it. It wouldn't be Poco if there wasn't some Appytude.

When he thinks we're done, Poco veers closer and closer to the gate, refusing to turn, as we're rounding that end of the arena. When that starts, I have to turn him before we get to that end (in other words, using only 3/4 of the length of the arena) in order to keep him going. I think he's becoming bored and impatient, because for weeks now, we've done nothing but circles while I practice W-T-C. Every once in awhile while we're riding, he does this little high pitched squeal thing that reminds me of a noise a frustrated child might make. Maybe next time, we'll play with the barrels and ground poles for a change. The Boyz will be coming home soon, and we'll start going down the road again. I'm also planning on getting barrels for out back.

Baby D became a gelding last Friday. I was prepared to lavish lots of TLC and sympathy, but the little booger hasn't missed a beat. Besides the fact that his sheath is swollen, he's perfectly fine. He also got his wolf teeth removed and his rabies vaccine. By all accounts, he should have already been a pretty unhappy little guy, but he seemed to not be phased. Then, he and his nannies got dewormed and all their other vaccines. Aside from a little loose poo, everybody's fine. Only thing they all lack now is a current Coggins.

On a non horse-related note, I started a new job that's been keeping me busy, excited, and tired. That's one reason I haven't been blogging as much. Another is that I've been out there actually doing stuff, rather than sitting at the computer writing about it. And, finally, not much terribly newsworthy has been happening, or if it has, it's not my news to tell; it's Heather's. I haven't been diligent in keeping up with everyone else's blog, but you can only do what you can do.

Have a great week, and don't forget to smooch your ponies.

13 comments:

Cactus Jack Splash said...

How wonderfully things seem to be going at your place. Poco reminds me a lot of Jack...gotta love the appytude!

Jeni said...

Sounds to me like life is good! Before long it will be winter and mucky mud so get out there and enjoy ever moment of it!

Sherry Sikstrom said...

Sounds like a busy life , nothing wrong with that. As long as in the doing what you need to do , you still get to do a little of what you like to do

Unknown said...

Congrats on the job! Probably time to push yourself, sounds like. You've got all fall for barrel racing! :) Hugs to the baby!

Nuzzling Muzzles said...

It is amazing that horses recover so quickly from being gelded and having teeth pulled. It's good to hear you got a job you are excited about. Since my job keeps me tied to the computer, I take every opportunity to blog while waiting for processes to finish. I just can't sit there and wait. I've got to write.

Crystal said...

how much cooler to actually do stuff than think and write about it. Congrats on your job as well.

Fantastyk Voyager said...

Congratulations on the job. It's always good to be working but it sure takes a big chunk out of one's time!
I'm glad baby D is doing well. It's always worrisome until it's done.

morningbrayfarm said...

Good to hear that all is well for you! Things are crazy busy in our world too.

Pinzgauer said...

I forgot to ask Leah, how WAS the ride on Sunday?

Leah Fry said...

Heather, it was good, but Poco is definitely ready to do something different. That pissy little squeal speaks volumes, and his gate-sour behavior is escalating. I need to work him in the arena just so he doesn't think he can get away with it, but I need to play with barrels, poles, or something to mix things up for him. Jaz is so much better suited to being a teacher, though Poco's patience up til now is pretty remarkable.

Desert Rose said...

Leah...I just read a GREAT article in WESTERN HORSEMAN that will address exactly why Poco is feeling frustrated and ready to move on. It in is the Aug issue and titled "The Mantra Principle". If you can get your hands on it...you would get alot of info about what is going on and how to change it! If you can find the issue...I would be happy to scan/fax it and send to you...after I get back from my European Tour :)

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

Life is there to live, I like to remind myself. Which is why I, too, have been away from the computer and blogging for the past month. We've been out living life and staying busy....but still in semi-control. lol!

Congrats on the new job. I hope it's lots of interesting fun. :)

Good for you continuing your practice with trotting and cantering. I only cantered on Baby Doll once and I hated it. Her canters covered huge amounts of ground and I felt like I was riding a very fast thindering elephant. Kind of scary.

But cantering on Apache is so much different. And SOOOOOOO much fun! I feel like we are as one and are flying!I never thought it could be like that.
And Apache, like your Poco, seems to recognize if I am unbalanced, because she will also slow down to a trot or walk until I get back into rhythm with her again.

Unfortunately between her horse camping trip injury and my eye injury from her kicking me, we're just not riding at all now.
I'm hoping we can ride in the next ACTHA Halloween Ride, though.

Enjoy life, my friend!
~Lisa

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