The Mysterious 'Challenge'

Yesterday I ponied Reason off of Errika.  In her usual self, Errika was a bit more excited at the idea than Reason was.  Who is the young horse here?  It was questionable at times.  Reason was great and enjoyed doing the ponying, but got bored quickly, so I added in ground work, ground tying and other things all from Errika's back which was fun and also got Errika to relax as well.

I have some other news to share, but I'm waiting to share it.  All I can say is that for the past year and almost a half out of the near two years I've owned Reason I've been confronted with some interesting 'challenges.'

Reason and I haven't done much in the way of training under saddle since I began doing more than tack walking during bringing him back under saddle since he bowed at the track.  We've dabbled, but nothing ever stuck.  We had help, but nothing went the way it was supposed to.  In the beginning I was confronted with many ideas from various people as to what it could have been, what could be going on.  Maybe it was me?  Maybe it was tack?  Maybe it was..something else?  I had professionals address him mostly from the training side.  Maybe because he was an OTTB and that immediately brought up training concerns in people's eyes?  I took in opinions and thoughts on what exactly what may have been going on.  I took in my abilities, my lack of abilities, anything and tried to determine the source.  To the no, frustrating, pull-my-hair-out, avail.

I remember when Reason would rear under saddle.  I remember how it felt.  It wasn't to be bad it was to get me off and I knew exactly why.  He was in pain.  But I couldn't pin-point the pain.  I tried other saddles, I tried different saddles (Dressage, close contact, western, even bareback, with and without a pad).  Nothing worked.  Nothing changed.  I rode in a halter, noticed a change but still, something was off. 

I remember watching Reason in the round pen, flipping a biscuit.  He would rear, buck, kick, roll and paw frantically.  This wasn't right.  Someone told me that to them it appeared he needed to just run.  Maybe?  But no, it wasn't that.  Although maybe a symptom of sorts, it was not the source.  The behavior he was exhibiting was not that.  It was abnormal to a healthy, happy horse, which he clearly was not.  Sometimes when I was with him in the round pen, watching him and trying to figure out what to do, I felt as though he was checking out into flight or fight mode and I was just an object that he sometimes didn't see as he made his way all over the round pen trying to, what appeared to be, get rid of whatever was bothering him.  At times I felt my safety was a concern and that threw more sticks in the spokes as far as theories.  But again, that was not it.  Reason would rear up, head between his legs, and strike out, as if something was irritating him related to his head.  Over and over again theories, ideas, but no answers.  No real answers.


I now think I know what is going on and that my gut and hunch was right all along.  Obviously there is a somewhat long road ahead towards resolving this mysterious challenge (to me) that has been plaguing Reason and I's progress but nevertheless the thought of a resolution to all this, is exciting.  More on that later, but for now, I just wanted to give an update.




 

Here we Are.

Welcome to my new blog, Diligent Horse. (I moved all Reason's past posts from The Equus Ink, over to here.)  This is now Reason's blog home.

If you know me, you know I'm not a fan of the heat.  Oh heat and I are not good friends.  But today was different.  It was hot, but I determined that I'd have to get over that in order to ride.  What was more surprising was that it was a choice to ride in the heat.  Normally I wouldn't pass up the calmer, cooler evening time to take a ride, especially over the heat of the day, but not today.  Today was different.

I slipped on my breeches, pulled on my boots, grabbed my helmet and tacked up Reason.  Despite the heat, today was promising.  Not because I thought Reason was going to be good, no, I knew he was going to be good.  But the reason why it was promising was simply because I knew I'd be taking a good ride regardless. Heat or no heat.  I walked Reason around the pasture.  His first trip all by himself.  Then we trotted.  A couple things came to mind.

One of the things I thought about was how more confident Reason is.  Our lunging work has paid off.  Not only that, but because Reason has had Errika to snuggle up to when things get scary or boss around when he's feeling cheeky and particularly cocky, has proved to raise his confidence to new levels.  He believes in himself and has confidence in leading his herd of one, protecting his mare.  He can gallop across uneven terrain (scaring his mom although) with freedom of space, time, movement and ease.  He can graze as he pleases and is never bored as it seems.  He feels the chill of the fog, the heat of the sun and can determine his own way of dealing with this (how horses choose their 'spaces' is a study all it's own), mostly without the use of the shelter.  He observes and now manages his own space, including welcoming the then very scary cows, as part of his environment and generally just part of the scenery.  But most importantly, he now trusts me.  He now greets me everyday at the gate, walks with me to the other gate and welcomes me as part of his herd.

In the heat I'm riding and begin trotting down the long side.  We cross terrain with confidence, we ease and understanding.  I ride without a whip, without spurs, without gloves I let my bare hands and fingers hold onto the reins gently and allow them to rest between my fingers sans any real contact.  It feels good.

To ride a horse is a privilege, not a right.  Thanks Reason.

No City Slicker

I know it's been a while.. It's been almost 2 months since Reason went from "city slicker" to country boy!  Errika is happy as can be and quite likes showing Reason the ropes.  Reason is enjoying the country life and ultimately I think it's the best option for him.  He's still a bit intrigued when it comes to the nearby cows that emerge frequently while being rotated from different fields, but life is good.  The neighbors feed the horses apples and carrots from their garden when they venture to that area of the pasture.  They have a nice dirt bath rolling spot at that end too, which makes it extra appealing. 

I found a nice flat and footing friendly (well as friendly as you can get without being in an arena) to mark out as my "arena."  It's perfect for occasional lunging and riding, until I begin to trailer out.
I'm loving the peaceful relaxation of having my very own space and being able to feed whatever I want without restrictions.  The horses aren't allowed to get too fat..but they do munch a lot and enjoy a plentiful dose of grass hay.  I can't wait until the winter comes and the grass begins to sprout...The horses will love that and it will keep them busy all day.

I started working Reason again.  He got a good 4 weeks off while I was gone for school.  I've began lunging mostly, with ground-work mixed in, but little ground-work is needed.  Our latest ground-work education has been with ground tying, which Reason has a good understanding about already.  Lunging has been pretty interesting with Reason.  He would hardly allow me to approach his right side during the process.  I've been taking my time getting him used to moving out to the right by walking him on the right side, which Reason finds really odd..  Today I tried a new method of pressure-release to approach the right at his pace, without any force, but still on the line.  Ground tying came in handy here...  Reason stood in the center of the "arena" and I walked slowly backwards, asking him to stay still.  Once I got towards the last 5 feet of the line, I stopped and began walking, creating a half-circle around Reason, to the left.  Once I got to the left, I walked back and began towards the right.  I would look ahead, avoiding looking directly at Reason, watching him from the corner of my eye so I knew when he was getting uncomfortable.  If he showed signs of discomfort, I'd pause, sometimes retreat a couple steps back the other way, or proceed forward.  This method worked the first time.  Once I got in position diagonally behind his bum, still at 5 feet from the end of the line, I'd ask him to move forward.  It would quite well! 

To make the whole lunging experience more fun, I incorporated poles.  I had used poles to mark out each side of the "arena" and then used those to send him over.  Reason just LOVES this!  Point him in the vicinity of the pole and he'll make all the changes necessary to get over it.  It helps Reason find a focus when things are a little concerning with the right side.  I'll switch back to going left and do some more poles to get his mind back in the game and then go back to the right. 

I'm not sure how long it will take until Reason is going right confidently, but that will be when the next goal is made.  I'd like to introduce the bridle or saddle when he's at that point.  I couldn't be more pleased with the progress :).

A Change for us All

Ah, this post.  It's been coming. 

After bad ride, after bad ride and knowing horses, knowing my own horse well enough, I have decided to stop Reason's training (or lack thereof) and get him out of boarding life, for a deserved break.  I do not want to re-home him or anything like that.  I'm committed to my horses.  I took on the un-known and possibilities, whatever may come, when I adopted him, just like with my Ink.  Reason has a good home with me forever, or until he can pursue greater and better things with someone else.  I can provide him a great home and can provide him an opportunity to be a horse and to feel good.  I am willing to give up riding etc, to give him a chance. 

I don't know exactly what's going on with Reason.  It could be a multitude of things, including ulcers, including body issues.  He'll get what he needs and we'll be exploring all avenues within my abilities to get him feeling better.  But, what I truly believe he needs right now is a break, mentally and physically.  Reason will be living with Errika in a big 2 acre pasture where they can graze and hang out together all day.  He'll get groomed, loved and become my beautiful pasture ornament until we can get him on the right track.  I think this will do wonders for him and I think it's definitely worth a shot.  I think he'll like it.

I want to make a galloping track around the perimeter of the pasture to pony Reason and stuff of that nature.  But everything is up in the air and I will know a plan of attack once I get him there. 

I love Reason.  It breaks my heart to see all his handsome, cute moving goodness not being utilized and to see him not excelling.  I know he has potential.  I want to see him progress.  If he never can be ridden again, I will understand.  If he can only be a trail mount, then that's what he'll be.  All I want is him happy and to share good rides. 


I'm also going to school in a couple weeks.  Hopefully I'll be able to commit to a third horse once I do get my career on track.  I'm excited.  A horse habit comes at a hefty price tag and I want to be able to provide my horses with all the best and to get my riding going again too.  Matt is also leaving for school, but he will be going for 2 years and relocating.  It's going to be a change but it's going to be great for our futures!

More posts will be coming..

One Hand

Reason has been relatively moody and grumpy lately.  I've changed his routine whereas he no longer gets turnout in the day or evening.  He has a stall with attached paddock which is good enough.  The day turnout is no bigger in comparison to his attached paddock anyway.  The reason for this?  Limiting the hands on Reason.

Yesterday was a fine example of why my horse needs only me handling him at this time..
I had turned Reason out in the outdoor to stretch his legs and also create some dialogue.  He hadn't been out for a couple days and because of the weird behavior I thought some re-establishment was in order.  I didn't want to force the issue, but I did want to do some constructive work.  Out in the arena he went.  Not wild, not full of himself, but had energy to burn and needed to get some of it out.  We weren't really achieving much in the outdoor, but enough for me.  I was expecting him to want to come to me and join with me, instead he was just out of reach.  He wanted to, but not.  He was neutral in attitude, no grumpy out there at all, but also not giddy with excitement or happiness.  After a little while I caught him and took him to the adjoining outdoor round pen while I went to work around the ranch.  I'd check on Reason here and there and he was relatively quiet and peaceful out there.  Normally the outdoor round pen is not his most favorite place to be..

After I got done with work, I went to go get him.  Instead of just haltering him and walking out, I wanted him to want to come to me to be haltered.  I pushed him around a bit, going through the paces.  He made a quick approach shortly after we began.  I sent him back out until I thought he was ready, which the times he did approach, he was not.  After about 5 times of doing this, he came to me, I haltered him and proceeded to walk out.  As soon as we got to the outdoor he started acting up.  He turned around quickly and tried to nip me as I tried to get him to stop.  I spent a good little while getting him to relax and listen to me.  He threatened to rear twice as he escalated in response to my corrections.  I pushed his haunches over in a circle around me.  My aim was to get him soft and responsive.  He started to come back down while I kept assertive but calm.  After we got through that, I was leading him on a long, loose lead, as he trailed behind with his head low.  Just exactly the response I wanted.  It took me reacting in an efficient, clear but also at the same time neutral way to get him to come down.  I don't expect anyone to have to do this with my horse, but that is what he needs.  He needs someone who can de-activate his defense buttons and not hurry through the situation.  He also needs someone who is not afraid, but also not aggressive.  As his owner and mom, I love him, I know him very well and I am the one who should be working him through this.  If someone tries to correct him, he could escalate to what he did with me and him not knowing or trusting the handler, could cause a situation that is neither good for Reason or the handler and therefore create an on-going problem.  I have to work him through his problems and find a common ground of understanding so he will be easier to manage for other people.

I wouldn't say Reason's bad.  He's not.  He's just a little more demanding of his handlers than other horses if you allow him. I have to make him into the horse I want.  I know that horse is in there, I've seen it and experienced it.  It's just me who has to find it and mold it verses other people with less understanding and knowledge of my horse.  He needs clarity and that will come with only one person, one solid method and less variables. 

Could it Be...Ulcers? - Update.

It's only been three days since I began Reason on his new, what I like to call the "tummy love," diet for what may be ulcers.  I'm happy to report, so far so good!  There has been notable difference in girth area and lower abdomen sensitivity and even a change in mood!  Reason's been more willing and happier from the times I've spent with him since Friday.  Yay, maybe this is going to help.

On Friday I turned Reason out in the outdoor arena for a little free-lunging.  I like to do this at least once a week because it just seems nice for him to get out and stretch his legs.  I am careful to boot him up and I do think about the tendon all the time, but it's really not something I worry about more am conscious about at all times.  I think the turnout/free lunge in the large arena, is ideal and good for Reason both body and mind.

During Reason's free lunging in the outdoor on Friday, he was trotting down the long side, head and tail high when he realized the barn owners dog was running with him.  Quickly he spooked, half passed, not very gracefully, sideways and kicked out, knocking down a lower rail board and also taking off a small patch of hair/skin of the inside of his left leg at the fetlock joint.  I'm doctoring that now, which is nothing bad just needs to be kept clean and medicated.  So no riding has been happening since Thursday.  It looks fine, some swelling but nothing more than what is to be expected.   

Could It Be...Ulcers?

Monday sucked.  To put it bluntly.  Tuesday was much better with roundpenning.  Wednesday was...OK. 

Wednesday my mom came to watch.  Bareback again, I rode Reason and got a couple attempts to get me off.  Nothing bad, just attempts because I clearly wasn't listening to his hints...  I was listening but trying to work him through them through really quick responses from my crop (he'd be unresponsive to the leg or just not paying attention and I'd really quickly give him a click behind my leg) and just staying neutral.  It worked, but still Wednesday was my opinionated horse :).  Then yesterday, Friday, I had a pretty awesome ride.  I let Reason munch on his dinner while I finished some barn work and then got on him bareback.  We cruised around the property, not around the path, but around the immediate property and then I went to the arena.  I go into it just focusing soley on forward.  Nothing else, just getting a willing, forward horse.  Reason was proving to be willing and forward so we moved onto doing something else.  I asked for long and low here and there and got some mixed ideas.  Reason wasn't settling into the idea of long and low, simply because he's still learning how and what is being asked.  I kept clear in my mind that the only way to train him to know what I was asking for, was to make sure I was quick to release once he attempted to do it.  In no time, he was traveling beautifully!  Not only did it feel great it also was great to feel him going, "Ahhhh."  It must feel good to stretch out like that and feel your body, engage the hind end and begin to feel what lifting the back might feel like!  I was quick to end the ride on that great note.

The idea of ulcers...  Well, Reason's not skinny, he's in great physical shape, he does have an appetite, isn't a picky eater and his coat is pretty darn lovely.  He doesn't look what you'd view as typically, "ulcery."  But he is sensitive around his girth and lower abdomen which may suggest something.  He gets resistant and grumpy under saddle.  It could be.  Considering a large percentage of racehorses develop ulcers, it certainly is a possibility.  He's a sensitive horse and I couldn't imagine him on the track.  So maybe, just maybe, this may explain in more depth what is actually going on.  I'm not going the scoping route as of yet.  I did however buy some Aloe Vera juice, Slippery Elm (herb), alfalfa cubes and probios to add to his rice bran.  Maybe it will make a difference?  I hope so.  I'm trying to come up with an idea of how to allow him to have access to 24/7 hay as I know that's key.  I think I may have come up with something... 

For now, the things I can do without waiting for results is ride him after he's had some hay, no sugary treats and maybe let him enjoy a bannana or some yogurt per-ride also..

Well, lets hope everything goes well!

A Glass Wall Went Up.

On Monday I got to Reason, having not seen him over the weekend and he was a different horse.  I've been having such a great time with him, not just bareback riding but all around.  He's been happy and comfortable.  In little (and big) ways we were making such great strides.  He was not holding tension, apprehension or anticipation towards anything.  He was happy!  I know my horse, I know the horse he really is and I know the horse I was experiencing on Monday was not my horse, for whatever reason, I don't know.
When I went in to get Reason, he was immediately wanting to get away from me.  Consistently he's been actually wanting me to get him, coming to me and following me.  It used to be that he'd stop and not move, that was his biggest problem when I'd go to catch him.  So it came across weird that he was like trying to get away.  I approached him and got a sour look.  Between his ears and his eyes, he was sending a clear message.  But he allowed me to halter him once I talked to him and slowly put the halter over his head.  He wouldn't move.  I went to go get my crop that I usually just have to carry and he'll move.  I'm well aware that the clear message was there with Reason, that he didn't want to come out, but I needed to explore it further to know why.  Reason began to follow me but with resistance and once in the stall, wanted to dart back out and get away.  Again, it sounds like he just didn't want to come out, but it wasn't that simple.  I tried to approach him to just get him calm and he threw his head up and wouldn't let me touch him, kept trying to get away and even began to threaten to rear when he couldn't get away.  I couldn't even get near his face or body without him getting freaky\and trying to nip.  At the same time he was acting afraid of me.  I wasn't in fear of my safety, I was more worried why this was happening. 

I ended up unclipping the lead and letting him go about his business after a suggestion from a friend. 

Yesterday, I knew we needed to re-establish our relationship and trust.  Why though?  I felt like trust was lost, somewhere.  I don't know why.  I don't know what happened for him to act that way.  Maybe because I wasn't there over the weekend and he got out of routine???  I don't know.  It's weird.

In the round pen yesterday, Reason was more sensitive then ever.  As much as sensitive is good, it's only good when it comes from an equally good place of willingness, not fear.  There was fear lingering in the air and confusion.  I felt like Reason wasn't sure what was going to happen.  We were just getting places in our relationship too.  Sigh...  I know by the end of the week, things will be better.  But, things were rolling along consistently well.  This has nothing to do with "two steps forward, one step back."  One step back lately would had been a day were Reason's mind was wandering, he was fresh and we had to work him through it or something of that nature, not suddenly my horse flipping a lid for no explainable reason.  He's not that type of horse that would flip without a reason.  This I know.  I trust him.  I know him.  He's sensible.  Although he is sensitive and picky at times, he is also very sensible and easy-going if he is allowed to be. 

Yesterday in the round pen proved the above point.  I still saw the same horse that was doing well last week and the week before, but hindered.  It was like he was lost somewhere but still present.  He wasn't sure where to be because he was worried and confused for whatever reason. 

Maybe I just worry and care too much about my horse?  Well that is true, but it doesn't mean that overrides my ability to appropriately view him or me and therefore truly evaluate the situation for what it is.  I have the ability to see the situation without altering my perception just to satisfy myself. 

Today will be better.  I got places yesterday and today we'll go back to our regular routine most likely.  If not, we'll keep working to rebuild whatever was lost. 

It Continues..

My bareback riding escapades have continued.  Each ride has been good and positive.  Like I said before, no longer does this tension hang in the air.  No longer is there a wall, so to speak, up between Reason and I.  Wow, all this from a girth and possibly a saddle..  I knew that ill-fitting tack could clearly cause pain and therefore various degrees of reaction, but to experience it and live it, is new to me and now I actually do understand.

On Wednesday (I think), it was a little chilly and windy out.  There was some cloud cover, welcoming the following weekend rain.  I got on Reason bareback to spend a day out of the arena, exploring the ranch more-so than I've ever done on his back.  There is a perimeter path around the property and although I've hand walked Reason on this path, we've never done the whole thing riding.  There have been a couple of reasons that the past week was finally the first under saddle day around this path..  Due to Reason's tendon injury and rehab since last year, I wanted to stay off hills for obvious reasons.  The path is not the best footing-wise and has some hilly parts and one nice slope.  When I first started bringing Reason back, I hand-walked him up and down the small hills that lead to the arena to start.  Then, I began walking him to and from the arena under saddle.  Then I took him on the path up that larger hill in hand.  The path also has a notoriously spooky section.  The path goes up a hill to a bushy area on the left that hides some spooky farm equipment in a large shed, that occasionally people are starting and moving around.  The horses can hear but not see it happening.  Then, as soon as you past that, you go para ell to the large outdoor round pen and through a grove of tall eucalyptus trees.  These trees are almost always moving, making creaky noises.  Although the stretch isn't long, it presents itself as an interesting cumulative of spooky possible experiences.

The day, to some probably wouldn't had been the best choice for this.  But it felt right, so off we went.  I took him around without an issue.  Reason isn't used to going around this path much at all, so there were definitive new sights and sounds, including some footing questions.  He took it all in stride.  I've found when we come across an interesting sight, which could possibly be scary, Reason likes to stop, observe and then move on.  In his time of observance I am constantly trying to help him remain confident through the experience so to not make it a big deal.  Reason is sensible, but he is young and at times hot.  He looks for guidance 80% of the time and the situation will escalate if the guidance is not there.  If I give him a confident basis, he probably will not worry and we will move on without another thought.  Whether its a big issue or not.

Although it's not a big accomplishment, walking around that path, it's a great step in the right direction.  It felt nice to go through those areas of question along the path and feel like we had a good working understanding.  He was listening to me and not worried about the creepy noises or swaying tree tops. 

On Friday my mom joined me on an even colder, windier day.  The day before the storm was to start.  On our way out to mount up, I heard my mom, who was then already mounted on Errika outside the barn, yell out "loose horse!" and I, holding Reason in the isle-way, turned to look out a stall door to the parking-lot, where I briefly saw a galloping horse sweep past in what seemed like a flash.  The next thing I knew, the same horse, moments later, was coming up the back of the barn isle-way running towards Reason and I.  He had a lost look in his eyes and was in survival mode.  In a moment of seconds, Reason stood at my side, wondering just as much as I, what in the world, but remained calm.  I stomped my feet and the horse slowed down and quickly slowed in front of us and darted into an open stall.  Reason was such a good horse through all of this.  Like a foal at my side, he never strayed in any sense of the word.  After the horse was calmed in the stall and another boarder came to it's aid, I took Reason away and we proceeded to mount up.  Reason was a little fired up but nothing I knew we couldn't work through.  I'd much rather get on him when he's fired up because I know I can get his mind working and get him to a calmer more relaxed place from atop his back. 

The ride was a little challenging.  I knew I had to spend some time just getting Reason's mind to the place I wanted it to be, because he was a bit "out there."  I wanted a relaxed horse, listening to me.  We had a couple opinions from Reason.  I couldn't do anything except just put him through the basic paces and find a quiet but effective way of getting him to want to work with me.  Our ride lasted about 45mins.  By the end, I was getting a good horse and called it quits on a good note. 

Here is a photo from one of our rides last week in the outdoor.  It has a downhill slope to it, which is why the gait looks weird.  It's hard for most horses, let alone a young one to balance down it.  I do think Reason does a good job at managing though.  One of the other things I don't like, is Reason's upside down looking neck here..  It's really not that bad...  I DO like this photo because I believe it captures a moment of focus and listening on both our parts.

Feeling Good.

I think I managed to figure out why Reason won't go forward.  As usual, a large part of me certainly believed that it was related to pain somewhere.  Although the first and easiest mind you, place to point as the culprit was the feet (he is barefoot) and the saddle which isn't horribly ill-fitting.  But, I wasn't sold on those alone.  Reason's vet checked his back for pain and found none.  After explaining that my jump saddle is a bit tight at the shoulder, she also noted that in fact his shoulder wasn't showing signs of pain.  Instead, his girth area was sensitive and painful.  The poor boy :(.  We talked about different girths and girth placement.  I am not a novice, I do know where a girth goes, but apparently it needs to go further back and I need to find a wider one with a belly plate possibly to accommodate him.  My vet also noted that it's important to buy a girth with elastic at both ends because the horse gets some expansion on one side but not the other with your traditional girth with elastic at only one end.

My Dressage saddle's girth is too large for Reason.  I remember someone on another blog, an eventer, noted that longer billets on a jump saddle were needed for their side sensitive horse to accommodate a shorter girth.  Is it true that a shorter girth is more comfortable for the horse?  It seems like it would be to me.  Anyway my Dressage girth is too long, meaning I have to fasten it up higher on the billets, meaning it covers almost the entire girth area leaving little room for natural movement and expansion.

I decided to ditch the saddles altogether and see what kind of ride I could get.  Well, much better if I do say so!  The whole experience was altogether better.  I felt like the tense nature of the air when I would ride Reason, was gone and we were actually just enjoying our ride!  Because of that, I felt so much more relaxed and able to communicate with him.  Yay!!!

Reason had the weekend off, so yesterday was our first ride since Friday.  I hopped on and off we went and he was a perfect gentlemen.  Of course he still demands perfection in how you ask and apply aids and of course he still gets opinionated, but it's no longer coming from a place of pain and frustration but rather a place of light-hearted, cheeky, young horse-land.  I'm learning to be more aware of my body doing this bareback thing as well.  I'm trying to practice staying centered and light.  Wow, does it ever feel good to be riding like this again!  This is the horse I knew was in there.  I no longer get evasions, I no longer get dropping of the shoulder and refusing to go forward.  I get a happy, willing horse who is actually quite with it and responsive.  Ahhhh!

Granted I still want to probably put shoes or buy boots for Reason.  I do feel that he is hesitant to really relax and come into his body and move out freely.  There is some resistance in his gaits that I believe is related to his feet.  I do want to buy a new (well used probably) saddle that fits both of us better and most importantly a really nice comfy girth.  I'm hoping all this will help solve our problems.  Until then, I'm staying bareback.  Well, until I get a new girth at least.  Even then I think the girth area needs time to heal from whatever pain it has been dealt with due to the girth or whatever else could have caused it.  I want to just get Reason comfortable moving forward and try to open him up, get the girth area healed in some way and then go back to a saddle (with new girth of course.)  

Where to Start...

There is so much to write about, but instead, I'll explain my ride yesterday.

It was drizzly and miserable outside yesterday.  It wasn't cold, but there seemed to be a moist type nip in the air.
I do enjoy riding in weather like this, but I also have been craving the sunny, beautiful days and always seem to plan my rides on the days where the clouds or cold or fog is out.  I'm looking outside right now and think how I was planning on giving Reason today off, potentially another beautiful day lost.  Back to yesterday..  I'm still getting to know the ever complex, sensitive Reason and constantly trying to figure out a routine that works best for him.  Have you ever heard of horses that their owners exclaim that have to have a certain routine or way of doing things or the horse just flips?  I mean sometimes I wonder if the owner is just too afraid for whatever reason, to try something new but now I am finding there is some truth to it because I think I have a horse like that..

I tried lunging before riding, to somehow set a more positive tone for the following ride and get Reason warmed up mentally and physically.  Did it help?  At first, I thought yes.  I could get through to Reason better on the ground and it appeared to help him when we got to the riding part.  Then I decided that Reason was just too lazy sometimes during our rides.  I fought back and forth between the idea that he just was just testing how I would get him to go forward and try to get away with not, or if he was actually lazy OR if he wasn't going forward due to other reasons such as pain etc.  The jury is still out.  I decided ok, I'll stop the lunging before the rides and just get on and work with whatever I have and hopefully he'll be a bit more willing to go forward due to being fresher.  I never lunged him to get the bucks out, I always lunged him for the sole purpose of just setting the tone, I guess you would say.  Now I've been riding him without the lunging.  And it's true the last two rides; Monday and yesterday, were both a bit fresher.  Monday was superb.  Monday Reason was holding a nice pace and willing.  I rode him in Ink's old figure 8 bridle for the first time and in the jump saddle.  Yesterday was quite different, but not out of ordinary.  For whatever reason, my horse is moody.  I have no idea how to get through to him and make him want to work.  I'm leaning towards a pain thing and I know saddle fit could be a large part of it..  But some days I get the horse I got on Monday and some days I get a teen tantrum.  Reason refuses to go forward, will even stop and resents any of my efforts.  There is no quick fix with him.  But I do know this, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and as long as I keep looking and keep trying and keep listening, the rides will always end positively.  Yesterday was proof of this.

On occasion those rides where Reason is just not willing, just not into it are truly testing of my ability to turn negative into positive.  To not give up, but see a solution through.  The ride started like a brick wall.  There was a vibe of, "I'm already over this," before it even began.  First, it was close to feeding time.  That could explain some of the behavior, but oh well, I have to find a way to work him through that and make him go well and willing.  But also, Reason doesn't like the rain.  As soon as I mounted to go walk him down to the indoor he was already over the drizzling rain hitting his ears and face.  He gave me a frustrated head shake when I went to ask him to walk off.  On our way down to the indoor he was making a noise that seems to be fairly unique to him.  It's an "eeeee" type of whine noise.  He does this when he's excited, nervous or irritated.  He was doing that on our walk down.  'Oh goody,' I thought.  He kept wanting to stop and turn around.  Oh, even better.  Once we got into the arena he was a fresh, easily spooked, looky-loo.  I can work with this, but instead of being fresh and going forward, he was fresh and going backwards.  It was a disaster waiting to happen.  I'm sure a good rider, different than myself, could give him a crack on the rump and he'd probably dart forward, but then again, his mind was pretty lost, so it could have been pretty bad if it was handled that way.  You never know how he could react to a different rider, different approach, but I know for him and I, at that moment, no way jose and I believe there is a reason I have yet to handle it like that..  I just don't think there was anywhere to go at that point, then to back off and find a different way to manage.  I'm obsessed in a way with discovering the missing piece.  There is a piece I am missing regarding how to not get in this situation of anti-forward, NO.  But one thing I've learned is not giving up and if I try and if I'm honest, I can find a way to turn these rides around.

I decided enough was enough.  I got some trot steps, which were nice.  I got some walking, but Reason was out of the building.  He was starting to get  irritated and annoyed, like before he reared that one ride he threw me off.  I took him to the round-pen, maybe to salvage what horse I had left.  It worked.  I got him thinking about me, I got him relaxing a bit and then I took him back out and mounted up again.  This time we went to the outdoor arena instead.  There was some distractions in the indoor and he was being weird, so I thought, lets start fresh in a new area which to me, might be more inviting.  It worked.  At first Reason was still a bit 'no,' but he was much better and was actually paying some attention.  I could put my leg on a actually get him to go.  Once I got him walking nicely, we went up to the trot.  In the beginning there was still some resistance, but then he settled and gave me a good, forward, pace.  I felt like he was actually in front of my leg instead of far, far, behind it.  Once I felt like he was with me, instead of where-ever else he was meandering, I finished the ride.

I have no idea what I could be doing wrong to possibly create the initial no reaction with Reason.  I'm desperate to explore all options and see what could be rider/trainer error.  But a part of me also thinks pain.  I do however, think that it could be a number of things as it usually is with Reason.  He needs front shoes, new saddle..  When the rides are good with Reason, they are good.  But nearly everyday, I'm not sure what horse I'm going to get.  I love riding him though and find it almost a driving obsession to figure him out.

Here is a video a couple weeks ago in our lesson.  I'm not touching his face much, at this time it's just about getting him forward..

Ride #20? - What We've Learned.

Ex-race horses are excellent teachers of soft hands and soft seats.  They aren't usually tolerant of anything different from my experience and from what others say.  There is nothing better than you can do, than stay off your horses face during the first stages of training, from what I've learned too.  Does your car go anywhere when you hit the gas and brake?  I've been teaching Reason the "go" aid from the beginning.  Looking back, those first 3 real rides make an awful lot of sense now.  My horse was confused when I asked for go and in his own nice way he said, "hey, I don't know what you mean, you keep asking and it's kinda making me a little irritated and nervous.."  When I spent the first couple rides after he was off during his head injury (or whatever it was) I stayed outside of the arena and practiced what 'go' was, there.  It made more sense to do it in a place where he naturally wanted to walk out. I never touched his face, to make sure he could easily associate the leg with go and because well, who needs the face anyway at this point?  I had to learn how to ride him confidently and surrender any control I thought I needed in order to make it work the way it needed to.  Ink was my first real teacher of an independent seat or atleast some understanding of it and the unnecessarity of the hand if the seat was doing it's job properly, albeit quietly..

My consistent rides on Reason the last 2 weeks+ have been great successes.  All I want to do is; #1 be able to ride with my leg off him while #2, be able to simply touch him for my upward transitions..  I want to be as subtle and quiet as possible while getting an enthusiastic, forward, yet relaxed response.  That's my goal, that's the kind of ride I want.

After Reason got the upward aid, I have been able to begin to fine tune it, which then started with the introduction of the crop.  Carrying the crop, Reason was keener off my leg.  But it also allowed him to further-more associate my subtle leg aid with the forward reaction.  I want it to get lighter and softer, but don't expect that yet, but it's gotten good already. 

Now, I've found, I can ride with some contact.  It's a soft contact and Reason has found a willingness and comfort it in being there.  He asks where and I say here.  He hasn't figured out yet to stretch down and begin the beginnings of traveling long and low.  Perhaps he's still not strong enough or doesn't believe he is to do that?  I'm not sure.  I ask here and there to see if he wants to try and for the most part he's right there ready to go where asked but hasn't quite managed to figure it out..  But I like the feeling in my hand of connection, no pull, no take, just there.

Since Reason has also been going forward nicely, I've also been adding in asking for down-ward transitions.  Keep in mind, we have no began canter work and I don't plan to until I feel he's traveling strongly and balanced at the trot.  He gets a bit rushy going towards the exit.  I like him rushing than I do sucking back, but I do want him to stay with me instead.  So I've been adding in walk to trot (vice versa) transitions to get him with me more and lighter on my aids so he still is allowed to move forward, but is asked to come back as well.

And then, because transitions have been going well, forward has been going well, I thought I'd ask for a more forward trot.  And I made the mistake of asking for a bigger trot, then smaller trot every 6 or so strides.  I shouldn't do that yet, I don't think, because he needs to get forward down all-together before I do the shortening of the steps.  I'm not sure, but I believe that's right?

I joke that Reason will be able to do piaffe in no time!  He's so incredibly smart.  Of course I have no idea how to train movements like that, heck I'm just trying to get W, T, C down properly ;)!

Yesterday I had my mom come watch us, since the last time she had seen us riding it was still when I was just sitting on him and walking.  So, weird thing happening is that when Reason has people he knows watching (aka treat givers) he gets focused on them and not on me when we're riding.  When Matt watches us, Reason is watching him the entire time and I have to spend time just trying to get Reason to be with me.  This brings on a cool challenge however.  It makes me ask myself and question what I am and am not doing to make Reason want to be with me more than the people watching.  Clearly, if I master that, it will open some many windows in our relationship.  So, how exactly do I do this?  My first idea is to praise A LOT more.  I've found myself a lot picker and not as praising as I normally am.  I call Reason out a lot when he's being silly but I'm not praising him when he's trying.  My first, very first, thing I must do.  Today, when I go ride, my goal is to be silent, quiet, just sit, ask, proceed and praise when it's due.  I must not correct him on his naughtyness, yet ride him forward and move on.  He's not "naughty", he's being very good, so I should be just smiling and riding forward.  The 'try' is enough :). 

I'm so happy with Reason.

Reasons Good Progress

It's been a while since I've written on this trusty blog. 

Most recently, I rode Reason on Tuesday when it was gusting good outside.  The wind whipped through the barn with force.  But I wasn't about ready to let that stop me.  One part of me figured that I'd have to find out what horse I was going to have in these weather conditions and the other just said that as long as I was cool with it, Reason would probably be too.  I determined early on that I was going to stay out of the indoor arena and strictly just walk and trot around the roads at the barn.  Well, Reason was awfully good.  He did as asked without a second thought that me, his rider, felt that a couple times the wind was going to pull me out of the saddle! 

The following day, yesterday, I decided that I was going to stay inside the indoor arena.  The rain (and some hail) was going well enough that being inside was exactly what the day ordered.  There were a couple other riders getting their horses tacked up and another rider in the arena when I got there.  Between the rain, cold and some wind not to mention some rather interesting sights and sounds from workers and chickens next door, I didn't know what the day was going to hold.  Maybe it was going to only be a day of getting him used to and over "scary" stuff?  I didn't know for sure.  I was determined however, that today was going to be just fine if I wanted it to be and by golly I wanted it to be a good ride and good time for both of us. 

Not too long after I began riding a boarder was going to have a jump lesson.  The jumps came out and I figured that this was going to be a good time for Reason to see and hear a horse jumping.  It sounds silly, but Reason is somewhat reactive.  Well he was taught to run after horses I guess, so that might explain that and also his age and, well you get it..  I had Reason stand, as mostly I didn't want to get in the rider's way.  The indoor is a somewhat small space.  I also wanted Reason to just stand there and watch.  It sounded like a better way to make the experience more positive..  The weekend before he (feeling a little fresh) decided that as we were walking away from a horse who was behind us that jumped and rubbed a rail, was pretty frightening. 

Reason and I watched the lesson.  He was so good, just stood still and watched the horse jump right in front of us.  Then afterwards I continued riding and Reason got to watch and experience what it means to work around and with horses that were doing their thing.  It doesn't sound like a big deal, but some OTTB owners can appreciate what it means when your horse can ride around and be ridden around by other horses without getting, worried, excited etc.. 

What a good boy Reason was! 

I've been continually working Reason on the ground.  We've been practicing changes gears within the paces.  I've been mostly trying to work on his walk and a little bit with the trot (collected to extended).  He's doing so well.  Much less reactive than the last time I wrote about it. 

Today Reason and I went on a walk around the barn and down the driveway.  I'm currently working/riding him 4 days a week.  We are trotting now, but short intervals. 

Ride #10 & #11 - The Happy Walk

Before I start this post, I'd like to send my thoughts to all my family.  My Grandpa O. passed away yesterday afternoon.  He was an amazing man who was determined to make it to age 100.  He was 97.  I still can't believe you're gone.   

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I have so much to write about!  So much has happened since my last post.  Things are going well now.  Monday and yesterday I had two really nice rides on Reason.  This time I used my jump saddle instead of my Dressage which, to me, feels better to ride in (on Reason that is) than my Dressage.  There was lots of commotion going on with rock moving and tractor work happening around us, but Reason didn't flinch.  I wasn't expecting him too as loud and noisy heavy equipment has never bothered him.  Thank You racetrack :).  It was fabulous to be riding amongst all that action because I couldn't help but smile that all I had beneath me was a relaxed horse who walked happily on a loose rein.

I've been riding Reason around some of the property instead of just going right into the arena, which he seems to enjoy.  But the arena has to be just as inviting and relaxing to him as hacking out because eventually the arena will be our main source of exercise..  My goal is to have the same horse inside the arena, as I have outside.  There is just a bit of nervousness when he's inside of the arena.  But not much, so it won't take long. 

More later...

Better & Better

Last night was probably the best roundpen session Reason and I've had.  He was being very good and most importantly moving pretty relaxed and happy.  I thought it would be a good idea to practice his upward and downward transitions through the walk and trot.  It went really well and the voice commands are nearly doing all the work. 

I feel that mentally Reason is welcoming towards me getting on his back again, but physically I am still holding out.  His body isn't quite when I want it to be yet, but I know I can do helpful work from the tack as well, so I'm just waiting until it really feels right to get back up there.  At times I know I would be better off in the tack, but I have to pay attention to the ground work.  I realize it's importance by far, but I'm more comfortable in the tack and feel I can work on things better.  Not only that but I don't want to do too much roundpenning.  I kind of feel Reason is getting slightly bored of it.  I also feel that with the tendon that this is not something I want to be doing for much longer.  Straight lines are more appealing to me....

Pressing On

I just have to start this post with...  To learn, we must first make mistakes. 

Reason has been enjoying his new stall with attached paddock.  He seems very happy and more at ease there.  I couldn't be more pleased with how he's doing there.  The only thing is that the new stall is clearly where he wants to be as I have a hard time getting him out!  Silly bugger. 

I am happy to report that Reason's level of relaxation and resistance (in reference to both some mental but mostly physical resistance) during our roundpen sessions is consistently improving.  Before, Reason could not move forward more than a couple steps at the walk (and as in move forward I mean an over-track) without tossing his head and reacting.  Now he's consistently over-tracking at the walk with a happier expression and no resistance/reaction.  I am only assuming this is a positive sign.  The trot is getting better too.  I can see all the gaits opening up more.

I have started bringing tack into the picture, with the addition of the bridle recently.  I want all the tack to associate with positivity.  He's carrying around the bridle and bit comfortably, which leads me to believe that whatever caused such a strong reaction while the halter was even on, is now no longer a problem.  Yesterday I added the saddle for the first time.  I secured the stirrups, but they still made noise which made him react in a similar way when I started adding the bridle in.  I noticed his back seems tight, which I believe is pretty directly attributed to how he carries his head high.  Reason is getting the idea that lower is in fact better so there is definite light at the end of the tunnel that this all will change in just a matter of time.

I'm doing pretty light sessions with tack, to make it simple, quick and easy, as to not overwhelm Reason.  Adding time as we go and hopefully I will be in the tack again soon.  My idea is to get him going comfortably in all tack and even very short sessions in the side reins.  (I'm not a huge fan of side reins on young horses, but I think it will help him get a better idea of a better place to put his head.)  Once he's doing well, I'll add myself into the picture and do short walk sessions at the end of our roundpen time.  Slowly building onto that. 

To look into the more detailed breakdown...:

1.  Add saddle +bridle 3x's/week, 5-10 minutes each time

2.  2x's/week Roundpen no tack

3. Add 2-5 minutes each day 3x's/week every week w/ tack.

4.  Build up to 15 mins of full tack work where horse is moving consistently relaxed.


5.  1-2x's/week for 2 weeks add in 2-5mins per week of under saddle at walk.

6.  Week 3, up to 3x's/week under saddle at walk, adding 5mins to each sessions each week.

7.  Once up to 25 mins of walk under saddle, add in trot, at 2 mins each week.

That's a basic idea.  We'll see how it goes!

This New Direction..

I watched Reason go around and around, in the roundpen and I suddenly felt the unsure, insecure me looking directly into it's mirror image.  I saw myself, standing there watching my horse go around in an almost frantic manner and felt exactly what he was doing.  I almost felt lost standing there, in the middle of the big round pen.  Helpless and as if we weren't there but out someone else facing up to our inner demons, or something like that.  It was weird, so weird.  I have never felt like that before.  My heart began beating and my mind began racing as I watched Reason go around and could not have recognized more.

Yes, Reason got to go into the big round pen for the first time, ever, 2 weeks ago when the vet came out.

Lets start from the somewhat beginning.  Four weeks ago (maybe a bit more) I began taking Reason into the indoor roundpen to have him walk out so I could see how he was moving, after the trim that made him foot sore.  Three weeks ago, I took him into the roundpen and began asking for a little more of him in terms of walking and trotting if he wanted as he was feeling better.  Then, I decide he's ready to go back into under saddle work again and he's good but tries to get me off once each day of the two days I ride him.  At first, you might recall my post about this, I thought Reason was just being a rehabbing, young ottb and testing me.  But the following day when I go to first move him in hand before mounting, he's clearly distressed.  He nips at me for the first time ever.  He's going a bit bonkers about something.  I take him into the roundpen so he can move at liberty and I can get a better idea of what might be going on.  He starts pawing frantically, then rolling frantically, then constantly shaking his head, throwing his front legs up and acting like something is clearly bothering him.  I've had this horse since May and this was the first time I've ever seen him like this.  Some chalk it up to him rehabbing and probably having pent up energy or that he's going back into work.  But that's not completely true, he's been saddled, bridled, ridden bareback and ridden tacked many times and worked with on the ground, even around other horses, including a galloping horse and horses bucking on the lunge line etc.  He's never acted like this before, ever.

At first I was wondering what in the world was going on.  The following day I took him out again and he did the same thing.  He even shied away from being haltered when I went to fetch him from his paddock and made some funny noises when I tried to get the halter on.  I had Matt with me that time and asked him to watch Reason to see if he saw anything or what his opinion was.  Matt has a pretty black and white approach and even though he's not the most knowledgeable in horses, he is pretty good at helping me and he is the next best person when it comes to knowing my horse.  It was pretty clear to Matt too that there was something weird going on.  When we both tried to approach Reason and touch his head for further examination, he shied away as if something was bugging him.  This made us wonder if what was going on was related to his head.  We began feeling around and Matt came across swelling behind Reason's left ear.  It clear this was either the source or at least A source.  He did not wanting us touching it, but Matt began massaging the area which Reason seemed to like.  But each time we would try to approach him he would shy.  He would even try to nip.  Yes, clearly this was a behavior as a result of pain.  This was his way of saying, "no, it hurts, don't touch."

When we turned Reason out in the roundpen, he would do the same thing; frantically roll, paw, paw, toss his head, shake his head and throw his front legs about and duck his hind end under himself like something was going after him.  When we would leave his halter on it seemed to make whatever was bugging him, worse.  So we thought that the crow of the halter was exacerbating the swelling on his head.

The vet came out just over a week later and noted there was still swelling but also noted some other things which could have caused or a result of whatever happened to his head.  I thought he hit his head on something and it was only worsened by the bridle and he was getting migraines, which the vet also speculated in regards to the odd behavior.  It was progressively getting better, the pain/behavior, in conjunction with the swelling, although reason why I believed all this was related to the cause of and the swelling. 

The vet found a knot (muscle) in Reasons left cheek and pain through his neck into his back.  Could it all be related to whatever happened to his head?  Very possible, probably more than likely and even more so, made whatever else was going on his body to do compensation from the bowed tendon, demands on the body of a young horse etc, worse.  To make matters worse, Reason wasn't moving.  His paddock got pretty mucky after the constant rain and he refused to move (which is both a good and bad thing) and also refused to roll in there.   

Now, I am moving Reason to a stall with an attached paddock for the winter, which has good footing and very good drainage, in hopes he'll move.  It's small enough he can't get too silly, but enough room he can move.  He'll also be next to other horses and be able to socialize and be almost like a real horse ;).

Things are getting better.  No more weird behavior, although Reason is still reactive to his kind of stiff body, tight muscles etc. 

So you might be wondering why I'm round-penning him?  Cardinal sin?  Well, the bowed tendon is the least of our worries now and the vet explained that it was ok.  At this point I really have no choice.  I can't turn him out, that could be way worse, I can't ride him until his body makes some progress and until I know he's OK obviously.  The only way I can move him right now is at liberty and I can do that in a pretty controlled manner via the indoor roundpen.  It's our only place of use right now.  I've been working on asking Reason to walk out, some trotting and even small bits of canter if he feels like it, these last two weeks.  He's getting better and moving more freely and relaxed. So I'm going to be continuing this until he's ready for the next step, which would be incorporating riding into the program and then hopefully wean him off the roundpenning as the core source of exercise and work.

Here is his most recent video from the roundpen..



I have more, but I'll save that for tomorrow!

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

More than a Mirror.

I have a real blog post coming soon.  There is just so much, that as usual, I need to sit down and actually make sense of all the stuff in my head that has been building up.  :)  It makes sense to me, but I presume that if I just blabbed it all down, it would appear as a confusing mess to you readers.

Things are well but going in a different direction.  More soon :).

The Downside of an Upside Process.

My 22nd Birthday is tomorrow.  Despite it being my birthday, I only wish my poor horse was in a better, happier position.  There is nothing as depressing and frustrating than seeing your horse in an unhappy place.  It's all in the territory.  As a friend said to me, "two steps forward, two steps back." 

Last week, I rode Reason twice, once Wednesday and once Thursday.  He tried to get me off once during each ride, in a kind, yet direct manner.  Looking back, it seemed not like he was trying to let out some steam and want to play and toss his rider around, but instead it seemed that he was trying to let me know he'd like me off because something wasn't right.  Friday, Reason was pretty distraught.  He was doing pretty unusual behavior when I took him into the indoor round pen to access him.  Shaking his head constantly, pawing, striking out and then rolling.  When he's handled on the ground, for grooming and walking, he's fine.  Although he has been nippy when you try to get near his face.  Not in an aggressive manner, but in a, "hey don't touch this area please."  I'm as a loss.  It has been suggested this behavior is him just trying to find a way to release his energy.  But from the beginning, I've suspected pain.  Obviously I stopped all "work" with him and have been trying to explore the source of this behavior.  The rides last week was not the start to this behavior, but rather the peak.

A new problem arose as of Wednesday.  Reason was stocked up on a ll four legs.  The bowed leg was inconsistent with the other legs; the fetlock joint and pastern to coronet band was filled.  No heat, not lame.  Cold hosing and walking helped diminish the fill.

Right now things are kind of messed up.  I'm trying to re-work his living arrangements to see if he might be happier in a different area such as a stall with attached paddock so he can visit closely with other horses and still have some room to move.  The only thing is I do like the fact that he has room to play in his turnout, but not too much where I worry about him hurting himself.  Hmm..

Also contemplating some other things as well.  But for now it's all in limbo.     

The vet will be out early next week to help me figure this out.     

Move His Feet, Move His Mind.

Errika and I last Friday on a trail ride.

Within a matter of days the hooves beneath Reason were feeling better and better.  So much so that he began bouncing around with that spark in his eye again..  Little things would make him excited or frisky - I knew he was feeling better.  I knew my horse was back.

But as it happens, there was a learning curve just ahead.  Because of the recent holiday, Thanksgiving and the events surrounding it; dinner with familie(s), work right after and just the overall busyness that surrounds such times, I was unable to really hang with Reason or do much of anything with him.  I could tell he was getting a little 'hot' for his own good. The day after Thanksgiving, I finished working the evening shift at the barn, went and fetched Reason, to do something with him, finally.  He was good, a little hot, but good.  Each day there-after, got worse and worse, in regards to the hotness.  I can appreciate a hot horse, but there can't be much good that comes from a hot AND rehabbing horse.

Each night I took him out... There is where I went wrong.  Nights are bad right now.  Nights are time for warm stalls and yummy grain.  NOT for working.  This is what Reason seems to think.  In his never to be humble opinion, he lets me know just that.

Each night his attitude grows, little by little.  He's throwing baby horse tantrums.  I know that a good go in the round pen would help us come to a good meeting ground.  But he's rehabbing.  Round-pens and lunging are places we should not be exploring.  (Although I am, just not in the typical sense.)  So, I just do in-hand work, within the indoor round pen.  I remember someone saying that a horse doesn't care if you can move its head, but if you can move its body and feet, that's where truth lies.  Something like that.  I figured since round-penning (at more than just a walk) was and will be out of the question for some time, if not almost ever, I have to be creative.  I decided in-hand work, moving his feet, experimenting with lighter and softer amounts of pressure, would be a good option.  Move his feet, move his mind.

That seemed to work, pretty well.  I mean I was not completely satisfied, like if I could have actually round-penned him.  But it did enough and I know it will get better.

The simple culprit to this new found; naughty, no-not-listening, I-don't-wanna, horse?  Grain.  Oh so simple, but oh so trouble-some..  Reason gets rice bran at night.  I usually like to wait to bring him in until I bring all the other horses in at night.  He knows what awaits him once I do finally get him.  But when I crash the dark horses parade and want to work him instead, well that just doesn't agree with him.  I need to work Reason mostly during the day and if I do work him at night I should probably let him eat first..

Despite being, not the easiest to be around these nights, Reason is doing really well.  I'm very pleased that he's feeling better and in turn that makes me feel better.  I love seeing him everyday and wake-up to the excitement of the future ahead.  Even if it's something small, like going on a walk around the property or the idea of where we're going to be a year from now.  Whatever it is, I'm excited.  I love learning and have learned so much thanks to my four-hooved animals.

Before I end this post, I would like to give some updates on Errika.  She is doing really well, to put it simply!  She's looking better all the time and is developing muscle again thanks to our weekly trail riding!  Yes, my horse trailer was finally finished and now Errika and I do what we love to do together and that's hit the trails.  Shes such a good horse.  I can just sit up there and she'll safely take us up and over rocks, hills and across creeks.  I love her.