What. A. Week. Seriously. Let's just get right to it. As you already knew, my saddle wasn't going to even pretend to work for Shiny, so I didn't plan to ride her until the weekend when I could pick up my old saddle at the barn. (I had it there to attempt to sell.) Which was really a good plan, because Friday I had to have an endoscopy anyway. Just a let's make sure everything is good in there kind of thing, nothing to worry about! And all is good, so glad that's over.
Anesthesia always leaves me pretty exhausted afterwards, so I took the rest of the day pretty easy. I wasn't allowed to drive myself anywhere, but my mom stuck around and we ran some errands and had a nice lunch together. The horses got fed and that was about all I did with them that day.
Saturday was a big, busy day though! I was up fairly early because Fefe would be arriving, and I had to get all of her stuff set up at the barn.
I rode Eros first, and he was a good boy, as usual! And then my stepmom and I got busy putting away all of Fefe's stuff while awaiting her arrival. She got there around noon time, and unloaded like a perfect lady.
We really didn't fuss with her Saturday, since she had a long trailer ride up from Florida. Andrea went back later in the day to groom and hand walk her.
I spent the rest of my day with the kids at home. Rio had a nice groom and a graze. And I finally got to ride Shiny!
I'm big on her, but not TOO big at least. This saddle fits her better than my regular one, but it doesn't actually fit her, so I have something with a wide tree coming on trial. Hopefully soon.
As for the ride, she was exactly as advertised. Very quiet, and very green. But she went around fine, despite my neighbor being noisy and dropping tools every so often... (Seriously, that guy.) I had a really hard time getting her to canter, but when I did, her canter was a dream! So smooth!
I had to rush a bit after getting her put away. They got fed, and I hopped in the shower super fast. I had to pick my mom up for a 6:45 dinner reservation at the casino. My mom turned 70 on Tuesday, so we were celebrating over the weekend. My brother and sister-in-law got a sitter, so it was just us grown ups for a REALLY nice meal.
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| Why yes, that is three types of mashed potatoes. A flight if you will. |
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| 23 layers of delicious. |
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| Happy Birthday Mom! |
It was a late night, but mom had a great time. And I didn't lose all my money at the casino, so that was nice too.
Sunday was another BUSY day. But I guess I best get used to it! My barn helper had the day off, so I was up early to get the kids fed, turned out, and their stalls cleaned.
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| Photo not actually from that morning. But Rio is the cutest in his walkout. |
Once chores were done, I headed over to the barn. I met up with stepmom so we could see how Fefe was feeling about the new barn. The plan was to throw her on a lunge line and I would ride her that day. I opted to stay indoors as they were having jumping lessons outside. They don't like us to lunge during those. It worked out great, and Fefe seems like a pretty cool girl. She wanted to look around, but she wasn't wild nor spooky. She seems like she can maybe getting rolling along a bit at the canter, but if you ask her to slow down, she does. We didn't do too much for that first day. I just wanted to see what we were working with, and let her stretch her legs a little.
I rode Eros next, and he was wonderful. No more of the complaints he had last week!
Next I went home to tend to the other kids. Shiny was a good girl again, though I really feel like I'm fighting the saddle more than I'm riding the pony. Can't wait to try something else on her! Fingers crossed the first one will work, because this one isn't!
Rio had some more good groomies, and a little grass eating too.
Last Thursday, before I had a saddle to use, I gave Shiny an extra evening turnout. While she was out, I took Rio out for grass. And they met face to face for the first time.
You guys. He LOVES her. Probably too much. And I think he put her into heat. Sheesh. Mares. Now I remember why I have a no mares rule. They're so gross! But it's pretty cute that they love each other, and get along. I do fear she'll get a little clingy, as she does call to him when I take him out for grass. I'm not sure if that's about him though. Probably she just wants grass too.
After work Monday, I fed my kids, but gave them the night off. Instead, I headed over to ride my old buddy Big Brad!
He was really good, and even got round at the canter! Something that's been hard for him in the past. Not only that, but he even gave me some nice bend both directions at the canter too! Not easy things when you're as big as he is. It was a fun ride. I've missed him!
Which brings us to last night. I got on my pony last night, and well. She wasn't very good. She was snarky when I put my leg on, and a couple of times when I asked for trot, she sucked back, kicked out, and tossed her head up and down like she was contemplating a rear. I don't feel good about this, it reminded me very much of Ducky. But. Here's the thing. I really think it's the saddle. So I don't want to pick a big fight until I find a better fitting saddle for her. At the walk, I was able to get some really nice work out of her. She actually came up through her back onto the bit. But when I asked for the trot in that frame, I got the above behavior. And I think it's because she's uncomfortable. I hate to make excuses, and I don't want to let her get away with bad behavior. But I also don't want to punish her for telling me she's uncomfortable. If that's what's happening.
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| Still gives the snuggles though. |
This is the hardest thing about not knowing a horse. It's hard to judge when to be a trainer, and when to be a listener. I'm going to listen for right now, until I get a better fitting saddle. So tonight maybe we'll just lunge. Or have a turnout. And I'll see about getting that saddle shipped asap. I'm also not going to let naughty behavior linger. Once we have a saddle that fits, if I'm still having trouble, I will bring in a trainer to set everything straight. This is a lovely pony, and I don't want to mess her up.
And that's where we are at. Saddle limbo. Have you guys been through similar issues with a new horse? Think I'm taking the right approach? Any suggestions for deciphering bad behavior from uncomfortable behavior in a horse you don't know?
