Heh... well. Barn owner/trainer has decided she's no longer going to do training rides on Al, so I guess I'll be solving this issue on my own. She's decided she won't help fix problem horses that she didn't pick out herself. I hope to see this new protocol apply to all the horses she didn't pick and not just mine. I doubt it will be the case though. Regardless, I don't think I want the help anyway, if that's how she feels.
I have the vet coming out Friday for Eros, so I will be taking some of his time (whether BO/Trainer likes it or not) to discuss what's going on with Al. We have treated for ulcers in the past in an effort to curb some of this behavior and it's never helped. So I don't think that's what we're dealing with, but I'm not averse to setting up an appointment to scope if doc thinks that's something we should do. I'm also going to ask about treating for EPM. Maybe there's something going on with his eyes. I dunno. Grasping at straws a bit, but I just really don't think his issues are all behavioral. I've had lots of spooky horses, but he seems to grow more spooky the more we try to resolve the problem. Nothing seems to get him over what he's worried about. And I've just never had one that didn't improve by the end of the ride. Or after a lunge. Or whatever else we've tried. I feel like I'm generally a pretty good judge of character when it comes to horses, and I just don't think this horse wants to act the way he is. Maybe I'm wrong, and he's just a real turd and I picked a bad one. It's not impossible. But I don't think that's the case. I really don't. Time will tell I suppose.
So anyway. That's what Al's been up to. Nothing like a solid dose of unnecessary stress during the holiday season! Thanks Al.
Shiny on the other hand, is really stepping up to the plate. She's the MVP over here right now. She's moving forward, learning to actually stretch DOWN at the trot, and absolutely loving it when we get to jump. We had a lesson on Saturday morning and she was fantastic. She did practice some airs above the ground once when she hit a rail, but it was pretty entertaining. She rubbed a fence simply because she wasn't being careful and then got VERY MAD about it, leapt into the air and let out a giant buck. She stayed nice and straight though, and she's so wide you don't really get unseated so I giggled and continued on with the course. I'm very much looking forward to January when she can lesson twice a week again. I think she's looking forward to that too.
Nothing at all to report on with Eros. We're still tack walking and just awaiting the ultrasound which will be on Friday. I look forward to finding out what exactly we're going to be rehabbing. It will be nice to have a plan anyway. Especially since I'll be away for a few days, I like having a solid plan to leave with whoever is caring for him in my absence.
I'm very excited to spend a few days in Florida with my family and get warmed up! But I'm pretty anxious about leaving the horses. I wish I could just take them with me. And maybe stay all winter. Lol.
The weather here has been all over the place, but thankfully so far the precipitation has been rain. I have this one plant outside that has no idea what season it is so popped out a few flowers over the weekend.
We had our family Chanukah party on Saturday which was lots of fun. I got some new warm sweaters for the barn and a pair of insulated slippers that have a sole so I can wear them anywhere I want to. My feet are very excited about those!
