Thursday, March 27, 2008

one achievement in 3 1/2 years

is that molly will lunge to the right! we did 15 minutes lunging tonight - it wasn't raining (although thinking about it) and wasn't blowing, and everyone else was pretty much away so I decided that was the thing to do.

will need to go back to a few basics on the feet picking up, whilst she is a lot better it's not completely there yet and i need to reinforce that training with some more click/treat until I know she's consistent about it. would be good to be able to surprise the farrier in a fortnight!

I didn't say on Tuesday, but Queenie had to have the vet again Monday night - so busy trying to eat over the fence that she knocked it down and hurt her foot. alison wasn't going to call out as she knew what to do per clean up etc, but then decided on balance some antibiotics and bute were a good idea. at that point Queenie was showing her age - by the morning she was kicking hell out of the door to be out again, so probably not much wrong overall.

looking forward to the weekend - hope the weather is a vast improvement on last weekend, and i get some solid work done with her. Partner away to see a friend for the weekend so no one nagging as to why i'm not back yet...

and it's worming weekend, which means they aren't allowed out from saturday 10am until monday morning save for exercise, so an afternoon practising stuff is probably going to be a good idea!

4 comments:

Jean said...

Read your comments below about Molly. Your decision, certainly as to whether or not she really is the horse you want to own. Training her has certainly been a challenge for you and progress has been slow.

As for the Thoroughbreds, I agree with Caroline. It's hard to predict which ones will be good. Except for Russell R. when I was a heck of a lot younger, my Boys have not be easy. PJ was, however the only one off the track and he had issues, but he ended up being the most sane on hacks. Toby and Tucker never raced and have been tricky. The best one was Si, the young one I lost to colic surgery. He was very sane and very cooperative.

The thing is, a good horse is a good horse no matter what the breed or where it comes from. The dealer I bought Si and PJ from was exceptional at picking horses up from the track. I know another dealer around here who buys and sells soley on temperament, looking for the kind of horses that are good for people.

If you do eventually decide to get another horse, you really need to take your time and find the right disposition to suit you and what you want to do. If I liked hacking out, then Tucker would not be the horse for me. I'm doubtful Chance will ever be a dressage star--though one never knows--but he may well be the perfect hack. Russell R. was an "all rounder" but I was also a much braver rider back then.

Think it through this weekend when you have the time and wise advice.

Nicola said...

Queenie sounds like a tough old boot:)))

We've just done a worm count for ours all <50 so thats excellent..the poo picking does pay off it you can keep on top of it.Im literally tape worming once a year and thats it!

Claire said...

nicola, I've never been on a yard that poo picked, ever... in 18 years of horse owning.

cptrayes said...

Train partner not to nag :-))) ?? Surely she knows by now that her place is second to Molly??

C