Bad Blogger

Man, I've gotten bad at updating this thing! I can't believe I didn't throw a wreath around Lester's neck and a santa hat and snap some pics or at least do it digitally...

So Lester's blog has been on the back burner, BUT he's made so much progress, well we both have. I put him on Thyro-L a few months ago to help with his low thyroid and WOW, his body and mind have both completely changed. I wish I knew how much weight he's lost. He's no longer "just" nervous about being ridden. Hasn't spooked at "nothing" in several rides now. Of course I think this has to do with several things, he's fitter, I'm fitter and he's just overall more confident about things plus I give him sugar cubes now so he's just a happy camper. In efforts to losen up his back before a workout I have taken the suggestion from his Equine massage therapist to put a heating element on his back for 10-20 mins before a ride so that he is more inclined to use his hindend instead of throwing everything in his shoulder. So I have been throwing his quarter sheet in the dryer for a few mins to heat it up and then drape it on his hind quarters while I tack him up- think putting on clothes straight out of the dryer:-) so warm and cozy!

I have also been using the sidepass technique to loosen his jaw and get him soft. When he "unlocks" his jaw he will do just about anything I ask. The other day I threw back boots on him and man did he feel "fancy", he was doing lengthenings that I didn't really ask for and sometimes we didn't just fall completely apart:-)

Lester Collage

A dear friend made this collage for me because he knows how special Lester is to me! I love it and will print it out and frame it... Thank you Matthew Bogdan!

Cantering...

Yep, there's the proof that we can canter. Both directions too. I don't think there has ever been a horse and rider team to have ever stayed on a platue as long as we have, OK well sometimes we backed up a bit down the side of the platue, but not much has changed in the 12 years we've been together :-/ I guess some folks are destined to stay at lower levels.
It was hot yesterday, almost 80 degrees and as you can see Lester and I were both feeling lazy. I seriously can't tell if he's sound or not, never can. But he's got to stay in work to keep the weight off, we both do!

Thanks Limo!

So Saturday I had to get up early and get to the barn so I could ride before Lester got his new shoes. Laura and Ronnie, my farrier didn't think I could do it, but I proved them both wrong by showing up at around 9AM. Ronnie always calls when he gets to our exit and when I didn't answer he said he had some choice words for me and thought I was still in bed sleeping. But he had to eat his words when he pulled up and saw my Honda:-) I was on Lester when he arrived and that is why I did not pick up my phone. We did walk, trot and CANTER again, both directions. No spooking, no fighting just working. The horse I know and love is back!

I first lunged him in the side reins. It takes him a little while to get "moving".

Here you can see him just barely picking up his feets- can't blame him, it was still early for me too;-) just plotting along.

Even though he's trotting at the pace of a fast snail he very willingly goes into the canter with just my voice.

Now Limo comes into "play"

Usually Limo won't chase the horses anymore so I don't know what got into her?? Note the mutant to the right of the photo...

After he settles down and realizes it's just Limo, he gives me this :-)