Back To Work

Well I finally got my bum in gear today and Freddie did some work! It feels really good to have done something with him. He's not been ridden since the show and before that he wasn't ridden since before New Year... so he's had an awful lot of time off. We'll excuse it as 'thinking time'. But the harder work starts now as he needs to get back into shape. I don't know how many shows I will get to but I'm hoping to get him out whenever possible and if he isn't ready when one comes up, I know I'll kick myself.

So I procrastinated for a while, had a cup of tea and eventually decided I really should get on with something productive... so, much to Freddie's dismay we tacked up and went out into the school. I only lunged and aren't I glad I didn't opt for the suck-it-and-see option! For the first five minutes he seemed incapable of keeping all four feet on the floor for more than a stride. He bounced and leapt around like a fool, whilst I just did all I could to hang on to the other end of the line and stop him catching his feet on it, as his hooves went above head level and he twisted and threw himself into every shape he could manage. Arse!

Eventually he became bored of this game and decided that speed was much more fun than contortion... slow was apparently not an option and everything was much more spectacular at 100mph! I tried asking him to come down a gear but I was clearly not interesting enough to take much notice of! So in the end I let him run... then when he eventually decided he'd had enough of playing silly buggers, he tried to slow down. So I pushed him on. He bucked in protest, so I pushed him on again. Eventually the silly cob decided I was right and it would be in his interest to do as I asked.

Once we'd agreed on this he actually went quite sweetly and his trot looked rather impressive. I also noticed, when I got the chance to actually watch him and not hold on for dear life, that he definitely looks a lot chunkier than the last time I lunged him. I can't have lunged him since I very first went to Sarah's at the beginning of October, although she has a few times when she's done him for me, so I haven't seen him on the lunge since he's filled out. The winter seems to have done him good and hopefully he's finally growing into his legs and head. I was pleasantly surprised.

So anyway, the beast really did sweat and puff after all of the exertion, so it was worth the fight. I'll get on him tomorrow, which I'm slightly apprehensive about. I may even lunge him for a while before I get on... just incase we have the same argument all over again, although he isn't usually one to argue quite so defiantly. But I'd rather win our battles from the safety of the floor I think.

It's funny though, he really is such a pleasure. I tied him up outside whilst I mucked out and he cooled down and he's such an affectionate little horse. He just likes to be with you and it's hard to see the same horse that was just throwing his feet at your head in the school. I just adore every inch of him!