Thought I’d try and keep you up to date with how the horses are down here.
Raf has been doing lots of bombproofing, dummy work and long lining to prepare him for the ridden bit once we get there. Vicky Rawle, Bowen therapist, came this morning to give him a treatment as I felt he was sore and didn’t want to upset the apple cart before we’d even started really. He’s been doing really well and we’ve worked through some of his misunderstandings about pressure on the bit and turning left and right. So he should be in a better position now to go on with the ridden work.
Amber has been working through some of her issues too. We worked lots yesterday on having her in the school with Todd, then Todd leaving one step at a time and coming back. After some rearing in hand and getting upset we worked on the floor, followed by on the long lines and eventually back up to ridden work.
We then took her out for a little ride, playing the caterpiller game - where one horse trots past the other and out front a little whilst the other walks, then changing places again. We’re doing it all one step at a time to build lots of confidence and keep out of the fight - I don’t like fighting at all, nevermind with someone half a ton bigger than me!
So Raf has the rest of today off and Luke and I are going to work Amber again.
I’ve got the students in for an assessment day tomorrow so I’ll be back as soon as I can.
Have a good day
Alex