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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde vs. Captain Awesome

10/29/2014

4 Comments

 
If you only started following recently, Sydney has several nicknames. When things aren't going too well, he's Mr. Hyde. When he's right there with me, he's Captain Awesome all the way. Last week, we had a serious Jekyll and Hyde afternoon. It was so terrible that I didn't even want to write about it.

I jinxed myself, of course, because it came after a day that I had flippantly tossed out that Sydney's normal fall freak-outs had not happened (yet). Sure enough, the very next day, all hell broke loose. Not half way down the arena, on a loose rein while walking, Sydney spun violently to the right, his preferred direction for freaking out, and stood at full attention with his heart pounding beneath my thigh.

Shit. Pardon my language.

I spent the next 45 minutes riding a 2 x 4. I tried every single suppling exercise that I know, but nothing worked. Eventually, I felt that he wanted to canter, and I knew it would be good for him, if he could stay in control. I told him that he could canter, but it was going to be on the left lead, to the left. He tried everything he could to whip his head to the right, but I planted my inside rein on my knee and repeatedly asked for a left lead canter.
Picture
2 x 4s don't bend.
Finally, he let go through his neck just enough that he could pick up his inside shoulder and canter on the left lead. I let him burn off some of his tension in a good hand gallop, but then I slowly asked him to collect and get back on his haunches. By the time we finished, much of the tension was gone, but it took the better part of a week to get rid of the rest of it.

I rode him nearly each day, focusing solely on relaxation. He got better and better. On Monday afternoon. Captain Awesome finally showed up with his cape snapping smartly in the wind. He practically saluted me. We worked in the scary end of the arena for the first time in nearly a week. That's where the freak-out had occurred. We cantered the whole arena, we rode big looping circles, and even did 15-meter circles, all on both leads.

What a relief. I know I don't have an easy horse to ride, but it's always frustrating when Sydney takes ten giant backward steps. Those weird freak-outs are occurring less and less, but that doesn't make them any more fun to get through. 

When we finished our ride on Monday afternoon, Sydney got TONS of hugs and kisses followed by a handful of cookies. He looked pretty pleased with himself, and maybe even a bit surprised. I hope he remembers that feeling for the rest of the fall.
4 Comments
emma link
10/29/2014 01:09:32 am

sounds frustrating. it's probably cold comfort hearing 'hey at least you know how to get through it now!' but still - nice work and glad the week ended on a good note

Reply
jenj
10/29/2014 02:16:06 am

Ugh, that sounds like no fun whatsoever to ride. I'm glad you were able to work through it, though!

Have you ever considered trying giving him a magnesium supplement? Other than being great for upset tummies, it helps with muscle firing and tension. A lot of horses are deficient, apparently. Maybe something to consider, especially in the fall?

Reply
Lauren link
10/29/2014 04:41:28 am

You handle his hi-jinks way way way better than I would.

Reply
Sarah link
10/29/2014 05:28:59 am

Ah yes, the self jinxing. I know it well. Luckily Hemie has gotten to be very quick at recovering from little episodes, so we are back to work in a matter of seconds. Maybe not the best work ever, but that's okay.

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    About the Writer and Rider

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  • Home
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