The orange one has had 3 days off firstly due to weather and then due to work xmas party and Caroline's wedding. So decided against hacking him out in the wind today and thought the school would be a safer option.
Wrong!
First 45mins going ok although still having issues changing from left to right bend and on the right rein in general - he is just not submissive at all no matter what techniques I try. Dont know if it is something physical stopping him from stepping under with his right hind or just him. Managed a flying change from right to left lead canter after leg yield from centre line to wall on the 2nd attempt to was pleased with that. Canter work on the left rein no probs - doing some nice canter to walks and walk to canter, 10m circles in canter no probs. Trot work after the canter work lovely - up in front, soft in the mouth, all ok. Probs come when start to try and change onto right rein or just changes of bend in general - struggled with a 3 loop serpentine and 10m loops in from the track.
Then was just doing a bit of trot work to finish off, he was ignoring my leg so I gave him a sharper leg aid and all of a sudden he just stood right up. I remember him going up, thinking oh shit he's going really high and then oh shit he's going over. Fortunately I lost my balance off to the left, remember falling down pretty much flat on my back and just lying there helpless not really knowing what he was doing. Then saw his bum come down luckily to the right of my leg and he just rolled up onto my leg and then back off it. Thank god it was a soft landing and I didn't lose balance off to the right and into the school fence. He got straight up and trotting off round the school seemingly none the worse for wear. Managed to tread on his reins and snap them at the buckle. Caught him and he was freaking out as obviously expecting some kind of recourse of his actions.
Went and collected side reins and lunge gear and put him on the lunge. He seemed quite comfortable so made him work in trot and canter for 15mins or so as do not want him thinking he can get away with that behaviour. Hope he did actually scare himself a bit and will think twice before trying that one again. Got back on him despite rather painful backside! Left the side reins on but didn't really need to as he wasn't going to be naughty. Just did some trotting round on both reins and then him stretch down. He did probably the nicest trot stretch work he's ever done - typical! By this point we'd been in the school about an hour and a half - not quite the plan for the afternoon! He was not fussed by what he had done, nuzzling me for treats etc - horrid monster.
Getting v frustrated with him but always in the back of my mind wondering if it could be physical as was told on his vetting his right hind was possibly an issue. Concerned about pushing him too far and breaking him by wanting him to really engage the right hind like he can the left. Really cant see there can be that much of a problem given what he can jump though. Going to get the physio and saddle fitter out to him anyway as want to make sure no physical excuse for his behaviour. Just feel like we're still having the same issues that we had last winter. I'm sure he has improved loads in some ways but I just wish he would be a bit more accepting of the contact - always end up with aching arms and it's driving me mad!
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