About this Blog

Meet my very 1st horse, Lazarus.
I couldn't wait for Santa anymore or ask one more time for a pony for my bday (after age 30 it got embarrassing). I took matters in my own hands and I finally decided to pick a pony that needed a new home. Laz found me as I contemplated with this idea. He was sweet yet very sassy, fresh off the track, Thoroughbred (OTTB).
Join us for our re-training, rehabbing from laminitis and testing all parts of mixed up horsemanship and partnership, and luck...

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Flowing with the wind

First off, I woke up at 3 am the night before because it was thundering SO badly and lightening! I always think of Laz during these storms and how happy I am that he has a stall on those nights. I know it's probably more for my comfort than his, but I do feel better.
Anyway, when I got the barn, I expected him to be a bit sore.  He spins and runs and acts a bit stupid sometimes during high winds, storms etc.  He was actually OK, gimpy yes, but fine.
It was a beautiful summer evening but WINDY!! Ugh.  
Wind + Laz = concerned pony

We walked for about 1-1/2 hours, me leading him on the ground.  I quickly decided that today may not be the best day to jump on his back.
Lazarus was skiddish, spooky and FAST! He wasn't NOT bad though, didn't misbehave, just had a lot of TB energy and with the wind whipping around, he was just unsettled.
I can totally tell that he is trusting me more however.
We walked through the whole obstacle course and it was like it was a new course.
The car wash vertical, our first few times going thru it, proved to be a challenge for him BUT he did it!  He balked at and got smacked in the face and all over with how wildly the tarp curtains were whipping around, but he did it and exhaled and snorted once thru it.  
The caution tape walk thru had him flying thru it a racer's speed a couple times, which was super fun when my sweaty neck grabbed the caution tape around it, choke!
I am feeling so much more confident on the ground with him.  
We maintained a loose lead and when he spooked, he RAN forward and spun to face me, like "WHA...Why aren't you scared??!"
I tried to just remain calm, talk to him, reward him and encourage him that we were OK.
We had a couple of times where I chose to lunge him a bit, and he BUCKED, and kicked OUT at the evil corner monsters hiding in the pine trees and leapt around. trotted and cantered, and played this role of I'm tough (but soo soo scared!) by arching his neck and puffing himself up.
After our couple lunge sessions, he settled a little but his shoulder and leg muscles quivered for the first hour, ready to RUN if need be.
I felt good about my choice to NOT ride him on a day like that.  For what reason? There are some days that it's best to stick to a simple lesson and not put myself in danger, especially if I'm not feeling up to it.
We ended the day, with a tired, loose lipped pony, mouthing at my lead line and being so sweet but it took a while to get there.
I was proud of him, because he did try to be brave in a lot of moments and never refused anything I asked of him.

Needless to say, no pictures/video being I had my hands full! 
I wish I had a little tripod camera to get these days on tape too!

11 comments:

  1. wish I had a tripod as well. i think my sister gets annoyed with my begging for to watch my lessons in the blazing heat so she can video/take photos. haha too bad photographers werent so much money to hire ;)

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  2. That was a crazy storm! The lightening was so bright and the thunder was crazy loud....I was afraid that there would be a tornado for sure.

    I agree, it's nice knowing a horse is safe and sound in their stall!

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  3. Yep, you gotta know when to hold em and when to fold em when it comes to choosing to ride or not ;)

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  4. We need to come up with a term for when our OTTB's get puffed up over things (real or make-believe). I can imagine Laz growing by at least a hand when the pine monsters threaten.

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  5. Goofballs always spooking at the horse eating bushes.

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  6. I have a tripod, but I use the fence railing or a jump standard most of the time. Good job on staying calm and making the decision not to ride. On those days when you get on it seems like the frustration just makes it worse. Good for you! ;)

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  7. Sounds like Laz had plenty to be a afraid of, but I'm glad you were able to make him work through it and that he ended relaxed and tired. Hope the wind dies down so you can get back on again soon!

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  8. Thanks for the comment on my blog! It's good to meet another OTTB owner and read about their experiences. Makes me realize I'm not alone in some of the craziness they come up with. :)

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  9. I completely understand the Crazy-Cracked-Out-Pony-Who-Is-Snorting-Like-A-Velocaraptor Days! And you were definitely smart to not get on him -- when they're high as a kite like that, it's next to impossible to get them to focus and follow direction. And that can be quite unsafe!
    However, even Laz's antics make me smile, because he is obviously feeling bright and chipper. Yay!

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  10. Sounds like Laz did well with the scary obstacle course. He is a gently giant. I love to hear that you were more confident and he noticed you not being scared. That is great for him! Think BIG PUPPY and you will get through the spooks!

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  11. oops! I meant "gentle giant" lol

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