Today, I literally woke up giddy with excitement to see Lazarus. It was a familiar feeling of when I was younger, on the days that I had a riding lesson. So nice to feel that again!
It's been a trying year, a lot of up's and down's with his health and in training and learning, but lately, it's been SOOOO nice and even.
I jumped in the car with Mason (who by the way, our puppies were over the moon excited to have us back and cuddled all day/night with us) and drove out to Laz.
When I pulled up, I called to him where he was out in his new extended pasture area (Cliff approved). He lifted up his head, looked at me from the distance and then resumed eating.
I chuckled and thought "oh well. I guess I missed him more."
But then, I called to him again and started up towards his stall and he started knickering so loudly, repeating and came trotting up to me!
LOVE LOVE LOVE!
He has been knickering once or twice upon my arrival lately, but today, he was a knickering fool! It was so damn sweet!
It was like "Where were you? I have missed my work and you, and look how dirty my back is, and I have itches you need to get, and I missed you Mom, and do you have any carrots, and are we riding today, and you smell nice, and Hey Mason."
So, I curried/brushed him back to his normal state of clean (love summer coats).
Picked his hooves which are looking SO good!!!
We did a half hour of hand walking and worked in the arena. We've been working on backing up and working all types of his back muscles, and more poles, etc. Lots of petting, and rubbing and carrots because he didn't miss a beat. I wasn't sure if a week off of any work would leave him behind, but not a bit!
So, I hopped on and we had a great little ride. He was calm, responsive, eager to work and relaxed. No spooks and it was a bit windy and weather was goofy with spots of rain, and sun, etc.
I even tried to ride with my reins completely on his shoulder and using only my legs to turn him. He got it about 90% and we worked in and out of cones, and through the obstacles no problem. A couple times I had to resort to a little rein reminder but I was SO proud of him listening to my aids. I'm sure I'm not always clear to him so I really concentrated on mental, then physical aids and it seemed to work. He was licking, licking, licking our whole ride. Angel boy! He really enjoys his work and carries a sense of pride when we ride together.
So after our ride, I dismounted, hugged my wonderpony and decided to give both he and Mason a bath.
It was HOT today, but like I mentioned, the weather was goofy.
During Laz's bath, it was sunny and started raining!
Mason enjoyed his bath too running around like a maniac with shampoo all over him, then racing back to be rinsed off, and off again and then back for conditioner and off again. He was a tired pup on the way home.
Laz was a rockstar today, he has been channeling this new calm attitude which I adore! He is so calm now during his baths, his grazing on a lead, etc...last year, he was so much spookier/nervous/not trusting. I'm so glad for our strides in our teamwork.
I'm so grateful to have this Bay OTTB in my life, to have as my horse.
awww Laz! It's so sweet to hear updates on how far he's come. What a cutie :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like he is just as happy to have you in his life too. I too have an OTTB but we are not quite as far in our journey. He has been with me 4 months now. We have had a few road bumps along the way but it is AMAZING the connection these horses are so willing to make with us. It is nice to read about others that have some of the same issues we have. It is a rare person to understand what it takes to take on one of these unique beasts.
ReplyDeleteAwww...I love it! All of it!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a great reunion. I love that he nickers to you, what a sweet sound that is!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you got to see him again and that he's doing so well. The nickering is sweet, so sweet!
ReplyDeleteLaz is gorgeous! I love hearing stories about OTTBs. I can't wait to read back over the past year to see where you two started. Thanks for visiting my blog so that I could visit yours. :)
ReplyDeleteI am such a complete SAP because I always get a little bit emotional from reading your posts! To think that only a few months ago you were so close to losing your lovely boy, and now he is totally thriving and loving life. Such a miracle!
ReplyDeleteGive that pony's muzzle a big kiss for me! Oh, and maybe a little carrot piece, too. :-)
What a wonderful day, and a wonderful post! Sometimes you can only shake your head at how far these awesome horses can come:) The sky is the limit, lol! I don't know if I can go back to other breeds after having an OTTB:)
ReplyDeleteAfter a year of being together, my boy has just started to come to me when I call for him. Truly magical.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to stop by and thank you for following my blog! I am looking forward to reading about your adventures with Laz.
The picture of him grazing is wonderful to see...and the story of him trotting in to see you while nickering...sigh!!!!! Love that!!!! You and Laz have really come a long way. You inspire me to improve the ground manners/bathing manners of Pie and Sovey. You went through an ordeal which slowed down the riding, but helped you get him to a new level on the ground. I need to do that too.
ReplyDeleteYep Chrome is half Friesian half Arabian and he's definitely going gray. :) I guess because I'm around him all the time it's not as obvious to me lol. Thank you for the compliments. :)
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