Surfacing

*pokes head up*

Heeellloooo?

*crickets*

Well. I suppose I deserve that.

I'm not dead. Pony is not dead (or sold, though not due to lack of interest...more like lack of me being willing to let half these people get within 50 feet of my horse). I'm exhausted and unmotivated and feeling a bit blocked in the writing department these days. One and two are well known, but I'm still struggling with admitting to number three and WHY this particular issue is happening. I've always loved writing and it's always come quite naturally to me, but lately (and when I say lately, I mean the past five years), I have struggled with it immensely.

Only way I can see through is to just sit down and do it. Slog through, so to speak.

So. Onward.

The past few weeks have been a bit scattered re: riding. The last major riding update I did, it was when Simba banged the shit out of himself trying to Superman out of the trailer. Prat. Good thing he's cute!

Darker, dappled and clean!

That mantra has held pretty true since then. He is, steadily, taking one step forward and two steps back. We are both enjoying the rail trail, which gives us the opportunity to gait out at length. His gait has become a million times stronger, and I'm having an easier time switching him between gears. He and I took a ten mile ride on Sunday (!) and I was finally able to get a clear, true running walk out of him -- exaggerated head nod and all! He definitely prefers to rack overall, and sometimes will do a stepping pace if he's lazy. The hard pace only comes out now when he's tired, and he's starting to understand what I mean when I check him back into something four beat.

We have also mostly installed a canter button. Getting it from the gait can be hairy ("Legs! I have legs! I'm going to throw them everywhere!! Aiiieeeee!"), but we have achieved it enough to where he has put two and two together. I have also discovered he has a zoom button. We had a splendid little hand gallop, and just for funsies, I asked him for a little more. He gave me a LOT more and went "wheeeeeee!!!". Thankfully, he has NO buck in him whatsoever, so his version of "wheeeeee!!!" was to pin his ears back, dig in, and fly.

The Lookout behind my aunt's house.

He is still his usual self -- tense and looky, but as we're getting to know each other, he's starting to settle more and more. The little nuances of getting to know a horse are becoming more evident -- he hates being micromanaged in any way (which is hard for me, because I am a micromanager). He reads more contact on the reins as a reason to be alert and on guard, and is more likely to spook or be dumb if there's heavy contact on the reins/his face. He is very, very capable of being careful with his feet when going down hill or navigating rocky terrain, and he's the first horse I've ridden regularly that I've been able to trust going downhill without me constantly reminding them to balance themselves. He is always loud and clear with his communication...you always know what's coming next with him, and he will usually let you know about it far in advance.

Also, he really hates ground birds.

So do I. Simba's levitating skills are well intact and apparently I'm able to sit said levitation without faceplanting, so that's something.

So, that's where we're at right now. Our adventures have been adventures, but nothing grand enough for me to go "okay, I was wrong, he needs to stay!". We've made some awesome progress in the past month and I'm pleased with it, but it's a detached sort of "oh good, he'll be in better shape for his next person" pleasure. He's a good little horse with so much to offer...he just needs someone to be head over heels in love with him!

Exploring the other side of the trails.

This weekend, Hannah of The Longest Format and I will be getting out to play on Saturday, and I'm hoping to con D into going somewhere off property on Sunday. The more ride time I can get on him, the better he'll be all around!

In other news, I REALLY WANT A CORGI PUPPY BUT I CAN'T HAVE A CORGI PUPPY SO I'M GOING TO THROW A LITTLE TEMPER TANTRUM. Harrumph.

ADORABLE LITTLE SQUISHY BABIES!

Over and out, ya'll!