Slow and Steady Progress

It's still so hot and it's October you guys! I'm ready for some cooler weather already. Calvin has his winter coat coming in, poor guy is constantly sweating. I rode him before the barefoot trimmer came so that he'd behave himself for her and he was excellent! He had lots more energy this time, but instead of distracted energy, he translated his energy into more impulsion. We've practiced extending and collecting at the canter. We start at a normal pace, then I ask him to extend to a faster canter, then come back into a regular canter again.

For a lazy horse, he certainly loves to gallop. Any time I ask for more canter he responds with gusto and eagerly launches into what I consider his 5th gear! However, he's not as thrilled to slow down and return to a regular canter, often taking longer-than-necessary to slow down. He is usually too excited to be going quick to think about slowing down, but he eventually tired out and started listening well.

Tired and sweaty horse after our ride! 

Slowly I am starting to see progress with Calvin. He's getting older, he's less baby-brained, and really enjoys his job. The barn was unloading hay off a huge flat-bed truck next to the arena with a forklift and he kept his cool. Only when he heard airbrakes did he flinch, but that was it. We're not competing, we're not winning awards, but we're both happy, healthy, and enjoying our work. 

Also, his feet look excellent! I told my trimmer they look like works of art and she agreed. I'll have to grab some pictures soon. 

Life Stages

This last month has been about learning to accept change. I had some significant changes occur recently, some of them unexpectedly, and ultimately this left me in a big upheaval. That's all I'm going to say about that. But with these new changes, what better time than to go visit Calvin? At times like this, saying less is really more.

Calm

Nose kisses <3

Centered, mindful, and grounded.

Turnout Season

Now that my workload has increased, Calvin's workload has decreased! Not to mention that riding in the September heat is basically unbearable. Lately he has been getting turnouts in the big arena to stretch his legs. For now, these are pictures from his last solo turnout with my SO encouraging him to keep working. For those who aren't horse people, the lunge whip is used as an extension of your arm, not to actually hit him with it. Sometimes horses kick out in play, and you don't want it to be your actual arm in that case. 

Wee big spaces!

There's a 4-year-old Arabian-quarter horse (quarab) that was hauling around the turnout at top speed. The owner asked if I wanted to put Calvin in with her to run together. Just a side note, this never happens in expensive horse land (show jumping or dressage) because their precious little snowflake could get damaged by the other horse. Well, I put Calvin in with her and they ran together! All she had to do was pin her ears at him when Calvin annoyed her and he would back off. He's such a sweet horse, pretty amazing that I could throw him in with another strange horse and he was respectful. Another reason mustangs are great, they grow up in a herd so they speak "horse" fluently. 

It was so nice to see him with another young horse as they ran together. This is probably how parents feel when they see their little kid playing well with others and making friends haha. Anyway, as he grows up its important he still interacts with other horses to stay well versed in the horse language. Maybe next time I'll be able to snap pictures. 

My handsome red boy!