Day 291

Sunday

I didn't make it out yesterday because I was touring an open house for one of my law schools. Hopefully I will have the whole of next weekend, willing that I get back from another law school on Friday as planned!

I rode Harry today! It was super nice outside so we let them all run around outside first, which mainly resulted in them eating, but at least they got to stretch their legs before we started with them. Harry was beautiful when I made him longe. I was careful to work on flexing before I got on and he was much more willing today. I'm using my hands to directly push the points that need to be flexed, as he flexes just with his nose and not with his whole head and that seems to be part of the problem, so I push the top of his head too. He got kind of bugged by it at first, but when I turned it into a fun hug he went along with it!

I used the draw reins on him to see if it would help him keep his head down. He was compliant, but didn't seem too pleased by them as he kept bobbing his head forward throughout the ride. He was very relaxed and didn't really break gait, so that was great. I feel like he's a bit pokey, but I guess that's what we were going for back when he was hyped up. We're toying with the idea now of taking him off his calming supplement and seeing how he does without it, but I'm not sure now if we should change that so close to shows starting.

After we worked, I switched to normal reins and took him outside. He has such stubby legs, everyone else can walk faster than him! So he had to canter a bit to keep up with everyone, but they slowed down for him and he could just go at a brisk corto haha. What a short little guy.

This week, we're switching back to an old farrier that the barn flies in due to the whole vet v. farrier debate that happened a couple of weeks ago...I really am not a fan of this guy mainly because of his attitude and his unwillingness to answer lots of questions...doesn't seem like a people person. But we'll see how his work measures up after he trims and shoes them. I hate not being there for it. I like to think that the staff won't be rough with any of them, but I'm not 100% confident, and it is worrisome. We left tranquilizer for Nina and Harry though, so they should be okay. Brie loves getting her hooves done, but is a little wobbly on her bad leg sometimes. I hope they don't take that for her being bad...