Before Thanksgiving break, I was sensing a decrease in Jasper's energy level during our workouts. I've been attributing it to maybe doing too much too fast, so have backed off. Last week he got ridden the two times out, and while we were out for a long time, we really spent most of the time walking. Last Saturday we did a quick 6 mile loop in 2 hours, and we probably trotted and walked half and half. On Thanksgiving we did 8-8.5 miles and probably trotted maybe 1/3 of it. So he had a nice, easy week. I debated riding on Monday and Tuesday of this week, but decided to take it easy once again and let him have a transition break. We rode today, and did about 45 minutes of trotting. I'd been letting him get a little sloppy on the trail, and his trotting was really more vertical than it I'd like it to be. However, excitement won and I allowed it. We worked on him getting "on the bit" and lengthening his stride again today. He caught on pretty quick and settled in to a good workout. Tomorrow we'll do more of the same with more cantering. I'd like to do our whole workout outside tomorrow, but we'll see how the weather cooperates. Friday we're heading back up to the "mountain" for a nice walking trail ride with our QH buddy, Lacey. Saturday will probably be more arena work. :P I'm not a huge fan of the arena, but until we get some boots, we're relegated to it as the surrounding roads are too rocky to ride on.
After our ride, I futzed with his tail some more. I've been wrapping it to keep it out of the disgusting mud Pullman seems to thrive on. I debated cutting it, but it's too thick and pretty to do that. Last time, I just knotted it and vetwrapped around the knot, leaving him with a mallet. This time, I brushed it out really good and put silicone detangler throughout and braided it. (Stupid me didn't think and rubbed the excess in his mane--it made for an interesting time when I was mounting!) He'll look girly when the wrap comes out, but it's better than having it come out at right angles like it did last time. I also put Cricket's thicker winter blanket on him to see if it fit, and it did. Pullman gets REALLY cold around Jan-Feb, and his pasture is next to the arena and can get some pretty high-speed winds through there. He's got a good winter coat, but I still like the convenience of a blanket, especially with all the mud. I'm lazy.
Now I have to get back to studying for finals. Blech.
1 comment:
I have enjoyed reading you blog so far! This post from November mentioned putting up Jasper's tail and I have a suggestion for you! I grew up at an Arab show barn and keeping the tails up was a regular part of grooming. Start by using detangling spray, then braid the tail from the tail bone to the end and secure with a band. just under the tailbone at the start of your braid, pull apart two sections until there is a small hole at the top of the braid. Loop the braid through the hole a few times. you will have a nice bundle of braid about 4-5 inches long. Secure this with a band. Now use vetwrap to go horizontally around the braid lump. After you have wrapped around it 2-3 times, whange the wrap direction (make a 90 degree angle) and push the vet wrap through the hole you made earlier. Now continue down and do a wrap vertically. Change the wrap direction again and finish up by wrapping around horizontally until the tail is covered. This should use half a roll of vet wrap and should always be below the tail bone. It will stay in for 3-4 weeks and will still be tangle free when you unwrap it. This is great for growing the tail longer during the winter months!
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