How Not To Train Your Horse

Since I'm apparently running a masterclass on 'How Not To Do Things' (see how not to buy a horse below, and how not to keep an updated blog, here), I thought I'd share my most recent 'ride'.

(Side note: I'd actually typed this all up earlier this week, and it was hilarious and well written, and then it was eaten by the internet gods, so please also file this under 'How Not To Save Your Work')

Back to the horse story. The day before I went on vacation for two weeks, I switched Loki's home. I moved him to a new barn with a huge indoor arena, and knowledgeable staff that I trust to take care of him in my absence. They turned him out in the arena while I was away, but it was still a change from the daily pasture turnout he was used to.

So while Loki wasn't a fire breathing dragon, he was pretty spicy and fired up when I got back (see Instagram for shenanigans in the arena). I turned him out and lunged him for two days, and on day three he seemed pretty chill, so I decided to hop aboard.

What I didn't think about was that I hadn't brought my saddle or bridle. What I also didn't think about was the construction work going on at the barn. Also not on my mind: my weak two-week vacation legs and how freezing cold it was.

So I looped my lead rope and tied it to his halter, shimmied up, and off we went, at a sedate walk. Our steering isn't all that great, so the two of us looked like drunks having an argument, weaving all over the arena. I was just starting to think that the whole ride idea was a bad idea, and I should find a good stopping point when there was a NOISE.

Keep in mind that there are noises at this barn alllll the time. It is still under construction, there are barking dogs, and the train tracks are really close, so we get freight and commuter trains at all hours.

However, this particular NOISE was apparently something new to Loki (it wasn't) and he decided to give a little wiggle. That turned into a shake. That turned into a trotting, jumping, prancing parade across the arena. I had initially grabbed mane and sat back, but by the time we ended up at the other side of the arena I was nearly riding his ears. Thankfully he stopped at the gate, and I melted off, thanking every deity that I could think of to thank.

We had a nice in-hand lateral work session after that, I groomed him, and we chilled for a while before I put him away. I'd like to hope I didn't do any lasting damage (ie-linking the 'I buck/jump and she comes off!' in his head), but we'll see! It has been way to cold to ride lately (lack of feeling in fingers isn't condusive to good hands!).

Totally not related, but I found a photo of him in training, in Heather Sacha's wonderful Facebook albums. She takes such nice pics, and is so great about being at the track all the time. Thanks Heather!

Look at this fatty! No wonder he was so slow...