I've been working him in our brand new covered 25m bullpen under saddle
carrying weight for a week to ten days now. He's been handling that like
a champ and his P&R recovery rate have been excellent. Still that's a far
cry from real work. Some may recall he reinjured his right front
suspensory last year at Tar Springs. I fear I brought him back too soon
from a suspensory injury the previous season in Sept. I started him back
at Malibu (which ain't no easy ride) and he did very well. We went again
at Castle Rock and I overrode him trying to keep ahead of Susie
Niebergall. Still while I had to just walk in the last increment he did
okay (other then doing that 5 or 6 miles in two hours walking) and his
suspensory showed no signs of stress.
We cancelled Ranchita Estates as I had a conflict on that date. At Tar
Springs he came up lame in a big way. We came back to base camp in a
trailer from the very first Vet Check and other than being used for a
schooling horse for kids this summer this is our first serious training
debut under tack and rider. Yes nerve blocks and ultrasounds showed
conclusively it was the same suspensory, but damamged in a different
place then the year before.
So now this is fun. I had to dig out my dusty old in the ears listening
device. ;-) I can't either remember how to make it work or my heart rate
monitor isn't receiving properly. But these are little things.
He knew as soon as I pulled out the Endurance saddle and his blue biotane
tack came out of the barn he was up to work. He actually whinnied. Maybe
he was saying "OH NO," in horse talk? So we're starting off slow I figure
7 miles a day then a nice long walkout for this first week. At the first
blue trap we encountered He did his best to turn and run. When I stopped
that he did his best to buck me off. Sheeze how soon they forget. It
ain't gonna happen. As I kept him facing the direction we were to go he
then attempted to spin me off with a buck and a rear thrown in here and
there just for fun. FANCY THAT THE HORSE HAS GONE SOUR AFTER A YEAR AND 2
MONTHS OFF TRAINING! Actually it was fun and a good thing we had it out
immediately. He remembers who's driving and who's the horse.
After that episode was completed we had a nice little 7 mile jaunt. He
asked to canter a lot. I did allow him to run some and he got charged,
but it's too early and I really can't see forcing a retirement injury in
training. For now I plan on keeping him out of the sand as much as is
possible and taking it from there. Upon returning he announced his
arrival to the rest of the ranch in his old proud manner. This just might
work out. :)
So The Rebel Prince and I will see you California riders at Las Trampas
for a training "let's see ride." And, of course, The Rebel Prince is
hosting his little pre-ride party at Lake Sonoma in October.
###Tommy Crockett, Los Osos, Ca.####
Tomydore@goblin.punk.net###DAMS028%CALPOLY.BITNET@cmsa.berkeley.edu
ask me about my TB mare Flossie or that Arab The Rebel Prince
"I don't wear no Stetson But I'm willing to bet son I'm just a big a
Texan as you are, There's a Girl in her bare feet Asleep in the back
seat, that trunk's full of Pearl Beer and Lone Star" Terry Allen