Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Spotless Is Home

I brought Spotless home the week after Desmond was born. He had a bad stone bruise and the fact that it wouldn't stop raining kept it from healing. I put a boot on him and that horrible green medicine that stains everything. It finally stopped raining and within two days he was completely sound. However, he'd spent about 6 weeks laid up with the bum hoof.

I hired a lady to continue his riding since Melissa is so busy I see her for about 10 minutes once a week. I hauled him to a mutual friends house because she owns a round-pen. The lady, Ahni, round-penned him a bit and then got on. He took off. No bucking, no wringing tail or angry ears, just running. She got him stopped and as soon as she let his head go straight to took off again. We were shocked since he'd NEVER done that at the trainers. By the end of the session they were walk/halt/walk with no taking off, but it was sure unsettling those first few seconds.

Ahni had to be gone for 2 weeks, but as soon as she returns she'll be working with him consistently. I'm going to lunge him everyday for a few days before she returns and hopefully he'll be himself again. Melissa and I put our heads together trying to figure out what could be his deal and our only guess is that since he was off a bit at the trainers the last few weeks the trainer was trying to get forward and he couldn't really give it. So perhaps he is just giving that forward now and he thinks that's what he's supposed to do; run run run. He seemed confused that she didn't want him to run.

Ahni wasn't worried and Spotless didn't look scared or mean, just confused, so I think they'll be going along great within just a few rides. I think she gets back this coming weekend, so hopefully I'll have more to report soon.