Is it spring yet? How 'bout now?

Seems like we just got done digging out from Snowzilla, and it's snowing again. Big Mama doesn't mind at all, she's quite the snow bunny, but it does make for some long weeks with no riding. The arena is frozen solid, so I can't expect Ms. Sassypants to do much work there, and the trails are slick. So here we stay, waiting on a break in the weather.

Not even a blizzard will prevent me from eating!! I will eat ALL THE THINGS!

We did get a few rides and a lesson in last week, which was really great considering we didn't ride at all this time last year. I've switched Big Mama to a double jointed snaffle, which seems to be helping her bend a little better at the poll, but that is still an ongoing struggle.

She has also found new outlets for letting me know how she feels about certain things that she thinks are difficult. For instance, when I ask her to start lifting her back while also bending, she will sometimes throw this little sassy fit where she throws her head, and stomps both front feet mid-stride. I can almost hear the convo going on in her head:

Me: "Look here, Missy, you need to move that rib cage and engage those back feet!"

BM: "Hey! Being a Sassypants Pony is reeeeaaaally hard! I can only be sassy and bend, or be sassy and round, not both! I literally can't even horse anymore."

Me: "You totally can, just give it a try"

BM: "Don't push me, I will find a bird to spook at."

Me: "That's fine, you're still gonna' have to bend."

BM: "Ugh! Fiiiiiinnne, I guess I'll try for two steps."

This is still preferable to her old way of telling me she's frustrated, which was more like, "Bend? F*k you!!!" as she flipped around and galloped straight at the arena fence. So there's that.

Our canter has also greatly improved! I thought we were doing really well when I upped her workouts to TWO 20 m circles each direction. Admittedly, I didn't realize quite how much her stamina had improved until one fateful day when she decided to demonstrate for me.

It all went down while we were working on several walk to trot transitions. Big Mama decided to give me a little walk to canter transition out of nowhere, and it was awesome, beautiful, on the right lead, a thing of magic! I was floored at how well she had done considering how long it's taken us to even canter at all. So I figured, well shoot! May as well try the other side, too!

Me: "Ok, Mama, want to do that again? This time the other direction?"

BM: "I dunno... that makes me nervous. What if I lose track of where my feet are?"

Me: half halt, "You got this, c'mon I'll help." give a little leg....

BM: "LIKE THIS?!?!?!"

And off we went, on the wrong lead, and a full gallop. I sat back, tested the brakes. Um, brakes? Hello?

Nope, full freight train mode. Ok, guess I'll give her one round around the arena, she'll tire out.

Ok, here we come, once around, try the brakes again. Hm, well isn't that interesting. She's going faster.

Me: "Big Mama, easy there, can we slow down a bit?"

BM: "I'M AMERICAN PHARAOH!!!!!"

As we tore off for a second time around the arena, I noticed an entire group of pony clubbers tacked up and sauntering toward the gate. Fuuuuuuuuk. I sure hope Big Mama's quarter runs out soon.

Lap 3.

Ok, this is getting ridiculous, what if I try and make her change directions, it might confuse her enough to slow down. Aim across the arena.... LEG LEG LEG!!!

BM: "WEEEEEEEEEE!!!! Silly hooman!! I don't know from leads anyways! Poooooower!!!"

Welp. That didn't help at all, guess I'll put her back they way we were going.

Lap 4.

Pony clubbers have started gathering at the gate, they don't seem to notice I have no brakes. Maybe I can play it off like I'm totally just doing canter sets. And by sets I mean one really long one.

Lap 5.

Jeezischrist, horse!! Where the hell did this come from?? I thought you were fat and out of shape! You weigh 1600 lbs, you are not a thoroughbred!

I hear one of the pony club moms gather the troops around for a talk on safety before the ride begins. Oh thank christ, they bought me a few more minutes to slow down the war horse.

Lap 6.

I feel a slight down shift, the snorting has gotten a little louder, I hear three beats instead of 4. We're finally getting somewhere.

BM: "Being American Pharaoh is kinda hard, actually."

Halfway to lap 7 she breaks stride. Hell no, not after that roller coaster ride! I put her back into a pattern of cantering figure eights. CALMLY. Until she's too tired to move. When I finally asked her to come back to a trot, I heard the gate squeak open and the gaggle of pony clubbers poured in. Just in the nick of time.

My Sassypants was drenched in sweat, heaving, exhausted. All because I asked for the other lead, haha! So needless to say, we have steered clear of walk to canter transitions for now, and also I call bullshit when she tells me she's tired after two 20m circles. 

The adventure continues!  Happy trails, and may your draft never decide she's a racehorse!