The mild weather in Ontario continues and we continue to revel in it. The horses look glorious with sleek shiny dappled coats, since everyone is staying nice an cosy in the milder temperatures. The paddocks are bare of snow and, to be honest, I wish they had a nice foot of snow on them to protect the grass. We have already had days where we couldn’t turn out because the paddocks were too soft. In January and February, in Ontario…
Today was the second day of Training Camp in Ocala. It was dressage today and Woody was an exceptionally good boy and was trying his hardest. Selena was very pleased with him and Clayton was also very complimentary. Woody just beamed at everyone, he loves it when he gets it right and everyone tells him what a good boy he is. Good boy Woody Woodman!
The Wellington Eventing Showcase looms…. They are there early Thursday and do dressage on Friday. Show jumping Saturday morning and cross country on Saturday afternoon. Eek, I get SO nervous and the live stream means that everyone (including Selena) expects me to watch it. Ulp!
A week tomorrow and Benny and Rummy will be on their longest trip ever. ‘Uncle Solo’ will be there to show them there is nothing to get anxious about. I am happy they are able to ship down with a seasoned traveler. Solo had some issues with the Florida drive in the past, but he has done it many many times since then.
Benny and Rummy are lunging on the days they cannot be turned out. They don’t do anything strenuous, just circle both ways quietly at walk and trot to help condition their bodies for the trip. They don’t need to be worked hard, but a little light conditioning will help them through the stress of the long trip, and stress it is, no matter how well they do it and how many times they have done it before. It is always a stress, it’s just less stressful when they know what’s coming. These two babies don’t have a clue.
They are getting very adept at the quiet lunging. Not anxious or rushing, they understand the process and respond well to my very experienced working students gentle training. I don’t know who I am more proud of, the students or the OTTBs.
Today’s photos are of Rummy (JMR Rumshaker). These are taken two months apart. I am thrilled with the gleam that is appearing on his coat and the way his back has ridden. He still has a long way to go but the first steps have definitely been taken. I will show you Benny’s two month ‘before and after’ tomorrow. Kudos to Omega Alpha for wonderful supplements for his digestion and Purina for fattening, non heating grain. Holding Rummy is Jacline Gnidec, who has been helping bring Rummy along.
