Sit the Trot

Layer by layer we are peeling away, trying to figure out what is going on with Axel and seeing if we can help him when we do. We started with a few days off his back to see if that would make any difference. The first real ride back was for his saddle fitting with Jen at Happy Horse . He sadly, was not a happy horse. Poor lad felt pretty uncomfortable in any trot work regardless of whichever saddle he was put in. Some were less bad than others, but still, not the easiest of times to be trying out various saddles. Jen however really was very good. I appreciated the time she took, her willingness to discuss and listen and as an independent fitter, she wasn't there with one brand to sell me. In the end it was impossible to properly choose a saddle. He wasn't going in any way that would enable me to get a feel for them but we did have some positives. One of which was to start to figure out his shape/ measurements and also what kind of saddles he seems to prefer. Even though we co...

So Axel had a bit of a step backwards last week. Everything had been going really well and then he had a bad day on Wednesday. We got the head swishing into trot and he was obviously uncomfortable again. My heart dropped a little as he had been doing brilliantly and then we went back to the ulcery behaviour. Friday was much of the same. So heres the issue, his saddle doesn't fit. In fact basically none of the saddles at the barn, or that I have borrowed to try on him, fit. When he arrived we knew he had a lot of muscling and fattening up to do, so we didn't want to crack straight on with getting a saddle. That means, we are in the slight conundrum of ulcers or saddle fit. He has been on some ulcer meds for the last (almost) six weeks now, so unless the compound isn't working properly, he should really be better. Now two and a half months on from his arrival, I think we need to attack saddle fit as the next priority. I had actually booked the saddle fitter over a month ago...

I realised that most of my photos and video are of Axel and I, either being goofy doing selfies or hitting the trails. Seeing as I actually went out to buy a dressage horse, I was hoping I would be able to get some video a little pony dancing at some point! So, thanks to my lovely trainer; finally, here is the proof I do actually ride my horse in dressage lessons sometimes! This was his first time in the outdoor arena and as expected it wasn't a big deal at all. In fact I think he was even better outside than in the indoor. I still have work to do, I can see so much that needs improving in my position and seat but that is all totally fine, this is about the journey, not the destination and I have the best team (and horse) to walk this dressage road with.

The last few weeks have been some good steps forward for Axel and I. As we reach near to the end of our second month together, I feel like the relationship continues to build. The best times have been when we have headed out of the arena and started to have some experiences under our belt. His ulcers seem to be improving all the time, and although I don't think he is totally clear yet, the boy is definitely telling me he is feeling more comfortable. He has now started living out 24/7 and is happy about this turn of events. I had always planned to stall him at night but he just didn't really want to come in! He is way, way happier just staying with his turnout buddies and not having to come inside at all! Axel is one of those confident types and totally runs the geldings turnout pen with a quiet but firm insistence on being the boss! We had a brilliant time last week, when my long time riding buddy Angela, came and picked us both up to head off to Cherry Creek state park. ...