Pulse, skin pinch, respiration and capillary refill were all normal, so my trainer sent me back to the barn to put a half pad under my saddle and check my girth. The only thing I noticed was that his growing out clip continues to get roughed up under the girth and saddle because my straight girth pulls the saddle forward when I put the saddle back far enough to clear his shoulder. (I finally broke down and ordered an anatomical girth when I got home.)
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| I'm too sexy for my tail flap. That blanket just needs to hang on for like three more weeks, come on! |
I flatted him while my teammates started jumping, but he didn't really snap out of his funk until we started taking poles and fences. While we had our share of wild discombobulated leaps over ground poles that ripped the reins out of my hands, we also had some NICE jumps, lines that flowed. I can tell my trainer has been on him. He jumped every single jump normally, except the first time we did the 2'3-2'6ish? oxer when he launched it, and in midair the thought crossed my mind that was the highest off the ground I think I'd ever been.
We ended up doing the 2'3-2'6ish? oxer several times, and while it improved each time, it never felt normal to me. Makes me think we need to do more at that height before our BN debut. I asked my trainer if he was overjumping it every time, and she said no, we were just getting close enough to the base that he had to rock back and snap his knees up high and fast in order to clear it.
The little guy gets his teeth done today, and some sheath cleaning. My boss asked why I was taking the afternoon off, and I just said, "You reeeeally don't want me to tell you. Just trust me on this one."
Hehe, I would have been tempted to tell my boss strictly for the reaction. Maybe Connor's just a little tired/eh feeling from all the work he did at the clinic? Hopefully he's back to his usual self soon.
ReplyDeleteHaha I know! One of the guys watched me do it, I couldn't believe that. If I was a guy, I would be cringing in a corner.
DeleteIt really takes me a lot of time to adjust to jumping bigger heights. I'm sure you will get it well before your event though!
ReplyDeleteThat makes me feel better. I'm not totally committed to moving up so early in the season, I won't push it if we're not ready. Eventing is too dangerous to make a mistake like that.
DeleteIt's a whole different feel when they go right to the base. ;-) That's why I loff the long spot, but I'm trying not to, haha.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I'm glad I'm not alone in feeling that it feels totally different! It felt like he was jumping it as if it were 3'. I also loff the long spot and it's being beat out of me. :-)
DeleteJump always feels bigger when they have to really rock back and use themselves!
ReplyDeleteGood to know! I'm glad I've got you guys, I have no idea haha
DeletePoor dude. Hue gets rubbed on his back when clipped too sometimes. I started putting equifuse on it. Not too slick but enough to decrease friction :)
ReplyDeleteInteresting, I should look into that. Maybe I'll use ShowSheen in the meantime, I have that laying around.
DeleteIt's always tough when something is off but you can't figure out what. Hopefully he will be back to his normal self soon!
ReplyDeleteI know. So many times I wish he could talk.
DeleteAll these special rides lead up to some great ones :) Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteHaha yeah your boss prob didn't want to know what you were doing!
Thanks for the inspiration. :)
DeleteYeah, I feel like he needed protecting in that situation, haha.