Originally the plan was to send Aeres back to Lisa's just before Connor came home, but I decided to extend her stay by a bit and keep both ponies for a month or two, since my barn has an empty stall right now.
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| Absolutely no shenanigans when I first turned them out together |
At the time I thought that it would be mentally good for me to switch back and forth between Aeres, who forces me to ride with conviction, and Connor, who I need to ride with conviction and often don't.
I also thought it would be a great opportunity to get the idea of owning two ponies out of my system once and for all. Indeed my BO was like, "You're going to ride two horses in the two worst months of the year?!" That's actually the plan!
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| Also still really enjoying dressing her up, what can I say. Black horses get all the fun. |
Based on the very little she knows her, CGP was concerned that riding Aeres would hinder my education on Connor, because Aeres is at a point in her training where she needs big loud aids, and Connor is at a point where I needed to ride him with the new refined aids he's now used to - and that's extra hard to get across to my subconscious, who is certain this is still the same pony that needs the same type of riding I used to put on him before full training.
But.
In fact, the opposite happened. When I finally got to start riding her in my Dressage saddle in January (as opposed to the jump saddle I had to ride her in the entire time Connor was in Ohio), suddenly I had a whole new relationship with her. The tiniest movement of my hips was a half halt. The idea of "suction cupping" her back up to me was possible. And when I was asking her to bend around my left leg but also unconsciously blocking her with the right, she practically shouted that at me in English until I fixed it.
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| Playing with leg yield, SI and HP on the regular now |
I thought I'd be riding Connor first every night, but instead I'm riding Aeres first to fix my asymmetries and get into that "finesse aids" frame of mind, and then I translate that to Connor. It has worked SO well.
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| Updated photos for the saddle fitter bc of course |
So you might be thinking, "Keep two horses forever, this is working out great!" Yeah, no. This experiment has DEFINITELY shown me I don't have time to do two justice and still live my best life in terms of sleep/Pilates/job/house chores (Literally the most first world problem I've ever had).
Having two in the worst months of the year is a real stretch, but it's one I will cheerfully accept temporarily since Aeres is helping me transition to riding the new-and-improved Connor.
I keep selfishly hoping you'll keep her, but of course I do understand the struggle (too well!) of keeping two in proper work and still having a life.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I admire those that can do it like you! But it's definitely not for me.
DeleteI always find it nice to ride a more educated horse and then a green on in the same time period, but yes it is so hard to find time for two when working. I struggle with it when I ponysit Blu, I usually rotate them one each night and both on the weekends. I'm glad that two is working out for you riding wise, if only you could have the time for two forever!!!! Aeres would have a lovely home with you :)
ReplyDeleteRight! We should quit our jobs to ride ponies more. Wait...
DeleteThey are both looking SO good. Just as T mentioned her own selfish motivations above, I also have some. Selfishly, I want her to go back to Lisa as a broodmare and maybe scoop up one of her babies in the next couple of years. She seems like a delight and that movement is stellar!
ReplyDeleteDo you think that a baby horse that you bring up as Connor perhaps heads into retirement would work? That's my tentative plan with Gav - baby horse purchase in 2022 (Gav will be 16 then, 20 when the baby really goes into any sort of work).
Ohh, I like that idea too! New 10 year blogger plan : We’re all riding Aeres babies ;)
DeleteI used to find it hard to have the time for more than one horse, and I'm only actually riding one, the others just get brushed and loved on.
ReplyDeleteConnor, wow, he looks like a totally different pony!!
I wish you could keep both too, but completely understand. Trying to get Roscoe in shape to move up to second has hindered me keeping Ember in the consistent work he needs to become a working equine. At least you have an indoor for these winter months. Both look great!
ReplyDeleteYeah as much as I'd love to, I can't imagine trying to fit another one in! But enjoy it while it lasts!
ReplyDeleteYAS! TWO PONIES!!! (Also, this is why my house is dirty and I don't otherwise workout much...)
ReplyDeleteI'm confused. What are "house chores"? Are you trying to tell me you do a little bit of cleaning every day and don't just live in filth cleaning for two straight days before your in law's come over?
ReplyDelete