Max and the chiropractor

We had a visit today from our friendly equine chiro this morning. I was eager to hear what she had to say because Max has been doing rather a lot since last time she saw him.

Previously we had been concentrating on getting his hinds built up to help him with his stifle lock. I’ve also been a little concerned about his back, with more ridden work.

All that was found was a little lock in his jaw on the right side. I leapt at that and asked if it could be due to poll pressure (thinking of my trial with the bitless bridle) or to anything I could be doing with my hands, which I try so hard to keep soft... but no, chiro assured me it was “just one of those things”. “Why do any of us get stiff or locked?” she asked. “It’s nothing to be concerned about. The dentist will have a good look when he’s here next month.”

What she did say, though, was that Max is in fine form. Nicely muscled up, no trouble in his hinds or stifle joints, back is absolutely fine, neck is fine, and his weight is ideal, can’t see his ribs, but can feel them when you run your hands along the sides.

Hurrah! Just what I wanted to hear. I know I think he’s looking really fit and studly, but so good to hear it from the one who has a good ol’ prod at his muscles, tendons and such.

We had one squeal of alarm ring out from our box though, and that was when a rat scuttled out from Max’s big straw banks and ran across chiro’s feet. Her dog was in hot pursuit, but the rat, unbelievably, managed to get through a tiny crack under Max’s door and make good his escape. It was like watching a cartoon!

Max was completely nonplussed by the commotion and looked on completely unmoved. I was surprised, because I thought the rustle I heard was Max, ahem, having a comfort break, until I heard the squeal of “Rat! Rat!” and saw the scurrying thing run like the devil was after it across the straw.

“Aw, you’ve scared Max’s pet rat!” I said. “Max, where’s Russell gone?”

“Eh?”

“Play along, Max, You know, rustle...Russell...”

“Ah… Sure. My... um... Russell, is it?”

Creepy critter sharing Max’s box!

Before the chiro arrived, we spent a little time in the school doing ridden work. Today we were concentrating on “halt”, the thing that seems to have drifted away from Max's memory bank.

Back to basics for Max and I, I think. We’ve accelerated on some stuff, but in the acceleration, seem to have lost a few pointers along the way. Fitness is achieved, now finesse is what it’s all about.

Sideways leap of faith

For the first time in a long time, Max and I took advantage of a break in the weather and spent rather a long time out and about on our own.

We found a couple of big stubble fields that looked peaceful and inviting, so off we went to reacquaint Max with being alone on a hack in fields he had never visited before.

We explored, Max stopped to have a sniff and a stare, remained placid when a murder of angry crows bickered and flapped as we passed, and was happy to ease into a gentle canter when asked.

What a lovely feeling, just Max and I rocking along in his comfy canter, beautiful scenery, a slight breeze and WHOOPS! a big ol' leap sideways with snort as a walker appeared from a gap in the hedgerow with two dogs on leads.

Any fears of going out the side door, being deserted by my besieged steed, losing my saddle to slippage, were allowed only the briefest flash into my mind. Max seemed to assess the situation mid-leap and decided that actually, we could cope with this just fine. He righted himself and cantered sedately on, as I called out a cheery "good morning!" to the dogs and walker over my shoulder.

I try to remind myself and others that having a horse is supposed to be fun.

Today was definitely fun!

You turn your back for a second...

And Max gets up to mischief!

Another miserable wet Sunday in Hampshire, so Max and I did school work. Again. Yawn!

Decided to long-line, so got him all set up in his sheepskin half pad and roller, then the bitless bridle and one line attached to lead, the other carried until we got in the school.

I was pleased when I opened the school door and saw that someone had left a set of trotting poles out; good practice for Max on the lines. Unclipped Max's line so I could sort both lines out through the rings on the rollers, and he started to wander away.

"Max, stand please sir!" I said, slightly distracted by the lines and noticing out of the corner of my eye that Max stopped and stood still. Max is coming along nicely, and now I have to accelerate my own learning curve to keep up with him!

"Good lad," I said, then turned and walked away from him whilst untangling a line.

Turned back only seconds later to find Max down and in mid-roll. He went over three times, then got up, had a huge shake, and shook his bridle right off.

"Oh, Max! Look at the state of you!"

He blinked at me and tried to snuffle school dirt out of his nose.

After that unexpected and dusty start, we had a good session on the lines, and used to trot poles to great effect.

Shoeless, bitless, bellful!

Max and I made a joyous noise today!

I took him in the school initially, to do a bit more ridden work in his Dr Cook's bitless bridle, which I still have on trial for another couple of weeks. In the past week we've tried the bitless for longeing (pretty good), long-lining (brilliant) and ridden... not so good. Max protests in the strongest possible terms! Then he responds, then he protests some more!

It was the same thing in the school today, generally fairly responsive, and he was doing some really good bending and turning at trot with very little pressure from my fingers. Also reined back nicely but coming to a halt was so-so. If he's going to lose anything in his repertoire, it always seems to be halt/stand.

"Do you mean go really slow? Stop and start again? Shall I just wander aimlessly? Whaddya think?!"

Clearly more groundwork to re-establish this one little thing that keeps slipping out of his memory bank.

I had decided on the school because we're having rather relentless rain, so outside seemed miserable, plus I have a suede saddle, plus it is a bitless trial and if Max is going to go doo-lally and feral, I'd rather not be on my own.

But after a few good attempts at canter transition and some snorts of disapproval over the whole, dusty, boring school scene, I decided to try just a little work out in the great wide world to see how he went since the rain had stopped and the sun was trying to peek out. Thought I could always hop off and lead if Max became wayward and wild.

To my delight, we managed to open the school door with me mounted, Max reining back and re-positioning himself at the slightest hint of pressure from me, then closed the door behind us, and then down the hill and out of the yard to the lane.

The frustration of the school dropped away from Max and off he went quite happily, suddenly remembering what "halt" was about, and happy to trot ahead into the unknown, and doing serpentines up the lane, bending happily to my instructions.

So... I think the Dr Cook's is a keeper. I think it's perhaps not for ridden schooling, or not yet, anyway, and so we will go back to his comfy Pee Wee bit for that. But it may just fit in nicely for our ground work, especially for long-lining, and if today's mini-hack is anything to go by, Max is a very happy boy bitless and roaming the countryside.

We also had his rhythm beads on for this adventure, and I'm kind of loving them. The jingling, especially at trot, is such a happy noise, and the noise doesn't bother Max one little bit.

When I got back to the yard, my YO was bringing a horse in from the field and she clocked the rhythm beads pretty sharpish. Well, they are hard to miss.

"Is Max wearing a necklace?!" she asked.

"Oh, yes! He's all blinged up!"

"Poor Max! All the other horses are going to make fun of you now!"

All said with good humour and I'm happy to take it on the chin. We like to keep 'em guessing with what crazy thing we'll find to do next. How do you know if you don't try though, eh?

Max was reluctant to go out to his field today. It has just been pitching it down with rain in the night, with high winds, so I can understand his hesitation. He balked leaving the comfort of his box, he balked again at the entrance to the field, "No way!" "Max, you must!" and then when I got him in, his two field mates came rushing to meet us.

"In! Take us back in, lady! We'll be good and we won't make a mess. Please?"

Hard to turn one's back on that, but I turned my back regardless, chancing a glance over my shoulder at some distance to see the three stooges frolicking away from the gate, so all was well.

And sigh, life in the country. Drove up the lane and found three calves loose on the road. Turned back to the dairy farm to alert them and met the farmer in his tractor. He said "Ah.We've moved their mums away today, so they're trying to find them."

Anybody who thinks cows are just dumb animals with no feelings or thought has not spent any time watching them. Poor little blighters, just trying to find their mums.

It's a hard world for the little things.

I got beads that jingle jangle jingle...

In the post today, Max's rhythm beads! How delightful! They are "ocean" scheme, all blues and greens, with silver bells. He will wear them round his neck and will be a stealth pony no more.

OK, I admit I'm a bit hippy dippy, but there is method to the madness. There is always method to my madness if one cares to look deeply enough!

Various people over the centuries have decorated their horses, from Romans through to native American/Canadians. Through colour and noise, the beads were thought to protect from evil spirits, provide strength and... well, they do look kinda cool.

Much as I would be tempted to say I am drawn to this latest exploit by the eyebrows I know I will raise as I yet again go down the path of "unconventional" into the forest of "What IS she like?!", it's not just about that.

It's partly safety. Max pads about as Shoeless Joe, and does not announce his presence on the bridleways to dogs, walkers, cyclist, even motorists, until we just about crash into each other. Now he will sweetly jingle and be heard before he is seen.

Also, the "rhythm" aspect is potentially to help Max and I focus on what is immediately with us rather than what is happening around us and spook-worthy; might even help us hit a groove and stay there.

Finally, my pony deserves bells wherever he goes, and now he will have them. We will make a joyous noise as we stride forward, and the bells just might drown out my singing.

Max may not like 'em. I am prepared for that.

Watch this space!

Trying something new...

Max and I finally got down to a bit of work today, and also saw a break from the relentlessly grim weather.

Yesterday on the yard was treacherous. We started off at -7 and then held steady at -4. By Canadian standards, this is the kind of winter weather that barely raises an eyebrow. Then again, Canada is built to cope with far harsher conditions; England is not, and thus frozen pipes that had been frozen since last weekend remained frozen yet. Water buckets had to be cleared of ice and debris with boiling water from the kettle (trip after trip back and forth as the boiled water only worked on one and a half buckets before it was too cold to be of any use... with 35+ buckets, that's a fairly time consuming task) before buckets could be filled with fresh water from the feeble offerings of the one tap we managed to keep going.

We had a hoar frost though, so we were surrounded by ethereal beauty in the landscape as we struggled with the chores, made more difficult by slippery pavement, iced over troughs, numb fingers and big imploring eyes looking out from beneath frosty forelocks.

Today we had what seemed like a heatwave, a full ten degrees above yesterday's temperatures, with the sun shining. A good day to try Max in his Dr Cook's.

I decided to long line rather than ride first time out, partly if Max was going to react badly to it, better I'm on the ground, but mostly because I wanted to see for myself how he held himself, or whether there were any signs of distress or confusion.

Have to say though it's early days, I was fairly impressed. Will not pronounce it a success yet, but Max was incredibly responsive, seemed quite comfortable, and carried himself in a lovely outline. I switched from long lining to longeing for a bit, and though he still went well, he showed me a little attitude, which disappeared again when we switched back to the lines to finish off our session.

The longeing "attitude" could have come from something other than the bridle. It's not his favourite thing to do anyway, and I'm not sure if I had him connected up correctly for longeing either so will have to check. He was still responsive though, and still moved really well, so I have no complaints.

I will try a bit of ridden work in the school on Tuesday to see how that feels. Fingers crossed the glimpse I got today was of good things to come!

A milder night for the three stooges in their field tonight, and for this I am grateful. No hard frost on their grass, no ice on their trough, and no hoody for Max because it just won't get that cold.

The rain will return though; there is always the rain.

Role reversal

Max still wasn't on top of his game today, so we took things pretty easy. He can stretch his neck forward for kisses, but saying "yes" and "no" is done without his usual vigour.

We went into the indoor school to just hang out for a bit. Max had a huge roll, and then I scratched all his best places as he manouevered himself around to make sure I didn't miss any.

He took himself off for a walk around the track while I pulled bits of school floor out of his tail - the thought did cross my mind that if anyone had wandered in at that point, they'd have wondered what on earth we were up to!

We did a little bit of clicker training, played a little football, and did a lot of just wandering about, Max snuffling the ground and me ruffling his mane and chatting quietly to him. We both enjoyed it.

I took him back to the yard, but not into his box, as it had been mucked out in our absence. Max was perturbed by this and indicated that he wanted to go in. I think he probably would have preferred his stable to the field tonight, but that's not the routine. I considered, though, that he was also after a drink of water after his dusty roll, so I went in a fetched him one of his freshly filled buckets. I brought that out and he immediately had a deep greedy drink, lifted his head, water dripping from his whiskers, then slowly and deliberately pushed his stable door closed, with me still inside.

Cheeky monkey!

I tried to open the door to come out, which is when Max chose to lean into it and bar my way. The boy has me on weight every time.

"Max! Let me out!"

His response was to stretch his head over the stable door and sweetly ask for a kiss.

"Huh!" I snorted. "Are you going to give me a treat if I do?"

No reply, just slightly twitching lips, as if he was having a little chuckle at my expense.

He did eventually relent and set me free, and then off to the field we went. It's still bitterly cold with no hope of respite until after the weekend.

Poor poorly Max...

Max and I have experienced a deja vu moment.

I approached his box this morning, surprised that he wasn't eagerly watching my progress.

When I arrived at his door he honoured me with a delighted whuffle but I could see straight away that he wasn't himself.

I asked for a kiss and Max walked to me slowly, stretched his neck forward, but not very far. He collected himself and tried again but no, no stretch. He sighed and lowered his head, a despondant Eeyore.

"It's OK Max," I soothed, "It was a good try."

No click, but he got a treat and an early decision that today, despite me having loads of time, we would do nothing much at all.

Yesterday was flu jab day, and I know from last year that Max will have a day or two of feeling not so bright, and his neck will hurt. Last year he couldn't turn for his carrot stretches, so it makes sense that today he can't stretch out his neck for a snog.

So we had quiet time instead. A little fuss made, a bit of Max just lowering his head against me and resting it there, perfectly content to be cuddled. We also fitted his Dr Cook's bitless bridle, which I've got on trial for 30 days. Spent quite a lot of time adjusting it, consulting the instructions, which were perched on Max's back (sometimes having a back like a table comes in handy!)and I think I've got it right. The bridle is a little stiff, but one would expect that with new gear anyway.

Tomorrow, if Max is feeling a little perkier, I will try a little long-lining in the Dr Cook's and see how well he responds.

Fingers crossed it suits Max well, because I would love him to be iron free.

Ball skills

Max and I had a wonderful break from the relentless chill today. It's still tediously cold and icy and I didn't want to plague either of us with busy work, so we went into the school for some clicker training.

We started off with a brief recap of the things Max already knows well, and then began to concentrate on coming forward and stopping on command. I managed to get him coming forward with the word "forward" with a hand movement, whilst at the same time leaning forward, as I do when asking him for a "kiss". From a short distance, my leaning forward got him to step towards me with his nose extended (click treat). I'd walk a few steps away, try again with "Forward Max", then further away, and eventually just the hand signal with no words would bring him towards me, with another hand signal to stop (not quite so good at this one yet, he stops when he reaches my hand, not when he hears "Stand" or sees "Stop" - but we can work on that).

We then worked on his hoof raising, and had another go at hoof raising with the "Forward" command, but that was a step too far, and that's fine, it's early days.

What I noticed though, was he kept eyeing the football in the corner of the school, which we have used for clicker play before. I "hoof" it across the school, then he goes and touches it with his nose for a click treat.

The interesting result today, once I fetched the ball for him, was that he began to use what we'd already done in a new combination with the ball. First a touch with his nose as usual, but then he started raising his front legs alternatively, and using them to touch the ball (click treat!) then balancing his hoof on the ball, and eventually, kicking the ball away. Little kicks, he wasn't using power or aim particularly well, but once it was rolling, he'd go after it and try again.

The thing I love best about days like these, is that they are just so stress free, just Max and I having fun and playing together, trying out new things and reaching new understanding with no look of confusion in Max's eyes, just concentration and delight when he sees my reaction. As well as clicker, he appears to enjoy making me laugh (big head nods if I start to giggle) and he LOVES applause. He loves that as much as a jackpot of pony nuts. When I clap enthusiastically because he's done something very clever, he immediately tries to recreate it to see if I'll give him another standing ovation.

We finished with a question. "Are you the cleverest pony on the yard Max?"

Oh yes! Big head nod!

"Is there a more clever horse than you?"

"No, no, no!" he shook his head emphatically.

With his prize of pony nuts, we left the yard and I quietly admired how he walked in step with me, turned when I turned, waited patiently while I opened and closed gates, and was a complete gent.

All our play time, just "horsing around", has been a very sound investment, I reckon.

Maximus co-operation

We've been hit by a cold front, but I've a warm pony to take the chill away.

Yard work over the holiday season has become increasingly difficult as pipes freeze and icy patches litter the yard waiting to claim the unwary. The neds remain sure footed, the people, less so. I almost went flying yesterday afternoon whilst holding two huge buckets of water. Managed to save myself from a fall, and luckily my waterproofs protected me from the chill of the spillage.

The ground has been too hard and rutted to hack out, although the Ent has taken Max on a few more solo walks, and I've continued his work in the school. Today I ordered a Dr Cook's bitless bridle on a 30 day trial. I really hope it works because I long to get that metal out of Max's mouth. I know bitless bridles can be harsh in a different way, but reading extensively on the Dr Cook's, and the way it diffuses pressure over the horse's head to indicate directional changes and applying brakes, I'm hopeful that this will work for Max. It may not, so the trial period is a good thing. If we really don't get on with it, I can send it back and get a refund.

It is a good use of my Christmas money, I think.

Today, Max and I worked on some clicker training in his box, and I'm pleased at his continued progress and willingness to have a go. I'm getting fairly good at accurately reading when he's not ready for the next step - what we're working on now is progression, moving up from his "tricks" and turning them into useful exercises to loosen him up and give us better extension so he can learn to work and hold his body in the most effective way. Then what we get on the ground can be transferred to the saddle, when we have a language that allows us to understand each other better.

At the moment the concentration is on his hoof raising. I can now get him to raise his front legs, alternatively, with me standing in front of him and pointing to the leg I want raised. Then I move to the side and do the same from there. So far so good, but trying to get those hind legs up in the same way was a step too far today. Which is fine, we'll get there, I know, with patience and clarity.

Before I concentrate too much on his hinds though, I'm going to work on getting him to lift those fronts while walking forward. This should eventually become something akin to "Spanish Walk", which is a brilliant exercise for loosening the shoulders, as I have seen for myself watching Sammie on long-lines doing his version, which we call "Spanish Stamp" because he's so emphatic! A few goes at Spanish Stamp, then into a most liberated trot - it's a beautiful thing to see. Along with being poetry in motion (or in Sammie's case, more of a comedy limerick!)it is really helpful for equine fitness, or so it seems to me as an innocent bystander.

The five day forecast predicts more cold nights and frozen days, which limits our hacking for at least another week, and means I will be frustrated, frozen and exhausted at the end of my yard shifts.

Still, as I pointed out yesterday, we really aren't far from Spring. I know it's hard to see it in the first days of January, but looking back, October is just a blink of an eye behind us, so March will equally be just a blink of an eye ahead.

Soon enough we will be blessed with warmer weather again, and flies, and lush grass growing too fast. Every season brings its glories and its worries, and the cycle of life continues.