Thursday Things

 We're almost three weeks in on Cinder's ulcer treatment, and it really seems to be helping. She felt and looked better after just a week, and has continued to put on weight and been great under saddle. She starts a step down dosage this weekend, so hopefully progress continues. 

Hello

We've made a bit change since coming back from Canada. For the most part she went fine in the French link and the Dr. Bristol, but we never quite got that nice hunter frame that she had years ago in the mullen mouth. The only reason we switched out of the mullen mouth was that she could get a bit heavy in it, and had no brakes when she got wound up. I suggested that maybe we should try a mullen mouth pelham. Trainer M was bit skeptical (I do like that most horses in her program go in French links, but she can be wary of trying different bits) but Assistant Trainer I agreed with me. Cinder was very taken aback by the pelham for the first few rides, but has learned to accept it. She's so much lighter in it, and I can find that hack winning trot in her, and don't have to fight to get it. I also bought the same bit in a d-ring, so our plan is flat her in the D and jump/show her in the pelham. 

The barn held a little show for the lesson kids, complete with scary Halloween decorations and Cinder didn't give a single shit. 

Peebs continues to be the bestest old man. I took him out to the arena last week to play around and part of me really wants to ride him again, but he deserves his retirement and I absolutely do not have time for two riding horses. 

Cinder and I jumped our first 3' fence together in our lesson last week and it felt awesome. It was the second fence of a one stride, so I didn't feel too intimidated coming up to. Cinder actually jumped it much better than the smaller fences we had warmed up over. She was like "Bitch finally pointed me at something worth my effort."