Sunday 03 Jul

Well I guess you could say that the hard work started today.

When I got to the yard B and T were already out, so I brought T in and gave her a quick brush off.  Today I was really looking forward to trying out my new EquiAmi which I received on Saturday.  We were very color coordinated today with turquoise over reach and brushing boots, as well as a turquoise saddle cloth.

I was really pleased, the EquiAmi was very easy to fit, and as the whole premise is that it is a self centering loop, there was no faring to make sure each side was tightened the same amount.

T accepted the aid without fuss, and she worked really nicely -  even the canter (which isn't her favourite thing to do on the lunge), but she really started stretching down nicely.

After 30 mins we stopped, and went back round to the yard.  She was a bit warm, but not very sweaty, so I hosed her legs and belly off, then stuck her back out for a few hours while I pottered around.

We changed to night time turn out today, so I'm a bit at a loss of how to work out her meals and hay, both of which contain soaked food.  I brought her in at about 6:30, so she could have her grass nuts with her supplements in, and that would also give her time to relax before I rode.

Today's experiment with the zoopharmacognacy involved ginkgo biloba, chickweed, gotu kola, eye right and chaste berry.  She stuck her nose right in each bowl and had a taste, but didn't really eat much of any of them, but I'll leave them out for her to nibble during tomorrow.

Horror of horror, I then got Tartine ready to ride - poor girl wouldn't know what's hit her, being worked twice in one day, though she is going to have to get used to it.  I only wanted to do some bits and pieces, nothing very much, but perhaps build on what we did in our lesson yesterday.  Of course there was a party on at the Ecurie, so there were about a million cars and people being rather loud all over, so T was finding it a bit difficult to concentrate.  Once warmed up I worked mainly in sitting trot, I find this much easier for my hip, and I also feel like /I have more control over everything.  Lots of lovely direct transitions, and lots and lots of transitions in general.  Our canter was great, and T was really working in a much lower position than normal - whether it was because she was feeling a bit tired (though not fatigued, as she was storming tonight!) or whether even the one session with the EquiAmi has already made a difference - who knows...

After 40 mins she was really quite warm, so I cleared up the school, and took her round the other side.  I put her muzzle and fly ask on, then gave her an all over shower, before putting her fly rug back on.  Back in the field, of course she immediately had to have a good roll, so she is going to be a little dirty in the morning.

The plan for tomorrow is to get up to the yard early, and lunge Tartine, then put the beds down ready for when B comes in - which should be around 8am.

I'll need to hang T's haynet up, and I think I'll have to give her both of them at once.  Perhaps in different parts of the box, otherwise I can't see how it's going to work... Hmm plenty to think about at the moment.