Blah.
So since my trainer quit her other job and trails full time, she's taken on a lot more lessons. This has had a lot to do with Junior's recent calmer behavior, actually, because when I first started it wasn't unusual for my ride on Friday to be the first he'd had since Monday. Oh, Thoroughbreds.
Thankfully, one of her students brought her horse to the barn and he's now taking up a share of the lessons.
Unfortunately I seem to be one of the ones shifted onto him. :(
In some respects he's better for me. When it comes to cantering he's between Junior's OMG GO and Trixie's By-The-Time-You-Kick-Her-Into-Cantering-You're-Exhausted, so that's good. He seems awfully short strided though, to the point where his trot and walk make me D: D: D:
And, well, he's not Junior.
Blah, I say.
This week's bite tally for the therapy barn is only one, thanks to the lovely Pepper. Several of the horses were just being peevish, though Cooper was the only one trying to kick the shit out of people. O.o
Now, not all of the horses like having side-walkers. Benny and Buster, for example, are infamous for hip checking anyone who falls back beyond the "allowed" range. Santana has also decided that she doesn't want side walkers and started kicking a little bit, but she's a baby (4 years old) and it's not full out. They'll straighten her out soon enough.
But Cooper...Cooper more than dislikes side walkers that fall too far back. Given plenty of space he'll swing his hind quarters towards you just because he wants to, and when he kicks he's out for blood. He's just all around NASTY, in his stall and out. I avoided being bitten but he got several pops under the chin for trying. He's fine independently under saddle, so I don't think it's a pain thing...just don't get near him otherwise. Bleh. He gives OTTBs a bad name. >:|
Thankfully, one of her students brought her horse to the barn and he's now taking up a share of the lessons.
Unfortunately I seem to be one of the ones shifted onto him. :(
In some respects he's better for me. When it comes to cantering he's between Junior's OMG GO and Trixie's By-The-Time-You-Kick-Her-Into-Cantering-You're-Exhausted, so that's good. He seems awfully short strided though, to the point where his trot and walk make me D: D: D:
And, well, he's not Junior.
Blah, I say.
This week's bite tally for the therapy barn is only one, thanks to the lovely Pepper. Several of the horses were just being peevish, though Cooper was the only one trying to kick the shit out of people. O.o
Now, not all of the horses like having side-walkers. Benny and Buster, for example, are infamous for hip checking anyone who falls back beyond the "allowed" range. Santana has also decided that she doesn't want side walkers and started kicking a little bit, but she's a baby (4 years old) and it's not full out. They'll straighten her out soon enough.
But Cooper...Cooper more than dislikes side walkers that fall too far back. Given plenty of space he'll swing his hind quarters towards you just because he wants to, and when he kicks he's out for blood. He's just all around NASTY, in his stall and out. I avoided being bitten but he got several pops under the chin for trying. He's fine independently under saddle, so I don't think it's a pain thing...just don't get near him otherwise. Bleh. He gives OTTBs a bad name. >:|