Week 1 - mid-June 2007

Prince and his new buddy Jack loaded and hauled beautifully and came out of the trailer interested in their new surroundings, but calm. They both settled in pretty well - after a roll, a bit of an introduction with new neighbors and a sampling of lunch.

On Prince's first day of school, he got turned out to play in the main arena, having fun checking out all the jump paraphernalia and running around. He was a bit pushy as I led him to and from turnout, so a bit of a reminder lesson on not crowding the handler. He remembered his manners quite nicely. Not a hard day of work planned, just a bit of groundwork and in-hand prep for longe work. I was pleased with his level of focus. As I expected, the calm and peaceful atmosphere of this facility helps him stay in his body so he can learn. Although he was looking around with curiousity during the entire session, he was much more present than he had ever been at his former home.

Later in the week, Prince was a bit off in his right hind and not at all inclined to run and play as rambunctiously as he has done the past days. The previous day's work session was a challenging one, with lots of in-hand lateral work and emphasis on lifting his belly and stretching his back. After that we took it easy, with bodywork and groundwork and then a grooming session that caused him some consternation. His long locks were a bit matted and he objected to the combing-out process, especially near his poll. Typical of many former racehorses, he is quite ear-shy, so add that to the list of things to work on.

At the weekend, just a play day for the student, with turnout time during the heat of the day so he didn't run too much. He did have a good romp in the large arena, along with checking out all the jumps, gazing over the fence at various vantage points and spending about half an hour sniffing out the perfect place to roll. He also seems very pleased with the automatic water bucket in the arena - he can get a drink between spurts of galloping. Absolutely no sign of lameness, even with all the play.

Week 2

Prince is starting to make new friends, so started out the week in turnout with trailer buddy Jack and my youngster, Sport. He and Sport have fairly aggressive play styles and were having fun. Work time has included groundwork and some longeing on a short line. He is moving much better this week - less prone to hyperextend in front at the trot and pushing better from behind, though the back drops much more than I want it to in motion. Improvement is a process, starting at the walk and building from there. After one work session, Prince and Sport got to go out and play. Prince is fast when he gets going - easily ends up about half the arena diameter ahead of Sport, who then cuts across to catch up. Still moving soundly at all gaits.

Later in the week, more detail work, moving properly across a pole in-hand and on a short line. The point of the exercise is to teach him that when working across an obstacle on a circle, maintaining bend and even moving a bit laterally to the outside of the circle improves his balance stepping across the pole. That helps him to be straight on a circle (watch for inside hind and front to be on the same track, so hindquarters are following the shoulders squarely in bend) even without the pole. Like most green horses, Prince's habit is to drop his inside shoulder and throw himself across the pole. To the right, though he generally bends better this direction, he also falls in on the side of the circle opposite the pole, as well. Quite a challenge to keep him focused and thinking about his feet, but he's smart and really does seem to want to please.

Week 3 - July 2007

Sessions over the pole, generally done after a short groundwork warmup, are improving. He holds the circle about half the time, with reminders, though, because he really wants to drop his shoulder and forge outto the left after the pole on the right-bend circle. Left bend is still less than optimal - he really wants to tip his nose to the outside of the circle. Worked some in-hand at directing that outside (right) shoulder to stay on the circle and the inside hind to push a bit. Suppleness in the shoulders is really key for Prince, whose past work focused careening down a racetrack on his forehand. He does still show the characteristic flattening of the back when he accelerates - no question what his previous job was.

I continue to be pleased with his demeanor - he seems happy to work, tries hard to please and is generally a pleasure to work with. I'm happy to find that even when something excites or spooks him, he makes a jump or two, then comes back to earth (literally and figuratively!) and calms down quickly.

Still sound all around - no issues at all with the front feet even though he's getting due for a trim. (Prince is barefoot all the way around at present. He'll get front shoes if he seems to need them as his work increases, but good, well-maintained footing at the facility where he lives is a big help.