Bunker Mode, Day One

[dancinghorse]

It was nice not to have to go anywhere today, or have anyone in, or have any commitment except books and horses. I overslept this morning, but the big herd is out permanently while Pook is in the stalls waiting to get his foot fixed, so they all got fed at pretty much the normal time. Then I was able to have a lazy morning, write some pages, do some more horses, then fall over for a nap that lasted until 6.

There was enough time after that to do some ring work with Capria--practicing homework mostly. I was in no-brain body-stupid mode, which happens sometimes, but still managed to work on softening up the seatbones and hips. Got a 6-loop serpentine on the buckle using just seat, in walk, though in trot she got rushy. She needs rein support there. She thought that was fun.

Then I grabbed Camilla and headed out for walkies. The War Mare is coming into her own. She really wanted to explore, though when we went out back to places she hadn't seen before, she was fairly excited. Camilla excited...grows. She is a whole honkin' lot of horse. It's a challenge to keep a loose lead and a completely, and I mean totally, calm demeanor. The minute I catch her tension, we're in trouble. Airs-type trouble. Thanks to Pook, with whom I've spent two years learning to control my body language or thar he blows, it came out pretty well, and she demonstrated that she has Warhorse instincts for sure. When she started to spook at some boards in a pile, instead of shying, she stalked them--all archy like a 1200-pound cat--and then wanted to prowl past them into the neighbor's yard. Since the place is vacant and I know the owner, I let her explore a bit, snort at the propane tank, then prance back out. She gets it that if she's scared, I'll get between her and the scary thing (a deal I make with all my horses), and she's trusting me to keep the demons away. There was only one real Air: she didn't want to go back to the herd, wanted to go around by the hay, and when the goat poked her head out under her tarp, Camilla did a caracole. But she controlled it right away.

Wow, that's some horse. She is getting bigger objectively speaking--taller, more massive--but when she's excited, she's huge. She projects a really powerful personality, enough to be scary. The show potential here is considerable--if I can keep up with her. And if I can get her through the early excitement. She does want to work with me, which is her saving grace, and Pook is helping me deal with this kind of extreme movement and charisma. He's a gentler horse, so easier to manage, but being a stallion, can be a handful as well.

I was very pleased to see how forward Camilla was today. She's getting the idea. The trick if she stops is to wait for her--rather than push her. It only takes her a moment now to decide to move.

I have to say, those two Knight/Carrma kids are something else. They're a "golden cross," I think--a match of sire and dam that results in superlative individuals. Sure can't beat them for movement or presence--and they have a gift for making friends as well. I really can see, there, what the breeders in Austria wanted to create in the Lipizzan mare and stallion.

This evening's plan is to write more pages. Go Me.

Comments

[sfmarty.livejournal.com]

What is happening with Carrma these days?

[dancinghorse.livejournal.com]

She's looking after the kids, especially the grandkid, mooching for hugs and treats, and enjoying life. I asked her if she wanted to make a baby this year. Two days later, the farm gelded the stallion I wanted for her. I guess that was her answer.