I really wanted to work with Katz tonight since I knew that the new Renegade hoof boots were delivered. Sure enough boots arrived so out to the barn. I have been using hoof boots on Katz since he is barefoot. His shoes were pulled the day I picked him up at the track so that, with his under-run heel that are supposedly common in TBs, I want to help him get healthier hooves. Thus keeping him barefoot (and with the winter, best to be barefoot with snow and such), with frequent but brief rasps to bring his heel back, and hoof boots so that he walks/trots with a heel first landing. Without boots, he starts moving a bit with the toe first so the boots are helping. The boots I have been using can flop off and I was tired of always needing a screw driver near by to adjust them, thus went with the Renegades. Boots fit great, no screwdrivers needed, no feats of strength to get boot on hoof! Wonderful! Katz tacked up and out to round pen. We lunged for a bit, he cantered, boots did great, ready to get on.
Now, After bringing Katz over to the mounting block and which he did not want to stand at all, rather dash off, I had a thought. I have head of '2 steps forward, one step back' and other various on this saying but in the case of Katz, more math is involved. I rode him 4 days last week, Wednesday - Saturday. By Saturday, he was standing nicely, only took a few minutes to get him to that point and he only took a few walk steps when I mounted then stood just fine. Sunday ride was for my other OTTB, Jumping lesson, then by the time I got home, Husband reminded me we need to get food for the Superbowl. Off to the store. By the time we got back, I had some free time but I needed to trim Mace's hooves. After that, it was time for stall cleaning and feeding, then it was Superbowl kick off. Monday, I had back pain, probably due to tossing hay around on Sunday so no riding. Tuesday, back still not happy. Wednesday, late meetings so no riding. Thus I had 4 days in a row of riding, 4 days of no riding. 4 - 4 = 0 and that was where we were at today with mounting. It seems that we went back to day 1 in terms of getting on. He did not want to stand, once he did, if I moved, he jumped away from the block. After 10 min, he would stand but if I put my foot in the stirrup, he quickly scooted away, dragging me off and it is amazing the size of the lump that appears on your leg from just bumping a large plastic mounting block. 20 minutes later, he was standing, I sort of got on and he was off. I sort of ended up sliding off his rump, sort of hoping he would not kick out. He did not, good boy. I then sent him back out to the rail of the round pen for some more lunging. Maybe if he figures out that it is less work to let me mount, this will help. Brought him back over to mounting block, same behavior so back out to the rail to lunge. Back in to try mounting again, stood still until I went to put foot in stirrup, he dragged me off. He scooted away but I kept a hold of the reins, he stopped, I looked at him, brought him back to the block. He stood, I put foot in stirrup, he stood, I put all my weight on that one side and he stood. I then fully mounted and he stood still. Good boy! Actually had to ask him to move forward.
So something got Katz thinking again. Was it my 'look'? I remember the look I gave was something like this ' nope not mad, not going to punish you, but REALLY? Back we are going to the block, follow me, again'
This blog is dedicated to Off The Track Thoroughbreds. I will warn those that visit this blog that these are my ramblings, my personal experiences with my OTTBs and my future plans or dreams that involve OTTBs. Nothing here is meant to be a 'solution' or professional advice in regards to the training of these wonderful horses, for I am just an amateur.