Damn Geldings ... (from Friday)

The grey horse was a total douche to come in, so I started with him today. He worked well on the lunge line, and actually gave to the chambon a couple of times. I got on and worked him under saddle for a bit. He's still convinced that wet hogfuel hurts like hot coals, but he's starting to get over it. He's also starting to not go around like a giraffe. He really can't hold any sort of frame at the moment, because he doesn't have any muscle, but he's starting to try. Really that's all I can ask for at this point. And I can be happy that he's not having as many Off Target days, and seems to be happy and willing to work.

I rode the big horse next, and he was a total ass. Apparently it is that hard to move when there's a small hammerhead spur jammed into your ribs repeatedly. He would flinch and grunt but he wouldn't move (away from the pressure or otherwise). I was very frustrated with him by the end, although we did manage to get through the trot poles a couple of times, without going around the corner like a total 2x4.
This is the main reason I like mares better, I've never had one just flat refuse to listen like that. They're way to sensitive to just tune you out and ignore you. But hey, I'm stuck with them now. I gave him the total silent treatment after, undressed him and threw him in the paddock with Zhar. No love, no licorice, nothing. See if his attitude improves tomorrow.

Then I went next door and rode Miss Belle. She was having a bit of a CTBM day, so I put her to work. She tried to spook once, and got laughed at and a little spur in the ribs. Then settled down and we did some simple changes and transitions. Then I hopped her over the little crossrail again, and had C put it up to a little verticle. She jumped like a champion.
I'm so impressed with her progress it's not even funny. And again I have to give props to C for keeping up with her handling and stretches. We looked at her back again and there's only two little spots where she sort of flinches, as opposed to almost dropping her whole back when we first looked at her. We'll be doing the 2'6" and 2'9" Hunters and some flat classes at the end of November.