Introduction to Belle

On Monday it was kind of rainy, so instead of slogging out to the back 40, dragging in some horses, and riding in the rain, I called C to ride her horse. Now, a little background on Belle: as far as I know C found her in a field in Chilliwack wasting away about 500lbs underweight. C bought her, fixed her up, got her fat. Belle had been in Southlands, and out in Mastqui as a lesson horse, then dumped in field. Problem is at some point Mare (who previously had manners) learned that it's fun to walk on people, and C well, had a tendancy to be a doormat. So I offered my services, as naughty Chestnut TB Mares are somewhat of a specialty for me. First day involved Belle throwing a CTBM hissy fit, screaming her head off and throwing her hiney around. However she quickly learned that that sort of behaviour does not fly with me, and stood still to be tacked up. Berrated C and explained to her about being "Boss Mare", etc.

So I hop on, walk around and let Belle loosen up a bit. Pick up a trot and Holy Shit this mare is SO lame comes to mind. But she's not really lame, just feels totally different on all 4 legs. Keep trotting and she seems to work out of it a bit. Totally different but just as messed up feeling on the opposite rein. I think, well, we'll try a canter and if she falls down she's really lame (I really didn't want to have to tell C her horse was screwed ...). Canter is lovely. Belle even tries to drop her head and frame up for me at the canter. Ok maybe mare's not totally screwed up. Final test, a crossrail. Now, those of you who know CTBMs know that if she was really in pain she'd tell me to go fuck myself when I asked her to jump. The first time she ran out to the right. I halted her immediately, backed up, parked her in front of the jump. I turned her left, and came at it again, and she went. Jumped lovely, and felt fine after the jump. So I was happy, mare's not totally screwed. Called it a day and walked her out. We had a look at her back afterwards, and decided she really needs to see a chiropractor or have a massage, but other than that she's fine.

Since then I have had another pep talk with C, and we've started stretching her. I do leg stretches before I ride, and neck stretches after, and C does the neck stretches whenever she can. Belle is now starting to be able to hold a frame at the trot, and can hold her frame way better at the canter. She still feels a little uneven behind at the trot, but she hasn't seen a chiro yet and I'm pretty sure she's out up high in her SI joint. On Monday when I rode I hopped her over a little crossrail again, the first time she sort of did a wiggle 3 strides out but she went. I turned around and went right back to it, and she took me there. I was SO thrilled. I'm amazed with her progress and very happy that C has stepped up to do the stretching work with her, and to stop being a doormat. I talked to her about maybe showing Belle, and we're aiming for a schooling show at the end of November. Wish us luck!