Bones takes a break and I take a spill!

Bones has a small 1/2" cut in the center of his back. So, that means he can't be ridden until it is completely healed. I haven't ridden him in about a week. And honestly, I miss riding him! 

I did lunge him yesterday for about 10-15 minutes, W/T/C both ways. Then I added a ground pole and W/T both ways for an additional 5 minutes. I always really notice how weak he is going to the right when I lunge him. He "cuts in" on the circle a lot.

This past week, a photographer came to the barn to take pictures of all of the horses. He was there in search for a horse to be in an ad ( I believe it is an internet ad ) for one of the Tween Brands stores, Justice. The scenario for the ad is that two young boys are in the woods and hear something. They go around a corner and see a horse. When they look back, the horse is running away. Wouldn't Bones be perfect for that! Cross your fingers that he gets picked! Or, if not him, one of the other horses at the barn. ;)

  Since Bones has to have some off time, I've been working with and riding Kazi more often. I've been  lunging him in draw reins every few days to help his head set a little and coax him onto the bit. I lunged him yesterday in the same manor as I did Bones. 10-15 minutes of W/T/C, and 5 minutes W/T with one ground pole. 

Saturday Dana, another boarder, and I went on a nice hour (ish) long trail ride. We came across a ditch that Kazi wouldn't go over. I ended up getting off and walking him over it. The first time he jumped it, but after that he walked calmly through it. Then I got back on and walked him over it several times under saddle. He did a great job, caught on very quickly! Everything went very well on the ride, until we were coming up the last little hill to the barn. I decided to take my feet out of the stirrups for the last 30 or so seconds of the ride. I guess the horses got spooked at a dog (silly horses!) and I ended up coming off. Kazi's hoof grazed/grinded on the right side of my ribs. I was sore for a couple of days in many place (still have a lot of bruises) but, I'm lucky to not have any serious injuries!

I gave him Sunday off, and yesterday he got lunged (as mentioned before) and we took another trail ride. This time with out any unfortunate events! 

I plan on lunging him in draw reins for about 5 minutes today, and maybe doing a ground pole or two on the lunge as well. I think we need to do a bit of arena work today, and maybe a trail ride if anyone else wants to join.