The Day the Flowers Changed, 01/29/09

This is one of the first real "off" days we have had in a long time. What brought it on?

New flowers under the same old jump!

We were just doing some low schooling, and things were going quite well...until I pointed him at the outside line. We've ridden this line so many times, and we've jumped the "scary" jump at least a foot higher than it was set that evening. Imagine my surprise when he cat leaped straight up in the air over it! We came down quite hard on the other side, as he didn't arc over the jump at all. I stayed with him as best I could, but I got that warm, burning sensation in my neck that let me know it snapped back pretty hard. After assessing the footage, we realized the jump spooked him. I didn't want him to think that pitching a hissy about a jump would mean he didn't have to jump it again, and after making sure he was okay, we went for another trip. I wasn't as surprised this time when he popped over it, but I got to experience the same lovely whiplash. I put it in slow motion both times so you can see that I basically had physics working against me--staying with the takeoff isn't so difficult, but when the horse is landing in a rather non-traditional manner, it's pretty hard to prevent your body from going snap, crackle, and pop. I was frustrated about pulling him out of the line, but I felt it was more important to double check both him and myself and make sure we were both still in one piece. Again, we did a brief trotting phase to ensure he was okay (I really wasn't that worried about me!), and we went for a few more trips. Each time, as you can see, he became more and more confident and quiet. I praised him for being a good boy. Then, a little group of starlings camped out in the ceiling rafters decided to sing his praises as I was changing the diagonal. That lead to a surprise takeoff complete with a buck. He kicks out now and then if he gets excited when we're jumping or he's trying to change his lead in the back, but he's never blasted off as we've changed the diagonal across the center of the ring. As much as I wanted to blame the birds, I did have a vet check him over and perform a lameness exam/xrays, and I did have his chiro adjust him. He passed with flying colors. It was later that I found out from Katie that she'd changed the flowers on that one jump. It was still surprising that it elicited such a response from him, but then again, it's not the first time that strange or new filler has set him off. This just means that I have to shift my focus from new leafy greens to new flowery things!

If any of you dare to critique my equitation, consider the fact that the horse cat leaped about four feet straight up into the air. I didn't even lose a stirrup, and I threw my arms forward as much as I could in an effort to not make it any worse. I've had a vet and my trainer look at the footage as well, and the consensus is that he was rather spooky that evening. Everyone's entitled to an off day!

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• apha
• buckskin
• paint
• gelding
• horse
• jumping
• spooking
• bucking
• kicking
• american

[sunnyboy1fan]

i've watched afew of your videos, and i have to say, your horse is amazing! you two look really great together, you were lucky you fond such a great horse xx

[dragonfly1030]

@sunnyboy1fan Thank you! I love him so much. :)

[buckskinbabe4]

mel were did u get duncan from any special website that u got him from????

[dragonfly1030]

I was browsing Horsetopia and came across him, actually.

[buckskinbabe4]

yah thats a good thing do u live in new jersey

[dragonfly1030]

Yes

[peacebeauty101]

Haha I absolutely love this video! Duncan: Oh no oh no those scary flowers again You: Oh god oh god...This video cracks me up everytime I watch it XD <3

[BeckyMerrickAndPeeps]

ur horse is epic lol xx

[FiSTPUMPandSHOWJUMP]

He's got pretty threatening bucks!

[buckskinbabe4]

mel,

i also have to happend to live in new jersey to:)!i knew that you had to live somewhere around us that we know:)

[buckskinbabe4]

what is the website called????