The Experiment Begins... (again)

It was a STUNNER of a day up in Seattle yesterday.  My car claimed it was 77 degrees, but I think that it was just excited, since everyone else seemed to agree it was 70, maybe 71... Regardless, it was lovely.  There was a warm breeze, some of the leaves are still clinging to the trees and all the mountains were crystal clear.  Not a bad day for a ride..

Between the weather and my newly written down battle plan (writing things down makes this girl feel so much more organized..) I arrived to the barn in a much better state of mind than I've been in the last couple of days. 
Of course then, in a move that would make every single one of my professors cringe/cry/punch me, I (the ever effective scientist) decided to ignore good procedure, indulge emotion and instead of focusing on just one item at a time, I decided to change just about everything all at once. (yaaaaay)

What do I mean? Wellll, instead of isolating variables so that I could possibly know what changes brought about what changes, now I made a mess of things, so should something positive happen, I might have to attirubte Pia's behavior change to my socks, or the radio station that was on, or something else absurd like the fact that I forgot my barn boots, so in order to save my still-blistered-feet from extra time in the Konigs, I got to wear these while tacking up... classy, I know..

(Breeches and heels... Thank god the barn was empty... I don't think I would have heard the end of it otherwise...)

Anyway, since the barn was empty, I picked P's feet and tossed her into the ring to bounce around.  I only chased her for about 15 minutes, but it was enough to get two bucks, a light sweat, and some energy out. The BO had left a note that Pia got bute at 3pm... and as far as I could tell, she was moving exactly the same.  No big changes anyway (so that's good?)

After our grooming/tacking session (in our heels), I wasn't going to lunge her prior to getting on, as the mare was fairly sleepy in the crossties and had her fun in the ring already, but right as I was adjusting my stirrups, P cause a glimpse of the BO's husband dutifully spraying for weeds in the driveway and she flipped out.  We were in the corner of the ring where the mounting block, stools, manure bucket and radio are... so her scrambling around trying to get out ended up tossing everyone over, scraping the walls and generally creating a much larger scene than necessary. 

End result? one very hyped up, very excited Pia horse.  Overfed and spooky? Maybe...

Since Pia was still snorting fire, I decided to throw her on the lunge and at least get her a bit focused.  This was laughable, and after about 5 minutes of her ZOOOOOMING around me in a 5 meter circle (idiot), I handed her off to the BO who was significantly less irritated or emotional about it all to calmly address her energy/focus issues. 

Ultimately this was a good decision, though I felt like I was in timeout as I was sitting on a stool in the corner (after I picked it back up) while Pia continued to zoom in circles and do about a ga-zillion transitions in order to focus. 

30 minutes later, the mare was showing some semblance of focus, and the BO asked if I wanted to get on, or call it a day at that. 

Duh, I wanted to get on.  But I did not want to get bucked around. 

We both agreed that getting a few minutes of non-bucky walk and trot would be a good thing, so we went for it. 

After wiggling around at the walk for about 5 minutes, we went for the trot, and got a series of objections (not weird). The standard, refuse to go forward, bite chest, be a brat objections... but this time, I caught it on videooooooo. 

Please know that this is horrifically embarrassing.  a) I look like crap, b) I'm posting a video of my horse blatently being a brat, and c) I don't have anything to follow it up with that redeems either of us.

My only hope is that someday, when we're breezing around the dressage ring, I will look back at this video and smile at how far we've come. 

Also know that in this "objection" I'm doing everything I can to keep her straight.  When she starts blowing through my leg I attempt to move her off the leg she's ignoring, but most of the sideways is all Pia... Weird.  and frustrating.




We worked for about 15minutes under saddle.  Not much, but the mare had already worked a LOT on the lunge and just running around the ring.  While I was happy that we didn't have a bucking fit, we definitely never got to a loose trot, or even a forward one. 

Here's one more clip of our leg yields.  Realistically, they weren't awful.  She moved off my leg without objecting, but she's still not in front of my leg and not wonderfully balanced.  Still, they were a small bright spot on the day..



Afterward, we did lots of trot/walk transitions to get rid of the stickiness, and called it a day when she had a nice upward transition by the gate (her stickiest spot). Still really frustrating to see her so bottled up after some really nice rides last week.

So, based on our current theories from yesterday here's where I stand:

• Pain.  Buted her up for the ride.  No real difference.  So hopefully this isn't a kissing spine situation.
• Overfed.  Cut her fatty foods in half as of yesterday.  We'll see what happens
• Saddle Fit.  Double checked it, and I still don't see a potential problem, but our Prestige isn't here yet... it SHOULD be here soon.  gosh darn it.
• Hormones. Easy Mare Gold is on it's way with our next smartpak.  We've tried mare magic, and I didn't see any effect (even on the loading dose), but this seems a little stronger?  Also, I'm upping her Quiessence dosage back to the loading dose to see if that helps take an edge off.
• Outside. This is new, but the BO and I moved the mare back outside full time.  As long as she's not dropping huge weight from standing in the cold rain, I'll leave her there.  I think this might help.

Today we have another ride before I skidattle for the weekend... Depending on her behavior I'll either have the BO put some rides on her while Iim gone, or give her a few days off to just chill out and be a horse.  

Battle Plan

OK.  Yet again..

Nothing new yet, but I do have an actual plan of attack for the Piasaurous.

Things I'm currently considering as factors for "The Tantrums"

• Pain.  Not sure where, there's no obvious soreness, but maybe something is kicking in under saddle that I can't find on the ground.  Solution? Bute-ing her up for a couple days and seeing if anything is masked.
• Overfed.  I've been slowing amping up her rice bran and envision, both of which have LOTS of cals.  Maybe I'm making her insane. Cutting that back as of tonight and seeing what happens. 
• Saddle Fit.  Maybe its the saddle? We don't have our built for P saddle yet... (it's coming, I swear!) but we've been using the BO's Custom, which fits really well.  But I'll check again. sigh.
• Hormones.  I could swear on a stack of bibles that the mare was JUST IN HEAT. but maybe its hormones.  Solution? As soon as the new smart pack gets here, its all Easy-Mare-Gold, all the time. (this should be next week...).  Oh, also, her gelding neighbor just moved across the aisle... so any and all temptation that Ruby presented, is gone now.

I think that's it.  Those are my top priorities.  Today will be the first bute, and hopefully it won't be a magic bullet.  I can only take so many spine problems in one horsey... :)

If she's still a crazy-town mare today and tomorrow, (per SuperMom's suggestion) I'm giving her a few days off, letting her crazy work out (hopefully its food related) and we'll start back up next week. 

Speaking of SuperMom, I had a good chat with her today on brainstorming about Miss P's apparent issues.  It's always helpful to hear her input and always helpful to get some perspective on P's history and where she's been before... All in all good.

But, I did agree (and I will be threatening P) with a visit from her if Pia does get her act together this week.... It's always good to have at least one ace in your pocket, right??

Long story short, I'm headed out tonight for a lesson, it's flipping GORGEOUS out, so I can't wait to be at the barn.  And I'm feeling like I have (at least a short term plan) regarding some possible explanations for this crazy behavior.

Cross you fingers...!

In *running martingales* we trust v2.0

Well, if nothing else this mare is showing some consistency in my posting threads anyway...

Monday I went out to face the beast and attempt to get back to where we were last week.  I discounted the fact that she had two days off and opted out of lunging again.  Mentally I decided that we'd walk for at least 20 minutes, and not move forward until we were happy and accepting at our "working" walk

I almost didn't even get on, because when I got there, the mare had a HUGE left hind leg. Apparently she cast herself on Saturday, and no one bothered to tell me.  All in all, that's fine, no heat, no lameness, but still - HEART ATTACK when I first saw it.

It reinforced that I didn't want her to go crazytown on the lunge, so I hoped on and crossed my fingers.

Things were good.  We got our walk going GREAT.  she was being mostly good, stayed between my legs, and after about 10 minutes, she was supple and bending nicely.  baby leg yields were a go, 10 meter figure-8's were great.  Splendid.  I started testing her "go" factor by collecting and extending her at the walk, and she wasn't stinky at all.

Then we tried to trot.  TOTAL STINK BOMB. sticking, grumpy, chest bitey.  But as soon as we rounded toward the barn, she perked right up, scooted forward into a happy decent trot.  Ater 5 min she was loose, swinging and working nicely.  Dare I say she even reached for the bit! Her lengthenings were a-w-e-s-o-m-e.  Really nice push, and really nice collection back.  She was light, responsive and had almost no breaks or dumpster diving. 

Then we worked a few leg yields (not awful) and some shoulder in (pretty great!).  We walked, she chilled out, then we picked up our trot again (less stinky than before).  I got her forward and in front of my leg again and was working on getting that soft fluid feeling when she FLIPPED OUT AGAIN.

This was a new move.  This time, we turned the corner (Pia took over), and started a bucking gallop rampage across the diagonal.  (Usually our tantrums at most travel a few strides).  I must say at this point, I damn near fell off.  The mare had her head shoved between her legs (BYE REINS!) and was full on inverted bucking in very gallop stride.  I had visions of my going off over her front, and was just trying to figure out how to "dismount" to the side when I snagged a rein, snagged her head and really got my balance back.  Then my attention turned to how I planned on slowing this steamrolling runaway train enough to not totally-eat-shit-and-die at the rapidly approaching end of the arena. 

Thankfully she tossed her head, I took advantge to get some decent contact and we whirled in a circle just about the time I was preparing to go head first into the mirrors. 

WHEW.

I got some nice kudos from the only other lady in the ring.. Which always feels nice, but I am getting less enthusiastic about "feeling great" about how well I'm riding a bucking monster and having that be the best thing about a ride...

After the fit, we walked (on a loose rein no less) for a few minutes before I attempted the trot.  Mostly I had to locate my phone somewhere in the arena (it LAUNCHED from my pocket during our "diagonal") but I found it, grabbed it (I'm convinced that some day I will end up head first in the mirrors and be desperately calling for help from it..) and got back on for some trotwork.  She was a twit and by no means relaxed.  The other mare left the ring and I felt P starting to really wind up.  I'll freely admit that my neck and back were killing me from getting whipped around and I was shaken up enough to not want try that again.  I barely eeked out some okay circles and promptly called it a day.

I'm frustrated. 

I'm really, really frustrated.  I don't scare easily, but this is starting to unsettle me.  I wasn't phased by her fits that I saw coming.  With those I knew I was picking a fight and I understand her very alpha responses.  These are different.  These are unpredictable, mean, and HUGE.  I don't like them one bit.

Today I went out to meet our barefoot trimmer for a pedicure, and P was all over the place.  Sweet and droopy one second, but even grazing my hand over her sent her into a squealing, kicking seizure.

I had visions of Denali's massage experience and kindly warned my trimmer "uhhh, careful, she's a little kicky today" and crossed my fingers that no one would be decapitated. 

I was supposed to have a lesson after, but P was so uncomfortable in the crossties I just booted her up and turned her loose in the arena to blow some steam off.  She only ran for about 10 mintues before she joined back up with me and we had a great halter-less groundwork session.  There's something super rewarding about a horse following you around the ring, stepping towards and away from you as you move.  I'm glad she was an angel on the ground... made me feel like it isn't all totally useless.  I needed it.

I don't know what to do.  I can't sell her (even if I wanted to), I wouldn't trust very many people on her at this point, I can't tell if she likes her job or not, and I can't figure out what I want out of the deal. Mostly I feel ineffective, cowardly and a little at a loss.  Do I start invesetigating things like Kissing Spine? Rip her ovaries out? beat her senseless? drug the crap out of her?? Send her to a cowboy?

It's been nine months, we're right where we started, and have nothing to show for it aside from $6k in vet bills, two trainers, and a small scar from the one time she did actually get me off.

Did I bite off more than I can chew with this one??

In *running martingales* we trust

Well, as they say, all good thigns must come to an end... and so Friday brought our nice string of relaxed rides to bucking, crashing halt.  Yet again, I owe my intact spinal cord to that lovely forked piece of tack we all know and love - the running martingale.  (mind you I am the only girl at an otherwise dressage only barn, who throws on a brown, raised, martingale for our flat rides.. :) )

Friday was frustrating.  It felt like 18 steps back, and it left me in a bad mood.  I intended to give the mare Saturday off regardless, but I ended up giving her the whole weekend and just keeping my mental space away from the barn.  I didn't really mean to, in fact I spent all day Sunday "planning" on heading to the barn after "one more thing." but I realized about at about 4pm (after a tragic Seahawks loss..) that I was just fooling myself and I really had no intention of riding the mare at all.

All in all it was fine.  Yesterday was as gorgeous as fall gets around here, so The Boy and I headed off for a big walk, found some salad and beer, stumbled into a movie (holy god Secretariat was disappointing..) and walked slowly home.  It was an ideal Sunday, so I really don't feel too guilty about ignoring the pretty Miss Pia.

So.. back to Friday.  Friday was a lesson, one that I had high hopes for after our Wednesday and Thursday rides and their increasing relaxation.  Such was not the case.

I tried to replicate my "good vibes." I mentally committed to a calm session, I opted to walk on a long rein for a long warm up instead of lunge, and I worked hard during our warm up to get her between my aides and reaching for the bit. 

Our work started well.  Good increases/lengthenings.  Decent bend, and some good transitions.  Baby lateral work was ok (shoulder in/haunches in.. both off the rail).  Then we worked our half halts a bit, and reaaallly making them obvious.  Pia was not a huge fan of that exercise, but she got it and was only fussy a couple of times before doing pretty well at it.  P did start hre old tricks.  Diving, refusing to go forward, blowing through my leg, the usual...

But, the wheels really came off the wagon when we started back up after a walk break for some counter canter.  Once again, we never even GOT to the counter canter, because mare-face decided to tie one on about her transitions.  We abandoned the counter canter and just worked a ga-zillion canter departs.  Multiple departs on a circle, simple change on a figure-8, from the walk (!?!) you name it.  She was snotty to the right when we were on the open side of the circle, but in reality we got some decent transitions, both up and down.

Thankfully the weekend of football, beer, and fundraising has clouded my memory, but essentially, Pia threw two MASSIVE fits.  The first, I think was while we were in the canter, but I wasn't asking for much.  Like nothing.  I wasn't getting after her, wasn't asking for a transition, or for her to sit back.. nothing.  She just went bonkers.  Bronc-bucking-hopping-bonkers.  BO made a dart to get out of the way (since we were popping all over the place), and honestly Pia almost got me off.  She didn't, but she tried (again), which pissed me off.  Also infuriating? when I wrestled her to a standstill she was so amped up I couldn't even whap her or kick hard for fear of getting murdered. 

So. I took a deep breath, requested we return to the trot and let it go.  45 seconds later? BLAM-O, same thing.  Buck-twist-kick-rear-buck-kick-twist-twist-bitch.  That was it.  I stopped her, flew off and prepared to lace her across the ass, when she beat me to it and flew backward knowing full well what my intentions were.  So I let it go.  Stopped, patted her, and proceeded to attempt some half steps on the ground.  She was fussy and all freaked out, but she got it.  We managed a full lap at the walk, with half steps every 10 meters or so, before I patted her, and got back on. 

We finished with some decently nice trot work (getting to be a theme), but we didn't push the canter again.  If she hadn't pulled those two massive fits, I would have felt pretty good about the ride.  Aside from them, she was a twit about a few things, but ultimately put in some great work, and tried pretty hard.  The bum out really was that I couldn't even think on the decent work, because I was so upset about the two fits.  I sorta get why the mare explodes when I'm asking her hard questions, but the fact that she pulled two of her largest fits when we were just trotting merrily along? It's disheartening and makes me feel like I don't understand her nearly as well as I've led myself to believe. 

Current Thoughts:

• We've had some good rides in the last 10 days (That's Good!)
• There have been some totally mysterious mare-attacks (That's Bad)
• Pia is sound and strong and slobbering (That's Good!)
• My lessons seem to be less productive than my rides on my own (that's good/bad)
• I had a massive breakthrough in my effectiveness, as I learned (and can feel!) my left hip is ALWAYS pushed forward, regardless of direction, and my half-halts twist the same clockwise fashion (That's GOOD to know, BAD to do..) 

I just want some happy loose rides.  IF there's one thing that's super telling, it's Pia's sweat level.  We maybe work her canter more in lessons, but even at the trot, she gets way more hyped up (and sweaty) in lessons, than on our own.  I think it's an indicator of her stress factor but I don't know for sure.  Regardless, look what a sweat monster she was on Friday, hardly the picture of cool, calm and collected...

PS- Has anyone else seen Secretariat?? I saw nothing but decent fan reviews... but boooooooo, even I was bored.  I thought the horse footage was done well, and I love John Malkovitch as yet another eccentric character, but oof.  I guess I was hoping to see a bit more of the grit of the story.  I mean, really, the "financial strain" was represented by one passing conversation where by Miss Diane Lane stoically turned down $8 million for her big red colt. 
Yeah, I get it, that takes balls.  But I think it took more balls than we got to see.  And also, literally all we see of Secretariat was him as a baby, him as a yearling, then winning the triple crown.  Woo.  What a struggle.  For a two hour movie, I felt like they could have shown us more of the fairly incredible story.  But whatever.  No one ever likes a feature film that touches on their hobby.. I get that.  Rant over.