June Pyro Update: Positive Progress

So far in June, I've worked with Pyro on average 4 days a week, and I feel like we've made significant progress in that time. I was saying to Jen the other day that it seems like we've actually been able to work through some of his baggage from dealing with ulcer pain, and that feels dang good. 

Long lining with reins in "opposite" configuration.
Outside rein runs from bit through surcingle (around hindquarters or over back) to my hand.
Inside rein runs from surcingle through bit to my hand.

The breakdown:

• Groundwork: 4 
• Long lining/ground driving: 3
• Rides: 7 (2 were hacks around the farm)
• Trailer loading practice: 3

I think the long lining work has been really beneficial to him from a biomechanical standpoint. We do it at walk, trot, AND canter, which sometimes requires me to hustle, but I get to see how he's moving and balancing (or not, lol) while guiding him through all the figures and transitions that I would ask for under saddle. Meanwhile, he can practice everything I'm asking for without the addition of my weight/imbalances.

Of course, with reins in this opposite configuration, I can only ask him to turn one way unless I stop and switch reins, but it provides more of an "opening" inside rein aid, which he has responded really well to.

With the outside rein around his hindquarters, it helps me prevent his haunches from swinging out, but I have to be very mindful of following with that hand. As the outside hind reaches back, I would bump his mouth/cavesson if I didn't give.

I was thrilled to see him relax over his topline and bend through his body.

Cantering poles at an awkwardly long spacing went alright sometimes...

...but was a hot mess other reps. Lol, free comedic relief.

I've been experimenting with several things to get him happier in the bridle. First, the noseband came off. Let's be real, I'm not gonna take this boy to a dressage show in the near future, so there's no need to put added pressure on him when he's already one rabbit away from losing his cool. 

Since he had shown some reluctance when bridling, I tried adding Bit Butter to both the bit and the corners of his mouth prior to each ride. It was amazing the 180 he did, from clenching his teeth when offered the bit to "gimme dat thing!" and actively helping me get the bit in his mouth. 

The obligatory "I rode my horse!" mirror selfie

Long lining with the bridle instead of the cavesson, so I took the outside rein over his back rather than behind his hindquarters. I loved how he was balancing himself here. 

Bending with relaxed ears

Hooray for not rocket launching over a ground pole!

I also started incorporating "bit flexions" before rides/long lining in the bridle. I learned about these in a Kate clinic, and while I'm sure I could perform them better, I'm still seeing positive results. Pyro has been working through a TON of tension in his head/poll/neck through these exercises, and his contact and relationship with the bit is improving. 

LOTS of releases

Like, who knew he could stick his tongue out that far?

Keeping the bend under saddle, although I have to pay attention to when he tips his head

Reaching lightly into the contact with a quiet mouth

He gave me a lovely, light, consistent contact in the canter, despite me arching my back rather than opening my hips, a bad habit. 

Thankfully, my arthritis didn't flare too badly this month (*knocks on all wood I can find*), but on days I didn't feel 100%, I was able to keep the momentum with him by taking him for an easy walk, simply reinforcing good leading manners. Gently exercise like walking is ideal for helping my joints, and he seemed to enjoy the change of pace.

Taking the big dog for walkies

Thankfully though, both Pyro and I were predominantly feeling good and ready to work together this month. 

"workin' through some shit" as I ask his jaw to relax

Reins in typical "ground driving" configuration this time.

Ooooo, reaching over his back in the canter

Ignoring distractions!

Fancy boy while I struggle to give him consistent contact from over 10 feet away.

Wenglish cameo: not rushing on a loose rein

steady contact
carrying himself
tracking up

Good boy with happy ears!

More sticking his tongue out pre-ride

His lil muzzle is so stinkin' cute

Happily trit-trotting along

Once my husband had finished trailer repairs, I started adding that back into our routine about once a week. He didn't hold any ill feelings from when he cut his leg, and we picked up right where we left off. I finally got to do the "trailering dry run", where I asked him to load without taking him anywhere, tacked at the trailer, rode around the farm, untacked at the trailer, and asked him to load again just like we had gone somewhere for a ride. (This time without a vet visit.)

self loading and holding himself on the trailer

His expression as I girthed him up 🥹

Yes, you're a good boy, and you're doing great.

He patiently waited as I mounted from the trailer, dismounted, grabbed my glove, and remounted.

hacking with our dragonfly clip friend to (hopefully?) deter bugs

He stood more patiently for me to mount at the trailer than he does at the mounting block, so the next time I worked him, I made sure to practice the mounting block WITH tack... but as soon as he stood quietly for me to step on, I ended the session and untacked him. 

You have been snuffled.

Warming up with some groundwork

Balancing and stepping under with that right hind is still hard for him.

Standing still (and square!) at the mounting block

I got to ride him in the outdoor arena one day, and he had some... feelings. There were some really great moments, but we both really struggled with the canter. The bugs are vicious in that arena, despite copious fly spray, so that had him a little agitated. Meanwhile, I was having a hard time putting weight in my left stirrup, slipping right (especially on the left lead). He responded to these inputs by having rocket boosters. He was a little all over the place, cantering when I didn't ask as well as falling into the trot when I didn't ask.

🚀🚀🚀

Although there was no bucking or kicking out, I was immediately bracing hard enough that I actually got my pelvis stuck out of alignment (thank you, hypermobility). We were able to end on a good note, but that ride helped me identify some things I need to work on, such as his ability to work in new places (duh, I knew this, but even different locations around the property apparently need work) and my ability to stay balanced in the saddle without unhelpful bracing. I may try incorporating more fly gear when we ride in the outdoor too and see if that helps him relax and focus. 

He was still forward, but not blasting into space at the end of the ride.

After a visit to my chiropractor (bless that woman), I rode with the intent of figuring out what the heck I was doing to throw my balance off so much at the canter and being as clear as possible with my trot-canter and canter-trot transition cues. 

Much more happy and relaxed back in the indoor

Also more focused when not being eaten by deer flies

I literally could not tell you what I changed in my body because my proprioception is shit, but at some point during the ride, it clicked. I had even weight in both stirrups. I felt centered over him, and he felt balanced under me. When I added in clear cues, suddenly we were quietly flowing from trot to canter and back. 

Remember how just last month trot-canter transitions were grounds for exploding?

Now we can canter around, quiet and happy.
Is he on his forehand? Yes.
Is he reaching over his back into a light contact? Also yes.

I know cantering around the arena is such a simple thing to a lot of horses and riders, but it felt like a huge milestone for Pyro. The next step is to guide him towards that feeling in other locations. To that end, I hacked him down to Missy and Nova's barn. 

Hi ladies! (featuring dragonfly clip friend)

On our first loop down to the girls' barn, he was EXTREMELY tense and hesitant, but he did what I asked without blowing up. On the second loop, I focused on being really clear about where we were going, rather than being a sightseeing passenger (as I'm guilty of doing when trail riding). He really responded to that leadership with bravery. 

Those go-kart wheels were VERY suspicious.

Another day, we took the next step with the trailer! Rather than hack down to the girls' barn, I trailered him instead. When asked to load at Windsor, he walked right on with no hesitation, which he hasn't done in a VERY long time. I made sure he had high value chopped hay in front of him, then towed him down the driveway and up the next, a 2 minute drive at most. He was anxious upon arrival, sitting back on the butt chain and trying to rush off, but I got him to calm down enough to think and step forward so I could get him unloaded. 

He hung out with the girls and his hay bag while I hosed him off and unloaded some things from the trailer.

Flamingo mode

Oh! Hi!

Once he had relaxed, I loaded him again to head back up the hill. He took a couple minutes to load this time, but didn't get worked up. 

Upon arrival back at Windsor, he was cool as a cucumber. He munched his chopped hay without leaning on the butt chain, then unloaded in an unhurried fashion. 

Progress!

Another development this month is Pyro has started regularly mutually grooming with his newest herd mate, Plum. I don't recall ever seeing Pyro exhibit this behavior, certainly not at Windsor. (Usually, he's too busy trying to instigate play.) It's lovely to see him building healthy friendships with his herd mates, and their grooming sessions are often accompanied by big yawns/releases on his part. (Yay self-regulation!)

Happy geldings

Plum, you're a good egg

Of course, I'm about to shake up his world for a few days over 4th of July weekend. While I take Nova to Pony Cup, Pyro will go down the hill to live with Miss as her emotional support baby. All 3 horses will be getting EXTRA gut health support through what I'm sure will be a stressful weekend for them, and my husband will be holding down the fort as I travel with Nova. (He's truly a blessing.) Hopefully my efforts to set Pyro up for success will enable him to be resilient through this weekend. Good luck to all US horse owners through the upcoming fireworks!