Nicely, one other month has come and gone and our progress continues to be hindered by the collection of sadly chaotic occasions that appears to be marring 2024.
After a spring and early summer season of below-normal temperatures and a good bit of rain, we obtained two strong weeks of extreme warmth with no reduction. After which, we obtained smoke. Smoke that value us two race days, and me lots of using time.
My province is on fireplace. Our best pure treasure is beneath siege by it.
My aged pets have been having well being disaster after well being disaster.
The racehorses? Nicely, I’m studying so much, together with absolutely the devastation a single unhealthy step can wreak on a horse whose legs my fingers have been on Each. Damned. Day.
On the aftercare aspect, I’ve been facilitating the identical of some beautiful sport prospects and serving to discover good landings for riskier placements.
And Grayson? Grayson all the time appeared to be the a part of my day I couldn’t fairly get to. However that didn’t cease him from coaching for the “OTTB Olympics” (aka the Retired Racehorse Challenge Thoroughbred Makeover) with out me. He figures it means he can give attention to his personal self-discipline of alternative. It is simply… nicely… he and I are in disagreement of which self-discipline it’s most essential he excellent.
I, after all, really feel that dressage is the idea of all issues, and will probably be our chosen competitors, and that’s the place we’re centered.
Grayson, however, feels he’s assured to win the $10,000 grand prize if I simply go away him alone and let him excellent the self-discipline of “Shoe Divestiture.” He’s optimistic he shines the brightest in that very technical talent class. He’s fairly positive it is going to land him within the winner’s circle, but once more.
A winner’s circle made from his personal misplaced footwear, possibly…. I swear, If the horse threw footwear this typically on the monitor, it’s a miracle he ever obtained to run.
However I’m fairly positive he’s developed this interest post-racetrack.
He’s additionally developed this idea that vitality is supposed to be conserved, not expended. Why else would he all the time be discovered “trailing the sector” when the herd of geldings he lives with get working round like fools? I’m hoping he decides to do extra cardio quickly, as a result of he’s presently fairly portly and I most assuredly don’t wish to get all the best way to Kentucky and have him be the primary horse who will get rejected for a BCS that’s too excessive!
Nicely, let’s face it, humor supplies some levity to a troublesome summer season. So sure, this submit needs to be taken principally tongue-in-cheek.
Whereas I’ve been attempting to get on monitor amid hit after hit, Grayson has been making mates. And never simply any mates. Grayson is making the form of mates that Dr. James Harriot would make. I assume he’s the equine model of Dr. Harriot.
He’s the self-appointed Guardian of the Lambs. Protector of Geese. Snuggler of Cats. He’s, on his very personal, an equine James Harriot, wanting nothing greater than to assist these extra fragile than him.
And once I watch him attempt to herd the geese again to water, share his meals with the lambs (please, please cease throwing your meals, Grace), and search for the cat each time we go to the crossties, I maintain fascinated with the continued development publicly disproving the idea that Thoroughbreds are “wild” or “loopy” by displaying a clearly chill and completely satisfied horse calling it their “loopy OTTB.”
The fact is, they actually aren’t loopy, and giving any consideration to the concept is pointless. What Thoroughbreds actually are is delicate. Good. In tune. And for those who aren’t delicate, quiet, and in tune your self, nicely, they will discover that aggravating. And begin reacting faster, possibly performing “wild” or “loopy.” As a rule, Thoroughbreds require a tactful rider. Quietness – not in vitality however in thoughts – and giving them an opportunity to breathe and assume are paramount. They are going to feed off their rider or handler, which may exacerbate unfavourable conduct as it’s virtually…anticipated.
Thoroughbreds are mild. Form. Soulful. Delicate. Protectors of all creatures, nice and small. It’s why so a lot of them take to kids, to those that are weak or weak. It’s why we have been so in love with the superb story of Cody’s Want. And that’s the reason Grayson has amassed his personal following of sheep, geese, and cats.
On high of all of that, he’s simply so very sensible. I obtained on him at this time after weeks of inactivity, and he was virtually like he hadn’t had the break day. He retains a lot and tries so laborious.
Actually, each time I swing a leg over him, I’m dwelling. And each time I get to journey, I’m in awe that he’s mine. And I’m thrilled with how he seems, proper now.
The subsequent month has us planning on attending a dressage present mid to late August, and persevering with his coaching now that cooler climate and fewer smoke prevails. In fact, that is contingent on Grayson concluding that shoe-divesting is an extinct self-discipline, and leaving his footwear on his toes the place they belong!
Till subsequent time, might your rides be unmarred from extreme nonsense from the four-footed members of the peanut gallery.
