Lunging Dancer

Christine came down for the afternoon on Friday. We both rode JR (I am finally posting without pain!) Then I lunged Dancer while C took pictures.

I just brought Dancer back into work this week. As I've mentioned, he is filling out rather nicely. He is even starting to get dapples, which I'm super excited about. I think he'll look great once he gets fit and builds some muscle. His feet are probably one trim cycle away from being presentable. He's a little tender on gravel, but he's otherwise sound. I think he has some lingering tightness in his hindquarters, but I'm waiting to see how he does in some light work before I decide whether he's getting chiro, massage, and/or acupuncture.

Dancer lunges really well. He already had a pretty good grasp on the concept when we got him, but he's really picking up on the verbal cues, and doesn't even require a lunge whip 99% of the time. I do think the side reins were totally new to him, but it didn't take him long to figure them out.

The big TB also seems to enjoy working. Even though this was his first time in the outdoor, and even though he's had three months off, he wasn't the least bit bothered by the other horses running around, dogs barking in the background, or giant machines dropping trees just across the field. For a horse who was advertised as 'spooky' and 'stupid', he does a pretty good job of impressing me on a regular basis.

His gaits are really starting to come along already, and I'm itching to get back on him. His walk is getting really organized, thanks to the side reins, and he quickly relaxes into a floaty, elegant trot. His canter still needs some work and he needs to build the right muscles to make the transition from track horse to pleasure horse, but he tries so hard. On Friday, he gave me a handful of strides of a super lovely hunter canter. I can't wait until he builds strength and can hold it indefinitely.

But enough rambling, have some photos taken by C :)

Shiny horse butt!