Winter Horse Crazies

 

Third day working with Tumbleweed, and he still has a lot of pent up energy, so no rides. He has a case of the bucks, kicks, rolls, and spooks. 

All I’m really asking for right now is connection, and he gives that to me well when he’s near me. His emotions get bigger when I push him away and ask him to work on the long line. He picks up the trot on his own, and I try to get him back to the walk, then I have him face up and rest when he listens. 

Since it’s winter, he hasn’t had much turnout, and he has energy he needs to release.

To help him get that energy out safely, I’m going to start putting him in the arena with some buddy horses everyday. The sand is just too tempting for a horse who wants (and needs) to get the crazies out. 

I’m still waiting to get with Katie, but I’d like to have him quieter before she comes. We’re expecting a temperature climb next week, and that will probably be the best time to really work him. Right now, it’s in the teens at night and just above freezing during the day, so I hesitate to get him all sweaty where he needs a really long cool down period, and that’s what it’s going to take.

Update: Katie is coming tomorrow.

How about you all? Hunkering down, or trying to work your horses in winter?