Nicely, one other month has come and gone and our progress continues to be hindered by the sequence of sadly chaotic occasions that appears to be marring 2024.
After a spring and early summer time of below-normal temperatures and a good bit of rain, we obtained two strong weeks of extreme warmth with no aid. After which, we obtained smoke. Smoke that value us two race days, and me numerous driving time.
My province is on hearth. Our biggest 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 quite a bit, together with absolutely the devastation a single dangerous step can wreak on a horse whose legs my palms have been on Each. Damned. Day.
On the aftercare facet, 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 Mission 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 good.
I, in fact, really feel that dressage is the idea of all issues, and it is going to be our chosen competitors, and that’s the place we’re targeted.
Grayson, then again, feels he’s assured to win the $10,000 grand prize if I simply go away him alone and let him good the self-discipline of “Shoe Divestiture.” He’s optimistic he shines the brightest in that very technical ability class. He’s fairly certain it is going to land him within the winner’s circle, but once more.
A winner’s circle manufactured from his personal misplaced footwear, possibly…. I swear, If the horse threw footwear this typically on the observe, it’s a miracle he ever obtained to run.
However I’m fairly certain he’s developed this passion post-racetrack.
He’s additionally developed this idea that power 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 operating 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 need to get all the way in which 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 offers some levity to a tricky summer time. So sure, this submit needs to be taken largely tongue-in-cheek.
Whereas I’ve been attempting to get on observe amid hit after hit, Grayson has been making pals. And never simply any pals. Grayson is making the type of pals 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 after 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 preserve fascinated about the continued pattern 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 thought is pointless. What Thoroughbreds actually are is delicate. Sensible. In tune. And if you happen to aren’t delicate, quiet, and in tune your self, nicely, they’ll discover that aggravating. And begin reacting faster, possibly appearing “wild” or “loopy.” As a rule, Thoroughbreds require a tactful rider. Quietness – not in power however in thoughts – and giving them an opportunity to breathe and assume are paramount. They’ll feed off their rider or handler, which might exacerbate damaging habits as it’s virtually…anticipated.
Thoroughbreds are light. Type. 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 immediately after weeks of inactivity, and he was virtually like he hadn’t had the break day. He retains a lot and tries so onerous.
Actually, each time I swing a leg over him, I’m house. And each time I get to trip, I’m in awe that he’s mine. And I’m thrilled with how he appears, proper now.
The following 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.
