I can't believe how fast the past few weeks have gone by! Time for a quick update, for sure.
The clinic went really well. Sharon ended up getting the flu, and could not come out - so I worked with Missy both days. Dylan did pretty well. We had been going through a pretty frustrating phase of spook & bolts...but as soon as he was at Little Bit-Woodinville he was great. Makes me wonder if a lot of that behavior was related to the indoor arena at Little Bit-Redmond. It is on the small side, and pretty dark. The end opens to the parking lot, and there is a lot of somewhat unpredictable foot traffic.
Anyway.
Had good rides at the clinic, working quite a bit of getting Dylan into a more "grown-up" frame - really keeping his poll up, and working for more expression in the trot. It was a challenge for both of us...those muscles are not completely well-developed for Dylan, and I have a tendency to maybe not ask him for as much as I should. Missy also had some ideas for Dylan's unique personality quirks (ha ha) - that perhaps we should investigate whether he has an upset tummy (ulcers). It isn't too far-fetched, his previous owner had thought he might have ulcers, and had even gone so far as to have him scoped (which was negative).
So, we'll probably try him on a trial of Gastro Guard, or one of it's slightly more affordable equivalents. ;-)
She also suggested a supplement that apparently a lot of the FEI jumpers use on their horses. Dylan does have phases where he just gets so amped he doesn't quite know what to do with his energy....so again, probably worth a try!!
After the clinic, Dylan made the big move up to Trilogy Farms - home of Roxanne Christenson Dressage. He is in HEAVEN. He gets to out in a giant grassy pasture, he gets his blankets changed - he is so happy!
I just finished up school for the quarter, so I am hoping to have a bit more time to spend up at the barn, and get to know all the people and horses up there. So far everyone has been great!
If I don't get a chance to post in the next few weeks, Merry Christmas to all, and here's to an AMAZING 2010!!
