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We Are Flying Solo

April 20, 2011

SFH

Not familiar with that acronym? Well, it is what I own: a Stupid F*cking Horse.

Just in case you thought life with Solo was all sunshine and rainbows, I am here to reassure you that that is certainly NOT the case.

Sunday, we had a brilliant cross country school. We did our first ever true sunken road: a 3' log in, two strides, drop off bank, two strides, up bank, two strides, jump log out. We also schooled our first prelim-type of water question which ended with an up bank out of the water and one stride to a big log. Solo didn't get it at first: what the why is this log so close to the edge and what am I supposed to do about it? But we worked it out and he got it.

A decent dressage school last night, although Mr. Fussy Pants was in fine form. He did give me some really lovely uphill, slow, cadenced canter work that made me giggle with happiness.

Then tonight. SFH. My goal was to do a single run-through of our test for Saturday, which is Novice Test B (I HATE Test B). Instead, I got SFH hanging on the left rein, fighting me at every bend, chomping at the bit, cocking his head, and generally being a fury-inducing beast.

It wasn't pretty.

Some of it may well be due to what appears to be a continuous change in saddle fit (let me fully express my saddle fit rage sometime), but really, it is NOT dramatic enough to merit all out rebellion.

SFH is lucky that I am at least courteous enough to release my fury in a series of exclamations that would make children's ears melt off, but I do not, say, beat my horse. I try to keep my aids steady even though I am not speaking very nicely at all.

Oh well, he doesn't speak English.

I am sure he will redeem himself at some point, but for now, I will pout.

8 comments:

  1. oh I so love SFH and I have my own personal rage entitled SFS... you can fill in the blanks.

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  2. Oh geez...that's no fun. But I do feel better knowing that someone else's horse loses their marbles sometimes too. :-)

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  3. Amen Sistah! I will use the acronym well... mine has been SHH... shit-head-horse!

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  4. Funny you posted this, yesterday I was thinking I needed to post about how I really hate my horses sometimes. Mine didn't involve riding just to do with everyone being a royal PITA!!! Glad to know I am not alone in my feelings.

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  5. I used to wonder what the neighbors thought of me, as I would often growl, swear, and occasionally sing (that is the REAL torture for any person/horse who happens to be listening) whilst riding. Oh well, like you said, at least we don't beat our horses -- we just verbally berate them! :-D And, hey, at least you had an awesome XC school!

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  6. I was laughing my butt off at this, especially the "melting children's ears off" bit. Yep, been there, done that. I am soooo fortunate that Tiny is super Steady Eddie and really never puts up a fuss enough for me to even remember from time to time. But her Daddy? Different story. Both of us were equally stubborn and man could he push my buttons. Same tempers, same unwillingness to concede....bad match. Needless to say, he's not with me anymore! lol

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  7. Everyone has bad days. I already feel guilty about being mad at him and I am sure it was somehow all my fault anyway. But really, so dramatic, horse!

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  8. It's so hard to have those icky rides, especially when you usually have such wonderful ones. Sometimes I think they have bad days just like we do - hopefully he'll keep those at home though and be great when you're out!

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