Levi has decided that being lame is more fun than being ridden so he’s useless. On the plus side, that leaves me available to play photographer and to set up fun gymnastics for my husband and Eugene. On Sunday we tried a fun set up with two lines offset lines that allow for doing the straight lines in or slicing a one stride between the lines.
I am so good at graphics
We started with the jumps low because we figured Eugene might struggle with the one stride. However, they also started by doing just the straight lines and Eugene found the height to be unchallenging and basically just cantered over them.
Once we introduced the slice though, he found those same little jumps super challenging. So much so that he didn’t quite know what to do with his feet and decided to just take it as a giant trot pole:
You really have to see it in slo-mo to appreciate just how special this is:
I don’t think this horse knows how to refuse a jump. He might not know what he’s doing, but he will try to please my husband no matter what.
so special
Anyway, after a few tries, they eventually figured out the whole slicing thing.
such a good pony
We event got the second jump back up to a vertical, but I don’t have a video of that round. The nice thing about this exercise is that you can combine the slicing with the lines and circle left and right to make new combinations. Once the got the slicing done a few times, we decided to end on a better note by finishing with the 2 stride line. I raised the second jump to a 2’6 oxer and Eugene came around and was like where the f*ck did that come from:
But, like I mentioned, little Mustang doesn’t really know how to refuse, so he just awkwardly hurled himself over from a stand still completely leaving my husband behind.
They got it on the next pass so I raised it to 2’9″ and they nailed that too, but I failed to get a picture due to technical difficulties. So I told them to do it again. And then I raised it to 3′.
He’s so freaking good. I know 3′ isn’t a big deal to a lot of people, but it’s a pretty big deal to this little Mustang. He’s not naturally talented at jumping, but he loves it and he tries so hard. And at just barely over 15hh, 3′ is pretty big for him.
Nice. I hope your husband appreciates living with his own personal coach. 🙂
My husband is very happy with Eugene.
Awe, Eugene 🙂 The cantering begins, trotting in front jump is quite special.
That was such a hilarious response.
Go Eugene!!!! He is so cute… love that he’s going no matter what but seems quick thinking to get his feet out of the way 🙂
He’s the best at trying even if he doesn’t know how to do it.
Wow!! He is such a gem!! Good boy, Eugene!
He was a lucky find.
He’s so cool, do much heart and try!
Try is such a nice thing to have in a horse
Three feet is a big deal! I see it as the final section of “lows”. A lot of people never get there (myself included at this point). That’s freaking awesome that they can do it.
I don’t know that they could do a full course at 3′ yet, but this is a step.
Still, getting over a 3′ jump is awesome. And you’ve said he is careless over stadium fences. Super improvement here.
I’m very impressed with him.
Even if your horse is bigger than 15 hands, I think three feet is pretty impressive!
I know I think it’s big.
How cute! Amber hasn’t refused anything yet either. She’s stopped, but then pushed herself over awkwardly lol. LOVE those pictures of the 3′! And yes, 3′ is a big deal! You can see Eugene has such a look of “I am trying so hard” on his face but that he does love it! And while he did have his speshul moment, he was super smart with his feet. Glad your husband loves him! <3
He definitely has his work face on.
Great job pony and husband! That is a big deal and I’m glad to see a smile on everyone’s faces
They were both having fun.
I LOVE that exercise. Go Eugene!
It’s a nice, challenging exercise.
He’s such a good egg! That’s a tough exercise! I think he’s a pretty talented jumper, he just needs to learn how to set himself up better in front of the fences. But these types of exercises will definitely help with that. Look how great he looks over the big oxer!
Also, I hope Lame-O Levi feels better soon!
Practice has certainly improved him quite a lot.
wow hes such a champ! the last picture is great.
that exercise looks REALLY cool and i actually might set it up with poles…
Go for it. I think it’s a challenging exercise and really forces the horse to think outside it’s usual routines. It’s a good test of steering and control.
lol @ the specialness. I guess he’d have no physical limitations to learning a Spanish walk trick! And 3ft is awesome no matter what. Go Eugene!
He is a special pony.
3 ft is high! My horse and I haven’t even done two. But unlike Eugene she thinks it’s her job to avoid jump’s! Well done!
Well done!! It’s such a nice thing to have a horse that just tries. I’ve had a stopper and it’s hell.
Yes. I own that one. I’ve really come to appreciate the horse with try instead of style.