April 20- Ride #29 bareback

This week was Spring in Colorado, which includes a litle bit of snow and several stunning 70-degree days.

Sunday night it snowed and Sherlock got to wear his new blanket, which fits him much better. I went out as early as I could after work to take it off, it never warmed up that much Monday-but he had shed so much under it he almost had mats of hair. Took me a while to scrape them all off.
Taco was added back into the paddock for a few days, then a grand adventure trying to catch him for M, with T helping.
I accepted the trade saddle and am waiting for the saddle-expert's estimate to bring it up to speed. I got a full set of SMB boots for Sherlock, lighty-used off eBay, but they ended up purple instead of the royal blue I was expecting. Maybe will trade those with Liz later.

Annie and Sherlock sharing the hay

Thursday we worked in the indoor arena, I set up a cavaletti (6 inches) and he trotted over it for me. Tried to run out and after a scolding he jumped it twice in a row without asking for a break. Ended on a good jump.
The same day Dr. Deb came to adjust Sherlock, and he did really well. Much less sore, only tried to bite me once. He leaned away from the right side quite a bit, but never so far she couldn't continue to work on him. Picked up all for feet for stretching and really did well. Proud of him.

Saturday I rode Sherlock in the round pen bareback pad and with rope halter. Walked well, feels very good on my stiff back. Whoa and back up good, working on back 2 steps and then walk forward. Then asked him to trot a few steps, tried hard but feels odd bareback. Listening and uncertain. Clucking to maintain rhythm helped. Still 'popping" his front end up to trot- I wonder if he thinks he should be cantering.
Need to get cantering and differentiate the cues. Gnats bothering his ears.
Aztec added to the  paddock, I didn't even notice him but while I was riding I did see them chasing and Zip and Aztec fighting.

Sunday they were still eating breakfast so I groomed Sherlock in the paddock (MUD! From last night's rain). Put Eqyss spray all over his back, and lotion on underside of tail from another recent loose stools episode. Very good manners for this. Wearing Sirah's fly mask with ears- too small but we'll see how it lasts. Put wormer in the grain this time and he didn't want it. I broke up a mint on top but not sure how much medicine actually got through...

Shopping List:
Blanket Rack and a hook/something to hang it on
Fly mask with ears
Maybe feed-through fly control
More wormer- scent free this time