Tantrums

Yesterday it was stupid-windy up at the barn.

The barn sits on the top of a hill, and the wind that gusts across it is truly remarkable. I was almost not going to ride, but after looking at the dismal weather forecast for the rest of the week, I decided I may as well go for a spin and try to get something done.

Despite the unnerving sound of the barn about to be blown to pieces, I tacked up and hopped on my pony. Dino was none too pleased with his working conditions! He gave me one little spook, but after that was just Mr. Snarkypants about going to work.

I don't know if it was a combination of being a little sore from spring shots the day before, the wind (he hates wind), not having peed before our ride (he HAS to pee, every time), or feeling a little ulcery (the vet recommended I do a round of Sucralfate to help him get back to work comfortably), but Dino was just NOT having it yesterday.

I got him into a western-pleasure shuffle, and then once I attempted some walk-trot transitions to help liven him up, Dino went into full-on tantrum mode. Foot-planting, ears back, tail swishing, angry-face TANTRUM! There were several long periods of shoulder-whacking with Mr. Sticky, after which Dino would bounce into a nice little trot, and then throw a fit when I asked him to walk and then trot again.

While it was very, very tempting to totally lose my temper or give up completely and get off, I just kept at him with the annoying shoulder-whack and pony-rider leg thump. Eventually, Dino relented, and even snorted and chewed and relaxed into the trot. I was getting up and down transitions with just light seat and leg aids. Success! It wasn't dressage-test-winning work by any means, but when your pony comes out with that kind of 'tude, just getting the brain back is a victory.

We ended with some decent work on the bit, and even did a little canter! EuroPony was even sporting some lovely green lipstick by the end of the ride:

I think he's telling me he wants to start jumping little jumps again!