My boy Ace is doing super wonderfully these days. We have just progressed in leaps and bounds since getting access to a large arena back in November. At that point, we were happy to have forward, straightness, bending, and a little bit of ground pole work.
After three months of consistent, hard work, my handsome boy now:

walk, trot, canters
understands leads … most of the time
does amazing walk to canter transitions, and gets mad if I use more than a little bit of seat and clenching my outside calf muscle to ask …

I very much hesitate to put this in writing lest I jinx myself, but Ace has officially been sound for the longest stretch of our relationship. After the abscess of last December, the injury of April, and the infection of June, July, and August, Ace has been sound since the beginning of September! That’s four whole months in which we’ve been able to train without interruption!
Between that and access to a larger arena in which to work, we’re progressing amazingly.
A year ago, I was lucky if Ace went forward when …

Ace has had one week and one day in his new home and is doing exceptionally well. We even went on our very first trail ride last Friday!
Moving Day
Moving day dawned cold, windy, rainy, and dropping in temperature. While it was gross for loading up my jump equipment and horse, it fit the mood as we prepared to leave our former home. The new barn owner and I took her trailer to get Ace, and after visiting with my friends for a while, it was time to head out.
We didn’t …

In much exciting news, check out what Ace and I have been up to lately …

We’ve been walking and trotting over this tiny crossrail with no  hesitation (and only lacking a little in grace). I’ve also lunged him at a trot over a crossrail with the blocks on their highest setting. He just takes a big trot step over this little thing, but actually has to make a slight jumping effort over the taller size.
He’s a little clumsy with his back legs, and gets mad if he knocks it over. …

First, I’d like to apologize for my extended absence. My hubby and I were finally able to close on our house two weeks ago, so I’ve been in the process of finishing packing, moving, unpacking, and settling in. On top of that, it’s marching band season for my band director and his band, so I’ve spent the last three Fridays at football games. And (to add to the newness), I’ve started doing evening feed and bringing in at a local 25-horse boarding stable two nights a week.
In the midst of …

Ace had two very special visitors last night: my mom and my sister Sheryl.
My younger sisters are identical twins, and are just 20 months younger than I am. Mom had them on horses from the time they were young also. We grew up riding together, and even managed to compete against each other with good attitudes. Unfortunately, the horse bug didn’t quite bite them the way it did me. While they aren’t riding regularly, they do get into the saddle every once in a while and are still very nice …

Not only did I survive my week away at camp, I’d say I actually thrived. It was a great week, and for a few days after returning home I just wanted to go back. It is nice to be home though and getting back into the swing of things.
Ace is looking pretty good these days. He still seems a little weak in his right stifle when he turns, but isn’t in pain or lame or anything. I’ve got him back in light work, walking and a little trotting long straight …