How Gina got her groove back

Apparently, the secret to rejuvenating your senior horse is a three step process:
- Take horse foxhunting
- Give horse a month off
- Put front shoes on horse
Gina and I went for a hard-work dressage ride yesterday; it was sunny and 55, so I opted to ride in the freshly dragged outdoor arena with a friend and her very cute Haffie gelding. Gina was raring to go. She marched around the arena in the biggest, most powerful walk I’ve ever felt her perform. It was hard to get her to focus and relax, though; she was unsteady in the contact and felt unusually stiff in her jaw and poll.

Several circles, shoulder-ins, and leg yields later, we were ready to trot. Gina zoomed off like a horse possessed; maybe she was channeling her inner harness racer? More circles, leg yields, and spiral in/out exercises ensued. We had some really nice moments of powerful, pushing trot- those moments make me really excited for show season! The rest of the trot work was kind of a mess, though. Since last year’s lesson with Claudia Misner, I’ve been working hard on being more aware of my body position- especially my hands. Gina still tries to cheat me by avoiding the outside rein and gets a little cranky when I insist she pays attention. I figure I’m doing it right when I feel her twitch her tail angrily!
We attempted a little cantering, which was nearly disastrous. I haven’t bothered to remove my small, nubby spurs from my boots going from Moe to Gina; she doesn’t need them and I am competent enough to keep them away from her sides. Except for yesterday, apparently. After we had some consistently nice trot work, I asked for the canter. Gina leaped forward, then lurched right as she spooked at her shadow/the wind/a pile of poles/a butterfly flapping its wings in Australia/who knows. I gripped with my legs, poking her with my right spur. Gina was not pleased and performed some hybrid half-pass/crow hop left, then bolted toward the barn. I’m pretty sure that’s exactly how the zig zag movement is supposed to go, you guys.

Gina never really calmed down after that, and we finished with some quiet trot circles in the indoor arena. Afterwards, I pulled her mane, rubbed her down with Sore No-More, and slathered her tail with The Herbal Horse’s Healthy Hair.

I really think hunting and time off were good for both Gina’s body and mind. She’s more energetic and alert than she has been in ages; I think our dressage will get back up to its usual level as we continue to work. I’m optimistic that our scores will be decent if we can keep this level of energy in the ring!
Hasn’t the weather been great!? I rode yesterday, too, but my ride wasn’t nearly as exciting as yours! Sounds like you just need to harness that energy 😉
It’s been fantastic weather! (Gina apparently agrees!)
55?! The high here in CT this weekend was 9. 9! The HIGH! So jealous. Glad Gina is feeling ready to get back to work!
It’s going to be 75 tomorrow. 😛
Gina!!! Go girl!
she’s a whole new horse!
Yay Gina! (That scarf really does look fabulous)
she can really pull off any look.
That GIF is amazing. Hahaha. Good to hear that she’s feeling young and spry again!
That GIF is my life on Gina. :/
Can I just say that I love your #damngina ? It’s so fitting 🙂 Work that scarf mare!
Amanda @ $900 FB Pony commented once that she always thinks of “Damn Gina!” when I mention her name, and the hashtag has stuck! Poor Moe needs his own hashtag for Insta!
Glad Gina is feeling great 🙂 sometimes a change of pace is what is needed
haha she says “I feel ALIVE mom!!” – glad she’s feeling so full of it! also that scarf is perfect on her lol
Glad she is feeling better! Shes really rocking the scarf
Glad to hear Gina is feeling good. Love the GIF!