Romie Update

What a goofy pony! Well, just barely a horse.. Height measured at 14.3, just above a dressage pony.. pHoo pHoo.

Trainer rode him Saturday after he'd had 3 days off. I figured he'd be a total twit. He did all the same things for her as he does for me. Leaning on the bit, chomping on it. But she did have a good time riding him... makes me wish I could afford to leave him there a while..

Good things she said:
cute head
good legs, great hocks
good shoulder structure for dressage
great trot
better extended trot
good willingness to try

Bad things:
back's a little long

And the biggest thing that explains why it seems like he's wild to me? Out of balance! She said to keep riding him in the full cheek snaffle I just got him, and ride him for incredible periods of time at trot. He's so un-muscled that he can't figure out how to canter & carry a rider right now. She did get him to canter left lead without a lot of trouble... but had more hassle getting him to canter right lead, which she said is all a lack of balance. Her recommendation is to keep working him @ trot (working & extended), anytime he stretches his head down, give him the reins, but keep contact at all times. Any second he pops his head & neck up, take the reins back and make him learn to carry me. If he wants to stretch his neck & back down long, let him as a reward for trying. She also said never to canter him unless the footing is absolutely perfect, because his balance is so bad he could slip & hurt himself. She also explained that he is scared himself of the canter, because not only does he not know yet how to carry himself (on any rein contact), he really doesn't know how to carry me with that contact, which is why it seems to me like he hurries - he takes really tiny fast strides, trying to please me at that gait but keep me aboard. She stayed very calm the whole time she rode, and said that until I'm always that calm, I ought not canter him because he'll get even more anxious if he feels me getting nervous.

What a pony! All that time I thought he was just refusing to canter.. He's scared! It's almost sweet...

From this, I've concluded Romeo will spend at least the summer with me... I'm going to try & spend the time I need to to give him a fair shot ... I'm also toying with the idea of keeping Chewie at home & taking Rom for lessons. I know what Chewie & I need - lots of confident hours. I think I know what Romeo needs - careful teaching. I know I can provide what Chewie needs, but I'm not convinced I can do the same for Romeo.

My wild weekend update... :) Oh yeah, bought a Wintec dressage saddle this weekend.. one of the really cheapie ones. Very comfortable, as I expected. Fits Chewie marvelously. Also easy to stay in... me likey-likey