Quacker Practor

:) It's funny to say it, and funny-er to type it out....

Last Friday lesson.. well, it was supposed to be a lesson. I had Chewie walk around, stretch out, asked him to trot, he was stiff & taking itty bitty steps. I asked him to circle big & move out, he ran to the middle, hopped up, and threw his head all over. I hopped off, trainer hopped on. He took off at a gallop around the arena, she rode him through it. Just as soon as she asked him to take the bit & carry himself, he reared up about 8' in the air. He came down, she whacked him with both legs, hollered at him, and he went right back up again. He thrashed around while she rode him a bit longer. She hopped off, tried free lunging, he was avoiding the work completely (not lowering his head & neck like he usually does). Added side reins loosely, and he started bucking & galloping like a silly-poop again.. Took all the tack off, ran a firm hand down his back, and he started buckling to the pain & pinned his ears and acted like he wanted to bite. The pain-reactions are right about where the human toosh sits on his back, and above his hips (L1-L4, I think). It's clear the poor boy's back is hurting him. He's a real fairy about pain, and usually has these "subtle" ways of saying "OWWWWWIE Get OFF OF ME!" :)

So, Chewie and I are going to a new horse-chiropractor tomorrow. 2 hours from home, trainer-recommended. I'll come back tomorrow evening with updates on how it goes.

Meanwhile, the big hay-burner stands in my pasture, eating, and probably laughing under his breath, "I'm on vacation!! haa haa haa haa"