Update on Cruz After His Swimming Pool Accident

Take a look at those clean knees, fetlock joints and left stifle

(Not to mention what a handsome boy he is!)

Since it's been a few months since my last post, I wanted to update you on where we are today, in case you and your horse have a bad incident and worry that you'll not get over it.

You Can Take Your Horse to Water .....

Last month I took him with a friend and her mare to a local equestrian park which has access to the Potomac River.

It was a big test for Cruz and me. My friend told me that her horse likes water, so I assumed she meant that her mare happily walks in without a lead.

We reached the top of the sand slope leading down to the shore, and my friend said, "My mare needs a lead into the water."

To which I replied, "So does Cruz!"

The weather was very windy, and loud waves were crashing onto the beach. Our wimpy steeds tried to hide behind each other, saying 'You go first,' 'No, you go first.'

... But Who Knows What Will Happen?

Well, we were here, and I didn't want Cruz to know he could back out of this. Plus he had been in the water before, albeit with his big Clydesdale buddy, Gabe leading the way. It was a test of my ability to give Cruz the courage he needed.

As you can imagine, I was working hard to push his swimming pool accident out of my mind as I urged him forwards!

He was reluctant, but early on in the trail ride he'd tried to weasel out of going past a particular bush (heaven knows why!) and I'd won that battle. So it was fresh in his mind that I wasn't in the mood to take 'No' for an answer. ;)

You Cannot Be a Hero Without Being a Coward
(George Bernard Shaw)

After some backing uphill into the mare, and evasive sideways movements, he finally marched bravely forwards. The soft sand gave under his hooves and he hesitated a moment, but was easily persuaded to keep going.

Hurray!

I walked him on the white stuff beside the noisy waves for a minute or two, so he could get used to them before walking into the water. I inched in slowly until he was knee deep. Soon he forgot to be worried and stretched down to drink.

He was a little surprised when the waves hit his nose, but each time regained his composure and drank some more.

Then he walked deeper into the rolling river and pawed in it enthusiastically.

I was thrilled. He'd not suffered any long-term effects from his December experience with our swimming pool: he was back to the horse I had last year!

And not only that, but he was brave enough to walk into scary waves without a lead.

It was a double win for us.

On seeing that all was safe, my friend's mare joined us in the water, and soon we were splashing around together.


The Takeaway

You know that saying about getting back on the horse as soon as you fall off?

I've learned through this experience that the sooner I face the situation that scared me and/or my horse, the faster we can put it behind us.

P.S. Cruz is also back to jumping over creeks again. See photo below, taken in April by Christina Dale whose brilliant work you can see at http://www.phyxiusphotos.com/ 

Horse riding can be fun, after all!

Somehow I've managed to keep it all together for the last two days! Cruz spooked at a deer rustling in the trees by the entrance to my arena, and decided it was a good ruse to continue shying at that spot as soon as I asked him to start his trot work. He thought it was a fantastic idea to do the "I can't canter on the left lead here, because Something Bad is going to get me."

For the first time ever, I kept my hands in their correct position, and each time Cruz tried to throw his head up or evade me any other way, I just kept a steady even contact. Lo and behold! He gave in very quickly, after the first try during his trot warm up and a couple of attempts to evade me in left lead canter.

It was such a good feeling to have him submit without a fight!! I patted him and told him he was a good boy.  I could sense that by keeping a firm but not unkind hold on the reins, he felt reassured that I really was in charge and that there was nothing to worry about/no point trying it on!

Tomorrow I have a lesson and have told my instructor that I only hope I can show her what I've been bragging about, and not have it all fall apart under pressure!

Watch this space.

Steady hands, happy horse!

It was so good to get back in the saddle today after 96 hours of torrential rain. The previously half-full water troughs were overflowing. Although my arena wasn't completely dry, it was very rideable.

Cruz was just wonderful again. He stretched down into the steady contact my hands are finally offering, bent easily to the left and right, cruised smoothly into canter on both reins and snorted happily all the while.

And the main reason for this: STEADY HANDS!!! Why, oh why did I never pay sufficient attention to my hands before these past few weeks? All Cruz has ever asked of me - well, one of the things he requires - is constant support from yours truly. Now he knows where to put his head, he's happy to do it.

End of ride: lots of pats while walking him off. Dismount, loosen girth, flash and cavesson, many apple chunks and hugs in thanks. We both admired the beautiful sunset to our right as we walked side by side up to the barn, with the obligatory stop to poop in my driveway (by Cruz, not me!).