March Break--wait, what break?

As usual, every time Spode has a break, it means the exact opposite for me! I'm not actually complaining though. Even after a whole week with her, I still couldn't help but canter over to her when she came to the gate. (While she believes it's because I'm so eager to see her, it's actually because I'm so eager for the treats in her hand! It's a win-win).

This week has been a bit unusual because Spode moved me into the next field. Yep, I'm officially in the "fat paddock", though thankfully it's still got winter free choice hay in there or I would definitely be complaining to management (most likely by breaking the fence into the next field). The 2 chubsters who usually share the fat paddock are separated right now due to an unfortunate stall rest appointment. Spode offered my lovely companionship to the lonely halflinger next door until the chubsters can be together again. Of course, Spode is so fed up with my weight that I may find myself returning to the fat paddock in the summer when they're back to limited hay... I hope not! It's giving me some incentive to work harder to get this weight off before Spode makes any terrible decisions.

I suppose technically it's the opposite of a fat paddock at the moment, since only 2 of us are sharing this bale! Bliss!

In the meantime, I'm enjoying my sleepover. I get to boss the halflinger around, which is a brand new experience for me. Yep, I'm the big man finally! I even get to boss the mares next door sometimes if they get too close to me. I am so macho!  (Spode is less impressed. Sigh. There's no pleasing some people, old sports) I love being the boss, and living so close to mares is a whole new experience. They smell very interesting, especially Cookie, who I've taken a bit of a shine to except at dinner time.

Going through the mares' field to get into the barn is always a delightful experience! 

Spode gets a kick out of it--I have definitely increased my smiling lately! 

I've been in that paddock a whole week now with no sign of it coming to an end yet. For the sake of Chubster number 2, hopefully it doesn't last too long! I am no stranger to stall rest, and it's no picnic! Being the social horse that I am, I'm sure to say hello and goodbye to him every time I go to the barn. I'm such a gentleman. I'd definitely invite him to my party. (But then, everyone comes anyway). 

In other news, Spode has officially deemed this the year of the canter. I'll be 5 very soon, so Spode is planning on riding me a lot more now that I'm a bit more mature. She's determined to work on my cantering this year since we didn't really do much last year. Too focused on the trot, but it's time to actually move past the "green broke" classification for canter. Which means cantering for more than just the long side or the straight section of the field. Sigh--time to grow up I suppose. 

Walk to canters are my favourite thing to do and Spode's favourite to ride, so we started off with just working on that transition and cantering for 4 strides. We did this bareback because it was bareback day, which made it twice as much fun for Spode. That's also one of the reasons we did walk to canter instead of trot to canter, as that transition is not quite so clear yet. Bit easier to sit my leap into canter at the walk instead of the trot! 

Why bareback you ask? 

This fit last month! 

Because Spode can't even use the weight tape anymore! My saddle does not fit, so we're back to the wintec, which fits better at the moment than my dressage saddle. My poor shoulders are just too big. Anyway, Spode is making sure she rotates so that I don't get sore in the shoulders with my chubbiness. So bareback day is a must (in her head anyway). 

Does this braid make my ears look gigantic, or is that just me? 

Spode is feeling a bit frustrated with how difficult I am to fit into anything at the moment. She only just got through the blanket struggle, then the bit struggle, and then it was on to the bridle struggle, and now saddles. Luckily I don't have to wear any other tack! Spode might go on strike and tell me I'm going to be a natural horse and just go with a rope around my neck (well, I think that's plan anyway... one day!) 

I did get the bridle issue sorted thankfully. 

I miss the green highlights, but at least my nose fits into this! Thank goodness for the broadband and reins! 

I just need more flashy bling to make up for the lack of green! Get on it, Spode! Gatsby needs his flash! 

I really need to lose some weight, even I know that, but for the most part Spode should have known this was an issue when she bought me. The very first purchase she made was a halter that didn't fit. It was a warning! She got herself into this (and I'm so glad she did! I'm so spoiled!)

Aside from riding to lose weight, Spode also made a video with me which I shall post later on. It was for a school project, so I made sure I behaved myself. Can't leave her Toronto classmates with a bad impression! She had some Toronto friends come for a visit actually, which I thoroughly enjoyed because it means I don't have to work very hard. Yep, pony rides are the best. 

We managed to have one ride in the sand ring today. There was a dry 20 metre circle that Spode and I were able to make use of. Hopefully by Easter it'll be a 40 metre section!

Ah... sun and sand. It's like being on a beach for a horse lover in the spring! 

No room for cantering out there though, so back into the arena we went. We did eventually manage to do a circle in there! One week's work--not bad! Summer goals are definitely attainable! 

Will I be able to absorb all these dressage articles into my brain if I smell them for long enough? Spode thought I was reading them at first until she realized that it was my blind eye on them! 

Man oh man, this is hard work. Thank goodness Spode has to go back to school this week! 

All in all, a great week with the Spode! Old sports, I am more than ready for summer even if it means lots of work for me. Maybe I'll do some self exercise in the paddock this week to keep myself fit for more canter work when she gets back. My life is so difficult... I know that weight tape is going to be on hand a lot next month! Maybe if Spode notices that I'm losing weight fast, she'll give me more treats? That's how it works, isn't it? 

Until later, old sports.

Jay.