I had this whole great and witty post written up about Barstow along with a recap of each of my rides on her. Then Blogger ate it. It's late, I'm tired, so here is a very much condensed analysis and an extremely boring video.
*this is only her fourth ride since retiring from racing. You can see where she wants to get behind my leg or drift out a little. This usually happens when she gets distracted. Considering we could barely walk a circle and looked a bit like a drunk trotting the first time I rode her, this is actually pretty good. She had also had a few days off before this due to getting cast. While this video is far from impressive, I'm really happy with how she progresses with every ride and remembers what she has learned.
She's very green in that she doesn't know how to move forward off of my seat and leg, bend through her body, or even steer very well. No big deal. Lots of horses coming off of the track don't. She doesn't know how to balance or go forward without being held together or pulling. Once again, that's usually to be expected from a horse off of the track. She's really funny in that you can tell she is waiting for you to take ahold of her so that she knows what to do. Now that B is starting to understand that is no longer part of how she is ridden, she is beginning to relax a lot more.
As far as mentally, she has a pretty good mind. Barstow is sweet and personable. She wants to please and isn't moody. She can get a little distracted and worried over things at times, but this is all really new to her. Every ride, Barstow understands a little more what I want from her and becomes more confident. She may get a little upset over something new initially, but she has the ability to get over it in a reasonable amount of time.
When it comes to soundness she is very clean legged. The only thing I've noticed is some tightness/stiffness on her right side, especially in the shoulder. I'm not concerned about this because she warms up out of it and she feels better every time I ride her. Barstow last ran about three weeks ago, it's not like she has had a significant amount of time off. Most horses coming off of the track are going to have some form of stiffness, tightness, or be a little body sore somewhere. The fact that it is going away as quickly as it has is a good sign.
In short, I REALLY like this mare. She is a good height (I originally thought she was around 16 hands, but I think she is actually closer to 16.2). B is fairly broad and a very comfortable ride for me, I don't hurt after I ride her and don't struggle very much at all with my crookedness. She is comfortable.
We'll see how she progresses and hopefully I can get a sales video that will do her justice soon. Right now I'm trying to just focus on establishing rhythm, going forward, and bending from my seat, weight, and leg. I'm leaving her face alone as much as possible other than just working to develope a steady contact where she is reaching into it without pulling or coming up to avoid contact. Right now she just needs to understand those things and then the rest will start to come. I could force her into the frame and make her look like she is going right for the most part, but that wouldn't be in her best interest.
* I am not allowed to have another horse. I'm not allowed to buy her. No Jodi! It doesn't matter how comfortable and painless riding her is. The fact that my saddle fits her perfectly is not a sign. I have too many horses already. Horses are not like shoes, a girl can actually have too many. Those suckers are expensive to keep, shoes are not. I'm not allowed to get attached. I can detach myself from anything. Really, I can. She is a sales project. I'm doing this because I like finding OTTBs second careers, not to find me more horses. There's no way I can ever own her. Not happening. Ever. I have to be professional, not behave like a horse-addicted child. I will repeat these things to myself until I get them through my thick head.
I'm sure you will all agree with me. Right? Perfect. Thanks.
