Trial and Error

Trial and error as well as thinking ‘outside of the box’ is such a part of daily life – at least it is here. But what happens when there is nothing else to try? Call in help!

For the past few years now, Kobi and I get a monthly visit from our trainer Ashley. She keeps my riding honest and doesn’t allow me to fall into the trap of lazy riding or a lazy horse. She’s helped me with all of the horses we’ve had out here, including Sugar and Midnight, as well as listened to all of my Kobi stories when he acts up.

For about the last month now, Kobi is up to his old tricks – not going forward or when he does it takes so much leg and seat that I’m exhausted within minutes. Spurs and a crop don’t faze him in the least.  So the trial and error began…

He wasn’t like this when Sugar was gone, but he was on ulcer medication/preventative – maybe he has ulcers. I put him back on the meds.

He seems to do this every spring – maybe it’s his allergies. I put him on ‘dex’ with no change and since I didn’t want him on steroids too long, we switched to an antihistamine. He’s much sweeter, but won’t go forward.

I was about to just admit that Kobi was a jerk when Ashley came for a lesson yesterday. Watching him move under saddle, she called us over to check his saddle fit. We couldn’t get a single finger between his shoulders and the pad – not good. Again, outside of the box thinking, we folded a towel and placed it under that area. Much better. He would at least walk forward.

It’s good to know Kobi’s not THAT much of a stubborn mustang – but I’ll continue with trial and error of different towels until we know (without a doubt) if it’s working. And in the world of horses – that could take awhile!