We are more than due for a Dobby update! The past few weeks have been pretty quiet. Between my entire family catching a nasty respiratory virus and then soaking up the end of my time with Inca Dobby ended up on the back burner. He was still getting ground work but after this weekend I have plenty to share.
On Friday morning Amanda and I met to load up and drive to Pine Hill for a 2 day cross country schooling adventure. This was the first time that Dobby walked onto the trailer for me with no hesitation and I was so so proud. Self loading is something that I really took for granted with Annie. I can’t wait for him to self load but until then I will gladly accept any kind of drama free loading.
Once we arrived at Pine Hill and got unloaded it became clear that something was wrong with my trailer battery. I have a hydraulic jack and the battery didn’t charge like usual and I almost couldn’t unhitch. We had plenty of time so we ran to the local auto store. I now know a lot more about battery life, trailer wiring, and exactly how much I do not know. Props to all of you technically inclined people. I was barely qualified to switch out a battery!
Anyways, once we got that all ironed out we watched Henny and Amanda kick butt in their dressage lesson before it was Dobby’s turn. I don’t have much media from day 1 but Dobby was a star. I ended up working him in hand to start. I sent him over some of the jumps and he got to walk through the woods to different sections of the course with the other horses. Amanda went and got Presto too so it was a full on baby brigade.
Dobby has really only jumped a few times since I have had him and even then it was just cross rails and 18″ stuff. He is so big and gangly that it isn’t as easy for him to figure out where to put his body. One of our goals for this weekend was to see if he could figure out how to use himself with slightly larger fences and a bit more impulsion.
I was going to get on him myself Friday but ended up having Trainer ride him. You might be wondering why I didn’t ride him. I wasn’t afraid or worried. I just don’t have anything to prove and want to set myself and Dobby up for success. The end goal is to have a happy and confident horse that understands and enjoys his job. Having him get a pro ride to start only helps our progress. It is a win win.
With a pro on his back Dobby was able to jump a handful of fences and come away more educated. As an amateur who makes plenty of mistakes I know that we would have had to put in more efforts to get a similar outcome. His training ride was short and sweet but really set the stage for our ride the following day! I can’t wait to share about that tomorrow! Spoiler alert… He was a super star!
Setting him up for success with a pro ride sounds absolutely perfect. Can’t wait to hear more. =)
When I was younger, I always felt the need to do it myself. Now that I’m older, I’ve really learned to appreciate the pro ride. (As long as it’s a good, trustworthy pro, which you definitely have!)
Sounds like a great first day, and I can’t wait to hear how day two went!
(Also, that is exactly why I didn’t want the hydraulic hitch! But I do want a spring loaded foot, so gotta head back to the dealer…)
I just wish it had an emergency alternative. I’ll pm you about what I did with my last trailer!
Go Dobby!!! Smart move for the first ride and fun to watch your baby horse be a rockstar! Confidence building all around!
Yay you and Dobby! Even though it’s a bit far away he looks ready to attack XC in that pic! I’m glad it was such a success for the two of you!
Woo Hoo! Go Dobby! So glad you have a pro to reach out to for confidence building rides!
How exciting for you both to be out playing together! Who cares who rides him, your horse and your goals. Nothing to prove is exactly right!