Ok, it's been a few days. Not much has changed, actually. Nic has been getting training rides from the trainer on a weekly basis. She is still having problems stretching her back and coming through with half halts. The idea is to half halt her to get her to release and push into the bridle. She has the push part down, but doesn't release consistently and all the way. Maybe it's a muscle building thing? I had her on Ex-Stress, and just switched her over to Quiessence. We will see if there is any difference in a couple weeks. Other people have had success with Quiessence when it comes to their horse's back, some haven't.
We are going on an outing on Friday to Schooley Mill (i.e., off the farm property). She will either be very good or very bad. We cliniced with Axel Steiner last November, and she was good, but her version of good that day was to suck back instead of spooking at everything. I'm expecting the same at Schooley Mill, but with this horse, who knows.
Sunday was quite interesting. I don't know what got in to her, but as I ungirthed her saddle in the outdoor arena, she decided to take off, dumping her saddle on the ground. She raged and flirted with the geldings for 15 minutes before I could catch her. I would say she is in heat, but she isn't doing her usual tail lifting and rubbing, etc. I'm wondering if this behaviour could be contributing to the stiffness?
On another note, Walter Zettl came to town this week, and because of a series of events, I was unable to work with him. I'm disappointed, especially with this stiff back thing going on. I can rant about why it didn't take place, but that won't change the fact that it didn't happen.
