Alright, I have a confession to make: Right on the heels of Nicole's Popeye of Death, I made a big blunder and gave Nikita too many electrolytes. Now, this week has been the worst in a while, with losing my electricity for several days thanks to a little bitty thunderstorm that apparently blew away the electric company, since they took forever to respond. To add insult to injury, I got really, really sick during said blackout, so, I've been somewhat distracted.
Back to my confession. I gave Nikita too many electrolytes, as evidenced by her inability to pee and her newly featured leg oedema. Have you ever seen a mare who can't pee? They lift their skirts, make a valiant attempt, and get the same face I'm certain an old man with an enlarged prostate exhibits. Luckily, I witnessed this sight only 2 days into the new electrolyte regime, and she's fine, although it's taken the better part of a week to clear the oedema. The old man face was gone the next day. It won't be missed. Nothing like putting your Grand Prix horse into renal failure to cement your career, right?
We've started putting together pieces of the various FEI tests, since I think going round and round gives a false sense of security. The tests are there for a reason, and built to test skill. So, why not put them to good use, and actually see what this horse and I are made of?
Today we focused on the trot tour in the Prix St. George test. I did better than I thought - I seriously thought I was going to poop out half way through, but we made it through passably, and the medium and extended trots were easier to get and collect than I thought. Nikita likes to fall on her forehand as we go into the 8m volte out of the shoulder in, so I've spent time making sure she remains uphill and under herself in the volte. It's easy to lose the energy "out the backdoor," as we say, and I suppose vigilance is the better part of valor when it comes to recycling the energy in the horse. It's encouraging that at this time we can respectably put together parts of the Prix St. George test, since I plan to really work on the test this winter for next year's competition season, and it's the trot work that has me concerned. I do more difficult canter work every day than appears in the Prix St. George test, and I'm stronger with the canter tour anyway. It seems we're a few months ahead of schedule.
