After having two weeks completely off and just turn-out, Yves was looking pretty good in terms of build. I decided to go ahead and put him in the running reins on the lunge and see how he coped. I have to say that I was quite shocked, really. He was moving really, really well. And consistently well! During his grown up life, Yves has never been what I would call a flashy mover. He did respectably at his foal inspection, scoring a 7.8 for movement, but he kind of fizzled out around 6 months. No more effortless boing-boing-boing around the turn-out. Ah, well. It was nice while it lasted.
Still cute, even if grown up and un-fancy.
Occasionally, I would see a couple nice steps here and there on the lunge or at liberty. On the lunge, it was definitely more likely to happen, probably because he was actively being encouraged to lift his back. Well, today, he was super! He was really moving out and it was effortless for him. In the canter, not only could he hold it, but his stride was HUGE. His leading hind was coming up to the girth easily. Where did this come from??? He ate up half a 30m lunge circle in 7 strides. I counted. Ed does his medium canter in 7 strides on half a 20m circle.
As I'm sure you guessed, I came to the conclusion that I will go ahead and start riding him again. I'll work him until he tells me he can't anymore and he'll get more time off to concentrate on growing up.
Here is another video of Ed and Yves playing from today. I feel like it shows how much more balanced Yves has become in the last week and a half. It is also very interesting to note the differences in galloping mechanics between Edward, 55.5% xx/xo, and Yves, 64.2% xx/xo with a thoroughbred dam (yes, this value changed because there was a change on HorseTelex). Yves is definitely more efficient in his gallop than Edward while Edward has a lot more sit behind. While galloping around though, I think Yves wins this day. And the loud squee sounds are all from super masculine Edward.
And, in case you are wondering, yes, these two play every single time I put them out together while neither plays with Jury, the other horse that either of these two may go out with.
Those two are hilarious. Too bad you don't have a lunge video... not sure how some people manage to lunge a horse while taking a video though. I've seen it done, but I don't have enough hands to manage the line and the whip let alone keeping a camera steady.
meHi! I know this is an old post, but I'm really enjoying your discussions of breeding and lines. Could you maybe do a post for those of us uninitiated as to what the xx/xo designations are?
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Those two are hilarious. Too bad you don't have a lunge video... not sure how some people manage to lunge a horse while taking a video though. I've seen it done, but I don't have enough hands to manage the line and the whip let alone keeping a camera steady.
They both look fab! And I love the views behind their turnout, stunning :)
Yves IS moving much better... The last video, he looked so ungainly but in this one he is super confident in his body. Yay!
meHi! I know this is an old post, but I'm really enjoying your discussions of breeding and lines. Could you maybe do a post for those of us uninitiated as to what the xx/xo designations are?
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