Wide Open Spaces July 26, 2008
Posted by kimayars Arena Work (Horse)
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Sherene’s arena is a really nice one — especially for a personal arena. It’s about 60′ x 120′, has a decent base, hogsfuel footing, and half of it is covered. Three walls of the 60′ x 60′ covered area had probably 6ft walls. The horses are unusally spooky down in this area of the arena, so Sherene took off the top two rails hoping that if the horses could see what was making the noises on the other side of that solid wall, it might help the situation. Today was my first ride in the “new arena”.
Let’s just say it looks SO much bigger now. It’s much more open and from my perspective, I like it much better.
After I tacked up Tigger, we headed out into the arena. I was wondering if he would even notice. Yup he did. Head up, nostrils flaring, ears at attention: He cautiously stepped into the arena. We walked around the uncovered part first, all the while he glanced down toward the covered area. There was SO much more to see! Eventually, we started down the wall toward the covered area. here’s how it all went down:
“Oh my GOD! A wheelbarrow! Where did THAT come from??” (*SNORT!*)
“Oh my GOD! A pile of rocks! Where did THAT come from??” (*SNORT!*)
“Oh my GOD! A hose! Where did THAT come from??” (*SNORT!*)
“Oh my GOD! A gate! Where did THAT come from??” (*SNORT!*)
“Oh my GOD! A pile of boards! Where did THAT come from??” (*SNORT!*)
“Hey… Is that a snack?…”
Just past letter “A” in the arena was a small bush that was orginally hidden by the two extra boards. Tigger found it delightful.
After a few nibbles off the bush he decided this wasn’t such a bad arrangement after all.
I went ahead and got on him with a minor squirt (which makes sense since this was a pretty big change for him) but nothing like the mounting problems we’ve had in the past. We spent the day exploring the arena and easing our way into the covered area. He certainly had a fair number of shies and balks, but by the end he was trotting full arena in a semi-relaxed manner. Definitely a huge success.
So I really like the change to the arena. I like being able to see people approach and the extra light is also really nice. I think in the long run the horses will like it too. It’s definitely a room with a view!
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