Training Zephyr June 08

Training Zephyr - Zephyrs training has got off to a slow start but as she is young I don’t mind. I am a firm believer of not jumping a horse before its 4 years old at least.

Shortly after Zephyr arrived she had her first accident and managed to neatly cut a V just below her near fore knee, (see pics below) which meant about 3 months off and nothing but changing dressings. Then she had another accident where she cut her vein in her off fore just above the knee on the inside of her leg which meant another month off. Fortunately none of these injuries were anything other than superficial and just needed time to heal.

Finally Zephyr started work. Gold Coast Show Jumper and Instructor Terry Sakai gave me a lesson in March 08 and had a ride on her and really liked her but then another set back because of another paddock injury, she had over a month off in May when she slipped in the mud and fell face first into the fence bashing her muzzle into a fence post after skidding on her knees and chest. She took skin off her muzzle knees and chest and ended up with a haematoma between her forelegs and was very stiff and sore, barely able to walk for about a week. I started riding Zephyr again on the 6th of June and have been doing flat work and jumping the odd X Rail and small oxer and taking her out on our quiet country roads.

Today 4th July 08 Terry came to give me another lesson and he had his second ride on Zephyr. We decided it was best for Terry to ride for the hour and save my back, as I’m due to have my disc replaced in my spine soon and I need to be cautious. So I got to watch and take some photos for my Blog.

Terry started off doing some flat work in the dressage arena to warm her up then we went into the enclosed arena for some work over the trot poles. Once she settled down into this I put up a 50cm X rail. When she was moving forward and calmly over a slightly bigger X rail we moved on to some 60cm verticals. Zephyr responds very well to Terry’s firm seat and soft hands and was going forward nicely. She did over jump the first few verticals which is to be expected. After a brief rest I put up a small 80cm oxer. She was getting more confident now and jumping nicely.

Terry then took her back to the dressage arena for some flat work which consisted of getting her to move off his inside leg and working on her right canter lead. All in all it was a very productive hour. He last rode her in March and was very happy with her progress over the last 3 months,