Things finally froze over, so Kai wasn't moving as much in the pasture, and he also wasn't quite so muddy. One day, I had more than enough time to groom, but not enough time to ride, so we went for a trail walk! Kai was THRILLED!! Nose in the air, then on the ground - he reminding me of a hunting dog tracking his way. So curious about everything!! Not out of control by any means, still by my side on a loose lead, but definitely happy to be out and about! I, meanwhile, froze :)Another chilly night I didn't ride, but decided to just go play with Kai in the indoor for a while. We let him loose to wander around, and "Mr-I-can't-move-in-the-frozen-pasture-and-they've-upped-my-feed" apparantly had energy to burn! He instantly took off cantering, let loose a few bucks, showed off for the mares that were watching, let a few more bucks out, cantered a figure-eight with a perfect flying change in the middle all on his own, spun and kicked a few more times, and then came looking for his carrot :) Silly horse! Glad we let him run around a bit!!
After a week of introductions and sharing a fenceline, Kai is thoroughly enjoying his new buddies, and is apparantly having a blast exploring with and 
racing his new buddy Rebel. He's muddy and banged up, but acting 15 years younger (and a bit more like a Thoroughbred), so who am I to complain!
Also, my mom bought a new horse. Kai is completely smitten with this pretty little mare, and they are very cute with their flirting. Unfortunately, it's Jazzy's turn for quarantine, and they can't touch for another two weeks :) With all the excitement of the new horse, and class, and too much homework to do, 
Kai didn't get ridden for almost an entire week!! He was a good boy, although tossing his head again, and put up with me and my "ten minutes a day without stirrups" homework from the coach.
We spent a while switching bits around this month, and he's still tossing his head. Thursday he also started sucking up behind the bit and avoiding contact, so I talked to Julie about having the dentist out. He's clearly avoiding the bit, and it's a very mild bit with nothing to avoid, so there's got to be something going on. Like Julie said, "horses get old, their teeth rot, they need to come out!" So that's the plan. I've switched bits and he still tosses his head. I don't think it's a saddle issue because I can lunge him tacked up with a halter on and he doesn't toss his head, although I did continue to use his dressage saddle and not my new one, just in case. I'm almost positive it's a tooth issue. And although I'd never want Kai in pain, I really hope the dentist DOES find something wrong, so at least there's a reason!! In the mean time - long rein for us!
Things finally froze over, so Kai wasn't moving as much in the pasture, and he also wasn't quite so muddy. One day, I had more than enough time to groom, but not enough time to ride, so we went for a trail walk! Kai was THRILLED!! Nose in the air, then on the ground - he reminding me of a hunting dog tracking his way. So curious about everything!! Not out of control by any means, still by my side on a loose lead, but definitely happy to be out and about! I, meanwhile, froze :)
racing his new buddy Rebel. He's muddy and banged up, but acting 15 years younger (and a bit more like a Thoroughbred), so who am I to complain! 
Kai didn't get ridden for almost an entire week!! He was a good boy, although tossing his head again, and put up with me and my "ten minutes a day without stirrups" homework from the coach.