A non-flying start , but then...

One thing's for sure - compared to setting up this blog, retraining retired racehorses is a doddle ! Easy-peasy. I'm late with this second episode of Ex-racehorse Life because I've been battling techno-gremlins. ( The ones that won't let you click on anything you want, and take you round in circles instead. Grrr!) I wanted to post some pictures of my Terrible Trio of ex-racers, but the combined efforts of myself, my best mate, a web designer and a savvy techno-wizz 10-year-old kid could not figure out how to do it. So, the photos will have to wait.

Instead, I'll boast about Miraed's triumph of an outing yeterday. ( Miraed is my 9-year-old ex-racer mare by Project Manager. She's AKA Mighty Miraed, Miraed the Merciless, or Wicked Witch Miraed, depending on the mood she's been in that day. She can be very hormonal. And very stroppy.) So, on Sunday we took her to a dressage schooling clinic, held by the Ex-racers Club, for her first outing since her day's drag-hunting in January.

Miraed has now had three years of patience-wearing re-schooling, with little to show for it. It's not that she has any ex-racehorse hang-ups any more. Or that she doesn't understand what she is being asked to do. She understands perfectly! She knows very well how to self-collect, strike off on the correct leg, and come down nicely over the bit with good self-carriage. But knowing it ain't doing it, in Miraed's case - at least, not for very long. Too much like hard work. Makes the muscles ache... So, big no-no's and donwannas.

So yesterday, she started off reluctant as ever, gracelessly humouring us for a little while. Then she got fed up with that, and returned to her favoured mode of dashing round with her head up like a runaway camel. But then, quite suddenly after 20 minutes or so ( just as the instructor was starting to have a crisis of confidence) - wonder of wonders ! - she gave in ! She started to do it all beautifully . Success at last !

Having long ago learned to quit while you're ahead when retraining ex-racehorses ( because you're unlikely to stay ahead long, so don't push your luck !) - we bowed out of the school shortly afterwards. Then, as a complete change, we let Miraed have a go at the little cross-country track. And - Miraed the Marvellous flew round it like an old pro ( though she'd never seen it before ). She just loved it. I was thrilled.

I''m just hoping that , after all my patient ( and impatient) struggles, I can have a similar breakthrough with my I.T systems !