Apparently nothing.
Seriously.
Nothing.
I last got on Batty just about 2 months ago when I last got stung by a wasp. On August 30th. I haven’t ridden him since mostly because I was afraid to open my trailer and his bridle and girth are girth are in there are I needed to make sure there were no wasps. I rode him Saturday. November 4th. How did he react?
I wore spurs and carried a crop.
I used said spurs to ask for extension. I didn’t use the crop. He pointed his toes, extended when I asked, and trotted around, ears forward, happy as a clam, like he’s been doing this every. single. day. since August 30th.
Seriously horse?
No drama. No fireworks. Nothing.
It was a gorgeous day!
He even cantered. Granted, he made it about 1/3 of the way around the ring first on the left lead before he got tired. Then half way around. But he cantered.
To the right he was a bit stiff at the trot before he loosened up and was fine. Right lead canter was ugly and short strided, but no one died and the second and third attempts were nicer.
Zen mode!
For a horse that hates ring work, he LOVES THIS RING. We usually only ever play in this ring, even when I make him work. I’ve never made him jump big scary jumps at Retta’s place. I’m never over faced him here. We only ever play here and trot and canter and sometimes jump cross rails (though not this time). And our visits usually end with trail rides. The other ring we ride at he doesn’t love. We took lessons there. He had to jump big, scary jumps. Even though we don’t jump there anymore, I think there’s an element of PTSD? Anyway, he so much prefers Retta’s even though his feet prefer the footing elsewhere.
He spent much of his day hanging out in a paddock making new friends before we hit the trail with clients. For not being out on a trail for a close to a year (Thanksgiving paperchase when my hoof boot cable broke)? He was foot perfect and happy.
One. Pooped. Pony. (happy to have his boot repaired!)
Seriously horse? I couldn’t ask for more perfection.
(The video isn’t actually upside down)
Three Chestnuts 
Yikes! Sorry that the wasp fear kept your from getting in the saddle for 2 months 😦
For the record, I’ve had my regular lessons on Ranger and ridden a plethora of other horses on the regular trail rides I lead, just haven’t ridden my own horse. A new found allergy to wasps and random wasps living in my trailer… I wasn’t taking any chances! Last time my husband gave me the all clear, I immediately got stung!
never listen to husband 🙂 LOL true story 🙂 SO you wanna go on a paper chase on Sunday then? LOL 🙂 Come on it will be fun!
PS how anticlimatic that was though you had me really worries btw! 🙂
My horse is a dead quiet freak. Until you try and make him jump stuff he doesn’t want to jump or get on trailers he doesn’t like.
Ha! Normally I’d say yes but I have tickets to see the Phantom in Philly on Sunday. Sorry! 😕
so awesome that he was so perfect after the time off!