So after getting some more photos I put Desire in the padded Easyboot Epics in front and the taped Gloves in the hind, swapped the Specialized to her set-up, and went for a ride up the ridge. I was already sweaty and dirty and it was getting hotter by the minute but Desire was being a complete fool and I wanted to get her out and moving.
Right out of the cross ties she about trampled over top of me, stepping on my heels and then on herself and tripping with all the forward momentum she had going already. I had my husband hold her head so I could get in the saddle and then heading out from home up the ridge my horse who couldn’t stand still is suddenly walking like a farm plug and trying to turn for home if I took my attention off the reins for even a minute. She wanted to walk on the opposite side of the road that I wanted her on, and when we did trot she either did a ridiculous dog trot or flew into a spazzy 9 mph trot blowing and snorting and spooking at nothing.
In the end we made it the 3 miles to top of the ridge and then turned and I hand walked her the mile+ back down to flatter ground. The dirt road with round gravel on top can be really slippy and she was such a ditz today that I didn’t feel like riding the slip-slide down. On the last little stretch of dirt before we hit pavement again we were trotting and she suddenly jumped to the right and slammed on her brakes simultaneously. As quick a move as it was it was almost slow motion as I was *certain* I was going to eat dirt for the first time since I broke my leg 2 1/2 years ago. I went way forward on her neck and barely saved myself from falling, catching the full weight of my forward momentum on my palms on her neck which sent a fantastic pile driver of pain into my shoulders and all down my back as my weight was suddenly stopped hard. I kinked my back pretty good and it’s still sore, but at least I didn’t hit the ground.
She was spooky the rest of the way home, I was “eh ehing” her about once every few minutes. When she got all snorty and wouldn’t go forward past a friend’s van parked in the driveway I decided she needed to go down to the arena for some more work as she certainly hadn’t earned an easy pass back to her paddock. The arena footing is pretty deep and it was getting hotter still so we only worked about 15 minutes down there, just transitions, figure 8s, making her pay attention just a little. I can’t claim it did anything as she was a pill for her shower and snorted and wouldn’t step over the hose going back to her pasture.
Standing next to Joey while mounted on D, he was interested and alarmed to see me up so high on her
So I pretty much had the worst ride on Desire–I dunno, maybe ever? Sometimes it’s hard to believe she is turning 16 next week! Clearly she is ready and waiting for lot’s more work–and the occasional slap up side the head. We did more trotting this time and she was sound as a dollar the whole time, so that’s a plus.
Redheaded Endurance 
I hate it when that happens. And it happens to everybody. Your older, broke horse just loses its mind one day. The good thing is, it isn't permanent brain damage–almost ever. But yeah–very frustrating. Glad she's sound, anyway.
Oh boy, we're in for it! So glad she's sound, but what a pill! Do you think doing the arena work afterwards helped? Major (usually) knows to behave in the arena, so he'll be a snot on the trail and gentleman in the arena. I do hope she gets better, spooking at nothing and almost dumping you sounds annoying and no fun!
She actually did quite well in the arena, better than I expected, but when I went back to the tie racks she was right back to being a tard and wouldn't even step over the hose, acting like it was going to eat her *eyeroll* Every time I walked up to in the ties today she snorted and eyeballed me like I was going to kill her. ARggghh dramatic mares are annoying sometimes
Yes and in general she is not your average 16 yr old, she was started late (6 or 7) and is a full tilt mare. But today was above and beyond!