Back In The Saddle

It sure took long enough but I’ve finally been able to catch a ride on Dusty.  While I was working getting her back up to speed in the fitness department she started to look a little “ouchy”.  When the vet came out for Spring shots I had her examined and x-rayed.  Seems she’s not having another attack of laminitis/founder but simply needed an adjustment in her shoeing.  Our vet and farrier work together so he sent the farrier her x-rays.  Seems all she needed were her toes shortened and he put her shoes a little further back for a better break over.  This did the trick and she was perfectly fine.  She still has a slight rotation but it’s not affecting her at all now.  Every Spring I get a tad paranoid that she will founder again but so far so good.  Dusty is still sporting her grazing muzzle and I think … no, I’m sure she still resents me for making her wear it.  Even if I tell her it’s for her own good!  I understand how she feels; I really used to hate it when my mother told me that, too.

When I tacked her up and brought her into the arena she was as good as gold.  There was no drama at the mounting block to start.  Then we proceeded to do a nice walk on a long rein.  Then a few huge circles in each direction with a nice even bend.  After we were warmed up we did an easy trot.  Not her normal rushing speed, but on a loose rein.  I couldn’t believe how brilliantly she was behaving.  My daughter even commented on how she’d never seen her go around so well on a loose rein.  And I’ll tell you that’s quite a compliment coming from her.  She’s a very tough taskmaster.  She went so well in the one direction that I didn’t even try the other direction and got off.  I always want to end on a good note, and since the ride was perfect up until that point I figured why push it our first ride back after a break?  Dusty got lots of praise and hopefully she’ll remember how much easier it is to be good than not. 

Who knows, maybe she missed working and was happy to get back to doing something productive?  Or maybe she just needed a long lay off to get her head straight.  Whatever it was I’ll take a ride like that anytime.

Until next time

Quote for Today

When riding my horse I no longer have my heart in my chest, but between my knees.

Creative Dismounts

Creative Dismounts

Jane’s blog The Literary Horse is now doing a series titled Creative Dismounts. If you haven’t already submitted your most memorable creative dismount I would urge you to head on over and check it out. I’m sure you will find some of the entries amusing to say the least. It’s all in good fun and it’s also a good feeling that you’re not the only one who’s done some foolish things when it comes to riding!

Below is my submission to the Literary Horse creative dismount series about my most memorable dismount:

This may not be the most entertaining one you may receive but even though I’ve had some interesting dismounts, the following one is probably the one where I hoped no one was actually watching - because if I had been watching I would have been doubled over in laughter.

The day before I was to take Erik, my 17.2 hand Dutch Warmblood, to one of our first shows, a schooling lesson was in order to fine-tune him and me. The outside arena was visibly under slushy mud conditions with puddles galore from previous rainstorms. Are you starting to get the picture yet?

We were cantering to the wishing well jump (wishing wells on either side with a gate in the center). Perfect stride…perfect distance…in two point ready to take the jump…horse puts in an extra half step…whoops, that didn’t work!

I went over his head…over the jump…he followed…missed me…whew….thank god I’ve still got the reins in my hand…wonder how that happened. NO! Erik…stop! You’re done. Good boy…stoooooppp!

So yes, in fact I found myself dragged through the mud on my stomach…mud encrusted way down inside my full-length chaps, my unmentionables, an let’s just say I had mud in places that had never seen a mud pack previously, and leave it at that.

I looked like a marsh monster reemerging from the swamp.

At least as I slithered through the mud, head held high, I wasn’t the recipient of a muck and mire facial. Finally, the brilliant idea of ‘gee why don’t you let go of the reins, moron’, ricocheted around inside my brain like a pinball machine until it hit TILT, and I let go of my iron grip on the reins. There I was in all my glory: mud from neck to toe, but I had managed to hold my head up the whole time I was towed along behind my horse.

So proud of myself for that one. It was the least I could do to save face, literally.

Not a comfy ride home as I recall, either. Kind of squishy.

Until next time

Quote for Today

To ride is to take occasional trips into the dirt...

An Inspiring Ride

Monika & Filur

I recently received a comment from Marion, who asked me to watch this video, I am happy to say I did and it was wonderful.

Marion said:

"This is a dear friend of mine riding a blind Knabstruper stallion called Filur. This horse is trained to the higher levels of Academic Equitation. I know this horse and have seen him being ridden by several people, including his owner, but never like THIS!"

Although this has nothing to do with the actual subject matter of my blog, this horse is just stunning and his accomplishments are astonishing considering his blindness. The rider brings out the light of his soul with an inspiring ride. At least for me, and I thought to share it with you in the hopes you will enjoy it as much as I did.