Back in the saddle WITH Grace

2012,  


I am back in the saddle!  It feels amazing as now, this time that I am on her and in the arena WITH her she isn't there just BECAUSE  of me (at least I hope and think...)

The inspiration for saying this is our lovely Parelli teacher Vicky who today inspired me with a quote from a disabled rider (of note) who said her "horse is in the arena WITH her not because of" her.

This makes total sense to me now as on (date) Grace walked up to the mounting block, stood there still and calm for me to mount. I got on, sat there for 2 minutes, dismounted and we did it again.  I was so totally excited I had to text Vicki and a few other liveries who knew of our mounting and patience games.  It was a different type of excitement.  Like a kid's excitement.  It's no joke or exaggeration to say I wanted to cry with joy at the sight and feeling of my young horse allowing me to mount her and choosing to be with me rather than moving away from me.

We didn't take any steps forward under saddle and we didn't need to! How great is that?

Can't wait for tomorrow.

Snow, Rain, Sores and a Rash!

February 2013

My poor girl, so big and so head strong yet today not so. She has a rash on her neck which is very hot and clearly very sore.  She is not wimpey but has clearly found the sores very painful to be touched and recoils with muscles shakes as soon as you try to put aloe vera gel anywhere near her.

Tomorrow the vet will come as this is the second body soreness in a week.   I'm hoping it is coincidence but worth getting some bloods taken in case she has a virus poor lass.

Always happens before we humans are about to go on holiday for two weeks.  Agghhh!

No lesson today Parelli or ridden  - both had been booked but she was too sore and there's no agenda more important to me (and probably to Grace) other than her comfort, health and happiness.

P.S. A few days later the bloods weren't that helpful  - looks like her white blood count is low so heavy on the calendular with her for a few days.  Daily malaseb and flamazene the rash is the vets advice im following for a week.

P.P.S.  we had a few days of new lumps appearing - bigger, still sore and then some developed heads as thought bites.  Continued with the treatment and one week later and all turn out rugs washed and turn out resumed.  Phew!  What a year Grace has had so far - all box rest for reasons of weather, waterlogged fields, leg sores and now neck rash!

I think next year she can have Jan and Feb off!  That way no one is disappointed to be not riding or in worried about not being in work.

 

A Smile Speaks A Thousand Words

2012 - June 21^st   

Our friend the equine podiatrist visited today to see my other horse.   During the visit she called in on Grace and saw her feet.  The look on her face was all I needed to see – joy!

It’s important to show the progress to others especially to those whose early comments and concerns about grace’s bull nosed foot were the cause of me setting off to find a fix without really knowing if a fix could be found.

It keeps my faith strong to know that I’m not imagining the progress, nor am I alone.  Others have gone this route before me, following instinct and bucking advice, they have had similar successes and together we will  continue to spread the good word. 

That’s got to be worth it for the future of our horses, their feet and their working lives with us.