Back at it

I got on Stampede Sunday to see how he was doing. The lameness was almost gone, just a tiny bit off yet. I decided to give him a vacation until Thursday and see where we were.

In the afternoon I let the boys out a second time with Christie’s horse Mikey. Since he had been showing he hadn’t gone out yet and needed some buddies. I love the picture below because it really shows the horses’ personalities. Mikey rolling for about the 4th time, Stampede staring at things instead of eating, and P trying to gobble up any scrap of food available.

From left to right – Mikey, Stampede, and Phoenix

P stretching out to reach the tastiest grass

Monday I rode P around bareback in the field and he was great as usual. Then the boys both got pedicures.

Stampy waiting for his pedicure

Tuesday I didn’t ride and went car shopping with the husband. I hadn’t anticipated actually making a final decision, but we did end up making a deal and picked up the car the next day. The husband’s new ride is a 2013 Honda Accord V6 Coupe.

Wednesday I took P out in the field again, but with a saddle this time. The sun was in just the right spot that everything had a beautiful haziness. P was pretty hyper but settled in and did some nice work.

P’s ears –

Full neck shot. Beautiful haze from the setting sun.

Thursday came and I got on Stampede to see how he was doing. Everyone else wanted to go in the field, so I figured why not. Stampede was definitely a bit high after all his time off, but nothing too crazy. A few hops and scoots here and there but once I got on a circle he settled in and proved to be sound at the trot. I just did about fifteen minutes of trot work and called it a night.

I think I already mentioned that I got a new girth, an Equifit T foam anatomical girth. I was so excited and it fit Stampede well. Then it started getting marks where my legs touch right below the saddle. I’ve tried oiling it, although from the beginning it hasn’t looked like something oil would fix. If it wasn’t so ridiculously expensive I would probably have not cared, but this is the most expensive girth I have ever purchased. I have contacted Smartpak since that’s where I bought it from. They are waiting to hear back from Equifit about it. These pictures are after 5 rides using it.

New girth has great lines, but ugly marks…

Close up of discoloration

Friday P and I ended up out in the field again because both rings were really hard and in need of a good dragging. After we finished our flatwork we went in the trails to cool down, which was a nice change. He was good even though he was alone, which is surprising because he usually gets too excited and jiggs on the way back even with another horse.

Today I did a flat lesson on Stampede and he was still sound. Hopefully this means I’m in the clear, but I will remain reserved until I get another ride in on him tomorrow.

I leave you with a picture from outside my house during the week. There was a great rainbow. We have 7 acres of property, but no horses here. The barns would need some renovations before it would be inhabitable for my boys.

View of my property at home. Barn to the right and rainbow straight ahead