On Tuesday my vet came out to give the boys their spring shots and general checkups, as well as do a lameness exam on Stampede. Both boys were good for their shots and checkups and the vet was happy with their fatness levels.
Mr P says he’s always starving
For Stampede’s lameness exam we went in the indoor to lunge him a bit. She agreed he was not quite right on the right hind but not horrible. The issue has definitely improved since I started him back to work a bit, but it was very clear (to me!) when Stampede trotted slowly.
I prefer cookies to working
Next the vet did two different kinds of flexions, one to highlight a hock issue and another to highlight a stifle issue. So remember I said he is off on the right hind, because of course Stampede would flex good on that leg and bad on the left hind. I should know better by now!
So basically the vet said he’s older and he probably has some arthritis going on all over his back-end and not just a specific joint. She basically told me I’m being a bit too paranoid (oops!) and my horse needs to get out and move and it should get better. That sounds great, except Stampede has a back problem that suggests slow and steady and in a circle should be a large part of his lifestyle right now. Sooooo, now I get to try to balance what helps his back with what helps the rest of his body.
Sooo, I’m a riding horse again?
The good news is that the vet checked Stampede’s back and found no soreness in the area of his kissing spines issues which hasn’t happened in several years. That does make me feel a bit better about ramping up his under saddle workload.
After the vet left, I had a break where I took care of the boys and met the husband for dinner before heading back to the barn to get my borrowed stead ready for a lesson. Willow might not like me calling her a stead, not sure what the female version of that word is though!
Pretty girl
Willow was a bit lazier than she had been on Saturday, but still plenty responsive. I’m going to skip talking much about the flat and get to the exciting part. I jumped! For the first time in over 6 months I jumped a horse, and I didn’t make a complete fool of myself either. Plus I had so much fun. We warmed up over an X then down a line. Trainer had me adding a stride since it was the first time Willow had jumped outside. Willow was great about doing what I asked. Lastly, we did a full hunter course and I only missed one distance the whole time. I was worried my eye would suck after the time off but evidently that is not how it works! I’m so thankful that I got the chance to lesson and jump, it really made my week! Thank you D for sharing your girl, I know you will read this!
Wednesday I got on Stampede and added some more trot to our ride, attempted to really send him forward. He was pretty lazy overall, just one jump in place spook snuck in there as we rode by the scary part of the outdoor ring. I hope he continues to feel good!
Life is rough, so tired
Today I got to flat Willow again. The girl was feeling good tonight and was really nice and forward for the whole ride, although a little looky. She is really good at holding the same tempo at the trot which is really enjoyable to ride.
Willow in action today
It is so weird to take pictures while on a horse that is not a chestnut!
Willow is adorable. I really love her name. I’m glad you got the OK to do more with Stampede. It’s always hard as horse moms because we don’t want them hurting but as a human with arthritis (yes at 25), I can tell you movement is the best thing ever. Building up muscle around the joints in question and just MOVING seriously took me off all pain meds (after the first few weeks of weeniness… is that a word?).
Willow’s name fits her so well too. I find it hard to balance the movement needed for his back arthritis since it’s very specific with the rest of what his body needs but hopefully I can find a balance. Time will tell! I’m trying to avoid pain meds because he’s so stomach sensitive, but we may need them to get over the hump.
You look great on Willow and yes she really was trucking last night! Sorry again that Big Bad Tango scared her! Lol
yay so awesome you got to jump!!! Willow sounds neat 🙂 glad the boys are doing well too, and very exciting that Stampede is cleared for more work. good luck finding the right balance!
It was a great time jumping Willow, she’s a cool horse. Riding my own horse seems like such a novelty, lol.
Thank YOU, Kristen. You did me a favor by riding her and keeping her going for me. You did great with her jumping. I thought she might be a little more looky for the first time jumping outside this year. Just the one jump that she wasn’t really sure about, but then went right to it no problem. Rebecca, her registered name is Willoween and show name is Southern Belle. She is a total belle sitting on the veranda waiting for her servants to see to her every need — spoiled rotten. 🙂 Rachel, you never know who Willow will take offense to in the ring. I’m just use to it and tell her to get over it when I feel her tense up.
I am so glad you got to jump and the boys both basically have clean bills of health! This is good to see!
Jumping really helped my mood! I just might end up with two ridable horses at once one of these days!
Yay! Good vet report and jumping lesson! Sounds like a GREAT week!
It definitely was!