Chillin

Really a fairly boring week with the ponies which is probably a good thing!

I got on Stampede Tuesday night and he was only a little grumpy tacking up although when I palpated his back it was a bit sore. It started raining so we got stuck inside with a pretty large group of horses for indoor riding, particularly when I’m trying to ride forward with no circles. The beast was a bit trippy, but was due to get his feet done Thursday so it made sense. Sometimes back soreness alone can make him trip more frequently so I tend to be hyper vigilant about it. We got our trot work done and trainer agreed with me that sometimes he looks normal then he will just fit some weird steps in there.

<3

Wednesday I got to flat Willow which was fun. She was in a nice forward mood but relaxed her neck down sooner than she had been with me. I added in some circles and figure 8’s and finished up with a nice canter to trot transition.

Thursday the boys got their feet done so while it was supposed to be a riding day for Stampede I thought he looked a bit sore so I let him hang out and eat grass instead. I had also decided to do a 7 shot series of Ichon (Adequan knock off that I normally give the boys every 5 weeks) with Stampede to see if it helps him so I gave him the first shot. Friday night I had plans so no riding but I did stop out and take care of the boys and get them out for grass anyways.

Grazing is his favorite

Saturday I got back on Stampede and got to ride outside which was so much better. The first direction of trot, which was to the right, he got going and felt really good for the whole 4 minutes I was doing. I then walked a little and decided I wanted to see what he looked like on video. Gave my friend my phone and headed out but Stampede was not happy to go again and looked quite crappy as he put his ears back and gaped his mouth. Jerk. So not sharing that video, lol. The second direction he started going pretty nice again but I didn’t catch anyone to video. He definitely didn’t have as much energy as the first way but felt pretty good as long as I didn’t let him get strung out.

Icing and grazing

I also gave Mr. P a bath yesterday, which I’m not sure he appreciated, lol. I was getting tired so I sat against a tree while he grazed and dried.

Handsome beasty

I’m going out to the barn shortly to take care of the boys and help some friends work on saddle fit for an older, underweight TB they got in on lease that has a long wither similar to Stampede. Hopefully we can figure out something that will work well.

I do get to start doing some light stuff with Phoenix next week (mostly walking really), so cross your fingers that his hock swelling doesn’t start getting worse again. It’s definitely way down from where we started but not gone. Sounds like that could just be the new normal for us. I don’t care as long as he’s comfortable and happy!