Before we begin, a quick disclaimer. This is intended to be a humorous anecdote and a bit of stress relief for me. Please do not take offense at the content.
It’s been a frustrating month. I’m still driving two hours any time I want to visit the horses, which isn’t so bad when you actually get to ride, however, I’ve struck out three times in a row and it stinks.
In early August, Admiral developed a large bump on his back. Our best guess is that he rolled on a rock. I never claimed he was the smartest horse in the pasture. Under most circumstances, my first line of treatment with swellings on horses is to let them be for a bit and keep an eye on things. Well, the bump that was originally about the size of my hand, has slowly been shrinking, an encouraging sign. Admiral, however, still takes offence when you poke and prod on it and until yesterday, riding was out of the question. With a cut-out pad and the saddle a bit further back than normal, we were able to walk, trot, and do a tiny bit of canter. Being back in the saddle is a wonderful feeling! It was hard not to push and only do the tiniest bit of work, but just a little work-out caused the bump to grow the slightest amount, so keeping it light was a good plan. Thankfully, Admiral hasn’t lost much cardiovascular fitness (he’s in better shape than me), but he has lost quite a bit of carrying muscle, so we’re going to be spending the winter rebuilding – story of our lives.
I’ve been out of the saddle for a month because apparently, Nutmeg really doesn’t want to try out her super awesome new dressage bridle. After her brief vacation following the Heritage Horse Trials, she threw a shoe. Her way of saying, “More vacation please!” We’re trying to build fence and stalls at home, so a brief hiatus wasn’t going to leave me board out of my mind. We didn’t make an emergency farrier call. He’d be back in a week or so anyway. Well, in that week, the weather turned to fall – absolute perfect riding weather and I really started to get the itch. Plus, another show opportunity was dangled in front of me and I still hadn’t tested out the new bridle. Definitely time to get back in the saddle. Nutmeg of course had other plans. The same day she got her shoe fixed, she through a temper-tantrum, ending in some seriously sore muscles throughout her neck, back and front legs. I’ve seen a lot of sore horses, like after pulling themselves and their riders up and down slick Missouri river bluffs for a day, but I’ve never seen a horse that sore. Needless to say, no riding in the new bridle, no prepping for the show, just a highly disappointed me, worried about Miss Nutmeg and Mr. Admiral.
Fittingly, October 3rd is World Animal Day and St. Peter Church offers free blessings for animals to mark the commemoration of Saint Francis of Assisi – the patron saint of animals. You can email a photo of your animal and they’ll bless it for you. Sign me up! Where’s the camera? Both ponies are going to get a blessing! Check out the link. http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2011/09/195.shtml
Will I actually send them in? Probably not. In all honestly, we’re already very blessed. I’ve got two personable and talented horses to ride or just snuggle with if that’s how the chips fall. I’ve got a husband, who realizing I was a bit down, packed me up and sent me off for a day of tack shopping with a great friend. I’ve got an owner who will bend over backwards to take good care of the ponies when they’re not feeling top-notch. I’ve got friends who have a knack for getting me out to the barn, even when I’m skeptical about riding. We’re blessed already and I seriously doubt sprinkling some holy water on a picture will change our luck.
Thankfully, things are looking up. I spent an unfortunate amount of money tack shopping, but really did keep myself to the essentials. Admiral is back in light work and a happy camper. After a couple days of rest and some liniment massages, Nutmeg is feeling less sore and the final pieces of our fencing came in two weeks early. Happy Dance! It’s always a roller coaster ride, but I’ll keep trying to keep my perspective fresh and forward, letting the hills and valleys come as they may.
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