Yikes, almost a month since I took the time to jot anything down on here. Bad Mrs Mom, bad bad bad.
All is pretty good, rolling along about like normal. Phat Boy, my mobile red couch, and I have continued to ride. Lately though we have stepped it up a bit from mere plodding to actually DOING things. Our last two rides though, I have noticed a change in his attitude and ability to carry a lope for very long- I think his hocks are bugging him. He's been very reluctant to pick up a lope (which is a change as he had been popping right into a lope nicely, with ears up, mane flying, and trucking along with no problem,) and only working for about three strides before switching leads behind and dropping back to a trot. The whole time he has his ears pinned and he is gritting is teeth- which in Phat Boy means something hurts. (In Tater speak it means, Screw YOU, I don't WANNA play.)
I quit our ride fairly early today, and dropped back to lighter work for him. One of the other things we've been doing is working with both Phatz and Tater- the Locust brothers love taking Phatz for walks, so we have been taking both the horses and leading them down the big laneway behind our house. I haven't taken pictures yet, since this is brand new for Tater and I didn't want to risk hurting my camera. But there will be pictures in the future.
I love the walks-- its great to get ME back in shape and I get to watch Phatz move. I watched him closely from behind today while the Locusts took turns leading him along and could see definite stiffness in both hocks. Time to get him on some MSM and adjust our routine to more rubbing, walking and warm up time. Got to take excellent care of my mobile couch!
Today I learned a couple of things- not just about Phat Boy and his hocks--- but also that Just Because I *CAN* Still Post A Long Trot Bareback, Does Not Mean I *SHOULD*. (Yep- getting old sucks!) And I learned that Tater is smart. Like, *scary* smart. Like, WAY scary smart. We only took our first walk down the lane way a couple days ago and Tater was pretty decent. A little goofy, but overall, really not that bad. Today? With the wind whipping and storms potentially moving in for tomorrow/ Tuesday, he was perfect. Phat Boy was fine-- I expected him to be docile and fantastic since we had worked before turning him over to the Locusts. But Tater was just pulled from the paddock, groomed a bit and off we went. He was alert, happy, and relaxed, ready to roll. In fact, BOTH horses acted reluctant to come home- it seemed like they wanted to keep exploring. Next time- we will. Today, I was ready to head home.
The more I mess with Tater, the more I like his brain. Too bad he is still as narrow as the skinny side of a 2 x 4 though. If we had to pick between a wide load and a sharp, capable mind-- we'll take the mind. Already have one wide load in my mobile red couch. Lord knows I love my Phat Boy but geeze.. sometimes, he really is not the sharpest tool in the shed.
Guess things aren't all that exciting down here lately, but we'll see what we can't do in the coming days to liven things up around here a bit.
Until next time- Happy Trails!
~MM
5 comments:
I'm blaming it on Facebook, it's so easy to pop over there, post a quick update, and then get caught up in reading about everyone else's day. I am trying to make it a habit to go to blogland first, because I've been really slack about leaving comments on my fave blogs lately, although I read them. FB is going to have to play second fiddle for a while.
Nice to hear that Tater is coming along, do you have a saddle that fits him?
Hope that ole nasty weather isn't too nasty for you.
Good to hear from you ! We get a bit of info via Facebook, like Shirley mentioned, but it is nice to get a longer story from you!
That hock stuff can be a real pain. Red has hock soreness now - we think the lower joints are starting to fuse - so he's sore at gaits above the walk and tends to fuss and balk at the first walk/trot transition - after that he'll move out but it's a while before he's warmed up enough to not be careful about how he's using himself. I worry about asking him to work when he's sore - although he usually improves as we go - for fear he'll start to not enjoy our rides - but he's supposed to work to keep things moving. A bit of a conundrum. I've started Red on aspirin 2x a day, and hope that helps a bit.
Yep Shirley, it is kinda easy to get sucked into the Facebox. Dang you people for convincing me to use that crap!! ;) I do read a lot of blogs still, but I never was much of a commenter. It is wicked nice to be able to ride along on so many adventures though, from my living room with coffee in hand.. lol
Laura- saw your post today too!!!! Man that snow is lovely, and that handsome hunka horse has a nice trot. Glad you got in a quick ride, and I sure hope you can shake the crud and ride lots more too!!
Kate- Hope Red is OK there! You've put in so much time to get your partnership with him going so well, I hate to read that he is sore now! Here's hoping he eases as we get into spring too!
Good to hear you back in the horse world; I've missed you. I REFUSE to do Facebook, so I only know what goes on there if Bill remembers to tell me. Enjoy your outings - the horses love to get away from their normal scenery now and then. Jesse will just go exploring on her own if I forget for too long.
Bionic Cowgirl
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