Coward's Way Out
Again it was a really nice day--cloudy, but nice. Did the barn chores in the morning, hung around doing nothing really worthwhile except to make a casserole and headed back out in the afternoon.
Cleaned stalls and under both run in roofs. Then I got Chance and took him out on a trail ride/hack (for all you Brits). This time I headed out to the Christmas tree farm by going along the edge of the Halloween pumpkin field. The only think that bothered Chance was one "dead" pumpkin lying in a pile of pulp in front of us. Out of respect for the dear departed, we detoured around and continued on.
Then I had to make a decision. Right to go along the Turnpike with all the noisy trucks and cars racing by--while at a distance of several hundred feet, still pretty disturbing--or left to go up along the edge of my road with trucks and cars whizzing by, but not so many. Since there were all kinds of things set up in preparation for the tree sales, I decided to go left, only to realize at that end of the driveway track, there were signs, barrels and banners advertising the tree sales.
Once again, however, Chance scored an A+ for taking all of this in stride including a bunch of farm machinery, a big huge black plastic pipe thing and items stored under blue tarps! He walks cautiously, attentively, but also bravely past it all. Once back on the dirt lane between cornfields, he marched along and even decided to head further away from home to go back the long way through the woods. What a great trail horse he is proving to be.
I rode Tucker next, giving him a short workout in the arena again, this time asking him to be even more on the bit for the most part of the session. Then we too headed out for a trail ride/hack in the woods. He was bold, forward, and very relaxed so when I got to the fork in the trail to either head home or head out to the ridge above the lake, I chose the ridge. That seemed to please Tucker who was enjoying himself....
Until....we got to the clearing that opens to the lake and we heard whistling and calling. There was a hunter out there with his dog. Trouble was, he was mostly noise and disturbance without being clearly visible through the tall weeds and bushes. Tucker, quite in contrast to Chance, assumes most "new" things are dangerous. He started dancing around. While he may well have settled if he'd actually gotten to see the hunter--but I am not so sure about the dog--the moments in between were getting darn scary.
Now, please note, Toby has a twisty buck and Tucker has a "rocket launch" buck with a ton of air time from an absolute standstill. Give him the piaffe impulsion he was building up today and we would have had major liftoff. And since I was the one destined to lift off, I decided to get off instead.
Call me coward, but I just don't have the seat to ride too much of that kind of stuff anymore. Then again, leading an excited 16.3 h Thoroughbred along a woody trail is not the easiest task either. Times like that all the training you've done previously on the ground really comes into play. I had to remind him dozens of times that it was fine to crane his neck and prance trying to see where that evil hunter/dog was, but that climbing all over me when he did so was not proper behavior.
By the time we reached the "safe" part of the trail home, there was no place for me to climb onto something tall enough to remount--I can't get on from the ground with my knees--so I had to lead him all the way home. Once back, I remounted in the arena and rode for a bit more, just asking for some basice obedience.
The best part was when I halted and asked for a rein back. He kept his head nicely down and stepped back about five lovely lateral backing strides, then moved forward as soon as I asked him to. At that, I dismounted and called it a night.
A ride and a half isn't too bad when the half ends well.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Monday, November 09, 2009
Three Outs
Lovely Day For A Hack or Three
Yesterday, Sunday, was booked up with singing and lunch. I only went out with the choir crowd because an old friend was dropping by. That took up enough of the afternoon after church that I had to get home in time to check my dress out for the evening.
I was singing, dressed in a colonial gown, at a speech on slavery in New Jersey presented by my good partner in preservation, James. His daughter was singing one song, and I two to accompany his talk. James and I have done this before, so despite its being a last minute request, it was easy to do. It was a great evening.
Today, the weather was warm again, and dry. I put the Boys out in the morning, let them enjoy the sunshine and went out later in the afternoon to ride.
Tcuker was up first, and I worked him just for a short time in the arena. He may be a little "off" on his left front, but if so, it is so slight, I hardly notice it. It may be my paranoia, but until I am sure, I don't want to work him too hard. The better part of it was that he was just fine to canter on both leads. Whatever was bothering him in the hind end doesn't seem to be a problem now.
Then, I took him out on a hack in the woods. The leaves were crunchy underfoot and the air was delightfully warm in the fading sun. It was a perfect ride.
Chance and I worked next with a solid little session in the arena. My goal was first to work him until he stopped trying to bend his way to the gate going out to the woods. He will either try to go to the gate or slow down almost to a stop when we get there, making it really obvious that he wants to go out on a hack. The second part of the goal was to start getting him more reliably soft on the rein. He tends to lean on his right rein and shoulder, so I did some suppling to work that out a bit. Once I had made some headway on both goals, I headed out for a nice ride through the woods.
When I got back to the barn, Toby was making it clear that he too wanted some attention by coming into the aisle of the barn every time I left a stall gate open. On the second entry, I put a halter on him, finished up with Chance and then saddled up. Truth be told, Toby seemed quite pleased to be a part of the action.
Out on the trails, Toby was the perfect gentleman, quite unlike the other day when I had to take him home on foot. He was settled down before we left as the other two Boys were hanging around close by, and when we left, Tucker was in the arena, supervising as we went out the gate.
Beautiful weather and three good horses to ride. It was definitely a worthwhile day.
I've left Tucker out for the evening. The mud is drying up, although it's not all gone, but I am hoping he will keep his shoe on in the meantime.
Yesterday, Sunday, was booked up with singing and lunch. I only went out with the choir crowd because an old friend was dropping by. That took up enough of the afternoon after church that I had to get home in time to check my dress out for the evening.
I was singing, dressed in a colonial gown, at a speech on slavery in New Jersey presented by my good partner in preservation, James. His daughter was singing one song, and I two to accompany his talk. James and I have done this before, so despite its being a last minute request, it was easy to do. It was a great evening.
Today, the weather was warm again, and dry. I put the Boys out in the morning, let them enjoy the sunshine and went out later in the afternoon to ride.
Tcuker was up first, and I worked him just for a short time in the arena. He may be a little "off" on his left front, but if so, it is so slight, I hardly notice it. It may be my paranoia, but until I am sure, I don't want to work him too hard. The better part of it was that he was just fine to canter on both leads. Whatever was bothering him in the hind end doesn't seem to be a problem now.
Then, I took him out on a hack in the woods. The leaves were crunchy underfoot and the air was delightfully warm in the fading sun. It was a perfect ride.
Chance and I worked next with a solid little session in the arena. My goal was first to work him until he stopped trying to bend his way to the gate going out to the woods. He will either try to go to the gate or slow down almost to a stop when we get there, making it really obvious that he wants to go out on a hack. The second part of the goal was to start getting him more reliably soft on the rein. He tends to lean on his right rein and shoulder, so I did some suppling to work that out a bit. Once I had made some headway on both goals, I headed out for a nice ride through the woods.
When I got back to the barn, Toby was making it clear that he too wanted some attention by coming into the aisle of the barn every time I left a stall gate open. On the second entry, I put a halter on him, finished up with Chance and then saddled up. Truth be told, Toby seemed quite pleased to be a part of the action.
Out on the trails, Toby was the perfect gentleman, quite unlike the other day when I had to take him home on foot. He was settled down before we left as the other two Boys were hanging around close by, and when we left, Tucker was in the arena, supervising as we went out the gate.
Beautiful weather and three good horses to ride. It was definitely a worthwhile day.
I've left Tucker out for the evening. The mud is drying up, although it's not all gone, but I am hoping he will keep his shoe on in the meantime.
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Well, Maybe Sound
Just a Hint of a Limp...Maybe
Chiropractic and physical therapy again this morning--I go twice a week. Then, after doing nothing for an hour or three, I headed to the feed store to stock up on grain and some shavings.
Came home, unloaded the truck and decided to do some lungeing, since I really don't like to ride after an adjustment.
I took Tucker out first. He looked essentially sound on that front foot, but I say "essentially" because every now and then I thought I saw a little head nod. I am sure when he pulled that shoe the second time he probably did some damage to the hoof wall and it may well be growing down so that every now and then he feels something. He looked super going in the other direction, so whatever it is is on inside of his hoof. At any rate I gave him a full lungeing session, and he didn't object.
Toby kept walking away, very clearly letting me know he wanted no part of any kind of work, so I let him be.
Chance bopped right over and practically stuck his head in the halter. But despite his rather eager surface work ethic, once he gets out on the line he doesn't make any extra effort. He takes this nice little steady trot and prefers his special little collected canter on the left lead. On the right, the canter is not as well balanced, so he goes faster, but I must say he doesn't expend a lot of energy unless I chase him. Tonight, I didn't bother too much. He was just too cute for words.
Fed them all and just remembered I forgot to give the working boys their extra treats. When I go out for late feed I will make up for it by giving everyone an apple.
Weather has been super and looks to stay that way for at least the next week!
Chiropractic and physical therapy again this morning--I go twice a week. Then, after doing nothing for an hour or three, I headed to the feed store to stock up on grain and some shavings.
Came home, unloaded the truck and decided to do some lungeing, since I really don't like to ride after an adjustment.
I took Tucker out first. He looked essentially sound on that front foot, but I say "essentially" because every now and then I thought I saw a little head nod. I am sure when he pulled that shoe the second time he probably did some damage to the hoof wall and it may well be growing down so that every now and then he feels something. He looked super going in the other direction, so whatever it is is on inside of his hoof. At any rate I gave him a full lungeing session, and he didn't object.
Toby kept walking away, very clearly letting me know he wanted no part of any kind of work, so I let him be.
Chance bopped right over and practically stuck his head in the halter. But despite his rather eager surface work ethic, once he gets out on the line he doesn't make any extra effort. He takes this nice little steady trot and prefers his special little collected canter on the left lead. On the right, the canter is not as well balanced, so he goes faster, but I must say he doesn't expend a lot of energy unless I chase him. Tonight, I didn't bother too much. He was just too cute for words.
Fed them all and just remembered I forgot to give the working boys their extra treats. When I go out for late feed I will make up for it by giving everyone an apple.
Weather has been super and looks to stay that way for at least the next week!
Friday, November 06, 2009
A Little Worrisome
Windy Afternoon
It was rather windy most of the day, enough to put me off from being outside since the temperature was in the 40's. But then, my friend Shelley called to tell me she was going to stop by to pick up some scenery I had stored in my attic, so that set me to a quick cleaning frenzy, doing all the things that needed doing within about two hours.
When Shelley arrived, I had the scenery (A painted drop--which is a huge piece of fabric painted with a background for a play) downstairs waiting for her. So we were able to have a nice little visit.
I'd gotten the call from the doctor, scheduling my surgery for December 3, so at least that mystery is solved. As usual, there are tests to be done and I have to get a clearance from my primary doctor as well, so more time and effort will be consumed on all of this.
I finally went out later in the afternoon as it looked as if the wind had died down and I was hoping to take the Boys out for some hacks in the woods. But I was wrong, it was still windy. So I decided to play with Tucker and Chance in the arena. I got the lunge whip and popped it at them and before you could take a breath, they were off, romping around in circles, and occasionally free jumping the little jump. Every time I simply stood there, they stood looking at me, waiting for me to send them off again for a free lunge session. They easily could have gone out to the pasture to get away, but both of them stayed in the confines of the arena, running and playing.
When I dropped the whip, they both came over to me for a little cuddle and, of course, whatever treats I had stashed in my pocket. I'd kept Toby out of this by letting him into the area by the barn and he seemed quite content just to watch.
But the "worrisome" in the title? I thought I saw Tucker limping when I let him out into the barn paddock. So I got the lunge line, put it on him and took him back out to the arena. Sure enough, he was limping on the same leg where he'd pulled that shoe weeks ago. When Scott was here to shoe he said he still felt some heat in that foot so it is possible something is brewing and all the running around aggravated it. Or, he might have just hit something or taken a bad step and temporarily done something. He will be in his stall all night anyhow, so I'll just see how he is in the morning.
As the sun sank lower on the horizon, the wind died down at last so I saddled up Chance to take him on a hack. Chance is the first horse I've ever had who moves faster on the way out than on the way back. His enthusiasm for trail rides is quite obvious as he wants to trot out the gate. We took it easy for the most part as in places the footing was a little slippery. We took the upper trail on the way to the lake and circled back into the woods for a nice little change of pace.
Nice ride and we got back home just as the sun started to set. Darkness falls quickly this time of year, but I did have enough time to poo pick the arena before the light faded.
Another day with "things" accomplished.
It was rather windy most of the day, enough to put me off from being outside since the temperature was in the 40's. But then, my friend Shelley called to tell me she was going to stop by to pick up some scenery I had stored in my attic, so that set me to a quick cleaning frenzy, doing all the things that needed doing within about two hours.
When Shelley arrived, I had the scenery (A painted drop--which is a huge piece of fabric painted with a background for a play) downstairs waiting for her. So we were able to have a nice little visit.
I'd gotten the call from the doctor, scheduling my surgery for December 3, so at least that mystery is solved. As usual, there are tests to be done and I have to get a clearance from my primary doctor as well, so more time and effort will be consumed on all of this.
I finally went out later in the afternoon as it looked as if the wind had died down and I was hoping to take the Boys out for some hacks in the woods. But I was wrong, it was still windy. So I decided to play with Tucker and Chance in the arena. I got the lunge whip and popped it at them and before you could take a breath, they were off, romping around in circles, and occasionally free jumping the little jump. Every time I simply stood there, they stood looking at me, waiting for me to send them off again for a free lunge session. They easily could have gone out to the pasture to get away, but both of them stayed in the confines of the arena, running and playing.
When I dropped the whip, they both came over to me for a little cuddle and, of course, whatever treats I had stashed in my pocket. I'd kept Toby out of this by letting him into the area by the barn and he seemed quite content just to watch.
But the "worrisome" in the title? I thought I saw Tucker limping when I let him out into the barn paddock. So I got the lunge line, put it on him and took him back out to the arena. Sure enough, he was limping on the same leg where he'd pulled that shoe weeks ago. When Scott was here to shoe he said he still felt some heat in that foot so it is possible something is brewing and all the running around aggravated it. Or, he might have just hit something or taken a bad step and temporarily done something. He will be in his stall all night anyhow, so I'll just see how he is in the morning.
As the sun sank lower on the horizon, the wind died down at last so I saddled up Chance to take him on a hack. Chance is the first horse I've ever had who moves faster on the way out than on the way back. His enthusiasm for trail rides is quite obvious as he wants to trot out the gate. We took it easy for the most part as in places the footing was a little slippery. We took the upper trail on the way to the lake and circled back into the woods for a nice little change of pace.
Nice ride and we got back home just as the sun started to set. Darkness falls quickly this time of year, but I did have enough time to poo pick the arena before the light faded.
Another day with "things" accomplished.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Thanks Everyone
Good Wishes and Advice Always Appreciated
Still no word on the date of my operation, so I am waiting.
In answer to comments, I will have to have the full incision, not laparoscopic surgery. I did discuss this with my surgeon, but apparently I am not a good candidate. However, according to the doctor, the basic full recovery time is the same, I guess the hospital stay is just a little longer.
I ended up just lungeing Tucker and Chance today. I set up a little jump--about a foot just for variety. When I was working Tucker, Chance was still in the arena as I hadn't been able to easily herd him out when I brought them all in for the work.
For the most part, he stayed out of the way until I switched directions with Tucker. Then Mr. Chancypants decided to start romping around the arena. Bless Tucker's heart that he hardly reacted at all to the galloping idiot. But what was cute was that Chance jumped the little jump all on his own three or four times, with lots of extra air time! He was really soaring as if he were trying to show off.
Still, Tucker ignored him...good boy, and when he jumped, he kept his composure and did some nice relaxed work.
I lunged Chance anyhow, despite his solo exercise routine. Again, the funny thing with him is that he far prefers his neat little canter to trotting, so I had to check him up a few times to keep the trot. Trot builds muscle and canter develops stamina, so he needs lots of trot to gain strength. I do love his canter, though, so seeing him so willing to offer it is nice. And, he's pretty good about taking the correct lead nowadays.
After I finished the lunge work, I cleaned out under the run in roof on Chance's side, so that looks a lot better.
Not exactly what had planned, but still something worthwhile finished for the day.
Still no word on the date of my operation, so I am waiting.
In answer to comments, I will have to have the full incision, not laparoscopic surgery. I did discuss this with my surgeon, but apparently I am not a good candidate. However, according to the doctor, the basic full recovery time is the same, I guess the hospital stay is just a little longer.
I ended up just lungeing Tucker and Chance today. I set up a little jump--about a foot just for variety. When I was working Tucker, Chance was still in the arena as I hadn't been able to easily herd him out when I brought them all in for the work.
For the most part, he stayed out of the way until I switched directions with Tucker. Then Mr. Chancypants decided to start romping around the arena. Bless Tucker's heart that he hardly reacted at all to the galloping idiot. But what was cute was that Chance jumped the little jump all on his own three or four times, with lots of extra air time! He was really soaring as if he were trying to show off.
Still, Tucker ignored him...good boy, and when he jumped, he kept his composure and did some nice relaxed work.
I lunged Chance anyhow, despite his solo exercise routine. Again, the funny thing with him is that he far prefers his neat little canter to trotting, so I had to check him up a few times to keep the trot. Trot builds muscle and canter develops stamina, so he needs lots of trot to gain strength. I do love his canter, though, so seeing him so willing to offer it is nice. And, he's pretty good about taking the correct lead nowadays.
After I finished the lunge work, I cleaned out under the run in roof on Chance's side, so that looks a lot better.
Not exactly what had planned, but still something worthwhile finished for the day.
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Medical Leave
AM and PM
Doctors all day today. Chiro and physical therapy in the morning and my surgeon in the afternoon.
Nothing to report on the horse front, except that I will probably not be able to do much work for four weeks after my surgery--hysterectomy. Joy, joy. Don't know when it will be yet, but perhaps I will in a day or so.
My friend Donna, who lives not to far away, said she will be able to help with the horses. These are the times when having knowledgeable horse people in the area really makes a difference. Hopefully I can work it out to be a minimal imposition on her.
I figure I should be able to do most of the basic feeding. I don't have to carry hay bales, just flakes, and as long as the grain is in an accessible place that's OK too. Watering is another problem, but an addional hose the barn will help out there. I have one hooked up to the outside trough by the run in, so I need another one for the outside tub in the arena. It will be fine if all is taken care of before things start to freeze up.
So, complications at Follywood seem to be building, but so far it looks as if all will cope well with the situation.
Hope the weather holds tomorrow. Things seem to be drying out a little. I might be able to get some chores done and work a horse or two, or three.
Doctors all day today. Chiro and physical therapy in the morning and my surgeon in the afternoon.
Nothing to report on the horse front, except that I will probably not be able to do much work for four weeks after my surgery--hysterectomy. Joy, joy. Don't know when it will be yet, but perhaps I will in a day or so.
My friend Donna, who lives not to far away, said she will be able to help with the horses. These are the times when having knowledgeable horse people in the area really makes a difference. Hopefully I can work it out to be a minimal imposition on her.
I figure I should be able to do most of the basic feeding. I don't have to carry hay bales, just flakes, and as long as the grain is in an accessible place that's OK too. Watering is another problem, but an addional hose the barn will help out there. I have one hooked up to the outside trough by the run in, so I need another one for the outside tub in the arena. It will be fine if all is taken care of before things start to freeze up.
So, complications at Follywood seem to be building, but so far it looks as if all will cope well with the situation.
Hope the weather holds tomorrow. Things seem to be drying out a little. I might be able to get some chores done and work a horse or two, or three.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Bouncy, Jouncy, Fun, Fun, Fun
The Wonderful Thing About Toby is He's the Only One!!
Ok, gorgeous day, at last, sunny an warmish. Election Day, so I needed to go vote, and on the way home I dropped off some bags of clothing in the Red Cross charity bins.
I decided to ride any horse that came my way, and to my surprise, Toby let me catch him almost at once. I guess he wanted some attention. I lured Chance and Tucker out to the pasture with some hay cubes and locked them out there so I could use the arena without being molested.
I decided to take Toby out for a hack in the woods. While he was standing on the crossties, he was whinnying and dancing around because his buddies were out of sight. I should have heeded the warning. We headed out and were about five minutes into the ride when the bouncy, whinnying prelude came to full head. What you must understand is that Toby has tossed me off before with his nonsense. He has an even bigger buck than Tucker and adds an athletic twist for good measure. He was lifting off even at a standstill and though I tried to circle him to settle him back down, I wasn't having any luck. I finally dismounted for my own safety's sake.
I led him the rest of the way, not letting him stop to nibble on anything all the way home. Once back, I mounted up in the arena and gave him a workout. It wasn't long, but I did a lot of circles and changes of direction, over and over. Then, I took him back out for the mini-loop trail just behind the barn and he was fine. All the frantic behavior had stopped, so I accomplished something.
I rode Chance next, with a moderate workout in the arena as a start. This for training, and also because he kept trying to go out the gate to the woods. I actually got some nice work from him, although he still can be difficult to get down on the bit with consistency. But he does feel quite nice when he's "there."
We went for a hack afterwards and this time, for the first time, I decided to take him around the cornfield. Nothing too dramatic, or so I thought. But, as if turned out, there were a number of "scary things" to negotiate--a big truck parked across the trail so we had to detour, some pipes, various farm equipment, traffic going by on the road, and a camper trailer. I am pleased to report that the worst Chance did when faced with these "things I have never seen before" was stop and stare until he was sure nothing was jumping out at him. Then he went on by.
A good horse by all accounts.
I finished up with Tucker, but by that time I was pretty worn out and my knees were hurting. I gave him a short school in the arena, pleased to find him quite willing to canter off the aid without any protests. I ended the session with some canter/trot one stride change/canter, once again starting the basics for the flying changes. I will definitely have to develop his canter more before I actually attempt to school them and I also need to be sure that whatever physical issues that have been bothering him in the hind end are resolved. If it is his hocks, I don't want to stress him unnecessarily.
Then I took him out for a mini hack on the trail loop behind the barn. I was heading back when I suddenly realized I wasn't wearing my helmet!! I had a winter head thingie on under my helmet when I rode the other two Boys, but something in it was rubbing, so I'd taken off my helmet when I was grooming Tuck and I'd forgotten to put it back on! Paranoia struck hard, and in about two more strides I dismounted and simply led him back the rest of the way.
I never want to be on a horse without my helmet and somehow I'd managed to ride Tucker the whole time without one. Thank heavens nothing happened. Id been lulled into a false sense of security by my head covering. Since I've been riding without anything under my helmet all season long, I simply felt something on my head and thought I was OK.
Mental note to self....DO NOT DO THAT AGAIN!!!
Ok, gorgeous day, at last, sunny an warmish. Election Day, so I needed to go vote, and on the way home I dropped off some bags of clothing in the Red Cross charity bins.
I decided to ride any horse that came my way, and to my surprise, Toby let me catch him almost at once. I guess he wanted some attention. I lured Chance and Tucker out to the pasture with some hay cubes and locked them out there so I could use the arena without being molested.
I decided to take Toby out for a hack in the woods. While he was standing on the crossties, he was whinnying and dancing around because his buddies were out of sight. I should have heeded the warning. We headed out and were about five minutes into the ride when the bouncy, whinnying prelude came to full head. What you must understand is that Toby has tossed me off before with his nonsense. He has an even bigger buck than Tucker and adds an athletic twist for good measure. He was lifting off even at a standstill and though I tried to circle him to settle him back down, I wasn't having any luck. I finally dismounted for my own safety's sake.
I led him the rest of the way, not letting him stop to nibble on anything all the way home. Once back, I mounted up in the arena and gave him a workout. It wasn't long, but I did a lot of circles and changes of direction, over and over. Then, I took him back out for the mini-loop trail just behind the barn and he was fine. All the frantic behavior had stopped, so I accomplished something.
I rode Chance next, with a moderate workout in the arena as a start. This for training, and also because he kept trying to go out the gate to the woods. I actually got some nice work from him, although he still can be difficult to get down on the bit with consistency. But he does feel quite nice when he's "there."
We went for a hack afterwards and this time, for the first time, I decided to take him around the cornfield. Nothing too dramatic, or so I thought. But, as if turned out, there were a number of "scary things" to negotiate--a big truck parked across the trail so we had to detour, some pipes, various farm equipment, traffic going by on the road, and a camper trailer. I am pleased to report that the worst Chance did when faced with these "things I have never seen before" was stop and stare until he was sure nothing was jumping out at him. Then he went on by.
A good horse by all accounts.
I finished up with Tucker, but by that time I was pretty worn out and my knees were hurting. I gave him a short school in the arena, pleased to find him quite willing to canter off the aid without any protests. I ended the session with some canter/trot one stride change/canter, once again starting the basics for the flying changes. I will definitely have to develop his canter more before I actually attempt to school them and I also need to be sure that whatever physical issues that have been bothering him in the hind end are resolved. If it is his hocks, I don't want to stress him unnecessarily.
Then I took him out for a mini hack on the trail loop behind the barn. I was heading back when I suddenly realized I wasn't wearing my helmet!! I had a winter head thingie on under my helmet when I rode the other two Boys, but something in it was rubbing, so I'd taken off my helmet when I was grooming Tuck and I'd forgotten to put it back on! Paranoia struck hard, and in about two more strides I dismounted and simply led him back the rest of the way.
I never want to be on a horse without my helmet and somehow I'd managed to ride Tucker the whole time without one. Thank heavens nothing happened. Id been lulled into a false sense of security by my head covering. Since I've been riding without anything under my helmet all season long, I simply felt something on my head and thought I was OK.
Mental note to self....DO NOT DO THAT AGAIN!!!
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