Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Contemplation

And a Sore Back

Considering Tucker's erratic behavior, I am more than suspicious that his ulcer issue is acting up again. This is not an excuse for his behavior yesterday with the buck, but rather an explanation.

I will treat him with a month of omeprazole and see if that changes his overall demeanor. He is sensitive to be touched in the barn and pushy about his feed. His overall attitude borders on the aggressive side, but I don't really have a problem handling him. But he has been a much kinder boy in the past, so it could well be something is bothering him physically.

He will never be one of those "anyone can ride him" kind of horses. It's not in his nature. But he has been better than this in the past. You'd think at 14 he should have grown up a bit. No such luck. Guess he's one of those perpetual juveniles.

It's OK. I'm a retired high school teacher. I'm used to it.

I went to the chiropractor this morning. It was no surprise to find out my back was pretty messed up. The upper back was worse, actually, probably due to the whiplash impact when I hit the branch. My sacroilliac is sore, probably from the landing. Suffice it to say there were more vertebrae that needed adjusting than ones that were fine.

I'm feeling quite a bit better now.  My nose is rather sore and I have scratches on my face here and there. I'm a bit surprised there is no gigantic bruise and consider myself lucky nothing hit me near my eyes. My riding helmet may have helped that.  Once again, I advocate riding with a helmet at all times, and this accident was proof positive of why it can be so important. A blow to the naked head with a tree branch would have been far more serious.

Tomorrow it's supposed to again be bitter cold. It's just as well, since that means I won't be interested in riding.

Friday, I have a follow up at the chiropractor, so that's a good thing too. Another adjustment, some icing, and therapy may be just what I need.

Hopefully I'll be able to ride on the weekend when the weather promises to return to the road to Spring.

I will not take Tucker out on the trail.

Promise.

5 comments:

  1. I'm glad you're starting to feel a bit better. Hope a few days of rest time will help. I'm sure you'll get to the bottom of what's bothering Tucker. Hope you're well enough to get back in the saddle soon.

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  2. Anonymous6:27 AM

    Glad you're feeling better. Ulcers are a real possibility and the treatment should give you an answer. Amen on the helmets. I don't take Dawn on the trail for the same reason - she's just too reactive and I can't hope to ride out her possible moves.

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  3. just catching up with you today; sorry to hear about your fall and injury .....but good news about nordisk. don't think i'd have been trying that ride!

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  4. you might want to replace your helmet...

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  5. Yep, ALWAYS ride with a helmet. I used to hate wearing glasses, but ever since I started riding, I've been glad a few times I've had them on. They've saved me from being stabbed in the eyes. I like my glasses and my helmet!
    - The Equestrian Vagabond

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