Mikey felt like his old self last night. He had a bit of exaggerated hock bending and stiffness when I took him out of his stall, so I was worried about how he'd feel under saddle. He kept that right up until I got him to the mounting block.
Sitting on him last night was bliss. My boy was back. I took up contact and added some leg and off he went into a big swinging walk, nice and through. I trotted him a bit for my trainer, and he never took a bad step. Something was still different feeling behind, but it's not a hitching feeling. My trainer suggested that it might be the lack of shoes behind that I'm feeling, because he looked pretty damn good. No shoes meant the hoof could slide a bit on the grass instead of biting into it, which helped him not catch and jerk his hock when he was playing outside. In riding though, it might be sliding and moving a bit more without the shoe. I'm also not encouraging him to sit behind and just taking whatever he'll give me, so he's kicking his hind legs out behind him much more than I would normally allow.
He was light in my hand, soft, and had those wonderful floppy dressage ears. He was not the clunky, heavy, awkward moving horse he was the night before. The biggest comment from everyone who was out was that it looked like he hadn't had any time off at all. He looked just the same as he did before surgery.
I can deal with it knowing we'll have good days and bad days. No more panicking about the bad days.
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| A great view. |
Now THIS is what I like to hear!
ReplyDeletePig is barefoot, and has been for years. I didn't really notice a different between him shod and him barefoot, because the transition was so long and hard. I remember him having a lot more action in front with his shoes and pads, but I don't remember if he felt different behind. Interesting!
I like to share/have news like this too! I'm glad it happened bad ride then good, otherwise I would have freaked out that I hurt him by riding him, and I'd have been terrified to do anything else with him.
DeleteMikey had just fronts for the first several years I owned him. His feet held up fairly well, and he wasn't working particularly hard. I got a new trainer (the one I have now), and after about a year she suggested hind shoes. He had an increased workload and low heels (maybe? Too many years have passed since then). He got his hind shoes and the difference was immediate. He was much more comfortable sitting for collection and steadier behind. Instead of responding halfheartedly, he started saying, "Ok! Let's do this!" He hasn't been without hind shoes for 7 years now, so I'm sure pulling those and going back to work at the same time takes getting used to, for both of us!
It's so great to have them sound again! I think that I'm going to go crazy if Winn can't go back into action soon.
ReplyDeleteI was so worried he'd never be sound again! His surgeon gave him a 50 to 70% chance of being sound for his 3rd level work and more. I'm fairly sure he'll stay sound as long as we give him a long time to rehab back to his old work level. I hope Winn will be sound soon!
DeleteIt's so great to have them sound again! I think that I'm going to go crazy if Winn can't go back into action soon.
ReplyDelete