A good ride today.

It absolutely poured down rain today, so we were confined in the covered arena.  While I really LOVE having a covered arena to ride in on days like today, the tight turns make it not very hospitable to a horse who is recovering from a stifle injury.  Regardless, we made the best out of a less than ideal situation…. walked several laps to warm up, and he was actually on the bit and attentive.  Probably more due to the wind and cooler weather than me. LOL!!  Then we trotted about 7 minutes in each direction – but only on the straight sides. We walked the turns. 

He had no stifle issues, but he did have several compliments on how great he looked!

I think we are getting there, slowly but surely.

More rain overnight, so the possibility of a long walk thru the pastures is probably out of the question for the morning – so I’m planning on putting down a couple of poles on the straight sides and working on those muscles!

Tomorrow

Tomorrow, I’m taking some advice and going on a very long walk with my pony.   He’s been worked pretty heavily this week.  He had Wednesday off, and that’s it.  He was injected on Thursday, had Friday off per the Vet, and then has been worked every day since (other than Wednesday, which I let him have off)  Of course, if it’s pouring down rain tomorrow, we might have to revamp our plans.  It’s spring in the south!!

Koda’s Injury

About 6 weeks ago, Koda was diagnosed with a random stifle injury. We have no idea how he did it… he was perfectly sound one day and then lame the next.  You can see his lameness here – note the toe dragging, the paddling, and the crowhopping!

The vet was out (of course) – and she watched him go and performed a flexion – and the stifle definitely showed lameness (but not a drastic lameness rate) when it was isolated. She recommended a shot of legend, and a week of banamine and rest.  

After the week of rest, he was still off.  Still crowhopping, still favoring that left hind.  He resisted even weight bearing at all. So we decided on a course of legend and rest.

He was still “off” slightly and DEFINITELY weak back there as of last thursday, so we went ahead and injected the stifles. He’s doing better this week – and we are working our way up into some serious work to strengthen those muscles!

Saturday was his first day back under saddle after the injections, and he did well.  We trotted 5 minutes each direction, in straight lines.  Lots of walking.

Sunday, same thing… better results this time.

Monday, got up early to beat the heat, and walked two laps in each direction, trotted two laps (no turns) in both directions, then trotted one full lap each direction WITH turns, and then did a series of poles (only 3 in a row) for a few minutes. He did great.

Today, my friend Amanda rode him for me (she’s helping me with this mess – with three kids and school it’s hard for me to guarantee the work schedule he needs right now, so she is taking some heat for me. God bless Amanda!) and I’ll get an update from her tomorrow. He’ll be having tomorrow off.

Keep you posted on his progress…. good thoughts appreciated. I’m ready to have my horsey back!

Koda and Dressage!

Working with Amanda – about a month after starting his dressage work. He’s coming along nicely!

Koda and Amanda

Trying something new

Wow, I’ve been missing from the blogosphere lately. School has started and as always things are crazy around the house. My daughter is really doing well with her riding lessons, and koda has settled onto the new barn wonderfully.

We are currently on our way home from a week in Disney world!! While I have been out of town, I have had my friend emily riding koda for me — and she’s been riding him western pleasure!! Back to his roots. she said he has been doing really well at it, and I can’t wait to watch!!

Bucking at the canter

This is the newest bump in the road with kids. I ask him for the canter, and he does his signature four foot leap/ buck. It’s a huge pain on the ass , mostly because it shatters my self confidence and then I am back at square one – which is probably why he does it. It gets him out of the task at hand. He pulled it again today but I had had my wheaties so instead of letting him get away with it I just made him work thru it and work that much harder. After getting ten strides of a nice canter finally we called of a day.

Baby steps .

Updating from my iphone

My wonderful husband surprised me today with an early anniversary present – an iPhone! I can now update this blog from anywhere….technology is awesome!

The perfect trot.

I got it, briefly, for a few strides at a time… last night.  It was one of those things that happened and all of a sudden for a few moments it was like we were both floating on air.  His knees were flat, his stride nice, impulsion perfect.  We might not have been able to keep it together for very long, but we got it – and it was like the hallelujah chorus opened up and sang down upon us.

I didn’t even canter last night – after that trot, we ended on a good note.  Sometimes it’s just what you have to do.  LOL!!

GO KODA!

So happy.

The new barn is great! Just great.  Koda is settling in well, and I am sure he’ll be even happier once he is out of quarantine.  It’s nice to have him so close to home, with such nice amenities. I still need to get some photos!   We rode today, our second ride at the new place – and he was great.  Listened, and really took care of me, as always.  

It’s about time we get back to work, me and Koda. For the past three months, we have pretty much both been “slack”.  We didn’t get a great deal of time to school with the distance and the fact that there really was no arena suitable for schooling, and when I was out today I FELT it. I am OUT OF SHAPE!!!  I was huffing and puffing, and so was Koda.  So we are in a routine now just trying to beef up our endurance and get ourselves back in to shape.  I need to lose about ten pounds that I have managed to put on without riding, and I need to start exercising again!

So I think as of now we are going to be ridin three times a week, and then I am going to lunge him three times a week – and take better care of myself and see if we can’t get this party started again.

Today we just hacked around and worked on some transition work. I need to wear spurs really, because my leg is just DEAD lately. Ugh.  I suck.

Moving Day!

Koda is all moved in to his new abode. The trailer ride over was uneventful, other than an idiot that was intent to kill us by passing our entire entourage on a curvy double yellow road.  *roll eyes*  I’m hoping to get totally finished moving tomorrow (I only have the basics moved in right now!) and ride!!

So happy to have the boy close to home finally. It’s $$$, but so worth it.

Pictures to come soon!