Back Under Saddle

Speedy hasn't had a dressage ride since October 2nd, almost two months ago. He did pack me around the neighborhood once right after that, and I did have that fun bareback ride on him last month, but aside from that, he's been too lame to really ride.

I have finally resigned myself to the fact that Speedy probably won't ever show at Second Level. Every time I get him schooling the movements, he re-injures himself in his stall or turn out. It's the same old injury that has plagued him for several years - he whirls and paces the fence when he loses a buddy (even though other horses are very nearby), and then he tweaks something in the right front foot.

I've given up taking him to the vet because without a standing MRI, the vet just can't diagnosis it accurately. Whatever it is (farrier thinks bruising), Speedy presents as accurately lame for one or two days and then the lameness slowly fades over a ten day period, and then he's sound again. 

For the past two months, we've had a few horses go and come and go again. Each time Speedy got sound, someone would leave triggering the cycle all over again. It's frustrating because he choose the one horse that he adores and ignores everyone else. He currently shares space with Willie who has gone and come back. Even though the two boys share a fence with three other horses, Speedy goes nuts whirling and pacing if Willie is out to be groomed or with the farrier.

For the past several weeks, Speedy has been accompanying Izzy up to the arena where he waits tied to the fence. He's also been led around the property with Evelyn aboard. I've been watching him closely, and last night, I decided that he once again looked sound enough for a real ride.

I saddled him and hacked around the neighborhood. Even after so many weeks (months) without being worked, he was perfectly behaved. We ended up on the old golf course where I decided to see just how sound he really felt. I asked him to pick up a trot which he did happily. We trotted around for a minute or two and then rolled into a nice little canter.

He was sound both directions at all gaits. I texted Chemaine and told her to add Speedy to this weekend's clinic schedule. If you're local, contact me if you'd like to audit or come over for a ride with Chemaine. Hopefully I'll be riding both horses, but if not, Speedy will at least be part of the action as he hangs out with Izzy keeping him company.