Day 18 of 180

I've been a bit quiet on the Speedy front; not because anything bad has happened, but there hasn't been much to report, which is actually a good thing.

I am following Dr. Carter Judy's 180 day plan. Friday was day 18 which means we are ten percent of the way through the rest and rehabilitation cycle. So far, it has been a piece of a cake.

When I first heard the sentence, 180 days/6 months, I was horrified. What would I do? How would I spend my time? Little did I know that Sydney would blossom with those three extra days a week of riding. I hate that his progress has come at Speedy's expense, but thankfully, Speedy's R&R time hasn't left me feeling down and out.

Speedy has been hand walked every single day, which he actually enjoys. When I pull up, he begins singing to me immediately. He loves the quick groom and time to walk and graze. So far, the walks have been about keeping his mind happy and not about working any part of his body. I pick a new "route" each day, and we walk and graze for 20 - 30 minutes.

I always give him a few minutes to just graze around the barn area. He's pretty good about not wandering off. Although some days, he can be a bit of a stinker!

Friday was one of those days!

Since the day we came back from the vet, he hasn't taken a single lame step. He's pretty well behaved in his smaller stall, and he's eating just as slowly as ever, which is a great thing as I worried that he would begin to gobble his food out of boredom. Nope, he still nibbles throughout the day and always has leftover hay by the time I arrive.

He's doing well in the smaller stall.

He's also still getting his aspirin each day, but I have cut the beet pulp and rice bran down to the smallest amount possible. He certainly doesn't need those extra calories so he gets just enough to serve as a vehicle for the powdered aspirin.

Overall, the layoff is going smoothly; Speedy's getting the time off he needs, Sydney's getting a lot of under saddle time, and I don't feel as though I am missing out on my pony time.

Next report at 20%, day 36.