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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Speedy Update

3/24/2014

 
Time is simply flying by me. I am never caught up and feel as though I am just barely hanging on. For Speedy, that is a GREAT thing. I haven't worried about his recovery for one second. In fact, most of the time I forget that he's on the disabled list at all.

When I show up at the barn, I toss Sydney his flake of hay and then Speedy gets my full attention for the next thirty minutes. The small bit of thrush he was developing is well under control, largely due to the fact I have started picking out his feet before we take our walk. I am pretty thorough about it, too. Once his toes are freshly picked out, he usually gets a quick groom, and then we're off.

Last Tuesday was day 36, 20% of the way through the recover/re-hab timeline. I meant to do an update then, but as I mentioned, time got away from me. We've hand walked every day (except one) for more than 40 days. By this next weekend, we can begin under saddle work, at the walk only, for the next 6 weeks. I am not really looking forward to that as he is going to be really bored, and probably naughty. At least right now he gets to graze and sniff and paw at whatever catches his fancy. A couple of days in a row he even rolled in some sand along the road that had been freshly drug by the tractor.  

I have several routes that I follow for our daily walk. On Thursday we walked down to the river because it was fairly warm (low 80s), and I thought he might enjoy playing in the water; take a look.
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Somebody is getting fat, and somebody's butt looks big!
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We have a hard time leaving the yard ...
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The dry lot in the background belongs to the neighbor.
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The property across the street is owned by a very generous couple who allow us access.
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Speedy ALMOST managed to drag me in with him!
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Watching the ducks fly off along the Kern River.
Amanda link
3/23/2014 11:37:48 pm

He looks happy!

Bakersfield Dressage link
3/25/2014 10:26:00 am

Hard not be be when your life involves no work and all play. :0) He's quite the lazy boy by nature and seem to be quite in love with his new lifestyle!

SprinklerBandit
3/24/2014 12:47:03 am

What a cool place to have access to. :-)

Bakersfield Dressage link
3/25/2014 10:27:20 am

The Kern River is the center of Bakersfield's equestrian community, such as it is. Just two or three miles to the west is a nice trail system that cover at least 10 - 15 miles.

Hannah link
3/24/2014 01:06:58 am

I think there is a lot to be said for being too busy to fuss over one that just needs time to heal. I am a total control freak worrier, so I understand why people do it, but I always wonder how many healing processes suffer from an owner with too much time on their hands now that they can’t ride and constantly checking/testing the horse to see if he’s improved yet from five minutes ago… Speedy looks fantastic. :)

Bakersfield Dressage link
3/25/2014 10:21:18 am

Agreed! I know that poking and prodding does more harm than good. Unfortunately, this isn't my first rehab. Each time I've had to do this, I try to find other ways to spend my time. Having a second horse always helps. :0)

Lauren link
3/24/2014 01:57:11 am

It's good when time flies by during a rehab period! He certainly looks no worse for the wear :)

Bakersfield Dressage link
3/25/2014 10:28:02 am

Absolutely! And yes, he's pretty darn happy about the whole "no work" thing!

Bakersfield Dressage link
3/25/2014 10:29:46 am

Oops … wanted to add … but I make sure to spend a good 30 minutes a day with him so that he still feels as though he has a place in my life. Arabs are quite sensitive to their people and need to feel needed. He loves me to death and is happy to see me and do whatever little "game" I have in store for him, even if it is just grazing and walking.

Austen link
3/24/2014 02:20:40 am

Such a pretty boy! There's a lot to be said, therapeutically, for standing in running water, I think. The cold and the light pressure probably feel pretty good to him!

Bakersfield Dressage link
3/25/2014 10:23:12 am

if our water water was "cold" and "running," I would agree! Our water is actually daily warm and runs rather slowly! It was more to stimulate his brain than for any therapeutic effect. :0)

Karley link
3/24/2014 06:28:27 am

Time flying by in rehab is the best!!

What a awesome local you have!

Bakersfield Dressage link
3/25/2014 10:24:46 am

Maybe I am only showing you the "good" parts? We do have some lovely areas, but they're actually quite small. I see some of what you all have and think, if only!

Sarah link
3/27/2014 09:37:32 pm

I must have missed it, what happened to him? :( Hopefully he continues to recover well!

Bakersfield Dressage link
3/27/2014 10:21:10 pm

The story starts here … http://www.bakersfielddressage.com/1/post/2014/02/whats-wrong-with-speedy-g-part-1.html


Comments are closed.

    About the Writer and Rider

    ​I am a lifelong rider. 
    I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.
    ​Welcome to my dressage journey.
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    Photo by Lori Ovanessian

    About Speedy G

    ​Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
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    July 2020 (PC AJSK Photography)

    About Izzy

    Izzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
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    Speedy G - 3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
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    Speedy G - 2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018

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Site Designed and Managed by: Karen Sweaney

Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home