Speedy's Back!

I haven't looked at my calendar to be sure, but I think Speedy's little hoof issue put him out of commission for two and a half months. Dr. Tolley did clear him for regular riding two weeks ago, but I was too sick to ride. So actually, the hoof thing was really only a two-month set back. Whatever. He's green-lighted now! 

Grouchy as always!

While I was sick, I made it out to the barn once and that was with my husband driving and the timer set. I had permission to feed a couple of carrots, stroke a few noses, and get back in the truck. When we got home, I took a two-hour nap. 

I tried to go to the barn on Saturday, but after grocery shopping, I found that I was so exhausted that I needed another two-hour nap. On Sunday morning, I exerted zero energy as I waited for the day to warm up. I wanted to make sure that I could get to the barn.

Taking a sneaky nip at me - again, typical Speedy.

Speedy was certainly glad to see me; Izzy couldn't care less. Since Speedy is the more dependable of the two, I felt safer hopping up on him in my less-than-fit state. After a rough groom - my lungs couldn't handle a full brush down, I saddled him up and headed up to the arena.

It's amazing how such an old routine can feel brand new when you've been away for a while. My smile got bigger and bigger as I trod that familiar path. After doing an abbreviated version of my stretch routine, I climbed aboard. After nearly three weeks out of the saddle, I felt a bit wobbly up there and was doubly glad I hadn't opted to ride the big brown horse!

He finally caved and agreed to look somewhat cheerful.

We spent twenty minutes just walking. You can do a lot at the walk however. We did some leg yields, haunches in, and turns on the haunches. When I felt that he was as supple as he was going to be. We did our first trot under saddle; it's been more than two months since we've done any trot work.

Speedy was quite game for the work. As we crossed the diagonal, he automatically offered a small lengthening. I giggled the whole way. We finished off the ride with a rein-back. Since he did it so nicely, I patted his neck and got off.

Speedy will need a few weeks to get back into fighting trim, but since I am still not 100% either, we can get there together. Oh, and when I got home, I took yet another two-hour nap!