Speedy's Back! (I think)

Although I shouldn't say that quite so loudly, but I do so with the utmost gratitude and humbleness. It took only a few days before Speedy was sound at the walk, but it was the better part of a week before he was sound at the trot as well.

I've hand walked him every day for two weeks, adding a short trot out down the blacktop each day. I meticulously noted a percentage or grade to indicate his soundness level. At first, he was grade three lame, obvious at the walk. But over the course of the week, his lameness was downgraded to grade one, and then I recorded his degree of soundness at 90%, 95%, 99%, sound with a (?), and then just sound at the trot. 

Goofy horse! I caught him mid-shake and/or sneeze.

My farrier watched him jog out last Tuesday, and while he thought Speedy looked sound, I saw an unevenness to his gait. A few days later, he looked even. On Saturday and Sunday, I lunged him for a few minutes at all three gaits and he still looked good. 

I finally saddled him up on Monday afternoon, but I pulled my stirrups off. I wanted to get a really good feel for his soundness at the sitting trot. It also just felt good to be back in my dressage saddle with a super long leg.

We did some free walk to start out, and Speedy felt 100% sound. His stride was long and even, and he was enthusiastic about moving out. I then asked for a trot which he offered willingly. The more I focused on my position, the less I worried about his soundness. It's easy to feel a lame step when you're trying to find one. I quickly realized that he felt good.

His head and neck aren't really that big ... awkward photo, but he was quite happy to be out moving!

I've cancelled my cancellation of the Christian Schacht Clinic, which means we're going (this weekend!). I did consult with my vet, of course, and he said to ride him. Since he improved so quickly, combined with the fact that we were never 100% certain it was the CL last year, the vet thinks there's no sense wasting time with a healthy horse until he proves that he's not a healthy horse. If he comes up sore, then we know there's something going on with that collateral ligament.  

I really appreciate that my vet didn't over-react. We're taking a "cross that bridge if we get to it" mentality.