Friday, December 10, 2021
Happiness is ... Back in the Saddle Again!!
It has been three months since the ankle injury and today I got back in the saddle! We went for a simple walk but it felt great! The new bigger mounting block helped with mounting and I was able to just dismount by slipping off onto the good right leg. Frank was a gentleman and was happy to just walk around the back fields. The ankle feels OK just does not bend right and I really can't put much weight in that stirrup but I can't tell you how wonderful it felt to ride. Three months has seemed forever! The best Christmas present is one's health!
Saturday, November 27, 2021
Riding...sorta!
Monday, November 15, 2021
Hand walking ....
I was fit enough to watch the grandkids for the weekend! These two little ones are a joy to have around and if I can't ride, then I'll happily be Grandma. Handwalking is going well. This is two months post injury and the ankle break seems stable enough to take steps even without the cane. The doc says no boot by December so I ordered a "big" mounting block. Shipper said they are having supply chain problems so ... fingers crossed, soon to be back in the saddle. Friends are keeping the horses fit and I, meanwhile, discovered Tik Tok! There are some really hilarious, stupid ways to waste time on the internet and I found some very exotic horse breeds.
Saturday, October 30, 2021
Stall rest....
Friday, October 15, 2021
Contemplation....
I am lucky that I can watch my horses a little bit in the fields near the house. With the screen door open I can even yell their name and say " I'm still here". The ears prick for a moment, they look up at the door, then go back to munching hay in the feeder. Maybe they heard me, maybe...
To while away the time I give them human characters as I watch. My only mare, Polly, is Angelina Jolie. Beautiful, difficult, finnicky, kinda likes to be alone but really wants to be appreciated. Don't push her too hard! There are two geldings in the side field. Bull, my daughter's horse, who is the "perfect horse", I call him George Clooney. A gentleman, he would hold the door, pull out your chair, wait patiently for you to be ready. He's perfect. My daughter loves him. His pasture mate, Beau, is young and eager. He reminds me of Kevin Hart, fast-talking, kinda loud and aggressive in a nice way. He wants to please but can't contain his enthusiasm sometimes. He bites everyone like a puppy except Bull, so they live together. I have three OTTB geldings that are my main foxhunters. One, who I have earlier referred to as Brad Pitt, has gone to be a huntsman's horse in Virginia. He is doing great they say. The other two boys keep each other company close by. Frank is a plain brown package and I call him John Krasinzki. He is rugged handsome, strong and take care of business ( think Jack Ryan). I feel safe with him ( the horse), he never spooks or tries to be difficult. He enjoys his job. Then there is Punch, my tall, gangly goofball. He reminds me of Ryan Gosling, ( mainly in Remember the Titans). I worry he will tangle up his legs sometimes so I don't ask him to jump big fences. He is honest and willing, just a little off-balance.
Then there are two retirees in the back field who live with my husband's Quarter horse, Raider. Raider is like Dave Bautista. Big, solid, a guy of few words, a few tattoos and needs to be give directions. You want him on your side. Bob, the old chestnut was my husband's first horse, he is now almost 30, which is very old for a Quarter horse. And he seems alright. A Robert Duvall, been there, done that, a wise man. He is very cool. Last but not least is my retired foxhunter, Red. I asked my vet if horses get dementia because Red seemed to lose his mind about two years ago. Trembling and spooking at ghosts, he seemed to forget how to be ridden. After being bucked off him when he spooked at a stick I decided he had earned a life of leisure with Bob. I would call him Mel Gibson! Very handsome but he lost his mind and got dangerous. I leave him alone now and am always careful around him!
These are the things that take up the hours while the leg heals. Let me know who comes to mind when you give your horse a character! Watch the Maryland 5-star this weekend on MPT tv - should be awesome.
Sunday, October 3, 2021
Danny Boy has a new job
Apparently he does not like the hound trailer- probably says it smells like hounds! But he looks good and I know he will have fun in Virginia.
Tomorrow the TAR Field Hunter Championship starts, at Bull Run. I was going to be there on another TB, Frank, who is better in the field. Hard to ask whip horses to go in field but he was the easiest of mine to do that transition. Oh Well! Not this year. Good luck to everyone. It is the most fun and I am sorry to miss. I will be eagerly looking forward to the photos!
The leg feels better elevated, so I am trying be a good patient. Rather be riding but watching football will work today. I have been enjoying listening to music ( Thank you Alexa), old songs I remember but never hear on the current kind of radio stations. I am fortunate to have a friend to keep riding all the other horses. Even Michael's Quarter horse will get to go occasionally. I watch as she goes by the window and it is fun to see what my horses look like! I actually never see them that way. And she keeps me up to date on all the news and stories. I love that my MD huntsman gives me a little comment about the day's hunting afterwards, so I can still feel connected. It all helps. Thanks guys!
Thursday, September 30, 2021
Princess Blue Sparkles