Today was such a lovely day and I was so excited to get a surprise day off. I went straight to the barn and saddled up my horse! I have not had a lot of riding time in a long time, a really long time! I used to ride all the time no matter what and as grown up life has become more encompassing, Missy and Me time became rarer and rarer. I still see her every day mind you for stall cleaning and daily care, but the precious time we get to spend together grooming and riding has been much too infrequent.
I've had her for 15 years, since I was 15 and she was and unbroken 3 year old. Missy has been through high school, college and several state moves in jobs post college, as well as making the transition into marriage. She doesn't get my husband, but that's okay because he doesn't really get her either!
With Missy now being 18, I know my years of riding her are closing. Mind you, she still has many years I hope, but her "real" riding days of training coming to an end comes closer. I am determined to get her in good shape and get her really going this year.
Compounding that, last summer she got Lyme disease and it led to a bad case of Laminitis. That was one of the scariest things we've been through. The vet said she was touch and go for 30 days. For 30 days I held my breath. Now, 11 months later, I am starting to let it out! I only rode her once in the fall after she recovered. I was too scared to push her. The vet was out for spring shots not long ago and he said he could not believe how well she recovered! Her hooves have a bump in them growing out from where the Laminitis was. At our next blacksmith visit that last ugly reminder should finally be gone!
I rode her last Sunday for the first time of the season and she was really quite good given many months of winter off. She was really fussy to start with her head straight up in the air (reminiscent of our early days with her under saddle). Then she really decided to relax and soften into my hands. For the first time ever I felt her take a breath under saddle! It was weird, but cool! I was in a lot of pain for about 4 days after, but it was worth it!
Today she came out really good but then got a bit fussy just when she was about to be "there". She fought me a bit, I worked hard to just remain there and balanced (not easy being out of shape!) and kept my leg on. She finished up nicely and then I took her for a walk and a little hand grazing (only a minute, I'm paranoid about that now, too, with the Laminitis).
I'll probably hurt tomorrow, I'm a little sore right now, but again, it will be well worth it! :)
