Reality

Think the reality of Buddy’s injury is starting to sink in. Six months feels like a long time. And it could be longer depending on how his rehab goes.

No camps, no lessons, no clinics, no competitions, no trips, no adventures. Well not for a while yet. These are the things that light me up and make us, well us.

Once again the goals that I set at the beginning of the year seem very far away again.

Please don’t get me wrong, I’m also very grateful that he will be OK. The relief is still very much there.

I know I’m not the only person who’s going through this or has been through it. But it’s the first time I’ve been through this with him. I didn’t have this much time off when I broke my ankle.
Covid did put pay to so many things so 2020 wasn’t a great year for us. It really is true that it’s quicker to heal a bone than a ligament.

I can reframe it till the cows come home. Right now I’m sad, frustrated and disappointed. Again. So taking time to work through those emotions. I’m sure there will be many more ups and downs to come.

Looks like I am going to have to up the cheerleader role again and help others shine. Starting tomorrow by commentating at Poplar Park at the RC ODE.

As you can see Buddy is clearly traumatised by the whole experience. My oversized Labrador is enjoying the snacks.

V-Day

Today has been V-Day for Buddy. After nearly 5 weeks, he’s still not right. So I took him to a lameness locator clinic being held by my Vets. I was fascinated by the process (mixed with mild panic, heart-racing anxiety and a sick feeling most of the time).

Let’s start with the good news. Buddy has sustained an injury that he will recover from. We will still be able to do the things we were doing. He’s going to need some further treatment, fancy shoes and a lot of rehabilitation.

Now the bad news. It could take 6-8 months for him to recover fully. Now we all know that patience isn’t my strong point. Looks like I going to have to embrace a slower pace with my little boy for the coming months.

Buddy was a model patient. He took it all in his stride. Given he’s had nearly 3 weeks off work, I wasn’t sure what to expect when they lunged him. He was as good as gold. Even in the torrential rain.

When the three sensors he was wearing showed low grade lameness in all 4 legs, my sick feeling turned into nearly vomiting in the corner. More data was needed. So more trotting for Buddy.

We knew his off fore was the issue. The data confirmed this. After 3 nerve blocks, his lameness was improved by 72%! And the hind leg lameness was all but gone.

X-rays were clear. So scans next. They showed an injury to one of his ligaments. It looks like an old injury that had been aggravated. But it was healing so the time out was helping.

It was a very long day. Quite the emotional rollercoaster too. I’m so relieved as I had 101 possible outcomes running through my head.

Basically, Buddy has twisted his ankle and needs time to recover fully before we can get going again.

He has a few more people in his fan club, loved the snacks and got a free Willy wash while he was sedated.

The road to recovery starts tomorrow. Tonight I’m shattered…

Close up

Thought I’d take a nice picture of Buddy in his smart rain coat. He had other ideas and thought he’d get up close and personal.

I was reminded of the saying ‘no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing’ today. Went out to poo pick having taken my coat off cause I was getting too hot. As I reached the furthest point from the yard, the heavens opened.

Let’s just say I was very soggy by the time I’d finished. I can’t help but laugh when the rain is running down my nose and back.

At least one of us was dry.

Badminton

Well Badminton 2024 didn’t disappoint. It was a challenging XC course that really shook the pack. Not sure I could have called the top 3 before they started. SJ tomorrow will be exciting!

I’m so glad I made the trip. I often wonder if other people do the slightly bonkers things that I do. I only decided to go on Tuesday.

After yesterday’s mammoth journey, the thought of another one wasn’t as appealing as you’d think. Especially after the Comedy Car started making a weird noise. My lovely Dad lent me his car today. I felt very spoilt in such luxury – AC and a very smooth ride.

The M25 had another sting in the tail. It was closed! I kid you not. Two junctions worth in both direction. Cue several detours there and back. Still made it in good time this morning. And good time back to my parents. Staying here again tonight before heading home. Fingers crossed the M25 is kind going home.

I walked nearly 8 miles today. Not a clue how many miles I’ll have done by the time I get home. Let’s just go with a lot…

Favourite spot

Hugo is loving the warmer weather. He’s also loving the fact the garden furniture comes out. He staked his claim to the garden chair today. He was most upset when I turfed him off it so I could eat my lunch. He was back on it before I’d made it back to the conservatory.

He was still there when I got back from the yard. Nearly 4 hours later!!

I’m with him on the warmer weather. Things seem so much better when the sun is shining. Buddy got a bubble bath today. Though he was more interested in the grazing afterwards to dry off. Typically he kept wanting to eat the bits in the shade. He was very appreciative of the cow parsley and cleavers. It really is the simple things in life.

Ground support

Popped over to Blackwater today to be ground crew for the Carleton RC clinic being held there. It’s been a while since I’ve been over there. In fact, this could be the first time I’ve been back there this year. It hasn’t been a conscious thing. Just for one reason and another I haven’t got there.

It was lovely to be back there. Walked the 80cm course. Interesting to see the changes there. Lovely catching up with people and watching them ride. As soon as we can, I’m going to take Buddy back out XC. It’s time to get back to running and jumping. I miss eventing…

Squished

Operation get Buddy right took another step forward today. Auntie Sam came to see Buddy. Found quite a few tight spots. Include the one that Buddy forced her into! He was so busy eating, he wouldn’t move over, so she had to squish in by the rug rack.

Whatever’s going on with him, it’s not affected his appetite.

Farrier has checked him. Sam has checked him. Chiro and vet to go. I am praying to ALL the gods right now. Good news is that he’s so much better than he was. More rest for you Buddy Boy. Well kinda. Tomorrow I’m back to taking my oversized Labrador for walkies.

Doesn’t he look well though?!

Horses inside out

What a fab demo at Easton College this evening from Gillian Higgins of Horses Inside Out. She paints the anatomy on the horses so you can really see the movements. Learnt a lot. And came away with some more pole exercises to do with Buddy.

Reminded me of many years ago when I went to another demo with her. And got to paint Murphy. It was so insightful seeing how he moved.

Lovely seeing so many people too. I do love a horsey outing. In fact it’s been a bit of a horsey day. This afternoon, I was an Emotional Support Person for a friend who was taking her horse to the vets. While we waited, we went for a walk through the bluebells and chatted in the sunshine.

I’m definitely horsey inside and out.

Walk it off

I woke up feeling very swirly today. Too many random thoughts going on in my head. So I did something I haven’t done for a while. I walked to the yard. Then grounded myself by shovelling horse poo and giving Buddy a good brush. Listened to a great podcast on the way. It was the perfect one for me to listen to today as really resonated. But also gave me food for thought. Better thoughts than I’d been having.

After doing maid duty, I decided to walk back a longer route. One I used to do in lockdown, but haven’t done for a while either. Made me giggle as I remembered one day when I’d walked up to check on Buddy when the yard was locked down. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to be there, so snuck up the footpath to see him. In my slightly unsure state thinking I might get told off or had broken some rule, I ended up hiding behind a rather large bush so as not to be seen. Trouble was I was wearing a pink gillet. Not sure I blended in that well. Had to have a stern word with myself at that point. I think I was starting to lose it at that point. Honestly lockdown brought out some very interesting behaviours all round.

Thankfully I can laugh at myself. That helped to calm the storm in my brain. So does walking. Today it was just what I needed. Came back feeling much lighter.

Ivy

There was a strange object in the sky this morning. I wasn’t sure whether to alert the Authorities. I left my house dressed for Winter, but shed several layers by the time I got to the yard.

Buddy was far too busy eating to notice what a beautiful day it was. He’s fully embracing his sick leave, that’s for sure.

I decided to take advantage of the good weather to clear yet more Ivy from my house. I noticed it had climbed up my chimney. Fear not, I wasn’t clambering up there. I went for an alternative tactic and embraced my inner Lara Croft and ventured into the undergrowth.

The wet weather has definitely encouraged my garden to grow. In order to get to the Ivy, I had to clear lots of stinging nettles. So yes, you guessed it, I’m feeling rather prickly now. Still, it looks a lot better now it’s clearer.