Can’t handle it

It’s been a while since we had a ‘Pip injured herself’ post. Can’t take full responsibility for his one. My Baby Sprocker had a part to play in it too.

A friend took me to the local pub for lunch. She wanted to say thank you for the support I’d given her recently. Very kind of her. As it was such a beautiful day, we thought we’d eat in the beer garden. Unfortunately, the door opened outwards, so Bert dived out and I caught my hand on the door handle. Right between my fingers. Ouch!

One for me to work on as he does have a habit of diving through doors. This is the second time I’ve caught my hand. But the worst one as it’s blew up immediately.

Sure I’ll live. And didn’t stop me scoffing scampi and chips. Yum! Best break out the arnica…

Resurrection

Well it wasn’t just Christ who was resurrected today. My show jumping ‘career’ with Buddy was too. For the first time since December 2023, we entered a show jumping competition.

It wasn’t pretty. We are VERY rusty (bit of an understatement). Given he had the majority of last year off games, I’m over the moon!

I kept it low by entering the 60cm & 70cm. It wasn’t the triumphant return it could have been. I went with low expectations. I just wanted to see how Buddy reacted.

Sure we had two poles in each round. Sure I couldn’t see a stride for toffee. Sure I rode like a muppet. But we did it and that’s what counts. I know my eye will come in the more we jump. I also know I’ve been a bit lack in our training.

My Baby Sprocker has been winning in those stakes. That is paying off. He came to his first competition. He even jumped a little fence. He got LOTS of fuss. He slept in the lorry while I took Buddy off to compete. Afterwards, he got to watch some of the action. It was all rather exciting to start off with, he soon settled though.

All in all a very good outing…

Bo bo

Bert had an imaginary ‘bo bo’ at Puppy Pre-School tonight. I could say that he was very brave having the bandage put on, but honestly, I’m not sure he even noticed. He was far more interested in the liver paste on the table.

It was all a bit too exciting for him tonight. He got rather overstimulated and needed a time out. There were 3 new puppies tonight. All tiny and terrified compared to him. He’s such a confident chap.

He had quite the day as he had another visitor. This one brought treats! It seems I have a very food-oriented dog to go with my very food-oriented horse. Not a bad thing at all when it comes to training. Just need to get over the excitement of food. For both of them….

Fort Bert

You’ve heard of Fort Knox, well today my garden took a big step forward in becoming Fort Bert!

I was given some old fence panels a few years ago. I had all the best intentions of sorting out this bit of fencing. Somehow it never quite made it to the top of the list. Or anywhere near it, if I’m honest. Bert’s arrival has rapidly changed that.

I had planned to do it over the weekend, the weather put pay to that. So I decide today was the day! I thought I’d take advantage of the sunshine… that only lasted 5 mins before it started raining again.

I wish I’d taken a photo before I started. It took me an hour to get it to the top picture. It was rather overgrown.

It’s not the best job in the world I grant you. But I used a saw, hammer and secateurs – all without injuring myself! I’m taking that as a win. I’m going to paint the panels so they blend in a bit more too. And need to tweak it slightly.

I blocked off the driveway too. Still got a couple more bits to sort out before it’s completely puppy-proof. But ran out of steam and light today. Overall a very productive day.

Olympian

Well it’s not every day you can say you had a lesson with an Olympian! But there were so many other reasons to celebrate today. Rather early start as we needed to be at Easton for 8am. Poor Buddy has just gone out when I got him back in and on the lorry. We left the yard bang on 7:30am.

We were booked into a clinic with Nicola Wilson. Nicola was an international event rider and part of Team GB, winning a Silver medal in London 2012. She was also European Individual Champion 2021 – 2023. Amongst other medals and achievements.

She had a career-ending fall at Badminton in 2022 and sustained multiple spinal fractures that has resulted in the loss of sensation and movement in her extremities. I’ve followed her journey from accident to now. Talk about inspirational. She has determination I can only dream of!

She is also the most lovely person. So I was excited to have a lesson with her. It was the first time back jumping at Easton since Buddy’s injury. The little worry doubts were in my head. Well Buddy soon quashed those. He was having a wonderful time. He jumped everything. Even with my dodgy lines. Honestly, I need to work on straightness.

It was the first proper course we’ve jumped since April so again, a big tick on his rehab. He feels softer, freer and very adjustable.

This photo made me smile, he looks like he’s taking a bow! He was such a dude today. I can’t stop smiling. And let’s face it, I need lots of those right now.

He’s back

Final day of camp and we saved the best till last. Buddy and I jumped our first course since his injury. And boy did he jump!

Buddy didn’t seem to have gotten the memo that we were meant to be jumping little jumps. He was mister chill till he realised we were jumping. Then he was like an bloody Exocet missile!!

He was tanking round the jumps. Taking me (well rather dragging me) towards them. He’s back that’s for sure!!

I burst into tears after our first round. I know his injury was minor. I know the vet told me that he’d be fine. But I honestly didn’t know if he was going to be happy jumping again.

Judging by how much fun he was having, I’d say I can put any doubts to one side. Now I need to work on both of our fitness and getting the discipline back. He was a bit of a maniac today! So I can foresee a Winter of training ahead. Today he had his fun. We both did. Even with the tears, we both massive smiles on our faces.

Diamond wishes

I bought this patio rose about a month ago. It’s exploded with blooms overnight. It smells divine too. I sat on the patio for my breakfast and lunch sniffing it.

It’s called ‘Diamond Wishes’. It had to be done for My Absolute Diamond, Buddy. Not sure pink is his colour though. Thankfully he probably won’t see it.

Buddy has made many of my wishes come true. My current wish is for him to continue to recover from his injury so we can get back to the things we love doing.

I think it’s very pretty indeed. I do love a rose. Well I am an English one.

Rescan

Today was a very big milestone in Buddy’s rehab. We headed back to the vets for his 8 week scan of his injured ligament. He was most perturbed at not going out to his field, but having to get on the lorry. Soon all was forgotten when he was given haylage by the vet nurse while he waited for the vet.

Soon he was off to be sedated for the scan. I sat like a nervous parent waiting for news. After what seemed like an age, the vet appeared with a big smile!

It’s REALLY good news. His injury is healing well. Still a long way to go before we’re back to ‘normal’. Definitely heading in the right direction though.

We can slowly increase amount of trot. And in 6 weeks time, test the canter (cause he definitely hasn’t been cantering in his field!!).

Buddy is going to have to channel his pole dancer as we can soon include those in his rehab. Buddy tends to view them (and small jumps) as a trip hazard. So that’s going to be fun! Who knows, he might get the hang of them after a few weeks…

We have to go back in another 8 weeks for another check up. Everything crossed that he gets another smile then.

I shed happy tears on the way back. I’ve been following the plan set out for us. I’ve been patient and taking it slowly. Seems I’m pretty good at rehabbing a horse as well as myself. He’s worth taking the time to get him right.

Keep walking

Today we reached the first milestone in Buddy’s rehab. We completed four weeks of walk. I can now start introducing a little bit of trot. Going to take it really slowly though. We’ve got four more weeks before he has to be rescanned to check how his injury is healing.

To celebrate, we went onto the grass track for the first time. Wasn’t sure how he was going to be. Buddy was more interested in eating the long grass.

So far he’s been quite the model patient. Fingers crossed he remains the same throughout his recovery.

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.