Two stepping

Second day of camp and our second lesson. This time flat work. Now we all know that it’s not our favourite thing. But the more I learn, the more I’m beginning understand the benefits. We had many a conversation about it while watching the lessons. There was also a lot of running about picking up poos and moving poles.

If your horse has a good walk, you can get a good trot. A good trot leads to a good canter. And a good canter leads to a good jump. Hardly rocket science, but something that’s worth keeping in mind.

Today’s lesson was on zig zag and turning using your legs rather than too much rein. Really made my brain hurt. Especially when we changed rein. I have to say, Buddy feels so much softer and improved in his flatwork since his rehab. He’s new and improved. Sadly his Mother wasn’t as improved. I seemed to have lost the ability to ride his canter, resulting in a few wall of death moments.

Then the lightbulb went on in my head and I muscle memory kicked in. Once I actually sat into him and went with him, it was a very different picture. Just shows that I have had time out too.

Last day tomorrow. This really is my happy place. And I’m very happy with my little boy today. As Ed Sheeran would say I was two stepping with the one love. Maybe it’s time to dust off the dancing shoes after all.

Forest dwellers

Well it’s been a long time come. Buddy and I are back at Forest Edge for the last training camp of 2024.

I set it as a stretch goal for his rehab. A lovely synchronicity in that it was at the first training camp in April that his injury was really noticed.

We’re doing one lesson per day rather than two. And I will be keeping an eye on him. In fact I’m pretty sure there will be lots of eyes on him. So many people have been on this journey with us. There are lots of Buddy fans here too.

He’s tucked up in his stable. I’m tucked up in my lorry. I bet he doesn’t have a leak though. I’m currently experiencing Chinese water torture with a drip behind my head. Another job for the list…

I will be OK. It can’t take the smile off my face right now. We’ve made it to camp. Big tick for us both.

I know I’ve been to a few without him. But it really is wonderful to have him here…

Puzzle pieces

Buddy had a saddle fitting today. It was really interesting to see the difference in him since he’s been on rehab.

The last time he had his saddle checked was before his injury diagnosis. Then the back of his saddle needed attention. This time, his back has come up more and it was the front that needed adjusting.

Shows that the strengthening work I’ve been doing as part of his rehab is working. And all the treatments he’s been receiving.

Speaking of treatments, he also got a massage today. Again, the differences were marked. His muscles are so much softer and mailable.

I can’t help but wonder if these changes show just how much he was compensating for his injury. And if it was grumbling for a while before it really showed itself. Not beating myself up for that. Hindsight is 20/20
for a reason.

The good news is that he’s making great progesss. And I have more information and puzzle pieces. I know he will come back stronger than ever from this.

Canter

This is the face of someone who just cantered her horse! Another massive milestone in Buddy’s rehab.

He’s given me a few strides before when we’ve been doing poles. But this was the first time I’d intentionally asked for it. And the first time since 23 April!!

I took him out for a 40 min hack first, to make sure he was definitely warmed up. Then took him in the school. Think he was a bit surprised at first that I was asking him to canter.

We didn’t go mad. Just tested both reins. Oh my goodness, it felt so good!

We’re coming back…

Hotstepper

To plagiarise Neil Armstrong, this is one small step for Buddy, one giant leap for his rehab.

Today Buddy stepped over first first pole. Thankfully no leaping!! Poor boy was rather confused. But then it’s the first time we’ve been in the outdoor school since April. Still he managed to do the poles – without falling over.

Here comes the hot stepper….!

Are you singing it?!

Poles

I went to a pole clinic today. Without Buddy. To support a friend. And pick up some tips for when Buddy is allowed to do poles again.

He’s not the best when it comes to poles. He has a tendency to clatter through them. I remember an instructor telling me she loved silent ponies. I didn’t get what she meant, till Buddy and I clonked our way through the poles. We don’t do them enough I know. We both prefer them when they are on off the ground on wings.

We can start with one on the ground soon. Oh the excitement!! Who knows by the end of his rehab, we might have a pole dancer…

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.

Hay hay

Here we have Buddy sporting this Summer’s look – hay and more hay! It’s not just a good look, it’s snacks for later.

Being the oversized Labrador that he is, Buddy definitely loves his food. It’s the best way to keep him occupied too. And boy did he need it today. First he had new shoes. Then Auntie Jess came to give him the once over and some laser treatment to help his recovery.

Poor boy was starved by the time the laser came out. He was practically wasting away. Lucky for him, it was best to distract him. So he was a very happy boy to get his hay.

Having a food-oriented horse comes in handy sometimes…

Moonwalk

I’ve been using Equilab to track Buddy’s rehab. It’s amazing how hard it is to time yourself. Especially in trot. It’s also amazing how accurate it is!

I’ve been building the trot up slowly. First few times I was worried I was doing too much – till I checked and I’d barely done a minute. Of course it did record a few seconds of canter when Buddy spooked at something. Let’s keep that bit between us huh?!

Today it recorded Buddy’s antics as he decided he didn’t want to leave his friends and go for a hack in the rain. Mr Nappy Pants was back in full force today! Sadly, it’s not accurate enough to track his moonwalking back down the lane.

We’re booked in on 8 July to have his leg rescanned. Let’s hope his dance moves haven’t put us back. Let’s also hope that Mr Nappy Pants does one too. At least I know how to deal with him…

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.