True to his word the farrier, Ed Spitzer was waiting for us with his
grandson and work truck. First we pulsed down within several minutes and a few
sponges of water. I was feeling really beat up and Lynne Glazer was so kind
and held Jazzi while she ate and had 2 back shoes replaced. I found some food
and drank water, Gatorade and more water at Lynne’s motherly advice.
Jazzi ate and ate and ate. She drank well too and ate her electrolyte
cookie happily. She vetted out fine, sound and strong. Then the vet told me
if I had any thing that made me feel my horse would not make it back I needed to
pull now as the ride back to camp was just as brutal as the first part. Tears
of relief flooded my eyes, I did not have to finish. Jazzi’s tripping was
horrible and I knew she would hurt herself or me if we continued. It was
better to pull now and not get stuck were they could not trailer us out. I saw
my daughter’s smiling face in my mind and knew it was the right thing to
do.
Suzanne understood, but Dancer did not. She had a time of it getting
him to go, but they did in fact finish and claimed the turtle prize with 6
minutes to spare. She was very frank with me, “You would have been so
miserable. I had to trot everything, all the down hills. It was the right
thing for you to do, even if I had to get after Dancer.”
As we waited for the trailer to take us back to campJazzi’s
back dried out. Once dry, new hair loss and a small raised area just behind
her left wither became apparent. Her back was very sore to the touch. I was
thankful to know the reason for her tripping, but mad at my self for not
discovering it earlier on our training rides. I felt horrible and responsible
for the pain Jazzi suffered. Lucky for me Jazzi is a kind and forgiving horse
who has always tried to please me. I am grateful to be owned by such a sweet
and honest mare.
Of the 47 starters in the 55, 11 were pulled. Most of the pulls were
for lameness, two had metabolic issue, but no treatment was needed. The 25
milers had similar statistics. I have an appointment for Jazzi with a saddle
fitter. I am happy to report Jazzi did very will with the electrolyte cookies,
no strange sweat patterns. I will never leave my glasses in my crew bag again.
I will get a wind up alarm clock for the RV and use it. Breakfast for the
rider is as important as breakfast for the horse.
Every ride has taught me things. I am thankful for the lessons of Malibu; I will be a
better rider because of it. Am I sad I did not finish? No, some days are like
that. Life is not all cherries and ice cream. I am grateful Jazzi was not
injured. I am thankful the vet sensed I had a problem and gave me permission
to pull. Will I attempt Malibu
next year? Maybe, if the Gods find it in their hearts to let me try again, I
may do just that.
