sorebacked horse update

["Maggie Mieske" <mmieske@netonecom.net>]

So many people have written to me with kind words and helpful advice and
asking for an update that I thought I should oblige.  Jonathan is much
better today.  Swelling is down though the muscles are still tight.  I am
using some light TTouch at a ridecamper's suggestion and he will have a
bioscan on Tuesday and maybe again on Thursday.  I have accepted he is done
for the season...soooooo hard to do but we have all of next year to plan
for.  I hated to give up Pine Marten Run in the U.P. so after we talked it
over, we decided our stallion really needs another dose of ridecamp where
he actually gets ridden this time!  He is in good shape, just green.  He is
well mannered...needs some reminding sometimes but he is young and responds
to our corrections immediately.  As green as he is, I feel quite secure and
confident on him..... funny story. We have mostly worked at a trot this
year mostly because that's our most comfortable gait.  He still felt
unbalanced at a lope so I figured I'd leave it alone and just do it
occasionally until he gets stronger.  Well, he is stronger now and me in my
ignorant bliss, never having had any formal lessons or even caring to, 
finally realized why it felt so unbalanced.  He is a LEFTIE....Jonathan is
a RIGHTIE!  On the right lead, Malik will give a little crow hop now and
again in protest.  On the left lead, he moves very nicely and enjoys it
except that I am so used to riding RIGHTIES for years, that I feel
"crooked".  Once I realized it, I felt so stupid but also relieved that now
we can work on it and overcome it.  I have a friend who has worked with me
in the past when I first got Jonathan back and couldn't get him to do much
of anything.  I need to start consciously asking him to give me the lead
that I want...the right lead has become no natural for me and Jonathan.  We
are in such sync together....I can't imagine starting all over but that is
what I will need to do with Malik.  So, we will go this weekend, ask to
start out last and have a ball.  He loves going down trail so that's half
the battle there!!  :)  However, he is not a horse that likes to be
TOLD...he likes to be ASKED to do things.... boy, do I have my work in
store for me!!  Thanks for all the good sentiments and encouragement
everybody. That is why I could never give up ridecamp!!
Maggie
Michigan





 


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