Monday, January 14, 2008

Trot on

After a month of walking, the Grey Mare's ridden rehabilitation programme has progressed to trotting. Although she is free to canter and buck in the field (and she does), we have been taking things slowly on the ridden front. Admittedly, I had tried a few strides of trot 'just to check' last week but that was all.

On Saturday, we set off on our familar power walk around the stubble field. I asked her to trot and she was off at a smart pace, legs going like pistons. I think she was overjoyed to be allowed out of a walk. She wasn't too keen to slow down again either. "Now you've let me trot, I'd like to carry on for a bit longer," was the message she was sending me. We walked for a while longer then tried another trot. This time the overriding message was: "Sod this, I want to canter! Can I? Oh, please!" Although the answer, for now, is no, it's fabulous to feel her so full of life and exuberance.

"I'd get really bored if I had to walk for a month," said one of the little girls at the stables. I am inclined to think the Grey Mare agrees with her. Me, I'm just happy to be riding my horse again.

13 comments:

mountainear said...

It must be great just to be out and about again. Make haste slowly or 'festina lente' if you have classical leanings.

Gill said...

I'm really glad that she is so much better and you are having fun again!

Anonymous said...

she sounds raring to go! but you're right to exercise (!) caution....we had a dog when I was younger who had an op to remove a grass seed from his paw...."gentle walks on grass" said the vet. no way, thought Conker the spaniel, as we ambled around the Common. He hared off in the direction of his favourite tree and limped back having pulled a ligament in his leg. more basket rest required and a very sulky spaniel!

good to see you back in the saddle x

Whispering Walls said...

That is very good news.

Zig said...

She looks lovely :)
We have strangles in the village so we're confined to barracks!

Mopsa said...

Yay! Mind you, this is the weather for walking - it is treacherously slippy outside and the fields will be grateful for a gentle pace.

@themill said...

What's 'strangles'? My labradog currently has kennel cough -is it an equine equivalent?

rilly super said...

I'm happy that you seem happy M&M. Is that you in the picture. I'm told horse get terrible cabin fever if they can't get out for a good stretch. a chum of mine was so worried today that she'd left her's indoors because the forecast was bad and it turned out sunny. Anyway, glad you're 'back in the saddle' as they say

Mutterings and Meanderings said...

Moutainear, it is, it's fab!

Gill Thank you m'dear

NMO, that is so often the case...

WW, thank you

Ziggi, oh no! There was strangles here Sept/Oct.Everyone was utterly paranoid...

Mopsa, nice and muddy, yep. My favourite, not ...

@themill, I hear kennel cough is doing the rounds at the mo. Strangles is a nasty, very contagious disease where the glands in the next fill up with pus and can literally 'strangle' the horse if not treated. nasty nasty.

Rilly, fraid it is. The Grey Mare is out all day now and in at night. Of course she rioll sin the mud as soon as she goes out. Her neighbour has been on box rest since Nov time and he is getting v. pissed off about it.

occasional northerner said...

I'm glad that so much progress is being made.

Pig in the Kitchen said...

hurrah for the magnetic boots that have cured the grey mare! So glad she's doing well
Pigx

Mutterings and Meanderings said...

Thank you ON and Pig but I am very wary of tempting fate and declaring all to be well... Hopefully, all will continue to be well ...

rilly super said...

the person I was talking to about her horse also told me that he always rolled over in the muddiest bit of the field by the gate too M&M, but her horse is male so you can kind of understand it in her case...