rehab rides: cruise ship style

Things continue to chug right on along with Charlie's return to work. We're still only doing very little bits of trot - short bursts, if you will. And no canter yet. But that's ok, there's no rush, right?

big horse is concentrating so hard haha

I'm basically trying to approach this rehab as if we're restarting Charlie on the flat. Except -- mentally and emotionally he's already got some stuff figured out. It's just physically starting over again, since he lost so much muscle.

In a way it's kinda ideal tho. We've got this opportunity to start over from scratch on certain weak spots, like lateral imbalances. And since we're limited to taking things slowly there's no incentive to cut corners or rush through the work.

sooooo many moving parts to balance. the horse has never felt so long as he does now lol

This means: seeking to make every transition count. Getting the walk where I want it (light and soft to the bridle, and a distinct tempo that's slower than Charlie's natural, rangy walk but with active stepping hind legs) first *before* stepping into trot.

Then only trotting for as long as Charlie feels like he can hold himself up. Turns continue to be a little bit of a weak spot, and the horse honestly feels a bit creaky and rusty after so much time off. And. Ya know. Lateral suppleness still doesn't come very easily to him. Or, uh, downward transitions (he's pretty much convinced that he cannot possibly step under himself and stay round in the transition. in time, buddy. in time!)

but gosh i just love how hard he tries sometimes!

But we're working on it. I've got as much work to do myself as the horse, after such a long break. Even when I'm constantly reminding myself to sit up, keep shoulders back, and stretch my legs long and down.... Well. I'm still just not there yet. At least we're back to practicing haha!

I was very grateful that Brita was able to nab some video for me during a ride this past weekend. It was very helpful to see how things are looking relative to how they are feeling. The video definitely confirmed that the horse looks a bit tight and weak. And, poor thing, as he's trying his little heart out trotting up the long side, along comes my barn mate's nice and very well schooled Irish thing, Boomer, totally outshining our plain bay hero lol. Oh well, Charlie!

quick video here

Boomer and Charlie are just about the same height too, so it really shows just how little ground Charlie is actually covering right now. He's not really going forward enough and is pretty earthbound. All of this will be improved as he gains strength tho, so for now I'm fine with it.

lots of drooling and spittle, ew lol. he was very happy to share this with whoever wandered close enough

I also decided to switch out dressage bits again too. He's now wearing the bit he used to jump in -- still a Sprenger KK Ultra, but this one is aurigan instead of the silver bradoon snaffle he had been wearing on his dressage bridle previously.

I'm not sure the metal makes much of a difference, but this aurigan one is slightly thicker than my silver one - which I think *does* make a difference for Charlie. He's been going well in it so far, and has been working the bit and drooling and slobbering all over the place too. 

sweet face in his hackamore too!

So. Ya know. We're rollin with it. Whatever helps keep him comfortable and happy in the work. It's amazing to me that he's actually more barn- and gate-sour these days than he had been even while in full work. Like, Charlie, you've been stuck in that stall for so long now, why on earth are you so eager to get back to it????

always gotta pop in for a visit with friends!

But that's just kinda how this horse is, I think. He's definitely a creature of routine lol. We try to keep it interesting for him tho -- taking advantage of daylight during the weekends to escape the arenas and just wander around the property on the buckle.

these two are so friggin adorable all the time

I feel a little limited since we haven't really made any progress on gates -- He's still difficult to maneuver without getting upset at all the little small steps and adjustments needed to open and close gates. Plus, I actually just plain can't reach a lot of them from his back.

So unless we're hacking with more gate-capable friends, we just wander the drive way and skirt around pastures and whatnot instead of getting out into the xc fields or woods.

shiny fluffy pony!!

Still totally worth it tho! But maybe it'd be nice to haul out to some other trails one of these days.... Maybe going back to Sweet Air again? Idk. We'll see how the ground holds up since mud season is definitely arriving. 

so happy to be able to roll all the time now lol. mud everywhere! the smartpak double stitch halter is holding up  nicely tho

Which honestly makes me a little sad bc I hoped ground conditions would hold long enough for Charlie to make it through his rehab and get back into full work again. That's not really looking likely at this point tho. So I dunno about fitting in any more xc schools this year, but we'll try!

video here. could have been a gif but i love the sound of him cantering <3

At least for now, Charlie has crossed yet another milestone in recovery: he returned this past weekend to his normal herd and turnout schedule. And looked so freakin happy when I went to catch him from the field for our little ride. Just chillin among his buddies grazing. Such a relief!

Plus getting back out into the big pasture means a lot more general activity for him, which will only help our efforts to get him stronger and more fit again. Theoretically. It also means he's got the space to do basically whatever he wants - trotting, cantering, whatever. Which he happily demonstrated to me when I turned him back out again after our ride lol.

 plz make good choices, sir!!

Makes me so happy to see him off and running again! And actually seeing him canter up that hill made me realize we might not be all that far off from cantering under saddle too. Exciting!

Finally feeling like I can start looking forward to stuff now, and may or may not have actually gone ahead and scheduled a dressage lesson toward the end of this month. Nothing very intense, more like "dressage as physical therapy." But y'all know how much I love my lessons ;)

So. Ya know. It was a good weekend for reaffirming that Charlie's more or less on track. Things are getting better! Hope you all had a great weekend too!