slowing everything way down

Doozy's nasty cellulitis maybe came at a fortuitous time for us. We already established that, actually, she seems like a pretty pleasant and easy (if not way more forward-thinking than I'm used to) horse to ride.

why yes, i fauxto-shopped my sad mare's stricken limb into a Ren Fest Turkey Leg, why do you ask?

In fact, so easy that it wouldn't take much to go instantly down some nit-picky training hole of progressively higher expectations ---- and inevitable disappointments when, spoiler, green horses go through peaks and valleys in their training and I'm still an unreliable pilot LOL.

thank god she eats a literal mountain of food, the better to hide 45 (!!!) doxy pills... 
related: any appetite (hehe, see what I did there?) for an updated feed post for the ponies?

Instead, her condition and wellness -- while always peripheral -- are back to being the absolute front and center of my attention. Everything we do is done with the intention of helping her leg. 

for real, tho, the leg is still huge, but not nearly as terrifying as on Days 1 & 2. she did split the scabs tho....

In other words, basic care, feeding, and management are the priority -- hopefully generously spliced with pleasant activity and relationship building. 

moved into a bigger paddock with a little more grass and overnight turnout!

We got a big boost in the 'activity' department when, a day after the infection set in, an evening paddock finally became available. Before this point, Doozy and Stella had been relegated to daytime turnout (think: hot sun + biting flies) bc all the paddocks were full during the normal overnight turnout shifts. 

and the riding adventures continue!

That finally changed, tho, and meant that after Stella and Doozy came in for dinner as usual, they actually got to go right back out again -- resulting in a near 24hr period of turnout. That made a huge difference for the leg's general size, and it's stayed relatively smaller now that she's only really stalled about 8hrs during the daytime.

this time out in the way way open of the front xc fields!

Because, it turns out, movement is the biggest difference maker for her particular condition. I'm trying to be really intentional about how we go about "moving" under saddle, tho, bc I want to avoid any dicey situations where she's uncomfortable in more ways than one, ya know?

strollin' with buddies is the way to go

But, eh, it's proven fine. We've repeated the same paths enough times in hand and under saddle now that she seems to be developing a good internal map of the farm, and seems pretty comfortable riding into new spaces even where she hasn't hand walked yet -- like the grass ring used for dressage warm up, and the front xc fields. 

making these paths feel familiar and relaxing, one ride at a time

It's always nerve wracking riding a horse out into the middle of an open field for the first time lol... Esp when the field is still set up with the show jumping course (they leave it up after the recognized for the starter trials later in the fall), not to mention the random machinery and supplies for the fence lines currently being replaced.... 

she's a good egg <3 how do you like this bridle on her?

Mondeuse was fine, tho. Mostly marched out ahead of our riding companion, tho occasionally slowing back down to be alongside when she felt less certain... Spooked a little sideways at one random xc jump, but recovered just fine. And didn't set off racing when we turned back toward the barn, or get sulky when we decided, "actually, let's do a second loop!"

back again the next day for hand walkies / grazies! this time with friends!

So, overall a success! Plus the leg was wayyyyyy smaller after the ride --- like could see actual definition around the tendons again, whew! 

incorporated a little whip desensitization into our walking, ahead of today's (!!!) horsemanship lesson

Opted to keep is slow and simple the next day tho, and just hand walk. Royal's owner was interested in bringing him along, since they're hoping he might graduate to tack walking in the near(ish) future and she wanted him to remember how to act while moving about the farm LOL. 

and walkies even farther afield -- out into the main xc fields, and by the water!

I also wanted to do a little more in hand practice ahead of our horsemanship lesson. Now that Doozy has a bit more trust in me, and understands a bit more about what to expect on our adventures, she's muuuuuch more inclined toward thoughtful stillness, and moving each quarter independently, rather than spurting off in whatever direction.

i only really asked Doozy to confront and consider the water, but didn't push for more

So after a little time in the dressage ring pressing a few buttons, we picked up another barn buddy who was out for a light hack, and wandered out to the main xc fields!

honestly it was so nice out, we kinda just stood around chatting and grazing, one rehabbing horse, one rehabbing rider, and obvi green Dooz -- everyone appreciated the low key stroll!!

Doozy doesn't really understand xc jumps yet, and a couple of them have spooked her a little bit... Except then she sees none of the other horses are spooking, and the jump isn't moving, and everybody is kinda just ignoring her.... and she just, eh, moves on LOL. It's nice!

maybe by spring we'll be confidently bopping around these same jompies??

She also wasn't super sure about the water, but gradually became relaxed enough to toe around the squishy edges eating the mud (gross lol). 

ooooh we did walk up and down the little baby bank edge lol, nbd

My hope is for these fields to be primarily associated with relaxing strolls, to be a calm and easy place to be, before we eventually introduce the whole "jumping at speed" thing. 

then home again <3

Obvi I'm anxious to get back into the saddle for more 'real' riding again, like... ya know... would be kinda cool to canter haha. And considering Charlie is currently lame at the walk, he's not really available to scratch that itch either... 

back out to your turnout, to keep moving and keep that swelling down!

But. Eh. All in good time, I suppose. At least they're both just pleasant horses to be around, and both enjoy grooming and fussing. 

Mondeuse has a check up appointment on her leg later today, PLUS --- our long-awaited horsemanship lesson. So things still keep happening, keep progressing, one way or another lol.