What's Up Wednesday

 

I always forget how busy summertime is. But I do enjoy it! Last week we got our hay delivery finally. My hay guy had a hard time finding a window to cut hay with all the rain this year, but he finally got it done, and it's the nicest hay he's had for me in a long while. The horses love it. And I love having a full hay barn! 

Friday I had the vet out to check on Al's leg. Of course by Friday it looked nearly normal. But still, better safe than sorry. I had a friend stop by for a visit the day before and I trotted him some for her. We both thought he might be a hair off so doc had me ride to evaluate. The great news is that the leg is perfectly fine, he likely just banged it on something. And he's quite sound all around which is also wonderful news. But finally doc was able to see how Al just isn't using himself well in general. He's not engaging the back end and is overall very sticky. This is something I've been dealing with for the last couple of years, it's not new. But we mostly blamed it on the ulcers and/or the spookiness. Doc had me jump him over a few small things to see if jumping might entice him to work a little harder. It did not. Which did not surprise me in the least. Whilst I was untacking, doc went over Al's various tests we've done over the past few months and I could see the wheels turning. He decided to run some tests of insulin and fat levels to see if there's something metabolic going on. He also decided we should try him on a course of naproxen (and yes, not ideal given the ulcer situation, but he thinks worth trying while he's being treated still). He truly seems to believe the behavior problems are pain related, which I don't ever wish pain on any animal, but if we can pinpoint where the issue is, we might get my whole horse fixed up. Emotionally AND physically. Wouldn't that be nice?! Plus, if we can find the pain source, that might also stop the ulcer cycle. I hate to get my hopes up again because my hopes are very fragile at this point. But still. I don't learn. And my hopes are hoping. 

We started the naproxen that evening which was Friday. Saturday I didn't notice much difference in his behavior. Sunday though, he seemed a little quieter. A little less stressed. Monday was his day off. And then Tuesday? He was pretty good. We were able to ride around the entire ring with minimal spooks. And toward the end of the ride he was actually seeking out the contact and lifting his belly. He gave me a few moments of trot that I haven't felt in YEARS on him. But I wasn't ready yet to be too hopeful. 

Look at this relaxed horse walking on the buckle by the scary trees!

But today? Today I'm allowing my hopes to hope a little bit. He came out relaxed. Walked around both directions with minimal dragon breathing. Walked, trotted, and cantered around the entire ring. Still too slow. Still not overly engaged. He still broke heading toward the scary side a few times. But not every time. And then we jumped some fences. 

I didn't have a good canter, and we chipped a lot. But he didn't spook. And the last jump he actually took me too. Of course it was pretty hot and humid today. So that might have played a part. But we've had plenty of hot humid days that he was still a head case. It might be premature, but I do think the naproxen is making a difference. Now I realize he can't live on it. And we have to figure out what exactly is causing his pain. I think it's good news that a little bit of pain reliever is clearly making a difference. If it was something particularly terrible I don't think that would make this big of a change. And of course, sometimes he is a good boy, so this could be a coincidence. But for just a moment, I want to believe that we've finally found a hint as to how to help this horse. The plan for now is to keep him on the naproxen another week to make sure this is real. His scope appointment is next Friday so we can start formulating a plan then. Cross some fingers for us that we're finally heading in a helpful direction. And also that whatever is this problem is something we can fix. 

Obviously Al was kind of my focus the last few days, but that doesn't mean the other two haven't been plugging along doing their things. We focused on flatwork through Saturday, and then enjoyed Sunday Funday. Bareback rides for Shiny and Eros! And then Eros enjoyed some grass while I sat on him.

Shiny isn't allowed grass, but we went for a nice stroll around the yard. We love Sunday Fundays.

And yes, sometimes I get off in the barn. 
I would fail Pony Club

Hopefully some day Al can participate. He did enjoy a hand graze though. 

Shiny and Eros both had a little jump school today too. (Jumpies for everyone!). Eros started out really nice and soft, then the torpedo showed up, but he finished up nicely. So I'll call that a success.

Shiny though? She was a SLUG. I'm assuming it's because it was hot, but it may be that she was mad I rode her last. I realize horses don't have these kinds of feelings... but I swear this pony has a lot of thoughts and feelings. I wasn't thrilled with how she went, but we kept it fairly short anyway. She did finish better than she started, so that's all that really matters at the end of the day. Plus, even when she's a slug she's adorable.

I'm hoping to get another lesson scheduled for the weekend or next week. And that's about it from here! Do you guys have any big plans for the weekend?