I rode my horse for the first time in 6 months today!

[paintedpennypony]

Coming 4yo mare that’s been out of work since August 1 due to a soft tissue injury. Lots of hand walking and stretching later, the vet cleared us to do two weeks of tack walking and then start off with 5 mins of walking under saddle (adding 5 mins every 2 wks) a few weeks ago.

Today, I ground drove her with a saddle on for 10 mins at a walk in each direction and then got on her for 5 mins. I haven’t ridden her since July and she was perfectly behaved! She was looky at the mounting block since it had moved all of two feet when I used it. Naturally, there was a 95% chance it was a goblin and she needed to check it out. Even with some mild snorting she was so light and responsive. I have felt down in the dumps since she’s been injured but those 5 mins of walking reminded me what I’ve been working towards! Great way to end 2023!

[Jackie_Cochran]

I am so glad you had a good ride on your horse.

[Paint_Party]

@paintedpennypony

I have felt down in the dumps since she’s been injured

I’m pretty confident there are many of us here who have felt this same, exact way with an injured horse. Congratulations on your ride! Here’s to a healthy, sound year for your horse!

[trubandloki]

Congratulations!

Jingles for continued progress with more ride time.

[Syrynx]

@Paint_Party

I’m pretty confident there are many of us here who have felt this same, exact way with an injured horse.

Bought a new horse end of October. He was at the barn for 2 days when he decided he needed to be closer to other horses and jumped out of his paddock. Deep deep deep cut in the front of his hock with a torn extensor tendon.

5 days at the clinic, stem cell treatment, 3x a week magna wave and many many many many many bandages later and he just graduated from a stack wrap to a bandage with a standing wrap below.

Today we had a 5 min hand graze and he was a very good boy. I think hand walking may be added in the not-too-distant future.

I cannot tell you how ridiculously excited I am!

[SillyHorse]

@Paint_Party

@paintedpennypony

I have felt down in the dumps since she’s been injured

I’m pretty confident there are many of us here who have felt this same, exact way with an injured horse.

Absolutely! And the lucky ones among us know the joy of finally getting on a sound horse after months of rehab. So very happy for you!

[TWH_Girl]

That’s a great start to 2024!

I can’t possibly find an analogy in another relationship with a person or pet that is likened to how good it feels to be able to ride your horse again after it’s been sick or injured. It’s a wonderful feeling though