So Far, So Good

Today dawned sunny and breezy which is a great improvement over the past few days which have been wet and windy.  The pasture still has big patches of mud which are, apparently, irresistible.

I see a bath in Jackson's very near future. 

Liz, our body work/saddle fit/acupressure/massage/nutritionist, came up this morning to evaluate Winston.  We took him into the arena so she could watch him walk and then we stayed there for the workup.  It was comfortable in the sun but the wind was blowing and it was cold in the barn.  We opted for working where it was warm.  Winston wasn't sure about the whole poking and prodding thing but he quickly caught on and started leaning into the massage.

Liz didn't find anything significant.  He had some soreness here and there, consistent with his work as a jumper.  She declared him very cute with a three year old butt.  He's a bit croup high at this point with some growing still to do.  After she finished working on him, we pulled out my saddle so she could evaluate the fit.  Winston wasn't thrilled to see the saddle but didn't give me a hard time about setting it on his back.  I think he just wanted a nap after his massage.

The saddle fits him fine.  Phew!  I'll need to have it adjusted every six months or so as he grows and changes, but it is wide enough that it should work for the long haul. 

I walked Winston around a bit when Liz finished and then we posed for pictures.  The wind was blowing my hair every-which-way so I look kind of frightening but Winston looks mighty handsome so just focus on him. 

Check out his new halter.  It's perfect, I think.  It's amazing how much I've bonded with this horse in just a week.  We have a great partnership ahead of us.  I can feel it.  I'm glad I went with my gut and the instant click I felt when I first met Winston.  It's just getting stronger each day.