Tuesday, September 25, 2012

What's Up With Flash?

We are hoping to get answers on what is causing Flash to be off tomorrow when our vet comes up.  I have my suspicions (hocks) but we will see what Dr. Thacher thinks.  Flash has a history of arthritis in his hocks and has done well this past year on monthly Adequan shots.  He is off in the hind; slightly at walk and noticeably at trot.  There is no swelling, no heat, and no sensitivity to touch.   Brett and I both signed up for our dressage chapter's schooling show Saturday so we are hoping he is sound by then.

I rode Winston early this morning before work.  The air was cool and the sun was just coming up.  Winston was a bit fussy in the contact compared to last week but I think we'll work that out by the weekend.  He wanted to canter in the worst way -- I think the cool air was calling to him -- so he kept popping his head up and wagging it in the air.  Come on, Mom!  Let's go!!  Instead of doing a lot of canter work, I focused on getting his focus back and tried to ride the tests I am doing Saturday.  Intro B is easy; the pattern flows in a very logical fashion and there aren't many steps.  Training Level 1 is a bit more complicated.  I keep forgetting to do the stretchy trot immediately after the canter or I trot the diagonal instead of walk.  Grrr.  I need to get the pattern down by Saturday or we will be going off course and that isn't good.  I don't want Brett to call the test for me.  I want him to take pictures.

We received a package in the mail today from Skoog Farm.  Thank you Lori!

I found this package by the front gate when I drove in from work this evening.

The cane fits Brett perfectly.  And it's gorgeous!!!  All gnarly wood and Flash at the top.

The size is perfect -- Brett's just messing around here.

We set it in the front entry way so everyone can admire it -- and it will stay safe.



10 comments:

  1. Oh I love that cane!

    Good luck with the vet today & thanks for Bon voyage wishes

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  2. I hope the solution for Flash is an easy one so he rock the show with Brett.

    You must be so excited about taking Winston to a show!

    The stretchy trot after the canter is a very tricky part. It is so easy to lose balance right there. Those test writers really know how to challenge us.

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  3. Glad it got there and that it is the right size. It looks good on you Brett!

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  4. what a gorgeous cane! sweet!

    i hope flash can heal quickly! :)

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  5. Hope flash is ok, good luck at the show, and that is a gorgeous cane!

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  6. I have my fingers crossed for Flash!

    The trick I used to memorize the tests is to ride them in my head rather than memorize it as a series of events at letters. I do this most often right before I fall asleep. Funnily enough, I sometimes fall asleep mid test but pick it up when I wake up!!

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  7. Here is hoping both Flash and Brett are better by Saturday and don't let the patterns mess with your head. Try writing them out on paper - that is what I do with agility courses and it really does help (I'm too darned visual). Lori rocks doesn't she? That cane is amazing!!!!

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  8. Ooh, that cane is beautiful!! I love it. Sure hope Flash improves and you can figure out what's going on with him. Lameness issues are so frustrating! Have fun this weekend at the show.

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  9. Hope Flash is alright and it's just something minor.

    Gorgeous cane. Lori is such a nice person isn't she.

    Good luck at the show with Winston, how exciting!

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  10. That cane is awesome!
    Best of luck to Flash.

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Thanks so much for commenting!