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. 

Body Work for Jackson and Flash

Today was Liz's monthly visit to do body work on the horses.  She spent almost two hours on Jackson... he was all out of whack.  Flash went much faster, about 45 minutes.

First, she had me walk Jackson back and forth so she could see how he was going.  She noted that his pelvis was higher on one side than the other, he was tripping on his right front, and he seemed tight in the left hock. 

She started with some light massage across his back and pelvis area.  He loved it.

Brett is a great story teller.  Jackson: You're telling  THAT story again??

Passage made an appearance. 

She finished up with some deep tissue massage. 

Then we moved to the arena.  She wanted to show me how to use ground poles to help him with neuromuscular memory.  This is a technique used in rehab for horses and it will help him use his body correctly, and link his brain to his muscles.  ---in other words, help with the stumbling issue.  It will also help him learn that his hocks don't hurt anymore and teach him to flex them more.

First, she set up the poles, evenly spaced, about a stride apart.

We had to walk through them, both directions, until he did it without hitting a pole.

Then she changed the spacing so some were close together and some far apart.

After working on straight lines for a week or so, I am to change the shape to a fan.

Me: Are you taking notes Jackson?  Jackson:  Yeah, sure I am.

Jackson: Can I go back to my stall now and finish my hay?

Jackson: Is this pole edible?

Liz declared him finished and we headed back to the barn.

Brett got Flash out for his turn.  Once again she had him start with walking.  She noted stiffness in the joints and a big belly. 

He needs to lose 30-40 lbs. 

She also suggested Adequan.  He's 15 and his joints are getting stiff.

His biggest issue today was a knot on his poll.  A week ago he pulled back while tied to the trailer and broke his leather halter. 

Other than the work on his poll, Flash thoroughly enjoyed his body work.  She said his muscles are nice and loose and the residual soreness from his old saddle is pretty much gone.  Now if we can get his joints comfortable, he'll be in great shape.