Putting on my "I told you so" hat....

 Had a lesson with Jacel. explained neck stuff and my fears

challenged him... on the buckle happy... spiral in and out on light contact.. not happy, especially spiral in right, but happier with counterflexion. tried with canter. same thing. Better in the hind end, and even better in the hind end when we did spiral in/out, so seems like it's neck base. so... debating surgery. cried. Jacel is awesome. Reminded me that sometimes being a mom (or Father) is hard.. we sometimes have to break our promises... we sometimes have to make our kids do the hard things for their best interest. and God tasks us with that, not because we are strong enough, but because we won't give up and know God is with us.

then went for a trail ride to enjoy him. rode a fair amount of it with my hands off the reins. 

Photos: Experimenting

There's always blue ski

 So... it was a hard 4 or 5 days (I may have cheated by a day....) waiting on the hock injections rest to be able to ride. Especially because I don't have Lyric to ride instead. And while I did ride Funny once, it's not quite the same. It will be, but ... not yet. Mike and I took a motorcycle ride to the mountains, which was nice. Of course Saturday was beautiful and lovely and Sunday was rain almost allllll day. But Dan was getting bored. So on Sunday, when the rain quit, and the sun tried to come out... I decided to do it! 

 

He's still doing that new thing where when he gets close to the trailer he almost runs at it and pins his ears. It's so weird! What is that?!?! Anticipation of pain? He's never done that before. Does he not like that spot? Guarding the hay bag that has been sitting out there that he knows he gets to munch on?? I have no idea. It's just weird. 

 

He was filthy... literally had caked on mud crumbs and even mud blobs. But amazingly he had dried off enough that I could curry him off. I gave him plenty of treats when he was good and he actually was pretty good for his grooming. I don't know if I'm just training him to "tolerate" grooming for cookies... or if I'm actually undoing his chronic learned angry behavior, but... I'm so tired of him snarking at me when I groom him. I'm just about literally doing everything I can to make him happy and comfortable... I'm not just ignoring pain. So I feel a little vindicated in my plan. But I still wonder sometimes... 

 

Anyways... we walked up to the arena and did our pillar work. He was wanting to chew on my reins but did some good work. Then I got on and we walked on the buckle for awhile. Then we walked with a slightly higher neckset but still forward and out. Just not peanut rolling. We also did some lateral work and worked on slowing the walk. Not mega slow, but... a bit more balanced instead of running. Then we trotted and cantered on the buckle. He's definitely still dragging his toes a bit and definitely still a little weird with his canter transitions but it was better. And then I asked him to slow his cadence just a hair and I think his toe drag got better. And I definitely didn't feel the unsoundness like I did after his flexions. So then we did a bit more work with a bit more contact and he was good. Then I pushed it and did some lateral work at the trot and.... no issues. No tongue.... not chomping... maybe just a little bit of snatching at his shoulder. 

 

We cantered a bit more and then did one lengthen across the diagonal and then a halt down centerline. He was good! So then we walked home via the driveway and headed to the lake and then turned around and came back. 

 

The sun had come out and it had warmed up. I started thinking.... how... the skies were like hope. The sun always comes back out. And there may still be storm clouds behind us... and even ahead of us.. but like the book says... there's always blue skies. I'm hoping to be able to stay optimistic!

 

Well... that's good news... right?

Yet again, God is throwing me a .... I'm so tired I don't even remember the saying... For a loop? A banana? ha ha.. oh goodness.. my poor brain. 

Anyways.... I had thought I had it all figured out... even in the context of thinking that God had said "you asked for a diagnosis and kept thinking neck.. here is your confirmation and a solution"... with the neck surgery. So, I had sort of decided to do it... was even contemplating whether I should do it right after the beach trip... so that he would be at 7 weeks post op when I went to Ireland... hence, off paddock rest. (And I guess, it's not entirely off the table yet). Of course, actually thinking about it was also slightly terrifying! Paddock rest... I don't even really have a paddock, so.. that means patio rest. Which... that's still a long time to do that. But anyways... I had already scheduled a vet appt with Dr. Marquez. And I figured... let's keep it. I'll pick his brain... and see what his thoughts are... and confirm it's neck and/or make sure there's nothing else major going on. Because if his stifle is shot and isn't going to resolve with just injections or such... why put him through surgery and rehab? 

We had him scheduled to come at 10 am and we had Danny, Lyric and Marvin on the books. I cleaned the house and barn the day before and drug the arena so we were all ready. I had stalls bedded and watered. Kelli came and we put Marvin in Flecks stall and then I put Dan next to him and then Lyric in Dan's stall. And then I left Funny and Fleck loose but Fleck pretty much hung out in Funny's stall all day. And it took ALL DAY! Poor Dr. Marquez was there til 5:03 pm. He earned his keep. And that was with no lunch break, though we did give him a granola bar. So anyways, that also meant Dan was in a stall ALL DAY long. I was honestly so proud of him. He was quiet for the most part. He maybe kicked the wall 3 times total. I did give him his patio, but still. I was so proud. He actually looked like he was worried for Marvin and Lyric. 

We did Marvin first and then after, we started with Dan. (In case we ran out of time). Dr. Marquez examined him and palpated everything. He didn't really find any pain in the neck and was quite pleased with his flexibility. He did find his shoulder atrophy odd though. He didn't get too much in his back or pelvis I don't think, but he was super sore in his hind limbs. Very reactive to his hocks and I think... maybe, he had a little bit of effusion in his stifles too. And he was pretty demonstrative about not liking his hocks palpated. So... we took him to the culdesac to trot him and do flexions. Kelli started off with him so I could watch and listen to Dr. Marquez but after two passes he was dragging her around, so I took over. It went well for two passes, but on the third pass Dan had the lead rope in his mouth (And for the love of all, I cannot understand why I didn't see what was coming... I was just thinking.. oh hey, if he's chewing on the rope, he's not slinging his head around... my brain really is losing it). And of course... he just.. kept going. Without me... at a fast pace. I had to let go.. and then he galloped to the end of the field beside Jean.. then up her lane... we all headed towards her barn but then I heard him coming back down the way he went... Then he galloped between Art's house and the dog kennels, then flew across Arts yard, went flying across the culdesac (thankfully not busting out and slipping on the pavement) and went up Jean's driveway. Jean was out with her dogs and was yelling at him too! Finally he circled around up by the cabin and then trotted down the drive. Dr. Marquez tried to stop him but Dan just kept going (PLEASE Don't squish the new vet!!!!). Luckily Dr. Marquez moved... and then Dan stopped to sniff something and I was able to walk up and catch him. Jeesh Dan... you're so embarassing!

So then Dr. Marquez was like "let's just see how he is under saddle... if you're willing!" Ha ha. Yep. I feel much safer ON TOP! So I tacked him up and we went to the arena and rode. Of course now that he's been poked and prodded and flexed... and then galloped around on concrete a bit... he was lame. Like... not just "NQR", but legit lame. I could feel it easily. Well darn. So we did a quick walk/trot/canter and then headed back in. 

Dr. Marquez said that he would definitely inject his hocks and that it was kind of hard to evaluate the neck when the hocks were screaming at us. Valid. Frustrating but valid. And really... I had said I wanted to make sure it really was the neck and not something else. Maybe it's not his neck. Maybe it's really hind end and it's not so much the compression of his neck but the sit in the hind end. Slightly annoying that it's been only 6 months since we did his hocks... and when we did, it didn't really change anything. So I'm a little paranoid that I won't see any change after this, but he was definitely sore and reactive so... we injected his hocks. He was a good boy for it (with drugs of course). Dr. Marquez also mentioned that his back seemed pretty tight... he didn't really bounce in it under saddle, so maybe to work my magic there. So I'll probably adjust and shockwave him tomorrow. 

So then we had to put him back in the stall and he had to stay in overnight. Ugh. Sorry dude. Now you've been in all day and will be in all night. I was so tempted to just turn him out, but... Lyric had to stay in too. And she really needed to stay in. Sigh.... She ended up having a hole in her patellar ligament. UGH. So she'll have like... 3-9 months off. Which means... maybe now is not the time to take Dan to surgery.... I'd like to have someone else other than just Funny to ride. :( Although in some ways, maybe rehabbing two at the same time would be easier? Except Lyric doesn't need stall/patio rest... but yeah.. I don't know. At the very least I'll see how Dan feels after his hock injections. If it solves the tongue problem then.. maybe we don't do surgery or postpone it for awhile. And if he's not any better, then... I can still consider surgery. 

He was actually better than I expected overnight. He kicked the gate a few times, but only once each time.. not repeatedly. Good boy sir! I'm proud of you... minus the part where you took off and almost mowed down the vet. 

No photos because it was a busy and long day. But I should have because he was so cute staring at me from his jail cell.

 Vet visit

got loose and ran amuck

so good in the stall all day though... mostly

sore hocks, injected... wait on neck

Confused.... but happy??

Interesting day: lots to ponder

 Lesson with Kelly Eaton: felt phenomenal in his trot. happy to reach into contact. not lame at all. talked about the foraminotomy.... kelly mentioned postponing her knee surgery for 13 years... 

opted to push dan a hair... did shoulder in. Not bad considering... but then his tongue came out and he got fussy. and I really didn't even have him collected at all. not overbent in the neck. kelly thought that it was coming from the hind end, not the neck. cantered.... not great. he was worried. 

cantering left is worse.... wants to go really low in his neck, twists to the outside, . going right though... not great still and wide behind, which is new (per kelly). she still thinks hind end. 

so.. then went for a hack. cantered in the field some. still wants to fall out of it a bit. 

then watched webinar on neck pain..... really suspicious it's all neck.... not hind end. contemplating surgery hard core

but also... so grateful to God for all he's taught me.... how much this journey has changed me... my priorities... how much it has educated me

sunset while spreading manure

WE JUMPED!!!!

 And he was sooooo happy about it! 

We had a lesson today with Jacel and rode with Laura and Smartie. 

started off sad because of cross cantering over the pole, but also didn't offer any assistance or balancing.

then did a few fences or two of cross rails and low verticals. rode with a loose rein and used my seat, core and thighs, and.. it freakin' works! UNTIL... we did a line with a little oxer and he got excited and bolted. ha ha.. 

he was so happy. it got better. he's jumping straight! no right drift! 

then went for a hack.. stuck behind smartie because he power walks but dan got mad... tried to put his head down and buck/bolt and almost fell??? Neuro??? unbalanced? stepped in a hole? 

then hacked home by myself and cantered the gallop track. actually not too tricky to canter.. and felt pretty balanced. 

rode whole day letting him carry himself... not holding him up

good pony. 

Homework at Home

 Stayed and rode at home today. practiced our adjustability without reins... reminder of seat aids. then did kelli and jacel homework... trotting to cantering on the buckle... then trotting in a training level plus 1 frame...  also slowed the trot. felt really quite nice but did buckle on left front a time or two. canter transitions still had a bit of neck at times but got better. cantering left, still wants to twist a bit or dive really low. 

hacked home but construction behind art's house was making very weird boinking noises and dan got concerned. not bolty but... wanted to just stand and stare. so i got off to better drag him home. ;) 

then got email about foraminotomy.... and now so confused and upset. praying hard for what to do 

Strengthening

 Today was lesson day with Jacel and I wanted to get her take on Dan. The arenas were closed at Ashland because of the rain last night, but luckily I was able to sweet talk Jacel into coming to me on her way home. And bonus, I got to lesson on Lyric too! 

I did Dan first because he was a mudball! I must have curried off a pound of dirt! I got on and warmed him up at the walk a bit. Since his jump bridle had rubbed, I decided to try him in the new noseband I had got. Artemis had a sale and I got a bunch of nosebands for $10-$30! This was a figure 8 ish type noseband/flash type. Unfortunately, it still hit the same spot as his rub but I was hoping since it was new leather and not all crusty from being in the lake a gabillion times, it wouldn't run. And then I just left his regular bit on because... you know.... didn't want to change too many things at once and I was also lazy and running out of time.  Overall I would say he was better. He kept his tongue in... he wasn't too chompy... but he was a bit fussy and twisting his head. I have no idea if it's because something else is going on or if he was just trying to keep it off the sore spot. But there wasn't any worsening of the spot after our lesson, so.. hard to say. 

I told Jacel what was going on and she watched me trot him around on a loose connection. She thought that he looked pretty good but that our trot to walk transitions were too abrupt. She said that he was basically slamming his SI joints with his downwards and that would certainly make him sore. So we started off working on the trot to walks.. and me asking for it in 3 strides, vs one. I also had to soften my seat and not drive his back to a standstill. Ahhhh... I didn't quite realize how heavy I was with my seat until I worked hard to lighten it. Interesting!! And our downwards got better. So then I mentioned his upwards being icky. So we did a trot to canter and I told her that I didn't like how he flung his head up because it made me worry that he's using his front end to canter vs his hind end. So she had me drop the reins to the buckle and ride him around like that. We did trot to canter to trot to canter to trot for a bit, on the buckle. And after the 3rd or 4th transition, he stopped flinging his head up. Okay..... so what does that mean? She said she thought it was just that I was holding him. And because I was holding him (not harshly... just in a supportive way) he wasn't having to do it himself. So he wasn't strengthening himself. So she suggested I ride him on the buckle for a week or two so that he has to learn to carry himself. He KNOWS how to go on the bit. He knows how to go into a second level frame. But he's forgotten (or it accidentally got deleted) how to use himself properly without me doing it for him. So he's gotten weak. And if I ride him on the buckle, he has to figure it out for himself. She explained how the two weeks before Pine Top, she only had time to do about 10 rides and they were all just hacking the hills around her farm. And she let her go on a long rein and just focused on her lifting her back and marching. And she felt stronger and more balanced at Pine Top than she did when she had been focusing/training hard. And got a better dressage score too. She said that Dan would go into contact easily, but he needed to get stronger. Even if we never picked up the reins at home while we were training... til the end of time... he could still do that.. and go into a test and I could pick up the reins then and he would score well. okay... I hear what you're saying. And.. there was a little part of me that was like "Yes... that's what I'm doing... we're hacking and training around at a training level frame.. if that"!. BUT.... I'm not actually. I'm getting bored/greedy/who knows what... and inching him up into a frame. It's not a second level frame... and it's still on a longer neck, but.. I'm not really letting him go around on the buckle. I'm still supporting him and helping him. 

So we did a bunch of walk to trot to canter to trot to walk to trot to walk to trot to canter transtions with the reins on the buckle. And he got much better in his transitions. I still had to keep my seat light in the downwards so he didn't get slammy. And I had to occasionally tickle him off my inside leg. But he got some really nice transitions! And then she let me pick up my reins a bit and he still stayed pretty soft. 

So.. that's the homework for him. Ride him on the buckle and let him strengthen himself. She said that he was tucking and using his pelvis better and not putting so much concussion on it in the transitions. I'm still a little worried though. He was a bit fussy and biting at his shoulder some. Granted, that was more in the beginning before I dropped the reins. But he was twisting his poll some and a bit fussy. So I don't know.... I don't know if it's weakness or discomfort or both. But we've got a vet visit on Tuesday, so we'll do our buckle rides and Kelly E homework until then and see what we've got. 

Poor dude though.. he got some treats and got untacked and tossed right back out so I could get my lesson with Lyric done. I did sneak him a carrot afterwards when I let them out to eat grass in the middle field though because he was a good boy and tried hard!

Sunday Funday

 

So... today, instead of going hacking with Jamie and Sharon at Charlie Elliot, I decided to ride with Kelli at Ashland. Partly because I didn't want to mess up Jamie's pacing practice and partly because I wanted to do some dressage too. Although I am sad about missing the Wisteria blooms. Maybe they'll still be there when I can get there!

I was trying to get there early so Dan and I could trot the gallop track and do some hills but we only managed early enough to walk up the XC hill once, trot down the long side, and then trot up the hill again. But, better than nothing. 

We then met Kelli in the arena and did some work. He was a very good boy. He felt really good but also not good. He felt a bit "skippy" today at times, especially when we went from tracking right to tracking left. A few steps on asymmetry. Almost like he was trying to get a foot off the ground quicker. Sigh... No tongue, but..he was a bit fussier in the bridle. Chewing. I couldn't tell if he was just chompy or if he was trying to figure out how to get his tongue out and couldn't?! Although at the end of our ride I noticed that his bridle had rubbed his chin, so.. maybe that's why he was fussy? 

We did have some good work though. He was pretty happy and really responsive to my seat aids and got fairly good "sit" for where we're at right now. And off my seat aids. He also felt really soft in the contact. Kelli mentioned it may be because of the jump bridle being an elevator, but... I think he was just really soft. He was on such a loose rein... not like cranked in or anything. And he felt pretty happy to go to the good place with his neck position. And his trot felt good when it didn't feel asymmetric. The canter work was pretty decent too. We even did a few shallow serpentines and worked on our transitions. We still struggle with the upward, especially on the left lead, but that's kind of always been an issue. 

So.. yeah, I don't know. Afterwards we headed out for a hack. We hit the lake so they could drink and splash and then headed out. Kelli made a comment about me getting on Marvin to feel what she was feeling so after he splashed, I got on Marvin and she walked Dan. Marvin led... and we got to the field with the bit of gallop track and Marvin picked up the trot. So.. we trotted a few loops so that I could feel him out. Dan didn't get too upset apparently. Good boy. Then I got back on him and we headed towards Halfshire and then went back through the healing place. So we got a little bit of hills. 

And earlier today I let them all in the middle field to eat some grass, so they were happy campers! It's so buggy out there though! 

Oh Glorious Day

 

Today ended up beautifully!!! I was a bit bummed earlier today because I noticed Dan cross cantering in the pasture... on his own. Sigh. The weather got much nicer as the day went on so by the time we rode, it was glorious out. We were going to do dressage and hack, but... it was waaaaaayyyy to pretty to hit the arenas, so... we started with a warm up hack.. then just decided to do dressage in the field. And it was a great ride. We did some hills, some walking, some trotting, some cantering... some almost galloping... and then finished with another hack. He felt pretty darn good. Perhaps still a bit weak in the canter, but... we didn't have any tongue issues. He did chomp a tiny bit though, but not bad.  I did ride in the jump bridle though. But he felt soft and happy. Ahhh..... I could have stayed out there all day. Him too I think. 

 

As much fun as he is jumping and dressaging... he's sooo much fun doing this too. This will be enough. I'm greedy.. and want more if I can get it, but... this will be enough. And I'm grateful to God for giving me this, because... *this* isn't a given either. 

 

After our ride I shockwaved his neck, stifles, and SI joints and LS joint again. He enjoyed it. 

The water complex has never been this green! Jacel thought they died it, but... I'm pretty sure it's all the pollen turning it green!! ha!!