Darn Cheaters!

 Oh how my heart needed this! His too! Hopefully we won't regret it. Although technically, it's been a month and a day since our vet visit with Keelin. Which means he's been resting and not ridden for a month. And thats what Dr. Tull suggested... well, I guess he suggested injecting again and then paddock rest for a month and then back to work. And we didn't exactly do paddock rest.. nor did we inject again... Whoops. But... he has been munching his hay in his stall quite frequently and other than his occasional shenanigans and Halloween, he's been mostly idle. So... but yeah.. I guess we're still cheating. Sigh.. maybe this is why he's on his 9th life. 

 

But... but.... BUT.... we both really really enjoyed ourselves. And I am not sure he's any worse for the wear. I hope and pray not. 

   

It was a beautiful day and I needed to shockwave Marvin for Kelli so we made a plan to do it at Ashland. And since Marvin is rehabbing too, we figured a nice walk with the boys would be good. We weren't sure if either of us would get on or if we would just hand walk them. And I think originally, the plan was a much shorter ride, but... as trail ride leader, I got carried away. Per usual. 

   

When we were about to head out Judy was there and asked to join us with Teller, so we all headed out! Yay! Me and Kelli on foot (but with helmets and bridles and bareback pad (me) and saddle (Kelli)) and Judy in the saddle. We walked to the lake and Dan was behaving pretty well. Judy watched him and said she didn't think he looked lame, although maybe he had a slight hip drop on the right side. She had forgotten which side was injured. As we got close to the lake... I mentioned that I would probably hop on because I was afraid that if I stayed on the ground I'd end up in the lake to my waist and/or still lose Dan to a swim. And with his bridle on... I didn't want him getting tangled... So.. I hopped on. Ahhhhhh... instant mood boost! And he barged right in and splashed away. So much splashing! And brrrr.. that water was a bit chilly! Of course he managed to get it all in my boots, so my feet got pretty wet. But.. he didn't swim and I stayed dryer than had I walked in the lake. So then... I just stayed on.... 

 

We had a lovely ride. We just walked and walked and walked. We tried to avoid downhills for Marvin so we kept it fairly flat and on good terrain. Which was probably ideal for Dan too. And he really never felt like he was fatiguing or getting weird. Although at the very end he took a few wonky steps, which may have been more related to terrain than anything. I almost got off at the end but we were so close that I just stayed on and then he didn't take anymore funky steps. But he did let Teller lead from the lake back home, so I do think he was tired and/or sore. He usually wouldn't tolerate it and in the beginning of the ride he was sassy when Teller tried to get in front. 

 

But.... Ahhhh, we both had a blast! He was good and seemed to enjoy himself. I think he was glad to have company and a real pool party again. When we got back he was fairly sweaty (he's soooo hairy and it was 78 degrees) and he was already filthy from the night before and this morning. My thought was that if I rinsed him off, maybe he'd be clean and dry when we got home and I could tape him. Because he was too damp and dirty this am to tape. So I hosed him off and then tied him to the trailer. I debated leaving him tied when we went to shockwave but... we had to walk over to the show booth to get electricity and there was a lot of coming and going at Ashland because of the nice weather and it being a Saturday. And then after chatting with Kelli briefly I walked back over and he had his halter half off... so yep... into the trailer you go sir! ha ha... So the poor guy had to sit in the trailer for a good 45 minutes while I shockwaved Marvin. (and then he did it again in the trailer!)

 

 

When we got home he was still wet! That's some dense hair dude! And of course he immediately dropped and rolled in the roundpen so he was instantly filthy. Sigh... so much for taping. After he rolled he trotted a few steps out of the arena and then tried to take off at a canter/gallop but immediately realized it was a bad idea and came to a screeching halt. Oh buddy... that was LAME!! :( :( :( Although... I haven't seen him canter on the right lead in a while so... I'm not sure if he was way worse or just.. his normal lame. And that was with shockwave last night. Sigh... I hope I didn't undo months of healing today. I guess I'll see how he looks tomorrow. 

 

And then while I rode Funny, it poured buckets at home, so he was soaking wet again when I fed dinner. So no taping again. Sigh.. maybe tomorrow I can get him taped.. even if he's not super clean. The cheap tape seems to stick longer. 

They are having a free obstacle play day at Ashland tomorrow from 1-3. So depending on what time Liz comes, I was debating taking him to that to get him out and about again. We can do it all in hand or at the walk. But I guess it'll depend on how he looks tomorrow. I probably should have at least surpassed or butacorted his stifle. I didn't even think about it until now. Darn! Maybe I can slap some on at bed check. And we cancelled the haunted trail ride for tomorrow too because of timing. Maybe if he's feeling better I can take him Tuesday... otherwise I guess we wait til next year.