
Afraid to be Hopeful
Even though my vacation was as relaxing as can be, life started back chaotic as soon as my first day back at work began. Stress at work for Tim and I combined with some health scares from a family member made to an interesting back to reality day. Everything should be fine, but moral of the story is take care of yourself and enjoy the things that make you happy!
For better or worse, Simon makes me happy… so off to the barn I went to check on my buddy. At this point, he’s had about three weeks off give or take and our plan was to see how he felt. Since I’ve felt this lameness more than I’ve seen it, I opted to not lunge him and just hop on to see how he felt.
Usually, I feel the kind of shiver/weakness in the hind within the first 10-20 steps at the walk after I get on. Last night, I didn’t feel it.
So I walked a few laps.
Then I trotted, and my horse was so happy to be a ‘sporty horse’ again. Holy motor! In most of our recent rides, I’ve had to leg leg him on… last night, not at all. Granted it was a bit cooler and he’s had three weeks off, so I’m not saying this is a miracle. Still, it was nice for him to be moving on his own.
I kept waiting for him to take a really bad funny step. We trotted both ways. We went in the corners where he usually feels awful. We changed directions. We cantered a lap.
Honestly, he felt really good. He is a tad uneven if you’re looking (usual for him with the hock fusing), and he stuck his hind toe in the dirt once… but really – he felt good.
When I texted my trainer this information, she said she was afraid to be hopeful. That’s how I feel too. So we’ll call tonight a fluke, and that the adrenaline and freshness from three weeks off was covering up some issues. I’ll ride him again tomorrow and see where we stand. I’m not doing cartwheels yet, but it was really nice to have a ride where it felt like my normal Simon.
22 thoughts on “Afraid to be Hopeful”
I’m glad he was feeling better even if it was just for one night! Sounds like you needed it as much as he did.
Dealing with mystery lameness really takes a toll on you, hang in there. I’m crossing my fingers for you guys.
Time off can do wonders – hope its more than a one off for you!
i’ve got my fingers crossed for you!
Sounds like a great ride! Hopefully things keep going well 🙂
Fingers crossed as well…
Hoping right along with you.
You deserved a good ride, and I’m really glad you got one 🙂
So glad you had a good ride!
Glad you had a good ride and Simon was feeling well!
Nothing better than a lovely ride after a long work day!! 🙂
Cautiously hopefully but praying this soundness is permanent!! Glad you had a good ride!
Fingers crossed!
All the fingers crossed! He looks spectacular in those photos!!
We’re all thinking the same thing. Fingers crossed it’s no fluke!
Fingers crossed! No matter what, that seems like it was a nice moment in a stressful time. 🙂
One good ride can go a long way!
It’s always hard but you must hope for the best and prepare for the worse. Take it every ride you can and hold on to it, it’ll make you feel better when things are bad. You guys look great so keep thinking about the good stuff, it’ll keep your head up.
Here’s to it not being a fluke!! 🙂
We’ll all be hopeful for you!
Keeping everything crossed for you both!
*fingers crossed*