March 31, 2012 - Helping with paddock renovations

Rory's paddock was split in two today.  A new fence was put up down the middle.  Rory, Totyo and their older buddy kept a close eye on things until they got bored.  They had to check out the contents of the pickup truck at one point.  Rory found a bag of insulators (for electric fence) and picked it up.  The noise spooked them all, but Rory didn't actually drop the bag until after he'd spun towards the other two horses and rattled it in their direction.

Totyo, buddy and Rory inspecting the truck contents

Rory inspecting one of the new fence posts

The three of them won't be in the reduced paddock for very long.  The barn owner is going to put in another fence to make a new paddock for Rory's bunch.

 I rode Rory again this evening.  Not for long, a little under 15 minutes.  We were in the sand ring again and he was very good.  I was quite pleased with how he relaxed and started to lift his back a little bit.

March 24, 2012 - Let's try that again

I got on Rory today for the first time since he bucked me off. It will be nine weeks on Monday. My tailbone is still not 100% but is much better and I really felt I needed to get on him again. I was a bit nervous, especially when he put his head down, but he didn't get into tossing his head up and down like the day he bucked me off. I was ready to catch him if he did dive. We actually got outside in the sand ring and trotted a little bit each way. I rode for less than ten minutes but he was good - he even knocked the block over as he walked off and didn't mind at all.

I rode brat today as well - before Rory this time.

March 17, 2012 - Still swimming...

I took brat for an almost half hour road hack today. We went round the block mostly in trot and canter. Walked the last bit home which was hard on my tail, but was worth it to get out again.

Rory and Totyo at play

 I worked Rory a bit on the longe and in hand yesterday and he was very good. Started to get the idea of shoulder-in. He seemed to be enjoying the outing.

A misty morning in March!

His poop juice issue has been better in the last couple of weeks. We should know around the end of April if the biopsy gave us the right answer. At any rate I might be convinced around then if he's been clean for a month.

February 29, 2012 - Back in the saddle, but not on Rory

I rode brat for ten minutes today!!  Just for a little two point/hunter perch toodle around the neighbour's snow covered hay field, but still! He was very good about slowing down when I told him galloping was
not happening today, but he did keep trying to increase the pace a little bit.   I think I could have managed
another round but opted to stop before my weakened unfit leg muscles started screaming in pain.  I hopped off and handwalked for a few minutes when we got back - it's easier to not sit at faster than walk speeds. Brat seemed disappointed that was all we did, but we were both happy to get out again. I'll go again tomorrow if I'm not too sore and the weather cooperates.

I did shorten my stirrups a hole to make the two point/half seat easier.  I'm not ready to handle any antics from Rory just yet, but it's progress!

This is Brat.  He is my thoroughbred Quarter horse cross.
He's a Rockstar in all things and has set the bar pretty high for Rory.