I have ridden Otoelene a few times since her navicular diagnosis. She is no longer on bute and I have turned her out with the other horses. She still has the wedge shoes which really cause a shorten stride which is taking some getting use to for both of us I'm sure. It's hard to know how much I can ride her but I feel like if she isn't really limping without bute and she still isn't limping the day after I ride, then that is probably an ok amount. I told J I was going to take Otoelene for a little ride today. He said, check the cows in the hayfield, look at the bull, and check the water tank while you're out.
But when I went to catch Otoelene, which wasn't too difficult considering her position, she really didn't want to get up. The sun was shining, the wind wasn't blowing, and she was having a nice rest. Draper tried her hand (or mouth) at getting Otoelene up too, with no success. I sat down and waited her out. When she finally decided rest time was over, we headed to the barn. I had never really notice before, but her Paint spot looks a lot like a bat.
I trotted around in the barn for a little bit and everything checked out fine, so we headed off for a ride around the farm.The cows had drunk down the water tank but there was still some left, so check.
Saw the cows, check.
Found the bull, check.
And had a pleasant ride, check.
Draper's "efforts" made me chuckle. I'm a happy to see the view from behind Otoelene's ears again.
ReplyDeleteFirst time I realised Otoelene is a Paint!
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a good ride; it's always good to have a purpose for a ride- check!