Chiro

Cupid sees his chiropractor about every other month.  I'm sure most non-horse people would think I'm insane if they knew that!  I don't know how much it helps him, but since he carries me around on his back I feel it's the least I can do for him. 
It's always interesting to hear where the chiropractor finds trouble spots.  This time she said his neck was a little out on the right side, his pelvis was rotated up to the right, and left hamstring tighter than the right because he pushes off more with his left leg.  She also noted some sensitivity in his back.  We checked the saddle fit, which looked okay, so I ordered a thinline shock absorbing pad which might make him more comfortable.
The chiropractor was happy to see that Cupid has put on a lot of muscle and that his topline is improving. 

Dressage

We took the plunge and got a dressage saddle!  It is a Passier Nicole Grand Gilbert, lightly used and in excellent condition.  I've only ridden in a dressage saddle a few times (Dee and I borrowed one for a while) so I need to get used to it but it felt comfortable and I think I was sitting more upright.  This saddle does not really force you in position, it does not have the huge thigh blocks or super deep seat.  The seller kindly gave me the stirrups, girth, and a few pads to got with it so all we need now is a black bridle.

Coincidentally someone moved all the dressage markers from the arena and they were sitting outside.  Cupid thought this was kind of scary!  He shied walking by.  Even from the inside of the arena he was giving it the eye.  But we had a nice ride, and did a few canter figure 8s with a simple lead change.

Back in Training

Cupid and I had a nice little break from heavy duty training, but it's time to get serious again. 
Our first lesson back we reviewed the basics, then did a little jumping for the first time in about 2 months.  We started with a pile of poles, and Cupid leaped over them exuberantly the first few times.  Then he remembered it's no big deal and was calm.  We did little crossrails and a small brush box, just 12"-18".  Cupid was very good!  I still need to work on not leaning too far ahead coming into the jumps, plus I have a bad habit of dropping my right rein after the jump!  Definitely not something I can get away with when galloping around a course so I really need to work on that!!

Our lucky day - we found a 5 leaf clover!

This morning we had a lesson on the flat.  I lunged Cupid a bit before our lesson, and he was super lazy.  However a little after I got on him he suddenly found a lot of energy.  We were trotting on a circle, and we picked up a canter once so after that Cupid decided that is the "canter depart point" and would pick up a canter every time we got there.  He picked it up really smooth and it was a nice canter, but my trainer reminded me if I didn't ask for it then I need to pull him up right away.  Then once he got a little quick and I thought he was going to run away with me so I kind of pointed him at the arena fence to stop.  I think I overreacted. 
We worked on leg yielding from a canter - we started on the rail and were supposed to go through a set of cones set about 10 feet off the rail then go back onto the rail.  The first few times was rough, but I did it a few times at the trot and then Cupid figured out what I was asking for and was pretty good.  It is easier getting him to move off the right leg then the left.  We both got a good workout and were tired at the end of the lesson.

Cats bring their owners dead mice - Cupid brought me a big spiky shrub!

Static!!

Quick Update

Cupid and I have been working on getting back into shape, continuing with riding outside the ring, lunging over caveletti, and his stretches.  We will resume working with our trainer soon, we would have already but he's been busy with some shows. 

Caught him napping!

Yesterday when I rode Cupid it was very foggy, which makes him a little more spooky.  He was good walking by a new water trough, but got startled by another horse and someone shaking out a blanket.  When he gets startled it kind of feels like his legs just come out from under him, all of the sudden he gets a foot shorter.  If it's really bad he spins, luckily he didn't do that.

This morning I lunged him and he was pretty naughty.  He was good going to the left, but when we switched to the right he didn't want to go over the caveletti and kept running out.  After a few times I put another, higher caveletti angled to the side.  The first time he tried to run out and had to jump over it, after that he decided it was easier to just go over the lower caveletti.  But I did have a little bit of trouble keeping him on the circle, and he got loose once I accidentally let go of the line.  He ran bucking down to the end of the arena, luckily he didn't trip on the lunge line.  I made him go over a few times and he was good so we called it a day.  He might be a little sore tomorrow from the exertion and banging into the caveletti.

He gets in all sorts of awkward situations trying to get food

Eating something spiky

Physical Therapy

I checked in with the vet to discuss putting Cupid back to work, and he prescribed some stretching exercises to help with Cupid's stifles!  These exercises involve lifting and stretching Cupid's hind legs - flex straight up, stretch out behind, stretch out underneath him.  10 reps of each move on each leg, so it takes a little time to go through it.  Recommended every 2-3 days.  Cupid does not seem to enjoy it, but he tolerates it at least. 

In the cross ties, waiting for PT to start

Cupid's been very good walking and trotting around the property.  We encounter a lot of small animals (rabbits, birds, even deer), and he is not scared if they run out from the bushes.  He doesn't mind shadows or puddles.  But he doesn't like when there is a new object in a place he's familiar with.  The other day it was a pallet of white feed bags stacked in front of the barn, he did not want to walk by.  He finally danced past it, I told him he was good boy and we kept going and looped around a few minutes later and walked by it again.  A little better the second time but he was still nervous.  A few more times and he wasn't bothered anymore. 

Ready for a ride

The first ride back in the arena had me concerned because he didn't want to trot at all.  I wasn't sure if it was the stifle, or something else that hurt, or if he was just being naughty.  I gave him the benefit of doubt and let him just walk.  This was before I saw the vet and the vet said I should try to push him a little more - the vet thought he was moving okay and said we need to push him a little.  The next time I rode it was outside and he seemed much happier to trot - I don't know if he was in a better mood or prefers the harder ground or just being outside.  I also like being outside but unfortunately there aren't too many places we can ride without having to go along a busy road.

Almost Healed

There hasn't been much to report in the last few weeks - I've been going out to see Cupid twice a day to turn him out in the morning, refill his water bucket, and change his bandage/check on the wound.  For the first few weeks there didn't look like there was much change in the wound, then all of the sudden over the last week it just shrunk and closed up dramatically!  Cupid is still wearing a standing wrap because I'm worried about him re-opening the wound, it has become clearly apparent that he is pretty accident-prone! 

I put him on the lunge line on Saturday (wrapping his front legs in polos), and he was pretty uncomfortable trotting.  His stifles/hind end look really stiff.  Hopefully it is just from loss of conditioning, but I'll discuss with the vet if there are any other issues we need to check, and will try to stay away from circles at least initially.  Then on Sunday I rode for about 12 minutes, with a few gentle inclines for him to walk up.  We'll start gradually working back up.

What do you mean I have to work??

Playtime

I've been letting Cupid out in the pasture during the day, and he is happy to be with his buddies.  Here's his first turnout in about three weeks.

I watched him for a little while to make sure he's not overdoing it or trying to take his bandage off, but he was good.  He is getting more confident with the other horses, not a total pushover any more.  He was bossing the new horse around!  The big bay following him in the video is his buddy Spiffy, they seem to hang out together most of the day.  

On Sunday I clipped reins onto his halter and got on him bareback and just walked around for a few minutes.  Even though we didn't do much it felt good after not riding for so long!  Cupid was a very good boy.  I could feel a little difference that he's put on some weight during his time off, he was a little more comfortable bareback!  But I still wouldn't want to trot.