I sometimes wonder whether any equestrians ever sail through a week without at least one hiccup. Not every setback is of huge consequence but this week has once again reminded me how often the challenges we face aren’t in the saddle but in the day-to-day care of our horses.
Second-guessing myself
Riley has had some time off recently due to stiffness, and after a couple of gentle hacks this week, I sensed a glimmer of hope that things were turning a corner. But mid-week, when I tacked him up, those hopes quickly faded. Riley wasn’t particularly happy with the girth strap being tightened, and since it has only recently been changed, I started second-guessing myself. Had I fitted it incorrectly? Was it too far forward? A quick check with Laura reassured me everything was fine, so I headed into the manege for a short schooling session.
At first, it looked promising—he even turned his head for his usual “mounting block polo,” which always makes me smile. But the moment I asked him to walk, he simply wouldn’t move. Whilst Riley can be on the reluctant side, he always responds when asked. This time, he didn’t and clearly wasn’t happy. Concern immediately set in. A glance in the mirrors confirmed what I suspected: he was moving stiffly. I dismounted right away. I’ve learned with Riley that if he doesn’t give me his all, it’s because he can’t, not because he won’t, so I always listen to what he tells me. He’s seeing the vet this week, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed it’s nothing too serious.
Blackjack, meanwhile, is enjoying his time off. He’s showing no signs that the recently diagnosed ulcers are troubling him, and we’re now halfway through his treatment. So far, everything is looking really promising, which is a huge relief.
The Starbucks ritual
On Saturday morning I headed over to see them both for pony pats in the field. It has become a ritual to stop at Starbucks on the way—a small highlight I always look forward to.
Since losing our beloved Cocker Spaniel, Mabel a few months ago, our Jack Russell, Poppy has joined us on most of our road trips. Despite being blind, she somehow always knows when a road trip is on the cards—positioning herself at the front door before I’ve even grabbed my keys. I’ve yet to work out how she does it. These days she’s fully part of the Starbucks run too. On this trip, the barista asked if Poppy would like a Puppuccino, and she lapped it up—literally. It’s safe to say she enjoys Starbucks just as much as we do.
Pony patting
Poppy also enjoys the walk down to the field to see the ponies—though she’s far less enthusiastic about actually greeting them. Blackjack, on the other hand, wasted no time in coming over to say hello. Midway through our pony-patting session, however, I noticed something wasn’t quite right with one of his front shoes. A closer look confirmed it was loose, and to my dismay, one of his back shoes was missing.
With the farrier not due for over a week an immediate hopeful text was sent, and I currently have my fingers crossed for a visit before then. Loose shoes are always a worry and it has rather scuppered my plans of Blackjack hacking this week.
Still, some weeks remind you that horses have their own timelines. For now, I’ll happily settle for pony pats, cuddles, and the quiet joy they bring in their own way.