Gate Dude!

Another hack to Greenham today- he feels better yet again!

Gates!

Today we nannied Louisa on Gilly up to the common. As Louisa hasn't done gates yet and its her first proper ride in about a year I wasn't cruel enough to make her do gates. That meant either hopping off and back on C or having a crack at opening and then holding the gate open each way. My awesome boy only went and cracked it! Turn on the forehand, rein back- what a total awesome dude he is. Gilly was just FANTASTIC for Louisa and Carats was his usual, awesome and just perfect self- so so proud of my pony today!

Strength and Stamina

I thought that now would be a good time to update on Carats progression.

Building a little muscle but lacking any top line.

Under the guidance of my fantastic support team we have been gently upping Carats work and turnout. He now has access to a flat, good size area of grass during the day and this is keeping him mobile without putting strain on him.

His hacking has been increased and today he did his first solo circuit on the common with a little trot
work on the flat of the common too. He really enjoyed himself and loves the fact that there are dogs, people, bikes etc on the common- he is super nosy so likes lots of activity. I am really pleased with how he felt, I have been worried about him feeling unlevel and how weak he was but he seems to have progressed through this and is starting to feel much more balanced and even now. The hill is still hard work for him and he can't MARCH up it the whole way but I am happy with him as long as he walks out.

Greenham in the morning haze.

I have taken some photos of him so I can chart his progress, you can see that he is just starting to build a little muscle on his shoulders and hindquarters, he still looks like he has been out of work of course but I won't rush this rehab phase so it will take a long time but he does feel better every time I sit on him.

He is such a wonderful boy and I can't tell you how happy I am to be back on him, he is so totally unflappable and bombproof but still a huge character. Oh and so gorgeous too of course!

Lovin this sunny weather and loving my fab ponio!

Physio

Today Carats had my fantastic physiotherapist Christine out to treat him, we trotted him up and although he wasn't stepping under himself that well, he looked really quite well. His lower back held a little soreness but nothing bad and in fact less back pain than he had the previous times. 

Christine worked on him for quite a while including using the muscle stim unit on him. His behaviour while being treated was fabulous, much better manners than when she last treated him so that was great news too.

Forwards from this point is a balance of hacking under saddle, being led (using roller and bungee that goes round his bum), and rest days too.

He is very weak at the moment and really lacks muscle so the biggest thing is trying to build him up without pushing things, it's time and patience with my boy.

Generally though all good- onwards and upwards! 

First Greenham outing

So today we had our first outing on Greenham common, its a fantastic area for rehab as is mostly flat with some little hills they can work on, stone tracks, water etc.

Splashing with Gilly and Neill :)

Carats had felt a little hesitant over the last few days and I am so cautious about him I was wondering if he was sore, we had a look at him and he seemed totally fine so decided to crack on and get him walking and trotting out properly, I can't keep worrying the whole time if he is lazy or sore and have to assume mostly that as he looks sound that he is just feeling full of grass.

I pushed on with him and we have done the hill a few times now. Today was a wonderful day, he felt stronger today going uphill and we did our first little loop on the common- yipeee!

We had a most wonderful time and were nannied out by Neill who borrowed Pippas lovely boy Gilly, we walked around the tracks, avoided the wild ponies and splashed in the water- all in gorgeous sunshine! Happy days :)

Today I am feeling so happy and positive!

Honestly Carats!

So things had been improving with C. We have finally started some hill work. Once he is strong enough to do the hill comfortably then we can get out onto the open area that is Greenham Common and there are a lot of opportunities for strengthening work etc up there.

He has also been allowed more freedom while grazing and we have opened up the long field for him which he was super happy with!

However, one morning I went up and he had a big fat knee! I have no idea what he's done but a few days of rest and cold hosing and thankfully it seems to have gone down.

So, we continue on with the hill work, he is not ready for the full hill yet and find it hard going but as always, he tries his best for me.

Aaaaaaand...

So Good News. Carats is much sounder than he was last scan, his trot up etc was hugely better and Andrew is happy for us to push on with more rehab. He now has back shoes on and we will do a week of flat walking and then start adding trot work on the flat plus hill work in walk only next week.  We can then start longer trots on the flat before eventually adding in hill trot work and eventually canter work. We will play it day to day and see how he gets on, if he seems reluctant or unlevel then we will rest for a bit and move on again.

I realise of course, that he will never be a 'normal' horse again, he will be treated with kid gloves, kept away from mud and managed throughout the year. His exceptionally laid back temperament allows him to live this way without turning himself inside out. He has of course had a few 'moments; but in the scheme of things he has been impeccable.

We have had a few hilarious moments. There is a new pony at the yard named Chips who the kids are to share for pony club/ lead rein stuff. He is adorable and cheeky as every pony should be. As he is currently going through some rehab work it made sense to lead him off C and rehab together. Well, C had other ideas! I tacked up, hopped on and led out...

Ethan and 'Chips'

Carats "I hate ponies, let me bite him"
Me "Stop it C, get on with it"
Carats "Fine, I will plant and eat then"
Me "Grrr get on, stop stuffing"
Carats "Sod that I will kick him then"
Me "No you won't, just walk forwards and stop being a tw*t"
Carats "Well Screw You, if you are going to make me go forwards I will grab on and try to run away from the pony"
Me "Oi, stop it and WALK"
Carats "How about boinging up and down on the spot... passage? Sideways jogging and flinging myself around... are you having fun now Mum... NO?!? Well now you know how I Fuffing feel leading that STUPID pony"
Me "Fine, shall I get off, we will walk back and I will put away the pony and we will try again... alone"
Carats "Thats all I wanted Mum... luuurve you really"

Carats 1.... Me 0....