Kristen

Despite our well draining sandy soil, good footing is key for this part of Elf’s rehab as we try to strengthen his body – especially that injured leg. Up until the second week of January, we had slowly added 2 minutes of trotting each week to Elf’s rides until we hit 10 minutes. alternate short days of lunging with Pessoa with long, slow hacks that finish with 10 or 15 minutes of ring work as he’s feeling stronger. I’m generally a minimalist when it comes to training gadgets (although I’m an absolute sucker for super soft fuzzy things), but I know that the weakest part of Elf’s body is his SI/loin connection.

Elf suddenly had foot issues, we moved, had issues with our house, my kiddo’s school asked to skip him a grade and my husband was traveling constantly for work. My goals may not include tackling new levels or making a national list, but I am committed to each ride impacting my horse positively. A massive PR fight started over whether the World Equestrian Center Ocala could host both USEF rated shows and non rated shows that offered competitive experiences to other shows. Moving every 2 or so years as a military family, I can tell you that it is universally challenging to navigate finding good barns & trainers, getting plugged in to local resources and joining the opportunities offered by local organizations.

his right front shoe was missing, along with a good chunk of foot, and both hind legs were stocked up. I sent a quick text to my very awesome farrier and another to our barn manager before cold hosing Elf’s hind legs. In the afternoon, I came back to wrap up the foot and ice boot the hind legs. or he just happened to pull off his shoe at the same time that his hind legs stocked up in response to the crazy humid heat and very wet ground that we’d been having.

I want to be able to prioritize short, effective work outs that are building strength and relaxation as Elf and I get back into a routine of riding regularly. He was a little balky, by now sweaty and tense, so we focused on a free and forward walk around the jump field, over a few little obstacles and back around to the barn. Calling it a day gave me the time to really shower him well and spend a little time checking out some skin irritation spots before tucking him in. Between that and this being the first time that Elf has worked 4 times in a week in a long time, it seemed like a good time for a lunge session.