Chapter Eleven - Almost Healthy Again

Well, Harley's shoulder healed, and then he got bit on the corner of his mouth.  It was split and swollen, right where the snaffle ring would hit it, of course.  Because he had not been ridden much when his shoulder was sore, I really wanted to give him some exercise.  A friend at the barn suggested riding him with just a halter.  Given his past, I was a bit hesitant, but he has always been really good just hacking out around the farm, so I thought I'd give it a try.  If he got nutty on me, I could just jump off and lead him back.

I saddled him, and then used his lead rope as a rein, snapped on one side of the halter and knotted on the other.  Harley seemed a bit confused, but took this in stride.  I mounted him and off we went.  He walked along like an old trail horse, very relaxed, and seemed so happy that I took him into the big dressage ring, and asked him to trot.  At first, he raised his head and tensed up as usual, but then suddenly his head dropped, his stride lengthened, and he trotted like he has never trotted before, relaxed, round, and strong.  I was stunned.  I had not asked for contact, had almost no contact with his head, and he offered it.

No one was around to see this, so I took him up to the main ring.  Just as the gate closed and we began walking, my trainer drove up.  She called to me to come over, and looked amazed, telling me "he looks so relaxed!"  I asked her how she liked his new bridle, and at her puzzled expression, I showed her the cut on his face.  She could not believe how happy and loose he was.  I walked him off and we picked up the trot, and her jaw dropped. 

What a good boy!

Chapter Ten - My horse is a klutz

The third week of May, Harley injured his shoulder galloping around the ring in turnout.  He made a sudden stop at the fence and pulled a muscle.  It has been 3 weeks and he is starting to look like his old self again.  We have been doing only hand-walking, and will start this week on short rides just at the walk, and gradually move up to trot when he is completely sound at the walk.  Then and only then will we begin trotting.  Too many people rush their horses through recovery, and end up with more serious injuries and a horse laid up for even longer.

Here is a picture that shows Harley doing something similar to what caused his injury.  Obviously, letting him gallop madly around the ring is no longer an option.  I will probably either turn him loose in a smaller ring, or simply lunge him on a long lunge line to "get the kinks out."  I'll be retiring at the end of the year, and riding him quite a bit more, so turnouts will no longer be needed.  If we can just keep him sound until Thanksgiving.....