Back in the Saddle

Last Wednesday was four weeks post surgery, and my last dose of blood thinners was last Thursday morning, so I was officially cleared to start exercise and riding again. My first ride back was on Friday. 

Best view

Even though Trainer A had worked her three times earlier in the week, Cinder was fresh on Friday. I got on, went to tighten my girth, and she did her patented move of humping her back, squealing, and paddling her front legs, which indicates she needs to buck. I immediately got off and grabbed a lunge line and let her play. I don't trust her "I need to buck" feeling when I'm 100%, let alone after 2.5 months out of the saddle. After broncing and kicking out on the line, I girded my loins and got back on. And she was great. I felt like a sack of potatoes; I could recognize what I needed to do in the saddle but couldn't make my body comply. I thought my issue would be my core, since I have three holes in my abdomen, but it was mostly my thighs that didn't want to react like normal and my timing of my aids was a little off. 

What better time than moving barns to clean out all your shit?

I wasn't nearly as sore on Saturday as I expected to be, which was nice. Cinder got some bodywork and I got back on on Sunday for a light, stretchy ride. I did free lunge her first just in case. The temperature had dropped, and it was very windy which lead to some nice groaning noises on one long side of arena. The jump shed which was attached to the indoor, collapsed during the ice storm, and the debris hasn't all been cleared away yet, so it was moving around with the wind. I felt more connected in my body, and was able to mostly time my aids correctly during our ride. I signed up for our regular Friday afternoon lesson for this week, so fingers crossed it goes well. 

Fits and Starts

It seems like this year my riding has gone in fits and starts.  Starting last fall Peebs had issues tracking/turning/jumping to the left, then we got his stifles done and that helped. We had really weird weather in Feb/March with snow and cold temp and I didn't feel much like riding. Then we worked through the left issue and just when things started to click I went on vacation for two weeks.

Peebs and his new turnout buddy Red

 When I came back I was hoping to get back to a more regular riding schedule.  But work got crazy and I was doing a lot more and was too drained to ride much.  Then my grandfather got sick and I took a long weekend to fly home and say goodbye, thankfully because he passed a week after I saw him.

It's in large part thanks to my grandfather's generosity and financial skills that I have these two, so thank you Grandpa.

But now both ponies are moved into A's barn, work is still crazy but should get better in a week or two, and I'm starting to feel more motivated. Other than flying down for my grandfather's service in late July/early August, I have all summer to dedicate to the ponies. I've had a couple really good rides with Peebs last week and I'm hopeful that we can end the fits and starts and finally really start working.