Thankful

Thank you everyone for your kind words about Chester. I love my cats and take the best care of them I can. They do go outside because they are part of rodent control too. Otherwise the barn and house would be over run or we would need to use traps/poison. I am grateful that I know that he passed away. I hate it when cats disappear and you never know what happened.

As for Irish I have no idea. I hadn't noticed anything before the vet visit and he seems to be fine. This is new territory for me so if anyone has any info to share I would appreciate it.

Irish: pretty sure snacks are good for heart conditions, 

I gave Carmen a day off after the vet visit and I noticed that she seemed more relaxed. I probably wouldn't have ridden (well maybe) but the weather helped because it was rainy and we had to clean for thanksgiving dinner. We invited family coming for dinner and it turned out that we had 15 people for dinner. Which is the largest dinner party I've ever cooked for.

I cooked a ham and a turkey along with all the side dishes and baked some bread. But it all worked out- it was crowded and a bit chaotic but that's family, right?  Of course everyone had to meet the horses.

Irish: why are you over there? you can give me snacks too. 

After everyone left I collapsed on the sofa and then realized that since we weren't eating supper I could go ride. Which is what I did. I was curious to see if Carmen would be different. I did lunge first to help her expend any energy. She was forward but not crazy. When I got on we had one discussion and then it was over. I honestly think that her teeth were more comfortable and that helped her to focus. I really enjoyed the ride. The vet had shown me some massage to do after a ride on her back and I tried it out. As I did it I saw her drop her head and relax.

The next day in our ride i wanted to do more than just the toodling I had done the day before. Even with the extra pressure she was pretty good. I was playing with some poles on the ground and I can feel her really start to thrust and carry herself over them rather than rush.

I worked on shoulder/haunches in. It really is easy for her when she's relaxed and not a rigid board. We did the SI to B half-circle to X and then half-circle to E with SI the other direction. It was easy peasy at the walk, she was just so supple. I then rode the same in HI and it was the same.

Clearly she feels better with her teeth. It helps that the wind had settled as well. I doubt it was all teeth. Carmen will always have her feelings. But I find it less disruptive and I feel much less helpless than I used to.

Carmen looking majestic in the morning mist.
I can't believe how much she's lightened this year

With the fall weather coming there's a sense of slowing down and enjoying the moment rather than a desire to push the training. Winter will be here soon enough so I want to enjoy the ponies as much as I can. 

on mornings like this it's hard to go to work.....
Being an adult sucks sometimes.