Multiple Sclerosis - Too Sore To Even Go To The Farm

I knew when I woke up this morning that I wasn't going to be able to do much of anything. My legs were tight and hurt even when I was still in bed. When I got up things were really bad and I was having trouble walking. I have been using my rollator to just get around the house today.

I realized too that I am not going to be able to free lounge Bouffe. I am so sore today, which makes me angry at myself for trying to please other people by doing what they recommend, even though I know in the long run it will make me sore and unable to continue. Who was I kidding agreeing with Colleen that I would lounge Bouffe. I have to ride him and that's it. I can slow down our work and just walk, especially clockwise around the ring to build up his top line. Hopefully I will be able to carry out this plan. We will see what Friday brings.

OTTB: - Taking Some Time Off

I met with Colleen this morning about her findings during the Reiki treatment. She said Bouffe's back was very sore and at first she could not lie her hand on his back or the Chakra areas. Just like with me, Colleen found that Bouffe is a very kind horse and could tell he has a very close relationship with me. She told me Bouffe and I need each other to get through my MS and his aches and pains associated with getting older. 

I don't know how many of you believe in Reiki and Chakra (it would be interesting to know, please comment) but Colleen told me things today, about Bouffe's past, she had no way of knowing prior to her treatment, which I found very convincing that it works. 

We also decided to give Bouffe some time off from being ridden and work more on free lounging him, especially in a clockwise direction,since his right side is weaker than his left. This also means we will not be showing on Sunday. 

OTTB, Multiple Sclerosis - The Ups and Downs

On Monday I was bragging about how well Bouffe and I were both doing. Well, forty-eight hours sure did change that. It is something I am used to and have experienced hundreds of times, but it is still a disappointment when it happens: My MS is acting up and Bouffe is not doing a well as he was on Monday. Typical examples of the ups and downs of horse training and Multiple Sclerosis.

First lets talk about Bouffe. His back is sore by his withers and his coat looks terrible again. The only explanation I have for the back issue is the fleece saddle pad, which I used on Monday instead of the usual quilted one. I did this expecting the added padding to help his back that has a tendency to be tender. But of course just the opposite happened. I imagine that along with the wither pad the fleece was too much padding and it all got bunched up. I did rub Bouffe's back down with Bigeloil and it was better almost immediately. 

As far as Bouffe's coat goes it was cloudy today and there was no sunlight shining off of it like there was on Monday, but it still looked rough. After doing some research I plan on taking Robins suggestion and have vegetable oil added to Bouffe grain everyday. It will help him gain some much needed weight and provide nutrients for a better coat. Since it is so high in fat it will also help Bouffe's energy level, but I hope not too much. 

As far as I go, my energy level had been depleted by the time I finished grooming and putting the Bigeloil on Bouffe. But still I walked him up the hill to the indoor arena and while still holding him with the shank I let him walk around in there. The highlight of the day was he wasn't afraid this time! I then took him to the round pen and free longed him both directions at a trot. He was sound and traveled better than last week, even though he didn't want to go in a clockwise direction without me making him, which was the finally to my energy. From there I limped back down the hill and turned Bouffe back out. I was so exhausted that I had to sit for five minuets before I could put the grooming supplies and the saddle (which I had gotten out expecting to ride) away. I then drug my exhausted body back up the hill and got in my car. 

All of this was an experience I wasn't expecting when I left to go to the farm this morning. Maybe Friday will be better. 

OTTB - Free Longing Success (Sort Of)

I knew Leslie had a round pen but I had never used it until today. I took the longe line and longe whip to the round pen before I got Bouffe. I was prepared for him to not know what to do; therefore, I might have to use the lounge line instead of free longeing him. But as has been the case so far Bouffe knew exactly what to do and trotted and walked on command while loose in the round pen. The only draw back being, he only wanted to go counterclockwise. I did get him to change direction for brief periods of time, but he was definitely telling me by his actions and his way of traveling that he preferred counterclockwise. I would say he wasn't lame or even sore behind. He just had a shorter stride in the clockwise direction. It was very hot, even early this morning, so our session only lasted fifteen minutes, which did at least give me a better idea of Bouffe's hind end problem. 

We are taking tomorrow and Sunday off, and I need to talk with Leslie first, but I hope to start back riding on Monday.