Been Too Sore To Ride - Multiple Sclerosis

I know I haven't posted in a week, but I have been too sore with muscle tightness from my Multiple Sclerosis. I went to the farm on Wednesday but wasn't walking steady enough to even get Bouffe out of his stall. I was so sore yesterday morning that I didn't even bother to go. I have hippotherapy on Monday and hope this coming week will be better than the last.

A Good Ride - OTTB

"A good ride," is what Leslie told me she thought I had with Bouffe today. She was right. He seemed to accept the new bridle with the Tom Thumb bit much better than he had on Wednesday. Plus the bridle has split reins, which I can and did use to slap him with once when he got in his lazy mode and once was all it took. From there on out he responded as soon as I just picked the reins up off his shoulder. He is such a smart horse, who knows exactly what he should do to make me work to my fullest, which is good on my part.

I spent the entire time I was on him today practicing neck reining, something Bouffe seemed to understand. But as soon as I didn't give him the right signals he just stood there until I got it right. As I have said all along Bouffe is a very spiritual being and is a learning gift from my Higher Power.

We Work As A Team, Sometimes - OTTB, Multiple Sclerosis

Bouffe is a very kind horse; who, I have said from the beginning, knows my physical problems and wants to help. But today the helping was only on his terms. 

When I took Bouffe from his stall he walked slowly and stopped anytime he felt my gate waiver. He stood quietly while I groomed him and tacked him up,  letting me use his body for support anytime I felt the need. But once in the ring it was a different story.

We had an excellent lesson with Eileen, but Bouffe was not really interested. He spent most of his time looking at the Minni's  and other things he thought he saw out in the field, which was very distracting and tiring, as I had to continually squeeze him into even a normal speed walk and trotting took all my strength. My legs got quite a workout and they were too tired to do the last trot Eileen had planned. 

Now Bouffe is a very lovable horse and gets lots of attention because of it. But today I wish he had been a little bit on his toes and not plodded along as he did for thirty minutes and had to be made to do anything except a very slow walk.

We Both Felt At Home - OTTB, Multiple Sclerosis

I had a lesson today with Eileen and as soon as my body sat in the Western saddle I felt just like I was sitting in my favorite chair at home. Bouffe was his usual cool, calm, collected self also. I tacked him up a few minutes early and he stood calmly cross tied while I fed him some carrots. He seemed even more at ease when I had him stand and wait cross tied with his halter over the bridle until Eileen was ready.

I am getting the hang of this Western riding and Bouffe did everything I asked of him in the ring, which included figure- eights, serpentines and walk and trot. It was a very satisfying experience.

Lesson Learned - Multiple Sclerosis

After five minutes, my lesson today with Eileen was rained out. It was just as well, because Bouffe was not too happy being ridden in the rain, with thunder rumbling off in the distance. But, in just that five minute time I learned a very important lesson : I wanted my western saddle back.

Even though it was for a very short period of time I did not feel secure or comfortable in by beloved Passier. It is the finest saddle I have ever owned, but when Bouffe didn't particularly like doing figure eights with the upcoming storm off in the distance, I tightened up and really missed the deep seat and especially the horn of my Abetta. 

Since I attribute my Multiple Sclerosis and the poor balance it caused with breaking my arm, I have finally realized how seriously I can get hurt and now the person who rode horses no one else would, has a fear of falling off. As I said almost a year ago in this blog I am going western and this time I plan on staying there. 

Things Are Looking Up - OTTB

My hamstring muscle is much better, so after physical therapy I went to the farm and saw Bouffe. He is loosing his winter coat and his mouth was better, as he ate his carrots like before and let me put a bridle on him. All good signs that we will finally be able to start training again on Wednesday.

Even though my leg is better I still got tired by the time I finished grooming Bouffe, which something I have to keep in mind. I still have MS.