My Best Ride In Quite Awhile - OTTB, Multiple Sclerosis

Well, it has taken me ten days to get back, but today was the best session I have spent with Bouffe in a long time. First off I stopped taking the Baclofen that was prescribed for me to take three times a day. I stopped it because it was making me tired, but after a day of not taking it I discovered I was walking better too. Today was the best I have walked leading Bouffe to and from the ring along with grooming him and tacking him up.

I hadn't ridden earlier this week because on both occasion I was too tired by the time I got Bouffe ready and just put him back in the stall. But today I had more energy along with better mobility and rode for thirty minutes. I was even able to get Bouffe to jog once around the ring instead of just along one side. I did drop my stirrups down one hole, which made it much easier to get on, along with more stability when I was jogging. I worked on my neck reining and the longer stirrups made the legs commands more effective also. Bouffe is learning and I was able to get him to bend to the right and the left with just a little direct rein and a lot of leg. All and all this was a really good day!

I'm Doing Better - Multiple Sclerosis

I had another lesson with Eileen, who said I did better again today. I think the rebirth of my equestrian skills may have something to do with what I was wearing today. 

I had purchased a magnetic necklace years ago that was suppose to help with my balance and it did help some. But today I combined it with the Tommy Copper shorts and I started walking better immediately. By the time I got to the farm I was feeling more steady putting one foot in front of the other than I had in a long time. I remained more stable as I groomed Bouffe, tacked him up, walked him down to the ring and started riding him. My posting at a trot was smoother even though Bouffe did not like the deep going. 

Because of his old bow and dislike for wet going, I normally would not have ridden him under those conditions, but today was the only open time Eileen had for a lesson. Bouffe did survive and enjoyed his carrots. Maybe Friday the going will be better.

Good Lesson Today - OTTB, Multiple Sclerosis

Even though it was hot and I was still sore and not walking so well, I went ahead and took a lesson from Eileen today. I was glad I did.

Bouffe was in his very cooperative mode and stood cross-tied with his saddle on for about ten minutes before we had our lesson. He was very mellow when I was riding him and trotted more willingly today than he had in the past. Eileen was pleased with our performance as we did figure eights, serpentines, circles and the before mentioned trot better than in the past. I did have spurs on, which may have helped some.

I am still learning how to use split reins and Bouffe is still getting used to the Tom Thumb bit. But overall we did better than the last time. Bouffe is just a very special horse who takes everything pretty much in stride and remains a spiritual being in my life.   

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.