So, Cliff came on Friday for Laz's 4th barefoot trim and guess what we got approval for....
Yea, that's me.
On my horse.
I am riding Laz!!!
And that's Cliff, my hugging barefoot trimmer, holding him.
He watched Laz walk by me hand walking him. and then said "OK, hop up on him" and watched him walk with me on his back and said there was no difference in the way he walked.
I admit, I was leary because I didn't want to push our success, I didn't want to add more weight (me!) to a ailing hoof, but he said we are ready. In fact, he said we were ready last month but I waited.
Cliff thinks a lot of Laz's funny walking is from a sore hip, sore muscles, etc due from being on wedge shoes and from the laminitis.
We have a chiro recommended from Cliff, coming out at the end of the month.
So, our new routine is to continue with hour plus of hand walking him around, with 10-15 minutes of me sitting on him at the walk and to slowly build up to more.
I rode him again today for the 2nd time and boy does it feel goooood!
Laz remembered my leg yields (mostly, better at turning left than right...no surprise there) and how to "Whoa" by my body 'dropping' and vocal.
Go Laz! Smart wonderpony!
He was a bit UP today, due to wind/rain, etc so my BO walked by our side ready to help us out, being I was bareback and in a halter/lead line.
Such fun!
I can't hardly believe our progress and success so far...literally, I'm thankful for EVERY day and don't take it for granted.
This is one OTTB who wants to LIVE!
I AM YELLING OUT WITH DELIGHT!!!!!!!! Maizie and Brian are laughing at my screaming antics. Oh!!! Happy, Happy Day for you and your wonderboy, Lazarus! Thank you Cliff for helping to make sense of it all!!!! This is the very best news ever and probably your very best ride - except for all the ones to come! And...you are bareback and in a halter...can naked boy be far behind? Bridleless, halterless...fearless, courageous Lazarus. I knew it would all work out - I just knew it!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome! :D
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I know you must be over the moon with excitement! I'm so happy to hear how far he has come in his recovery. :)
ReplyDeleteThat is so exciting! I am so delighted for both you and Laz!
ReplyDeleteWhat an AWESOME update! And what a cute picture:) I'm so happy for you both! I can't stop using exclaimation marks! Really, congratulations...just sitting on your boy has to feel soooo good, let along being able to walk and do leg yields, lol:) Whoo hoo!
ReplyDeleteOMG!!!!! Kristen, that is the best news I have heard in a long, long time -- it totally made my day! :-D How thrilling that Laz is improving so quickly. Cliff is totally THE MAN!!
ReplyDelete(OK, not to be a bummer, but as an official member of the Helmet Police, I have to at least scold you a little bit for even sitting on your boy without a helmet -- bad Kristen! Ok, that was enough punishment.)
As for the chiro -- yes, they can absolutely work wonders! And, although I know your budget has been beyond stretched, I also recommend a few sessions with a certified equine massage therapist if you can manage it. I'm sure that a lot of Laz's muscles are in spasm due to standing in a "protective stance" during his laminitis. And, if you watch the techniques, you can then do the massage yourself.
Yippy Skippy for a happy, healthy pony!
WOOHOO!!!!! I love it!!!!! so so so excited for you and Laz!
ReplyDeleteWOO HOOO! Back on the horses back, how good that must feel!
ReplyDeleteYAY! You did it (so did Laz, but he couldn't have without you!)!
ReplyDeleteHere's to continued great news!
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!! SO happy for you both! This is definitely a huge step in the right direction!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is a wonderful thing!!! YAYYYY!! Congrats!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for making my morning Kristen! SOOOO happy for you. I remember not too terribly long ago when I would sob reading your blog bc you loved your boy so much and it seemed like he wouldnt be with us for much longer. NOW look at you! And here I am tearing up with HAPPY tears for your good fortune. (although you deserve even better fortune-- but I am a firm believer in Karma and you stuck by your boy and didn't give up-- its going to come back to you!!)
ReplyDeleteAwwwh, I am sooo glad to hear this and hope it's all forward from here on out!!!! Love, Enzo
ReplyDeleteSo happy for your & Laz's success! email me at atparr@charter.net please. I'd like to talk to you about bodywork for Laz (no sales pitch), we've emailed before, but I've lost your email address. Tamara Parr
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm thrilled at our new phase of healing and it's been a positive rehab for sure! Still have a long road but I really like the road we are on and so does Laz!!! :)
Frizzle-to ease your worry, I wore my helmet for the 2nd ride and for all upcoming. That picture was taken really quick and I wasn't expecting to have Cliff 'order' me up on his back at that time. I promise..I wear my helmet, I don't screw around!!! :)
Way to go!!
ReplyDeleteGreat news!! So wonderful to see you up there, giving him a little hug. I just love success stories!! ;)
ReplyDeleteThat's so, so awesome! Wait until I tell Denali!! She'll be so happy that her boyfriend is "better"
ReplyDeleteYay!!!!!!!
I had not-the-best day today. Came home and decided to sit & veg-out for a while at the computer and saw your update. YAY!!!! This made my day. What an amazing journey you have been on. Tears of joy!
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