He's BACK!

Finally, maybe, we're on the right track..again!

We have made an important decision to stay at our current barn instead of moving across the street...for several reasons. First of all, we can't beat the care the boys are receiving right now. Everyone at the barn is completely wonderful, and go out of their way routinely to make sure Aidyn gets all of his feed and supplements, and all of his hay, as well. Plus, if anything is ever amiss we can trust them to call immediately. Secondly, Aidyn is happy. He's like a different horse and to subject him to another move with new horses to meet and a new herd to settle into, plus a new feeding schedule and different hay...just not worth it to me. Besides, the hack isn't really THAT bad. For instance, we did it today in a foot of snow. :D

First things first. Aidyn is now on Chondrogen EQ for joint maintenance. He's a big horse, and his joints have already been stressed on the track...and since I am planning on eventing him, I figured we should start preventing joint problems now. My pocketbook cried about it but he's more important than me eating out. He seems to like it, and I forgot how amazing it smells!

Aidyn got his new shoes on yesterday...K said they looked wonderful and gave me some suggestions for a "sealant" to put on the nail holes to keep his feet nice and dry in this wet weather. I had been concerned about that since he has 4 white feet, so one day this week I will have to make the trip to Stockhoff's to get some sealant.

And...we finally got back in the saddle today! Had to walk through the foot of snow previously mentioned, which was a workout for both us and the boys. Finally got to the indoor and had a nice, if short, ride. Aidyn was quite quick and "rushy" in his trot today...partly due to feeling good, I'm sure. Definitely need to concentrate on finding a rhythm in his trot now that we have established the forward button. He was great to the right and was very flexible...did not canter him as we were sharing the ring with a beginner lesson and a fresh pony...but it was a positive first ride back.

Tried smearing Vaseline on his heels to protect them from the snow and mud that is chapping them a bit...hopefully that will work...if not I may have to get some cracked heel formula from Dr. J!

'Til next time--
--Ry