I just got some pictures off my phone of what turned out to be Tonka's last ride for a while.
Here's my niece riding bareback on my dad's gelding. They've been riding a lot lately.
Here's my niece riding bareback on my dad's gelding. They've been riding a lot lately.
Here's my new riding project, miss Bella. I think she'd rather continue to be a pasture pet.
For any who don't remember, she had stifle surgery last fall. She has been ridden before but it was obviously painful for her, and could have been dangerous on the trail when her stifles locked, so we tried the surgery. They don't lock anymore but I have a sneaking suspicion that she's still not quite sound. She does a lot of stretching after getting up. We'll see how it goes. I haven't gotten started yet, and she needs some conditioning.Scout goes to Hooper Crossing Ranch for training on Sunday. He's not even gone yet and I already can't wait for him to get back. I'm eager to hit the trails with him.
Tonka is bored out of his mind. Any ideas for things to play with that won't encourage him to get too active or stomp around? I can hang things from the round pen rails.
He looks better, by the way. Not "all better" by any means but there is some improvement. The vet said he doesn't need the ultrasound. He should heal well if we continue with treatment and he doesn't do anything to make it worse.
I think I'll go outside and check on him. He could probably use some company.
Get your clicker back out! There are all sorts of fun things you can teach a horse who is on stallrest that don't require him to move his feet at all! Off the top of my head; Stand on your mat, play a toy piano, toot a horn, 'smile' (stick your top lip up), ears forward, head down, paint a picture, pick up a hat, nod for 'yes' and shake head for 'no', 'give us a kiss', take a glove out of your pocket, fetch your glove off the ground...
ReplyDeleteExcellent idea! Why didn't I think of that?
ReplyDeleteYes, Tonka does look glorious. Lots of talking and brushing and fiddling with him... sounds like you need my two girls to dote on him.. :)
ReplyDeleteLet me know how it goes at Hooper Crossing Ranch. I have never met him and have thought about auditing a clinic of his.
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