Still Here, Still Sweating

Life with horses has been trucking along. I went out of town for a week so Butterball did his aquapacing still thanks to Ms. GY, but had the rest of the week off. Now we're back to our "30-40 minute rides with 15-18 minutes of trotting, NOT all at the same time". Focus and awareness are still the name of the game and our last ride included a couple of really nice canter transitions. 

Living his best fat pony life

Poor kid, these rides, done at non-ideal times of day since this seems to be the season for me working until 12 - 3 AM consistently, are leaving him looking like he's run the Derby. Thoroughbred with base level of fitness he is not. I am going to check in with his vet to see if we can add a walk only ride or hand walk every other day. He seriously needs to lose weight. 

We also had an uncomfortable 30 minutes the other day when I noted that gross, black, goo of smegma + dirt + sweat on the inside of his hind legs. Normally he gets cleaned twice a year when he gets his teeth done. But apparently this summer heat meant we needed a mid-summer cleaning. 

Charlie has continued to be absolutely adorable and mostly the best little egg. He chomped both my wrist and shoe the other day, but continues to learn from these experiences that cause a high-pitched squeak and not repeat *exactly* that method of biting again (shoe was a new one and wrist was while we were leading). He also made me proud when Maddie actually galloped into his hind end while he was on the lead. He remembered he was tethered to me and didn't even try to exit with her as she breezed on by. 

We've practiced leading from both sides now, exciting stuff. I've also kinda sorta introduced the hose by hosing off both mares while the babies creep closer and closer. Also exciting stuff. Not super helpful that neither mare seems to appreciate getting cooled off when it is 500 degrees. C'mon ladies, doesn't this feel good? 

Saturday I get to play with Henny more cross country; we're headed over to Rocking Horse in the morning. I haven't gotten to do much with him lately because by the time I get up it is too hot to do much of anything other than strategically walk and trot in the shade for BB's rehab. Anyways, that's about it as far as goings on, but we're still here, still moving forward.