Because I'm not working for Mike anymore, I had to move Stoney somewhere that was more affordable. After weeks of searching around, Lynne Partridge offered to let me keep him at her farm temporarily since she had just sold one of her horses and had an empty stall. I can't tell you how thankful I am to have the Partridge's in my life. They are such kind people, always offering to help me in whatever situation I am facing, and I am so thankful for them. They truly are wonderful people. Although I miss seeing the girls every morning out at Gold Chip, being at the Partridge's is so peaceful, a lot like how my time in the barn used to be back home.
About a week before I left to come home for the holidays, Dr. Anderson came out and did another ultra sound on Stoney's tendon. It looked great, but after attempting to lunge him (with hooves flying at his assistant's head), we were able to see (eventually) that he was a little off on that leg because he was sore in his heel. We didn't want to risk him injuring the tendon by compensating for the soreness in his heels if he were to jump, so we decided to insert some wedges between the hoof and the shoe before he jumped again for the first time. I can't tell you how immediate and obvious the change was once Lynne's farrier put the wedges on his front feet and lifted his heels up, relieving the pressure. It was an incredible difference. It was so incredible that when Dr. Anderson came out to look at him again, he was absolutely amazed, saying he'd never seen the horse move this good.
Stoney has also been happier since being turned out. Granted, he is only in a paddock the size of a stall, he THINKS he's turned out, and that's contributing loads to him becoming the horse he was before being put on stall rest. We've been doing a lot of long walks as well out at Quail Run after I ride him, and that's helping a ton as well.
So, that Friday I jumped Stoney for the first time with Mike since the beginning of July... in the rain. No, I didn't mind getting soaking wet all that much, but it amazes me with the odds, seeing as it NEVER rains. I wasn't sure how he'd act, and even Mike admitted that he thought we wouldn't progress past a cross rail that day. However, Stoney proved him wrong and didn't act out once. In fact, he loped around like a hunter pony for the majority of it. I felt like a novice rider seeing as I was missing quite a bit and for once he was the one helping me out. He acted so well that Mike put together a few combinations (all set very low) for us to do. He got a bit fast towards the end, but by this point the rain had come pouring down and we decided to stop.
The next night was the Gold Chip Christmas party. Between the great food, getting to see everyone, and Jacob Fletcher crowd surfing, I'd say it was a pretty fun nigh.
Me, Jess, Erin, and Jacob making up the group of Arkansans at the party.
So Sunday I made the drive back home to Arkansas with Stoney. I'm happy I got to bring him home with me because I'm sure I would have died leaving him in Texas for four weeks. Even though I've adapted to him being boarded for the past year and not having to take care of him night and day, I haven't disliked taking care of him and the other horse that's here to keep him company. Though pulling a full wheel barrel of manure through eleven inches of snow I could have passed on.
It's safe to say I'm not all that thrilled about the weather here. Yes, I secretly enjoyed the snow, but I really didn't need eleven inches. Or to be put under blizzard conditions and lose power for two days. In the two weeks I've been home, I've gotten to ride a total of three times. I should have known with the weather here. It's a week later and the snow is still on the ground trying to melt away. And guess what, more rain this week, starting today. I'm thinking I may get a chance to jump Stoney once before I go back to Texas, and boy am I more than ready to go back.
I've loved spending time with friends and family, but I have to admit I miss my room, my friends, and the barn back in Texas. Not to mention Texans hold themselves to being more polite than a lot of people here do. Oh, and I've come to realize how terrible the radio stations are here compared to Texas. I mean awful. Arkansas should be ashamed of the terrible music they play. I'm ready to get back to Denton and back to where it will be nice and dry. I'm hoping I don't have to see rain for a few weeks, and I'm sure that will be quite likely.
