Saturday, November 29, 2008

Baby Steps

Yesterday Lester and I spent a rainy day grooming each other. Well I did most of the grooming and he sunk his teeth into my back every once in a while (not to be confused with biting). It was nice to just spend time alone with him in the barn, rain coming down and no one else was around. Less was mad at me on Thursday he even ignored me. But I can't blame him, I had some bad thoughts the last time I had been out to see him- feeling like I just didn't want to be a horse owner anymore and having to do all this work with no play (no riding). I'm usually OK with this situation, but some days I really want out of this. So Thursday was the first time I had been out to see him in 3 days and he wasn't too impressed. Laura's sister was turning them out when I got there and Less acted like he didn't even see or hear me.
So yesterday I put his saddle on- first I checked his pad for no spiders since it hadn't been touched since July. I used a girth fuzzy because I didn't know how "girthy" he would act. I have to say I was pleased with his reaction or lack there of. He didn't mind it at all and even when I walked him off he didn't do his one step pause, another step pause- it reminds me of the wedding march. I want to just put his saddle on a few times and walk and trot him out before I even think about hopping on him. I wonder if he will lose his hindend with just the saddle on? Though he still strides out short on his right front when he's at play in the arena, I never see him lose his hindend like he does/ did undersaddle. As always we will take it very slow.



9 comments:

Melanie said...

I am loving your new header!!!! Did you design it?

I am sorry about Lester. It must be so hard having him and not being able to ride him.

Have you made any progress with limiting his diet at all?

Denise- LessIsMore17 said...

Thanks Melanie! Yes, I made this design about 4-5 years ago, thought it would make a good header for the next month:-)

Some days are harder than others not riding him. I have been good about not giving him sugar treats- though I did give him a peppermint or two for Thanksgiving;-)

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

Awww, what a cutie face, Lester is :)
I like your new banner, too. Did you design that? Niiiice!
I didn't realize it had been since July since you'd last ridden Less. No wonder you are taking it slow.
I bet the two of you will be just fine, though.
:)

~Lisa
New Mexico

allhorsestuff said...

Hay Denise,
well that fussy girth should count for something between you two..I also am using mine. Clipped the mare and she can't stand the girth with out it now!
Hope he is not tender when you do get on. Tell me more about the Hindend loss?Don't knnow what you mean~
KK

allhorsestuff said...

FUZZY...I meant it not to be fussy!

cdncowgirl said...

Have you noticed any difference now that he's getting no (or make that less) sugar?

Grey Horse Matters said...

I'd be interested to know if he is doing any better without the sugary treats. Don't you just love it when they get mad at us and ignore us. Like your new design too.

Heather said...

you can come and ride clyde anytime you want ;). he needs someone on him that knows what the heck to do :) LOL.

btw - i have clyde a peppermint in honor of less the other day at the barn and he crunched it in half and spit it back into my hand.

Unknown said...

I like your holiday design too! Very cute!

Got my fingers crossed for you and Less