turning the corner back to normal

Yesterday's riding lessons seemed to be the pivoting point for getting back to normal here on November Hill. A week earlier, at one p.m., the vet drove up to do Rafer's gelding and check Salina's lameness. Yesterday, our trainer drove up, and as my daughter rode in the first lesson, I cleaned Keil Bay's bridle, watched Salina and Rafer Johnson graze peacefully, and smiled when Keil Bay marched himself in from the field to let me know he was ready for his turn to ride.

As predicted, climbing into the saddle was indeed a relief and a tonic. My body was stiff though, and we had to work our way through that to get back to relaxation and rhythm. We were both rusty but Marlis helped us get back on track.

Sue arrived for her lesson on Cody, and I hosed Keil Bay down and let him have Salina and Rafer's paddock, since they were in the barnyard. He thought this was a tremendous treat, and Salina enjoyed having him right next door to where she was.

When I got back to the arena to watch Sue and Cody, I was relaxed and content and tired. And then very excited to see Cody in action from the ground. He is looking so good these days, engaging his back and hindquarters, and it occurred to me yesterday that suddenly he seems to have grown into his body and claimed it. He has some Thoroughbred in him and it really showed yesterday. He seemed happy and willing and the late afternoon sun was brilliant on his glossy coat. I couldn't be more pleased with how he's developing.

when everyone left, I had horses everywhere: Keil Bay was in Salina's paddock, Cody was in the barnyard, Rafer Johnson and Salina had been moved to the main paddock, and Apache was in the back field.

I decided to open the gate into the front field for Salina and Rafer, to see if she would walk down the hill. She did, and not following Rafer, who stayed up top. She looked very much her normal self, and as if to further prove the point, she laid down and rolled, and got up with no problem.

What a difference a week can make! We're nearly done with the applesauce antibiotic course and when we give that final dose, daily care will be truly back to normal.

I sat in the barnyard for a few minutes just to let it all soak in. Such a good, solid day.

week's end

We've made it through the week and Salina is better each day. I've backed the Surpass ointment down and will cut the Bute back soon. I have high hopes that she can return to regular turn-out in another week.

Rafer Johnson is totally back to normal. Yesterday evening he had a wild bucking bronco running fit, and streaked in circles and through the barn and made fancy spins and turns with bucks woven in along the way. Salina and I stood and watched, incredulous. What energy! What wildness! And then just as suddenly, he stopped, and stood still and calm for scratches on his neck.

I bought myself a little white horse figure with flower chains draped over and an elven fairy creature riding side-saddle style on the bare back. We have riding lessons today and although I am still not quite back to full tilt physically, I suspect climbing into the saddle will be both a relief and a tonic.

And last night, driving home in the dark with windows down and air rushing in, several scenes came nearly full-blown into my head, so I jotted them down as soon as I could and am editing my way toward the space in the book where I can plug them in and expand them fully.

All things to be grateful for. Plenty.

some really good news

This morning when I went out to the barn, Salina had blown an abscess in her left front hoof! She was standing squarely and though not completely out of pain yet, the relief is visible.

As it happened, our trimmer was scheduled to come today, so he confirmed my observations and was able to do a modified trim to keep her comfortable until this resolves. She stood and rested her nose on his shoulder as he worked, giving her a break whenever she needed one, and doing the right front in a very modified manner so she didn't have to put all her weight on the left, which is still sore.

I have gotten so many emails offering support and healing energy for Salina - I appreciate all of them SO MUCH and I wanted to let you all know the immediate results a collective healing effort had. Thank you all.

I'm keeping comments turned off and will stay on break for awhile longer, until things are fully back to normal here, but this was too good not to share!

taking a break

Unfortunately Salina is not better today, and my hope that she would make a quick return to soundness with the injections isn't happening. The geldings are being neglected riding-wise, and the amount of care each day has tripled around here with what Salina and Rafer need right now.

So I'm having to make some choices about time management. As much as I enjoy blogging and reading blogs and being part of such a rich online community, I need to give this up for now.

Thanks to everyone for reading, commenting, and being such wise and fun friends. I'll be back at some point when life settles down a bit.

scenes from a saturday afternoon

Dickens E. Wickens and I sat and enjoyed the evening while Salina and Rafer grazed quietly in the barnyard.



Look at this! My helpful husband installed the new gate. No more escapes!



Muffine Eloise running from her wild brother.



An apt sign, but now he only crosses when we say okay!



Rafer Johnson decided to escape the back way, but he was foiled by woman with camera.



Cody relaxes in the back field. Keil Bay and Apache Moon are out there too, but out of range of my camera.



Everyone is hanging in there today. No excitement. I discovered that donkeys love antiobiotics mixed with applesauce. All the Netflix DVDs arrived in the mail. Chores are done, meds have been given, and for the moment, we're still tired and sore but pretty happy.