Although at times this has been tough. It’s all to easy to get eager too soon, especially when ultimately you love to be out and at the very least you want to be competitive.
I do feel that I’ve done the right thing for my horse, who on our last outing finally felt more confident; this was a lovely reward for my patience as I felt my horse was back on the same page as me in the arena when we tackled a medium test.
Hopefully this is a sign that the distance to being back doing the Para classes is definitely shortening.
Just recently I have been riding more often than not without stirrups (it’s now safe to do so as Natalia has become so well behaved!) this has mainly been because it’s so much easier on my knees and ankles and an awful lot less painful!. I wish it was possible to have dispensation to compete without but sadly it would seem not possible for my grade of rider. When I enquired with a Para Assessor I was told that my tests require lots of lateral work and this would not be normally granted.
Lucky for me I have found the Sprenger Bow Balance Stirrups to be helpful in absorbing lots of shock in my joints so now I routinely have them on my saddles.
We have just had a week of visitors it was lovely to see Chartered Physiotherapist Anna Johnson and after Natalia’s treatment it was good enough weather (if a little chilly for me half naked!!) to grab a quick session on the yard – nothing beats the great outdoors.
Louise Leverton from Protexin Equine Premium also dropped by to stock me up on the all important Protexin Quick Fix syringes and Acid Ease so the feed room now looks more like a stockroom, which is great news as we now also have a pony that has had such a positive result from using the Quick Fix before travelling.
It was also a week for celebrations as my little brother turned 5 and ironically he shares his birthday with Natalia who is now 7 yrs old, he has always been Natalia’s number one fan and she adores him. From an early age he was the only one who could touch her ears and whiskers and he had often found something to clamber onto in order to reach her and for her to nuzzle his spiky hair over the stable door.
If he watches us compete you always hear just before the bell “good luck Natalia” and instantly she relaxes knowing her special friend is not far away – their bond is just so heart-warming.
