Cold and Hot

One of the (very few) things that I find frustrating about being at my current barn is that the horses go on many adventures and then bring home and share germs like a bunch of school kids. Its a small, busy barn, and despite best efforts colds do spread through the barn once a year or so. Despite everyone receiving regular vaccinations, I guess there is always a different cold virus out there. One is currently making the rounds and poor Ms Bridget has been a little under the weather with a bit of a runny nose and a teeny bit of a cough. I've been proactive with the ventipulmin on the off chance her COPD is playing into things. It's the first time I've used it since her initial diagnosis, and maybe it's not necessary, but I live in fear of her getting permanent damage in her lungs at such a young age. I don't know if it helped, but she was quite lively by Sunday.

Working hard holding her own grooming supplies

As a quick recap of the past few days, we had our lesson Wednesday and she seemed a little off, running out of steam about half an hour in. So, I gave her Thursday and Friday off just to play it safe. On Saturday, she seemed quite bright and eager to do something, but coughed lightly a couple of times as I warmed up. So, we did a mostly walking ride and focused on lateral work and correct bend. I then added in a ton of free walk/medium walk/collected walk transitions. Super exciting stuff that I am normally guilty of ignoring a little too much because her walk is her best gait and I seem to be drawn to a project, ie fussing with the trot and canter :) .

Sunday when I drove in, Midge was running around being silly, which was nice to see. She was waiting for me at the gate when I got there, another sure sign she was bored with energy to burn. After a slow warmup and a teeny bit of dressage I let her gallop around the arena twice and jump three or four teeny jumps. She quite liked that, but it's been quite hot out and I wanted to go easy so we ditched the saddle and went off for a 20 min walk hack around the neighbourhood. I love that she's sensible enough to do some dressage, gallop around and jump a little, and go out for a bareback hack on the road all in the same 45 min ride.

Meandering around on a nice summer day

Fingers crossed she's over the worst of the bug and we can resume our regularly scheduled activities this week. We have a lesson tonight and we'll see if she's feeling well enough to plan for our clinic Wednesday. Our countdown clock to optimum fitness for Rebecca Farm 2017 is ticking and we will need every minute of it ;)