There are so many jokes about horse people and their toughness to withstand countless injuries that inevitably occur if you choose to spend your time with an animal (sweetie, patootie, honey bunch) more than ten times human weight. Really, when folks say they have to show the horse who's boss, I cringe. Just take the brunt of one kick to the ass and let's talk about overpowering a horse! There ain't no such thing. They delightfully allow us to play along with out little games for an hour or so. Still, we live to ride. Any moment that can come close to the awesomeness of the feeling that we are as free and untamable as a horse is bliss.
Like most middle-agers, I've been battling bunches of health issues for the last few years. Y'all know how insurance companies require doctors to go through all the possible steps before a surgical solution. So I did the physical therapy, the alternatives, the pain management injections, rubbed my tummy clockwise and my head counterclockwise, etc. It's time for the big guns. This is great because maybe afterwards I'll be bionic (ok, able to walk without too much of a tilt) !
This does require some sacrifice. Yes, I still have to do the work on the ground for the horse and pasture, but I can't get on a beast until doc says it's okay. At first, I was devastated, but when I think about riding and not being in pain, or sleeping a night without shifting and turning and squirming, I began to see it in a different light. This could be great. Maybe I'll be able to mount bareback from the ground like I used to!
Lucky was about 15.3, and he allowed me (and others) to run up from behind and vault on. He was a special horse. How I didn't have more injuries, who knows. I was 20ish and strong as an ox (so said my dad). That's close to a horse. I could easily care for 50 horses and riders with help from a staff. Fourteen hour days are easy! You could even fit in a beer at the bucket o' suds down the road and still get up to ride at 5AM before the heat and the bugs got too bad. Had to train the greenies and fit in a ride on my own horse for a bit. Well, me body can't do THAT
anymore. Truthfully, I don't want that type of schedule ever again! With surgical intervention, I'd like to know a reasonable schedule. I enjoy the shop that I started during the pandemic. I mean, I had to occupy my time with something, so let's start a business!
Shop hours are currently Mondays through Fridays, 12-5. There might be times I have to adjust those for doctor appointments. The plan is to try to get any surgeries done in January and February - down times for those that don't go down to Wellington then. I have changed my liability insurance so it's official that I will no longer be trailering except for I am on the Connecticut Horse Council's list for emergencies. I will still go out and help folks with their horses, but only from the ground. For now, no riding. So, come on, visit me at the store!
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