Hello? Are you awake, horsey? December 13, 2007
Posted by kimayars Arena Work (Horse)
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Rasyn fell asleep while I was getting on him this morning. I think it’s time to speed up the mounting routine.
Unfortunately, he really didn’t wake up after we started moving. I tried to pick up where we left off on Monday but I just didn’t have a pony. My friend Sherene had shared with me a harrowing experience she had on her Arabian last week which turned into one of the best rides of her life. I was feeling a bit envious of that.
I bagged our usual bending and counter-bending exercises and focused only on transitions. Normally when we’re at the walk and I ask him to trot he nearly jumps out of his skin. Not today. I could have stood on his back and jumped up and down singing the Bonaza theme at the top of my lungs and I probalby wouldn’t have gotten much of a reaction. However, I didn’t try to verify that.
In truth, after a few walk/trot, halt/trot transitions I had a pony, but then it was time to go. He was also starting to get pretty sweaty, so I try and give myself ample time to cool him out properly so he doesn’t get chilled. Some day I’ll trace clip him, but I’m pretty sure he’s not in love with the clippers. I’ll save that for another day when I feel more like taking my life into my own hands. (Which is why I didn’t try the “Bonanza” experiment above.)
As far as the foot goes, I had a really good day with it yesterday — very minimal soreness. Today however, the pain returned with a vengence. BUT, there is a change: the soreness is now not so much in the heel but along the bottom outside of the foot and up the outside of the ankle. I took a friend’s advice and have made a bunch of those cute little ice-in-a-dixie-cup things to ice-massage the ankle where it’s tender. Those little ice cups are way too cute.
I’m getting just a little too “on edge” and need to get back to the gym next week. (Not to mention my cookie consumption has increased DRASTICALLY these last few several days.) A friend reminded me about the elliptical trainers at the gym. It might be an excellent way to help keep my fitness level up while I recover. I’m definitely going to give that a try. It’s been a really long time since I’ve used one of those, it might be an entertaining experience.
And a post on bending a horse and why is coming soon (or at least my take on it). It’s gonna be a long one. But for now I need to go remove some cookies from the oven. 
Comments
I really hope your foot is on the mend. It would be nice to see you back at the gym.
Your post’s title made me think of “Finding Nemo” — the dentist’s niece Darla, vigorously shaking the bag with Nemo in it, yelling “FISHY!!! WHY… ARE… YOU… SLEEPING????”
Should you be envious of my perilous ride on Shazam? Hmmmm… surviving a ride like that in one piece and having a positive outcome is a fine thing, but in general, I’d rather not have to experience that kind of butt-cheek-clenching-I-hope-my-children-know-I-love-them fear in order to get that great ride.
But, if you are truly envious, next time you ride Ray I would be happy to chase after him with the clippers.
That’s funny! I hope the foot is getting better! Hmmm… cookies!
Maybe a spinning class too. You might like it for the fact that it’s a group, so (knowing you) you’ll work just a little harder to be, um, well, competitive….and would keep you off the foot, like riding.
Riding a sleeping horse is never anything short of frustrating. I did like the image of you jumping up & down yelling on top of him. It brought back memories…
Sorry to hear the foot pain is migrating rather than just going away, which I hope happens very soon. Maybe there’s a cookie for that?