Simple Changes

After the incredible high of winning our division at Chestnut Creek, I should have probably seen the signs that life was about to throw me several more curve balls. But of course, preparing and worrying about the uncomfortable times in life would pretty much ruin the awesome times. So, I think I prefer to ride out bliss as long as possible and still be surprised when the inevitable happens. 

In addition to work and family crises abounds, as a matter of course, change also has arisen on the equine front just as the leaves begin their changing and the northern hemisphere begins it's own metamorphosis. 

To do the title of this blog justice, last week, I had started introducing simple changes of lead in the canter. I'm desperately trying to show Nova that he can be bilateral when it comes to my leg aids and he can know and understand the difference between "canter" and "canter left" or "canter right".  So, we were back to where we were with canter discombobulation and I was starting to think that this left lead hang up was more than a training issue.  He is now almost flat refusing to canter on his left lead. He feels generally unstable on his right hind. And while you can't really see a lameness there, it's definitely noticeable when riding.

Which brings me to my next change: arthritic changes. This is nothing new to us.  We injected hocks for the first time over a year ago and were able to extend the life of the injections through IM injections.  As I started putting two and two together on this cantering issue, we started having cross canter as a new gait.  And, my saddle was tipping right with every stride.  Yep, it's time to have his hocks injected.

The thing about hocks is that you only get so many injections before they just stop working. So, of course it's not something you want to do repeatedly. Not to mention it's rather invasive. But the upside is that it makes my boy feel better and allows us to ride another day. When the time comes that he can't be comfortable doing this level of activity, we'll find a new job for him. 

And of course, there's change at the barn. While I am 100% certain that the changes are positive for the business and the people there, change comes with inevitable challenges.  

But, the outlook is good and I'm excited about new horizons. Because if we never had any changes, man this life would be boring. Nobody lives a straight line. So I guess I'm changing rein across the diagonal. Heading in a new direction, through a simple change of lead.