Continuing on the saddle journey, and all around discoveries with Prophecy.

I continued to ride in the Leon Liversage Enduro Wide after the last post and found a few issues that seem to be related to the pad & girth combo. I was able to pick up a better fitting pad from a friend and a buy cheap long string girth to ensure we are avoiding the nerve that he is so sensitive about (another discovery at our SET Clinic in Aug); and gave that a run on Sunday eve.  He really was stretched down in the trot – so much so he maxed my rein length out – but still had some objection to turning/bending and a bit of head shaking/tossing.  I really liked how the saddle sat and felt with a Christ Horsedream Sheepskin pad under it (non insert type). I had no rolling issues in this saddle combo (we experienced it only once on the fleece pad), and could still easily put my hand under the tree all the way down without pressure.  However, since I was not 100% certain and was running out of time to decide, I opted to send it back and I have videos for reviewing and comparing against the last 2 saddles…If I come back around to it, just means waiting on one to be ordered for us!

Snapshots at the trot Sunday eve from my sport-cam video, not the best at dusk!

While I spend so much time listening to him, I learn.  One issue he was telling me about was our reins. The beta with overlay just stays too stiff in that portion and I think was sending mixed signals, or giving him a constant one that he was not happy with.  I went back to our rope reins the second ride in the Enduro and I could see a change immediately. While the reins I’m using in the pics are a standard 8′ long, I do have another longer set that I realize would have been helpful while he is stretching down so much – I think we’ll be switching back to his 10′ blue rainbow reins!

And video…oh that will teach you a lot! I realize that I fell into the trap of “no, I want more/better” with Prophecy last Sunday.  I was so set in my head on getting more than a few steps at a time in the trot that when he did give me that I didn’t stop to praise him, just wanted him to repeat it and do it longer. 

In non horse news, Monday the 23rd was Doug’s & my 12th anniversary. Funny how things get so toned down when there is work, kids, and sports in the mix!  We will get to out to dinner tomorrow/Sunday on our own to celebrate  💘😍

A dozen years ago!

Monday morning Prophecy had a trim with the barn farrier – and he was not lame Tuesday so I am happy about that!  Tuesday morning started out with a vet appointment in the am for fall shots and I also had her check out something on a back heel bulb that he has always had, but recently I became concerned that it might be something like a sarcoid. She felt it was just an old scar that healed with proud flesh.  Unfortunately, it appears in a location that could cause rubbing when using back boots… Which means I have to rethink that idea and see what we could do with strap on types, or if only glue on would work.  I am actively searching for someone with experience nailing on Epona Shoes or the Easy Shoe in our area, but not having a ton of luck!  Not really needed until spring, but I’d like to be prepared.
Finishing up on Tuesday evening he had an appointment for a Magna Wave session with Sarah. She loves to see how much he changes between sessions – confidence, calmness, fitness level.  He really was more into it this time around with the Pulse machine. It can do bilateral treatment at the same time, which I think is more comfortable to him than the single sidedness of her other machine. Overall he is doing pretty well and we will schedule again when she is back in town. He got some hay to much while we chatted after, and then happily walked back out to the field.  Probably the thing making him the most happy – I took his grazing muzzle off for fall/winter on Sunday eve!

Friday I took a day off to work on the trailers with Amanda, but first Skyler had an eye doctor appointment as we were referred to one by the school after a computerized screening.  Turns out …. they were wrong! She has 20/20 eye sight, no issues with color and sees just fine for reading.  No idea what the machine “thought” she needed to see a doc for, but that is done and off the list!

Amanda & I played with some storage ideas for both our trailers and then we (well really her daughter was helping me the most!) did a major cleaning inside & out on mine.  I think we have the back of mine figured out and the monster saddle rack is out! Can’t believe how different the trailer looks cleaned up, and how much space in the rear tack there is without the rack. Of course it will probably sit most of the winter, but it is clean and not under trees at our place.

The Balance GPD arrived Thursday eve! I got it set up at home and put everything together to start trying it Saturday.

So did it have the Magic Touch???

Well, ride 1 did not go as well as I hoped! He looks good on the ground, but not happy under saddle. Very resistant to even walk…sigh.  I sent pics out for review in case I’m messing up the placement/set-up with the JB pad, and watched my videos for clues.  So we finished up and I put him in the cross ties do put some Koppertox on his hooves (just to be prepped for tomorrow’s rain as I haven’t done his hoof armor yet since the trim) so it wouldn’t get on the barn floor lol.  Turned him back out with his buds and will back be this week to try again.