September 29, 2011

He's Still There

The setting sun makes a bright corona around orange ears as we ride directly into its fierce shine.  The light brushes seedheads and the leaves of volunteer corn stalks with an auburn glow.  A familiar, muscular neck defines my view of the edge of this cutover field.

When I last rode Solo on Friday, he felt flat, tired, depressed.  It made me feel ill and I couldn't summon the energy to let it go.  Determined to prove to him that his life wasn't over, we struck out on the trails on this heart-stoppingly gorgeous evening in early fall.

It only took two steps of trot to breathe the life back into him.  It was like watching a cardiac patient gasp their first lungful of air after resuscitation.  And it felt great.  I let him strike into canter in the next field over and he rolled proudly along the treeline with the easy stride I know and love so well.

Fixed?  No.  He remains just trail sound.  But my buddy, my partner, is still in there.  He is not lost or gone, he is just a bit sad because he thought the fun had ended.  It filled me with joy to show him he was still The Man, he could still explore the world in a swinging trot among the tulip poplars and the bottomland sycamores we both live to experience.  It was a dose of much needed medicine for us both and I, too, feel like I can breathe again.

16 comments:

  1. Beautifully said... you are a gifted writer and a true friend for Solo... thanks for sharing!

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  2. That is a relief. I cannot not let a day pass if it feels like my horse did not enjoy himself. Good post.

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  3. Thank you -- it is a relief indeed. It is such a mental challenge finding a balance for them to keep them happy no matter what!

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  4. How beautiful. You two will always have that amazing relationship:)

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  5. Glad Solo had fun. And this is beautifully written.

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  6. I know how he feels, sometimes a good trail ride does the same for me!

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  7. That's great you guys both had fun :) I love the way you wrote the post :)

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  8. Lovely description! Your dancing partner is still in there, and always will be. And it sounds like you've found a new dance that works for him. Wonderful!

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  9. Thanks, y'all -- keeping perspective is hard, we get caught up in the details and what we *could* be doing instead of remembering to enjoy what we *can* do.

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  10. Your last comment said it best - remember what you can still do with Solo.

    I am having a harder and harder time each day we go to the barn - knowing my daughter's horse Hennessy's days are numbered. He looks at us like he wants to come out and play - breaks my heart.

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  11. I have to tell you, there is no "just" in being trail sound. A good trail horse is an awesome beast. :-) It's wonderful that you have that in Solo. It's great to hear about you two riding together. :-)

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  12. I hear you, Jo, and I totally agree -- I LOVE a good trail ride, the longer and faster the better! It's just a big adjustment for us seeing as he was leaping 3'3" oxers!

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  13. Whew what a relief, you are a true partner to Solo, so happy you could show him he's still The Man.

    I have to find ways to do this also, with a horse that has stepped into a lighter discipline. It's hard on his ego. Good work!!

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  14. Jane, you are lucky to have such a phenomenal partner as Hudson! I love reading about him and would love to meet him, he has a truly amazing character and spirit!

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