Walking

Olive's post colic surgery recovery plan called for two months of stall rest. The first thirty days were spent in a twelve by twelve stall and the second in a stall with a run. Her only real exercise was two hand walks a day.

We took those walks seriously.

Twice a day, every day, I was at the barn, walking Olive.

I missed just one walk in the month of July.

Sixty one walks in thirty one days is intense.

It wasn't how I'd planned to spend the summer, but I wasn't complaining.

I knew how close I'd come to losing her, and I was grateful for every moment.

Of course, in the end, I lost her anyway.

This summer I have a new horse.

She is nothing like Olive.

Yet, somehow I'm back to walking again.

We only walk once a day, but our walks are longer.

Sage is in training, not recovery.

Also, she is a million times less reactive.

The urban obstacles that worried Olive barely register with Sage.

She doesn't care about bridges, roads, bikes, joggers, scooters, golf carts, golfers, mowers, tractors, cars, cars with trailers, baby strollers, barking dogs or goats.

Three jazzed up Charro stallions? Sorry guys, Sage is more interested in eating weeds than flirting.

She has expressed mild concerns about geese, but this is as about as dramatic as she gets.

I could lead this horse anywhere.

And all these walks are really paying off.

Day by day and step by step, Sage's mouth gets quieter.

We are just about ready to put some reins on that bit and start working on the next part of her training.

I hadn't planned on spending another summer like this, but I'm still not complaining.

It's a privilege having a horse to walk with.

Next summer, however, I really hope I have a horse to ride!