Freedom & an Indoor!

I wish I would have had a video camera the day Jasper got his run back. It was lightly raining and muddy, but I decided to let him out anyway since it was supposed to keep raining for the next couple of days and it was time for him to get out of his stall. The vet did give me the option of riding him at a controlled walk before turning him out, but when I explained it would have to be down the driveway or out on a trail we both agreed to let the little velociraptor have his run back first.

I put him back in his stall after rearranging the fence line. He calmly walked out and it took him a minute to register there wasn't a gate holding him back from freedom anymore. His run is huge, kind of a small paddock and runs the entire length of the outdoor arena. Have you seen those cartoons where the character spins out, dirt flying up behind them but they don't go anywhere? I was plastered with mud and dirt chunks while he tried to grab hold of the footing and accelerate from 0 to 60 in 2 seconds flat. The bucking, crow hopping, squealing, grunting, sliding, and airs above ground that followed were definitely video worthy but I didn't even bring a regular camera. He looks good to me, granted it was a little hard to tell but he didn't seem to favor the right shoulder at all.

It's about a week later now and all of the swelling has gone down. I've taken him on a few more walks and velociraptor has turned back into brontosaurus. Still alert, but more interested in trying to eat the moldy dead weeds along the driveway. Seriously mellowed out.

And I got the best news ever from Norm, the barn owner. They're putting in an indoor arena!!! I think it's going to be 70x120 or close to it. It will completely change everything in terms of training when the weather is crappy. I can't imagine being able to ride all winter and spring, even when the footing is a big sloppy mess.

Sweeeeeeeet