Something I learned last week - Newbie tip - TIME OFF IS GOOD

So my horse and I had a lot of time off last year due to an injury (Read about it here). It was upsetting and tough. But we got through it, learned a lot and were getting back on track when my silly horse stuck is rear left leg through the fence not once, but twice.

So he's in a fancy stall now, as close to padded as they come (larger paddock just not a workable option at this point) and we are feeling good.

We had a great ride last week after three weeks of no riding. The first week off was due to family issues going on that needed me to stay home, namely chicken pox. The second week off was some rain and another bout of sickness. The third week off was the second and last time he stuck that foot through a fence. I waited a week, he was sound and we went for a hard ride.

And something clicked.

In a good way.

We had a stretch of trail, I think about half a mile, a slight incline where he stretched out into a gorgeous floating trot. The kind of trot I see him do in the big turn out pasture. Well he did it with me on his back. Everything must have aligned cause I felt like we were floating. No bouncing at all, just gliding. I was balanced, in good position. He was trekking along. I released enough to let him stretch out, covering lots of ground with each stride. It took my breath away.

That whole ride he didn't do thing wrong, and was feeling good and fresh. The next day we went on a tough, faster ride with more hill climbs (the photo below). He rocked that one too.

It is nearly one year since I bought Ozzie. It has been one year since we both did our first 50 mile ride together. My first endurance ride ever and his first 50 (Click here to read that story). Despite the injuries, I could not be happier with my horse.

AT the top ridge where we board. This ride was about 14 miles, but we joke
about adding miles cause of our crazy hill climbs. Yes, that is the Pacific
Ocean in the background. Click on photo for larger version. 

This tidbit of knowledge, about time off is really going to help me in the week to ten days (or more) prior to a ride.

I have to remember that it's ok for him to have time off. It's good for his body, his energy and his mind. Just like me.

We have put the 50 at Bar H on Calendar. Ozzie back baby!

This is a video I took of Ozzie in the turn out pasture 8 days after his hoof went through a metal fence (nearly 3 weeks ago). He was pretty lame for 2-3 days after it, sore and tight in the rear end. He got a bunch of massages and wrapping. He is one tough horse. Must be that Russian blood, or so I'm told.