How do you measure a year in the life?
In handwalks?
In ultrasounds?
In coldhosing, in eternal wrapping?
In progress? In setbacks?
In stall rest?
In freedom?
How about love?
A year ago to the day, Gogo and I tackled our tough course at the AECs and slipped up momentarily before the fourth fence. Somehow, some way, during this slip she seriously injured herself, and the rest has been history. The slip as caught on video:
Hard to imagine that in that instant, a year's worth of damage was done. Hard to imagine how miraculous tiny events - like sitting on your horse for the first time in months - can feel. Hard to imagine where we would be had this never happened, hard to imagine where we will be this time next year. I spent today with Gogo just bathing and clipping her all up, making sure she knows just how lovely she really is. She was a bit surley coming in from turnout (she really does seem to hate it, I don't know what else to do!) but once we started primping she was her old cheerful self again. Mares! It's gotta be all about them.
I am entering week three of a major staffing crisis, so nearly all my attention and energies have been completely focused on that, but hopefully I will be able to exhale soon enough and put my head back on straight. Then we'll talk fall. I want to change Gogo's schedule again but I honestly don't think I have more than two brain cells to rub together at the moment, so I need to let my head settle first.
For now, it's time for bed. Congrats to all competitors at this year's American Eventing Championships, you are all champions in my book.
It's been very reassuring to watch your progress with Gogo. My mare too, seriously injured herself almost a year ago on the lunge line (amazing how it doesn't take much!)and she has been on strict stall rest basically since then (no shockwave, ultrasound, etc.). Well, we went in for six month x-rays on Friday and we've been cleared to start rehabbing. She trotted out sound and her xrays looked great. Wahoo! Anyways,reading your progress posts has helped me maintain hope. :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the staffing issues, and I'm looking forward to seeing more about your and Gogo's progress.
I vote for love as a way to measure a year.
ReplyDeleteWhat is it about mare's and grooming? Lily adores being primped over. Seriously it's a girl gene?
It's been a good year to come back from, and here's to even better days ahead (staffing notwithstanding).
Adorable! I'm so glad you guys are getting back to a normal routine. :)
ReplyDeleteI am sure you meant for this, but I wanted you to know that I have the rent song stuck in my head now! I love the new lyrics though!
ReplyDeleteWell documented..and I've lived a very similar story-so I could SOOO relate. It seems time is the healing factor as strong as everything else, no rushing these healings :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you and Gogo enjoy your Fall rides coming up!
What a captivating journey.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing all of your moments with Gogo, from despair to elation. I just can't get enough and I can't wait to see how your adventures together continue.
You are a very, very good horsey mom.
ReplyDeleteI had to watch that video twice, carefully, to even see where Gogo slipped. It has always been crazy to me how horses can get themselves into ridiculous wrecks and pop back up without a scratch - or they can have the tiniest little incident and seriously injure themselves.
ReplyDeleteGogo is beautiful going cross-country, in any case. Thanks for sharing!
I also vote for love as a way to measure the year, that or lots and lots of money!! Sept. 9th marked the start of our diasterous year, and it continued going downhill until April 29th when D really did herself in. I am looking forward to a year and to where we will be! Love the video of you and Go-Go, you are an amazing team!!
ReplyDeleteAlso, you win the award for bringing the most traffic to my blog. Congratulations I guess?? ;0)