Making the Most of It

 As I'm sorting through what I can and can't do each day with this new concussion, I received some inspiration in the form of an Instagram post from @theblondeandthebay_ (Madelyn Houser, who curates stylish equestrian outfits and promotes quarter horses in the dressage arena). 

She shared a ground pole exercise from Equine Bodywork Online that she uses for her 24-year-old, retired FEI mare (who is, funnily enough, also named Leah). The circle exercise incorporates bending over poles at the walk, and I know that Missy benefits from cavaletti work that encourages her to move her arthritic joints through their full range of motion.

Previous trot pole work she has done with me

However, I know that I'm not currently up to jogging alongside either horse, and lunging in a circle makes me dizzy. I checked out the "Ground Pole Workouts" program offered by Equine Bodywork Online and noticed there were plenty of ideas for quietly walking through grids of poles. That sounded like something I could handle. The program was a little pricey, but also offered guidance on how many reps to ask of your horse and how often, as well as access to the online community to pose questions and troubleshoot issues.

They also were offering 40% off, making it more reasonable.

Since I'm not taking riding lessons at this time, I took the (very metaphorical) leap of faith and invested some of that budget in the Ground Pole Workouts program, hoping to keep Missy and Pyro in light work while I heal. 

I logged on, clicked on the "pelvis" category of what I wanted to work on (they offer suggested exercises based on the horses' trouble areas), and watched the video for the first exercise in the list, the "Even Raised (Walk)". Armed with a clear plan of how to set up the poles, how to set up the horse for success, and how much to ask for (3-5 reps each direction, 2-3 times a week), I decided to try it out the next time I had enough cognitive stamina after all the chores were done.

4 evenly raised poles, about 2.5 feet apart

Missy, being kind and reliable, was my guinea pig on whether this would work for me. Even though I'd just be walking in a straight line with her, there would be a lot of demands on my vestibular system and cognitive stamina as I paid attention to her body language and foot placement (turning my head too quickly, especially while walking, can give me motion sickness), cued her in the right timing, and read when I needed to make an adjustment. 

She was occasionally inclined to trot as I turned with her on the outside of the turn, but she was very polite.

Good range of motion for 22.5 years old!

She did a lovely job staying with me and making my life easy. We walked together for 5 minutes to warm up, did our 10 reps through the poles, and ended with her walking up to me at the mounting block to rest. It was short (20 minutes), sweet (truly she's a delight to handle), and didn't fry my brain!

well earned apple

Once she was tucked back in her stall, I reassessed and decided I had enough stamina to try it with Pyro (and still be able to drive home). He took a 10 minute walk warm up that included me slowly backing him several times to remind him of his "Advanced Leading" parameters (staying behind my shoulder, not crossing my centerline, and not crowding/touching me). I made sure my movements were slow, which had the added benefit of giving him time to think about what I was saying. 

Love how he lifted his back through the poles

He quickly caught on to what I was asking and thoughtfully placed his feet through the poles. I did take several breaks to practice his ground tie... and give myself a mental break while standing still. However, I wasn't too drained by the end of his 20 minutes, and I was so thankful for the chance to interact with them and feel more "myself".

He too got an apple for being handle able after minimal turnout 

I was very grateful I filmed them going through the poles because while I was just worrying about getting us through them, I definitely missed some things. 

Missy buckling slightly on her left front

During one rep about halfway through the set, Missy's left front knee buckled slightly. I didn't see it happen, but it is why she knocked a pole down later in that repetition. Her left front pastern has the worst of her arthritis, so I will definitely be keeping an eye out for it happening again. This low impact movement should help, not hurt, that though. She might require an easier version of this exercise if it persists. I'd hate to see her trip during one of our sessions.

Pyro tightening his topline as he lifts his right hind

Something else I missed was that Pyro's right hind began to tire the last 2-3 repetitions. I know that leg is a trouble spot for him (partially due to my crooked riding causing him to trail it behind under saddle), but I didn't realize how little stamina he had in it, even compared to his retired mother. He didn't do it the first few reps, but he started hollowing and bracing through his back only when lifting that right hind leg over a pole. I'm not sure what the whole picture is here, but he will certainly be getting targeted bodywork and strengthening exercises going forward.

Bonus pic of my happy little mudball

My brain was very tired by the time I made it home, but my heart was happy. The enjoyment I get from working with my horses comes from interacting, communicating, and teaching/learning with them. It's less important what activity we're actually doing. While I may be "grounded" for now, it feels good to have a plan, incorporating this slow, in hand walk work as I'm able.