Life's a rollercoaster

Last week I started drafting a post that began with "I FINALLY had a really good brain day!"

An understatement

I felt well enough to hop on Missy for the first time since the beginning of December. My head was clear, my balance steady, and my mare a saint. We did a lap each direction at the walk (while I cried happy, relieved tears the whole time, and Tessa followed, trying to figure what the heck was wrong with me). I even got to try my new insulated riding skirt. It was all rainbows and butterflies. 

I adore this mare, and the view between her ears is one of my favorites.

Additionally, I had the mental stamina to ground drive Pyro. It was a very successful session, and I introduced him to pressure on the breastcollar when starting forward and breeching when coming to a stop.

Baby horse at work

Through the week, I got on Miss one more time, then switched to lunging as the cold weather returned (and my brain was a bit more tired after working on the computer). I had some very good sessions with both horses. Miss was feeling well, and Pyro got to work with side reins and the Eagle ProSix system.

Motion is the lotion for her joints.

He had a few cheeky moments, rooting at the side reins, but I'm glad there's plenty for us to work on while I'm not ready to get on him.

The ProSix is a rehab tool that builds strength, proprioception, and balance.

Then, as life does, the unexpected happened. One moment I was walking across the stable parking lot to bring in horses for the evening, and the next I was on my back, with a clear view of the sky.

It was a beautiful sky at least.

With the freeze-thaw cycles we'd been having, the parking lot was a sheet of ice that I managed to slip on. 

Making a fairly impressive ice angel/crime scene outline, if I do say so myself.

The silver lining? I was wearing my helmet. With the very real risk of Second Impact Syndrome and how hard I smacked the back of my head, it quite possibly saved my life. 

No major blemishes, but it's being replaced after that hit.

After allowing myself a moment to take stock, check my pupils for unusual dilation, and pick myself up, I completed chores for the night in a daze. Since then, I've definitely had a setback in my concussion healing, but it's not a complete reset to ground zero.

Unbothered, appreciating the break in cold weather this week.

I have yet to work either horse since then, but I AM able to complete chores most days. My husband (bless him) did drive to the stable and muck my stalls one evening after work when my brain was soup.

My trusty Bunny-mobile (Yukon XL that can fit SO MANY of my show rabbits in the back) has been reliable in spite of the ice and snow.

This weekend, I got to audit lessons with a new dressage coach we're trying who is willing to come to our barn and teach any of us boarders who are interested on a monthly basis. While concentrating and tracking the riders for several hours was taxing on my brain, I'm really excited to get back in the saddle and work with her. I think she'll be a good resource for in-person lessons to supplement the virtual lessons I plan to start again eventually. She seems to have a low-pressure approach to training young dressage horses and an understanding of "off breeds" that may help me with Pyro and his morgan conformation.

Good baby stallion in his first ever lesson!

My replacement Trauma Void Lynx helmets arrived, and I couldn't be happier with them. They're gorgeous, and I was pleasantly surprised to find they now come with a spare liner. Not only do these helmets come in a pleasing array of colors (with no upcharge for sparkles) and with MIPS technology, they also fit my head so well that I forget I'm wearing them. Since wearing a helmet any time I'm handling a horse is going to be my norm going forward, that's critical. I've even gotten in the car with it still on because I forgot it was there.

The black with suede and sparkles I intend to be my show/back-up-already-on-hand helmet.

Included spare liner!

The smooth brown one I intend to be my everyday use helmet.

I particularly like the brown straps on this one. It's a nice touch over using the same black as the other helmets.

Has this setback been frustrating? Yes. Is it the end of the world? No. Even without another fall, recovery isn't linear, and there are bound to be ups and downs. So, I'm strapped into this roller coaster and trying to enjoy the ride, even if that means pushing in vestibular therapy until I have the spins and can't talk, only interacting with my horses while feeding and scooping poop, and cancelling plans to let my overstimulated brain recover. It will get better, and I'll appreciate the good days even more for it.

Saddle for Sale: Loxley Foxhunter

 Back in November I lamented that Pyro had yet again outgrown his saddles. After his illness and my concussion, I'm finally getting to post my custom Loxley saddle for sale. I figured I'd share it here in case this beautiful saddle would work for another blogger.

(more photos below)

Loxley by Bliss of London

17.5" Foxhunter with Adjustable Tree

- Cocoa with navy welt and grey stitching

- Quilted cantle

- Serge, wool flocked panels

- Currently has a Wide (W, red) gullet plate

- Moveable velcro knee and thigh blocks (petite)

- Added point and back billets for many girthing options

- Includes matching webbers and Loxley fleece-lined cover

- Always stored in a climate controlled tack room

- All fittings and work done by Bliss of London fitter

- Only worn stitching is on the bottom edge of the left flap (pictured) and does not affect the structural integrity of the saddle

I custom ordered this saddle and used it for 2 years for both dressage and low level jumping. It fits me beautifully, to the point I can forget about it and just ride. I wish more saddles had the slim twist this one does. However Pyro's back shape is now too flat (front to back) for Loxley's adjustable tree. It would be better suited to a semi-curve shape, and is otherwise highly adjustable via gullet plate and wool flocking. Feel free to reach out via the blog if you or anyone you know might be interested!

BONUS: The world's flattest back.

Hold on, Partner, I'm Overstimulated

 

This shirt (a late Christmas gift from my husband) about sums up the week I've had. There were several medical appointments, checking in with my primary care provider (PCP) on my brain and such for the first time since the holidays, as well as the first of my vestibular therapy sessions. While my PCP is in agreement that the vestibular therapy is EXACTLY what I need, it is extremely draining. Nothing like spending an hour or two doing exercises specifically to tick off my brain, waiting for symptoms to subside... then doing it all over again. If you're curious what vestibular therapy includes, here are some of my home exercises:

Yes, I already have a coffee stain on my papers.

That last one in particular leaves me reeling. 

On top of the added demands on my brain, we have gotten some serious winter weather for our area. 

Snow

Subzero windchills

Freezing fog

aka hoarfrost

and even more snow

I think all told we got 12-13 inches. The last time I recall this much accumulation of snow in this area was when I was a kid (1996). We've definitely gotten subzero weather for short stints in recent years, but this is the longest stretch of dealing with snow/ice/cold that we've experienced in a long time. It's not looking like it will let up anytime soon either. 

The weight of the snow collapsed the sawhorse I used under the shafts of my breaking cart.

I have never been more thankful that barnmate (and future barn owner) Jen lives next to the stable than during the first snow storm that dumped 10 inches on us. The county stopped plowing the highway I live on, and there was no way I would've made it safely to the stable. She trekked across the hay field to make sure the horses were warm, fed, and had clean stalls. 

She also learned how to use the snow blade with the tractor and is keeping the drive plowed! #likeaboss

Between the additional asks I've been making of my brain and the terrible weather, the horses have gotten zero work this week. I haven't even done in hand ground pole exercises. We have been *surviving*, lol. 

staying warm

a tragedy

Pyro: HI MOM!!

Missy: ...I miss you too

Got anymore of those apples?

While the horses were over the snow pretty quickly, they've been doing well. I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to get a restraining order against Pyro though, he's so starved for my attention. Anytime I set foot in the pasture, he literally GALLOPS up to me. Surprisingly, Missy has cantered up with him on occasion. I'm happy to see that this cold hasn't been negatively affecting her joints too badly. She suffers the most when they have to be stalled 24 hours (or risk severely damaging our pasture), and she gets a bit stocked up and stiff. 

Ol' gal is looking good and keeping Pyro in line

We've been feeding hay to Missy and Pyro's herd in 4 small hay feeders made of water troughs with slow feed netting over the top. There are four of them for four horses (chestnut OTTB Magnum and grey arabian Ivan join the Pinto Party for turnout), and it has been an interesting opportunity to observe herd dynamics. Throw in the fact that Missy is acting hormonal ALREADY, and the stage is set for hours of musical hay feeders. I got to watch the herd for a while one morning and realized there is a cyclical arrangement of who can move whom. 

My top quality diagram of who moved whom from a morning of observation

Despite not getting to "work" the horses, this opportunity to observe and learn was fascinating to me and a good outlet for wanting "barn therapy" when I didn't feel my best. 

News flash: Missy is a hussy. 
She has been winking. IN JANUARY.

There are some days I feel like I'm going to puke while mucking stalls, or I have to take a nap in the stable office before feeding to let my brain recover after driving. BUT, I still get to go to the stable, strap my helmet on, and pet my horses, which is immensely beneficial to my mental health. I daydream about where Pyro and I were when we last rode together consistently,...

... playing with Missy in her retirement,...

... and working on my olympic lifting form,...

... but all of those daydreams keep me pushing my brain's boundaries, even when it means I turn into an overstimulated mess with soup for brains.