Welcome back, Dr. Jekyll

 Yesterday was a good day. 

TBF, any day that includes this sweet face is a good day.

My joint pain was manageable, energy levels were good, and I felt up to doing the things I love. After a productive day at work, I attended Olympic Lifting class at my Crossfit gym. 

70lb snatch that felt solid

This is honestly my favorite class they offer, and I try to make it even if it's the only class I attend in a week. I can easily back off on weight if I'm not feeling 100% and focus on form, which has been awesome for my proprioception and joint stability. I hit some lifts with solid form that made them feel easy, and my achy fingers didn't limit me. 

A heat index of 85F?? What beautiful weather! (I didn't even care that it was raining.)

As I arrived at the stable after class, I was blessed by a rain shower that dropped temps enough that it wouldn't be cruel and unusual punishment to ask horses to work. (Pretty sure Pyro took over the keyboard for a second describing weather that would make him sweat.) Much to my surprise, I still had plenty left in my tank so I could take advantage of the opportunity.

After an anti-inflammatory diet approved snack, of course

Pyro was my first victim, and I was pleased to discover he was happy to go to work with far fewer dramatics than during our lesson Sunday.

Welcome back, Dr. Jekyll

I repeated the topics we covered in our lesson, riding him in the slim, semi flexi Winderen again. I'm going to put at least 1 more ride on him in it, but I think his mouthiness is getting worse, not better. 

There was some sticking out of his tongue...

...but also a lot of fussy chewing on the bit. 

I thought chewing on a metal bit was obnoxious, but it has NOTHING on the noise he makes when he chews on the Winderen gel material. His teeth SQUEAK on the bit, giving me that "nails on a chalkboard" sensation. That alone is a big strike for that bit from me. 

Drama was mostly of the "mouthing bit" and "tail swishing" varieties

Despite the ongoing bit saga, Pyro put in some nice work, and I'm still loving how secure and balanced I feel in my newly-refitted WOW saddle.

Love that he can stretch over his topline in this saddle

We practiced our stretchy trot, which he attempted while staying at my tempo.

Cantering like a good citizen

Listening and trying

Oh look, we CAN pick up the canter without exploding!

Or bolting!

He braced his back in this downward transition, but it's an improvement from completely hollowing and throwing his head in the air.

I was really quite pleased with him and grateful for the opportunity to ride him more than once in a week. 

Good spotty critter

Get this: after I was done with Pyro, I STILL felt up to riding Missy!

Wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles!

I spent the first 5 minutes of her Old Lady Workout (a 20 minute walk/trot dressage ride) convincing her to not jig, lol. She mostly warmed up out of any discomfort from her front left pastern (her most arthritic joint), but remained a little choppy through the ride, which tells me she's likely due for joint injections. Despite that, she seemed happy in her work.

Biiiiiig stretch

Ignore my face. I promise I was enjoying myself. Look at her adorable, happy expression instead.

Reaching out to the bit nicely. Hers is the Winderen ported eggbutt, which she does NOT chew on.

The changes we made to her saddle seem to be a big improvement for her. She held a lot less tension over her topline (despite the likely joint discomfort), and she was incredibly willing to offer self carriage with light contact. Having been suckered into playing tug-o-war with this mare plenty of times over the years, this is a delightful development.

Lateral work for some dynamic stretching

She's such a pleasure to ride.

It was a late night at the barn. However, I came home feeling "normal" tired, not "omg I can't function" fatigue. I happily bopped around the kitchen, preparing a healthy dinner, with a smile on my face. 

Mmmm, rabbit tendies

I'm tentatively optimistic that this means I'm starting to have a handle on my health issues (at least for now), and I'm hoping it's the start of getting back to my regular work level with the ponies.