Saturday, January 19, 2013

Round Pen Clinic (including injury) -- Lots of Pictures!!

I signed Jim and I up for a clinic called "Round Penning It's Not Just For Running" and it was last weekend.   We were to take both mares - Jim to handle Rosie and myself Bonnie.

Looking forward to a day together with our horses we packed a cooler and it was a beautiful 60 degree day in southern Ohio in January.

Since Jim would be handling Rosie both on the ground and riding, I wanted to be sure that Rosie's brain was in the game so I hopped up on her bareback.  Well -- I attempted to that is.   When I pushed up off the tall jump block my left knee made an audible pop, and felt the crunch grind along with the worst pain ever.  Had to have Jim lift me off her.   I was bound a determined to not let this ruin our day so I hobbled into the tack room, grabbed an ice pack from the freezer and one of my standing wraps.  I "cowgirl up'd" you could say wrapped my knee, loaded both mares into the trailer and headed out.

Waiting patiently
***note*** the horses are sweaty, especially Bonnie.  It was nearly 65 degrees that day in January.  They are in full winter coats and everyone was sweating just standing around.  The most any horse did that day in the form of "work"was trot four circles around the round pen.

Thankfully Logan, my youngest son,  came with us and the clinician was very gracious and allowed him to take my slot with Bonnie.  I spoke to the clinician explaining Bonnie is EXTREMELY sensitive  and Logan is very green with only a handful of rides in the past few years and has never ever done any ground work.   To say I was nervous on how the little spitfire mare would be for Logan is an understatement.

Clinic was about moving your horse around and getting to want to be with you "Join Up".

Helping Logan with the stages of "Point, Lift, Swing"  
Sneaking up
Whatcha Do'n Boy?
Hmm -- you look kinda interesting!

"Joined Up" 


Jim's turn!
Get Move'n!
"You're not paying attention to me!" sneak attack!
"Oh Hi!"
"Joined Up" 

 And the riding - it was about balance and transitions.  With and without reins.





.. and Jim riding Rosie for the first time well over a year



My injury - torn lateral meniscus - pre-surgical MRI is this coming week.   I'm hoping surgery is scheduled asap as I have a goal to be riding by mid March for the Ride The Park event at the Kentucky Horse Park.



8 comments:

  1. Bummer. I pray everything goes smoothly for your recovery.

    Dan

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  2. So sorry about your knee. I had a medial meniscus surgery and would say that if you follow your doctor's orders (and you have the surgery soon) you should be able to ride the park. It will improve more quickly if you keep your leg above your heart and iced. My Doc did not even give me physical therapy...let's see what happens with you.

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  3. Sorry about your knee :(
    But the clinic looks like it was fun!

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  4. First of all OUCH!!!!! Glad the clinic went well though , hope you are back in the saddle soon

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  5. OUCH!! Best of luck with your knee, take care. I think it's wonderful your boys are getting more into horses!

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  6. Dang that sounds painful! Hope recovery is quick!

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  7. The clinic looks like fun. Sorry to hear about your knee that sucks. I had the same thing in both knees at different times. The surgery is no big deal and there is basically no rehab. Do what the doctor says and let it heal and you should be good to go. Good luck.

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  8. oh heavens, i cannot believe you have that injury!!! you are tougher than me -- i don't think i could have ridden after popping my knee like that! i really hope it heals up quickly...

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Happy Trails!

~Jeni