Bellyaching

I can't even begin to imagine what it must feel like to have ulcers as a horse. Not only do you have to deal with some immense belly pain, but then you have some heffalump heaving themselves onto your back and bumping their legs onto the very areas that hurt.

My poor boy has been so very sore, we have been trying to be as respectful as possible to him during this time, whilst not wanting him to just sit and lose condition and muscle. This has meant that Axel has been enjoying a rather varied and relaxed schedule. He has lunged a little, but mostly he has strolled around the fields, yes he has still had to cope with the British heffalump on his back but he loves to trail ride. Maybe its because he likes the wind blowing through his long locks while he channels his inner Marilyn Monroe. Maybe it is because I am a rather lax leader at times and a stroll in the field means ignore the d*head on board and just stuff your face as many times during the ride as possible. Ignore her when she asks you to move on and if she gets annoying enough that you do actually have to move, just walk three paces before diving on the nearest patch of grass or hay.

I don't blame him though. I am like that most days too. Eat, Sleep, (ride) repeat.

Today, I went to the barn and spent the time whilst getting him ready, being a total grumpy bitch. I think I have been worrying about him (and some other life stuff) more than I realised. When I say grumpy bitch I mean I basically wasn't chatting to the barn crew like usual, of course I wasn't grumpy with Axel- that would be horrid! Anyhow, I was all ready for his little discomfort signs so we started by lunging him and keeping an eye for his baulking or head swishing but there was none of that, I started to get a teensy bit excited. Then Sara hopped on to see how he was. We opted for Sara to ride first as I have got so worried about him being sore I thought I may be an idiot when asking him for anything which may in itself illicit some odd behaviour. Anyhow, blah blah I am waffling BUT I am so stupidly, grinningly happy to say that  there was a real improvement in Axel, he was so much happier and seems ready to play dressage divas! I am really, really relieved to have him feeling better and by the end of the lesson we had already planned his first few outings and shows. A little premature quite possibly but we both get a tad carried away at times, we really shouldn't be let loose together without adult supervision hehe!

So we have six weeks from the ultra ulcer saga to our first USDF show... sod it, as long as my Axel is feeling ok we will go for it! You only live once right?