Isn’t That Lame?

EC Blog by: Allyson Hicks

If you’ve been reading my blogs, you’re probably getting to know a little bit about me and the vagaries of my thought processes. I thought, when I first started this blog, that it would be about the outside of the show pen. But, every time I sit down to write about the outside of things, my heart just keeps getting in the way and I end up sharing some pretty personal stuff that has little to do with the outside of the show pen and more about the inside of my heart.

I’ve been thinking about my last few horse shows while getting mentally prepared for the show next week, and I was asking myself, “What do I worry about before the show?” Pretty good question… If you remember, some of my blogs have been about my desire to “ride every stride” while in the show pen. So, here’s a great time for some mental show prep, and guess what comes into my mind? Fears of my darling, little horse Jimmie being lame.

Isn’t that lame? Well, not really. I need a drum roll here, because I’ve been looking around the warm up pen at the shows, and I’ve noticed that some of our really talented horses aren’t always 100 percent sound. Please remember, it’s against the law to stone anyone these days! Of course, I’m not talking about my horse or your horse…

Now that I’m nearing the 50-year watermark, I have to admit that I’m not so supple as I once was. These creaky joints are raising a fuss more and more these days. On the flip side, I would say that I know a few more tricks than I did a decade or so ago.

Our older seasoned horses’ joints are pretty creaky too. Isn’t that why many of us have ridiculously high veterinarian bills? Truthfully, the older horses do have more tricks up their sleeves (slinkies) than those youngsters and they really know how to get us around the pen. I think we all know that their joints aren’t what they used to be, but boy don’t their hearts grow over the years?

We need to remember that these horses are athletes and, for the most part, are in very good shape doing a job they enjoy and are bred to do. I know that my horse loves to enter the ring and goes into show mode with a pretty happy attitude. Everyone has their creaky days, and I suppose our horses are entitled to have a few creaky days too. So, my plan is to spend some extra time in the warm up pen, which I bet is more for my peace of mind than that of my horse.

My horse has a huge heart and a fine step, so I suppose I better spend my time worrying about riding that “one stride” at the next show than about our creaky joints. I’ll be packing a bit of aspirin for the rider and a carrot for her noble steed.

Until next time,

Allyson Hicks & No Fun Being Good