Set Back In Training Plans for the Week and Produce Review

Sunday I had grand plans of meeting a friend at the barn and working a few horses. We went to catch her horses in the field with Dickie and Tari. Dickie, as always, did his best to follow as close as we would allow attempting to give kisses and offer assistance. He is always good at pushing the boundaries but does listen with the appropriate growls and arm flailings on the part of humans. The problem comes when his little redheaded girl fried decides its fun to charge us. If I am leading Dickie it is a pain because he gets all riled up. If Dickie isn't the one being led the comedy of errors takes on a whole new level. Tari darts in like she is some kind of wild stallion rounding up her herd then Dickie decides it is his duty to save everyone from Tari and chases her off. The problem is my beast has zero concept as to just how big he is. Yesterday my toe got on the way. We both yelled at him then he came back all sad because he thought he was saving us. 

I smiled and pretended like I was fine. Usually toe crushes work themselves out so ignoring them is the best medicine. However, I was smarting pretty bad after not much of a walk. I decided that it would be best to throw in the towel for yesterday. I am so lucky to have a sweet and tolerant SO because she had to wait on me last night. 

Today I decided that long lining Dickie was out because walking is still touch and go. I also nixed riding him. He is still a handful so and I need to be feeling 100% before I get in the saddle. I did however decide that riding a different horse was a brilliant idea. I had a jump left up from yesterday and also thought it would be fun to try it, in my dressage saddle ;0  I haven't been over so much as a log on the trail in years. My last jump was actually when I injured my hip. Luckily today's brilliant ideas turned out lovely. 

I have to say I think my newish reflex wide track stirrups were a big help. They distributed the weight on my foot and I didn't even notice there was anything wrong. Apparently riding is the one activity I can do pain free. Back to my stirrups.... I bought them months ago but didn't get around to actually putting them on the saddle until last month. My feet often go numb riding and my hip has become a chronic issue even out of the saddle. Ben's mom over at Change of Pace mentioned them earlier this year so I did some research. People rave about riding without numb feet and painful knees for the first time in years. I needed a new set of irons anyway and they are cheap so I gave them a whirl. I can't say enough nice things about them.