We have had a really good week and I actually feel like we have made huge progress in Jacks recovery both mentally and physically :) which is very exciting!
We started the week with a really good lunging session on the Pessoa with no silly or naughty behaviour and lots to like about Jacks way of going. A huge improvement on last weeks pessoa session which involved Jack spinning around and buggering off in the wrong direction more than once!
We had a lovely surprise on the Tuesday when 2 fellow liveries were down at the same time as me so we got to hack in company for a change! As the weather was nice and warm we decided to head down to the river and have a splash in the shallows to cool down. I was really pleased that Jack went straight into the river at the first time of asking and had a good splash about, I think all that rehab in the aqua treadmill has done wonders for his confidence in water as well as his physical recovery. We have not been that way for about 8/9 months but used to regularly go down and canter/gallop round the rivers edge last summer to help build Jacks back muscle up. He does not appear to have forgotten that fact as once we came out of the river he was dancing and jogging about and felt like a coiled spring all the way back across the fields to the road. I just about managed to keep him under control, but there was several occasions when I thought eek here we go as Jack bounced about on the spot getting more and more excited! It was an exciting ride and Jack felt fantastic with not the slightest hint of pain or discomfort! He lead all the way home and seemed to really enjoy himself!
He had Wednesday off in the field and we were happy to have company on another hack on Thursday, we had plenty of short canters and lots of trotting along the canal tow path and again Jack felt happy and comfortable taking the lead when asked and never hesitating :)
I decided as he had been feeling so good all week to take him in the ménage for the first time in over 3 weeks on the Friday afternoon to see if he felt any better in there. He look a while to warm up and feel himself, he felt quite hard work and dead to my leg for about 20minutes but once he got going he did feel really good and there was no hint of a buck, rear or plant all session which I was thrilled with. We only did walk and trot but I was very happy.
On Saturday again we had company in the afternoon (3 x in a week - that never happens!) and went for another longer hack, we went on a route we have not done in about a year and again did lots of trotting and several canters with no problems. Jack was keen, pulling me along the whole way and felt strong and comfortable. He had a day off in the field again on Sunday and enjoyed getting filthy so will be in need of a bath!
Fingers crossed for more of the same this week :)
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