Back in the saddle

Today I rode for the first time since I fell hard and separated my shoulder two weeks ago today.

I threw the dressage saddle on Calypso and spent a good 40 - 45 minutes schooling at the walk, trot, and a little bit of canter.

It felt great to be back on top of a horse. I cut it short of my normal hour because my shoulder started getting sore at about the 40 minute mark.

She was wonderful. Patient, calm, forward, and willing.

It was fun.

            

Glad to hear it went well. I'm sure the shoulder will get better with time.

We haven't rode for about that long too. But that's because it's been too darn cold. I was hoping Sunday would get up into the 30's so we could ride. We've had a real nice winter so far and hopefully spring comes early, lol!
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I'm happy you got back on! How is your shoulder doing?

            

Surprisingly well for just two weeks after. Pain is minimal unless I use it a lot. I have about 95% of my range of motion back in all directions.

I was able to pick Caly's hooves and tack her up by being mostly a lefty. I've also figured out ways to dismount without having to put my weight on the right shoulder, so I get by.

I'm riding in a dressage clinic with Bill Fields on Sunday too.....

            

Well winter's been crazy mild and rainy in Ohio. Just now we are getting another short cold snap. It's supposed to be in the single digits with below zero wind chill overnight from Sat to Sun and I need to be tacked up and ready to ride around 9:15 on Sunday morning.

            

Originally Posted by mildot     Surprisingly well for just two weeks after. Pain is minimal unless I use it a lot. I have about 95% of my range of motion back in all directions. I was able to pick Caly's hooves and tack her up by being mostly a lefty. I've also figured out ways to dismount without having to put my weight on the right shoulder, so I get by. I'm riding in a dressage clinic with Bill Fields on Sunday too.....

            

Good for you! What excellent progress after an accident like that :)

            

That's the weather we have today going into tomorrow.

Next week is suppose to get into the 30's but I'll be at work. I shouldn't complain because we have no snow and warmer than average temps. I just wish it was a little warmer on my days off
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It went great! I worked with the clinician for 45 minutes straight on nothing but connection, roundness, and lateral bending with and without changes of rein (obviously we had walk breaks). This was probably the best session I've had with Calypso. The key was increasing the contact over what I have been doing, then driving her into it. She loved it, worked really really forward never losing impulsion around the corners or on most of the ten meter circles we did (and we did a lot of them). When she did lose her push, it was due to me not supporting her right.

I've never seen her lips as runny with drool, not felt her licking on the bit as much as I did today.

But dang it was cold. 12 degrees or so outside, barely 20 inside. But we worked so hard that I stopped feeling the cold probably after the first 10 minutes.

            

Ditto on the cold factor.. my hands were blood red and very dry from the cold weather but I stopped feeling chilly literally 30 seconds after I got on haha. But taking my helmet off was awwwwful!!!!

I'm so happy for you both, what an ordeal to go through and what a lovely productive turn around.

Pictures now? :P