Thursday, August 23, 2007

These summer days

What a quick summer this has been. I am quite glad we only had 1 week of 115 degree weather, and by comparison the rest has been pretty bearable. So much has happened, but I am finally recovering from the "dizziness induced by all the business" ;-D

Mira is getting fat and sassy. I have to say, I have not been able to ride her for over a month, as her arthritis really seemed to be bothering her. Whenever anyone would get on, (no matter how light) she would be mostly fine on the small flat area we have for warming up, but as soon as we got out on the hilly road she was obviously uncomfortable. I actually spent several weeks trying to adjust and modify tack, the routine, time of day, etc., before I realized that she really just wasn't feeling quite up to it. I am not going to say she is permanently retired, because it's always possible that with winter she might get really frisky again and be fine with being ridden, (who knows?) but I doubt it...

It is kind of weird, because I actually have not had a hard time adjusting to this, and I thought I would be much more upset. I am just glad we got several extra months, after thinking she was retired this spring. I'll just keep taking her for walks and doing fun stuff as I get time, and do my best to keep her from getting too pudgy! I suppose it also helps me not to freak out since I know this is a more natural thing, and NOT something caused by me, and NOT an accident. Every time I groom her she enjoys it, but I can never seem to get a pain/stiffness reaction when I gently probe her back or other spots. She is totally happy in the pasture, with just the slightest occasional shortening of stride on the left hind, and undoubtedly she likes having her only job being the arduous one of "Spoiled Pasture Ornament."


On another note, Mira still prances with her gorgeous floating trot every time she gets to go past other horse pastures. So I liked these 2 videos about a Polish Arab stallion named Piaff. MiKael probably recognizes the name... and from what I've seen of your horses in pictures, I bet they look like this when they're showing off, MiKael! Talk about gorgeous... drool! :-D

http://youtube.com/watch?v=eDToA6jpoWE&mode=related&search=
http://youtube.com/watch?v=uCrHjhpukHs&mode=related&search=


L

2 comments:

Rising Rainbow said...

Yes, I do know Piaff. Actually, a friend of mine sold one mare and leased another to the same woman who is breeding to Piaff. He is from Poland and is here on lease. I believe he is going back to Poland after this breeding season is over.

The pure Polish Arabians are very athletic horses. Before a stallion can even breed mares in Poland he must prove himself by winning on the race track. There are breeders in this country who focus on pure Polish breeding.

Sounds to me like Mira is living the life of luxury! lol

Original L said...

Hey cool, how did I know??? :-P Interesting about your friend...

Oh, & yes, I guess Mira is in the lap of luxury - I refuse to buy her a marble feeder, though! Tee hee...