Day 39: Half-Way Homes

A little sleep in for us. It was nice to just have a few minutes to lay awake with my half sleep thoughts. Those few moments when my dreams linger, and i’m not exactly sure which bed I’ve woken up in, what time it is, or the day of the week. We made coffee, finishing some voice overs for a video and headed over to Margo’s house for breakfast. We were going planning to stay, but then Jewel was talking to tomorrow’s host, and we thought maybe we should be there that night. We started working quickly on blogs, planning to leave around 12 or 1. Then Jean came in, he told us he had the vet Manon coming in for a free check up at 1:30. We were planning to see her later in the week at the school, but this was great! We’d heard wonderful things about her, and later found out it can be really hard to see a vet in this area, and we were lucky to have her come.

She checked over Lux first, after testing all his legs, tendons, feet, and soundness, she said he was in really good condition, especially considering we were 39 days into the trip. His back wasn’t as sore as she thought it would be. The main concern is the saddle sores. And it was the same with Ora. Overall Ora is in even better shape than Lux, we’ve heard from multiple professional’s she has an exceptional back, very strong, and she’s also sound. It’s funny that I’ve had someone repeatedly tell me “your horses aren’t meant to carry this kind of weight or do this journey.” Yet Ora is such a strong little thing, compact and hardy. Lux too, although he is a bit older, he’s still got such a fire and they keep trekking. Anything could happen to any horse at anytime. People are often surprised when I tell them Jewel bought Lux for $500.00. Monetary value, bloodlines and registration, in my

opinion aren’t always relevant when it comes to certain cases. It’s the classic story, the Seabiscuit or Hidalgo. Just because people say you can’t do it, doesn’t mean you can’t.

Back to vet check, Ora's hock has been swollen for about three weeks now. We got it checked out earlier, and it’s only superficial, fluid. There is no lameness, but Jewel will continue hydro-therapy and poultices, and if it was to progress into something, Manon recommended cortisol shots, but for now, there no pain, so we’ll keep an eye on it.

We checked out my saddle on Lux. Manon said the same thing Holly (the saddle-fitter) said. That the saddle fits well, and she wouldn’t actually go bigger with the gullet size which was what i was thinking I could do. They tested it out with pads, me sitting, everything. It fits. And if we open the gullet up, it could put pressure else-where. Manon gave me a print-out about saddle sores. It all says the same thing, once they start, even just a little, they are really hard to reverse unless you just stop riding. I’ve cut holes in my pads, and ride without weight or saddle when possible. Manon also gave me vaseline to put on. I’m doing an aloe-vaseline mix. First aloe to promote healing and vaseline to keep it moist.

Last night a big flake of skin fell off and underneath were all these new little hairs! So he is also on the mend. Ora’s right side has pretty much completely grown back. Progress!

Overall the vet was a great reassurance that the horses were good, and she showed up more ways to check for lameness and sore backs.

We were all exhausted by 2:45 when the vet left. This always happens when we rest, we grow more tired. The wind was blowing like crazy, and the day was humid. After talking it through all together, we decided to stay another night. I think I spent 5 and a half hours blogging, and was happy to go back to the barn and spend some time with Lux, just brushing him and giving him some scratches and love. Anytime we have a day off, I miss the horses. Even if they’re just in the pasture or barn, not being constantly around them, I feel there absence.

Jewel made a nice little dinner, with contributions from Margo, and we packed to leave for the next day. Thankfully Jean agreed to drive our stuff!