I’m slipping in my updates again! Sorry! After all that long winter cold, rain and snow I’m loathe to complain about the sunshine…but it has been pretty hot this past few weeks and I would prefer a little cooler. Two weeks ago my sister and my brother-in-law came to see us and do a wonderful photoshoot of me and Dino. I’m super pleased with the results!

Training wise I’ve got a couple of niggles that are stopping us a bit. This last week he’s been a tiny bit footy and I can feel digital pulses (a possible early sign of laminitis) so I’ve put his grazing muzzle back on. There was a feed company in the yard last week weighing horses for free: he clocked in at 608kg! His ideal target is 575kg so he’s a bit over which won’t help on the lami front. He did seem to be moving better yesterday after a couple of days muzzled so hopefully I don’t need to keep him inside totally.

Another small concern is that his cheek on the side where we had all the jaw trauma a few years ago is looking very puffy. I’m hoping he’s maybe got a sharp tooth or something, or that the muzzle has rubbed something and it’s not anything to do with the troublesome tooth but I will get the vet out next week!! Bit annoying and concerning.

I’ve taken a break from riding in the heat and we’ve gone back to clicker training for impulsion on the lunge. Just in a headcollar as his jaw might be hurting but I’m focussing on clicking for happy relaxed forward momentum. I think he’s beginning to get it! We shall see.