I only got pictures free-lunging him as there was no one to take pictures when I was riding...and I must say, trying to take pictures with one hand, and still control lunging with the other is no easy feat!!

*I* think Odhinn's movement is markedly better after the surgery, but maybe it is just wistful thinking on my part..lol. It was early evening when I took the pictures, so some of them are a bit grainy since they had to be lightened some.

His butt is still *really* weak, so we still have a lot of work to do to get it strengthened up. I have been working with a hunter trainer lately, and we have been working on just going forward on a relaxed rein, which has helped him relax over all...

He isn't strong enough to move like this all the time, but we are getting more and more strides like it...


This is a more typical trot right now (still MUCH improved over this spring, I think...)


So much more bending behind, and so he is getting lighter on the forehand...





His head got cut off here, but you can still see how much more he is using his hind end....


Some canter work (his canter is BY far his best gait)





I also added a pile of poles in the arena, to get him to start bending the hind end more. He didn't even change his stride....

He jumped it the first time...



And then he just trotted over them...



Couple more...I cut off his butt, but I think you can see how much more free his shoulder is as well...


And, a profile shot before the lunging....

I LOVE my pony!!! Which is wonderful, since this summer I was about ready to give him away to the first person who walked by...stall rest is HORRIBLE!!

You know, you have one dang good looking horse! I've always thought so. Glad he's moving around nicely now! I'm a bit jealous, hehe.

Hurray, Ohdinn pictures!! Wow, he's looking pretty good for a boy who spent most of his summer on stall rest! I'm so glad to hear that things are going well and the surgery seems to have worked, that is just fabulous. So happy for you and your handsome, handsome boy. I know what you mean about dealing with a hyped-up stall-bound horse. I had to stall Vannah a couple winters ago due to a sprain. By the end of the second week she was a royal pain, I can't imagine dealing with it as long as you did!

He looks great. I bet that canter is amazing to ride.

It's wonderful to see your beautiful boy moving so freely. I know his convalescence must have seemed unending but it looks as if he'll be rewarding your patience big time.

Thanks for posting the photos - I love any opportunity to admire Odhinn.

Ooohhh .... he is so gorgeous

That is quite incredible movement for a horse that's been on 'bed rest' for so long

The photos are quite dark, but in the ones where you can see Odhinn's head, what impressed me is how content & co-operative he looks.

Glad that you are in LOVE again

Thanks Lukey ...If you knew all of the ordeals we have gone through to this point, you wouldn't be jealous at all, LOL (at least not of the vet bills!!!).

Thanks! Stall rest is *horrible*. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I had some drugs...lol, for him. I probably needed some for ME!!!

Flake...thanks! His canter is BIG, but really comfortable...thank goodness!!! LOL!!

yeah Odhinn! he looks really good, it is so great to see him starting to move great again, it must be such a relief. I hope he continues to do fab.
Odhinn is like wolfy in that he gets really light in the summer.

Thanks Cyniska! I agree...his is obviously much more relaxed with himself. I can SEE where his back comes up in the pictures, and the withers rise, and the dip in front of the neck goes away. HE feels good. Before the surgery, he wouldn't get a really 'forward' trot without breaking into the canter almost right away. Now, he will lengthen with just a bit of vocal encouragement for me for several strides before he canters or slows down, not because he doesn't want to, but because he isn't strong enough to hold it yet. But, he is obviously MUCH more comfortable.

Thanks . The free-lunging keeps him really focused on me... I have just had the best time doing it. He was in a really cooperative mood today, though. Sometimes, it takes a few min. and many direction changes to get his attention on ME, but today, he was focused from the start.

I am glad to hear/see that he is finally doing better! He looks good. I know it has been so frusterating with all you have been through. I know a little bit how you feel. Keep us updated!

yipee om! he is to die for! so lovely!

My he is gorgeous...I luff those dapples!!!!