Hey, just wanted to let you all know that I'm still alive (mostly).  I have a bit of bronchitis -- sucky way to spend Thanksgiving -- but the meds are workling so I should be back in good form soon.  I'm afraid I haven't had time to read all the updates, but here's mine:  No riding here, I don't know what I'm going to do with that horse of mine!  I rested her for the better part of a year (no joke, I had no saddle that fit) and now I'm trying to (very slowly) bring her back.  She's not what I'd call "lame" any more, but she's cranky and telling me that she's uncomfortable, more going left than right (it was her left hind she injured) and she's dragging that toe enough that it's squared off some.  I've chatted with the vet and farrier, and we're going to try a couple of things, but I'm afraid she may end up just being a pasture pet at 9 years old.  Not that I'd love her any less, or get rid of her or anything, but I miss having a horse I can ride!  In other news I have 3 midterms this coming week, so I'm going back into lurk mode for a bit.  I'll check in afterwards to let you know how it went....

Don't give up on your girl! Juno had been completely off work for 2 1/2 years: 1 1/2 yrs to figure out what was wrong with her, and another yr to heal from the surgery that solved her problem. She never forgot anything--horses have memories like elephants--and I was just starting to do a less-structured rehab with her. Unfortunately, two days into that Havannah put her LH through her stall door, and Juno has been on babysitting duty as Havannah heals so I can't ride Juno. But soon I will, and maybe your girl will have a full recovery eventually.

 Awww, poor squeaker -- I hope you are able to figure it out.  I know how frustrating it is not knowing what the problem is and not being able to fix it.  I'm stuck in the "just wait and see what happens" right now with Solo, it makes me crazy!

 Sorry to hear you're not feeling well.  I've got some kind of bug too, not enough to completely lay me up, but enough to make me feel bleuch.

 I hope your vet and farrier are able to get Squesk comfortable again.  I don't have any suggestions as to what it might be.

Good luck with your mid terms.

Trouble is we know what it is, but aren't sure if there's any more we can do for her.  Not giving up, just not sure.  This is the leg that she ripped up the inside of her hock down to bones and tendons, and now the joint is all full of scar tissue and she can't fully bend it.  Surgery might help temporarily, but it would lead to more scar tissue later, and my vet says the evidence for lasers and ultrasound helping with cases like this is all anecdotal, so I don't know if I want to go that route on a maybe and possibly leave myself stuck if there's an emergency (student budget, you know).  For now we're doing a combo of stretching, massage and supplements to try to break down the scar tissue and get the joint a bit more lubricated, and continuing the conservative work program.  I'll keep you updated.

 48, thanks for the encouragement.  Good to know that sometimes the tincture of time really does the trick.  Solo, I hope you get his shiny redness sorted out soon.  As you know I've been following your blog and my heart aches for both of you.  Very excited about Encore, too, btw.  I look forward to hearing about great things from that young man!

 Sorry -- senior moment -- I'd forgotten she tore her leg up.  I'll be sending positive thoughts that time works its magic for her. Hang in there.

Squeak - So sorry to hear this. Waiting to see results is the hardest thing to do. Things don't sound to promising now but maybe in time, things will look up and you can have a ridable horse. Even if its just for a nice walk through the fields. Fingers and toes crossed.

Yikes squeaks! I dont even know what to say :( I just got internet back.

24 hours from now I will be at Congress!!!!!!

Watched the free style reining tonight.. Some magnificent rides. Stacey Westfall won the open class with a bridleless ride.  Heading home tomorrow and will be glad to get home. We've done A LOT of walking.  Will fill u guys in in chat later. 

Havent talked to you guys in like 6 months. I would love to get caught up. DJ had a sorrel filly on May 15 and last night I bought 2 purebred QH fillies, my first ever

 I certainly would not want FH to call me a slacker so I better think of some hoeey to put up here - now if someone had been in chat we wouldn't have to bother with this.  Still no horses in my life - as long as the weather is decent I seem to cope - we will find out what happens in about 2 weeks when the weather goes into suck territory.  A fair bit of the money we saved on board we have now spent to have several killer trees in our yard cut down - and  big branches are still falling out of the remaining trees.  AAArgh!

 In the meantime DD has decided she can't live or go to college without horses, even though she has a draft horse class and is learning to both ground and wagon drive among other things. She had been planning on joining the hunter jumper team but didn't like the vibes she got from the meetings, the participants or the barn.  She did go to the barn for a trial ride and the coach said she was a good rider but would make no promises about whether or not she would be allowed to compete at the meets til after the coach watched all team members ride.  No try outs, all comers were considered to be on the team, so DD passed.  2 weeks later she tried out for the polo team and was pleased to make the team.  She has never played polo before but since she is on JV they just learn the game and scrimmage each other.  That barn is closer to campus and in the same town where a friend of mine lives, so I see an overnight trip in my future to watch polo (evening practices) and be sociable and I'm betting my friend will want to go along to the barn too as we were horse fanatics together as girls.

 As for you all - keep riding for me.  Especially JG and Solo who both have several horses going for them!!

I freely admit to being a slacker....

 RC - you celebrate your anniversary with your family???  Are you taking DH??  And you have a year or two on us - but Laguna Beach sounds good.  Keep up the good slacking off...

 DD should have fun with the polo team - she's in royal company there, lol. What is the draft horse class she is taking?

A friend of mine is working with draft horses right now and loving every minute of it.  She had a crash a while back and it's taken her a long time to get her confidence back, so grooming the drafts and working them in harness and learning to drive is working better for her than trying to overcome her terror of riding.  She loves them too much to keep away from them altogether.  I'm glad she found a compromise that worked.

This is the time of year I really miss riding.  In fact I might throw a saddle on Annapolis and take him out for a walk this weekend if its nice.  I know I won't have too many opportunities left to do that so I'd better grab them while I can.