stopped in our tracks

by someone else's lame horse

i'd bought a hot water bottle to warm the saddle, but the entire estate had no electricity ..

anyway, got tacked up, got on, went into the arena, stopped to talk to someone who it turned out is saving up for a phoenix, started walking round, walking down the long side looking up and saw the mare suzie trying to follow the other horses and failing miserably - only half a step from half across the field, but didn't look right at all ..

so took molly up to the barn to call a couple of people out i knew were there, caroline walked up with a headcollar to get suzie in - she was hopping, looked as though it was both front and back .

i put moly away and untacked and went back to help, had to keep the field gate open and i had to shoo the other horses away. got on the phone - i didn't have owner's number but did have her friend's, and she rang owner whilst i rang the vet.

whatever it was she'd done, i think she did it when they were all hoolying about not long after i arrived; somone had a fall and there were two loose horses, which set them all off, and the high probability is that suzie hurt herself then.

Whilst I'm pleased I spotted her when i did, it's a shame I didn't spot her in the first place ... but then, i wouldn't as you can't see the field from the yard, only from the arena/barn

the vet hadn't arrived when i left, but the owner had

hope it is only a sprain; she's getting on a bit, that mare, late 20's i'm fairly sure i was told.

so molly got off really lightly.

the saddle felt a lot better as it warmed up under me of course. and i dropped the leathers a hole, my position felt really good. It's amazing how this saddle forces me to sit up