Well, my little girl has an owie, I'll call a vet in the morning.  Took me two days to figure out which leg it was in.  She doesn't like to make things easy on me.  She's all clipped up and looking fantastic.  She's the only horse I know that is the same colour clipped as she is not clipped, and just as shiny.  I do love my little angel.

Back to lameness.  She's got a slight swelling on the right fore around the fetlock.  Current theory is that she tweaked herself (doesn't help much).  She's shod all around and has borium on all heels and her hind toes, as the barn she's in has concrete in the aisles, and this mare slips more than anyone I've ever met.  So, since she's hurt herself, we're going to get a bit more aggressive on the borium and put it on her fore toes as well.  That will be next Monday, and we'll put her snow pads on too.  She's basically the only horse on the property thats shod up like that, most don't have hinds at all, at any time during the year, and the ones that do it's only for shows so they can be corked up (they're jumpers).  Unfortunately, she needs hinds as it gives her additional support so she can sit properly (she's a dressage horse).

Now of course I just bought a new saddle and didn't even get a solid go at my 10 day trial period because she's laid up.  It's an Icon from Custom Saddlery, lovely saddle, really close contact, a thigh block that gives you the perfect leg position.  Love it.

Anyway, we were chatting the other night about my previous trainers, who, amongst them, probably got on my little girl less than a half dozen times.  One did suggest that I send her to a local trainer who specializes in breaking and problem horses.  He had her for 6 weeks, then she came home for her farrier appointment... and just couldn't take her back, I missed her terribly.  My current trainer was unimpressed that I did that, but, I know she understands that my baby girl is my baby girl.  That trainer did mention that Miss Maggie was not what he would consider an amateur's horse.  My current trainer concurs. 

This set me to thinking.  I've been slogging it out with this girl for 6 years, only two with this trainer, and might be able to get her and I to first level next year.  I know my girl has the talent and movement for FEI dressage, but she's only about 5 levels behind, and it's all because of her little brain that got screwed up when she was a youngster under saddle.  Don't think for a second I'll ever forgive the woman who did it either.  So, I slog away at her responsiveness and my riding (I don't have delusions of grandeur on that, I need serious work here).  I know most amateurs would have sold her ages ago, but I feel like she makes me a better person.

I don't even feel disheartened by it, if you can imagine.  I have a gorgeous mare whom I love, who will teach me quite a bit so I'll be able to ride my sweet baby Havoc.  She puts up with my foibles (I'm chronically heavy left, although it's getting better), and I try to be patient with her (I have really grown in this area, let me tell you).  She nickers at me when I show up.  I stuff her full of cookies and carrots.  It works for us.