First ride since the accident

I rode Banjo tonight, my first ride since August 20 when I was bucked off and fractured my pelvis. I can't blame the delay on weather, my physical or mental state, or lack of time. It think its a combination of all four.

I've been busy with the yard, garden, work and my new grandbaby, Kylie. My energy level has just not been what it was last year (age, accident or both?). Thinking about the prospect of riding during the day today had my stomach tied in knots. I've simply been been postponing this.

More thrush

After Kate trimmed hooves on Monday and discovered an abcess in Banjo's front right foot, I wanted to treat him twice a day, so I bounced out of bed at 5:00 am on Tuesday and before I knew it it was 6:30 and I had to hurry to get to work. I was so impressed with progress on lifting his feet, getting him to relax his head, and relax when I moved to his side, I was motivated to keep going.

Yesterday (after hoof treatments) I found I couldn't even lay a rope across Banjo's back and he would take off in circles, so I backed way off and started by laying just a few inches halfway across the back, then extending the rope until it dropped over the side. when he took off, I just turned with him and pretended we were practicing leading until he tired and stopped. Then more rope. After a half hour of this I was sliding the rope off the rump and head and twirling above the head without a problem.

Then we went into the arena. I saddled him without a problem. Getting him to stand by the mounting block took several tries. When he finally stood still next to it, I stepped on the block and he took off, so I quickly lunged him several laps and tried again. He got it. He stood completely still and let me step up and down, circle him around the block again, stand still and have me step up and down again. I didn't sit in the saddle. I just didn't feel I could. This is enough progress for me.

The ride

So tonight I was resolved to ride. Since the flies were biting, I tried to spray him. Man, I thought we'd gone back to square one. Just moving to his side set him off, as did shaking the bottle, much less spraying it. So I set the bottle on his back and moved with him as though we were just doing the leading exercises. When he settled I moved to shaking the bottle. Then spraying while we walked. After 20 minutes I was able to get him to stop, then when he started to fidget, I could shake the lead rope ahead of him indicating he was not to move forward and that would anchor him while I sprayed.

Moving to the arena, I worked on the rope across the back and it was as if he never had a problem with it. Same thing at saddling and at the mounting block. Working out the fly spray issues seemed to work out all other problems. So I stepped up and into the saddle and we sat there--and sat there.

Last year, the minute I mounted, Banjo would take off gaiting like crazy. And wouldn't stop for what seemed like ages. Tonight, I asked him to walk 2 laps then dismounted to recheck the saddle and remounted for about 10 more minutes of nice peaceful walking.

Still have to work on backing up - he tosses his head and kicks a bit with one leg -- and one rein stopping -- same thing.

Its a start.