mimi

massage therapy bliss

/ Ashley Wingert / 4 Comments
Can we say ‘blissed-out pony?’

Back when we were at the height of competing, both NATRC and endurance, I used to have Mimi massaged on a frequent basis. As competitions got fewer and further between, one of the things I dropped were the massage appointments.

As she’s been getting older and crunchier, I’ve been contemplating having a massage session done on her. I’d been hearing great endorsements and testimonials from some endurance friends about a massage therapist who has been at the Arizona endurance rides of late. And then after Mimi got cast in her stall a couple of weeks ago, that sealed it. She had to be somewhat out of whack after that episode.
I contacted Kristy at Freedom in Motion Equine Therapy (or her Facebook page) and scheduled an appointment for this morning.
I cannot even begin to say enough good things about this morning’s appointment.
To start, Mimi is a horse who does not readily warm up to people. It’s not that she dislikes them, she’s just pretty indifferent and can take a while to decide you are worth her time. There are very few people in this world she takes an immediate shine to. Kristy was one of them. At the end of the session, she even gave her one of her special, head-over-your-shoulder Mimi hugs.
It’s really easy to understand why, though. Kristy has a great way with horses. She’s gentle and methodical in her approach and is extremely tuned in to the horse themselves, frequently talking directly to them.
Mimi was definitely knotted up — a cumulative effect, I’m sure, of not only not having any work done on her for the past few years, but of things like stall kicking, running into something (probably a fence) back over the winter, and then the final straw of getting cast a couple of weeks ago.
I was really impressed with how Kristy would approach the really stubbornly knotted up areas — work on it, move to another area, come back to it, move to another area, then check it again. Sometimes the temptation is to dig into a problem area and work it until it goes away, but frequently, problem areas tie together, and you can loosen one really tight area by resolving another area that might not be quite as bad and then going back to the problem area. (Read more on the Freedom in Motion “About” page.)
Mimi did great on giving her releases. Lots of chewing and licking, some sneezes, the passing of gas and manure. She was a bit “shy” about her releases to start — maybe because she was so knotted up, or because she was enjoying it too much to want it to stop? — but once she started loosening up, I don’t think she could help herself and she started with the licking and chewing. She’s very expressive, so after a while, she really started getting into it. Next time, I need to get more photos, because she was flat out hilarious a few times.
I could see a difference in her musculature and stance as Kristy was working, and when she had me move her out afterwards, the difference was immediate and amazing. She was obviously feeling very good, as she trotted in hand after me over to the round pen, and proceeded to give me some great extensions and even slow canters for a few minutes. And when I took her back to her stall, she had her “bouncy walk” back.
I cannot wait to ride her again this weekend and see how she feels under saddle.
And I think we’ll be making massage sessions part of our regular horsekeeping routine again.

If you’re in Arizona, I can’t recommend Kristy enough. She is based out of the East Valley, but if there is a large enough demand, she will travel to other parts of the state as well.

(For any AZ endurance riders who are going to be at either Prescott’s Man Against Horse ride or  McDowell’s Lead-Follow ride, Kristy will be at both rides the Friday before and Saturday of ride day to work on people’s horses. Pre-schedule with her for first priority on getting your horse worked on.)

cover girls

/ Ashley Wingert / 2 Comments

I went on The Distance Depot‘s website this morning, and this was what greeted me:

Hey, that bright orange tack looks familiar!

Liberty and I are cover girls! (See their webpage for a better close-up and detail.) That particular tack set came from The Distance Depot, and while I might be slightly biased, I happen to think Liberty makes a great model for it.

What’s even more fun is that about ten years ago, Mimi and I were cover girls for Long Riders Gear on one of their print catalogs. I’ve got that catalog stashed away somewhere and as soon as I dig it out, I’ll post that one as well.

my little go pony

/ Ashley Wingert / Leave a comment

Miss Mimi is as happy as a clam after getting to go out two weekends in a row. Gotta say, I understand the feeling. There is nothing quite like one’s own pony. :)

A came down and chauffeured us again, which I am so, so grateful for.

heading out from the trailhead

 The weather cooperated in that there was a nice breeze most of the time, and the sun would duck behind some clouds every so often, so it never got too unbearable out.

doing the “big wash”

 The worst part was probably in the wash, which doesn’t get much breeze…but fortunately there were treese and high rock walls, which meant we weren’t baking in full sun.

mountain range overlooking the wash

 Mimi was “on” today. I rode in my Duett again, and the way she was acting, I don’t think saddle fit is an issue. If anything, I think her reluctance in the arena has been sheer boredom and being fed up with circles. Not that I blame her. It does us both good to get out again.

trail signage

 I also took her out in her Myler kimberwick today, after she demonstrated last weekend that she was being a bit strong in her s-hack. Every so often she needs a reminder about giving and softening, and apparently she’s on one of those reminder cycles now.

She was forward and eager enough today that I was glad for the bit, since it meant all I had to do was give finger taps on the reins when she would try for yet another sneaky trot opportunity. She really wanted to go today.

lunch break!

We did two loops: the first was a 9-mile, all walking (except for the sneaky trot opportunities), then came back in for a drink and snack, then went back out on a 4-mile loop that was more trotting.

I was so happy with how she did today. She’s out of shape for hills, since we’ve been doing nothing but flat arena work, but she’s one game little pony. She was still bright-eyed at the end, and eating and drinking with gusto. She did her customary “drop her head and snooze, I’m so tired” routine after she was untacked and somewhat cleaned up…but perked right up for an in-hand trot-out, then jumped right into the trailer to head home. Back at the barn, she proceeded to drag me up the barn driveway, then trot back to her stall as soon as I’d dumped all of my bags and stuff at my car. She dove into her hay and water back at the barn, got a shower, had a good roll in the sand, and went right back to her food.
I’m still tickled with how well she did today. She’s been on her new joint supplement for a week now. I don’t know if it makes that big of a difference already, or if she’s just in a happy place mentally with getting to go out again…whatever it is, I’ll take it. When she feels good, I feel good.

a weekend of horses: Saturday edition

/ Ashley Wingert / 2 Comments

Well, it’s been a while since I’ve done back-to-back days…last time was at the Prescott Chaparral ride in April.

To start, Mimi got to go out on trail on Saturday for her idea of a “proper” ride. (We were supposed to be babysitting, but the “baby” in question was so solid, we didn’t have much “sitting” to do.)

A and Patrick, featuring Rearguard Pony Ears

 A is a fellow endurance rider, and always game to try a new place to ride, so when I offered Mimi’s babysitting services if she wanted to take her young horse out and explore a new-to-her place, she was thrilled with the idea.

(And I’m grateful she was willing to come all the way down from the north Phoenix area and chauffeur us around as well.)

Taking blatant advantage of Mimi’s ability to keep trucking
down the trail while I do stupid stuff, including taking pics
on a more interesting section of downhill.

 A also brought along her FreeForm saddle for me to try. (Networking. It’s a beautiful thing. I’ve managed to check off three of the four saddles on my “would like to try” list…and really don’t have major complaints about any of them. That’s helpful. *eyeroll*)

Hard to compare apples-to-apples, as I’ve only tried the Sensation on Mimi on the flat, versus doing trail work and then coming back and doing “flat work” in the trailhead parking lot. Would like to try the Sensation out on trail on her, since the other times I’ve ridden the Sensation have been on Other People’s Horses. (Nothing like trying something on the horse whose every step I know.)

beautiful San Tans

 It’s also been at least a few months since we’d been down to the San Tans. It’s pretty much my favorite place to ride around the Valley and the pony seems to be pretty partial to it too. I wonder why…how many hours and miles have we logged down here at this park?

“Babysitting Duties”: One ear swiveled back to make sure our
babysitting charge is still there.

 Young-horse Patrick’s only indiscretion, it seemed, was giving “Buttcrack Rock” a major side-eye, and all it took was Mimi going up to it and touching it for him to venture up and do the same. Despite her nasty “mare-face” attitude, which I really try not to capture on camera. Really spoils the “Pretty White Princess” effect.

Mimi and Patrick discuss the scary “Buttcrack Rock”

I didn’t have a GPS with me (I keep forgetting about my GPS apps on my phone…grrr), but that loop we did is just about 7 miles. Mostly walking, with a bit of trotting. A great first outing for Patrick, and a great stretcher for Mimi, who isn’t in world’s best shape right now…although she kind of surprised me.

We did our loop, then some trot-canter “arena” work in the parking lot for me to get a feel for the FreeForm, then came back to the trailer, got a drink, and she was down to 48 on her pulse within 5 minutes, which was about when I bothered to actually check it. Need to start riding with a HRM again for curiosity’s sake. And she was moving out really well, bright and sparkly-eyed, and not acting her age. That makes me happy. :)