Optimistic...

...about making it to the show, if not necessarily about doing well there.

I took it easy with Larry for a week, giving him Bute twice a day, lunging him carefully, and riding only at the walk. I consulted with my vet (my husband), Julie (the clinician who has worked with Larry and me), and Suzan (my all-time favorite instructor with the excellent "eye"), and the consensus was that feed and exercise has Larry feeling foxy, then he tweaked himself or got sore, causing his patella to lock. His patella hasn't locked again, and I am concertedly limiting his opportunities to practice his bucking skills while continuing to condition him carefully. Today was the second time since last Monday that I've asked him for more than a walk under saddle, and the first time I've really worked him, and he was fine. So I have started memorizing our tests and will school the various elements as best we can in my small arena.

Yesterday I didn't have time to tack Larry up so I turned him out in the arena to stretch his legs for a few minutes - and took a few photos. It's hard to see gradual changes when you are around the object changing on a daily basis, but yesterday it was obvious even to me that he has gained weight and muscle. His ribs no longer show at any angle; his neck looks fuller, and his back and hips don't look as bony. He's shedding prodigiously, too, and the rain rot seems to have gone away. Hurray!