FINALLY! I'm blogging, Susan!

I don't think I ever wrote on the blog last year because in February I had half my knee replaced and then on Halloween I cracked a fibula. So far this year, other than the impromptu trail ride my boarder and I took on Christmas day, the couple of rides we've taken have been short and unremarkable! Finally, today Dream and I went for a good long ride. This is the first time I have been able to ride since finishing Physical Therapy at the end on January. I was hoping for a nice warm day and no wind for our first solo ride out and about in a long time, but I got sun and comfortable, with wind, and decided that I needed to take advantage of it since the weather reports for next week return to winter yuckiness! This was also different for us as it was our first time working in the Nurtural Bitless Bridle that I bought from Isabelle. We started off out in the arena so that both of us could warm up and I could be sure that Dream was understanding our new means of communicating. Boy, are my muscles stiff and tight!! We took off up the road once I was sure Dream was listening. We rode up three of the dirt roads and Dream had to deal with barking dogs, and a horse where there never was a horse before. Her pasture mate at home was bellowing for her the whole time, which also helped to make her more antsy than usual. We got in a lot of trotting, and I finally felt like I found my rhythm again! Nothing hurt while I rode, once the muscles warmed up and stretched out. However, we rode for almost 2 hours with all of our meanderings, so by the time we got home and I went to dismount, my right leg was rubber! I could barely lift it up to get it out over the saddle. This is what happens to my body if I can't ride regularly, and it sure can be frustrating. My husband is such a sympathetic soul (not!) that when I told him about it he reminded me that I have a new hip and half of a knee that's new, and the joints that are left are arthritic, my muscles are affected by having M.S., AND I will be 58 on the 27th! He just had to stick the birthday in there! GR! I know I will sleep well tonight, and hopefully I won't be so sore tomorrow that I can't walk. Dream was very sweet after our ride, so clearly she enjoyed getting more of my time, and the fact that it meant she was "working" did not bother her in the least. She is such a good girl! Laurie