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Is your horse happy?

This is a question i have been pondering a lot lately

 Let me set the scene:

 Beau is 22 and will be 23 in May.  To look at him you would never know.  In fact when he was 20 a dressage judge commented on his sheet that he would likely lose some of his exuberance/fizz as he matures ;)

 He has lost none of his verve and remains (touch wood) sound and clean on all 4 legs.  However.....

 I learned this summer from the lady who owned him as a youngster that at 11 years old he was scoped for, and diagnosed with, ulcers.  He was also showing some arthritic changes in both hocks. Given his age I decided not to put him (or my bank balance) through the diagnostic procedures, with their inherent risks, but to treat him for both

His ridden work is fine, and the treatments seem to be helping him.  In fact the only reason he did not appear at Your Horse Live in the end, was because we found out 3 days prior to the event that there was a 6 month vaccination rule, and his annual vaccinations were due the day after we were due to get home.  You can't take them out within 7 days of a vaccination so he could not go. (This was good in the end because it gave Tory and I a chance to get to know Stella better, and it threw Stella in at the deep end, big style, which proved to us all that she can cope!)

 Also, it's winter.  I work full-time and Beau lives out.  This makes for a muddy pony and a tired Tam when I get home in the evening which is my only opportunity to ride.  We have an amazing talented work rider who keeps the horses ticking over during the week, and if the weather is clement (and I'm not busy trying to prepare for Christmas) we hack, school or sometimes compete at the weekend.  Lately though, it's either been gales or pouring rain and frankly, I haven't wanted to ride

 The guilt I have felt over this has been unbelievable, I am sure I will give myself ulcers too!  But on reflection, i needn't bother.  Beau has all a horse needs: food, water, shelter and company.  He is sound, healthy, fluffy and I truly believe - HAPPY!

 He doesn't care if I ride him or not, and on some days he would certainly rather i did not.  He doesn't care if his tail is washed, his mane pulled, or if he has the latest clip to make him look smart.  When I do ride he only cares that I take into account his fitness level and interest in what we are doing, and that his tack fits and I am not a big potato slapping about on his back

 If I don't ride he cares about his necessities and not much else


My point is, leave the guilt behind.  Concentrate on Christmas, or parties or whatever it is you want to do.  Don't dwell on the money you spend vs the hours spent actually riding, and simply get yourself and your horse through winter and into the spring when we can all pick up where we left off last autumn

Lastly, I would like to wish all my readers the very merriest of Christmases, and an amazing, happy and healthy 2020

 TTFN with much love, Tam and Beau

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