Through April we will be focusing on overcoming unexpected tragedies, and unforseen emergencies, that will try to set us backwards; but with the right attitude and scope, can really keep us level and sometimes even move us on!

So together, let`s tackle what to do when faced with the unexpected tragic events that can and do happen to all horses and their people at one time or another.

For instance, you`ve been reviewing on a daily basis with your horse your lessons, and the two of you are really coming along in partnership and in physical development, when unexpectedly sometime in the past three months, your horse had a stone bruise, and no one noticed it. All of a sudden, he is dead lame in the rear end, and does not even want to lift a rear leg, let alone walk any distance. You discover the reason, an undetected stone bruise that the abscessed/infection has moved up the leg into the hip area, and the horse is hurting and is NOT going to move for you.

Okay, so have the Veterinarian treat it with antibiotics and easy daily exercise without a rider. So what will U do!

Once the horse is on the antibiotics, the best treatment in the world is to ROAD WALK...keep away from those stones in the road however!

Now, no horse with an abscessed stone bruise gone into the hip area is going to want to walk. Get him groomed up all spiffy and shiney. Put on his best show halter and polo`s and if necessary a rain or Spring Sheet, and set off for the nearest public gathering area. Either a school, a park or a community center, or a shopping center or even the corner store. What ever is close by, no more than 2 miles at first! Take a small brown bag filled with horse goodies, and trek out alongside of him, with lead shank in tow. He will hate you at first! Beware! Once you get to this preplanned area, let anyone who comes by, feed him a goodie. After a half hour or so, begin the walk back home. The first few days, you can travel as slowly as your daylight restrictions allow you to; after that, make him move out at a walk! Do NOT GO ANY FASTER!

Afer a day or two of this, you will find that your horse, could care less about the exercise, and is dying to get out and to visit and socialize and truly appreciates the time and attention he is getting without having to pack you around on his back. What you are doing, is letting him know how important he is to you whether or not you can ride. If little ones on the route, ask if they can ride, and if your horse is calm enough (at a walk mind you only!!!), (provided that you have brought along a helmet for them to put on) then, leg them up to ride along bareback as you walk to and from your public destination.

ROAD WALKING will keep the tendons, ligaments and superficial muscles flexed and your horse won`t lose much tone with this alternative exercise until you can both get back into a regular working routine.

You will find that when you do start working again, he will love you and have a deeper bond with you, and will give you alot more of himself than he ever did before.

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