He was pretty good, far as I could tell. Seemed to have enough spring in his walk, wasn't dragging around anyhow.
I did Bute him in the morning, just for good measure, I figured, if I had aches, he probably had worse ;~D
So when I went out, I had the syringe of Bute in my hand. When I pressed on his back the first time, he flinched bad, but I realized, he was flinching because of the syringe, he thought I was gonna give him a shot ;~D
After I ditched the syringe, he was OK I think... but still a little unsure what I was doing ;~D It wasn't a good test but I think he was OK.
His sweat pattern was good under the saddle. It occurred to me I hadn't rode very much in the new pad yet, it was made at the end of the season last year, when the white hairs showed up. But it looks good. And the white hairs from the pressure spots last year disappeared, I'm so thankful for that. I hated being reminded of them.
That's good.
Even if he was a bit sore in his back, it could be more from it being his first ride of the season, and not the saddle not fitting. Especially since you did a lot of climbing.
The sun is shining right now:). I'm suppose to have JP today, so no riding, at least not this morning. Maybe this evening. I've got 2 weeks before the week before the ride. The week before I usually just ride once and easy ride to keep him supple, then go to the ride and Fri. and take a short one there. Chris is suppose to shoe Celia's horse the Mon. before, I'm going to call him and see if I haul Harley over there if he would go ahead and shoe him then. He is scheduled to be shod on the Mon. after the ride. With all the riding I'm doing, and hope to do before then, and with the rain. I'd feel more confidence in his shoes if he was shoed before I go.
Becky