Ridin~ ?

Gate bent & open~

Funny how fate can be.  It doesn't take much to send the best laid plans askew.  Monday I was busy all day, packing, cooking, cleaning, the usual.  Late in the afternoon as I was walking down from the barn, I managed to bend my right ankle stepping on a rock.  The next step it hurt for a minute, but then was fine.  In the middle of the night, I woke up suddenly & felt the pain of what seemed to be a sprain!  No!  Thinking positive, just thought I'd twisted it in my sleep.  

Yesterday morning with my first few steps - I knew that it was a sprain - no doubt.  Walking hurt.  I drove up to my friend Joyce's to pick up Khari's heavier blanket that had needed repair.  When Joyce saw me "hobbling" - at least a "Grade I" lame - she knew I was mad!  :-)  She gave me some pain relieving patches that stick.  I plan to use them!

I wanted to get Khari out, the weather was much nicer than what the weather forecast had been predicting, so saddled up & away we went.  Once my foot was in the stirrup, the pain really wasn't all that bad.  We did a couple nice sets of trotting & cantering, again going over to the trails that had been closed off.  Once home, I knew right away that I hadn't done the ankle any "good". 

Now I'm doubling my dose of HA, staying "off" the foot today & using Butch's cane, which he says he will inscribe with the word "cripple" in my honor!  :-)  I've ridden with a broken wrist & other injuries over the years, so hope with a few days off - things will be tolerable.  Question is now - who will I find to trot out the mare?