Driving in the Rain

On Friday it was raining but I still made it out to see TC before zipping down to my parents' place for the first of three consecutive birthday weekends. That made Friday's mileage 175 miles on the nose, would have been more but I stayed overnight at my parents' because driving over 200 miles in a day sounded terrible, especially because that would have brought Saturday's miles to almost 190 vs only 125! Sunday was just over 100.

I drive too much.

Why does everyone I love live so far away and in so many different directions? I can't wait until October when I can move at least in line with one of my many long commutes.

I heard on the previous Sunday that TC's leg looked better after giving me a heart attack on Saturday morning, but didn't hear about it all week. I assumed no news was good news but still got desperate on Thursday morning to find out whether he was doing better. The owners said they were keeping him wrapped all the time and that it was looking really good, but that he was still on bute for it. Ugh, TC seems fine, but after my own problems with NSAIDs that have lead to stomach issues, I'm concerned for him like a parent who gets cold and wants their kid to put on a jacket.

His mane is getting long

I got out there late because of traffic and unfortunately the owner had to leave earlier than normal so I only had about fifteen minutes with him. Nothing like just under 2 hours of driving to see your horse for fifteen minutes before hopping back in the car for 3 more, but that's what happens sometimes and at least I get to see him every week.

Every time I see him, TC manages to remind me how much I like him. He's so sweet, and now that he's working more and shedding out his coat, he's looking really gorgeous. As beautiful as a weird/random friesian x oldenburg cross with no topline can look. His coat is shiny and he's actually looking like a gray horse rather than a black horse who has aged terribly.

I gave him a hug, which he seems to really enjoy, he puts his neck up high to let me come at him, then puts his head down and occasionally puts his nose on my back. So cute! I think just any attention this horse gets, he considers good attention. I also kissed his nose, which I normally can't do because he gets distracted, but he started wiggling his nose and smiling so he got carrots for that. So damn cute, I don't care if it looks like he might bite my face.

GIVE ME CARROTS

The owner had sent me pictures of his leg earlier in the day before he got wrapped and it looked normal. She told me that she thought it was cellulitis due to the wraps. I was skeptical, but it makes the most sense given that it'd be really hard for him to even smack it hard enough to get a swelling like that. I've only dealt with cellulitis once with Rico and much prefer that to a second suspensory injury lower down.

I told her to do whatever she wanted to it and she said he might go on antibiotics if it blows up again. For now a gram of bute a day (which again I was skeptical about because they seem a bit bute-happy there. In the long run it won't kill him though, he's young and has had no stomach issues thus far) and only wrapping overnight.

Afterward, I got back in the car and drove the 3 hours down to my parents' place for my mom's birthday dinner, the rain slowing the already slow traffic down to a standstill at places.

He is so cute

Fortunately for Rico, on Saturday morning it was raining enough where I hunkered down in my parents' house with the rest of my family and just watched the three horses play in the rain. Riot got a bit bold and BIT Rico on the butt, which I've never seen happen! I think Rico was as shocked as we were, since he didn't do anything about it. He really doesn't kick out, so he just kind of hopped away and spun around to rear at Riot, who reared back. They're so cute together.

I would have loved to ride though! But I rode a client's horse on Sunday so I didn't have to go more than a week without riding. Can't wait til the baby horse is back in business! Only six or seven more visits until the next, and hopefully final, ultrasound.