He’s Back!!!

Tonight, for the second time since his December surgery, OTTB Bruno, was saddled up to be ridden. His first ride back a few weeks ago, was riddled with problems. Bruno was ready to run, away, side-ways, and fast but not necessarily without a limp. His sore foot was just not up for the ride yet.

Tonight, we saddled up six-year old Bruno in the stifling heat of the early Texas evening. We started out with Bruno on the lunge line, just to see how he was moving. He appeared to be moving well. The shot above shows him in a full gallop, all four feet off the ground. This time he dashed around on the line, alternately bucking and playing. At one point, he was doing a great impression of a dressage horse perfecting his canter.

And then with slow deliberation, Lauren took Bruno through a collected walk.

For having been off work, he has some nice muscling and abs.

When Lauren asked for the trot (actually just sat forward a little in her saddle), Bruno immediately compiled.  He was a little bit of tough ride for a few minutes but they did a lot serpentines and turns so that he could get his mind on work. 

Starting to get his nice long extension back at the trot.

They worked for about 20 minutes.  Bruno and Lauren were drenched in sweat.  I told her to go ahead and walk him out.  He had done well.  I turned my back and was looking at the pictures on phone when I heard Bruno thunder up behind me.  And almost six months after his surgery which cut out a significant portion of his coffin bone, he was cantering under saddle quite delightfully.  I am pretty thrilled with his progress and hope one day soon to see him leap over a jump.  Dare I dream?

The tail was a swishing but the legs were moving fine!