I’ve been really bad about updating but what else is new? Somehow there just aren’t enough hours in a day/week/month.

Since I last wrote, Cairo has had his sutures out, his stall rest has ended, AND he’s started his life as a riding horse. It’s been a busy couple of weeks!

And, at the same time, completely uneventful. He was thrilled to get off of stall rest (he was a total gentleman about it), but other than some playing in the indoor for his first “turnout,” there was no actual drama about anything. He’s been going out with Nay Nay ever since and loving life.

He also had his first training ride last week where my trainer lunged him (or tried, he’s yet to 100% acquire the skill), realized he doesn’t care, and determined he’s the quietest thoroughbred ever. I decided to hop on Friday and he had me a tough concerned when someone was jumping around (he’s still processing what jumping is) but once I got on to walk around? I decided to trot. Then canter. Because he was quieter than Nay Nay.

When asked if I wanted a lesson on Saturday, I said yes and decided I’d ride Cai. Why not hop on the horse with 2 rides this year? Turns out we were riding in a wind tunnel. He was looks and jumpy and I wasn’t sure. He was very unsure about the horse jumping big sticks. But he was fine. And when we started moving? I needed leg. More leg. More pace. More trot. We ended up cantering too. In 30+mph winds and he never put one foot wrong.

So I rode Sunday. And he was even better. We couldn’t get the right lead (that will be our issue and why we’re on training) and he got tired. But he was so fantastic. And I decided to just walk him around the property. Because that’s what you do on your green horse riding solo when no one else is around. He loved it and would have crossed the road to further explore if I let him.

But I adore him. Everyone does. He’s just so special. I had a chance to chat with once of his old trainers/owners and they had such nice things to say about him too. Including his love for sweet potatoes.

Nay Nay has been pretty good. I’m accepting his limits. They’re not all me. He comes out some days just not able or willing and it’s just not worth it. During my lesson he had a training ride and he just was a mess. Wanted his rider off. Day before and day after? Perfect. But his anxiety surfaces? Hellion. It’s just not worth it those days. He’s been good 90% of the time but when he isn’t? Yeah. I’m realizing it’s not me either. And he’s never going to be the horse I can take all over the place. And that’s ok. He’s not going anywhere. So we’ll just work within his limits. And I’ll be ok with that.

Anyway, beyond his anxiety, things have been good. We’ve had some great rides. Been popping over some small fences. Canter has improved too. So things are good. I’m just enjoying what we have and not wishing for more.

We’re going to stay for another month and then head home. Hopefully we’ll have a decent amount of progress over the next month. Fingers crossed!

If you’re on social media, you’ve seen these, but here are the beautiful photos of Cairo’s leg from Saturday through Friday. Vet is super happy with his progress. He would like turnout thank you very much.

It’s healing nicely. He’s still sound. He’s eating his SMZs whole in his feed. He’s an all-around good boy.

Next bandage change is tomorrow (Sunday). Hopefully stitches come out on Friday.

The boys are starting to settle in at sleepaway camp.

Cairo has actually settled in immediately. Nay Nay? It’s been a much harder transition. He was fine initially but Sunday morning he was a mess and due to a bunch of stuff, he didn’t actually get turned out until Monday. He was also scheduled to go out with Cairo so he had to adjust to solo turnout (he had horses in neighboring paddocks so life wasn’t that bad).

Because he wasn’t out on Sunday, I tried to play with him in the indoor but he was an emotional train wreck. I did get some response from him on the lunge line where I could better direct his attention vs him just trying to barrel me over (yes, it was that bad), but it wasn’t pretty. Once we were back in the barn, he did relax for some grooming. I also added a hay net to his stall and he immediately started eating (vs mixing his hay with his straw — this horse cannot be trusted to have loose hay).

But Monday? He got outside. Was he happy solo? No. But he was out. He ran around. He bucked. He paced. But he also grazed when no humans were watching. When he came in he was better. The guys describe him as a little anxious but full of personality and well behaved to lead. OK. I’ll take it.

Tuesday the update I received was that he seemed much more relaxed and my trainer told me that she’d ride him the next day. I ended up bringing him in the indoor for a quick lunge and he was very good. He screamed once or twice (its his anxiety response) but otherwise he was happy to work.

As for his training ride? He was great. They did toss him on the line first. And he was very vocal (not surprising, it was pouring and he was not thrilled with it), but he was very good. Keep in mind it’s been a good 18 months since he’s really worked.

Regardless, I’m just thrilled that he’s back and able to BE ridden after everything that he’s been through recently.

And, I went back in the evening to toss his sheet back on and he just looked 1000% more relaxed. So, he’s definitely settling.

I have some Cairo leg updates, but I’ll save those for another post. I’m doing another bandage change tomorrow so I’ll just include all photos in one post.

Cairo tried to die upon arrival at camp.

He panicked unloading, sliced his leg, started gushing blood, had an emergency vet call, and landed himself on 10-14 days stall rest vs training.

Horses. Wtf.

On call vet was initially headed to a colic so she had me wrap until she could get there.

Anyway, we this stopped the bleeding until we pulled off the wrap which stuck to it and… yeah.

Thankfully, despite the vets concern because it’s gnarly looking, he went out of his way to avoid ligaments or do real damage. After a few ugly steps, he’s been walking sound and so far (even hours later), pretty much no swelling.

Because of the size of the skin flap, the vet did throw in some stitches but left some drainage spots as well. And now we wait. Depending on how he’s going, he’ll get re-wrapped by me or the vet on Monday depending on if he needs a follow up.

Now he gets lots of antibiotics just in case. 2 kinds. Not taking any chances.

Will post more later but the boys head to camp for a month(ish) starting today!

I’m absolutely terrified as I haven’t boarded in…too long.

But Cairo will get some training and Nay will get some rides and maybe some training rides as needed. Wish us luck!