Like Mother; Like Daughter

Okay, so I know we're not technically related, but it always makes me giggle to think that sometimes people forget that when it comes to their pets. I had a friend who had a dog that developed epilepsy and the vet explained that sometimes it can be a hereditary condition. The woman sincerely said but neither she nor her husband had epilepsy in their family histories. Credit to the vet who nicely explained that he was referring to the dog's birth parents!

Anyway, mine and Megan's common trait is a lack of fitness. Margaret, who I've been riding with for the last month, came out today and rode Megan in anticipation of keeping her in work while I travel most of this month. Megan was very good and very cooperative, but straightness and balance are clearly just hard and a lot of that has to do with her lack of fitness. She has big strong muscles but no endurance and she just wears out quickly.

This is a new pickle for me as I've always had Thoroughbreds who get fit if you just talk to them about it. Seriously, Lucy could go from hanging out in the pasture to competition fit in 2 or 3 weeks no problem. It's a combination of being bred for endurance and also getting a very early base of fitness in race training.

Miss Megan is just going to need more consistent work to get there. Between Margaret and me tag teaming her maybe we can get her fitter and more able to deliver what we're asking.

Megan is a happy girl. Her friend Diva is back from being bred. Unfortunately the reunion will be brief as she goes to a new home on maternity leave this weekend. But no need for the girls to know that as they are enjoying being reacquainted. This morning they had a mutual grooming session that made me wish I had thought to bring a camera out. When horses groom each other they stand facing opposite directions and gently run their teeth up the crest of the neck and along the spine of the other horse in a massaging way. Horses who are good pals and trust each other do this and I always find it rather charming to watch. Sweet girls.