The End of an Era

 "She is telling me she is done."

Quick update on what has happened over the past couple years, between my last post and now: Ruby tore her suspensory in September of 2018; we did extensive rehab, stall rest, hand-walking, and slow progression back into work. Ruby was cleared to full work the following February; I opted to do dressage only to reduce the risk of re-tearing. 

We trained, we were working first and second level movements...and her heart was not in it. She was resistant, she was not having fun anymore, and she was trying to tell me she was done.

In October of 2019, I hopped on her bareback; we had a very enjoyable ride together, I stopped her in the middle of the ring, and I cried. I knew, in my heart, that this would be our last ride.

After 12 years of competition spanning the hunter ring (HUS and equitation), dressage, and eventing, she had earned her retirement. 

Ruby lives the life of luxury where has everyone wrapped around her little hooves and where I can still see her a few days per week.