Bonus 2 - Milestone

Finally free!

To me the biggest milestone was when I was finally allowed to let you onto the paddock for the very first time. You've been on stable rest for so long and since you got so much better at walking, you were getting more and more excited to move around. 

Our careful slow walks were getting more adventurous and sometimes it was difficult to keep you from just sprinting away. Despite being such a velcro pony- your energy was pulling you into the open fields. 

After another physical therapy session, misses scheafer and me agreed that its time to trust your joints and just let you out on the paddock. By then we've started longing a bit and you've been walking so nicely in all the gaits. I knew it was time....

I'm very sure you already knew what will happen when I got you from your stall, because you were already all tingly. As we walked up to the small paddock, you screamed in excitement and danced around next to me. I opened the gate and your eyes fixated onto the horizon. The snap of the rope carabiner was your starting signal and you jump- started like I've never seen before. Galloping around as fast as possible and bucking like crazy continued for a very long time. Of course I worried, but seeing you so happy truly warmed my heart. Fabio came over to see and hugged me as I cried happy tears. You deserved this and being able to help you to get here was the best thing I've ever done. Im so incredibly grateful. This was truly such a special moment and I won't ever forget it. 

I didn't dare to leave you on there the whole night by yourself, not only because I wouldn't let you eat grass for nine hours straight but also because I wouldn't risk another injury. That accident was still too anchored in my brain, and even though I hated to force you back inside, it couldn't be helped. I wouldn't be careless ever again. Despite you being so attached to me- catching you and getting you inside took quite long. Fabio had to help...

But the whole time I promised you that there will be a next time very very soon! You pouted a bit till after dinner, but when I gave you Hugo and said goodnight, you already weren't grumpy anymore.