Everything Horses and Livestock® Magazine Feb 2019 Vol 4 Issue 1

Everything Horses and Livestock Magazine ®

The weeks and months of rehab paid off. Four months later Miles was declared “sound” and cleared to gradually return to full work! Now, Whitney immediately returned to setting goals for her and Miles to return to the sport they love, “Endurance”! Goal #1 - first ride back would be the Jo Tate Memorial Ride in May of 2017. A challenging ride with lots of long, steep hills, but one that Whitney and Miles love. Goal 2 - get that first completion on a 50 mile ride - Owl Hoot Spook in Vinita, Oklahoma in October of 2017.

increasing to a trot. Weeks 6-8 were walk, trot, and canter! The night of his first canter, it was in the 20s with a wind chill in the teens. The only light they had was her headlight and the lights of her mom’s truck shining down the road ahead of them. As they built up to longer stretches of cantering, she hauled Miles to local indoor arenas in order to have safer footing. Miles was particularly amused at the first arena she took him to, because they had mirrors. He was quite intrigued by the tall, dark, and handsome horse looking back at him!

upcoming transition. Finally, in December of 2016, the day came when Whitney and Miles took their first ride. To say she was a little apprehensive is putting it mildly. With her mom holding on to a lead line, she stepped into her stirrup and swung a leg over. Miles was “fresh” to say the least. He was ready to roll! Whitney had a stick of dynamite under her but the team that they are and the trust between the two was evident as they took that first ride. Weeks 1-5 were building from a walk and gradually

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