Good News!

Today was Riva's vet re-check.  She has been in her new shoes for 2 1/2 weeks.  Our vet had me first free lunge her in the round pen at trot.  She explained today that during a lameness exam, she watches each foot for 5 beats.  When the vet watched her a month ago - she scored her as a 4 / 5.  Today, she scored the right front as a 0/5 and the left front as a .5/5.  Vet was happily surprised that Riva has improved so dramically in a month's time.  She then checked Riva's feet and was pleased with the trim and shoeing - just the way she had discussed treating her with our farrier.

So - the new plan is I can start riding her, just at a walk, 3 times a week for an hour each time.  She recommend nice long outdoor hacks, whenever possible.  I can also free 'lunge' her, at a walk, in the arena, with brief amounts of trotting down the long sides only.  She wants her feet trimmed and shoes re-set in 1 1/2 to 2 weeks - with re-shoeing every 4 to 5 weeks.  I am to call her with a phone progress report in 2 weeks and then she will decide if we can start trotting under saddle, riding more often, etc.

VERY PLEASED to hear all this!  No tears on the ride home today :)  And Riva was very good girl - she was well behaved while we waited about an hour to be seen by the vet - hopped right on the trailer to haul home - walked calmly off the trailer once arriving home to settle in her stall with some treats and hay.

Looking forward to riding her again - most likely on Sunday afternoon or evening.