Kathy - Nine and I had a similar but less drastic problem with his hind right foot after he kicked me. He is getting better, but very slowly. He still flinches when I touch it, but no longer strikes, and I am less and less afraid.

What I would suggest to you is to try to make it to Fort Worth, compete in what you can, and if you still can't ride, fine. Someone will want to adopt him, and you just need to tell them the problems you are having so they know what to work through. He needs time. Unfortunately there isn't much more time in this competition, but Reno has time later. If you aren't his adopter, then all you need to do is make sure whoever his adopter is, knows what he needs. That is what I would suggest to you (to everyone for that matter - the new owners need to know what these horses have and have not been through).

Stacey - you are doing so great with Rio Gato! I was looking forward to see you and him in action, but you have to do what you have to do. I hope you get to adopt Rio, because you two make and excellent team.

Bu's looking great, by the way!

As for Nine, I let him and my mare Ashley have a free day today - I ponied Nine around (translation - me and Ashley dragged Nine, because he was trying to eat the whole time) so he could see the fence all along the edge of our property, then turned them loose. I expected to see some running and frolicking, but the mostly just scavenged old hay that blew out of the pens...