27/05/2026
Belle update: it's been a while! | BLOG
It's been an age since I gave a Belle update.
She's happy enough, just plodding on. I've buddied up with one of the girls up there, allowing me to take a bit of a step back to focus on getting my life back under control. It's been a life saver; I really can't thank her enough!
I've not been in a financial position to do more than the basics for a little while now, and Belle's been having some time off anyway from being slightly lame.
She is a surprisingly high-needs horse.
I think, in the equestrian world, we don't talk enough about the realities of horse ownership. Very few horses are bought for a single life-long home. No judgement - we all have horses in our lives for different reasons. But, it's created a culture where we rarely talk about the realities of the not-ideal times.
She's been on and off lame behind since she was about 18 months old.
I bought Belle as a foal, knowing full well the commitment I was making. She is with me for life, whatever happens. That will never be up for negotiation - whatever happens, we'll make it work. She's got a home for life, however long we're blessed for that to be.
I bought Belle with no expectations, no goals; simply just a lost girl trying to fill a horse shaped hole in her heart.
When I got Belle, I wasn't expecting to get divorced a few years later and end up in a really crappy position. That doesn't erase the responsibility I have to her though.
So, we're making it work. I know I'm not giving her everything I want to be at this moment, but hopefully we'll have another good 25+ years of living our best lives, when I'm finally back on my feet.
Life's tough, having a horse is tough, and sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.
So, where are we:
In mid Feb time, Belle went off behind. She has struggled with intermittent lameness behind for years now, so it's a relatively routine part of her management.
She has *something* going on with her stifles, and this seems to impact the SI. It's all connected, and is why she needs sedating for the farrier 🙃
But there's nothing actually going on. And she's only ever slightly short, like 1/10th lame on a trot up.
I am fortunate to have some very knowledgeable people involved in Belle's care. She has had countless workups and consults over the years. I am *that* owner, I ask all the questions; the vets are on speed dial 😂 She has had countless scans, tests, and x-rays. There is nothing structurally wrong. She's just... Very sensitive.
When she's in full, consistent work, and she has the strength and stability behind, she's grand. Phenomenal, even. It wears off as she warms up; she just pops and clicks a little at first. And honestly? Relatable AF mate. Same.
Now, the other thing is that she's also a cob. She struggles with her weight. I swear that girl is worse than me: sniff a lettuce and the weight goes on 🤦♀️ I have to monitor her weight closely. When she's overweight, her stifles play up and she goes off. But, she also has CPL, so I need her out and moving as much as possible. But, she also gets ulcers, so she can't go hungry.
Yes, it's a bit sh*t that I've got a 5 year old with health issues, but it is what it is. Being a Horse-Girl™️ means that the horse you've got is your dream horse. Belle is Belle, and she is my baby girl. We sometimes get it wrong, we sometimes have to make do, but that's okay. She's with me for life and I'm forever grateful for that fact.
When she's going well, she is truly one in a million. A friend rode her and said "I didn't know it was possible to have that much fun in walk!". She is mega. She just needs consistency to keep everything in check.
Unfortunately, consistency is the one thing I cannot give her at the moment.
It's worked out okay because we both needed the time off, and we've now been given the go ahead for ridden work from the vet.
It's a funny one, because like where do you draw the line? Obviously, you don't ride an injured horse. You don't "just push through" without involving the vet. But, some horses are just a bit wonky. Just as some people are a bit wonky.
That probably skews my perspective, coming at this as an owner who herself is disabled.
But if you know there's some kind of limitation, you've done what you can to get an answer, and overall the horse is happy and healthy, there's nothing wrong with treating the horse in front of you.
We only ever go at Belle's pace; she's the first to tell you if she's not happy about something! Because she knows that she's always listened to.
So, the plan going forward, is to work her through it and see how she goes.
She's going to be brought back in to work - light hacking a few times a week - to build her strength and evaluate how she is after a summer of straight lines and hills.
I would die for that horse. I'd never do anything to risk our future together, but over a (hopefully) 30 year commitment, there's gonna be peaks and troughs. Unfortunately for us, right now is one of the troughs.
Nonetheless, she's happy, healthy, and very much loved. We'll get back there soon 🩷
