Dr. Jeff Olaveson taught a few classes at the 4-H horse camp. I scheduled an appointment for him to come work on Valentine on Tuesday. He identified a number of issues that could be causing pain and corrected them. He recommended a day's rest afterwards and then some light riding and an exercise we are supposed to do with her a few times a day. It's possible Valentine will need one more treatment, but hopefully she's on the mend.
Thursday Stable Boy and I escaped to the Bechler Meadows region of Yellowstone National Park to ride to Dunanda Falls. It was gorgeous day--the wind kept the temperature from feeling too hot and also help keep away some of the flies. We went swimming at the falls-the water was the perfect temperature and if we did get chilled we could sit in the hot pots at the base of the falls. Kind of like nature's Jacuzzi. Stable Boy even climbed up behind the falls. He said one part of the cascade was really warm; there must have been another hot pot right above that section of the falls.
We took the Bechler Meadow cutoff on the way back. That part of the meadow was more marshy. At one point Piper drifted off the trail for a few feet and promptly sank to her belly in a horse sized patch of mire. I threw myself off onto the adjacent dry patch of grass and she was able to scramble out. My recommendation-stay on the trail.
Friday was a big day for Kid 3. She got her braces off. Smile!