A couple of months ago my gallbladder handed in her notice. “I’m plumb wore out,” she said.” Carrying all those stones is just too much.” “I’m sorry to hear that,” I replied. “But I can understand why you feel that way. You have served me well for nigh on 7 decades so you deserve retirement. I will set about arranging for that.”
And so, today, November 15, 2017, at 1pm Eastern Standard Time, Gallbladder will be relieved of duty. A little ceremony is planned at the Markham Stouffville Hospital where there will be a surgeon, an anesthetist, a couple of nurses and, of course, I will be there too. I will be off in la-la- land but I will be present in body if not in mind. It will be a respectful ceremony and will relieve Gallbladder of her duties. Liver will be sorry to see her go but …c’est la vie…. and Liver will soon adjust to life without her.
So there you have it. Once I have attended the ceremony I may be a bit slow to respond to comments but fear not, I shall be back.
Now….for the good news! Biasini and I have forged ahead to new territory. Nothing too fancy but a big step up in the level of engagement and connection. If you follow this blog you will know that I struggled through six weeks of no stirrups work to improve the effectiveness of my lower leg. And now, at last, it has begun to pay off. Here are two videos that will give you an idea of our improved work at the trot. In the lesson we worked on doing medium trot up the long side and half way up returning to a few strides of collected trot, then back to medium trot. In the first video you will see us do a medium trot up the whole of the long side and then Belinda tells me to let him stretch and you can see him drop his head down to stretch.
In this second video you can see us doing shoulder in and a volte (8 meter circle) and a return to shoulder in.
I have been so happy with our progress. I am now able to ride a nice, connected trot with engagement and swinging movement. It is a thrill to ride a horse when they move like this. It feels so buoyant! And to be able to get this trot and maintain it through movements is just wonderful.
I will have a few weeks off riding while I adjust to Gallbladder being gone but Biasini will be working with my coach Belinda Trussell and doing some non dressage work with trainer Lynsey Rowan. Biasini and I will keep you updated on all that!
I have just seen the WordPress Daily Prompt. It is the word ‘honk‘. So I guess after today I can have a bumper sticker on my car that says: “Honk if you are gallbladder free!”
HorseAddict 
Ha, I started reading because of the title retirement, lol. But enjoyed it.
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Hope you are healthy and happy now..
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I am thank you so much.
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Glad to know you are well now..Take care
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Thank you!
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Great videos! I love that beautiful floaty trot! I’ve seen my horse do it but never with a rider!
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Thanks! It is a wonderful trot to ride and he is nice and light in the contact as well.
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Won’t be long recovery for you, knowing how tough you are!
Hope you’re hanging in there, this first week…
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Thank you Elinor. I am doing well and have started going to the barn to watch Belinda ride Biasini.
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So glad to hear! I know it is tough to be sidelined, but I also know you have a great support group!!
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My brother also had his taken in a middle of the night emergency so you are smart to get ahead of the curve Anne. Hoping for a speedy recovery and back with Biasini sooner than expected!
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Thank you. I’m doing well. Have a good weekend.
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Len’s one was gangrene, and he collapsed with the pain. Having his removed saved his life. Glad you are getting it taken care of. Hugs..
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I wasn’t going to wait around for mine to go nasty. Thanks for the hugs!
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Always
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Hoping your surgery and recovery go quickly and without problems.
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Thank. You. I am at home already and resting up.
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So glad you are back home.
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Me too!
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Take care and get well soon 🌹
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Reblogged this on Dream Big, Dream Often.
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Thanks Danny!
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You are welcome!
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Happy retirement to your gallbladder and wishing you a super speedy recovery. I’m useless with working out the time differences but I think her retirement ceremony may all now be complete. 🙂 Look forward to seeing you back on here soon. xxx
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Good luck!
And all your hard work most certainly paid off, you both look fantastic!
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Hope surgery goes without a hitch! I’m glad you and Biasini are making such good progress.
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Ohhh.. I hope you’ll get speed recovery, Anne.. Get well soon. Don’t leave us too long here.
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Wow Anne, I can definitely see the difference in your riding!! Your sitting trot looks wonderful, and the volte too! Praying for you! hope everything with the surgery will go well!! ❤ XX
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Bye-bye gallbladder – hello progress! Looks really nice on the videos! Great job!
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Great videos Anne, it is the most relaxed I have seen you ride in the indoor arena :o) Thinking of you, wishing your galbladder a great sent-off and wishing you a speedy recovery with much love from all of us here xxx
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Happy healing! Can’t wait to see you back swinging on your boy!
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Wishing your gall bladder a happy retirement. Funny how we have some parts that we can along quite well without…gall bladder, spleen, appendix. Sometimes I wonder if they weren’t put there just to give doctors something to do!
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Well, There is not even a tremor in your voice when you say your surgery (it is a major surgery, no doubt) is posted this very afternoon. I pray to God that you recover soon enough.
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RIP gall bladder…and I assume it will be buried under “stones”…. Truly hope the surgery and recovery goes well! Peace to you!
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Prayers and blessings for a smooth surgery and a quick and complete recovery!
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Nice to see you ma’am with Biasini. Take care ma’am.
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Sorry to hear you have to endure that. I hope you heal quickly. Thanks for sharing the videos, beautiful horse, beautiful rider, will wait until you can share more of your awesome progress!
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Salut to the gallbladder – and salute to the good work with Biasini.
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