DR. GARFINKEL’S OCTO …

Good day my friends!

Here we are in October already…how did that happen?!? And when will the weather realize it’s fall? I’m ready for some nice days and crisp, cool evenings (and so are our equine friends, they’re coats are changing for cooler fall/winter temperatures!) Let’s dig out the sweatshirts and bring on the hot cocoa!

I am thrilled to be back in the saddle, both literally and figurativley. I’ll admit I was a tad nervous as I stepped up on the mounting block and swung my leg over Oliver’s back for the first time in 5 months. However, once my seat hit the saddle I was filled with joy and everything just felt so “right”. I’d like to think he’s happy I’m back too 🙂

The same thing happened during my first appointments, I felt a twinge of nervousness and wondered if my lay-up had changed me, or if I’d somehow forgotten things, until I swung out of my truck and ran my hands over my patient. At that moment, I had the same feeling of joy and contentment that I was back doing what I love. It feels great to be back! While on an early morning drive through the Cuyamacas to one of those very first appointments, I passed an old dead oak tree filled with turkey vultures. There were probably 15 birds or so, strategically positioned so they didn’t touch one another, wings spread open to catch the morning sun. I actually laughed with delight and clapped my hands happily at the sight. I so wanted to get a photo to share, but those little windy mountain roads make it tough to pull over just anywhere! It may sound funny, but they seemed like a “welcome back commitee” and they made me happy. Instead of mountain turkey vultures, I’ll share my “I’m as happy as a goat on a pile of rocks” photo…this was another sight during my first week back that made me happy!

So, switching gears, I’ve long been a proponent of helmets when mounted, so I thought I’d share this FEI rule change in regards to requiring helmets: http://www.dressage-news.com/?p=17913 It’s a start and a positive change in the way everyone will (eventually) view helmets. I’ll be the first to tell you, I didn’t always embrace helmet wear as I do now, but a family incident changed that dramatically. In April 2007 my dad was in a simple accident while riding his road bicycle with a friend. His front tire rubbed on the rear tire of his friend’s bike, causing my dad to get “bucked off” his bike…directly onto his head. He WAS wearing a helmet and initially seemed fine, but the paramedics insisted on taking him to the hospital. He wasn’t fine, and spent 2 months in a coma followed by another several years of therapy for a traumatic brain injury. The helmet saved his life and taught me a valuable firsthand lesson. I have not been on a horse without a helmet since…

Be well, and healthy (and don’t eat too much Halloween candy!)

Christi Garfinkel, DVM
Gary Garfinkel -Office manager