Mysterious Goings On

Miss Kitty, my buckskin mare, is not even 14 yet and already I'm wondering if she is getting arthritis or something...??  She looks fine in the pasture and everything, but get her out saddle her up and she walks stiff the first couple minutes.  This has been going on for a couple weeks and I thought we were over this as Monica and I rode at Jubilee this Monday and Kitty seemed to walk out normally like she has always done.  Then yesterday, she was back to being stiff-boo!  (And this horse is IN SHAPE!!!) I also think back to other things that Kitty has been having trouble with that she normally doesn't.  For ex.  This past winter I began noticing how she was unwilling to pick up her canter (very unusual for a horse who loves running!)-I thought this was a behavior issue-and maybe it is-but research says it could just be her way of saying-"Hey, this hurts!" So...this is a mystery to me....Is this a training issue? or Is this a pain/arthritis/joint issue?  Unfortunately, I think I will be calling my vet if I don't see any improvements this week.  Yes, her cantering has gotten better, but still not as fluent and easy for her as before unless another horse is in the lead-she loves to be first-she'd die before coming in last!  Poor Kitty-I'm feeling hurt for you too.  


Missy did really well out on the trails yesterday and actually that makes two times in a row she hasn't bucked in the canter!  My summer sweetie is coming back?  Missy's respiratory issues seem to be under control with the supplement she is on-she still breaths heavy after running, but at least she has been able to ride.  That stuff is super amazing and I hope I can find something to help Kitty that she will eat-she is super picky-ugh!  She can tell if you put 4 different grain kernels in a bucket-even if you mix it in with the food she loves she won't touch it!  picky, picky!  

I have been super tired this week so not sure why other than I'm getting over a cold/cough/sore throat thing.  Or maybe I'm just tired because while Monica and I were trail riding over at Jubilee we saw a guy riding a UNICYCLE on the rolly, steep, rooty trails--WHAT?!!  I was very tempted to ask him what happened to his bike!?  But I guess I was too tired....: )