I hardly believe it.

I know I already used the title "Total Breakthrough" about Woody on Thursday, but really there has been an absolutely huge  and amazing change in him which has only become totally apparent now that I have hacked him out as well.

I knew something big had happened, he seemed to grow an inch in a week, and I could see from how he was standing on his feet that something was different. On Thursday we were confined for space, but I could still feel very big changes in his walk.

Today I hacked him and the difference became obvious. I could suddenly see his feet in front of his shoulders at every trot stride. The trot itself has increased by a very minimum of 50% in length, possibly double at times. The cadence has slowed, the power has doubled.

It has been like taking a tangled up ball of string, and unpicking sore feet, sore body, sore memories bit by bit over the weeks. And then suddenly you can see where the tangle ends, and the last bit comes out all of a rush, leaving you with a beautiful floppy unknotted piece of string.

It made going out into driving rain to get the roadwork he needs for his feet totally worthwhile.  I may have got back soaked, but I couldn't have been any happier.

C