Saddle Fits

" Blue "

Lately I’ve been doing my version of Goldilocks and The Three Saddles.  Blue has a very hard back to fit, being so round and wither-challenged.  I’ve tried Dusty’s new saddle from Black Country Saddle makers on him and, while it seems to fit okay, it does slide from side to side. 

Next up was Dusty’s old Albion all-purpose and we had the same problem.  Slipping really throws your ride off is all I can say.  It’s hard to concentrate on your position and your riding if you always seem to be adjusting the saddle position.  I’m not a big fan of stepping in the stirrup and twisting the saddle back into place as I feel it puts a lot of torque on Blue’s back, but this is what it’s come to throughout our rides.

Then there is Blue’s saddle that was fitted to his back when he was thinner and in shape.  Looking at it on the rack it didn’t look like it would fit, but I was willing to give it a try.  It fit just as well as the others but I’m not crazy about how it feels to me.  So you could say I wasn’t as lucky as Goldilocks and the third time wasn’t the charm. 

Unfortunately, I don’t think there is a saddle made to fit a horse with no withers and a round back without shifting.  Not even the custom ones seem to work. 

I should mention that we have the Le Tixerant girths and non-slip pads but nothing really holds a saddle in place perfectly like a nice set of withers would. 

Of course, I realize it’s not entirely the saddle’s fault.  If I could keep a better-balanced seat and the correct position in the saddle, I’m sure we’d have less slippage.  Since they all basically fit the same and all slip slightly, I picked the one that was most comfortable to me, the Albion all-purpose.  After shortening the stirrups a hole or two and keeping my position in the center, and yes, gripping with my knees and thighs instead of relying on my stirrups, we had the best ride ever with minimum slippage.  His trot was evenly paced for a few times around the arena in either direction and we even had a nice transition to the canter.  I didn’t follow through with that just yet and we went to a walk transition and ended on a positive note.

Since we had such a good ride I’m thinking maybe I should have my paddock boots bronzed and hang them from my car mirror and retire.

Until next time

Quote for Today

On the first day god created horses, and on the second day he painted the good ones.

Dusty and Blue

" Blue"

There was nothing much going on around here this past weekend. Friday I took the Mule out to look for Dusty’s Soft-Ride boots.  She came in without them after being let out to graze with the boys for a while. Luckily I found them in the second paddock, in the mud.   Good thing I was wearing my slip-on sneakers; I totally trashed them.  And when I went to pick up the second boot a bug flew in my mouth and down my throat.  After gagging and spitting for a while I think I just swallowed it.  More protein never hurt anyone, right?  Gack!

Saturday I rode Blue in the morning and he was mostly good.  He’s got steering problems so we worked on that for a while at the walk.  It’s funny but it seems he’s also forgotten how to keep a steady pace at the trot.  A nice start turns into speed and then almost slows to a walk then speeds up again.  We worked on getting him consistent.  My balance may cause part of the problem because I am relying too much on my stirrups again.  I rely on my stirrups for balance, especially when the saddle shifts, and that only makes it slip even more.  Blue has the same whither challenged problem as Dusty, as in they are non-existent to the human eye or saddle.   So with Blue’s bone-jarring big movement at the trot, the saddle slips side to side and my balance goes side to side with it. I’m afraid we’re going to be stuck with this for a while until he’s fitter and used to being back in work and until I can find my balance on him.

" Dusty in her little paddock"

Dusty had a lovely day at the spa.  First she got the total curry massage treatment, then three different brushes to bring out the gleam in her lovely coat, while stuffing treats in her mouth to make her stop fidgeting.   Then Show Sheen in her tail, which was de-knotted and de-burred before a perfect trim.  After her mane was pulled she looked years younger (that’s what I told her anyway.)  When her treatment was over, I turned her out in the small paddock and she promptly gave herself a mudpack.  Ah, the price of beauty.

Until next time

Quote for Today
In training horses, one trains himself
    - Antoine De Pluvinet-

Adventures with Blue

Blue

Blue and I have been getting reacquainted with our mutual riding goals this weekend.  To be explicit about our joint goals: I will be taking an active role in riding and honing Blue’s skills, and Blue’s goals are to be outside eating as much grass as he can fit through his grazing muzzle and doing his best to ignore anything I ask for. It could be that we are at odds in our specific goals. Although he is better trained than Dusty, he’s not an easy ride.  To begin with, he is out of shape so we can’t do much but walk and trot right now.  Which is fine with me until we become more attuned to each other.  Blue doesn’t know my particular way of asking for specific things just yet.  Even though riding cues are basically the same, I believe everyone has their own way of cueing.  I may use different pressure with my legs or with the reins, my balance may be slightly different; I’m much shorter than my daughter who was Blue’s main rider when she had free time, so we’ll have to become accustomed to one another.

We had a good weekend but, as I said, we didn’t move past basic walking exercises with some trot work and cavelletti.  Blue is very smart, which I find most paints are.  He also has a stubborn streak with some laziness thrown in for good measure. Blue is also an individual who likes to do things his way on his terms; he’s the sort of horse who likes to throw some monkey wrenches in the works for his own amusement. This could mean anything from not steering to curling up when you take a little contact.  One of his favorite tricks is to stretch down as far as he can doing an imitation of a snowplow just to see how far he can go to try and make you hold him up.  This is a game he can’t win with me.  When he pulls this evasion I generally give him enough rein to hang himself and cue him forward.  He’s not a fan of holding himself in this position and so he will pick his head up and trot correctly for a while. He reminds me of how it was to ride my horse Erik; as a youngster he would love to hang his head and travel on the forehand with me holding him up.  We finally moved past that particular quirk as I’m sure Blue and I will.

We started our day with a thorough grooming (and with a very indignant Blue giving me the  “stink eye”-- he couldn’t believe he was working two days in a row, I guess.)  Sunday was an interesting ride since we had a major rainstorm with the rain hammering the metal roof on the indoor.  I’m not sure Blue has ever heard a racket like this—at least, he acted like he never has.  After a few turns around the arena with him calling to his friends (who flat-left him for greener pastures) he got down to work.  Color me surprised when my usually bombproof Blue spooked by an open window for no reason, followed by a bigger spook sideways by the mounting block, with a small buck thrown in for a little excitement.  I’m amazed that I kept my seat.  I suppose there is some muscle memory left over from years of riding Erik, who was the fastest spook in the East and who was startled on a regular basis by almost everything within sight.  Luckily, Blue got over himself quickly.

Dusty continues to improve and her legs look better each day.  We still have a long way to go but hopefully she’ll be okay in a few months.  To her dismay, she’s sporting a grazing muzzle too.

Until next time

Quote for Today
There are only two emotions that belong in the saddle; one is a sense of humor and the other is patience.

Before The Rains Came

I thought I would take a few pictures of the farm now that it is finally in bloom.  We’ve got a forecast for continual rain all week and I wanted to capture the trees in bloom before the rain washes the buds and colors away.  Disregard the weeds, there hasn’t been time to deal with them and as I’ve been told by certain members of my family “it’s a farm and farms have weeds” they’ll have to stay on for a while.  I’m thinking of starting a movement that could sweep the country called “Natures Easiest Floras” or something similar.  The idea would be that weeds are our friends and are the easiest species to grow and believe me there are thousands of species sprouting by leaps and bounds daily around here. Then there would be no need to pull them up, mow them down or spray them into submission. We could sit back and enjoy our weedy friends as they take over every single garden, lawn or pasture and feel we’ve done our job in promoting their defiant nature. 

Front Yard

Lilacs

 

One of my favorite trees

The Official Barn Greeter's

The Pond

 We've somehow acquired an otter who lives in the pond. I couldn't manage a picture because he/she's too fast for my camera but I hope it stays with us for a while. I'm thinking the otter is the reason we haven't had the geese take over the pond this year. I love otters and think they are one of the cutest animals and could watch them play for hours.

View from Patio (neighboring farm's hay field & cow pastures)

" C'mon, Murphy & Maggie, try and keep up "

" Forget it, we're outta here"

 Until next time

Another Vet Visit

 We had to call the vet again for Dusty today.  Seems yesterday she was sore on her front left foot and today it wasn’t much better even with bute and limited turnout in the small pasture.  After a check with the hoof testers, which didn’t bother her at all, he took some x-rays. Our vet thinks it is most likely a mild case of laminitis.  This is the same foot that she had the 5-degree rotation in last August. We’ll have to see how the new x-rays compare to the old ones and see if there’s been any improvement—hopefully it won’t be any worse. I was hoping for an abscess.  The vet also thought there could be an air space, but it looks like it is probably in an area where last year’s laminitis episode is still growing out.

I’m trying to figure out why this would have happened again?  We gradually increase their time out on grass every spring so they can acclimate to it, and it’s never been a problem for her even when she lived out 24/7 on pasture.  Maybe as she gets older it’s affecting her differently.  Regardless, there is a grazing muzzle in her future, starting tomorrow.  She’ll be on bute twice a day for a week switching to once a day and we’ll probably be adding another med like isoxsuprine or something along those lines.

Dusty is really being a good sport about all these problems she is having.  I feel sorry for her; it’s no fun being injured, especially now that the weather is so nice and the grass is up. Usually, the herd heads to the backfields to graze each morning and she’s left to her little paddock. Nate, her best buddy, does stay up with her in the paddock across from hers and even if he leaves to graze he comes back to check on her during the day. Now that’s a good guy.  Poor girl, I hope she heals quickly and can rejoin the herd.

Until next time

Quote for Today

Ask not what your horse can do for you - Ask what you can do for your horse.

When You Can’t Ride…

"Oh Grady, it's just a vacuum!"

When You Can’t Ride…

  

You find other things to occupy your time with the horses.  After Blue, Nate and Grady’s hock injections on Friday we decided a thorough grooming session was in order to alleviate their boredom. We did manes, tails and some leg trimming to go along with their spring-cleaning.  The horses are almost done shedding and are starting to look sleek and shiny again. 

I thought this picture of Grady was priceless.  As you can see he wasn’t enjoying himself all that much.  Grady was probably having flashbacks to when he was a show horse and what it means to be thoroughly groomed. I’m sure he was more than surprised when he was turned out afterwards to join his friends Nate and Blue in the small paddock for some limited grazing time.  Of course, he took a roll in the dirt for good measure; just to insure he wasn’t going to a show.

Until next time

Quote for Today

Grooming: the process by which the dirt on the horse is transferred to the groom.

Happy Mother's Day

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

 Dear Mom,

Just a note to say sorry for:

Those ulcers you’re working on; don’t worry about me so much I’ll be fine

Stomping on your foot; it was those darn flies

Ditto on the wet tail stinging across your face

The bumps and bruises from your fall; I really thought there was a monster in the bushes!

Staying out in the rain while you called and called

I know you ruined your best shoes when you had to tromp through the mud to get me, but the grass was awfully tasty

Blowing horsey 'boogies' on your dress just as you were about to leave for work; my nose was itchy, allergies you know

Oh well, I will try to be good but after all I am a horse and accidents do happen

Thanks for :

caring for me when I am sick or injured

feeding me

grooming me

scratching all of my itchy spots when I can't reach them

swatting my flies

always being there, like a giant treat-dispensing scratching post and handkerchief all rolled into one!

giving me nose-kisses even though yucky hair gets stuck in your lip balm...

not getting mad when I slobber on your shirt

cleaning my house better than you clean your own

putting the vet on speed-dial

not minding about all the poop...

still giving me carrots even after that time I ditched you on the trail and ran back to the barn because I thought I saw a saber-toothed squirrel, and you had to walk 3 miles on your own to get back. Is that unconditional love, or what?


 Mom, you're the best!

Most of all thanks for loving me and making me feel special !

I Love You Too Mom

Love,

Your Horse


Quote for Today

Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.  

~Author Unknown~

Updates On The Patients

Tuesday our chiropractor/acupuncturist came out to assess how some of the horses she’s been treating are coming along.  Nate did really well; he has no issues at the moment and can go back to work.  Grady was also given a good report card.  He’s been in regular work and I think that contributes to his overall well-being.  Blue was a little stiff in his back and needs to be ridden on a more regular basis to lose some weight and get in shape.  Dusty had a very stiff back, which is most likely due to her injury.  We’re sure she is compensating because her back legs hurt at the moment.

Friday our vet was here to give them their Lyme vaccines.  He also had us jog Dusty.  She still doesn’t look very lame at all considering how serious her suspensory injuries are.  Grady, Nate and Blue had their hocks injected with hyaluronic acid.  Blue and Grady were very well behaved and it goes without saying really that Nate was a PITA as usual.  They will all be spending today and tomorrow in their stalls.  Blue couldn’t care less; as long as he has food and a soft place to lay for his naps he’s fine.  Nate and Grady screamed for all their friends, who flat-left them for greener pastures, all day long. 

Once everyone was in for the night, it was all quiet on the western front.  I did tell them that they’ll thank me for this but I don’t think they believed me.  Well, maybe a few carrots will convince them.

Until next time

Quote for Today 

Poverty is another word for owning a horse...

New Developments

' Coming into the shed to check out the hay situation '

We’ve had the vet out to finish giving vaccinations.  We break them up into two sessions because we think administering them all at once is too much for the horses to handle.

We took this opportunity to have some of the horses reevaluated for their various ongoing problems.  The good news is that Nate and Grady are doing much better.  Nate’s hind end is in much better shape and so are his annular ligaments, which are enlarged but no longer actively enflamed or sore. Grady’s feet are 100% more solid than they were when we got him and he no longer needs bar shoes, pads or hind shoes to stay comfortable and sound.  Even his stiff shoulder has improved muscling and range of motion; with continued proper training it shouldn’t give him a problem anymore.  Blue is also doing fine, but his hocks are going to need injections.  Our vet has just come back from a seminar and had some interesting information that might help Blue.  It seems in Europe they have been using a certain drug for about ten years that is actually administered to people to help with joints and osteoporosis.  We’re considering it because it would help keep Blue’s hocks from fusing and give him more mobility. The down side is it has to be ordered from Europe and is expensive.  It costs about a thousand dollars.  I’ll be doing more research on the pros and cons are before I go ahead and inject it. I believe each injection is supposed to last for about a year, but don’t quote me on that until I do some research.

Dusty didn’t come through her examination with flying colors, I’m afraid.  I was expecting her front foot with her coffin bone injury to be a problem, but miraculously it wasn’t.  The vet said he didn’t even have to x-ray her because her feet looked perfect and were coming along beautifully, even now that she no longer needs pads.  When we told him we suspected something going on in her left hind, she was jogged and he did flexions.  There was some palpable thickening of the suspensory branches and significant lameness when she was flexed, but that hardly prepared us for what would turn up on her ultrasounds. It seems she has damage to all four suspensory branches, but mainly in the left hind.  He couldn’t believe that she was not more reactive than she was.  Dusty is one very tough mare. When I rode her Saturday she never took a bad step so I thought she was fine.  It is very hard to spot an injury with this very stoic mare. I’m glad I had the ultrasounds done, so at least we can monitor her progress while giving her the best care she can have.

Dusty will be having Surpass applied to her leg and then set up with figure-eight bandages for light turnout; we like Saratoga bandages over cotton for a little added support.  She’s also getting a little Bute.  

' Dusty making the best of a bad situation '

The vet is going to confer with our farrier about corrective shoeing.  There are some new protocols out there that can help alleviate stress on the suspensories by allowing the tendons to take a little more of the weight.  We’re going to talk to our vet and farrier, who are great about working together on stuff like this, to see what they think is the best supportive shoeing for her.  They’re both conservative and we won’t do anything extreme, but it’s nice to know what options are out there in case she needs a little more help healing and staying sound.

This injury is going to take a long time to heal and whatever we can do to help her along we will.  As of today she is in a limited turnout situation in the small medical paddock.  Sami is keeping her company, much to his chagrin because he is now wearing a grazing muzzle.  There is too much grass in that particular paddock for this chubby little monster to graze freely all day.  We’ve also ordered some supplements for Dusty that will help her cartilage repair itself.  It is the same supplement program that we used with Sweetie for her DSLD and it did seem to help her, so we’re hoping it will help Dusty’s recovery.

I should add that we don’t know how this happened and neither does the vet.  The general consensus is that she might have injured herself in the mud.  It’s been mostly raining and the mud is so bad it will suck the boots off your feet. There’s also the possibility this is the start of a degenerative condition like DSLD, so we are keeping our fingers crossed that this is just an injury and she’ll recover from it without too much permanent damage.  I can’t believe how badly she is injured and not one complaint out of her.  If it were one of our geldings I can assure you they would be lying on their back in their stalls holding the leg up.  Typical men!

Our chiropractor/acupuncturist will be visiting tomorrow (Tuesday) to work on some of the horses.  Hopefully, she can help Dusty to feel better. Next Friday a few horses will get their hock injections, so there isn’t going to be much going on around here with our riding for a while.  We’ll be painting the barn roof white with a big red cross while the MASH unit is in full swing again!

Until next time

Quote for Today

Closeness, friendship, affection: keeping your own horse means all these things.
   

Bertrand Leclair