Grey Horse Matters

Liebster Award

2012-01-28T16:36:00.000-05:00

I’ve received an award from:

Dancing Horses and Jessica at Hopeful Jumpers who have up and coming blogs you might want to check out.

And I’d like to thank them for thinking of me. I’m honored. The Liebster Award has been making its way around the blogosphere so I’m not entirely sure who has already received it. There are so many interesting and deserving blogs that it’s hard to pick just five. So instead of choosing five blogs I’m passing the torch to you. Please feel free to take this award and pass it on to your five favorite blogs that you feel fit the criteria below:

Liebster means “dearest” in German, and the award is intended to help up-and-coming blogs get the attention they deserve. Here are the rules:

1. Copy and paste the award on our blog.
2. Link back to the blogger who gave you the award.
3. Pick your five favorite blogs with less than 200 followers, and leave a comment on their blog to let them know they have received the award.
4. Hope that the five blogs chosen will keep spreading the love and pass it on to five more blogs!

Until next time

Do Horses Live In The Moment

2012-01-21T20:02:00.000-05:00

"Grady"

Most people believe that horses live in the moment. To a certain extent I feel this is a true statement. One only has to watch them interacting with each other, grazing, waiting for their feed or going with the program they’re used to each day to believe they do. However, I’m of the opinion that this is a somewhat misleading statement. I’m thinking they live in the moment but they never forget what has happened in the past. The events of their previous years shape them into the horses they are today just as our childhood shaped us into the adults we’ve become.

Case in point today is Grady. The other day he sustained an injury to his face below his eye. We don’t know how he did this but he came in bleeding with a decent sized cut. When my daughter went to treat it with medication he was terrified. She stood by his shoulder with her back to his chest and reached for his nose to hold his head. My daughter is a very calm and gentle person and there was no need for him to have a reaction that backed him into a corner with his head up and fearful eyes rolling in his head. Obviously, Grady was panicked by his rough treatment by persons in his past.

To remedy this situation she simply stood there quietly and spoke to him until he came over with enough trust to let her treat his injury. We know Grady was on the show circuit and ridden incorrectly. By that I mean he was yanked into an unnatural frame and pounded into the ground. He’s still dealing with leg and mental issues but he’s getting much better with proper training and respectful handling.

So the point of my disjointed thinking process is: yes, I believe horses do live in the moment but they remember things that don’t pertain to the moment they are currently experiencing. Which makes them thinking creatures and not simply livestock as uninformed horse people have told me over the years.

The question remains, are we being presumptuous and doing them a disservice to assign them personality traits that we know nothing about? How do we know whether a horse is thinking or not thinking while they’re grazing or living day to day with their herd? Without the ability to think/remember past experiences or using their instincts for survival I don’t think they would still be around after all these millions of years.

Until next time

Quote for Today

There is one respect in which beasts show real wisdom... their quiet, placid enjoyment of the present moment.   - Schopenhauer

Did I Just See That!

2012-01-19T20:23:00.000-05:00

I’m afraid I did and it was a rat! Now don’t get me wrong, I am an animal lover, but I don’t like rats or mice for that matter. You might as well add snakes to the list; everything else I can deal with. There’s no reason we should have any infestation in our barn. We don’t keep any feed in there. It’s all out in the feed shed and locked down tight. Not even a mouse can get into it. Our barn is cleaned everyday. The tack room door remains shut when we’re not using it. We have a small refrigerator for the carrots and treats. There’s absolutely no reason to have a rat running around in the barn unless they like hay and I’m pretty sure they don’t.

Here’s the odd part. I’ve never seen an animal do this but I’m seeing it now. We keep the blankets in the wash stall in the winter. It was brought to my attention by a helper that there was a pile of manure hidden behind the blankets. Okay, that’s different. So we moved the blankets and cleaned up the manure. Obviously, some sort of animal was moving it there and eating the grain out of the poop…ewwww!

We had few clues and weren’t really sure what kind of animal was visiting at first. It could be one of the foxes or a raccoon. The horse’s stalls looked like a mix master had been in there all night. Guess they don’t like their sleep being disturbed. Next clue I had came when I was in the tack room cleaning my saddle. I swore I heard something behind one of the tack trunks, a sort of scratching noise. On further investigation there proved to be nothing there, no droppings or anything like that. Still a puzzle that needed to be solved and I wasn’t giving up the hunt. I felt like Elmer Fudd hunting wabbits.

After the blankets were removed and the hiding place exposed there was no more manure mounds in the wash stall. However, there was a trail of manure from Nate’s stall to the cat door. The previous owner had a cat and holes were cut into the walls with removable doors for the cat to come and go at its leisure. We slid the door over the cat door on the tack room side to prevent any critters from setting up shop in there. Yeah, we’re clever like that.

Our unwanted visitor continued to take Nate’s manure and leave a trail, like Hansel and Gretel with breadcrumbs, across the aisle and into the cat door hole. Hmm, which led us to believe it wasn’t one of the foxes or a raccoon but a critter that was nesting in the wall above the cat door. Nice.

One night at bring-in time, I flipped the aisle lights on and then the stall lights and lo and behold there he goes. From Donnie’s stall across the aisle into the hole in the wall, fast little s.o.b. and very huge. At one boarding barn we used to call them B.F.R’s--you’ll have to use your imagination here. So after a confirmed sighting I got some special pellets and hope he eats them and leaves. In the meantime, I’ll be walking gingerly and in ready to run mode if need be. I know some might think this is mean but I can’t have a rat in the barn. It’s disrupting the horses and making them nervous. Except for Nate; I think he’s found a new friend. Of course, rats prefer his manure to all others, so he probably thinks he’s special and his manure is the sweetest and smells the best.

We’ve thought about switching Mellon and Nate into each other’s stalls for a while to see what happens. In his younger years, at a boarding barn overrun with rats, Mellon would stomp them when they came into his stall. My daughter would have to shovel them out of there every morning. Mellon the Terminator wouldn’t put up with them in his stall for any reason.

I hope you don’t have this problem but if you do how do you handle getting rid of them?

Until next time

Quote for Today

Stay outside and you’ll be fine.

Come inside and your _ _ _ is mine. (fill in the blank)

Norman

2012-01-12T16:09:00.000-05:00

"Norman"

Recently, I’ve been thinking about a horse we used to have and wondering what his life is like now or if he’s still alive. I have no idea why Norman has popped into my head for the past week but maybe it’s time his story was told.

We were boarding at a facility and the owner got this adorable black cob/draft horse in with a horrible injury to his back leg. The skin was literally sliced to the point of hanging slightly off the leg with crusted blood and oozing. I have no idea what the deal was between the barn owner and the dealer, but Norman was there on trial as a potential schoolie or something for a month or so and needless to say we fell in love with him. How could we not? He might not have been the most handsomest horse but he was surely the sweetest, friendliest little guy I’ve ever known. My husband remarked once that he looked prehistoric... poor Norman.

The slimy little owner of the farm hit upon a new scam to try to get his clients to buy his new school horses. Apparently he thought he would get in sad cases like Norm on trial and then start a “Save Norman... or else” fund. Everyone would donate money to try to keep Norm from going to auction and the killers. And people did donate, only they didn’t come up with quite enough money, so when the truck showed up to take Norm away, it was too late. When the dreaded kill truck showed up, Norman was loaded onto it to be taken to auction. I received a frantic call from my daughter that Norman was leaving for the kill pens and could I come down with the money to buy him. Now, at the time I didn’t have any extra money lying around to spend on a horse. My daughter, who was a teenager at the time, had been saving money for a trip and I was to bring that money for Norman’s purchase. The driver was in a hurry and the barn was forty-five minutes from my house, so I had to hustle. He wasn’t going to wait around for long with the promise from a kid that mom was on her way with the money. In the end, Norman was led from the truck and put back in the barn. Now we had to figure out how to pay board on him, vet bills etc. My daughter went to work for the barn as a mucker, groomer and in general helped out for a reduction in board. So it worked out for Norman. With diligent care, Norman recovered from his injuries (thought there was some nasty proud flesh) and was a happy, thankful horse and a pleasure to be around. (The slimy barn owner, btw, kept all the money that had been donated to the “Save Norman” fund for himself.)

Even though he was definitely a driving horse in his prior life, I did have a ride on him one day. It was easy to see why he made the perfect cart-pulling horse; his trot was atrocious and the most uncomfortable I’ve ever had the displeasure to ride. No matter. He was a wonderful horse and we all loved him.

Circumstances being what they are in life, we eventually left that barn and took Norman along and he became everybody’s darling at the next barn, too. To say he was a character would be an understatement. One day he ate the button off my daughter’s coat looking for treats. He saw no need for having his sheath cleaned, when he had already mastered the technique of laying on his stomach and rubbing back and forth on his hoof to relieve his discomfort. It seemed to work for him. Norman also had the cutest handlebar mustachio and was very kissable. During the time we spent at this barn there was a beginner rider and he took a liking to Norman. The picture below is of him and Norman on a beach ride. Doesn’t he look majestic with the surf behind him? Unfortunately, this rider wasn’t ready to buy a horse and Norman came along with us when we moved to yet another barn.

As always, Norman was a hit with all but there was one girl in particular who absolutely fell in love with him. She would spend hours grooming him and bringing him giant jars of peppermint candy. We thought it was wonderful that she had so much fun riding him--she was the only person in the world who thought his trot was comfortable. Eventually, we sold him to her for a dollar and they became a great pair because they were so right for each other.

The only sort of sad part to Norman’s story is: one day when we came to the barn he wasn’t there. In his place was a letter to us that she had to leave quickly and couldn’t get in touch with us in time to let us know. Seems she was moving to New Hampshire to be with her father. So Norman was gone and we didn’t get a chance to say goodbye. I’m sure since her father had a barn on the property he was well-loved and taken care of, but I would have liked to give him a hug and kiss goodbye one last time.

I’m sort of hoping she sees this and lets us know what happened with her and Norman. It’s hard not knowing how the horses we care for wind up. It’s one of the reasons I could never be a breeder and seller of horses. Wherever Norman is I’m sure he’s still the happy, sweet and friendly guy we all loved and cared about.

Until next time

Quote for Today

A horse is an angel without wings

This Weekend’s Routine

2012-01-08T23:30:00.000-05:00

"Donnie"

We’ve had a really nice weekend weather-wise, which is unheard of this time of year around here. It’s been in the 40’s and 50’s and makes you really want to get out and do something with the horses. I’m hoping this continues so we can work consistently with the horses, eliminating the time it would take to get them in shape when the spring season rolls around. If we can continue to work with them, spring should see horses fit and sassy and ready to go. That said, we’ll most likely have a blizzard soon because I'm sure I just jinxed myself.

Dusty and I have had two days of walking in the indoor. Fifteen minutes in each direction. She seems a little confused by it but she’s not opposed to some treats to ease her mind. Dusty has a tendency to walk very fast and get ahead of me on the lead. She doesn’t know where she’s going, but she’s making good time. We’re working on her walking at my shoulder during our sessions. Smart girl, she’s catching on quickly. You may wonder why I’ve never worked on this before and the answer would be: I did. When I first got her as a green five year old she marched forward the same way and we would do lots of stops and circling and she finally got the message. I guess over the years this unwanted behavior slowly crept back and I never noticed or it didn’t bother me enough to work on it. I’m guilty of always being in a hurry and walking fast to get where I’m going too, so maybe she picked up on that. Whatever the reason, we’re back to working on her pace while we therapy walk. Dusty is a horse that has to have a reason or a purpose for any behavior so learning to walk like a lady instead of a longshoreman is the reason I’m giving her for our morning walks together.

Donnie started back into longeing on Saturday and did well with his walk and trot to the left. When we changed sides and I sent him out to walk he spooked at something and started cantering and didn’t want to come back immediately. He’s never dangerous, he just gets nervous. I feel the best thing to do in a situation like this is stop moving my feet and hands and give him soft calm voice cues until he stops. If I show that I’m not upset and remain calm he will, in turn, have the confidence in me to guide him and not let the monsters in the woods eat him. My attitude helped him to trust that I knew he would be okay and he stopped after a few laps. We then took a nice walk around the arena with lots of petting and telling him what a good smart boy he is. Sunday we did a simple revisiting of his basic clicker training to give him confidence in himself and turned him out for the day. I like to give my horses jobs they can excel in. Next time we’ll longe again. Instead of drilling the same thing every day, I feel it’s beneficial to break up learning activities into different routines.

Saturday was also Blue’s turn for a light ride. It took me forever to groom him; he’s the dirtiest horse in the barn. He’s got to work on this and he’s a genius at filthy. His eyes were running and he coughed a bit so we just walked for about twenty minutes and I got off. Of course, I didn’t realize until I mounted and couldn’t reach the stirrup that I had put the wrong saddle on him. It was my daughter’s saddle for Nate. Still unaware of my mistake I said to her “were you riding in my saddle?” Well, when she could catch her breath from being in hysterics she told me it wasn’t my saddle. She wasn’t going to tell me if I didn’t notice. How did this happen? Easy the saddle was on my rack and I just grabbed it. Blue was the third horse to work that day and I wasn’t paying attention. Another senior moment…

Sunday Blue and I did the same clicker refresher course. When I brought him in from the paddock he was dragging his feet and I could tell he really didn’t have it in him to work. His allergies are still bothering him and I can’t blame him for not wanting to trot around with me on his back. We’ll wait until he’s feeling better for a ride.

Until next time

Quote for Today

A stubborn horse walks behind you, an impatient horse walks in front of you, but a noble companion walks beside you.

Dusty’s Final Treatment

2012-01-06T16:10:00.000-05:00

"Glad that's over with, how about a treat"

Our vet was here this morning and Dusty had her third and final shock wave treatment. She’s out in the side paddock by herself today so she can recuperate without being annoyed by the boys. She doesn’t mind; she’s got a hay net all to herself. The paddock where the boys are congregating to keep an eye on her is frozen into hoof cups of mud. I felt that putting her there to navigate the moon craters wouldn’t be helpful after her treatment.

The diagnosis is good. The vet palpated her suspensories and with just two treatments he seems to think that she’s doing really well. After this treatment she should be good to go. Color me surprised that this worked in such a short time. I remarked that I should have done it months ago, but he said that it wouldn’t have worked then. Apparently, a fresh injury doesn’t respond to shock wave therapy, it’s better to wait until the injury has calmed down, and seems best suited to chronic conditions rather than acute ones.

He suggested starting her back slow, but she’s ready to start back! He said we could begin right away under tack, but I’m going to begin in hand. I’ll be hand walking her for ten minutes and increasing each day gradually. Once she’s used to being in a routine again we’ll start to add a little walking under tack. When the time is right and she has built up her muscle and endurance through regular walking, she can do a little trot interspersed with walking but nothing too strenuous—about five minutes per session to begin with. And we’ll just have to take it from there. Her progression in getting back to her old self is going to take as long as it takes; we’re in no hurry. There’s no way I’m going to risk a re-injury of those suspensories.

Dusty’s laminitis is also doing really well and growing out perfectly. I owe my farrier and our vet a big thank you for working together to make her well. When all is said and done and her hoof grows out the coffin bone rotation should be a thing of the past. Fingers crossed.

So right about now I’m feeling really good about this diagnosis. Truthfully, I wasn’t sure she’d ever be able to be ridden again. And that would have been okay too, but this is so much better for her.

I’ll keep you posted on her progress. I’m going to give her the weekend to heal a little from her last treatment and we’ll start her exercises soon after that.

Until next time
Quote for Today
I love my horse from hoof to head
From head to hoof and tail and mane
I love my horse as I have said
From head to hoof and back again
- James Whitcomb Riley

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T19:25:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!

Seems it’s that time of year again. Out with the old and in with the new. I’m not much for making the obligatory resolutions about losing weight, exercising more, eating healthful foods etc. because truthfully I never keep them. This year I thought it might be better to set goals for the horses and myself. It’s something that might actually work.

"Dusty"

When Dusty is well and able to be ridden again, we’ll start slowly with groundwork and either some light longeing or long lining until she’s in shape again and able to support a rider. Then we’ll have a refresher course of all she’s learned. Hopefully, this will be followed by new exercises and lots of trail rides.

"Blue"

With Blue I think the main goal is to get him in shape; he’s a little on the chubby side right now and needs to muscle up a bit. So we’ll be taking short hacks to start the New Year. Blue needs work that interests him so we’ll do a different exercise each time. We’ll aim for less structured conditioning rides of walking/trotting in the field (weather permitting) or indoor, interspersed with occasional cavelletti patterns and more advanced dressage moves here and there for variety. Blue knows quite a lot already but he’s no schoolmaster by a long shot. His whole career he’s mainly done hunter/jumper and he loves to jump. We’re not up to that yet or should I say I’m not up to that yet and don’t know if I really want to jump anything substantial anymore. I’ve given myself permission to not jump if I don’t feel the need. I’m thinking in reality Blue may be in for dressage training if he’s agreeable to switching disciplines. We’ll take it slow and see what happens. I’m a fan of taking one day at a time and working with what my horse gives me that day. Or to be honest what I feel like doing on any given day. Doesn’t sound very organized, does it? But the main goal is to ride and teach him there are many enjoyable exercises he can learn and that working isn’t all bad.

"Donnie"

The biggest goal I have this year is to have Donnie in consistent work and hopefully he will gain confidence in himself. We’ll do lots of longeing, long-lining and interacting with him on the ground. By the end of the year or perhaps sooner I’m hoping Donnie will feel comfortable enough to let us tighten his girth and even get on him. He’s had major problems with this for years but now that his EPSM has finally been diagnosed and treated we’re hoping he’ll be confident enough to hold a rider again. Anyone who’s familiar with Donnie’s problems from other posts will know this goal will be a major achievement for Donnie and for us.

I’ll keep you posted on how everything is progressing with the horses.

I’d like to wish everyone a Happy Healthy New Year with lots of good rides.

Until next time

Quote for Today

To make a perfect horseman, three things are requisite. First, to know how and when to help your horse. Secondly, how and when to correct him. And thirdly, how and when to praise him and to make much of him.
- Thomas Blundeville

It’s Working!

2011-12-26T08:55:00.000-05:00

"That was lots of fun, where's my treat"

Dusty had her second shock wave treatment last Wednesday. The vet was very happy with how well she is doing. He palpated her injury site and felt that the inside suspensory was much tighter and she seems more comfortable in general. The outside suspensory branch is still on the mend. So it seems the treatments are working. Dusty is due for her last treatment in two weeks and then we’ll see where she is.

A sort of fun story attached to this treatment. Grady was in his stall to be looked at for a different problem. His stall is near the cross ties where Dusty was tied. He was a perfect gentleman while she was examined, but the minute she received her sedative and he realized she wouldn’t be able to do anything about it, he took the opportunity to bite her on the butt. All she could do was put one of her ears back. But this mare doesn’t put up with any nonsense and Grady knows it; Dusty has a long memory and he will pay for his indiscretion. It may not be right away but she will get him for biting her butt. Poor Grady he’ll never know what hit him.

I’m hopeful that these treatments will speed her healing and she will be ready to resume her lessons by springtime. Personally, I think she misses working and learning new things. She’s one of the few horses I’ve met that enjoys working.

If only her work ethic would rub off on the rest of the herd…

Until next time

Quote for Today

Life is good; a horse makes it better!

Dear Santa

2011-12-17T15:12:00.000-05:00

Dear Santa,

Hi, it’s me Sami—you know, the handsome, athletic Arabian. I’m a little bit late with this letter but I know you will get it because… well, you’re Santa. For Christmas I would like some new shoes with lifts in them to make me taller. I’m eight years old now and I thought I would grow bigger in the three years since I came to the barn. I been trying to eat as much as I can but I’m still only 14.2 hands and I guess this is it for me. But I really need to be bigger so the horses that live here will start takin me seriouslee. They still don’t realize that I should be leader of the pack and won’t listen to me. But with shoes and lifts they would be really scared of me cuz I would be bigger.

Dusty never pays no attention to me either. She always squeals and strikes at me when I try to talk to her. Okay, maybe I might get too close, but that’s no reason to be so rude. I think she shouldn’t get anything for Christmas cause she’s so mean.

And Grady should get a frozen lump of manure in his stocking cuz he’s such a bully to me. He’s the one who always wants to play, but I can’t help it if he’s the one who ends up with all the bloody cuts and bruises on him and I don’t have any on me at the end of the day. He’s always getting me in trouble! Grady is really sneaky like that.

Mellon is kind of cool and smart and I can see why he’s in charge. We’re a lot alike and he’s my friend so, since he’s gettin old I think you should bring him a heated bed for his stall to keep him warm and comfy when he lays down to rest.

Blue is a jerk! He chayses me off the hay nets or the best grass all the time. Who does he think he is anyway? He’s not the boss of me! I’ll eat where I want to. Blue should get a rotten carrot in his stocking, that wil show him.

Nate is okay but he’s so big I’m fraid he’s going to knock me over sometimes when we play halter-tag. Plus, he’s got kind of an unfair advantage, being so big. It’s a good thing I’m so fast! But he’s mostly hangin round with Dusty, so we only play once in a while. You could bring Nate some nice treats cuz he’s okay.

Donnie is okay too. He doesn’t play much but he’s not mean to me—not most of the time, anyway. He’s prabobly the nicest horse here and we could be friends when I get bigger and do some fun stuff then. I guess you could bring Donnie some good treats too, whatever he askes for.

So Santa if you could help me out with the lifts for my shoes that would be all I need for this Christmas.

Your best pal,
Sami

p.s. - I guess you could throw in some carrots and stud muffins if you got any extra.

p.p.s – well, I feel kinda bad. I guess if you are bringing some treats for me, maybe you could bring some for the rest of the horses too, even Grady and Dusty and Blue. But just because it’s Christmas!

The Herd and I wish you all a very

Merry Christmas!

Dusty’s Shock Wave Treatment

2011-12-06T23:07:00.000-05:00

" Was that really necessary "

Our vet was here this morning to administer Dusty’s shock wave treatment. I did ask a few questions and now understand a little better how it works. He actually had a brochure from the company whose machine he was using. If you’re interested in this sort of treatment for one of your horses the company is www.PulseVet.com. The technical term: VersaTron, Non-Invasive Regenerative Extracorporeal Shock Wave technology (ESWT).

The following is directly from the brochure addressing frequently asked questions. I’m only taking a sampling otherwise this would be too long.

VersaTron (ESWT) What is it?

ESWT is a non-invasive, high-intensity pressure wave regenerative medicine treatment. It helps the body in relieving pain, speeding healing and improving quality of healing.

“Shock Wave” is a physics term to describe a rapid increase in pressure, such as the energy from an explosion or thunder resulting from lightening. “Shock wave” does not refer to electrical shock.

VersaTron ESWT is a much higher energy and can penetrate to deeper areas than many other types of energy modalities.

How does it work?

ESWT provides a high energy, focused, pressure wave that causes a biological response in treated tissue, which will stimulate and accelerate the healing process. The pressure wave acts as a mechanical force at the cellular level causing various biological reactions including the release of proteins associated with decreased inflammation and increased blood vessel formation. ESWT has also been demonstrated to recruit stem cells, and positively regulate inflammatory proteins associated with osteoarthritis.

There is much more in the brochure about the different uses this treatment is helpful with such as: tendon and ligament injuries, wound healing, bone healing and degenerative joint disease. It can be used with other treatments, so it might be worth asking your vet. Anticipated results can be seen with 1-3 treatments. It is important to note that it takes time for the biological responses to take place and healing is seen over a period of time, not immediately. If it works I’m willing to wait.

In the following pictures you can see that Dusty’s legs are shaved; that was from the ultrasound. They disinfected the area to be treated, and then put gel on it and did the shock wave treatment. I can say that it’s pretty loud and sounds almost like a controlled banging or hammering. She was sedated for this and didn’t mind it a bit she was resting her head on my shoulder and was half asleep through the whole procedure. When she was done she was led to her stall where she stayed for an hour or so and then she was allowed to go out with the boys for the afternoon. Mellon was pacing the fence the whole time and calling for her. I thought it was nice of the boys to stay in the catch pen all morning and wait for her—everyone except Blue, of course. He was down in the second paddock doing his own thing as usual. Probably glad it wasn’t him!

Dusty has two more treatments, two weeks apart. Fingers crossed that this will heal her last stubborn suspensory branches and she’ll be feeling much better soon. I’m guessing she’s feeling slightly betrayed today. I kept her in and gave her quite a thorough grooming today with lots of treats. Once the vet arrived I’m sure I got the stink eye. Sorry, little girl, but it’s for your own good. How many times have you heard that from your mother and really hated it!

Until next time

Quote for Today

The horse through all its trials has preserved the sweetness of paradise in its blood.

- Johannes Jensen

Dusty’s Vet Visit

2011-12-03T12:22:00.000-05:00

" This is getting old, I'm fine...really!"

The vet was here yesterday to reevaluate Dusty. It’s been three months since her last ultrasound and it was time to see where she is in her recovery from laminitis/founder and the tearing of her four suspensory branches in both hind legs.

Dusty jogged out fine and then it was inside for the ultrasound. Our vet came to the conclusion that her laminitis is growing out beautifully, so no need for x-rays right now. Our farrier is doing a wonderful job helping her be comfortable and more mechanically correct. With his help, she’s got hooves that are now healthy and growing out at a better angle with the aim of de-rotating her coffin bone and making this last founder a thing of the past. Now we can begin to focus more on management and prevention of another episode.

The ultrasound pictures showed a marked improvement in three suspensory branches and one that still has some healing to do. Basically, her right hind is fine and the one outside branch on her left hind is slow to heal with lots of little holes still present. He suggested three shock wave treatments a few weeks apart and feels confident that this will help her to heal more quickly by stimulating repair in the affected area. I’m going to go ahead and do this. She’ll have her first treatment on Tuesday. He didn’t seem to think the PRP (platelet therapy) would work for her because there are too many tiny holes to have to inject and it might not work anyway because the injury is old now and that particular therapy works best when done within a week or two of the injuries start.

Another reason I like this therapy is because it can be done right here in the barn and not stress her out by being moved to a clinic. She’ll continue to get her laser light therapy treatments at night and her medications: (Isoxuprine, for improved circulation in her feet); and her supplements: Ligand, that is based on Dr. Kellon’s DSLD protocol to help heal her suspensories. She also gets her normal supplements which are: ½ multivitamin; joint supplement (Smart Flex Resilience) which has ingredients which is supposed to help and repair joints, tendons and ligaments (we don’t know if it necessarily works but as long as it can’t hurt, why not); additional magnesium in the form of Smart Calm Ultra -- she doesn’t need it for calming, but it has a lot of magnesium; Vitamin E – Uckele’s Vitamin E 5000 which is the best vitamin E supplement out there in our opinion; and a hoof supplement, Smart Pak’s Smart Hoof (we like the copper and zinc content in particular.)

I’ll let everyone know how the shockwave treatment goes on Tuesday and how Dusty reacts to it. Fingers crossed that this will help her on the road to a speedier recovery for those suspensory injuries.

Until next time

Quote for Today

Gypsy gold does not chink and glitter. It gleams in the sun and neighs in the dark.
- Saying of the Gladdagh Gypsies of Galway

Weekend Update

2011-11-27T11:02:00.000-05:00

I had planned to try and ride the day after Thanksgiving, but sometimes all good intentions go astray. The entire herd decided that the weather was way too nice to make an appearance for dinner and come into the barn for the night. Personally, I think Blue had something to do with their decision. I don’t know whether he has a Ouija board or ESP, but somehow he knew he was going to be ridden so he must have talked them out of coming in. We left the barn lights on until seven p.m. but when they were a no-show, we put the feed tubs away and closed down for the night. They know the rules: be home by seven for dinner or you don’t eat.

Saturday morning they showed up for breakfast around eight and we brought the feed tubs into the catch pen. I waited until Blue had finished his tub and brought him in. After a thorough grooming to get the ground-in mud off and a de-burring session we were ready. The time had come; it was exactly four weeks since we parted company and I landed on the ground.

I feel it is important to get back on as soon as you are able after a mishap concerning riding. If not for your own mindset, then for the horse’s thought process. How can we know what the horse has been thinking about since he lost a rider? Each horse has a different personality and handles situations differently. I’ve been off a few different horses and each one treated the situation in their own way. Erik would come over to see if I was okay, Dusty would just stand there and give me a disdainful look and Blue galloped a few laps around the ring as I was laying on the ground [and then stood staring from across the arena with a look of alarm.] This may be the first time anyone has ever actually fallen off of Blue and I think he didn’t know what to do. So I think it was important for me to get back on and show him we’re still a team and everything is all right.

We went down to the arena and introduced him to the new built-in mounting block in the corner… he couldn’t care less. The geese were screeching as usual in the pond outside the windows. I mounted and we went for a leisurely walk around the arena on the buckle. Then walked a pattern over some cavelletti followed by two trot circles in either direction. Blue seemed fine, if a little lazy due to his being tired from wandering all night. I can just picture them all out there having a poker game, smoking cigars and Dusty bringing them their drinks. He got lots of treats and lots of praise, so hopefully all is well in Blue Land. As an example of Blue’s mentality, yesterday he was the only one all the way in the back pasture grazing with not a care in the world. The rest of the herd was in a totally different pasture all huddled together grazing. Go figure, he’s a horse of a different nature who never ceases to mystify me.

To wrap it up, we had a quiet short session that we will build on as we both get back into shape after four weeks of unused muscles—both in our bodies and in our heads. Oh, and they stayed out again partying last night, the weather has been in the unheard of sixties and I can’t blame them; I’d be out under the night sky with a billion stars surrounding me too.

Until next time

Quote for Today

When you are on a great horse, you have the best seat you will ever have.
- Sir Winston Churchill

Have You Ever Been This Tired?

2011-11-25T10:02:00.000-05:00

Until next time

Quote for Today
Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out. ~Anton Chekhov

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T09:22:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving

The year has turned its circle,
The seasons come and go.
The harvest all is gathered in
And chilly north winds blow.

Orchards have shared their treasures,
The fields, their yellow grain,
So open wide the doorway ---
Thanksgiving comes again!

Quote for Today

John Greenleaf Whittier

No longer forward nor behind
I look in hope or fear;
But, grateful, take the good I find,
The best of now and here.

About Riding Again

2011-11-20T14:02:00.000-05:00

Blue modeling his "helicopter" ears

I was hoping that this weekend I would be able to ride again. Unfortunately, although I’m much better, I’m still sore. Seems the muscle and soft tissue injury isn’t healing as quickly as I thought it would. The day after Thanksgiving we have a tradition of either going on a trail ride, weather permitting or riding in the arena. So that’s what I’m shooting for.

Some people have asked me if I’m fearful of getting back in the saddle again. The answer is- not really. This isn’t my first time off a horse and realistically it won’t be my last. Although with some wishful thinking I could hope for it not to ever happen again. It’s important to me to remember that it wasn’t Blue’s fault I came off. When Blue spooked he was simply being a horse and horses have the flight gene when something startles them. I feel when a horse spooks it’s my job to try and stay on somehow and help to calm them down. This particular time I wasn’t being as diligent as I used to be with my horse Erik who was an epic spooker. He was a horse who could never be trusted completely and also had the fastest spook in the East. With Dusty I was somewhat cautious just because she is so green. Blue has on rare occasions spooked with a small jump sideways and one time he actually bucked about half a foot off the ground. Not a big deal really. The spook that has caused me so much trouble came out of nowhere and I never expected it from him. Just goes to show you every horse has a great startle reflex in there somewhere.

Unlike most horse people I won’t get back on a horse unless I feel one hundred percent able to handle any situation that may come up. That’s one of the reasons I took a few months of rehab after my knee replacement to climb aboard Dusty who I hadn’t ridden for a good many years. If I don’t feel that my legs and seat are properly connected to the horse and saddle I try not to take unnecessary chances. Not to say that I didn’t use to get right back on after a fall because I did, it was just the way things were done way back when. Now I’ve found that it takes a longer time to heal at my age and I pretty much just proved that to myself recently. So even though I could ride with the proper medication I’d prefer to wait until I’m totally healed. Don’t know whether that makes me a wuss or a lesser horse person, but those are my feelings on getting back on after an injury.

Until next time

Quote for Today

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
- Confucious

Burr Central

2011-11-13T19:49:00.000-05:00

This is how we spent our morning. De-burring manes and tails is time consuming and not a whole lot of fun but it's one of those jobs that needs to be done. I just wish I knew where they were picking these burrs up so I could mow them down. The entire herd was well-behaved and let us show sheen their burrs and remove them.

Blue surprised me today by being very friendly and cuddly. He let me kiss his nose and put his cheek on my cheek and just stood there quietly for a moment or two. Normally he's not quite that sensitive a guy. Dusty was also being very cute, until she bopped me on top of the head with the underside of her jaw. Not on purpose, I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Maybe she's trying to knock some sense into me, but I think she was really looking for a treat.

" Blue "

" Donnie"

" Sami "


" Dusty "

Until next time

Quote for Today
You never get the pleasure of owning a horse, you only have the pleasure of being its slave.

The Latest News

2011-11-11T12:08:00.000-05:00

I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of my blogging friends in the equine community for your kind and caring comments. I’m not surprised that people who love and care for horses also care for other equine enthusiasts even though most of us have never met in person. My injuries are healing but are still sore. I’m guessing it’s an age related thing, the older you get the slower bruises heal. Just a fact of life but I’ll deal with it. Thank you again your kindness touched me and makes the healing process easier.

Falling into the category of more bad luck this past Monday continued to bring unwanted injuries to our family. My daughter Jacquie was in a very serious auto accident on her way to work. She is okay and is at home recuperating with some very colorful and painful bruises from head to toe. The front of her car was involved and the car is now totaled. I’m very thankful for seat belts and air bags, without them I’m not so sure she would have survived the crash. It’s every parent’s nightmare to get the call saying, “There’s been an accident.” She was very lucky and we’re grateful that she’s going to be fine.

It could be a while before I’m back to blogging but I will try to visit you all and keep up to date by visiting when I can.

Until next time

Quote for Today

In bad luck hold out: in good luck, hold in

German Proverb

Unceremoniously Dumped!

2011-11-04T10:36:00.000-04:00

"Thanks Blue", because of you I've been sitting on ice packs all week!

This past Saturday I was unceremoniously dumped by Blue, the “safest” horse in the barn. He’s just lost that distinguished title, by the way. Since a storm was moving in, I decided to ride early and my daughter was then going to lunge Grady and Nate. I opted to ride outside in the ring by the barn; we were soon going to be under snow so I thought it would be nice to ride outdoors.

My daughter gave Blue and myself a lovely lesson. Walk, trot, canter all went seamlessly and felt great. During my last canter in a two-point I came around the bottom left corner and was just about to transition to walk and end our lesson. Out of nowhere Blue spooked/jumped to the right as a black van came up the road behind him, the saddle slipped and I became unbalanced, which in turn led Blue to gallop full speed away from the offending unbalanced rider. Needless to say, I gracefully sailed through the air like an acrobatic butterfly caught in an updraft of wind and landed like a sack of potatoes on my back.

Apparently, I gave my daughter a little bit of a scare because I was knocked unconscious. Now this is her description of me as I lay there: “I thought you were dead; your eyes were rolled back in your head, you had blood coming out of your mouth [bit my tongue] and you were making the most god awful noises from your throat--I thought you were choking.” Didn’t sound too good. She then cut my sweatshirt and turtleneck, which had bunched up tight, away from my neck thinking I needed air. She’s good in an emergency. Personally, I don’t remember anything except waking up with a bunch of people (neighbor, ambulance people and Jacquie) standing looking down at me like I was a specimen pinned to a board. I never even heard the ambulance pull in. How embarrassing. I don’t like being stared at, especially in that condition.

Anyway, they loaded me onto a backboard and secured my head. I’d never been in an ambulance before, so this was a new experience. You know you’re getting old when you think the two EMT’s look like they just graduated high school. The girl kept trying to insert an IV needle into the vein on the top of my hand, but on bouncy roads this wasn’t working out. So I asked her to stop. The hospital was about 45 minutes away. We have a closer one but it’s not so good so my daughter wouldn’t let them take me there. During the ride the ambulance stopped so I asked if we were pulling into the hospital and was told no we were in a traffic jam. So I then inquired, “Excuse me, but isn’t this ambulance with lights and sirens?” Teenage EMT “Uh, yeah, Joe put the lights on and let’s go.” Even in that state I could still be impatient in traffic….

We finally made it. When they took off my boots and half chaps the nurse remarked “that’s a lot of dirt on the sheet now.” “Do ya think so?” I got some x-rays. Nothing broken, just contusions in my butt and probably a bruised tailbone. Nice. Hurts like hell too. Guess it pays to have a little extra padding once in a while to save you from broken bones though. Asked them if I needed a CAT scan for my head to make sure my brain wasn’t Swiss cheese. Not required the doctor said; my daughter confirmed that I wasn’t acting more addled than usual.

By the time we got out of there the snowstorm had kicked in to an almost white-out condition; after a few wrong turns, a stop at the drugstore for pain medication prescriptions, and a few stops along the way to check for people in cars off the side of the road, we made it home in about two hours. Lots of trees and wires down because the leaves couldn’t take the heaviness. Not a fun Saturday by any means between the accident and the snow. Good thing it was close to Halloween because my new Frankenstein shuffle fit right in.

So the moral of this story - even the safest horse in the barn can have a bad day, which in turn rewards you with a painful week. And everybody comes off once in a while no matter how good a rider you might think you are. Even if, like me, you’ve had a good run and haven’t hit the ground in 10-11 years. It should also go without saying, ALWAYS, ALWAYS wear a helmet. This is the first time in all my many years of falls that I have been knocked out; if I wasn’t wearing a helmet my brain would be scrambled eggs.

Also, beware of scary black vans! (Good advice for several reasons ;-)

Until next time

Quote for Today

When you're young and you fall off a horse, you may break something. When you're my age and you fall off, you splatter.   - Roy Rogers

Are You Kidding Me?

2011-10-30T18:36:00.000-04:00

It's official! We got 22 inches of snow yesterday. This is just wrong, it's not even the end of October. The leaves are still on the trees. I can't remember it ever snowing this early and hope it's not a harbinger of things to come this winter. We lost a few bushes and small trees due to the snow being so heavy and wet. They can be replaced, not sure my sanity can though.

Until next time

Quote for Today
Winter is nature's way of saying, "Up yours."
Robert Byrne

Autumn Color at the Farm

2011-10-27T14:54:00.000-04:00

It seems the colors this Fall aren't as bright as they usually are. Too much rain? Maybe. The trees appear to be losing their leaves before they've turned to color. I've been waiting for a sunny day to take pictures. This was our sunny day for this week. Hope you enjoy the pictures and my yearly much - loved Autumn poem.

Thoughts

by Jacqueline Bouvier

I love the Autumn,

And yet I cannot say

All the thoughts and things

That make one feel this way.

I love walking on the angry shore,

To watch the angry sea;

Where summer people were before,

But now there's only me.

I love wood fires at night

That have a ruddy glow.

I stare at the flames

And think of long ago.

I love the feeling down inside me

That says to run away

To come and be a gypsy

And laugh the gypsy way.

The tangy taste of apples,

The snowy mist at morn,

The wanderlust inside you

When you hear the huntsman's horn.

Nostalgia - that's the Autumn,

Dreaming through September

Just a million lovely things I always will remember.

-1943

Until next time

Quote for Today

As the wind swept over the saddle, it turned to a mixture of bright colors and painted the world.
- Ronan Warriors

Day by Day

2011-10-25T22:45:00.000-04:00

" Dusty "

Not much going on around here, just normal day to day happenings. The horses were all vaccinated today for West Nile. We’re using a different company than previously and only giving what we consider necessary, one shot at a time. Hopefully, there will be no reactions with Dusty like last time when she foundered or Blue when his sheath swelled up down to his hocks. Most of the herd had swollen necks last time too.

We also sort of insisted that the shot be administered in their butts instead of their necks, feeling this would help make their lives a little easier if there was a reaction. Apparently, we’re the talk of the vet clinic. When we called to schedule the appointment and before we even mentioned the special order vaccine, the secretary remarked how “Oh, right, you’re the people who wanted different vaccinations ordered.” Well, sorry, it’s not like we asked them to be flown in special from the far reaches of the planet; we just didn’t want the company previously used that caused everyone to have horrible reactions. Geez!

Dusty had a visit from the farrier last week and he was really happy with her feet. Seems there’s no more bruising and the New Balance shoes are really helping her rotation and keeping her comfortable. She’s been allowed out with the boys to graze for a few weeks now and her suspensory injury actually looks better when she comes in at night. This is most likely due to the fact that she’s sensible enough not to run around and just walks out there and behaves herself. Unlike when she was in her small paddock up top; seems she was okay until the herd flat left her and she would run up and (slide) down the hill and fence line calling for them, stressing her suspensories more than if she was actually out with them. So we went with the lesser of two evils. So far, so good.

Unfortunately, she’s in her small paddock again today so we can keep an eye on her, but she has Sami to keep her company and so far everything is quiet. She’s also in raging heat again and it’s better for her to be away from certain boys. Yesterday, Donnie was very interested in her and Nate did something I’ve never seen before: They were standing head to tail and Nate chomped on the top f her tail and wouldn’t let go… and she loved it. She was moved to the small paddock minus a lot of top tail hair. Thought that was unusual.

Anyway, we’ll be waiting to see if there are any reactions to this particular round of vaccinations.

Until next time

Quote for Today

Yes! I hugged my horse today!!!

Considering The Horse

2011-10-16T22:26:00.000-04:00

" Blue "

When riding I think we all tend to focus on what we are thinking and how we are going to achieve our riding goals. I’m the first one to admit that I’ve been guilty of trying to train the horse to my way of going. But have you considered what the horse is feeling or thinking? Contrary to some archaic beliefs, they do think and they do have feelings. You may not be the first rider your horse has had to deal with. Have you considered that the last person who rode your horse rode him differently to achieve the same movement that you are trying to accomplish?

I’ll use Blue as an example. He has had a few riders before me. He was originally my older daughter’s horse and she rode him exclusively for a few years. So he learned her way of riding. She hasn’t ridden in seven years because of work and children. My younger daughter, who is a trainer, subsequently rode Blue and he learned a different way of going and had to respond to her way of riding. Some students also used him lightly when we had a boarding/training facility for a few years. When we bought the farm, my daughter occasionally still rode him on trails or in the ring, basically to exercise him. Now it’s my turn.

Poor Blue, he’s had riders who most likely all rode with their own quirks. Sure, walk, trot, canter, basic steering, whoa and go aids may seem pretty standard from rider to rider, but there is a surprising assortment of methods and theories out there; and even if two riders come from the same school and use the same technique, every rider has different conformation and their own slightly different way of doing things. So even between two very similar riders, the aids may be given just a tad differently. Imagine how the horse feels when he has to deal with two dissimilar riders! My daughter is 5’10; I’m 5’5, so even the placement of our legs is different. Our balance is probably different. We have different seats and perhaps different ways of holding the reins, degrees of pressure, etc. even if we both ride lightly. We have different quirks and bad habits. So Blue has had to figure out what all of his riders want and what they are requesting while taking all of these differences into consideration. As I mentioned, the cues may be basic but, like fingerprints, there are no two people who ride exactly alike.

Maybe there is a certain amount of concern on the horse’s part too. He may not only be trying to figure out what we want but also if we know what we are doing to help him take care of himself. Will we get in his way, be harsh with the reins, clumsy with our seat, overbearing with our legs? Could we unbalance him or put him wrong to a jump? Perhaps the rider will pull his nose into his chest while grinding their seat into his back trying (incorrectly) to get “collection” or “impulsion.” Or the rider could ask him to do something he’s scared or otherwise not ready or able to do. Considering how the horse may be feeling—and remembering that he’s also trying to figure out what, exactly, the monkey on his back is asking him to do—might be something we should give some thought to when riding our horses.

The point is the horse is adjusting to every rider on his back just as the rider is adjusting to every horse under saddle. So if we give the horse as much consideration as he gives us, we should eventually be able to compliment each other and form a decent riding relationship. So consider the horse the next time you don’t get what you want the first or second or third time you ask for something. He’s probably trying to figure it out too.

Until next time

Quote for Today

Whenever difficulties appear, the rider must ask himself: does the horse not want execute my demands, does he not understand what I want, or is he physically unable to carry them out? The rider's conscience must find the answer.  - Alois Podhajsky

Riding Should Be Enjoyable

2011-10-12T07:34:00.000-04:00

Whatever our discipline, be it English or Western, we all want to do it correctly and do it right for our horses and ourselves. We also need to make it enjoyable for both horse and rider or it becomes a mundane repetitious bore of a chore. I seldom get bored when riding because any time spent in the saddle for me is preferable to anything else. However, horses will get bored unless you mix it up a little each time. No horse likes to be drilled over and over with the same lesson and will often lose their enthusiasm. I’ve never ridden a “push-button” horse. We’ve always had horses who thought for themselves and who actually questioned us sometimes, to make sure we got it right. Our horses over the years made us think and solve problems.

Since I’ve been working with Blue the last few months, I believe we’ve come to an understanding. If he responds properly to cues when asked, he’ll be rewarded with treats and praise. Blue started out testing me to see if I could prevent him from going around the ring with his nose to the ground like a snowplow. We worked through that in a week or two by me insisting he go forward and lift his head. Then we went on to continuous forward impulsion, which was a little harder, but persistence paid off and now when asked he trots at a beautiful working trot pace. It’s not that he needed to be retrained—not the case at all—it’s that he wanted to see if I could get him to do it. Guess he figured if he didn’t have to work, why should he?

As I’ve mentioned before, Blue is his own horse and, being exceptionally smart, is always looking for a way out of working. If he would only use his brilliant mind for good instead of lazy, we’d all have a much easier time of things. It’s horses like Blue who need the ebb and flow of change. When he gets bored he zones out and tunes me out, which can not only be frustrating but dangerous. A horse that isn’t listening and paying attention to their rider isn’t safe.

This past weekend we worked on different scenarios to spark his interest. On day one we worked in the outdoor arena and reinforced his forward trot, incorporating some figure eights with change of diagonals and bending. Day two in the outdoor arena found us walking, bending and trotting to warm up and, since he was forward and attentive, we added something he’s wanted to do, the canter.

A confession here: I haven’t actually cantered a horse since Erik died three years ago. Not because I can’t or am fearful, but because I didn’t have a horse who could. Dusty was not ready and, even when she jumped into her pogo stick canter with wrong lead behind, it just wasn’t a real canter and doesn’t count. Blue’s canter is nowhere near as big as Erik’s, but he does cover ground. To look at him you see a 15.3 hand chunky Quarter Horse, but he has a very elegant movement when traveling correctly. We’ve been asked many times if he’s a warmblood.

Day three we took Blue and Nate out for a short trail ride through the property to the back field. We could have gone a lot farther but, unfortunately, Nate was being Nate and spooking and threatening to rear most of the way. It’s not entirely his fault, as he hasn’t been ridden out back in some time because of injuries or illness. He was spooking at spider webs covered in dew in-between fence slats, turkeys in the hayfield next door, the gate, the birds, the… I think if Blue wasn’t with him as a Steady Eddie companion and my daughter wasn’t such a good rider it could have gotten ugly. But, all things considered, it was a nice ride.

So all in all Blue and I had a great weekend with lots of good things accomplished. By mixing up where we rode and what we did, I think I managed to keep it mildly interesting for Blue. But the most important thing is we both had fun and enjoyed ourselves. I’m looking forward to our next ride and hope he is too.

Until next time

Quote for Today

The most wonderful about riding is getting off and knowing you've both enjoyed.

Random Pictures of the Day

2011-10-09T20:45:00.000-04:00

"Nate"


" Grady "


" The Critics"


" Sami" waiting his turn


" Dusty"


" Blue" snacking after his workout

" Donnie" heading for the shed after his lunging & clicker training session


Nate, Donnie, Mellon & Blue hoping we remember to open the gate and release them into the wild after working so hard this morning

Until next time

Quote for Today

Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet.

Friday Fun - Mama Bear

2011-10-07T08:39:00.000-04:00

Mama Bear rescues cub from tree

You can just hear what she's thinking,

"You get down here right now!"

Ever have this kind of trouble with your kids?

A Lovely Blog Award

2011-10-05T22:38:00.007-04:00

Annette from News from Aspen Meadows has given me this lovely award and I’d like to thank her for thinking of me. Now I’ve got to pass it along to fifteen other bloggers who I visit and enjoy reading. While it will be hard to narrow the field, I’ll do what I can and leave some bloggers out so others will have a chance to award their favorites.

Without further ado the awards go to:

Jane at The Literary Horse

Jean at Horses of Follywoods

Billie at camera-obscura

DJ at Oak in the Seed

Shannon at It’s Quarters for Me

Lori at C-ing Spots

Breathe at Horse Centric

Wolfie at What was I thinking…

Mary at My Boston My Friend

Fetlock at Pork Belly Acres

KC at All Horse Stuff

Margaret at Just Horses

Jan at A Thousand Pounds of Fragile Horse

Tammy at Horse Trail Riders

Carol at Dressage Training Journal

I’ve also got to come up with seven facts about me. Hmm, this is the hard part but I’ll put my thinking cap on—you know, the beanie with the propeller on top—and hope something comes to me.

Let’s start with:

· My uniform of the day is usually a sweatshirt and jeans with a pair of boots. I’m into wearing whatever is comfortable instead of stylish these days. I think I could become eccentric or colorful as I age.

· I’d like to think I’m and optimist at heart; the glass is usually half full, unless of course it’s half empty.

· Staying indoors is boring so I like to be outdoors every chance I get. Besides, if you’re inside with nothing to do, dust bunnies will hunt you down and eventually you'll have to clean them up.

· I wish, as I'd gotten older I'd have gotten smarter, but it doesn't seem to be the case. I'm still learning everyday, be it with horses, dogs or humans.

· I celebrated (probably not the best word) my 60^th birthday in July. Still can’t believe I made it this far and am that old. Partly because I used to think 60 was really old and now I don’t anymore. It’s hard to accept the number when I don’t feel any different than I did in my 40’s or 50’s.

· I enjoy reading and usually read a few books a month.

· I feel privileged to be able to have horses on our farm and love interacting with them.

Until next time

Quote for Today

Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.

~Mark Twain~

The Blue Report

2011-10-03T07:39:00.000-04:00

" Blue "

Thanks everyone for your ideas and strategies for helping me help Blue be all that he can be. I’m convinced that Blue has an internet connection hidden somewhere in the barn and has read the previous post about himself. It may be the only way to explain the sudden change in his attitude.

This weekend we had two very nice rides—both in the indoor arena, since it was mostly raining. To start we walked on a loose rein to warm up practicing a little leg yielding and steering. Next we trotted the rail and, believe it or not, he was very up and very forward in both directions. Working trot, lengthening, just ask and your wish will be granted. Finally, we ended with a few patterns over cavelletti. Blue was traveling at a good pace, trotted the poles, steered, and balanced around the turns, all the time with enthusiasm and perky ears. I thought during these rides I’d been transported to Equine Fantasyland.

I don’t know who the aliens are who replaced the old Blue with the new Blue, but I’ll take it. The only thing I did differently that may have changed the situation a tiny bit: I didn’t turn him out first thing in the morning to let him graze for a time until I was ready. He munched on a flake of hay after breakfast while I took Donnie down to the arena for some longe and clicker work. This didn’t take more than forty-five minutes and then it was Blue’s turn.

The change might also be explained in the following medical terms: Blue wasn’t out walking around and grazing, which in turn taxes his delicate system by wearing him out but instead preserved his energy level. Or it could be explained by environmental facts: the temperature dropped dramatically and this in turn put a little wind in his sails. Whatever the cause for his night-and-day turnaround, I’ll take it. Who knows, this may continue or the aliens may return the old Blue from the mother ship before the next ride.

Until next time

Quote for Today

Riding is a partnership. The horse lends you his strength, speed and grace, which are greater than yours. For your part you give him your guidance, intelligence and understanding, which are greater than his. Together you can achieve a richness that alone neither can.   - Lucy Rees -

Poor Mistreated Blue

2011-09-29T09:17:00.000-04:00

" That's not a saddle, is it ?"

Have you ever had a horse that really despises being ridden and gives the impression he believes he is being forced against his will to do exhausting work for an excruciating period of time--even if he's only being worked lightly for an hour or so a few times a week? Well, I do, and his name is Blue. The worst part of this scenario is that I actually feel guilty about riding him because I know he doesn’t want me to. He makes his feelings known by making me hike out to get him while he plays the “I can’t see or hear you game,” all the while munching away. My other favorite is his sighing when I put the saddle on his back. Blue can be very dramatic if I do say so myself.

Just the other day I put Blue in the side paddock so he wouldn’t high-tail it to the back pastures. By the time I got done with some chores, I decided not to ride because it was so hot and humid. In other words, the governor called and he got a reprieve. When I released him through the gate to his usual pastures, he took off at a gallop and didn’t stop until he was waaaay out back. That certainly tells me something. Whoopee, no riding today and I am so outta here!

The question is how do you get a horse to enjoy his job? Personally, I think it’s just Blue’s personality. He’s very smart, very lazy and a horse unto himself. He seems to need no one, not even the herd. Blue is a horse that is very comfortable with himself whether completely alone, standing in the middle of a deer herd or on the top of the manure pile in the dumpster (which I’ve seen him do.) He seems to be oblivious to the world around him until a gate is left open, then he’ll make a beeline and be out of the gate in a flash. So he does know what’s going on, he just doesn’t seem to care.

I’ve come up with a plan to try and interest him in working and, more importantly, enjoying himself. From now on after our walking warm-up we’ll start right out with trotting some cavelletti because that seems to perk him up. His ears come to attention and his pace picks up (Blue only enjoys jumping, but I’m not ready for that just yet.) Then we’ll dispense with the trotting and canter a bit then maybe move on to some more trotting. Of course, there can’t be two days in a row of this, so on every other day he needs to go out on a trail ride with some hacking in the field thrown in for good measure.

In my opinion it is very important to keep a horse’s work interesting. The more Blue finds something that will challenge his mind and talent, the more he will enjoy his time with me. If I set him up to succeed even with the smallest challenges and offer lots of praise, hopefully he’ll start to look forward to seeing me coming towards him with saddle and bridle. Then again, we’re talking about Blue here and nothing I do may change his mind. He was born with his own personality and set of rules to live by.

If anyone has had a horse like Blue I’d be interested to hear how you got him over his “I hate to work” attitude.

Until next time

Quote for Today

The horse thinks one thing and he who saddles him another.

- Benjamin Franklin-

Wordless Wednesday

2011-09-28T09:53:00.000-04:00

Don't sit around the house . . .

Get out and enjoy nature!

Never mind, let's just go back inside!

I received this in an e-mail and thought the pictures were great. What's your favorite one? I can't decide which I like best, there are so many good ones.

Until next time

Quote for Today

" The thing that a lot of people cannot comprehend is that Mother Nature doesn't have a bullet with your name on it, she has millions of bullets inscribed with " to whom it may concern"

Dusty’s At It Again

2011-09-21T06:57:00.000-04:00

Yet another quick story about Dusty. Seems she’s been trying to help once again. Since her injury she’s been hanging around the barn watching the goings on and I’m convinced she has found her employees lacking. Just the other day I was in the feed shed dishing out dinners into the feed buckets, when I was done I closed the door. Then I popped into the barn to grab a muck bucket and pitchfork to pick out her stall.

Back outside, Dusty is nowhere to be found. Then I hear some commotion in the feed shed. She somehow got herself up the front steps and into the shed, and was in there sampling the feed buckets. Reminiscent of Goldilocks, some were to her liking and some were not. There was not enough room to turn her around to get her out the narrow front door so I moved the feed cart and some hay bales. The shed has two double doors on the side and she made her dignified—if haughty—departure through those doors, none the worse for her escapade.

As happened with the latches on the run in shed, I knew I shut the door. But I didn’t turn the handle to latch it because I didn’t think it was necessary. Knowing how smart and resourceful Dusty can be, I should have known better. Now you might think that she simply pulled the handle to open the door. Not Dusty; that would be too easy for her. After I left her grazing under the trees, I went back into the barn to snap the feed buckets up, and then I waited and watched.

In a short time, I wasn’t disappointed. She marched over to the feed shed again and, to my surprise, didn’t use her teeth to pull the handle but instead she used the small wreath on the door to pull it open. I’m only sorry I didn’t have a camera to catch her antics. Dusty was led away from the door and it was secured.

It is obvious what a huge help she is to me around here. I’m so grateful she is taking the time to show me how it should be done. Unfortunately, I’m afraid that from now on everything will have to be Dusty-proofed and this place will be locked down like Fort Knox. She’s such a character and even with all the exasperation, she brings a smile to my face. And that’s what it’s all about… enjoying your horses.

Until next time

Quote for Today

Horses have as much individuality and character as people.  -

C.W. Anderson

Riding Blue

2011-09-11T20:50:00.001-04:00

" Waiting for Dinner"

With the beforehand preparation and aftermath cleanup of Hurricane Irene, plus life in general, I’ve not been able to ride Blue. Yesterday was the first ride in two weeks. Color me surprised when he was as good as gold and seemed not to have had any setbacks. The key to the Blue vault has been unlocked. I’d like to think it’s because of my brilliant riding but I’m old enough to know better.

Usually, Blue is lazy and opinionated but not this time. After his warm – up walk about, where I insisted on him steering and staying on the rail, we picked up a nice trot. I mentioned the “key” and it was so simple really. Give him a task that is interesting to him. Instead of trotting circles or staying on the rail I immediately headed for the cavelletti and did a pattern. Outside, inside, outside, inside. This does the trick for him; his ears perk up and he picks up a very nice working trot. A few times he actually jumped the cavelletti (they’re basically on the ground) and he did want to canter but we were working more on maintaining an even pace and steering straight. We also were working towards adjusting his pace to find distances. Blue loves to jump--in fact he lives for it--and would do it everyday if you let him. He’s good at it too. So my lazy push-me-along horse can get very motivated if you point him at any obstacle in his path.

I had planned on raising the cavelletti today and letting him canter circles afterward but that didn’t happen. Our farrier showed up and so everyone is either getting trims or shod today. Have you ever been secretly relieved you didn’t have to ride and had a legitimate excuse? Well that’s my feeling today. Not because I didn’t want to jump cavelletti or canter but because it is so hot and humid I just couldn’t repeat another yesterday. We only worked for a half hour and both Blue and I were drenched. I thought I was going to stroke out, so I’m happy for the day off.

I’ve decided to send Mother Nature a request.

Dear Mother Nature,

It’s September, how about some decent cool weather for a change! Thanks for any help you can give us on this.

Sincerely,

The Herd and The Caretakers

P.S And could you do something about these damn flies too!

Until next time

Quote for Today

A horse is an animal not a machine and is only as good as it's rider.

Dusty vs. The Latch

2011-09-05T11:13:00.000-04:00

Dusty

vs.

The Latch

I was lucky enough to get this video of Dusty yesterday. Before I witnessed this I thought I might be having early onset dementia. Every time I passed the shed I closed and latched the lower half of the door. I was positive of this and yet each time I passed the door it was open. Very mysterious or I was really losing it. Dusty is allowed to wander occasionally when one of us is out there to supervise. She wants desperately to go out with the boys and she could see them in the next field by the other shed…

A video showing what a properly motivated horse is capable of accomplishing!

Until next time

Quote for Today

A little horseplay... the way best to enjoy a summer day!

Dusty’s Coming Along

2011-09-03T08:12:00.003-04:00

Mellon keeping Dusty company

Our vet was out today to recheck Dusty and see how she is progressing. Her laminitis/founder is doing really well. There is no more rotation; it’s stabilized at 8 degrees. She has a good, thick sole now and her hoof is growing out evenly from her coronet band, which is a good thing. He feels that we can correct the rotation in time with proper shoeing and care. So that was a bit of good news concerning both her front feet.

The suspensory injury in her right hind is doing much better also. The ultrasound shows that the fibers in the branches are knitting together and there are no gaping holes left. So that was good news too. Her left hind, which seemed to be the worst injury site, is no worse and it is hard to say if it’s any better. Looking at the ultrasound, the tear in the suspensory branch still seems to be about the same size as it was previously. The only difference we can see is that in her last ultrasound it looked as if the fibers were sort of hanging loose and compared to this one they seem to be gone. Maybe there is scar tissue forming, I don’t know.

Our options are sort of limited as to more treatments. The vet is suggesting shock wave therapy. This would consist of three sessions at around $400 or more for each. Will it work? That’s unclear; maybe yes maybe no. He’s also pushing for PRP therapy, which is even more expensive. From what I’ve researched it seems that this particular therapy has a chance of working if it’s done within a few weeks of the injury, after more time has elapsed it’s basically another maybe. The PRP treatment is very invasive the way they want to do it. I’m not totally sure what they’re advocating but apparently this is an interesting case for their surgeon. He wants to split her suspensory to get in there and administer the platelets which is going to cause more damage before it can begin healing and will enlarge the ligament with scar tissue as well. For me that’s not an option right now. There would be a longer recovery time in her stall and the risk of infection, in my opinion. The shock wave sounds like a better option, but not right now.

Dusty had a lameness exam too. She’s not lame in the least trotting on the pavement or making tight circles. On the longe line she broke into a very natural balanced canter and looked wonderful and sound. Her trot was the same; no lameness and she looked like she can’t wait to have a job again. Sorry girl, not just yet.

She doesn’t seem to be in any pain and she is healing, although slowly, so I’m going to hold off on any big decisions for now concerning different treatment. I’m going to keep giving her supplements and light exercise in her turnout time and she’ll be sporting her laser boots each night. It’s only been a few months and she is fifteen, so I’m going to give her a few more months to heal and see where we are then. In the meantime I’m going to check into alternative methods and see what they have to offer. Acupuncture might be an option. If anyone has suggestions for a suspensory branch injury and how you treated them I’d be interested to hear about your methods.

Until next time

Quote for Today

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

Friday Fun - Free Lunch

2011-09-02T10:13:00.001-04:00

First, take the cable car up to the start of the trail.

Now follow the path on the wooden planks.

Be sure to hold on to the 'railing,'

the chain attached to the side.

Keep an eye on the person in front of you.

Be very careful when passing someone going in the opposite

direction.

Now just up a few steps. (They are on

the left in the picture.)

Gets a little steeper here, so put your

toes in the holes .

A few more steps to go.

You might want to hold on.

FINALLY IN SIGHT.

'THE RESTAURANT' !!!

This restaurant is in China

If you manage to reach the restaurant

the food is free

Let me know how the food is.

I'm not going.

Until next time

Quote for Today
It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.
Confucius

Rainbow After The Storm

2011-08-28T20:55:00.000-04:00

After the storm we noticed this rainbow and some beautiful sunny spots on the mountain behind our property. When I took this picture it was still drizzling a little on our patio. Go figure, nature is mysterious. We didn't find a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow but I did see a few trees down. Hope everyone is doing well after the storm. Here are some pictures of the rainbow, you may have to look closely the clouds don't make a good backdrop for pictures.

Until next time

Quote for Today
If I traveled to the end of the rainbow as Dame Fortune did intend, Murphy would be there to tell me the pot's at the other end.
Edward Koch

Being a Horseman and What It Means to Me

2011-08-10T21:33:00.000-04:00

Our vet was here for a visit yesterday. Nate who is a highly allergic horse with asthma had broken out in hives. The vet administered medication that should make him feel better and he’s now on a program to get him through this rough patch. Dusty was also checked out. Her laminitis in her front feet is doing really well and the vet was very pleased with her recovery on that end. Seems her left hind is still sore so the suspensory injury isn’t healing as quickly. He’ll be back in three weeks to check her again and perhaps do another ultrasound to see if there is any healing going on.

Because of Dusty’s injury, which means less riding time, I’ve had a chance to reflect on what I feel being a true horseman means to me. Over the years, I’ve met some curious characters whose only goal with horses was to get the most they could out of them. Seems when things got tough these “horsemen” just disposed of the horse they had and got another one instead of working with the horse they professed to care about. The horse that gave all it had at shows or at home for its person was dispensable. I’ve always wondered how people can trade away horses as if they were no more than a vehicle to get them noticed--or worse yet, garner them ribbons and fleeting fame.

To some, sending horses off to retirement is a way to rid themselves of unwanted medical/behavior issues that could be dealt with on some level if only they would take the time to help. Unfortunately, these owners couldn’t find the time or patience to help their faithful friends. There have been times I’ve seen horses sold to auction or even put down because people couldn’t deal with their personalities or properly manage physical issues. These horses were branded rogue or crazy or lame when in fact the owners just didn’t have the know-how to rehabilitate a horse. Other owners are just unwilling to adjust their own goals and ambitions to accommodate their horses’ health and well being.

This has been my observation too many times to be coincidence, and I found it happened at nearly every barn we ever boarded with. Obviously, I feel these weren’t true horsemen, but simply people who were ruthlessly competitive, liked the idea of being involved in the sport, the barn/show social scene, etc. for whatever reason, but felt the horses themselves were secondary to their goals. It may be a little over the top, but I have no respect for individuals who treat horses this way.

On the other hand, some horsemen who send their horses to retirement do it for financial reasons or for the good of the horse. For many retired show horses, a good retirement farm presents them with their first opportunity to graze in a field, be out with other horses and just “be a horse.” I also have no problem with horsemen who have outgrown their horses (or maybe realized they’ve got more horse than they can properly handle) and find them appropriate, caring homes in order to move on with their riding. So it is a sword that swings both ways. In my mind it is the reason that you let your friends go and how you go about it that matters. Which brings me to my thoughts on Dusty.

Dusty’s injuries may heal completely or they may not, and she may be unable to be ridden except very lightly in the future. At this time in my life, I can afford to buy myself a new horse if I choose to. Will I trade her off for a new and improved model? No, I won’t. In my mind it would be unfair to Dusty to throw her by the wayside like excess baggage, especially while she is hurt. To me it would be the same as putting one of my children up for adoption because they broke a limb or got sick. She deserves my love and care because, when I take a horse into the barn, I feel that horse is my responsibility for the rest of his or her natural life. It is my job to help her recover as much as she can and lead a pain-free happy life, regardless of whether she can help me reach my riding goals. I owe her that.

This mare and I have traveled far in the last few years and our journey will continue in or out of the saddle. She’s been a willing partner and friend and she has tried very hard to learn new tasks while enjoying herself immensely. I’ve got to say she makes me smile quite a bit at her unconventional behavior. Dusty hasn’t been the most affectionate horse, but she does appreciate the care and respect she gets from us. Then again, with her personality she would settle for nothing less. If there ever was a horse that could hold a grudge, hand out treats to someone else first and you’ll find out just how incensed she can be.

Even though Dusty will be recuperating for quite a while, I’ll still be able to ride Blue. So far he’s not been as much fun to ride as Dusty because he’s a bit lazy and opinionated. Blue also has the most bone-jarring trot and canter I’ve ever ridden. But it’s one of those things I’ll have to get used to. I’ve also decided that it’s time Donnie should start being worked on the longe. We’ll do some clicker training too since he’s very smart and seems to like playing games. Donnie loves attention. If and when the time seems right one of us will actually get in the saddle and see if his bucking issues have been addressed satisfactorily with his new diet and exercise regimen. One of these horses may make a rider out of me yet!

So, since this blog has been mainly about my progress with training Dusty, I won’t have much to blog about in the coming months, with her riding future uncertain and a long rehab ahead. I don’t think I’ll be posting much, but I will see you all when I can.

Good riding!

Until next time

Quote for Today

The love for a horse is just as complicated as the love for another human being.... If you never love a horse, you will never understand.

Barn Thoughts

2011-08-08T07:28:00.000-04:00

"Mellon Touring"

Barn Thoughts

(Because I have nothing better to do while mucking stalls)

As my daughter and I were doing the barn this morning we had a discussion about how most barns /horsemen don’t let their horses sort of wander around and interact with other horses and people. Every morning Mellon is haltered and let out of his stall to groom to his hearts content. Other horses are put out and when he’s done grooming he walks over to the gate to be let in the pasture. When bringing the herd in from turnout, Donnie is usually a free agent because he needs his Dusty fix for the day. He’ll visit with her outside her window until she squeals (because that’ s just what Dusty does) and then he’ll casually stroll into his stall and wait for someone to unhalter him. We’ve never really had a problem with any of our horses coming in or going out. Although, left to his own devices Blue might casually mosey up a hill in the front to get the best-untouched grass. Sometimes at night he’s nowhere to be found so we’ll leave the gate open for him and by the time night check rolls around we’ll find him in his stall peacefully eating from his hay net and occasionally checking his bucket for his dinner which doesn’t arrive until you are in for the night.

I should mention that this discussion was triggered by Dusty inspecting the stalls that were just mucked and making sure she got the same hay as everyone else. After she was assured we were doing a good job on the stalls she parked herself in front of the closed tack room/treat dispensary and nickered a few times to let us know she wouldn’t mind a carrot for her mid-morning snack. After all, keeping tabs on her employees can be tiring and stressful, which can only be appeased by treats.

Of course, we’re not saying this would work in all situations. In boarding barns it would cause chaos. Around here, though, at a small private barn we have no reason not to let them explore because there is nowhere they can really get into trouble or injure themselves. The entire farm is gated and in some areas double fenced. Believe it or not they can’t even fall off a cliff if they wanted to. I personally think it gives them the freedom to think for themselves and become accustomed to unusual things and desensitized to common occurrences that might spook other horses. They are now used to hordes of bikers, the motorcycle kind and the annoying bicyclers. Tractors aren’t a problem. We had the Kawasaki mule in the barn aisle yesterday unloading hay and shavings and after Dusty walked beside it over a stack of plastic bags, she stood in front of the engine and stared in the windshield at us. She refused to let us move it out of the barn, even after we blew the horn and turned the wipers on. I had to physically get out and move her outside for a while. Blue also became an obstacle one day in the field and no amount of tooting would move him either. So I guess it’s good and bad they aren’t afraid of much. I think I’d rather have them used to everyday occurrences than spooking because they’ve never been exposed.

Until next time

Quote for Today
I live in a house but my home is in the stable.

Friday's Funnies

2011-08-05T11:29:00.000-04:00

The product of your dumbed-down schools

Until next time

Quote for Today
Nothing is foolproof to a properly motivated fool.

Dusty Goes Missing

2011-08-01T15:02:00.000-04:00

"Blue"

It’s been two weeks since I’ve been able to ride. The previous week was too hot and this week we had three birthdays to celebrate. Today I squeezed in a ride on Blue. I’m guessing by the way he behaved he assumed incorrectly that he had been retired and put out to pasture after a few months of consistent riding.

After we walked around on a loose rein for a while imitating a drunken sailor I asked for the trot. I got the trot…for about four steps. Then he stopped dead and refused to go forward. Ask again… another few steps, stop and refuse. This went on about four times until I asked for the trot on a circle. Blue knows this is the no-nonsense-you’re-going-to-work cue. We ended up having a nice trot a few times in both directions on the circle and called it a day. There was still a lot of work to be done around the barn before the temps hit the high notes.

Once Blue and Grady were taken care of and turned out we got to work on the barn. My daughter mucked while I did the hay, water and sweeping. During this time we turned Dusty out to roam like she always does. The longe line we have up across the driveway was taken down to smooth the way for the wheelbarrow’s trip down to the dumpster.

"Dusty"

After we were done with the barn my daughter asked, “where’s Dusty?”

“Last time I saw her she was grazing by the feed shed.”

“ Well she’s not there anymore”.

So we went on a Dusty search around the barn and, you guessed it, no little blonde mare. In our infinite wisdom we realized the longe line was down and brilliantly figured she’d taken advantage of her get out of jail card. My daughter found her down by the second paddock visiting over the fence with the boys. When Dusty spotted my daughter coming for her she took off down the alleyway next to the paddock. The only reason she was able to catch her was because she is in heat and stopped to, ahem, say “hello” to Donnie.

Dusty was led back to the barn by her halter and once again was able to spend the heat of the day in her stall with a full hay net under her fan. Dusty is a good sport but her confinement and lack of companions is starting to wear on her. I can only wish she heals soon and can rejoin the herd.

Until next time

Quote for Today

The grass is always greener on the other side, until a horse comes and poops on it.

Friday's Funnies

2011-07-29T09:21:00.000-04:00

Sick Leave

I urgently needed a few days off work, but, I knew the Boss would not allow me to take leave.

I thought that maybe if I acted 'Crazy' then he would tell me to take a few days off.

So I hung upside-down on the ceiling and made funny noises.

My co-worker asked me what I was doing.

I told her that I was pretending to be a light bulb so that the Boss might think I was 'Crazy' and give me a few days off.

A few minutes later the Boss came into the office and asked, 'What in the name of good GOD are you doing?'

I told him I was a light bulb.

He said, 'You are clearly stressed out.' Go home and recuperate for a couple of days.'

I jumped down and walked out of the office...

When my coworker followed me, the Boss asked her, '..And where do you think you're going?!'

You're gonna love this....)

She said, 'I'm going home, too. I can't work in the dark.

Until next time

Quote for Today

“We now know a thousand ways not to build a light bulb”

Thomas Alva Edison

Wordless Wednesday

2011-07-27T07:44:00.000-04:00

Question: How many horses can you fit in a shed?

Answer: 24 x 24 ft. shed + 4 - 7 larger sized horses = The equivalent of the "clown car" at the circus.


"Room for one more fellas"

Until next time

Quote for Today
A home is not a home without 'Horses'.

Horses of the Night

2011-07-23T22:32:00.000-04:00

"Chowing down on the hay nets"

Most of the country seems to be having a heat wave and we’re a part of it. The past few days have been unbearable, the temps ranging from the high 90’s into the over 100-degree mark. If that wasn’t bad enough the humidity is very high making everything and everyone drip with sweat. I know ladies perspire but we’re sweating our butts off here.

In order to give the horses some relief they have been staying inside during the day under their fans and out of the blazing sun. Nighttime turnout around 7 p.m. seems to keep everyone more comfortable. Although, they can’t wait to come in first thing in the morning for breakfast and a nap, so I’m not sure how happy they are to be out all night. So that’s how we’re coping with the heat. Below are a few pictures of turnout tonight:


"Shh, hide the beer and smokes, they're coming... damn, busted."

Blue: "Where'd everybody go? Heard there was a party tonight."

Nate : "I heard it was in the back field...heh, heh, heh"


Mellon: "Get the light outta my eyes. You're killin' my buzz."

Until next time

Quote for Today
A little horseplay... the way best to enjoy a summer day (or night)!

Friday's Funnies

2011-07-22T20:08:00.000-04:00

A Day in Dusty World

2011-07-18T12:53:00.000-04:00

The best grass is always right out your front door according to Dusty.

Dusty had corrective shoes put on her hind feet this week. We're hoping this will make her more comfortable and perhaps help with healing her suspensory injuries. Below are assorted pictures of Dusty meandering around the barn. All stall guards except hers were put across the stalls so she couldn't trash the other horse’s stalls while they were out. We strung a lunge line across the driveway past her paddock entrance so she still had access in there if she wanted it. She didn’t. Not every horse on the farm has "special privileges"; only our trusted and safety conscious veterans are allowed to roam for a time under supervision.


Dusty & Donnie visiting while Sami looks on (Donnie loves her).

But unfortunately for Donnie, Nate's her main man.


Dusty helping get dinner ready. She's such a help she even taste tested some feed before putting it in the feed buckets.


Dinner is ready and Dusty has a ringside seat for the evening's entertainment.

"THUNDERDOME"


Sami 14.2 vs. Grady 18 hands

This has been going on almost every night once they come into the catch pen before dinner.

Sami is now going to be Dusty's constant companion in her small paddock until he can control himself and learn some manners. Grady's no innocent either and starts the ruckus half of the time.


All tucked in and ready for dinner - My favorite time of day

Until next time

Quote for Today
Like human beings, horses are all individuals with singular personalities, their own virtues and their own faults. We become bound to them for their beauty, their eccentricities, their heart and the love they so often return to us.
- Lana Slaton

A Horse Named Blue

2011-07-16T22:01:00.000-04:00

Blue coming home after a hard day of grazing

Blue and I have been getting in some ride time and I’m happy to report that we’ve come to and understanding. He’ll behave and go forward and whoa when asked as long as I ask correctly, keep my balance and remember to carry lots of treats as rewards. He’s a very talented, sensitive horse who won’t tolerate any form of what he considers “abuse.” To Blue, offensive or rude behavior consists of perhaps asking for a trot more than three or four times around the arena without a walk break and a treat.

Since Blue is very talented and well-trained, we’ve started working on my position and accuracy. With Dusty I can only describe my riding as defensive most of the time. With Blue it is now possible to work on all my faults and corrupted riding habits. Today we worked on my position. It seems I have a tendency to drop my inside shoulder. To correct this, I practiced lifting my inside shoulder on the circle, looking up and in and positioning my inside shoulder back while my outside shoulder comes forward a bit. You’d be amazed how much this little correction makes a big difference. I also worked on the textbook position with the proverbial line dropping from my ears through my heels, which required scooting my seat forward in the saddle and bringing my leg back under me. Apparently, I’ve gotten into some bad habits riding Dusty with her slipping saddle and her balance issues.

I’ve heard it said that position in life is everything, but position on a horse is crucial if you want to get where you’re going safely and ride correctly. A lot more practice on my part is going to be required with Blue, but we’re getting there with every ride.

Until next time

Quote for Today

There are many wonderful places in the world, but one of my favourite places is on the back of my horse.  - Rolf Kopfle

The "Dusty" Diagnosis

2011-07-11T14:48:00.000-04:00

This past Friday the vet came to reevaluate Dusty’s suspensory injuries and her laminitis/founder. The x-rays to her front feet show that she has 6 and 9 degree rotations in both feet. The ultrasound to her suspensory branches on both hinds show minimal improvement in the right hind and not much at all in the left, where the pictures showed she still had a decent sized hole in her suspensory branch. Not great news, but we do have a protocol that we are going to follow.

We’ll continue to rest her in her stall on and off during the day. She is allowed out in her own small paddock with a grazing muzzle under supervision a few times a day; obviously no running will be allowed. She will continue to have her laser boot treatments and will be getting shoes on her hinds, which she doesn’t have now. The vet and farrier will confer as to what kind of shoes will be most beneficial to help her be more comfortable and give her the support she needs so she can continue healing. Dusty is on isoxuprine right now and some bute also. Very shortly we will also be starting her on a DSLD regimen that we used on Sweetie that helped her a lot. Dusty doesn’t have DSLD, but we’re hoping the supplements will help to heal her ligaments and tissues. It’s worth a shot and many horses have had good results with this particular treatment (you can find out more about it here.)

Our vet recommended PRP (platelet-rich plasma) treatment as a possibility for her suspensory injuries. I’ve read up on it and I’m not at all sure it will work; one of the reasons I have my doubts is that the information available says this treatment should be done within 2 weeks to 30 days of the initial injury. Well, it’s been a lot longer than that, so it might be too late to start. But I suppose it’s an option. It’s also very expensive for a “maybe.” He also mentioned stem cell treatment, which is twice the price. If I were absolutely sure either of these options would work I might use the butter and egg money and give it a try, but I’m under the impression it could be a shot in the dark. If the supplements don’t do the trick I might have to really consider these options. As always, these things are wait-and-see, and healing takes a very long time.

I would like to mention that when we took her out and put her on the longe for a walk for the vet Dusty immediately broke into a beautifully balanced canter as if to say: “See I’m better, really! Now can I please go out with the herd!” This mare will do anything so she can go back to work. I’ve got to admire her spirit.

Until next time

Quote for Today

Don't look at a horse as an animal; look as if the horse is a real person, because a horse can tell the difference.

Oh Blue

2011-07-07T16:12:00.000-04:00

Here's a few pictures of Blue simply loving his grazing muzzle. He actually tried to hide in the corner of his stall so I couldn't get it on him.

So much grass, so little time ...


" She's not getting away with this inhumane torture"

Here are a few pictures of what Blue did to his muzzle by the end of the day. I don't know how he managed this destruction. I suppose where there's a will there's a way. Guess he really took exception to me trying to limit his grass intake.

Until next time

Quote for Today
Seen on a bumper sticker:
If I didn't own a horse, this would be a Ferrari!