Horse Sense & Sensibility

One thing never ceases to amaze me about riding horses. They are saints with hooves, their patience seems endless at times. The more I improve how efficiently I sit and move on my horse, the more willing he becomes. Behavior 'issues' become forgotten fights in which we used to engage. You would think that in a way they were training us. I behave and move more properly when you let me. That makes you happy, now always do it that way. Still we fall into bad habits and blame the horse for being naughty or spooky or just a jerk. How arrogant we are when we don't look inward. We don't look at what we are really saying with our bodies. Maybe it's complacency, I've ridden for X number of years I know how to do this or that. It amazed me though, watching a dressage clinic not too long ago, how many riders were only told to work on their basics. Riders I felt were way beyond that skill level. No upper level movements, just walk and trot centered and balanced.

My new instructor, as of late, half apologized because our first two lessons were so basic. I laughed and thanked her and said I NEEDED basic. I hadn't had a lesson since June when she came out at the end of October. She put me in a dressage seat, sat me up, stirrups dropped 3 holes. Boy, did I need basics. It felt like I had hardly ridden before. But I learned how to properly follow his mouth at the walk, make and keep him walking with lots of forward, stop clamping through my thigh, keeping my hands still and guiding/directing more with my legs. Simple. I knew this stuff, just didn't realize how ineffectively I was executing.

Last night I didn't make it out to the barn until the sun was almost already down. I rode anyways. While I was on him the BO's son came and did stalls, brought in the other horses and threw grain. I couldn't have done that before. He would have started misbehaving, I would have responded improperly and we'd have been in a fight that I would have given in for safety's sake. Not last night. Yeah, he looked, stopped at the gate once, slowed down another time. No spooking in the skeery dark. All from doing the basics with confidence, not engaging in the fights/naughty behavior, not just last night but for a few weeks now. He just behaved. He knew he was better off behaving because it might physically be the same person in the saddle., my responses and aids were more effective and consistent - he just knew it wasn't worth the fight either. That amazes me. And I have never been so happy on a horse (in my adult life).

So, I am going to continue to work on me equating to lots of saddle time. All he has to work on is doing what he knows, eating more so he puts on a few pounds and muscles up more too. His hay steamer has done amazing things for him too - NO cough even when he first starts trotting; that also makes me crazy happy. I would buy it again in a heartbeat and wish I'd have done it sooner! I recommend them to anyone with a heavy horse. Oh, and I plan to update this a bit more often... been awhile.

Overdue update

I remember as a kid looking always forward to the next great thing, a holiday, day off you know 'fun' stuff. These days? Fun stuff, schmun-stuff. I look forward to the days I'm not fighting fires. Simple, 'normal' days... That's enough for me.

I was way overdue an update, though I actually wrote a couple posts I never posted. I was in a funk so it was better I didn't post.

Gator had an awful COPD attack & has completed a course of steroids. Hay always soaked from now on. I'm looking at a hay steamer. He has been turned out in the actual pasture with his one pasture-mate (we'll call him 'D'). He immediately declared Gator the boss & they get along like peas & carrots.

The girls had their yearly well-pooch check. Vet has no ideas except low thyroid on Autumns bald spot either. Turns out her thyroid is a bit low so we're adjusting her meds.

It's been 'normal' the past week (I hesitate to write that... I think I keep jinxing myself...). I am so grateful for normal. Miss everyone!

Boos Butt, work and stuffs

Of course I can't simply comment so I am posting to essentially discuss.

Autumn's rump is still perplexing me. I don't put anything on it anymore. There is hair just no undercoat ie FLUFF which she has so much of everywhere else. I'm hoping time willbe all she needs but an occasional limp (weather fronts or laying on it to long) and a nekkid spot may be what she most visibly will take from her broken leg ordeal.

My plan with Gator is togo slow... He'll be 16 this year and he's in good shape for the mst part, why push it, right?

The job is leaps & bounds better than my last. I should have said that. I'm a people watcher/observer by nature. I share a large cube with 3 other ladies. All 3 are great but one... Well some people I guess spend their whole lives fighting themselves and focused on me-me-me ... This one in particular also talks A LOT. I just want to grab her and say IT ISN'T ALWAYS ABOUT YOU, if you'd see that you would be happier and more pleasant. I can't though. There's of course a lot more to it but that's the jist of the vent. :)

Spring, people & gettin' back on - in no particular order

Well, this weather is nasty. I love snow but even for me it's unwelcome today. I live in Hampton Roads Virginia for heavens sake! Enough already! Last weekend was cloudy and windy but pretty nice, warmer, felt like spring. I am ready for Spring especially when it comes to riding.

Speaking of which, I did ride this weekend. Both Saturday & Sunday. Not much accomplished really but it was wonderful. I didn't realize on Saturday that Gator hadn't had breakfast yet. It was also very windy. I had not ridden in... A couple months probably, embarrassingly enough. He was ready to go, had to fuss at him for literally hitting the gas before I was all the way on. I was still glad he felt that good though. When the grain was thrown he could hear but he was a good boy. We did only a little walking & trotting; it probably was only 15 minutes. I called it good and let him go eat. He's jiggly and still coughed a little so a short ride was okay. Sunday was 20-30 minutes still walk & trot, still quite windy but we were good. He thought about being silly once but I didn't mind. It's amazing how so many muscles can be so sore from such short rides; I guess I'm jiggly too. I wonder if he's sore... He coughed some still again but worked out of it pretty well. I think work is good for his breathing, not too much or too hard but it makes him take some deeper breathes, has to be good. So it was a good weekend.

Now, to people... People are the strangest of creatures to me. Dogs, horses, most critters are nothing if not honest, especially with themselves. They never feel the world revolves around them (well, Autumn might sometimes) but at least not the way a person can. It amazes mw to no end how a person can be SO self centered and still truly believe they are always putting others first. How contradictory! This kind of person need so much help and direction but can't even comprehend it from their knowing how perfect they are. It can be to the point they're actually almost a bad person. How crazy is that? Work is funny because you meet so many kinds... Unfortunately I am an understudy of someone like this. I don't dislike the person but sometimes what is said and done in the name of goodness is so... Not nice or good at all it's striking. Now said person really likes me so but to almost the point of a curse when 'good intentions' are like burden and I am so very different from them- of they believe I am JUST like them. Good thing I learn quickly and can start to limit, at least to a degree, my need to shadow this person. I luckily do work with many other good people who are pleasantly wonderful and my boss, I have found, is an amazing person. So I don't have anything to complain about - I'm actually not complaining just observing I guess someone who is detrimental to themselves. I guess I feel bad for them. Living just for you is awful lonely.

'Guest' bloggers day..

THAT is my shame. I know my momma told you all about my horrible sister breaking my leg, my surgery, my wonderful recovery and ... this. My fluff has returned just fine elsewhere; almost unnoticable after my most recent trim/grooming. EXCEPT that spot. I'm mortified. There are some hairs but they just don't seem to want to grow very fast. My undercoat seems to be protestsing entirely there. I DID have razor burn there and a minor infection which I blame on mom's other big brown dog (of whom I am no fan) and mom. It seems to be under control but the hair is still holding a strike. I'm not pleased and mom is started to fuss over it... I think I'll just wear a coat for the rest of the winter to hide it. I'll need a new plan come spring. Ideas are welcome.


Me back in... I think it's due to her thyroid and the slight funk she had. I think it was the same funk Gator had, but I was bad for a bit and had run out of gloves when cleaning his funk... I think I must have come home and scratched her rumpus without washing my hands really well. Bad mommy. It is continuing to look better (this pic is actually a week old) and I see some more growth. She really does hate my bothering with it though, even just looking at it. And, she just has to be cold there! In time I hope it fills in...




Okay, next...

She moved me. Again. Now, I'm a pretty easy going guy and all, but sheesh!

It was better than last time though. I had some warning, she came by checked me over, packed up my stuff so I could watch while munching my hay. I also got to say bye to my buddies. I do miss those guys... Anyways, I had my own paddock when I got there. It's much easier to check things out when I'm not running from someone grumpy about my appearing in their field...

The trip wasn't too bad pretty short, we never went too fast either. No rough stops or starts.

I was ready to get off the trailer to see where I was once we parked; it didn't smell familiar. I unloaded on the road, which wasn't busy of course, and walked down the long lane with mom, past some horses to the barn. Two girls ran over, a bay and a gray, they were kinda cute. There was a gray gelding in their field with them that didn't leave his hay, I don't blame him and another chesnut gelding in the riding ring who didn't give me more than a look.

First thing I noticed is there is grass at this place! Even right now! Mom walked me over to this little... shed thing, which was fenced in. Something smelled funny there so I was interested. All of a sudden a white, very short horse (or was it a dog?) with horns popped it's head out! Then, in the strangest accent it said 'Maaahh'! I was slightly taken aback, but mostly at the accent and I'm not it's 'Ma'. Then a peppered black and white head popped out and they said more to me in their strange accent and language. They were weird, but there was grass.

Mom let me hand graze next to the weird smelling horned dogs for a few minutes, and kept telling me I was a good boy. Then she put me in my paddock which shares a fence line with the odd accented horned dogs. I got hay and forgot them.
I watched mom fuss over moving my stuff she'd packed up into her new locker, and mygrain into the hay/grain room chatting with the new people. I called to see if I knew anyone at this joint a few times but my hay was good. I wasn't too worried. I could see the guy in the riding ring well, the other three some of the time and they'd talk to me when I talked to them. Mom hung around and talked to me, watched me, put my salt thing up in my stall and cleaned my bucket.


Mom left for a little while and came back. She brought my BLANKET!!! OMG! That hussy has been holding out on me! Oh, I nickered at my blanket as soon as I saw it! She dusted it off, and I watched longingly. I sniffed it and helped shimmy it down my neck and back as soon as she offered. Oooooh that was nice! Hot DOG I have my blanket on! Good thing too, mom said something about the 20's tonight, I think that's cold. She gave some treats, hung up one of my horse lolipops in my stall (mmmmm). And talked more with the barn owner about my food. I like when the people are all on the same page about my food. I like my food.
The new people are nice. They fed me and put me in a nice stall, a little smaller than I'm used to but nice! I had my blanket on and my food so I wasn't complaining.
Mom came by this morning. The new people had already fed and turned me out with hay in my paddock, next to the smelly horned dogs. I'm not really scared of the smelly horned dogs, but I'm suspicious. Today they came out and were playing and lounging in the sun. What weirdos! They butt their heads together and rake their horns on the wire on the inside of their pen! That sounds funny... just like their accents... anyways though, this seems okay. Mom seems happy and she fussed over me a bit this morning, interupting my hay but no one took it while I was gone and she gave me carrots. That was alright.


Did I mention though that I have my blanket on?

That's me pre-blanket... the snow had melted as the sun popped out here and there. Down there is the smelly horned dog shed.

See my blanket? See me watching the smelly horned dogs? They came out of their shed this morning... they just better not come get my hay.

No, seriously... what are they doing?

Those are my new digs... pretty sweet. Wash stalls, which I checked out and approved and cross ties... man I missed those, I like to try and bite them while Mom grooms me. Back to my hay...

So... it went well and safely which is most important. He seems happy and I'm glad to have him there. I really am. He's closer by 5-10 minutes, will have one herdmate once they're settled who is the other new older gelding who apparently doesn't care about much. Perfect! Oh and not to mention I really like these people and their son. Here's to hoping the third time is the charm!

Happy Valentines Day!

T-1 day

Tomorrow we're moving Gator. Again. Of course weather permitting.

I am contemplating stock in Ulcerguard. I am hoping so very much he will remain at this location for an appreciable amount of time. His coug has gone away. His scratches are not gone but close! I miss him. I miss riding him and spending time with him in general. Being less than happy with the barn, the weather, the cold, the general winter blahs have had the best of me when it comes to him. I really hate that I let it.

I did notice, despite the cold and bits of snow laying around that slight hint of spring yesterday in the evening as I walked the girls. I always felt like I detected her presence before the general populous. I was energized. I am glad I'm moving him. I don't have the slightest reservation about this new place. I think we'll get to enjoy seeing spring erupt together there. For me, from horseback, Gators back, my favorite vantage point in the whole world.

Crackberry woes

Yup... I can post but I can't comment. HOW does that make sense? I thought ncc had trouble commenting from her BB? I'll figure it out :). I can read blogs just no commenting.

Oh & we are all well by the way:)

Test...

I am posting from my new Crackberry. Not sure what I think of this thing... Hopefully I can figure out how to post a comment on blogger. Any suggestions?

Boarding

So... it's been a long time since I posted. Holiday were crazy but good.

Autumn has healed well - she's released 100% back upon the world next week. She wants to know why not now, she really feels as though her leg is fine. Lily's still... well Lily, a mess but good.

My boy is alright. I, however, am frustrated. He'll be 16 this year, no foal, to say the least. He has an issue or two. What 16 year old horse doesn't? A very rare one. In fact his issues are all VERY managable. He needs shod a certain way - done. He's starting to get mild arthritis but heck, who doesn't? He has developed mild COPD/Heaves... turnout, grass, hay that's wetted if necessary. Not THAT hard unless he's having an attack - which if he's managed properly is very rare if ever. And actually that's his only issue requiring real 'management'. It's not an issue at all when managed. It's a common condition in older horses as well - the second leading cause of loss of use behind joint issues in horses. And, it's MANAGEABLE.

But, what if where he's living isn't really able to really manage it? I'm running into that. Ideally he'd be out in a run-in 24/7. On decent grass. Not possible where he is.

I look around at other barns here and the options are pitiful. I've even stopped caring at all about price. It doesn't matter; I'll pay WHATEVER I have to take care of him. Even the insanely expensive places lack decent pasture and usually don't offer field board because they're worried they'll nick themselves on something if they're out mroe than 4 seconds of the day becaue they're show barns. He needs to be out, really to be honest all horses do.

He is happy with his herdmates. He likes his caretaker/s. I haven't been able to ride much due to weather and lack of a ring. He seems to wonder why. I have to run out and medicate most days which is difficult.

I know any boarding barn will have it's issues. I hate to THINK about moving him again. I know I have a very high standard of care for my animals. Plus, let's face it - ask 20 horse people how they manage horses and you'll get at least 21 different answers. Where's the happy medium though? Where's the place that isn't perfect but has tolerable 'issues' and takes care of my horse properly with safe facilities? At this point if I could find that, I'd deal with 'barn drama' between myself and other boarders. I guess I'm a dreamer thinking a place that I'm paying for could possibly have what my horse and I actually need - I don't even want fancy. Why's that so hard? Seriously?

Jack and Jill rode up the hill...

I don't think Gator and I have done that much hill work ever. In fact I bet he'd never done much of any since before he moved to Virginia when he was purchased as a youngster, if even then. His new barn has some hills, not mountainous hills, but hills.

So, I rode him on Saturday. We had not been in the 'lower' field which does have a few things in it. There's a big old water tower thing that is on it's side, a brush pile and the huge power line towers too. So I knew some looking and snorting was in store. You'd think I'd lounge him but no. I like him froggy. Counter intuitive from my last wimpy worried post? Yeah. Totally. I'm not truly scared of my horse though and he tried me and I had fun. He looked sound so I hopped on.

Pre-ride my wimpy side said I wouldn't canter. Ha! Gator and the cowgirl in me had other plans I guess.

Gator was good with the 'new woods' and the brush pile, the power line towers were no problem. The fallen water tower was a skeery beast. No he wasn't bad but I made him go between it and the fence and I knew he wouldn't like it. He tensed up and started trotting I sat deep, said whoa and touched his mouth. Bad idea. I got a quick spook, we cantered away from the thing and he bucked a few times to let me know he was not interested. I couldn't help but laugh at him, tell him he was fine and he stopped. I made him spook by that light touch on the bit, had I just let him calmly trot by and told him it was okay we'd have had no such drama. Oh well, alls well that ends well though right? We went back I made him face and look at it. I let him turn he trotted a few steps away and was then fine. Something to work on, on my end. Trusting him not to blow and keeping his reins tossed out. Tough but I can reteach myself, my muscles, to do it.

I also must say despite not riding really in... a month at least? More actually. I felt very secure the whole ride. Might be the saddle...

We visited the BO's and their kids who were working on building new fence in a connecting field. Gator stood like a statue when her little girl came over, put his head down, ears forward for some scritches. Good boy.

Then we went back to the lower field and did a bit of work on those hills. He was choosing it at first actually - even the super steep spots. I let him use his momentum off the big hill to roll from a trot into a canter through the flat lower part of the field and back around to the other side of the hill. He never wanted to canter up the hill though... I love cantering up hills. Then again, maybe he never has with a rider? Then we'd trot up the hill and collect when walking down the other side. After a few laps this became a bit difficult and he wanted to trot down. When he really didn't want to hold himself, I decided he's had a lot of time off and well, hills are hard! We explored around the new obstacles and paths a little more and called it a day. We had fun. That was my goal anyways.

Then he got a full bath which is his last until sometime next spring. I also cleaned his sheath, hooves oiled, scratches leg scrubbed and slathered up with goo. Then I realized he was cold. I turned him out, where he promptly had a hissy and ran, showing off like a fool around the field much to the confusion of his herd mates. He'd already rolled in his stall (which required me to re-rinse him as his stall hadn't been picked yet... thanks buddy.) so he didn't roll. I'm not sure if he was feeling good, just cold or throwing a tantrum because he was cold and/or I didn't give him his cookie when I turned him loose. Probably all of the above.

Then I pulled out his sheet and popped it on him in the field. Bad idea. Not because of Gator; I slipped it right over his head (he even helped) but um... BO's younger geldings must not have seen many blankets/sheets before. Gator became the navy blue moving monster. And he didn't know it. I almost got trampled. My bad. I was a little worried b/c the belly straps were longer than I wanted, though I did get them clasped before the peanut gallery descended upon us. Gator was clueless why he was spooking. He had no idea HE was the booger, which was a bit funny. The pony was the first to figure out it was Gator and not care. Then I caught him, pulled him out of the field and tightened the straps to my liking then turned him back out. He looked content. I was too.

I'd spent 5 hours at the barn. Oops.

Anyways.... here's a pic of the cold wet Gator in the barn.


We're upping his hay and feed. I can see the faint hint of a rib and his winter coat his loooong. Wooly booger, he is. However, he looks good me thinks despite his funk. Whichs follows...


Erm... fuzzzy...




Upside down but the best shot I got. I clipped it yesterday, I wish I'd have done that sooner. Different vets recommend different things about clipping the area though. Not sure though if you can see the large pinkish area of unhappiness but it's pretty large. However, most of the pink area is where it's healed. We're rolling into week 3 of antibiotics and super sekret special cream which has made this look 1000x better. The swelling is pretty much gone though comes back now and again. He's sound though so I guess it's just going to require more persistence and time.

And, additionally, for your viewing, here's Autumn the first full day after she got home from surgery after a 4 hour drive that night:

Not a happy leg to say the least. Not a happy Boo. She was very put out I was taking her picture in this condition too.

These aren't very good but are her in her kennel last night. They show the fuzz coming back in. She's doing really great and has accepted kennel life as the norm. Wants to bounce like Tigger every now and again thought when out- tried to hop on the couch last night actually. So she's feelin' pretty fine! Just 5 more weeks of prison and healing. We've settled into it much better than I anticipated.

And, so goes the infirmary that is my bunch o' critters. :)

Long Time, No Post

Well, since my last post (which it almost pained me to look over) much has happened. It's been hectic to say the least but so it goes, I guess. Lily (in play) crushed Autumns right rear leg requiring a full plate and nine screws to put the Humpty-Boo back together again. Gator's small spot of scratches (dew poisoning, mud fever, whatever you call it) about the size of a nickel, on the back of his left pastern blew up into a full blown nastiness including a secondary bacterial infection during the week I was paying all my attention to Miss Autumn. The Funk-spot, in it's full glory, is about the size of... well almost his entire pastern and included a decent amount of swelling and lameness at the height of it's funkiness. It was a lovely SURPRISE when I got to the barn after taking care of Autumn all week.

Monday Autumn had her stitches out - aside from trying to bounce all over the vet clinic she was a good girl. She doesn't seem to want to be told she broke her leg merely 19 days ago; instead she's feelin' quite froggy. I stopped her pain meds early, didn't matter. She's TRYING to hold it together for us though and surprisingly has taken to inhabiting a crate 95% of her time better than I thought. I'll post some pictures when I get home of the day we got her home and I'll take some tonight for comparison. Her 'haircut' is blasphemous but, hey, ya' gotta do whatcha gotta do. She's less ashamed when she first got home, but she does have some fuzzies coming in thank Heaven. I am very content with her progress.

Now Gator not so much and I have no idea if it's unfounded or not. At full Funk, the swelling which had run half way up his cannon bone - as in the whole tendon on the back was one with his leg, no indention to define it but no heat. He was also lame and didn't want to bend his fetlock but felt he must bend it to keep it from you as it was mucho ouchy. It's much improved.

Now, when he comes in from turnout the medial side is normal looking from the front and the tendon is better defined. The outer part/distal side above his ankle is still swollen and I think his pastern is puffier than the other. However, he's quite the woolly booger and that leg has some... er... dappling? (That's not the term but he has a sock that transitions to bay with black and white speckles. I forget what that's called.) So it could be just a visual color trick of sorts and ruffled fuzzy from my messing with it. I don't think so but there's no heat, he seems sound when on the rare occasion he needs to prance in the field. After being in at night the inner side above his fetlock/ankle medial and distal sides are puffy but as I said with turnout, it goes down. The actual funk spots are looking better but not 100% yet.

The funk was strong with this one and had gotten a good deep hold, especially in that crease on the back of his pastern. I'm JUST seeing how deep that cracked skin was - AFTER 10 days of SMZ's (some people call it TMS whatevs) and a lovely topical concoction which is officially THE Poo. Every few days or so I give it a good scrub with Betadine Scrub to knock off scabbies/dead skin and assess. He no longer wants to kill me for this. This is NOT a horse that kicks at people, even just to say go away. I may need to extend those SMZ's to 14 days (*sigh*).

I guess I thought the swelling would have dissipated completely by now but no. Now, maybe he needs more work/movement - I know he's not cantering laps for fitness in his field. He's slowly meandering around looking for grass and maybe trotting/cantering a stride or two if say a deer happens to spook the group. Not much exercise. Thoughts? I'm going to pester my vet today because, well, I'm like that.

I know things take time to heal. No doubt time is quite the necessity in getting back to normal after a funk like he had. I may just be tired. Nay, I am tired. The infirmary that includes the majority of my critters for the past 2+ weeks is getting to me.

I'm feeling good about Autumn. I need to feel better about Gator, soon. I just do. I will scrub off his funk tonight and snap a pic for your viewing pleasure of the glory that is his Funk spot. Poor monkey. Had I realized I'd have made more of an effort to go see him the week Autumn was home... but alas there are so many hours in a day, ya' know?

P.S. He misses work. I had left my saddle at the barn and finally remembered Sunday to take it home. I walk past his pasture to get to my car. He followed me, nickering, all the way to my car. He never does that. He saw the saddle/bridle. It made me grin to myself, I must admit.

NOW... after this hiatus of riding... there's a 'nervous' creeping up on me. 1) The feeling 'What if me riding hurts him?' is there, again. 2) We didn't do much last time I rode. At all. Time before that he fell with me. That keeps seeeeeping in (damnit.). Not fear of riding, but um, to ride him. Because he fell. I know that's stupid but as I've done here before, admitting those things helps. I've seen him tear around the field just fine. So I keep telling myself #1 is my old silliness and he's not a fragile glass ornament, he's a horse. Same for #2 actually... but this is uneven terrain and new and... darn my over active brainium...

I hope to have a better outlook and some more fun tails to tell soon.

Two Year Anniversary in Asheville, NC

This one was at Chimney Rock Park. It was raining but we went hiking anyways because it rained the day before and the girls were not impressed with this 'vacation' we'd talked up so much. So we said who cares. We could see NOTHING of the views which are spectacular thanks to the heavy fog. Probably okay though, there were over 450 stairs to go up and down with the girls to get to the top of the Chimney Rock. No dogs in the elevator (except of the service variety). We did all the other trails the waterfall was the prettiest.

We took the Blue Ridge Parkway on our way out. The clouds had cleared... some. So we got a few good fall foliage shots these are just a couple. Two wabba heads are blocking the first one though.

These were taken on Grandfather Mountain. This was some serious hiking compared to the day before. Climbing up down and over large slick boulders is interesting with dogs on leashes. Their 'wait' command was so, so, so necessary. Lily led because Autumn was very spun up and does pull when excited. Lily was listening exceptionally well so she and I led. The top pic with Mike and the girls... the girls may look nervous. Well, they were. We're pretty sure there was a bear nearby but yes we snapped a picture because why not? Lily was really worried sniffing every leaf along the trail edge and Autumn just wanted to go 'get' something in that area. Mike thought he smelled something rather awful too. I didn't but I'd had a headache all week and decided we should listen to Lily. She's a good trail guide it turns out.

After we got to the very rocky end of the trail... we found out that trail was closed. Possibly because of the fog... or bears. At the beginning there was a sign that bear had been spotted that we hadn't taken too seriously. So, I'm just glad we didn't see any. We took another trail back to the lower parking lot it was a bit easier going. Also decided to forego the main attraction here too (the Mile High Bridge) as many, many people were up there and I figure the girls would have behaved but been nervous so high up on a bridge. The fog was blocking the view at that elevation still so... back down the very rocky trail we went.

This is just Autumn showing us all how a pillow should be fluffed. She the best pillow fluffer. Ever.

Her daddy was loading the car to go. She was content with staying. She parked herself there and wasn't all that interested in leaving. I think vaction was okay with the girls. Mike and I had fun too. It was really fun to take them along. I think they made us do more outdoorsey things which we both really enjoyed too, despite the less than cooperative weather.

Horse Song

(photo by Jamie Williams)

Ha... it seems singing is so common with equestrians or humming to calm yourself and your horse. I thought I'd discovered something unique to me when I started doing it... how he visibly relaxed and so did I. :) Then the more blogs I read the more I found out it's so common - especially those that ride alone. I think the wonderful Sally Swift even suggests it, says you have to breath if you're talking or singing to your horse... but don't quote me on that. I don't have the book with me. However, I did most definitely used to hold my breath.

I remember the first time, on a day I was especially nervous I sang ... he'd apparently not had someone sing from his back. His head came up, his ears went CRAZY... 'What, mom?' Not sure if it was cue he didn't know or what. And then he just settled after a bit. Now he cocks one ear back and relaxes.

I usually sing 'Rodeo Road'. Holly Williams sings it and it was on the Flicka soundtrack. Yes, I liked a song out of Flicka (the movie makes me mad though...) embarrassing, but I like the song. Sort of depressing song but very calming... at least to me.


'When I reach the end of Rodeo Road
Don't shed no tears for me
When I reach the end of Rodeo Road
Set my pony free.

From a stick horse
To a quarter horse
The saddle has been my home
I've always walked in leather boots
I've always rode alone.

When i reach the end of Rodeo Road
Don't shed no tears for me
When I reach the end of Rodeo Road
Set my pony free...'


To be honest, reading the lyrics they are depressing. I can be that way though so it sort of fits. I'm a pretty solitary person too. Also before I even rode, I always saw myself doing it. When I started riding I really did feel at home there. Some people retreat to others, I retreat within - you can do that with horses. They don't pester you. So... yeah, that's where I go now.

I sing a few other things too but mostly that song when I'm really nervous and nothing else comes to mind. I think he likes the 'free pony' part and maybe hearing I feel at home there, with him. He also, I assume prefers if I sing 'Arab horse' instead of 'Quarter horse'. Understandable really.

Anyways... in addition here's a cool website to check out. I love it. The pics and stories are amazing. I bet if you haven't seen it, most of you guys will love it too. Enjoy!

Where'd my Mojo go?

My drive to the barn was panicky. I keep fearing I'm going to show up to a three legged lame horse. I know it's stupid. I really do. I have mentioned though I have great fear over hurting him though right?

Anyways... I get to the barn, the vet is there doing shots on the last gaggle of new horses that had arrived to board there a week ago. I decide I better grab him quick in case he's off since the vet is already on site. I also grab another very horse experienced girl to get her opinion on his soundness. I don't *think* I see anything... but what I see I think I'm imagining or am I missing something... The swelling actually did look slightly better today.

I go to free lounge him in the round pen. I'd forgot to grab a whip. Guess who decided to only trot small evasive circles only as he pleased... but still very up. Grrr... She laughed and said no need to put him down just yet, of course kidding. She said ride. I know him well enough I'll feel a difference and I should go ride. I know she's right. I tack him up.

Take him to the ring. Everyone seems to have apparated at this point. Stretch and such as we walk two full laps both ways on the rail then I ask for a trot.

Off we went... several laps of the trot and stretching his back, his head is down (almost too far... durn peanut roller...) and I don't *think* I feel any irregularity in the gait. I try and count the beats and they seem rhythmic. Good. I ask for him to extend a little because he's being pokey and looky - two, three, four strides with more and more extension, and canter! Well then. It was also QUITE forward. Half halt, he really listened. I guess you don't feel too bad do ya' buddy? I let him canter a few laps - first time cantering in this saddle. I barely shifted weight into my seat to ask for the extended gait and got a canter... hmmm... Reversed. Cue for canter - no ears flattened no fuss, just departed. Saddle must feel pretty good to him. No slippage. No problems. Our downward transitions are smoother... way smoother. He rebalanced much faster and easier. Actually listened to light half halts and fell easily back into a trot. Interesting.

Now what about me? I'm not sure if I'm just not used to the deeper seat but it was the first time I thought should I have a tinge more room - though I felt VERY secure though. I *think* I'm just not used to the deeper seat yet.

I decide we should go for a short hack. We open the gate - he was a bit impatient but it's not allowed anymore and it only took three tries. He's starting to 'get' opening the gate. We do it my way or no way. We also shut the gate. That was new and he did very well.

He was more interested in going back to the barn than down the trail. He's always goofier in the evenings and it was quite cool and he hasn't been worked hard at all in... oh, over a week easily. I expected this.

Every third step he tries to turn back. Block. Tries to turn the other way. Block. If I blocked too hard he'd trot -but did come back down easily which was nice. But oh was he so worried! He's a faker. He wants his dinner. I start singing or talking to him, he relaxes and goes on. Something in the woods he *thinks* of starting at and doesn't. I realized I'm sort of tense - 'butt clenchy'. Talk, try and relax. Bam - something sets him off. I think he imagined it. I totally grab his face. Damnit. I haven't done that in forever ... he runs after I get in his mouth. Of course he does. Damnit.

And we're galloping. He's not too interested in stopping but we're in a big hay field on the path cut for riding so I know it wasn't unsafe so I don't slam him into a one rein stop either. I think I felt bad for grabbing his mouth when he jumped. He did slow and he did come to a complete stop though when I asked and actually stood. The BO had been cutting hay in the field and we'd come up on a parked rake that I could tell he didn't like but he'd stopped not too far from it and stood anyways. I pat his neck and try to make myself relax - I wasn't scared just my whole damn body was tense - especially my lower back. I think I was avoiding sitting deep... was I STILL worried about him being lame and me hurting him? Yup. Am I already this weak from not riding for a week?

We go past the BO's house, he's snorty at a trailer we've passed 100 times but not THAT side but he walks on happy to be going back to the barn.

I'm counting his foot falls down the soft road- is he off? I didn't want him to gallop that was probably too much. Yes, he's off... wait, no. Rhythmic. He's just tense. I was tense. I shouldn't have expected anything less.

I groomed him until the BO came to turn in. He was very lovey. I think he's trying to figure out why I keep babying him and why we aren't doing more.

Oh... I'm not sure his saddle had caused 'pressure points' as I had thought first ride. In the not great light of the barn, I think last time I was just seeing the pattern of wave in his lengthening coat. In fact, he didn't sweat much at all even galloping a bit last night so I doubt he was sweating much Saturday either. We only trotted a very little bit and did a easy 30 minute trail ride Saturday. I think the saddle is a definite keeper.

I need to settle the flip down. I am telling myself over and over why he's fine and how I know he's fine. I'm mad I rode like an idiot. I hate that I grabbed his mouth - I'd worked so hard to STOP doing that when he spooks. He goes no where if I stay out of his mouth. He doesn't spook much if I'm not tense. Two steps forward three back I guess... gotta get back out there to find my mojo, that's all. And reeeelax.

Sorta back in the saddle

EEEeeek. These aren't very flattering... I should have hoisted myself in two point prior to her snapping them to bring my leg back and then sat but didn't think of it. Was just trying to get my way too big t-shirt out of the way... which looks weird. Plus they were in a hurry to get home so I felt bad holding them up. Whatever. I'm sitting a LOT on my bum here ... but do you think this saddle looks like a reasonable fit for me? I feel good in it and get about 3 solid fingers from the cantel to muh bum though in this pic you may not believe it...

His hock is still swollen - I can't see lameness though. I might but I think I'm imagining what I do see. Went on a trail ride with 3 other horses yesterday (after the free lounging sound and the vet telling me to work him and nix the bute) - he was perfect. Well, except for eating everything he could reach. We were the tail, so I couldn't boot him forward without running him up the butt of the gelding in front of us so I kept tipping his nose to me and stealing his 'finds'. It was a 30 minute or so walk. After this pic today I pulled off the saddle, lounged him and rode him at walk bareback to see if I could feel anything 'off'. Not really. I would just feel SO much better if the swelling would just leave. Go. Be gone swelling on one of the most important joints of my horse... BE GONE. I don't have the heart to work him hard if there's inflammation in there and he is on turnout. So, sent him fluid dissipating wishes...

Golden Years

My trainer texted me this morning. She's visiting her parents. It was as a vacation but I think it's turned in to more than that. Her dad is in pretty rough shape. He has been and she knew that but she didn't realize it was so bad. He doesn't recognize her and I think he's becoming violent with her mom.

She said she may have to stay for awhile to get things settled and help her mom.

My heart aches for her.

I remember how gut wrenching it was to decide to put Grandma in a home. I remember though how hard it was at the end to properly care for her in her house and how very hard it was on my mother.

As the seasons change and with this news I can't help but think of the seasons of life. My Paw-paw always said his retirement was is second childhood. He'd always laugh when he'd say it and give me a wink, as Grandma would roll her eyes.

It was hard to get through his illnesses - kidney dialysis is not fun. I'm pretty sure he'd have just told them to stop and let him die if it weren't for us.

My grandmother slowly just lost her mobility to arthritis and her mind to dementia. I didn't always understand she wasn't herself when I was a teen. I remember once when she screamed at my mother at dinner. She started with how horrible my moms cooking was, nothing was right, and she growled that all her problems started when my mom was born. I had never been so angry at my grandmother than at that moment. How could she be so ungrateful? How could she not see how much my mom was sacrificing to care for her? The look on my mom's face ... I exploded. My mom stared at her food, fighting back tears in my grandmothers kitchen. I don't remember what my father did. I told my grandmother she'd never see me again if she spoke to my mother like that again. I didn't understand it wasn't her talking at that moment it was pretty early still in her dementia and I wasn't wholly accustomed to the bitter anger she had begun to display. I guess I did know she wasn't herself but it was too much to just take in that moment.

It was the only time I ever wasn't patient with her though. Non-stop repetitive questions - is soandso still alive? I was used to that. I'd answer. She'd cry. Then she'd start asking again and we'd do it all over. I didn't mind helping her with anything - even the more unpleasant stuff like going to the bathroom or baths. I almost remember fondly arguing with her over the fact she HAD had a bowel movement that week - she'd forgotten and would worry herself over it. Even with moments that would could smile about it or those that she'd remember again, it still took it's toll on us all.

Once she was in the home she was never mean. She just wanted to go home - but she wanted to go to her parents home we realized. It was good for mom not to have to do everything, though she still spent much of her time there. It was all very hard. No matter what we did and even still I miss her so much. Even the crazy version of her.

I wouldn't wish it on my enemies to have to care for a family member in that mental and physical state, yet it taught me so much.

I hate to hear my instructor may be MIA here for awhile but I know others I can do lessons with. However, to be honest that is the last thing I even thought of when she sent the text. I hate for her that her dad in such a shape. I think it's very much taken a toll on her mother, she just didn't know how much. She's a wonderful person who I know will do her best by her parents but my heart truly goes out to her. Those years may be golden but often there isn't much glitter to it... but that's life, I guess.

Sleepy eyes

I rolled into the barn driveway slowly. Everyone was turned in, it was well past sunset and very dark. No one around.

I hopped out of my car and walked to the barn entrance.

'Sorry, guys...' I said as I flicked the aisle light on. Squinty eyed heads popped out over their stall doors and looked at me. Some expectant, others obviously were disturbed from their rest. I approached Gators door. He was the squintiest and groggiest looking of them all! It was rather cute. He sleepily nuzzled me. I put on his halter and led him out to inspect his hock where he was kicked. The swelling was down from earlier in the day, still not too much heat and the one inch long cut was looking okay.

He was sleepy enough he didn't even try fighting or graze all that much for hosing. To be honest if someone woke me up and turned a hose on me I'd be pretty pissed. He's a good boy.

Needless to say, I didn't get to try out the saddle yet. He did get shod but now I'm nursing a swollen hock. Hoping it's just some bruising and the swelling will continue to subside. He's only slightly off on it if that so that's good and there's not too terrible much heat in it so the Bute is controlling the inflammation pretty well.

I'm pretty over nursing kick wounds to be quite frank. My stoic horse takes it all pretty well but I don't find it to be fair to him to continue to sort things out in a herd. Especially that keeps swelling with more horses. We shall see... and hopefully post another day sooner than later about our first ride in the new saddle. Though I'm very picky about him being 100% before I hop back on so it might be a bit. Send him healing thoughts and wish us luck...

The new saddle

That arrived to my house yesterday. 17.5" seat, Extra Wide Tree, Arabian Saddle Company Rubicon Demo and also prototype. It's in great shape. I was hesitant about the color but he looked stunning with it on. It also seemed, from the ground and without having sweat marks to be sure, to fit well. It's about half as light as my current saddle, which is AWESOME because I lug it back and forth to my house and the barn. Yeah, there's a tack 'room' at the barn - an old locked barn/shed. However, I'm rather, um, OCD about leather care and the humidity and temperature fluctuations in Southeastern Virginia is not to be trusted with leather. I'll look silly for a bit until I replace all my fittings with black but I don't care if it fits him and I in all other ways. I'm excited. He has a slightly loose shoe and his feet are due so I didn't ride him last night. My boys conformation isn't great in his front feet and when he's long I worry about injury and for trying this saddle out, I want him to be 100% comfortable. I don't want to blame his way of going on anything but the saddle - good or bad.

I'll take more pics this weekend - maybe with me ON him. That would be new. I don't think I have a single picture of me riding him. That needs to change. Have a great weekend everyone!

Oh... and I have a 17.5" Wide Arabian Saddle Company Elan in Havana Brown Buffalo Leather for sale if you're interested ;)

Realization

I had a great lesson yesterday. A good ride Saturday too. I need to take some durn pictures/video.

Anyways, that realization... so I got to thinking about Gator and our trail rides. I talked to his previous owner about it. I thought back to everything I'd ever been told about him. I remembered our first rides. I flipped through my memory. I realized no one ever told me he'd been trail ridden very MUCH, only that he really liked it. I remembered no one saying they had done more than a walk on the trail.


I realized I may have been expecting a lot from a horse who to be honest, was relatively green on the trails. Especially doing anything more than plodding along. I took his 'experience' for granted as being a 'been there done that' horse - but really that was only in the show ring. That's a WHOLE different world.

That's scary and encouraging all at the same time. He's been quite good when I think of things that way - especially since I was a very timid rider when I started out on him alone on the trails. He's done his best to take care of me when we were both unsure. I need to break things down for him so they're clear out there. I need to help him make the connection between what he knows in the ring and how to apply it on the trail. Apparently, alone we've done pretty well - without me even knowing we were doing something that was newish to him. Though I see some things that need work. In a group I'm shocked he was so good now. I bet that was THE first time he'd ever cantered on the trail with a rider and other horses. I feel pretty confident I can actually break it down and show him what I want with the right buddies. He just has to learn that the cues are the same and yeah, it's exciting but he needs to be just as responsive on the trail as in the ring, buddies or not. I know he can be, else things would have gone South long ago. And that's pretty cool.

Anyhow, after my lesson Sunday my instructor had a few things to say about us since our last lesson:

1) My lower leg was VERY solid.
2) My upper body position had improved drastically, she was very impressed with my progress there. I do still occasionally collapse my shoulders at the canter but it's getting better.
3) Similarly, when cantering I need to think LIGHT SEAT and keep my shoulders , but much improved.
4) The new saddle may fix several position issues - she can tell I'm always fighting to keep my legs back underneath me.

Now she also hopped on Gator after I did. Her main points/exclamations...

1) He does have my number with a few things. (Yeah, I knew that.)
2) 'Good Lord he's squirrely!' - he may have my number but if you don't catch him FAST he's already done what he shouldn't. (No news to me ... I'd never been on a horse SO 'quick' before him.)
3) She understood my position issues - he really throws you forward. (No kiddin'?) If he hollows out it's really pretty tough to keep your seat.
4) He really is incredibly sensitive.

She very much admitted he isn't as push button as he looks... but he's definitely a fun ride. It was really fun to see him ridden... boy he's cute.


Oh, the new wider saddle should be here Thursday. The Thinline pad must at least be making him FEEL better with the saddle on though it doesn't fix the pressure points. He was rounding up very nicely but then also over flexing like mad, even in the warm up on a loose rein. On occasion it was bit avoidance but mostly you could tell that is how he thinks he's expected/supposed to go and felt as though he could. My poor boy... he was surely Anky-fied in his previous days.

Also, my instructor suggested that perhaps draw reins would help with the stopping issue on the trail. I'm mulling it over. It would keep him from avoiding the bit. I don't like them though, but for a couple rides it wouldn't hurt. Except I'm not entirely comfortable using them - only have a time or two. On the trail it makes me a little nervous to use them... She also pointed out as extensively as they have been used on him he may simply try nothing as he KNOWS the limits with draw reins on. I dunno... maybe he just needs me to break things down a bit more step by step as I was saying before. I'm not really in a hurry, not that I think it will take long if I'm consistent. Thoughts?

One hot little Arab

Funny creatures are horses. Routines are very important. The norm is their preference. Herd animals prefering other horses to being alone.

However, what if riding with other horses, even in a familiar place, is not the norm? That was our ride yesterday. Additionally, it was in the evening when he's notoriously silly - I attribute it to deer and dinner time when we're alone. It was also cooler, slightly windy.

I finally caught up with a girl at the barn ~9 years my junior and senior in high school (I feel old after talking/riding with these girls... subject matter changes so much with age...) who I like and her Appy mare is a doll - we'll call the girl 'P'. Well, when I get there another girl who is ~10 years my junior, and junior in high school is there who owns a palomino Anglo-Arab gelding ,we'll call her 'A', who decides to join us.

Now, Gator and I always ride solo. We have not had a trail buddy for more than a lap around the hay field near the barn... ever. To be honest, despite enjoying it he hadn't been trailed that much before me and only a couple times with another horse.

'P' and her Appy, I noticed when we got to our barn, are quite sane and laid back. 'P' is pretty mature for her age. She sat with me the day waiting for the vet the day of the trailer incident. Her mare is pretty easy going, witha smidge of Appytude. They usually trail alone. She's an ex trail string horse and lower in the mare herd pecking order. I knew she and Gator would be a good pairing.

Now, 'A' is a sweetie but mature is not a word I would use to describe her. I just get a feeling from her gelding that he tolerates her - and well - but ... she really seems like a kid. He is an ex-schoolie and a pretty good boy. He's a bit higher in the gelding herd than Gator, but they got along decently well from the get-go.

Anyways, we warm up in the ring together - to let Gator and Appy mare 'meet'. They were pretty complacent besides some slightly pinned ears.

'P' was having trouble keeping her mare listening - as in she wasn't interested in trotting and wanted to canter instead. 'P' impressed me with her patience and how she handled it. Always brought her back to a walk, calmly and asked for the upward transition, back down if she didn't listen.

'A' blew around at a canter between conversations with us at a walk. Gator prefered to give everyone plenty of room, occasionally ducking in behind Appy mare.

This was all a great foreshadowing of the ride to come.

We hit the trail at a walk. Gator twice, cut off the gelding to get in the back of our little herd. Interesting. He's not a lead trail horse by choice. Good to know.

We all (though 'P' and I reluctantly agreed) to canter at one point. Gator overtook the gelding, when he, I suppose, decided that was a bad idea and veered off into the hay field. Got him slowed, back on track asked to canter. Dead ass hand gallop to catch up (which I sat deep to avoid... half halts ignored). Starting a fight which continued for, oh, most of the rest of the ride.

Twice 'A' cantered off after that without telling 'P' and I. Super. Thanks sweetie.

Appy mare was being rather strong too, though was much more quick to stop, though tossing her head and fighting a bit. This is while I'm fighting Gator to whoa, cursing at him a lot by then and sparking much frustration. Appy mare and 'P' parked until Appy mare was 100% settled. Standing was not Gator's game either once we managed to pull it together to get back to them, so we fought a bit over that too.

Who owns the dancey prancey Arab? That'd be me. All the while 'A' is chattering cluelessly.

A went back to the ring to jump after proclaming we'd been riding a whole hour. She'd never been on a horse for that long in one ride before! No kidding?

'P' and I went back down the dirt road at a walk again as both were still being a bit silly. Appy mare and Gator went along pretty well - a little jiggy on the way back to the barn when we first turned around but better. It was dinner time afterall. Of all things, they know that. It wasn't forgiven and Gator did listen much better with just Appy mare. He was also less reluctant to be in front of her.

The BO asked if we had a good ride. Immediately, 'P' and my eyes met down the barn aisle. I smiled and half heartedly said it was alright. 'A' chimed in and said she'd had SO much fun!

Of course she did. She also can't wait to go back out with us again sometime... *sigh*


My first reaction to the ride? God do I hate being in his mouth and I was yesterday. Hate, hate, hate it. But he has to stop when I tell him so, right? Ask, Tell, MAKE them listen. Though, whoa means whoa no matter the gait, no matter the monster. It can be life or death on the trail if he doesn't listen to me. Of course it wasn't last night but things happen. He HAS to listen to a whoa no matter the company. Though one in our group was obviously problematic - but that happens. Even if she shouldn't have cantered off without warning. Twice.

I think of him first. Always. I don't think anyone could deny that. This isn't a matter of me 'listening' to figure out what is bothering my poor sweet baby boy. This is him running through me, because he decides to. This is a respect issue. This is an attention issue.

We are going to work on those. A lot. In the ring. On the trail. Alone and with P. Tehre are many up and down transitions in our future.

Rating and breaks have been an issue that I think I've allowed him to exploit on the trail as I was pretty timid and scared when I started riding him. This is the reason his old owner would say he's not a kids horse. He can get strong, even in the ring, though not quite like this. Some days when I just want him worked I am a bit complacent when he wants to go, instead of making him listen and rate, I let him go even if I'd be happier at a less excuberant trot. I'm not anymore. I need to always be clear and mean it. Boundaries.

Now... what to do when 'A' asks to go for a ride again...


(I also figured out last night he's getting about twice the amount of grain what I want him to... Might have something to do with his a-go-go attitude of late. Told the BO this a.m. to half that grain. NOW. No wonder his weight loss had tapered off... dude, he can live on air!)