Pedicure and a bath

Posted on July 28, 2013 by Exechorseluver

Pixie, all shiney and clean after her bath.

I had everything ready for the farrier last night; a bucket of water for him to use to form the cast, the mats swept clean, hosed down and dried, Bruno’s bell boot off, his hoof clean and Bruno, himself, worn out from a day in the hot sun. I was working so hard I never noticed my phone. There was a message that tomorrow morning would be better. Oh, well! When your farrier is making an over one hundred mile round trip for the third time in less than three weeks, you go with grateful, no matter when he shows up.

Bright and early this morning, with Lauren and Feather already seriously at work in the arena, Roland pulled in. He had been here with the vet just two weeks ago. They had hatched a plan to use a heartbar shoe with a pad between the hoof and shoe but then…there’s more, they used cast material (like on a broken arm) to wrap around Bruno’s hoof. The idea was to drive the hoofing nails into the cast instead of the fragile hoof wall. Dr. Criner gave it three weeks. Much to my horror, it lasted only ten days. But while it was on Bruno was 99% sound for the first time in 277 days (to be exact-that’s when he had surgery)! It was pretty amazing to see him go so well.

New plan today!! Shoe him with a straight bar shoe, add the equi-Pak (it reminds me of silicone putty you use to caulk a bathroom) to create some padding and then cast the hoof. We hoped it would last a little longer. Since Bruno needed his other feet done, Roland trimmed them all. Making it another first, as this was the first time since we have owned him he is being set with working feet! It is get over the surgery and move on, big guy, time. The long toes so many of you have commented about are gone.

He has a great pedicure, new shoes and I pray we have a Horse who is completely ready, willing and able to return to work! Do you have any idea my excitement when we actually jump this horse, this horse upon so many dreams we have built-all without EVER seeing him jump even once. I know I may be in for a big let down…but I so think he can do it!

After Bruno’s pedicure, I dragged lil Pixie out of the pasture for a bath. We have not paid enough attention to this one since she arrived from Florida. I washed and conditioned her long, beautiful tail. I scrubbed her body and legs. I was rewarded with pretty, silky pony!

Now, I am headed in to clean up from my day of pedicures and baths. Thanks for riding along! I see some trot poles and small Xes for these two soon. It’s going to be fun!!

His newly casted hoof, next to his untrimmed, too long toe on the other foot

Whirlwind days-a Bruno, Joey and a bunch of other stories

Posted on July 27, 2013 by Exechorseluver

It is budget time at my job, number crunching angst that we endure once a year. I have had my Excel program crash, lost all my files and started over again. Then I got a call from Lauren that Bruno had lost his casted, padded, newly minted shoe and he was lame again. The vet had said it would only go about four weeks but this was only ten days. All I kept thinking was I can’t afford to go through this whole process every ten days.

I also knew my Houston based farrier would not want to make yet another trip across country to see Bruno. I didn’t know what to do.

Meanwhile, over at Caroline’s, Joey was getting new expensive shoes with pads and heartbars, not unlike Bruno, but Joey needed four. All of Joey’s soles had been cut too short and he was unbearably lame all around. Two days after the new shoes, I got the report he had trotted and even tried a little canter. Joey was feeling much better.

By Friday, I had gotten Roland scheduled to come re-cast the hoof. Bruno was actually getting around okay (or better than I would have expected) on his bare foot. He had been almost 99% sound earlier in the week, for the first time in a long time, but was only slightly off without the shoe. It seemed to speak of hope that one day this would be better.

Friday, I had decided it was time for four year-old pony, Pixie, to have her first outing. Thursday night, the recently broke pony was giving me a hard time. But after some work with me, Lauren got a pretty good canter from her for the first time without trying to buck and dodge instead of canter. We were to take Feather for a lesson with Dev at a nice facility in Richmond. I took the day off, Lauren cleaned up my English saddle. I dusted off my boots, found some breeches and was set.

We realized we had never even tried to load the pony before. We got a successful practice run Thursday night. Friday, we were off early with both my Florida horses loading competently. Pixie was pretty amazing. Very green, been no where, barely broke, we walked around the covered arena filled with jumps, horses going every which way, giant dressage mirrors reflecting in the corners, and the pony just walked on. She is well-bred from quiet German lines, RSPI, and it showed.

Dev said if her canter (we did not try the canter) matches her trot she should pin well in the pony hunters. If you are looking for an all-star show pony, keep your eye on this one. That’s if we let her go!

Feather had a good lesson, jumping the 3’6″ courses at an easy five feet. No hesitation, no worries today, but Lauren had come armed with spurs and crop, George Morris would have been proud!
It is fun for us to have these lessons and an opportunity to catch with our ‘keep their horses at home group’, the Kresta’s, the Chambers, Caroline and Arianna. We added Shelby and her massive jumper to the group as well!

I rushed home to finish off some work files and get my mom to the retina specialist. Macular degeneration is quickly now claiming my mother’s sight. There is not really anything to do.

It was hay day. Time for gathering the bales from the field once again. We did not ask Ally this time as she is still healing the broken arm from the last time. Our riding buddies showed up and we made fast work of gathering 60 bales. We went off to the Mexican restaurant and then called that a good day!

Surgery

Posted on July 9, 2013 by Exechorseluver

My horse, Bruno, had surgery to cure an infection in his hoof, almost seven months ago. I had my fourth surgery to repair rotator cuff tears, three months ago.

I was scheduled today for an MRI with dye injected into the joint. I got to the imaging center in a pretty fair state of mind. I was actually more concerned about the money I was spending than I was the procedure. Then I got called to the x-ray room where they explained the procedure. I have had this done before and remembered needles in my shoulder, but I did not remember it as a bad time. However, I really remember child birth pretty favorably so there you go.

As she started to tell me about the needle and moving it against the bone and moving the needle again, I was almost sick. I asked her to quit talking. She told me I still had to sign the waiver. I said, okay, just no more talking. I almost left. Really. It went through my brain, that I would just have to come do it again, so I stayed.

My ability to tolerate pain is diminished. Both my shoulders hurt. I have been trying to swim and can’t. Ditto, lifting much of anything. I wish I had never had surgery on my left shoulder at all. It hurt before, but it worked. Not now. I am sure (I see doc tomorrow) that my right shoulder is completely torn, again. I am just as sure he will tell me I need immediate surgery or it will be unrepairable.

I don’t care! I just cannot do it again so soon or perhaps ever. Maybe I will have reduced use of my shoulders but can not take it again.

In this happy mood, I got home to an empty house. Okay, there were seven dogs but no Lauren. She had left a note.

She had cooked a turkey breast (peace offering). The dogs needed to be fed. Horses were fed. Then the all-star news of the day! Bruno was REALLY lame and needed to be stalled for the night. Lauren had started meds.

I don’t even know if it is the same hoof, but we can assume so. What now? I am just at a giving up point. Totally.

I hope that means better news is in store for us soon. I just hope.

Personality

Posted on July 7, 2013 by Exechorseluver

Within our schooling horse show association, someone looked at the calendar and picked Fourth of July weekend as a great time for a horse show. And actually compared to the heat wave of last weekend, this show with its balmy 90 degree plus days was cooler. I was there Friday when trainer Dev started the mare Feather out in the big arena. Feather, six, is continuing to progress. This show we had planned to move her up in jumping height to the 2’9″ – 3 foot division of Schooling Jumper.

Kona was with me, his nappy poodle coat acting like Velcro to all the dust, spider webs and debris that was present in the arena bleachers.

We watched as Dev got a choppy ride from the mare. She seemed hot, her grey coat soaked in sweat, and unwilling to make an attempt at more than an occasional jump. Getting her to take a combination of fences was met with sloppy jumping and lackluster style. I was afraid that by the time Lauren got to ride there would be no horse left.

Nagging at the back of my brain was the thought that maybe we had seen all this mare had to offer. Extreme, I know, but who really knew what this young mare could do. Lauren rode a few jumps and we called it a day. I didn’t know if it was the heat, the horse or just one of those things.

Saturday, we were thinking the jumper ring started at 10 am. We needed to ride, trailer home and get to Kendyll’s birthday party. As it rolled on towards noon, I checked with the office. The schedule was to not start before 10. So, we waited some more.

Finally, the jumps were set and Lauren was third in the line-up. As they started their round, it was just like a playback of yesterday. Feather was slow, unwilling, and sloppy over the fences. There is a maximum time set for each round and Feather was almost ten seconds slower. I did not think I had ever seen her do so poorly.

I understand the heat was pretty brutal, but this is a young, well-conditioned athlete. Second round, Feather jumped one jump from a dead stop, walked on course (it’s supposed to be about speed!) and I heard one man remark, “boy, that horse sucks!”. I was stunned. I knew Lauren had to get the mare moving.

Mickey, Lauren’s jumping companion of many years, FLEW over the jumps. Going too slow was never an issue. Feather, well, I wasn’t sure what was up. I yelled down from the stands to Dev. “Crop?”, I suggested. He shook his head no. But he said she would try Caroline’s spurs in the final round. I was not sure what would happen. We had not used either on this sensitive mare before. Caroline completed a good round with Roy, hopped off and started trading gear with Lauren. Lauren had already been called to start. The was no time to try out spurs. At the last second, Dev handed her the crop as well. I held my breath.

Spurring the mare forward, off they went towards the first jump. Feather put in a great, athletic and quick round. She was, glory be, the new leader as they ended. Feather said it was hot and she did not want to jump but if it was that important to us, okay!

In the end we missed first place by 1/10th of a second. We were pretty proud of that second place after the day we had! We got a lesson in personality. Feather is not Mickey. We will need to learn and respect who she is. It is all about personality.

Confidence

Posted on July 2, 2013 by Exechorseluver

Giant Bruno being confidently handled by five year-old Jordyn

I have been in this horse business a long time. I am not the rider my daughter is, I will never jump the jumps she jumps or understand as precisely the nuances of planning a winning round in the jumper ring, still I have learned many things of value over the years.

Jordyn was down over the hot, hot weekend. She helped clean stalls, feed, wash down horses and got to ride. Each time she does, she learns something new. Above, she had helped wash down Bruno as he was covered with sweat and dust. Like much of the country we have had crazy hot days and it has taken a toll on all of us.

Jordyn wanted to use the hose to spray off Bruno. Lauren did the sensitive places first and then let Jordyn spray his legs, back and stomach. Bruno, although big, is pretty well behaved. However, I think when we gave Jordyn his leadrope and said hold him, she probably had the odd mixture of “oh, my GOSH” and “I am going to die!” going on in her head. Obviously, Jordyn could not hold Bruno if he wanted to walk away, but I had confidence that he would stand quietly for Jordyn. And once Jordyn held Bruno for a few safe minutes, she had confidence she could hold him as well.

I read other bloggers and their escapades online. One lady, Stephanie, has an OTTB that she is bringing along after his track days. Stephanie actually found my blog first and has recognized my blog in a way I will discuss soon, but meanwhile, it allowed me to learn more about her experiences with OTTBs. Stephanie had a bad experience (okay, like the horse reared and almost landed on her) with her mare at the canter. She has been seeking the confidence to canter again.

I think we can all relate. When we have a bad experience, horse related or not, we tend to analyze the situration and swear we will never get in that position again. Then we worry, a lot. Then our worries fester, some more.

I do all those things as well. But one thing I know for sure, in a world where I feel less is certain every day, I know that accidents and bad things happen. But I also know, absolutely, that we must let go of that and focus on what is right with all we do.

I have had horrible, bone breaking falls. I always (so far) have had no doubt and no worries, that I would be back riding again as soon as I could. Okay, I could have a low IQ, lack the ability to assess danger or just be a thrill seeker. I do not believe any of those things apply to me. I have learned through horses, that I must do what I am confident in doing and not push, or worry about the things I am not.

I had Mariah, now Caroline’s horse, that was a big, strong young horse. She challenged me at the canter every time I rode her. This came not too long after recovering from a broken pelvis. I had NO desire to be hurt. So, what did I do? I worked Mariah at variations of the trot, fast, slow, turning, straight aways until one day when she broke into a canter, we just went with it. I had plenty of confidence to trot and none to canter. But I became the best trotter I could be with her. It also paid off tenfold in Mariah’s ability to turn on a dime.

Lauren came off of Feather at her lesson on Friday. They were schooling jumps higher and more difficult than previously. As they came through to the fifth jump, Feather cleared it fine but had to land and turn hard to the left to make the next jump. It was a zig zag moment and Lauren fought to stay on, but failed. She skidded up to the big fence at the end of arena. She had some road rash from the sand but seemed okay (subsequently we learned she broke her big toe which must have smashed against the stirrup iron).

Feather does not have much experience with people flying off her back. This was maybe the third time Lauren had fallen off of her. As Lauren fell, Feather bolted across the arena. In the whole fight or flight (Feather chose flight) mentality of the horse, with Lauren unexpectedly coming off, the banging of the stirrup hard against her side and the back blocks of the saddle ripping off, had to be very frightening.

We got the two of them back together and Lauren was to re-jump the jump. Often, a trainer might lower the jump or make it more inviting for the horse, but Dev left it at its current height and sent Lauren and Feather on their way. I have to say that I held my breath as they headed toward the jump. But the many, many successful jumps they had made over the last year and half paid off. They soared handily over the jump. Feather never hesitated.

The actual jump-the second time, both looking confident and strong.

I learned something about both of them here. Lauren has gone off Mickey more times than I care to remember. The falls were usually a little dramatic and getting back to work a little delayed (and I get it, I would not want to get back on either!) Lauren now had confidence in her mare. And this grey mare that came to us from Florida, sight unseen, well, she proved something as well. She proved she was brave, had heart and most of all, had confidence in Lauren.

Read the post about the OTTB Gugi here:

Peaks and Valleys

Life Lessons

Posted on June 29, 2013 by Exechorseluver

Abby, Princess and Arianna, all watching the lessons intently.

In the horse world, probably like any sport, you grow your friends and “family” around those people you spend most of your time, in this case, those at your barn. At most training barns, the skill levels of the students match the various divisions in-which they compete. So, starting at the Leadline and walk/trot levels to the high jumpers, the little kids watch and learn from the older riders.

We will celebrate 13 years in Texas this month. Lauren has, in essence, grown up here. And she has grown up wanting to emulate other riders she has seen. In the early years at Whipple Tree, it was Chelsie and Kirsten, that she eagerly watched. Lauren did her first Texas show doing walk-trot on Mickey. She has come along way as well, jumping her way to 3’6″ division. But it has just been like a long, twisting road. One day you are not trotting along and the next day winning over the big fences. There is a lot of times you feel you are not getting anywhere at all. Now, it is starting low again on Feather and moving her along. We do not often stop and think about the progress she has made.

Yesterday, instead of making the long drive up to Dev’s in the heat we agreed to meet at Caroline’s Compound. Several riders who keep their horses at home (instead of a boarding barn) trailered
in with their horses. Dev set us up in a schedule, so that he could have time to work with each rider
Individually. Lauren had a good ride on Feather. She schooled 3’9″ and 4 foot fences for the first time.

While Lauren and Feather were working in the ring, another trailer pulled in. A rider, Alex, that we had last seen ride at least three or four years ago was next in the ring with her new horse. Now 13, she had ridden at the barn with us when she was just a youngster. It was great to see her and her dad. Alex stood and watched Lauren and Feather work through the jumps. I asked Alex what she thought of Lauren’s new horse. Alex said Feather was nice but it is what she said next that made our day. “Lauren was my idol when we all used to ride together!”

Certainly, no one had told Lauren that before! But it is how kids grow, develop and mature, through positive role models. Lauren and I were both very pleased to hear Alex say such a nice thing. I hope Lauren always did the right things. But I guess that’s part of learning as well. Nothing is perfect and sometimes things are harder than they look.

Like most sports, a lot of lessons are learned, in and out of the arena. I bet there are young ones that will look up to this next group of riders as Alex did Lauren. It made for a pretty special day.

Learning

Posted on June 28, 2013 by Exechorseluver

In this apparently odd photo, where Lauren rides the pony and Jordyn takes the show horse for spin, each rider is getting the horse they need and vice versa. Pixie, the German Riding pony is young and green. I have been riding her the last ten days working on fundamentals like working off my leg, turning, halting and standing quietly. We are trying to be very specific with our messages to the pony so she learns exactly what a slight pull on the right rein and other directives mean. While she wouldn’t have been bad for Jordyn, she did not need the mixed up signals of a young rider.

Lauren got her first really good trot tonight with the pony starting to reach into the bit and extend herself. Lauren told me I had done a good job, but she does not like this stage of horse training (call it the toddler days) where the horse sometimes is brilliant and cute but more often in need of correction and boundaries.

Jordyn is heading to horse day camp in ten days. She said it will be the best week of her life! Gee, not playing to any high expectations here! She came to practice with Feather. Her saddle looked itty-bitty up on the stout grey mare.

I was really thrilled at how well Jo did with Feather. Or I was thrilled Feather, just a year into training, listened and was quiet for Jo. It was a pretty big moment for me to see Jo navigating the ring on her own.

So yay for girls on horseback and a nice (if not hot!) evening at the farm.

New adventures – Kona hits the trails

Posted on June 22, 2013 by Exechorseluver

Looking out from my saddle through Mickey’s ears to see Kona on his first trail ride.

I have been left to my own devices this weekend. There has been a lot of activity at the farm on the weekends for almost a month now. First, we had a horse show, then the tragic weekend of baling hay and Ally’s broken arm, then off to Maui. Lauren headed out with Blake to go ‘mudding’ which I believe involves ATVs, alcohol and mud.

I had plenty to do. Scores of wash to catch up on, barn chores, gardening, house work, and a long visit with my mom were all on the list. Momma looked great with the new shirt I brought her from Hawaii along with earrings and a necklace! She even commented on how peaceful the place was which I do not think she has ever said. Upon Lauren’s recommendation, I had gotten her a caramel frappuccino from McDonalds and she was in heaven.

After a much needed trip to Wal-Mart where almost $300 immediately slipped through my fingers re-filling the frig, the dog/cat food containers, water and other ‘gee, it’s crazy hot’ items, I finally had a few minutes for me. I wished I had someone to ride with-we had planned to take Bruno and Pixie to Caroline’s tonight before Lauren ditched me. I love to trail ride. Lauren loves the arena. So, today after over ten weeks absence, I decided to head out to the wide, open spaces behind my little farm. Ideally, one should not ride alone. Ideally, a lot of things should happen, but you deal with it.

For the first time as well, I decided to take poodle Kona as well. And what horse should ride? That took about one minute to decide. Mickey, of course, the only one I really trust out. I had on my usual shorts, tee shirt, boots and as a nod to safety (and Diane Wilson) my helmet.

Kona was a little unsure at first. ‘Really, you want me to run behind that mean horse?’ ‘Yes, Kona, come on!’. Mickey can be a kicker, but thankfully Kona was wise enough to stay out of his reach. It has been since riding in Florida with my wolfhound and Tippy that my dogs and horses have gotten along for trail rides. Pretty cool for me!

Kona with my barn and homestead across the sea of green.

It wasn’t a long ride, but it was a great ride! It was also my fourth ride of the week which is pretty exciting as well. I am getting stronger, leaner ( when it is blow torch hot, you get lean fast ), and I am eyeing the big Bruno guy. Wonder what it would feel like to ride him? Lauren should not leave me alone, just saying….

Week’s End

Posted on June 22, 2013 by Exechorseluver

Puppy Girl is being the queen of the kennel on a hot, lazy Friday night. She pretty much represented how I felt too-I just wanted to go lay down on a big, fluffy cushion. I would have even been okay with being in a cage so long as I could shut the door and sleep awhile. Oh, such are the dreams of an every day worker!

Since arriving home from Hawaii, Sunday morning after a sleepless all night flight, it was immediately back to work both at the farm and the office. Monday I took my first ride after ten weeks on Mickey. Tuesday, I started working the Pixie pony. Thursday, after deciding the long Texas afternoons were too hot for the horses to be out without shade, we came up with the brilliant idea that I would get up earlier than 4:00 am. That way, while it was still cool (or at least not as hot) I could feed the horses, but also wait until they finished eating, (about 45 minutes) and then let them out in the pasture.

Why wouldn’t I pick the week I was already fighting a five hour time change to move the start of my day even more ridiculously backwards? On Thursday, I wasn’t really sure how long the extra chores would take, so I got up about 3:30 am. It would have been 10:30 at night, just time to get to bed in Maui. I got the dogs, horses, cats fed. I showered, did my hair, got dressed for work and drove my car over to the barn to let the horses out. I glanced at the clock in the car and had to do a double take!

It was 4:31 am!!!! No non-critical life support person should be awake or headed to work at this time! Oh my goodness! I was so mixed up I didn’t know if I was coming or going. I got to work in record time, no traffic at this time, Houston commuters take note. I got to work to find that in an attempt to conserve energy, I had no electricity until 6:00 am. I took my laptop and worked by one of the few lights that was activated. By 10 am, I needed lunch and a nap.

Thursday night, I was back on Pixie and dragging bad. Problem is by evening, I think it is afternoon in Hawaii and get my second wind. I managed my time a little better this morning and only got to work 15 minutes before the lights came on! At work, I am working on annual budgets, so you can just imagine how well that is going. This afternoon was physical therapy and my favorite type of session where they force your joint as far as it can go in every conceivable direction to see how much progress you are making. First, I was in tears. Second, I cannot be arrested and handcuffed right now. My arm will not go behind my back. I will be sure to express that to the officer when I am arrested. Or I could just not be arrested, that would work too.

Tonight I worked lil Pix while Lauren rode Bruno. I know it will be good for both of them to continue to be on a regular training schedule. But for me, I feel like I made it through my first week of boot camp. Move over Puppy Girl, I am ready to share the cushion and end this week!

Back in the saddle again ( not a Bruno story)

Posted on June 20, 2013 by Exechorseluver

Even though Bruno is in this story, I am not riding him. He is too big, too strong and too unpredictable for me to launch my return to riding on him. I just might be launched and that is not what I need right now (or ever)!

Lauren has been on vacation. Prior to vacation, we had just gotten the Pixie pony. Bruno had been cleared by the vet to be ridden but he had not held up well and we had backed off. Lauren was working Feather but not really anyone else. Having three young horses in training is a push for anyone. It is lonely to be here and ride by yourself. Progress with a horse takes repetition and repetition takes time.

From shoulder surgery of ten weeks ago, I had yet to be allowed to ride. Seeing the surgeon today I asked if I could start riding again. He said, “are you going to do it anyway?” “Yes”, I answered. “Then be careful”, he muttered. I took that as a full release to ride.

Pixie is the German Riding pony that came from our Florida friends. She is four and while “backed” as we call it she is certainly not completely trained. I did not pay for a well-trained pony, I paid for a prospect. I am much better than Lauren at starting the youngsters. Lauren is thrilled I am taking over the pony’s initial training.

Pixie only had a few rides under her belt and I had not ridden since March. I was anticipating some trouble. I had watched Lauren ride the pony and noted she would pull her head up high to avoid the bit. Since she arrived we have also extracted two teeth and worked on the others. I hoped that would help with her mouth issues as well.

Now let’s not talk about my riding ensemble with my shorts and boots. It was way over 95 degrees and I was not riding in pants. Pixie fought me some, but with consistent cues I had turning, stopping, walking and trotting well. My left arm has been in a sling the better part of the last ten weeks. It felt like someone took my strong old arm and left me with one made of putty. The bicep and tricep muscles were the worst. But my tough forearm gained from years of hauling hay and feed was weak as well.

I was very gratified by the quick and easy responses I got from the pony. She will be a nice one. She was very quiet even though Bruno was doing his best to be disruptive from the paddock. I am thrilled to be back up in my saddle even if it is the western one for now. I love having a goal and horse to work on. I am very thankful my old body parts continue to hang in there for me.

Lauren and I riding together in the early evenings is wonderful as well. It is always better to have someone to ride with and me on a horse does much more good than me hanging with the poodle.

Lauren and Bruno made their second ride tonight as well. He is muscling up and covered with dapples. He is listening, working and learning. Lauren had some flowing trots and canters with a lot of nice, even cadence. We want to get Bruno and Pixie out to some new arenas to prepare them for showing. Please let me know if your place could be stop on roadshow training circuit. We would love to get out and ride with some of you!

Exechorseluver

The life and times of modern day horse woman

Category Archives: The horses of Six Meadow Farm