Chamie's Big Day

Champagne on Ice (Chamie), 15.1 hh, 26 year old Appendix Quarter Horse Mare, looking lively and adorable.

Yesterday I saw my girl for the first time in 5 years. It was wonderful and sad, after learning (and seeing) everything she's been through in the last 5 years. I know it sounds crazy, but I KNEW something wasn't right for the last couple of years. Just a...nagging. I'd have occasional dreams about her. I never got a reply from the last email I sent the barn owner, and I really didn't like that. What do you do, though? The last time I saw her she was wonderful, stalled in the main barn where all the activity is, fawned over by little girls and being used lightly for lessons. The facility she lives at is one of the better known barns in the area, and I never dreamed she could be neglected there. She was a privately owned horse! I guess I'm just thankful I can do something now.

Her beautiful, still in great shape back. Looking at this reminded me of why I loved riding her bareback...soooo comfy.

She is in GREAT weight (though she was always an air fern, it's nice to see she still is at 26). Unfortunately, that's about the only good thing I can say about her condition. I talked to the barn manager, and found out she hasn't been vaccinated or dewormed in 5 years. Yes, you read that right. The BM has worked full time at this barn for almost 4 years, and has seen her owner once. Apparently, he paid her board up until last year, but never once paid for farrier or vet services. Her teeth must be disastrous. I don't know HOW she's been able to keep her weight with no dewormer...and the fact that she dropped mouthfuls of grass when I hand grazed her is not a good sign for the state of her chompers.

I really can't blame the barn too much, although I would have handled things differently for sure. The guy refused to give her away or try to sell her. They told him I would most likely take her, and still nothing. What do you do with someone like that? The barn is out literally thousands of dollars on her at this point. I have a feeling legal action was threatened and that's the ONLY reason he changed his mind, though that's just my own theory. What a guy, eh? Keep your horse a prisoner because-well, who knows why. I can't see both sides on this one, sorry.

Grazing after a loooong grooming session and haircut by moi. Her mane was crazy gross and scraggly. Also, how cute is she in pink? I'm so glad I can use that halter again. If she didn't have so much gray on her face you would never know she is 26, for reals.

Her feet...oh god, her feet were the worst. I almost started crying when I saw them. They are totally wrecked. Have you ever seen a horse with frogs that have disappeared? Does anyone know what causes this? I assume it's from excessive thrush, as what she DID have was black and stinky. Thank god I brought thrush buster with me. At one point she went 9 months without a farrier touching her feet. NINE MONTHS. The barn farrier started trimming her for free in the last few months I guess. At that point she was in so much pain she was laying down all the time. I just seethe when I think about that.

Her attitude, thank goodness, is still good, somehow. Especially considering she literally lives in a stall 95 percent of the time. Occasionally she goes in a stall with a 24 by 24 run attached. Student volunteers would hand walk her when they could, about twice a week it sounds like. She was a bit of a pill yesterday-very pushy, distracted, etc, but I don't blame her one bit. Once out of her stall it's like she feels she has to make the most of it:) However, I also went to see her today, and the attitude was almost non-existent. She nickered when she saw me and I almost lost it. My sweet girl is still there.

This was how most of my pictures looked. She just wants out out out. I'm just thankful she didn't give up and shut down completely.



So adorbs.

I lunged her briefly, almost all at the walk. Somehow, she shows little pain or short strided-ness unless she takes a tighter turn. Her trot is more of a stiff shuffle, however. I'm still very happy that even in her miserable state of horrid feet, no movement, and no bute or supplementation (well, up until last night when I brought some to the barn), she appears to be quite pasture sound. She is alert and bright and interested in her surroundings. All great things. My resilient girl.

Brief lunge. That barn has some AMAZING footing, I'll say that.

The barn has their vet and farrier out next week, thank goodness. She will need blood work, a Coggins pulled, vaccinations, teeth done, Panacur Power Pack (if I get the go-ahead from the vet), and a trim (if I think about how much all this is going to be I get a little dizzy. Goodbye unemployment check!). I really don't blame the farrier for her feet-god knows what he started working with, and he's been doing it for free. Also, as much as I believe in power-tool and sedation-free dentistry, I think hers are bad enough to warrant bringing out the big guns (and consequently, big dollars), though I won't know for sure until a professional looks at them.

She comes to my barn to meet Miles and company the first week in November. I'm so geeked, and I can't wait to have her home! In the meantime, I will be spending most of my days driving between two barns, and getting to Chamie as MUCH as possible. Knowing I'm her only escape from her stall is a lot of responsibility, but it's only a couple of weeks. Thank goodness, because I'm already feeling neglectful of a certain gorgeous dark bay thoroughbred. Luckily, I'm sure he would understand.

If anyone has experience with any of the issues I've listed, please feel free to chime in. This is a first for me. I'll also try to get some pictures of those lovely feet of hers. Do not eat when viewing, I'm just warning you now.

My Thoroughbred Contains Multitudes

Oh...

Oh Gurl...

Lookit Mah Baybee!!! He was winning!

So, we've framed the picture (William Vassar Photography), obviously. I love that his last win was on turf, over a mile, when he was 5 years old. Last to first, baby. He ran a few races after but never won.

And now?

Oh Hai! Whut? Nonono. "Masarin" is not Milez.

Lookit, I'm seery-ous. Milez don't run no more. Never has!

Milez Eats.

Still, every once and awhile....

Ok, so he's not really even galloping here-he's not a race horse anymore and seems just fine with that fact. His walk-canter transition is what I love about most about this video, not his speed. Still, he has the space enough to gallop or canter or trot or to do none of those things. Also, right now he is digging the ladies on both sides of his pasture. Luckily he seems to be respectful so far and only wishes to sniff noses over the fence, squeal, and then eat. In that order.

He may not have Masarin's speed any longer (or his physique, thank god, beautiful as it is), but he does have his heart. Our ride today was just lovely. It was probably a combination of perfect breezy weather, a recently raked arena, Durasole and Smart Flex Senior, which he's been on for a few weeks now, but it felt like...something else. He warmed up with sweeping walk strides on the buckle. His trot was straight (usually) and true, and he listened to my aids, moving out immediately. I promised him something and he gave me something in return. He's my partner, and I wouldn't have him any other way.

Still, I'd love to be able to time-travel to 6 years ago and meet Masarin who kicked ass in Golden Gate field. I'm willing to bet he's not so different from my boy.

Untitled

Not a great week around these parts.

Before the awfulness though, some pictures from our few days in the UP late last week.

Beautiful pair of swans on Lake Michigan at Ludington Park in Escanaba. That was a ridiculously gorgeous day.

View of Fortune Lake at Crystal Falls, where we spent a couple of days at my Mother in Law's cottage.

Kyle's aunt who lives just outside Escanaba is a vet, and is all kinds of awesome because she cleaned Lebowski's teeth and pulled a tooth of his that had broken off and had the nerve exposed. She rocks. After he had the procedure, we took him and Sam to Fortune Lake where he stayed in various states of wetness/dampness until we left. Dog needs a pair of gills since he loves the water so much more than land. HE had a magnificent time.



Sam had an amazing time as well, but he's a land-lubber, and never got more than his paws wet. His favorite part of the trip were the car rides-LOVE-slept like a baby for almost 7 hours straight each way.

I came back on Saturday and Kyle's stayed up there to continue remodeling his mom's cottage.

Then, yesterday, Kyle's brother Pauly passed away very unexpectedly. He collapsed at home early in the morning-no one knows exactly what happened yet. He struggled with a number of health issues but was so, so young. I hope he is at peace now, wherever he is.

So, I'm off to the UP again tomorrow for the service. My poor, sweet husband-I had to break the news to him, as he's in remote Crystal Falls with hit or miss cell phone service-it was one of the worst things I've ever had to do. I feel so helpless because I can't be there for him physically right now, but that's why I'm going tomorrow, and the service is Sunday. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers, if that's your thing-everyone is still reeling I think.

Anyway, yesterday after I heard the news and talked to Kyle, I took the day off of work and found myself driving to the barn through tears. If I could never ride Miles again, he would still be invaluable to me as my own personal sanity saver. Feeling horribly depressed, sad, panicked, anxious, bored, happy, elated? Going out to the barn to care for my favorite Thoroughbred is always, always the right thing to do.

He's such a sweet boy-as soon as he saw me he came racing down the hill, whinnying and kicking up mud. It's been cold and wet here, so I just brought him inside and fed him a warm beet pulp/alfalfa cube/chopped apple mash, his very favorite. I scraped, brushed, sprayed and wiped down every inch of him and made him shine. I talked to him and he allowed me to hold his giant, beautiful head and kiss his perfect little imp-y ears. I also took a few pictures because it's been far too long.

I'll never get tired of looking into his liquid brown eyes.

His perfect profile, as he surveys the pastures that hold his favorite horses at the barn-LaShore, Cody and Lady. He LOVES having his best girls right next door again, and I'm happy to say he's been nothing but a perfect gentleman about it.



The softest, velvety-est, most kissable schnoz ever there was, nose-goo, long hairy whiskers and all.



He was extra sweet and cute yesterday...he just knows when I'm down. "See mom, THIS is how you smilez!" Yes, bubs...something like that;) I'll get there soon.

I'll be back after this next trip. I haven't even told you all about our new, very own bitless bridle and how awesome it is!! Have a lovely Memorial day weekend everyone....love and enjoy the heck out of your loved ones and your horses.

Moar Clinic Pictures

Moar than you ever wanted to see, I'm just warning you...

I had about 2 minutes to lunge Miles before we started-he travels like this alllll the time on the lunge if I don't push him (which I never do at first). It's a good stretch but I'm pretty sure he just likes to sniff sniff sniff.



Picking it up...he is not amused.



Walk walk walk while Cheri and I talk about our history and what I'm looking for out of the day. Miles is very "meh" about all of it.



Trying to fix blasted hand/wrist/arms avec horizontal whip. Felt soooooo awkward.



Looking slightly better, beginning trot work.



Miles is relaxed but not so forward yet.



Working on holding the outside rein. Miles is not a fan.



Cheri approaches us for beatings! Forward Miles, forward!



Forward win, collection fail.



Getting there!



Across the diagonal, I think, or a circle. Hello LeanyMcLeanerson. Look at mah baybee reach though!



Oh my hell was I getting tired now...Miles was too, from the looks of it.



Sweet precious air, and a walk break.



Time to fail at turn on the forehand work!! No more pictures of this.



Miles says, "You wanna hit me with that whip now, muthaf%#*er?" Meanwhile, I am apparently trying to stand straight up in my stirrups, oy.



Trot Trot Trot



Spiral-y circles



Kinda sorta like this one. Finishing up.



Sneezy says we did it!



Judy put the black and white and framing effect on this one. Still, it is my favorite of the day...we are both tired and happy:) I was so proud of him.

Snow Pony

In lieu of any action shots or video (and it may be awhile; we had a whopping high of 15 degrees today and expect the same tomorrow), I've still been itching to take pictures of my boy. Today was just beautiful, despite the cold. There was a light snow falling, so I took the Goldens out to the barn and clicked away. Nothing too exciting, but we had a grand time anyway.

The dogs are so, so nutty when faced with large beasts. Neither of them really know how to act appropriately, though they try to stay out of the way for the most part. Sammy did feast on waaaay too many stray alfalfa cubes this time. I have a feeling that's not going to jibe well with his already sensitive digestive tract, sigh. They did have fun though.

I fed Miles outside where the dogs were more comfortable and could run amok as they pleased. Lately, though, he's been less than thrilled about eating his beet pulp/alfalfa mash, wet or dry. Still, his weight is good, and he eats his grain and hay with gusto, so I'm not going to worry about it just yet.

Of course, no food is ever completely rejected.

Miles is no longer amused, if he ever was.

Compromise with semi-forward ears.

Random Golden antics capture his attention.

Happy to oblige my request for one cute profile pic. Thatsa my boy.

One more for good measure. I wish I could photo-shop the giant crane-thing out in the background, but there it is.

Now for something completely random...for Christmas this year, I asked Kyle to take my 27 year old teddy bear (named-wait for it-Teddy) somewhere for cleaning and repairs. My poor faithful companion was flat as a pancake from using him as a pillow for about 10 years as a kid, with multiple stitching issues. He also didn't smell too great, poor boy. Anyway, the lady Kyle took him to specializes in doll restoration but does everything, apparently. Including dressing up Teddy free of charge with no request to do so.

OK, OK, it's cute. Weird, but cute. Most importantly, he smells much better:) Good thing, because he's the one relic from my childhood that's here to stay. He sleeps in the bed and everything:)

Have a great weekend everyone!

Giving Thanks. Happy~

My Thanksgiving...well, the part that included dogs and my pony, anyway, is below in pictures. I don't really have anything to say about them, except that these boys and girls add so, so much to everyday, and holidays are no different. My life, and the special days we celebrate, would be so much less without them.

Not pictured~my wonderful family and husband. It was a great day.

I hope you were able to celebrate this day of thanks with your loved ones as well. Happy Thanksgiving Internet!