Wow! So that was...something!
Yesterday was a stunningly beautiful day, FINALLY. An intermittent brisk wind was blowing and it was in the 70's; absolutely perfect for riding. It had rained the night before, so every time the breeze died down the mosquitoes took full advantage, though luckily it still wasn't nearly as bad as it's been.
However, Miles has become SO sensitive to bugs in the arena he was still a little head-shaky and stompy. We hadn't ridden in a week and the wind was coming in strong gusts, so I dusted off the lunge line (!! We hadn't used this thing in a couple months:) and off we went to work. He was reasonably good, moving great, but a little spooky. Nothing horrid, so I got on after about 10 minutes.
We were just finishing our first warm up circle when a car pulls up and two dudes get out, along with a little Yorkie who I think is named Goose. I know these 2 guys are not horse people because I hear one of them say, laughing, "I don't think Goose has ever seen a horse before!" as the dog runs off and dude lights up a cigarette. Not that horse people don't smoke, but generally not near a frigging BARN, even if they were in the gravel parking lot.
ANYWAY, sweet lil' preshus Goose comes trotting straight for us. I should mention that Miles has been around allllllll kinds of dogs, large and small, and never bats an eye. However, this particular dog he gave the stink eye as soon as he lept out of the car. I should have dismounted right then. Still, I'm thinking, 4 pound dog, Miles likes dogs, what could happen? It was weird that he was so interested though-that should have told me something. So, Goose comes up to us and Miles lowers his head to sniff, being a perfect gentleman considering this dog approached with such bravado. All is well for about 2 seconds, until Goose decides to LUNGE at Miles face and yapyapyapyapyap. Miles does a gorgeous spin to the side (which I stay with!) and Goose runs off. Whew. Could have been worse. I figure the 2 dudes, who are laughing, will now leash the little effing monster and all will be well.
Come on, right? Again, I should have gotten off. But, we had just started and it was so gorgeous out that I start putting us to work, though Miles and I still keep an eye on the tiny terror as we trot the arena and Goose runs off into the field. Dudes stand there, calling Goose occasionally, and are being quite ignored.
Sigh. Goose is coming back-this time he is RUNNING at us, barking like crazy. I finally grow some balls and say, "You need to come and get this dog out of the arena before I get thrown." Goose reaches us and starts again with the bared teeth, yapping, leaping routine. Miles, all things considered, is being saintly-picture a cutting horse if the cow turned on the horse. He is spinning, leaping to the side, doing everything he can to hold himself together and still get away from the little bastard. I have NO idea what is taking the dudes so long to get their little shit because I'm trying to stay with my horse and stay calm and stay ON. Finally, Goose is scooped up and taken out, with a laugh and a "sorry". Sorry? Did they think what just happened was cute?! UGH.
Still after everything, it was really a hilarious experience. I looked at the arena and the tracks that Miles made in all his acrobatics and I was pretty impressed. I was happy that I stayed with him during all his athletic Hot Moves (tm) and never really came close to being unseated. I stayed loose, sat up, and grabbed mane. I'm proud of myself that I didn't clutch at the reins or freeze up. I'm SO proud that Miles didn't bolt or rear or buck or do anything other than try to get away from Mr. Goose while keeping his head and taking care of me.
After all the drama, I continued to work Miles for another 15 minutes or so and he was wonderful. We jumped a small cross rail and called it good. I called it real good.
If they ever start Dog Dodging as an equine sport, we are going to kick some ass:)
Showing posts with label barn stuff. Show all posts
Showing posts with label barn stuff. Show all posts
Monday, September 5, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
Day 2 - The Last Time You Rode and What You Did
But first! My new Country Boots came today!! I love them, though I haven't ridden in them just yet. Y'all...they were $62 down from $245. For girls like me who have large calves (even when I wasn't such a "big girl", I've had beasts for calves), it's criminal not to take advantage of such a deal. Behold!
Good Boy BeanPie much enjoys the woods accompanied by water and sweet, sweet quiet.
God bless SmarkPak and their clearance sales. I just treated them with Effax Lederbalsam (my favorite leather conditioner ever-smells like heaven and your stuff will be almost instantly supple) to give them that nice lived in look, though honestly there was nothing stiff about them. I can't wait to ride in them tomorrow.
Speaking of...onward with my 30 Day Challenge and Day 2's question-The Last Time You Rode and What You Did.
Our last ride was Tuesday, and it was...not super. Mr. Miles is foot sore. I'm a little concerned because it's manifested since 1) he was trimmed last week, 2) he has been back on "decent" pasture grass 24/7 (Nothing too rich at all, I assure you. Still, it's much more than he was on previously), AND 3) the outdoor arena has some nightmare footing due to rain/dry heat/more rain, and this is the place he has been really "ouchy". Mind you, he seems just peachy when I rode him on grass and on the trails, but we didn't do any trotting/cantering out there. He was tripping a bit before his trim, but his feet really grew a ton in a couple of weeks and were flaring and chipping, so I just attributed his clumsiness to that, though he wasn't taking these rinky-dink strides like he did on Tuesday. Neither was he on the new pasture, nor was the arena footing as lousy as it is now.
Bottom line-lots of different variables all occurring at the same time practically, but what it comes down to is I have an ouchy horse. For the record, his feet are nice and cool and he's showing no symptoms of anything scary like founder. He was super slow at finishing his mash on Thursday, but I think being out on grass has something to do with that. His poop is definitely greener, possibly slightly looser than before the pasture change, but still what I would consider well formed and healthy looking.
Tuesday, I worked mostly at the walk with him, with about 15 minutes of trot. I worked him in circles off the rail (where the hardest, cakey-est footing was, and where he was obviously much more uncomfortable). We worked on bending and moving him off my leg. We did one canter to the left, his easy lead. I didn't worry too much about forward, and we quit early, for obvious reasons.
So, tomorrow, my game-plan is to throw his Cashel Simple Boots on, which we haven't used in months and months. If the outdoor is still looking awful, I'll try him in the indoor arena first and then try the other if he seems OK.
It's a little disconcerting to me that he's so uncomfortable, but I'm trying not to make too much out of it. His farrier has been trimming him for over a year now, and I trust him implicitly. Of course, the other thing I've been turning over in my mind is if we should try front shoes with him. Ugh, I know. I LOVE that he's able to be barefoot, and his feet have been great for the most part, although he's always been a little sensitive to hard, rocky gravel. I'm not anti-shoe if it's the best thing to keep the horse comfortable, but neither do I want to go there until we've exhausted all other options. Do I wish the outdoor arena footing was in better shape? Yes. However, I also want my horse to be able to navigate "most" footing without getting sore. I want those Rock Cruncher feet! I know, I own a TB-it may be asking for a bit much;) Still, we're also working harder than we were even last summer so...I don't know yet.
Hopefully the Simple Boots will do the trick. I'll keep you all updated. In the meantime, new Country Booooooots!!!! Between those and our new OTTB saddle pad that's on it's way, I'm feeling a little gluttonous. My disaster of a work wardrobe can't be put off for much longer either, sigh.
Have a lovely Fourth of July everyone! I'll be stuffing one of our Golden dogs, Lebowski, full of tranquilizers, unfortunately. I've always loved the holiday because it comes with a day off work, natch, but I could do without all the yahoos that shoot off fireworks until 3 in the morning. For like, 4 days straight.
Our last ride was Tuesday, and it was...not super. Mr. Miles is foot sore. I'm a little concerned because it's manifested since 1) he was trimmed last week, 2) he has been back on "decent" pasture grass 24/7 (Nothing too rich at all, I assure you. Still, it's much more than he was on previously), AND 3) the outdoor arena has some nightmare footing due to rain/dry heat/more rain, and this is the place he has been really "ouchy". Mind you, he seems just peachy when I rode him on grass and on the trails, but we didn't do any trotting/cantering out there. He was tripping a bit before his trim, but his feet really grew a ton in a couple of weeks and were flaring and chipping, so I just attributed his clumsiness to that, though he wasn't taking these rinky-dink strides like he did on Tuesday. Neither was he on the new pasture, nor was the arena footing as lousy as it is now.
Bottom line-lots of different variables all occurring at the same time practically, but what it comes down to is I have an ouchy horse. For the record, his feet are nice and cool and he's showing no symptoms of anything scary like founder. He was super slow at finishing his mash on Thursday, but I think being out on grass has something to do with that. His poop is definitely greener, possibly slightly looser than before the pasture change, but still what I would consider well formed and healthy looking.
Tuesday, I worked mostly at the walk with him, with about 15 minutes of trot. I worked him in circles off the rail (where the hardest, cakey-est footing was, and where he was obviously much more uncomfortable). We worked on bending and moving him off my leg. We did one canter to the left, his easy lead. I didn't worry too much about forward, and we quit early, for obvious reasons.
So, tomorrow, my game-plan is to throw his Cashel Simple Boots on, which we haven't used in months and months. If the outdoor is still looking awful, I'll try him in the indoor arena first and then try the other if he seems OK.
Hopefully the Simple Boots will do the trick. I'll keep you all updated. In the meantime, new Country Booooooots!!!! Between those and our new OTTB saddle pad that's on it's way, I'm feeling a little gluttonous. My disaster of a work wardrobe can't be put off for much longer either, sigh.
Have a lovely Fourth of July everyone! I'll be stuffing one of our Golden dogs, Lebowski, full of tranquilizers, unfortunately. I've always loved the holiday because it comes with a day off work, natch, but I could do without all the yahoos that shoot off fireworks until 3 in the morning. For like, 4 days straight.
Good Boy BeanPie much enjoys the woods accompanied by water and sweet, sweet quiet.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Here Goes Nothing
Our big clinic debut is tomorrow, and really, it couldn't come after a worse week. The weather has been so god-awful; we finally had sun yesterday and today, but before that was 2 solid days of non-stop rain/sleet/hail. This made the pastures so horribly muddy that neither Miles or LaShore came down to eat or drink all day yesterday before I got there at 4:30. So, I had a thirsty, starving, slightly stocked-up TB on my hands, on a day when we HAD to ride. Sigh.
I made sure his immediate needs were taken care of first, of course. By the time we made our way up to the arena he had eaten his grain and a full serving of soaked beet pulp, plus some alfalfa and had drank half a bucket of water. We got inside to find all the mirrors put up (that's been an ordeal and a half for the barn, but it boils down to the fact that this was the first time Miles had seen more than just 2 mirrors), and the arena footing concrete-hard from the trucks going in and out to do the construction.
More sighing commenced.
My boy was not so comfortable. Lunging helped a bit, but he could barely hold his canter and even cross-fired in his hind end, which I've not seen from him in a long time. Ride I did, though only at the walk and trot-he felt "ok", but so different from the forward, free-swinging, uphill horse I had on Saturday. Even so he was a good boy, I have to say, even as he decided to "challenge" the handsome dark bay TB in the mirror:) I couldn't figure out why he was doing his ugly face and snake neck, and then it dawned on me....ohhhhhh. Ridiculous Miles. Nonetheless, I was so proud of him for not freaking out and being more curious than anything about the new setup-1/3 of the arena looks much, much different and he was great about it.
So, suffice it to say we are woefully unprepared for Saturday and 45 minutes of hard work. I'm going out to ride again tonight (please please please let the arena have been dragged), and I'm going to bute him tonight and tomorrow morning so that he's as comfy as possible. Wish us luck ya'll.
Miles on Sunday, before the sky let all hell rain down. Pasture not great, but note dry spots! No standing water! Yeah, not anymore. This was also the last time Miles was passably clean.
I made sure his immediate needs were taken care of first, of course. By the time we made our way up to the arena he had eaten his grain and a full serving of soaked beet pulp, plus some alfalfa and had drank half a bucket of water. We got inside to find all the mirrors put up (that's been an ordeal and a half for the barn, but it boils down to the fact that this was the first time Miles had seen more than just 2 mirrors), and the arena footing concrete-hard from the trucks going in and out to do the construction.
More sighing commenced.
My boy was not so comfortable. Lunging helped a bit, but he could barely hold his canter and even cross-fired in his hind end, which I've not seen from him in a long time. Ride I did, though only at the walk and trot-he felt "ok", but so different from the forward, free-swinging, uphill horse I had on Saturday. Even so he was a good boy, I have to say, even as he decided to "challenge" the handsome dark bay TB in the mirror:) I couldn't figure out why he was doing his ugly face and snake neck, and then it dawned on me....ohhhhhh. Ridiculous Miles. Nonetheless, I was so proud of him for not freaking out and being more curious than anything about the new setup-1/3 of the arena looks much, much different and he was great about it.
This handsome creature is a threat and must be destroyed!
So, suffice it to say we are woefully unprepared for Saturday and 45 minutes of hard work. I'm going out to ride again tonight (please please please let the arena have been dragged), and I'm going to bute him tonight and tomorrow morning so that he's as comfy as possible. Wish us luck ya'll.
Seriously? So cute. He kills me.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Ugh. Also, Grrr.
Cold. So cold. I'm not even going to post the temps and wind chills, as they are not fit for (wo)man or beast.
So, thank goodness we had a great weekend of riding, because I refuse to sit in the freezing cold saddle seat of death in this ridiculousness.
Oh, the cherry on top? The fricking automatic waterers at the barn weren't working yesterday-some were frozen, others (like Miles) weren't filling back up with water. Gah, Blarg, F%#k, etc. I really do love the waterers-the water is so lovely and clean and cool in the summer, ice-free in the Winter (of course, when it's working, ha ha). The design, with a plastic disk on top of the water that the horses have to push down to get a drink, is great for horses like Miles that are curious and like using their mouths for all things anyway. However, the down side is when they aren't working, it's very, very dangerous unless it's noticed right away. This is the first time the waterer in Miles' pasture has had an issue, but it's just one more thing to worry about. Of course, the barn help is bringing water buckets out to the pastures until they're fixed. In this weather, though, they freeze so damn fast. It sounds like they had the repair folks out today thank gawd. Hopefully all is well now.
Alright, enough whining. The good news? We're getting mirrors on one side of the indoor arena, Hooray!! I've never ridden with mirrors, and I'm really looking forward to observing my airplane toes and awesome lower leg that never stops moving while I'm posting! Seriously though, it's a great improvement.
That's all for now...tomorrow I'll be going out to the barn, mostly to stand very close to my horse and steal his body heat while he eats. Everyone wins! :)
Neglekted Pohnies too gud to drink frum bukkits nao. Make majik water box wurk again plz k thx.
So, thank goodness we had a great weekend of riding, because I refuse to sit in the freezing cold saddle seat of death in this ridiculousness.
Oh, the cherry on top? The fricking automatic waterers at the barn weren't working yesterday-some were frozen, others (like Miles) weren't filling back up with water. Gah, Blarg, F%#k, etc. I really do love the waterers-the water is so lovely and clean and cool in the summer, ice-free in the Winter (of course, when it's working, ha ha). The design, with a plastic disk on top of the water that the horses have to push down to get a drink, is great for horses like Miles that are curious and like using their mouths for all things anyway. However, the down side is when they aren't working, it's very, very dangerous unless it's noticed right away. This is the first time the waterer in Miles' pasture has had an issue, but it's just one more thing to worry about. Of course, the barn help is bringing water buckets out to the pastures until they're fixed. In this weather, though, they freeze so damn fast. It sounds like they had the repair folks out today thank gawd. Hopefully all is well now.
Alright, enough whining. The good news? We're getting mirrors on one side of the indoor arena, Hooray!! I've never ridden with mirrors, and I'm really looking forward to observing my airplane toes and awesome lower leg that never stops moving while I'm posting! Seriously though, it's a great improvement.
That's all for now...tomorrow I'll be going out to the barn, mostly to stand very close to my horse and steal his body heat while he eats. Everyone wins! :)
Neglekted Pohnies too gud to drink frum bukkits nao. Make majik water box wurk again plz k thx.
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