All Alone In The Big Bad Woods

Ok, so our trails around the barn are mostly fields. Still, we went! Alone! For many, many minutes!

Like the rest of the world, it seems, we've been in a weeks long heatwave, but today was lovely, low 80's, low humidity, light breeze, all those nice things. (As an aside, even with all the kvetching about the weather, it's August?!? Really? It's not right. Where is my summer? It was just May, I swear).

Conditions are never perfect though, are they? The ginormous B-52 bomber flies are now out and about-Miles was running and bucking up a storm to get away from one in his pasture when I got to the barn, and we were harassed by at least one out on the trail today. Don't think it didn't cross my mind multiple times to give into temptation and start galloping away from the damn things, either. However, for whatever reason, I was feeling less than confident. I don't know why-believe me, I wish I did. Miles was wonderful, alert but relaxed and curious. Even with the Death Flies buzzing about, he never lost his shit, because he is such a good boy. I was the scardy-cat, worrying about turkeys or deer jumping out from bushes and trees around the bend-I started having a conversation with Miles about how he was going to go back to the pasture and have a good laugh with LaShore and the mares next door about what a wuss-puss his owner is.

Ah, well...I guess I'd rather be annoyed at me than him:) It has been a little bit since our last ride. I didn't lunge him today and haven't in god knows how long. I miss that little activity exactly not at all. Don't get me wrong, lunging is a wonderful tool, but I love not having to do it before a ride. I love it a lot. Today I got on, did two laps at a walk around the arena, and headed out.

Anyway, the fact that I'm whining about not feeling brave enough to canter my OTTB on a trail ride alone is kind of cool, right? I'm so glad I have this blog to look back-it wasn't so long ago I was wringing my hands over the fact that we hadn't gone out on the trails at all.

Next ride, however, we need to work on our walk-trot-walk transitions in preparation for our show debut. It turns out we are both lazy creatures by nature-time to inject some energy into our work! Three weeks and counting....

(Also, we still have the chicken, Marigold. She is very pretty, charming, and she poops. A lot. It wouldn't be so bad if she was an actual back YARD chicken, but it turns out she likes to hang out on the deck by our door-but not come in!-most of the time, until it gets to be dusk and she trots up into her roost. So, I'm pretty much constantly cleaning up chicken crap. We're looking at getting a friend for her, so she feels more confident about hanging out in the yard, and a roost farther away from the house. How cute are Silkie Chickens? VERY CUTE! Image from http://dreamflowermeadows.com)

Hullo, we r poofy and adoorable, yes? Also, we don't see so gud.

Quick Note...Also, Published!

Bragging about my horse again. C'mon, it's been at least 2 posts since I've done that, right? We had our first ride in over a week tonight, during a perfect summer evening. We struggled a bit with our right lead, though in fairness to Miles I wasn't even planning on working on it. From the moment I got on, though, he felt great, walking forward, comfortable and happy. His old stride is back, and all my paranoia about the thrush not being his only issue was put to rest (for now). Believe me, I was imagining everything from sore heels to navicular.

Anyway, a really nice ride on a really beautiful day. He tries so hard, this one. I'm so lucky.

The Best Boy.

Also, we're entering our first show on August 18th, barring unforseen circumstances or 100 degree heat indexes. Time to put up or...well, you know. We will be showing under his race name, Masarin...a name I love more and more the longer I know this horse. It's so him.

Finally, our story got published in New Vocations' Summer Newsletter! It's funny, because it's so not word for word what I wrote...I imagine they had their own reasons for pointing out that even though he was a "failed" police horse, he turned out to be pretty spectacular. MAN, what I wouldn't give to know anything about his backstory...it kills me that I have no information about his life after racing (or even before that, other than what his race stats say.). Anyway, it was pretty cool to see our story in print, regardless...and we had the biggest picture on the page. Just sayin'....:)

Jack Sprat the OTTB

You know the old nursery rhyme..."Jack Sprat could eat no fat, his wife could eat no lean." That's all I can remember, actually (his poor wife; did she even have a name? Gawd, the patriarchy starts the kids early, doesn't it?;). So, 3 guesses who Jack is and who the wife is in Miles' and my scenario? Bet you don't need the last 2!

The day this becomes a weight loss blog just shoot me. It's something I struggle with and will always struggle with, but I'm not giving up the fight. What's important is that I am getting more fit and increasing my stamina, and Miles has no problems carrying me or working under me. He doesn't flinch when I mount and has shown absolutely zero signs of having back problems...believe me, I am ever vigilant for any signs of his discomfort, and so far so good. Besides, I watch reining on RFD-TV every now and then, and my goodness there are some small horses working very hard under some large men and their heavy tack. In other words, this isn't about me.

This is my boy in October 2009, about a month and a half after I adopted him. Obviously too thin, the thing that concerns me most is his topline. However, he came to us underweight, and was VERY stressed for most of September; he may have even lost weight in his transition from New Vocations to my barn, so that's mostly what I attribute it too. He was on Du-Mor Weight Gain supplement at this point, which was pretty much worthless to him. I switched him to CocoSoya (oil supplement), he settled in and got a turnout buddy, and this was him in January 2010.

MUCH improved. Yes, he had a winter coat, but not much of one as he was blanketed and coming into a stall at night. I would've liked another 50 pounds on him, but his topline and neck look great.

June 2010. Sigh. He's just...not where I want him. Of course, I still think he is absolutely stunning:) And yes, he had just had a bath and was still slightly damp, and the early evening sun was just radiating off of him, accentuating those TB ribs of his. He's not as bad as the October 2009 picture (no bony topline, not as "tucked under"), but his neck isn't as filled in as the January 2010 picture either (though he is in better shape with more muscle than in January). If it were October instead of July I'd be very concerned, actually.

So what have I been doing? He was getting a beet pulp mash about 4 times a week up until a couple of weeks ago, when he and LaShore were moved to a much grassier pasture. Great, great thing, but he stopped being interested in eating the beet pulp whatsoever. He and LaShore have been getting 1/2 bale of hay am and pm, and he's getting about 9 lbs of Nutrena Safe-Choice a day, divided up am and pm. He has been on CocoSoya for the last couple of months as well. I dunno how much that stuff is actually helping him put on weight though. Yes, his coat looks great, but that's not what I'm buying it for! I've also found if it's not REALLY mixed in his feed, he won't eat the really oil-soaked parts of his grain....sigh.

New plan...I picked up some alfalfa cubes today. He's going to be getting about 5 lbs soaked a day (please please please let him eat it!). I also ordered Fat Cat supplement from SmartPak. It's economical and got great reviews on their website.

If none of this seems to make a difference by late August, I guess I will have to call the vet. Trust me when I say he's getting enough food, both forage and grain (although I wish he could get a mid-day feeding of hay as well, it's not possible unless I go out there and do it. Judy, LaShore's owner, does often toss the boys additional hay after she's done riding in the morning, however). He had his teeth floated 6 months ago. Current on his de-worming, and in fact has received double doses of some wormers in the past 9 months as recommended by the 4th year MSU vet student who boards at the barn with his wife. He has no signs of ulcers, other than being a wee bit ticklish on his belly near his sheath area. He isn't cinchy in the least, thank goodness. His attitude is great, his appetite is good (although I noticed the heat has slowed it down a bit these last few days, the weather is supposed to break this weekend). I hope it won't come to this! If it does, however, we will still have some time before the weather gets really cold to treat whatever needs to be treated (if anything) or try something different.

I don't expect him to look like a quarter horse. I just want him to be healthy. If he becomes ill, god forbid, I want him to have some fat stores to draw on.

Anyway, not the most stimulating post, I know, but it's what's been on my mind when it comes to Miles. By the way, I stayed for about an hour of the show (and it was HAWT). I hosed Miles down and took him up to graze and watch the festivities. He was interested but not scared, although he did shy (so mildly I wouldn't even call them spooks) a couple of times. Apparently I am a huge wuss puss because they had a great turnout! The class(es) we would've entered had only 2 riders in them, however. Ah well. NEXT time, come hell or high water, we're getting out there! Miles, ribby or not, is too damn cute not to show off:)

Miles-doesn't know what all the fuss is about.
Also please to note: shoulders in this photo are not as straight as they appear:-) Good lawd that thing looks practically vertical!

Cue Sad Trumpets...

Wah Wah Wah....

No show for Miles and me this Wednesday.

First though I want to talk about today...I rode him in the blistering heat, and he was lovely, lovely, lovely. It was our second ride using the English Hackamore, and I think it's safe to say we are a fan. I'm not giving up on riding with a bit, but I'm going to stick with the hackamore for another week or so and see how things go. It's a piece of equipment that really is No Joke, as far as how harsh it can be, so I have to be careful with it, but so far so good. Anyway, our ride was short but really awesome. He was so happy and relaxed, his cute little ears flopping to the side and occasionally twitching back to listen to my babble. I asked him to be Forward Pony, and in return we would quit after 15 minutes; he was happy to oblige. Dammit, I was so proud of him.

But I can't do the show. Too many things are coming at me at once, all rightnow! rightnow! and I can't put them off or ignore them. Mostly it's really boring crap you all have no interest in hearing and I have even less interest in describing. They're all related to money, and car-leases being up, and the other car being in the shop, and work going bananas, and the husband going out of town, and wtf do I do with the dogs, and did I mention the heat? Yeah, we're looking at 90 degrees tomorrow and Wednesday. I just can't do it all right now. It pisses me off and makes me sad and fills me with relief all at once. Yes, I know it's just a "Fun Show", but it's still a show, our FIRST show, and I'm going to be nervous no matter what. I'd rather be able to focus all my energy on it and have butterflies because we are making our showing debut, and not have this be something I'm anxious about because I've got 10 other things on my mind. Shows, especially fun shows, should be, ahem, FUN and not just something else I need to squeeze in before I have to do something else. Or feel guilty about because I should be doing something else, or spending the money on something else, or or or....

The only thing I can take comfort in is that none of these reasons are related to Miles' and my progress. I'm so, so, so proud of my boy. Working towards this silly little show in the last couple weeks has really brought out the best in both of us, I think.

So, poo. I know there will be other opportunities, but as I write this I'm struck by how really down about it I am. Sometimes I am utterly perplexed at how much time it takes to do all the stupid shit we have to do just to LIVE (like errands and appointments and oh yeah working hours and hours and hours at a job in order to be able to afford to do what we really want). I'll get over it. Things will calm down. When we finally get out in the show ring, we are gonna kick some serious tail.

Forlorn Miles is Forlorn. Sorry Bubs. It's not you, it's me.

7/6 Update: Okay, honestly, if I had all the time in the world this week I'm still not sure I'd be showing. The forecast just keeps getting hotter and hotter, with a high of 94 today and tomorrow. That's just not safe for doing much outside, let alone riding. I'm thinking the only thing Miles is getting today and tomorrow is a couple of baths. Ugh, Michigan, you are killing me this year!

Happy 4th of July-It's HAWT

Miles is getting the day off today. It's approaching 90 degrees outside, and since I'm pretty sure there's going to be firework action we will be able to hear and smell at the barn, I'd just as soon stay home.

He's been getting worked quite regularly this last week. I decided to experiment and shortened my stirrups a hole (let's face it, while I really WANT to ride dressage, I'm in an all purpose/close contact saddle! It's a Custom Saddlery Revolution that I got for a song since the line is now discontinued), and WOW did that feel good. My base of support is so much more stable. I wish I was strong enough to have slightly longer stirrups, but whatever, right now I need to work with what I've got, and that one hole makes a big difference. Great thing to discover right before the show!

Yesterday I was short on time so I thought, "Hey, we haven't had a lunge session in quite awhile, let's do that. Let's make it super-fun and do it in the scary area of the farm where Miles pulled his Michael Jackson (thanks for that phrase Kristen!) Hot Move (MJHM) when I bit the dust and see if we can't get that TB brain of his to sloooooow down and think, as it does so well in the arena."

So, we're out there in the grass and he's walking-head up and looking around but walking, in a very nice circle around me. I ask for a trot. He takes about ten lovely strides, and then pulls the MJHM. This would not have been a big deal if the damn cheap sonofab*&#h lunge line had not then snapped at the latch under pressure (and it wasn't even that much pressure!), and away he galloped, back to the barn, tail in the air, super duper pleased with himself.

This is now twice he has pulled the MJHM and gotten to run back to the barn. Not good. SOOOOO not good.

Sigh, I collect the TB (who is now snorty and prancy and quite cute, actually, though I couldn't let him know I thought so!), grab new lunge line, and head back to the scene of the crime.

This is his "safe and sane as a lesson pony" face. It is not to be trusted.

I would have seriously questioned my boy's intelligence had he not tried the same thing again. Of course, though, he did, a few times naturally. What was supposed to be a short session turned into something much longer, but actually I felt great when we were done. We're not going to solve this issue in one session, but by the end he was doing walk trot transitions with his head down and licking and chewing. Good good good boy. I wanted him to actually relax enough when we were done to graze a little in that spot, but he preferred to stand and look around, and honestly I didn't have the time to stand with him and wait.

Anyway, I'll be riding tomorrow and Tuesday of course (no matter how hot it is, ugh), and then Wednesday is our Big Day! Hope everyone has a wonderful Fourth of July, and that your animals get through it sane, safe and sound. Lebowski hates hates HATES fireworks, but luckily they make drugs for that:)

Babushka Bean hate loud boom boom noise. Feel safe wrapped in towel along with many pettings.

FINALLY!! A Beautiful Day!

I cannot WAIT to get out of this here office and get outside to play with my pony. It's so absolutely gorgeous outside, I want to RIDE. It's actually kind of exciting to have a show to work towards...July 7th, next Wednesday, we shall make our debut, show clothes or no show clothes (hint-it will be no show clothes).

I never thought I'd actually enter a walk/trot class again after I turned oh, let's see, maybe 10 years old, but I'm not feeling as silly about it as I thought I might. For one thing, our right lead is still SO hit or miss. I've also never actually cantered him in a ring with other horses who are also cantering...hmmm, wonder what that would look like to him? I'm sure no racing memories would be inspired by this scenario! In addition, we've not picked up the canter from a walk yet, though I'm eager to try this and see if it doesn't improve our transitions or shoot them all to hell. Anyway, 3 good reasons (and believe me, there's more!) to play it safe at our first show.

So, yay! I'm already picking out saddle pad/shirt combinations. I'm thinking either a teal or light blue ensemble-he looks smashing in either. Who says western people have all the fun? I'm still not sure on white polos or no polos. This show's gone rouge, I'm so confused! There are no rules! There are no limits!

Ugh, I've always sucked at fashion, and horse show fashion is obviously no different. For now, I'm going to count the minutes until I can blast out of here and get to the barn, to ride in what looks to be 75 degrees and sunny weather. Not a bad Monday in store, all in all, not bad at all.

Show Time!

Haha, of course not for me! The dressage show my barn is putting on is tomorrow-I'll be there bright and early to do the announcing for the morning. Ugh, I hope I don't blow it. Originally I was going to scribe in the afternoon but something came up. Still, I'm looking forward to it. You never know, maaaaaaaybe next year I won't be volunteering because I'll be riding. Maaaaaaaaybe.

I hope to have enough time after I'm done announcing to take Miles out to see the sights. If he has his wits about him I'd love to hop on and ride him for a bit before I have to leave.

I ran out to the barn at lunch today to feed him his beet pulp and clean him off a bit before tomorrow (WHY did I bother with the bath less than two days ago?). He and LaShore have now moved to the field next to their pasture (which is VERY grazed down) during the day, and this field has LOTS more grass , so I'm super happy about that and hope that will help cover those ribs of his even more. It's probably just a temporary situation, but I feel much better knowing he's got access to grass all day. Poor LaShore is a founder risk, so we have to watch him (and he's the reason they couldn't be out on rich grass before now), but honestly it's a small price to pay because those two get along SO well. After what happened with Ebony (being kicked) and Cody, another horse at the barn that went seriously lame after being kicked by a herd mate, having my boy out 24/7 with a horse that he can play with and yet I trust not to hurt him (and vice versa!) is invaluable.

Back to this afternoon-even with all that yummy grass he was eating at the far end of the field, as soon as he saw me he ran down to the gate, and if horses could smile I'm quite sure he would have been. I'm so, so lucky to have him-he made it almost impossible to go back to work;) He definitely makes it impossible for me not to grin like an idiot and laugh out loud at this horse I love so, so much.

Update: Whew, I am pooped! Super fun time this morning though, and I only announced the wrong entry once and quickly corrected it! Miles was a superstar-I had very little time so I dragged him out of the field, brushed him, threw the tack on him and led him into the chaos. He was looky and a bit tense under me, but other than that was happy to take in the sights and sounds without overreacting. I think we might have to enter our first show in July after all-gulp.

Days of Calm

At the barn, at least. Work is crazy. My dad got out of the hospital after a two plus week stay (he is OK and recovering, thank goodness). Kyle has been swamped at work, and though he works from home I feel like I barely see him. He usually comes to bed about 3 hours before I have to get up at 6:30. So thank goodness I have the barn, and these two ridiculously adorable boys to great me every other day or so.

OMG here comes the hay lady!

I haven't had a ton of rides the last couple weeks, and when I do ride I just can't bring us to do anything remotely challenging...bad, bad bad. Still, it's been exactly what I've needed on those particular days. There is a "Fun Show" at our barn in July-I'm slightly tempted to enter us in a walk trot class, just to see...where we're at. There's no show clothes required, what else do I want? Well, I guess I want to see him in that environment first. I've never ridden him in an arena with more than 2 or 3 horses in it, let alone a warm-up type setting. I think the smart thing is just to get him out, let him graze and look at all the commotion, lunge, and maaaaaybe ride him if he's got a brain in his head amid horse show chaos. There's a dressage show at our barn next week that I'm going to scribe for half the day (so NOT tempted to enter that!), but that will give me a gauge for how he is with showing as well.

Still, I look at this face and think, who WOULDN'T give him a blue ribbon, despite the monkey on his back? I mean, seriously.

This picture kills me...love it.

It's hot again this weekend, so I think Mr. Handsome will get a bath-his first one yet!! Well, obviously by me. I'm excited, I'll admit it. Anything to make him pretty. I needed to take more pics anyway.

In unrelated to horses news, we took the dogs swimming today. Gosh, they are hilarious.

Lebowski (aka Bean) turns into a two year old again, I swear. That dog LIVES to swim. Of course, right now, they are pooped. Just how I like them:) Happy Friday Everyone!