Christmas Wish (really, wishing, not actually thinking it'll happen) List!

HolyBully asked what's on our horsey Christmas wish lists ... weeeeelllll, I guess, if you're asking ... :)


More than anything, this 18" Hennig Sofa with short flaps at Maryland Tack Exchange:

A Hennig.  With short flaps.  And an adjustable gullet (by a saddle fitter; I happen to know an excellent one at English Saddle Fit in TN!!).  And a seat size I fit in.   And in a price range I could conceivably swing, if I ignored what I should do and did what I want to do with money that's supposed to be coming in any.day.now.

Like, this is the unicorn of saddles.  MT has one that somehow, magically, fit almost any horse and almost any rider.  I loved it when I got to ride in it.  I am so tired of trying to ride in a correct dressage seat in my jump saddle - which is lovely and perfect for jumping! - and I am anxious to get a new dressage saddle.   This new-to-me dressage saddle.


I'll need a new set of black 48" stirrup leathers; child-size to go with the short flaps, of course.

And another set of stirrups; might as well go with the neato ones!  I might swap these onto my jump saddle and put the flex stirrups on the dressage saddle, but ... nah.  These on the dressage.  Maybe.  If I tend to lose them the same way I did in my other saddle.  But these are the lowest priority; I have other irons I can use until I get the pretties.

I sold the girth, too, so a 22" Total Shoulder Fit girth to go with it:

Other than that ... my sister already got me a needed item: a new medium-weight turnout for Apollo!  Hooray!  He'll be wearing it tomorrow.

I'd love to have a stable blanket for him, actually, so his turnouts can dry overnight if needed.

And a show coat.   A Kerrits Kompetitor's Koat, or a FITS Zephyr coat.  Yknow ... something that I can wear in the heat and humidity without dying.

And a good raincoat.  Because apparently, based on my teacher's posts and other friends' posts, it rains at every horse show.  I'm going to have to get used to jumping in the rain.  :/

And several long sleeve technical, sweat-wicking tops.  A few short sleeve, but several long sleeve.  Because sweat happens even when I need a long sleeve shirt.

So that's my horsey wish list.  What's on yours?   :)

Inspired/Reminded by Chasing the Dream:

So I was reading through my blogroll, and I was reminded by Checkmark115 at Chasing the Dream of two things.  First, that I hadn't talked much about Apollo's relatively recent development:

He hates, hates the trailer I have available to me.

Like rearing and bolting when I tried to load him a while ago kind of hate.

This is SO unusual for this horse - he's so easygoing.  But after the first trip in the trailer, from my first barn here to Council Creek back in January, he decided he hated the thing.  The second time I tried to load him, we'd pulled the trailer into the drive, outside of the pasture where it usually lives.  He was hesitant and a little difficult, but we got him in with the longe whip.  After that, he got worse and worse.  I tried to load him and not tie him - nope, he flailed and bashed his head and freaked further.  I tried to load him and tie him but not close the divider - nope, flailed and freaked out.

I gave it a break for a while, then in late September started working on trailer training without any time pressure or place to actually go.  That was the full-on rear, many bolt, very leap, so pull back episode.  This was about 3 weeks before I got married, btw, and of course, I managed to sprain? break? somehow damage my left ring finger in the process.  Sigh.  Clearly I needed to change my approach, which had been punishing him for doing the wrong thing and praising him for doing the right thing.

I'd put a stud chain on his halter at first, but I realized I could use it better - instead of pulling on it to say "don't do that," which upset him a lot, I just let it do its thing when he pulled.  I changed my mind and attitude to be just patient - I decided I had all the time in the world, nothing he could do would freak me out or scare me (I did put my helmet on, though, just in case), and he would end up on the trailer.  Whenever.  We had time.   So the chain went on, I led him up to the trailer, he halted, I let the chain be a little tight, I kept my back to him and kept the pressure but didn't pull, and as soon as he stepped forward again I loosened the chain and praised.  Lather, rinse, repeat.  The first time it took 30-40 minutes to get him loaded, clipped in, and divider closed, and the "lather" part was literal.

The second time, 15 minutes, no lather.

Third time, 10 minutes, no lather.

Thursday, 5 minutes, no lather.  It took more like 10 minutes, maybe 15, to load him back up at NT's place, but it was a low-key 10-15 minutes rather than a panicked shitshow, so I'll take it.  There was a lot going on, and it was dinnertime at NT's, so I can't really be too upset with Apollo not wanting to load.  Maybe I should be - yes, horses SHOULD be obedient and quiet at all times, and loading is important - but upset doesn't get me anywhere, as we've seen.  I also did it by myself, rather than having to ask for help.  That's actually really important to me, that I be able to load my horse myself, because I don't often have people with me any more.  So more calm, patient loading work seems to be in order, but I am pleased with how well he's come along.

The second thing ... I'm going to leave that for another day, because I need motivation to blog!  :)   Hint: it's made of leather.

Say this with a straight face, I dare you.

So we have a boarder committed to coming out to our barn - yay!  I think she'll be a great fit when she finds her horse and moves in.  I'm excited about it - it'll be nice to have someone to ride with, and she's got a great attitude.  Another boarder might come board with us, but no commitment yet.  I'm pretty pleased; more work for me = income!  And healthier me, and income for the property owners, et cetera.  The barn is, as always, a work in progress, but it's definitely workable and cool.

I took Apollo up to NT's yesterday, where we had a very fun, productive lesson.  We didn't jump high at all - it was all about communication and adjustability in stride and gait.  Apollo has been really stiff lately through his jaw, shoulder, and hip, so we worked hard on that by doing a lot of bending on circles before we started jumping, then asking for clear bend in the corners when jumping lines.  Eventually, Apollo released, and we could move the focus to getting me to take the emergency brake off and encourage him to come on a bigger, freer stride.

I discovered that the key to coming through the course well was having Apollo round and engaged in the Very First Corner - which, of course, I knew intellectually but hadn't really learned physically.  And then, after that first line, I needed to really swing my hips and allow him to keep cantering forward and freely instead of locking my seat up and putting that brake on.  Finally, once we got the brake off, I felt like I was back in the place I was when I left Idaho.  I felt like I had control and confidence and calm, despite Apollo shouting "Vive la resistance!" at every opportunity.  Must, MUST go up much more often for lessons!!

Amusing: for a clinic with Sinead Halpin, the working students had set up a vertical with dressage letter cones under it.  The cones spelled SPAM. No new phenomenon - at Aspen Farms, they often have a jump with their letters and spell ASPEN.  :)  So in K's lesson before mine, NT would say "okay, canter up the 3-stride cavaletti line, then the crossrail, then the vertical in the middle, then go all the way around and come up over SPAM."   However ... when a friend of the barn, who has a wicked sense of humor, came out and watched for a bit, she rearranged the letters a bit and added R and M.   For my lesson, I got "okay, canter up the 3-stride cavaletti line, then the crossrail, then the vertical in the middle, then go all the way around and come up over SPERM."

*dies laughing*  

Apollo gave the cones a hard look on the first approach, much like he did in a lesson with Gary one summer, when he would. not. go. over. a vertical with black dressage-fence-pipe-holders under it.  But this time, I just sat up, put my leg ON, and told him GO.  And he went.  :)  SPERM ain't no thang, people.

Brief thoughts on horsekeeping

1. Comparing horse keeping to mommy wars is insulting and inaccurate.  Insisting that stalls be cleaned daily instead of weekly isn't prissy - it's basic health. Poop or pee in stall?  Take it out.  Period.  It's like not changing your kid's diaper but once a day.

2. Flake shavings - we hates them forever, precious. Yes, they *look* all fluffy and soft to human eyes, but they're difficult to clean, and they don't provide any more soft places to sleep than a more horse-friendly bedding. Like pellets. We love pellets, precious. They clean easily, are soft, last a long time, and compost well.  They don't look golden and fluffy, but I swear, they're a better choice. Especially for a barn that doesn't have a big shed where truckloads of sawdust or fine shavings can be dumped.  Pellets store easily.

3. Yes, we do have mice, despite the cat's best efforts.  If you leave bags of grain out, they will get nibbled. We have a chest freezer for your very own grain storage; I know it might take a minute of thought on how to arrange the bags of grain in it so all five fit, but I swear it can be done. Even without opening the bags and just storing the grain in the freezer.

4. Those who say it can't be done should probably get out of the way of the person doing it.

5. Logic is good, mmkay?  Woo-woo has its place, but that place is after thinking rationally and functionally.

Tae Kwon LEAP

All righty - I'm going to use this little survey as a springboard to get myself back into blogging!  So, survey, and then a few updates on the state of the 'Pollo Pony.  :)

Four names that people call me other than my real name:
1. Rinsie
2. Rinz / Linds
3. Hon
4. Babygirl

Four jobs I've had:
1. Programmer
2. Editor
3. Technical Writer
4. Technical Support Analyst

Four movies I've watched more than once:
1. Clue
2. Real Genius
3. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (original)
4. A Room With A View

Four books I'd recommend:
1. Dune by Frank Herbert
2. The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper
3. Young Men and Fire by Norman McLean
4. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Four places I've lived:
1. Atlanta, GA
2. Kuna, ID
3. Saratoga, CA
4. Austin, TX

Four places I've visited:
1. Guatemala
2. London
3. Machynlleth, Wales
4. San Juan Islands, Canada/WA

Four places I'd rather be right now:
1. Bed
2. Barn
3. Road Less Traveled Eventing, Lenoir City TN
4. Mittleider Eventing, Kuna ID

Four things I'd rather not eat:
1. Bell peppers. Love hot peppers, bell peppers are gross.
2. Boeuf Bourgignon
3. Hot dogs
4. Capers

Four of my favorite foods:
1. Pesto
2. My mom's chocolate chip cookies
3. Seafood in general; low country boils and sushi in particular
4. Dim sum

Four TV shows I watch:(recommend, really)
1. Firefly
2. Criminal Minds
3. Daredevil
4. The Flash

Four things I'm looking forward to this year:
1. Going home for Christmas
2. Riding a lot
3. Things getting better at work (or the alternative)
4. A new dressage saddle

Four things I say a lot:
1. Okay, good deal.
2. Oh, for shit's sake!
3. What a good [boy / girl]!
4. Hm. I don't know. I'll have to get back to you on that one.


So at last update, we'd just diagnosed Apollo with mild navicular in his RF.  He then spent two weeks up at NT's while I was away on a work trip.  He got fed and fed and fed, and NT rode him for the two weeks.  He ALSO got a bodywork appointment, which was awesome.  The upshot of this two weeks was that he came back all tuned up, much stronger and more muscled, albeit with terribly past their shoe-by date feet.  Ready to rock and roll!

drooooooooooool
don't stop ever

Then, while trying to load him up to take him on a trail ride at a friend's barn, he got stupid, unseated his RH shoe, and *stomped* on the clip and nail.  Blood (his), tears (mine ... okay, I'm exaggerating), whole nine yards.  (Sparing you the photo.)  I got it clean and wrapped up immediately, which I think saved me an abscess from hell.   My excellent farrier came by a few days later, trimmed him, and shod him with pads and soft packing up front to cushion that navicular and prevent any development of the same in the LF.

NT came out for a lesson, since she was in the area, and I had an asthma attack.  Less than fun.

But we've been working on getting him pushing from behind, really engaging his hocks and getting that inside hind to really track up.  This is our constant battle, honestly.  I feel like he might benefit from hock injections or from something like Adequan, but right now the next two things on the Buy list are hay and stall mats/bedding.  So I ride him with a huge emphasis on that power and push on the flat, and I'm working a lot of gymnastics and Circle of Death for jumping exercises.  Power and push for him, position for me.

I'm down to one saddle now.  I sold both Collegiates, jump and dressage, in the last week.  The money goes into the New Dressage Saddle fund. I have about half-ish of what I need for a nice used saddle now, and any minute now I'm expecting paychecks for freelance work. Anybody who wishes to contribute may contact me directly.  *grin*

HOW many horses have you got in there??  Where do they all fit??

We also finally have the arena up and running!  Lovely thing.  There are some tweaks to make - like putting some landscaping fabric around the kick board so that the (#@*&% footing doesn't run out when it rains ...

Arena!

Harrowing the arena is both easier and harder than I expected.  I have to admit that the tractor is kind of intimidating.  It's old and a bit rickety, and it takes holding your mouth right and the wind blowing north-north-west (like madness) to get it to lift the bucket, drop the arm, go into neutral, etc.  Just when I thought I had gotten the hang of it, this happens:

I was wondering why it felt funny.

I'm really hoping for a four-wheeler or something instead; tractors be scary, yo.


That's all I have for the moment.  I'll try to be better about updating, but no promises.  :)

LOOK AT MAH SEXAY HORSE!  LOOOOOOK!
Seriously, he's looking way better than he was, even
though he's filthy in this pic.

The verdict on horse stress.

So as it turns out, my horse stress was a little warranted.  Apollo came up lame two weeks ago on Sunday, when I'd taken him up to NT's over the Fourth.  I jumped to hot nail or abscess, since he'd just been shod that Friday.  Farrier came out, pulled the heel nails in his RF, and I scheduled the vet to come do radiographs - if it was an abscess, I felt like he'd abscessed a few times on that foot already, so it was time to see what was what.

He was rather sounder on Wednesday for the vet but not totally sound, so hot nail was the diagnosis.  Rads didn't show any abscessing, buuuuuut ... he does have mild navicular disease in that RF.

Sigh.  Now, navicular isn't the doom it was 20 years ago, but it's not nothing either.  Fortunately it's mild, and he did come back to sound after I buted him for several days.  So we have a treatment plan that includes pour-in pads, avoiding hard or irregular footing (XC isn't necessarily irregular; I'll avoid the dry, rutted pastures though), and close monitoring.  If he deteriorates to a point at which he can't jump without pain any more, then we won't jump any more.  If he deteriorates to a point at which he can't be ridden without pain any more, I'll retire him.  And if he can't move at all without pain, I'll take the pain on me and let him go.

BUT.

Signs point to successful management right now.  So we're not going to consider the worst case scenario, just know what we'll do if it comes about.

We also did a titer for EPM, which came back kind of bafflingly - two of his levels indicate non-problem, one is elevated.  His inflammation marker was high, but then again, we know that he had some inflammation going on based on the rads.  Pedal osteitis, is what the vet called it.

So the plan for that is "wait and see."  More like wait, keep him as healthy and fit as humanly and equinely possible, feed him until he pops, and if he shows symptoms or deteriorates inexplicably, then start treating.

And yes, feed him.  Vet said she thought the roach in his back was a combination of inflammation and needing weight on.  Apollo is very much enjoying the heaping piles of food he's getting now!  He now gets:

Pasture 24/7  (not really good quality, but green growing forage, as much as he wants)

Morning:

3 qt Strategy Healthy Edge
1.5 qt beet pulp, soaked
1.5 qt alfalfa pellets
1/2 scoop electrolytes
2 scoop Cool Calories
2000 IU vitamin E

Evening:

4.5 qt Strategy Healthy Edge
1.5 qt beet pulp, soaked
1/2 scoop electrolytes
2 scoop Cool Calories
2000 IU vitamin E
1 scoop Nu-Hoof Maximizer

2 flakes alfalfa hay in a nibble net
grass hay to fill out the nibble net

This seems like a LOT to me ... but he is perking up, seeming shinier and more cheerful, so I think he's feeling good.  He's sound again, which can't be hurting his attitude either.   I'd be interested in recommendations for supplements, especially herbal, and must have science to back it up, that help reduce general inflammation.

And I'll be getting alfalfa to feed him through the winter, too, rather than just the grass hay.  I just don't think he does as well on grass hay.  *shrug*  This might be my horse-owner idiosyncrasy, though.  Everybody's got at least one conviction or habit or practice that's considered weird in their area, and alfalfa hay is mine.  The idea scandalizes people around here, that horses can just eat alfalfa.  SMH.  I'll own it: I'm weird.  

But my horse won't be thin any more.  :)

Enter a contest!

Contest time at All In!   700 entries ... Karley is really good about blogging regularly, and she and Henry are a great team!   Go read her entry, and check out this contest!

Two things:  first, like everyone else, I'm sending all my love and best thoughts to Lauren.  If anyone reading this hasn't seen the GoFundMe for her, here it is:  Gift for Lauren.  I only wish I could give more.

Second, thank you all for your supportive words to me.  I'm getting a lid on the crazy, mostly, and a good look at Apollo's legs tells me that yes, my fear of ringbone is ridiculous.  He does have nicks and dings and scar tissue from cutting himself - his skin keloids up like it's its job - but he's sound.  I do think, though, that I should probably consider hock injections sooner rather than later.  I think that would make him more comfortable in work.

As for the jumper's bump, yeah, it's there.  Slight, but there.  I'm imagining things.  It's not a jumper's bump, it's a slight roach.   Part of the problem, I think, is that he needs another 50-75 pounds.  He's got good muscling, but he needs MOAR.  So - plan is to continue schooling and exercising and doing horsey calisthenics to strengthen and build muscle, and I also picked up some Cool Calories to give him a better fat layer.  I never had this trouble in Idaho, and he started perking up significantly when I started him on alfalfa.  So ... apparently alfalfa is what he eats.  Can do.  It's just money, right?   (*cries as little moths fly out of wallet*)

Looks like I won't be able to run River Glen at the end of July.  Not because of crisis of confidence or anything like that, but because I have to be in Manhattan for work the week before.  I might could do the Starter on Saturday, but the possibility of having to work through the weekend is significant.  So ... later in the year it is.

And ... plans for the new arena at our barn are UNDERWAY!    SQUEEEE!  Good footing!  Dressage training!  JUMPING!   *dies*

Sudden stress.

So I'm suddenly consumed by horse stress.  So many stresses.  Self-doubt, really: am I taking the correct care of my horse?  Am I riding him correctly?  Am I actually injuring my horse?  What is this lump?  Do I need to call the vet?  Is he neurologic?  Was that a normal stumble or toe-dragging?  *pulls hair out*    Yeah.  Stress.

Last week, I arrived at the barn to discover that beloved ponykins had knocked over the panels in front of the barn designed to keep horses out of the barn.  I discovered him with his head in the pelleted feed bin, munching away; all three feed bins (beet pulp, alfalfa pellets, and Tribute Kalm n' EZ) were open, as well as the bin holding the cookie bag.  He'd also eaten several flakes of the compressed alfalfa bale I'd bought the week before.  ARGH.  I checked him out, and he seemed to be fine; vet recommended 3 days of Banamine just in case, and cold hosing his front feet, again just in case.  He didn't get *too* much more feed than he gets, total, in a day, and he hadn't had breakfast that day, but still.

Oh, and?  He'd pulled both his front shoes, likely the day before but possibly that day.  Gah.  One hell of a party in the pasture - no shoes, trash bin knocked over, panels over, eating straight from the carton ...

Temp, pulse, respiration, gut sounds, and manure were all good, no pain in his fronts, and they stayed that way.  So no real stress there, just a Thing That Happens Sometimes With Horses.

But ... I'm all freaked out that he's got a jumper's bump.  And that he's too thin.  And that he has no muscle.  And that he has ringbone.  And that he might be neurologic.

I mean, seriously.  These worries are, in order, probably silly; enh, he's a TB, he doesn't really do "fat;" patently silly; unlikely because he's sound, his x-rays never showed any hint of it, and the vet never mentioned it; and unlikely.

But at the same time ... part of me wants to collapse in a neurotic weepy pile with worry.  If he's got a jumper's bump, WHY?   HOW?  Did he always?  I'm looking for older photos of his back.  I know I have some.  And I always do horsey situps with him - getting him to tuck his hindquarters by running spurs lightly down the back of his quarters - and tummy tucks, and leg stretches, all to keep his topline strong and his back, hindquarter, and ab muscles strong and supportive.  I do carrot stretches with him too.  Am I imagining things?   And it leads into ...

Jumper's bump?  Or just my mind playing tricks on me?

Am I riding him correctly, working to strengthen his muscles and his correct carriage, the way I intend to ride?  Am I getting enough hind leg engagement?  (Almost certainly not, but I work at getting more and more.)  Is working on this uneven, unlevel surface - his pasture, with somewhat hard footing - hurting him, rather than helping?  I had thought that it'd be good for him, that he'd improve his balance - if we can be balanced and engaged on THIS surface, we can damn well be balanced and engaged in a nice dressage arena, was my thought.   But is it not helping?  I can't see his hind end, so am I imagining any improvement?  I watched the video of last year's derby, and I realized that I rode pretty well.  So I *can* ride ... or I *could*.  Can I still?  AM I still?

And on this unlevel surface, he does of course stumble.  He sometimes stumbles in the fancy arena at NT's place, too, but not nearly as much.  Do I need to worry?  Is he neurologic?  He jumps fine, doesn't get tangled up in himself ... I think.  Is his constant desire to have his head rubbed and his rubbing his face on his legs as soon as I dismount a symptom of Head Shaker Syndrome?  Are the various lumps and bumps on his pasterns ringbone?  They didn't show up on his rads when we took them, but did I cause it?  Does it develop late?   IS MY HORSE DYING AND I JUST DON'T KNOW IT???

Aaaaarrrrgggghhhhhh!


And THEN ... there's all the stress about whether we can and should get out to school XC and then go to a little jumper show this weekend.  I need to get the trailer mats organized tonight, and I hope that will help Apollo's loading issue.  I honestly think that mats plus not squshing him in with the divider will solve the issue - I think he was feeling really unstable and like he doesn't have enough room as it was.  The trailer *is* a bit too small for him.

Do I suck as a rider?  As a horse mom?   Suddenly I feel the way I imagine first time parents must feel, especially if they don't have parents of their own still living.   Like, totally adrift and wondering what I'm screwing up today.

Before Enlightenment

So.  The health saga goes on (and on ... and on ...) but I am determinedly focusing on a solution, not the problems, so I'll gloss over that.  Suffice to say that even if I don't feel 100%, I'm busting my ass to do all my normal stuff.  Including ride, do barn chores, work on improving the place, all that good stuff.

I'm working on developing Apollo's hind engagement - one of those things covered in "chop wood, carry water" - and he's doing well!  Lots of transitions between and within gaits, making sure that I don't school shit.  Today's plan, if it's not raining, is trot sets.  Tomorrow's plan, if it's not raining, is hack, then Sunday, if all goes as planned, up to NT's place for a dressage lesson in between barn chore shifts.

That barn chore shifts thing is something I'm really excited about.  Hang out with excellent people and learn from them by osmosis; get exercise doing something I enjoy; and work off lessons.  How could this be bad?  :D  The only drawback is the drive up there, but ... it's workable.  Especially if I'm working off lessons.  So some number of Sundays during the month, I'll get to hang out with the team.

Plus, things are shaping up at the home barn.  SO exciting there too.  BO and I went to Tractor Supply last night, and it's amazing how much difference a good manure cart makes in keeping things tidy.  It was downright fun to clean the stall.  (The refill of PDZ helped too.)   The push broom makes me happy, and I'm bringing a leaf style rake from home.  We also picked up some 3/4 inch matting for the trailer floor.  I think this, plus changing the way I buckle Apollo in, will make a huge difference in Apollo's willingness to trailer.  The mats will need trimming and Tetris-ing to fit precisely, but that will happen Saturday.  That way they'll be ready to go for Sunday early.

Next, a few loads of gravel to level out the stall Apollo's in, then I'll get actual stall mats for his stall, and bed it appropriately, and things will be MUCH better come winter.  And now, but yknow.  Winter is a big deal.  Just need to figure out how we'll schedule letting him out in the mornings.  A bridge to cross when we get there, really.  Just things doing better and better.

Oh, and - I had decided to skip the River Glen Horse Trials in July/August, thinking we weren't ready ... nah.  If we can get onto the course a couple of times and work hard in the meantime, we can at the VERY least do Starter, if not BN as planned.  Excelsior!

Today: Trot
Sat: Hack
Sun: Dressage
Mon: Off
Tues: Longe in side reins
Weds: Dressage
Thurs: Dressage
Fri: Off
Sat: Jump
Sun: Jump? Dressage?