Jumping bravery and weight loss!

I have been a busy bee. I hardly ever get on the computer anymore, mainly because the summer has been jam packed. I've been doing a lot of work at the barn as well as working full time at the clinic because we were short handed and swamped with dogs!

Hoping I can keep up more that things are slowing down and we have extra help at the clinic now.

First announcement - I have lost 30 pounds and 4 inches on my waist, and still losing. I feel so much better and I am super proud of myself!

Secondly, Amber is doing excellent! The muscle supplement I put her on is really helping her. We are starting to attempt to get our lead changes on the flat. I think it's really more I need to work on my aids.

She is currently doing 2'-2'3" courses. We've started throwing in some small oxers.

Casey's trainer from PA came and brought us some new jump equipment, including several standards, more poles, boxes, gates and some barrels.

We currently have the opposite problem that I used to have. Rather than feeling like I'm going too fast, when I'm going to slow, I feel like I'm going too slow when I'm going too fast. In the last lesson, our distances were a little funky, and when I watched the video I realized that she was doing a little more than the horse stride - we used to have to really push to get that!

Our first show is in November, but I will just be doing a couple of flat classes. Amber has never shown, I've never done hunters, so it's a test run.

Also, something exciting, Amber is going to be ridden by a beginner who is learning to canter. I think she will be a great teacher. Her canter is smooth and she is easy to stop, and will stop on her own if she feels her rider off balance (we tested this - I pretended to lose a stirrup and hung off her side. I felt like a trick rider, but she slowed down to a trot and then a walk nice and easy without me asking). One of the advanced kids, who is 10, but she is tiny for her age, as been riding her a little on the weekends for fun. She can really get her going nice!

I have a few pictures (grabbed them from my instagram), and I will try to get a moment to upload some of the videos from the lesson in a couple of days. I'm just so proud of what we've accomplished! 2'-2'3" isn't a high level at all, but for someone who was pretty sure 18" was the limit, it's a big deal!

The barn drama has been diminished, by the way, and we are glad of it. Everything has changed for the better. Everyone helps out now, and I think in a previous blog I may have complained about how the kids weren't being taught the "unmounted duties" of working with horses - feeding, cleaning and maintenance. And now a little more is expected of students, encouraging independence and responsibility for the ponies they ride. I didn't really notice the amount of selfishness and snobbery we once had until things turned around - everyone is so encouraging to one another now.

I should add - these jumps are mostly 21" with one or two 2'. I was jumping with some of the younger kids and some who were just starting out jumping. I voluntarily stayed (to Casey's surprise) after to upped the jumps for one other girl, but Jessie didn't video that for me!

Two Three.

SO.

I have once again failed to post regularly, but I have been working very hard in my lessons.

We are now jumping 2' normally with a few 2'3" jumps thrown in. It feels great and she has been doing great. She gets funny distances, but it's usually because I try to push her too fast down the line.

Today was a semi good ride. We started off bad jumping and she ran out of a few. She thinks the flower boxes are too tall or something and now she is bored with crossrails and jumps them retarded. But, we ended on a great note over a 2'3" and she got her lead!

I'm pretty proud of myself though, for being able to stay calm when she gets a bad distance or tries to run out. I admittedly get a little frustrated. I have a problem with wanting every jump to be "perfect" and that of course will rarely be the case, especially since we really just started a month or two ago!

So I think 2' and 2'3" will be our "normal" height, but Casey says we can occasionally jump higher and I'm excited about that. I actually like the bigger jumps better than the crossrails now.

We put her on the Cosequin ASU and I think that will really help her out, and she also gets half a dose of SmartMuscle Stamina. Half a dose because since we are doing such small stuff, and I only ride 3-4 days a week, plus she isn't a huge horse...well, she just needs a little extra to keep her going. Casey said she looked a little tired today, so I hope we see results in the next couple of months.

I'll try to get videos, but it seems like every time I have someone video I start to mess her up! So someone will just have to video when I don't know about it. I hope I don't get stage fright like that at a show!

Jumping for Joy

So, admitting I haven't posted like I promised, I thought I'd make it up by bringing you a little jumping video.  Not much, but this was one of our first times doing 2ft (the flowerbox) in over a year.  And we were barely doing it back then.

Things have been going pretty well with jumping.  I'm getting braver to the fences, and at this point my distances just worry me.  She started chipping A LOT in last week's lesson, and did a couple of times in today's lesson, so Casey fixed the problem by placing a pole in front of the jump and the first time we went to it, she tried to chip, realized the pole was there, and took it long.  We had a good laugh about that...she was a bit surprised, but after that she was absolutely golden.  Beautiful, powerful jumps.  We are going to try some 2ft stuff next week.

Basically the plan now is to show her in flat classes as a warm up for the fall and early winter, and then in January get another set of hock injections before the 2014 show season.  In the meantime, we will up her to a more powerful joint supplement, to keep up with the more strenuous activities, and I'm considering a muscle/stamina supp because she does tend to get muscle sore.  After injections we will to Legend or Adequan, and hopefully not have to inject again, or at least not for a while.

We have decided not to do more than 2'3", at most.  I think she is capable of higher but I think her conformational issues make it risky and I don't want to push her to the point where she won't have a comfortable life in retirement later.

...in other news.  I'm sure by now everyone who has read this blog for a while knows that I have always joked about how Amber would rather walk over hot coals than walk in water.  I have to borderline BEAT her to get her to walk through a puddle.  So, naturally, the big joke is that I could never take Amber swimming.

Once she tried it, she LOVED it.  We were trotting all around.  Our pond overflowed...we aren't allowed to swim in it, but we did a one-day thing since it was almost in the driveway.  Now when we go down the driveway, she pulls me toward the pond.

PROOF!  I made sure someone took a picture just in case I never got her back in!

But here is the jumping video.  It's very short, my boyfriend is a crappy cameraman!

Liebster Time!

So thanks to Chasing the Dream, I have been nominated! Gracias, mi amiga!

Rules...

-You have to link back to the blogs that nominated you. -Answer 11 questions and state 11 random facts about yourself -Come up with 11 more questions and nominate 11 more.

I'm not sure I can nominate 11 more! I think everyone has probably been nominated at this point. But I will try!

1. I have a horrible problem with water getting in my ears. So bad that it happens from simply showering sometimes! And then I can't hear for a month.
2. I absolutely love pitbulls!
3. I've never fallen off Amber, and I refuse to talk about it or state that fact to anyone because I will jinx my streak. Probably screwed myself just now.
4. I have several dime-size purpleish blue spots on my right shoulder, which I've had since I was very young, and I have no idea what they are. Even a dermatologist I went to didn't know.
5. I've had my lip pierced 5 times! Not all at once, mind you.
6. Chinese and Mexican are my favorite foods, ever.
7. I don't believe in ghosts.
8. I accidentally killed my pet hamster when I was a child. And lied to my mother about it's untimely death!
9. I always eat egg & cheese biscuits from McDonalds for breakfast. Just egg and cheese, nothing else. Doesn't sound good, but it's pretty freaking awesome. Although not very healthy.
10. I didn't drink for my 21st birthday!
11. It takes 6 alarms to wake me up in the morning.

1. What's the last book you read cover-to-cover?
Little House in the Big Woods - I was being a bit nostalgic of my childhood, where I read everything I could get my hands on, and the little house books were my favorites. 2. Have you ever broken a bone, and if so how?
I had a hairline crack in my arm, that still bothers me today, and a crushed - yes, crushed, as the doctor put it, my left pinky finger, at the joint where it joints with the carpal bone. This was the result of me falling off a horse, and falling on my arm when I landed. He tripped because we were following some of my friends in some crappy footing going like a bat out of hell. I was 14, and a moron.

3. If you could chose any super-power, what would it be?
Mind reading!

4. What would you change about the horse world that doesn't have to do with animal abuse or money?
I think some sort of license should be required for horse ownership. People get into horse ownership with good intentions simply having no clue how much it entails. Nothing that would demand everyone be experts to own, just something that says the person has a fairly good understanding of how to safety and properly keep a healthy horse. And if you didn't have such a license you would have to keep your horse with/work with a licensed professional.

5. What are those 'Baby on Board' signs for cars really for? Nobody have ever been able to give me a satisfying answer.
Because I was totally going to plow into the side of their car, but since there is a baby on board I'll just run into someone else.

6. What are your 3 favourite words?
Twilight (NO reference to the Twilight Saga!), Fossil, Ocean

7. What's the most 'out there' thing you believe in?
I don't really believe this, because honestly, I don't believe in anything that's really "out there", but sometimes I wonder about reincarnation. Or maybe memories of our ancestors being remembered by us.

8. Describe the last time you laughed out loud.
When my dad was making fun of the fact that I said "Hello Kitty shit".

9. Mares, geldings or stallions?
Mares. Though they be witchy, they have such personality and wit!

10. Who would you most like to go on a trail ride with?
My boyfriend, but alas, we have no packers for him at our barn, and he can't ride worth a hill of beans.

11. What's the most ridiculous thing you've bought for riding or horses?
Hmm. I have never really bought anything too ridiculous but I do have 8 saddle pads and ear nets to match them all.

1. If you could ride anywhere in the world, where would it be?
England!

2. Have you ever been out of the country that you live in?
Nope

3. What's your job, do you like it?
I'm a kennel assistant at a small animal vet clinic. I love it! It can be stressful at times, but I have the best coworkers and bosses ever. And most of our animals are wonderful. I also work at my barn on the weekends and I like that most of the time. When people are doing what they're supposed to and not leaving it all for me.

4. Proudest moment with your horse?
Probably the first time we jumped 2ft, or the time she was giving me flying changes without me asking.

5. Any horse tattoos?
Negative, no tattoos at all!

6. Favorite place to haul out to ride?
I don't even know anywhere near us, honestly. We are boring and never go anywhere!

7. Any other hobbies besides riding?
Not really. I like to dabble with writing novels. But I think they stink.

8. Most ridiculous piece of tack you've seen?
This

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYt5kWAV4DLzO0r3kopbNIqu_AlvMKxIr7XoILZg0Y3snHkeCmmlYjTrzM6Z6TxQpsWDltDT3Qoa_qz9NGjU1AOuv08PsHZok6-ke98sIsGPHSlzvQnZmyx6ET0LkINOa_RZJZTdHWtJ0v/s320/saddle1.JPG

9. Furthest distance you've taken your horse aka road trip, day haul, show, etc...? The farthest Amber has been was 2.5 hours to the vet in Apex for her hip. MY first horse was about a 4-5 hour trip one way to get her home!

10. Is this your first blog award?
I think so. I may be wrong.

11. Do you board or have your horse(s) at home?
Board.

If you could travel to any place in world, where would it be and why?
Probably England. I'm not really sure why. I have some family there, although I don't even know who they are.

If you could live in any historical period/location, where would it be and why?
Probably the US in the mid-late 1800s. Probably because I've read too much Little House.

If you had to change to an entirely new equestrian discipline, what would you go to?
Entirely new? Probably jumpers.

If you could have a ride on any famous horse in the world competing right now, which would it be?
Totilas!

Describe your dream barn.
Well, it sort of depends. If it were a personal barn or a boarding barn. I've always wanted to run a semi-large boarding barn, so I've thought out some budget-free master plans in my head for that I must say.

It would be a 20 stall barn. 10 stalls on each side, and in the middle, a large, insulated indoor arena with fans for the summer. Each side of the barn would have it's own tack room, feed room, and wash pit, so that both sides could function separately without anyone being inconvenienced by having to walk from side to side.

On one side there would be a storage room for various items, and on the other there would be a laundry room with a washer, dryer and a rack for air drying with a fan. There would be a staircase leading up to a lounge/observatory above the indoor arena. Each side of the barn would have a bathroom, one of them with a shower. On the opposite side, the upstairs area would be a hay loft with a pulley system for lowering the bales.

The stalls would be 12x12 with outside doors to the feeders and hay racks. Outside doors and windows. The doors would let out directly to their pastures. Two groups of five. So stalls would be assigned based on who was turned out together.

Directly behind the barn on the left side would be storage sheds for extra hay, shavings and equipment, and two spare pastures for rotation or horses requiring individual turn out. On the right side would be a large arena with a 100ft roundpen attached to one corner (the corner being the gate).

Yeah, I might have thought this out a little.

Favorite non-horsey activity?
Reading books or bowling, probably.

Which is better: the book or the movie adaptation?
The book!

Can you cook? If so, what can you make?
No. But I can make spaghetti!

Favorite color?
Hot pink or dark turquoise.

Describe yourself in 10 years.
Probably the same. Just older. And red mule will probably be a slow, lazy trail horse.

How did you first start riding?
My parents enrolled me in lessons as a gift for my 8th birthday. Best gift EVER.

Get up early to ride, or stay up late?
Get up early. I hate the getting up part, but once I'm up, I'm a morning person.

What do you do for a living?
Previously answered.

What do you wish you did for a living?
Managed a big fat fancy boarding barn. Like my dream barn, previously described.

If you could try any type of riding what would it be?
Reining!

What is one thing about your horse you wish you could change?
Probably make her half a hand to a hand taller. We were recently consoled by our trainer about our inability to do anything but large pony stride down the line. LOL. "Let her go down the line like the ponies", she says...

If you could change your horse's name to anything (registered or barn) what would it be?
Firefly. This would be cute.

Facebook, Tumblr, or Instagram?
Facebook

Ebay, Craigslist, or Tack shop?
Ebay!

If you could take on the life of any character in any TV show or movie, who would it be?
Probably Luna Lovegood, from Harry Potter. Don't ask...lol.

If you had an unlimited budget, what type of car or truck would you buy?
I'm going with the previous answer given by Monica...Dodge RAM!

If you could move to any part of the world, where would it be?
Previously answered!

+11 questions. Which I shall answer for the sake of thoroughness.

Do you have any non-equine pets, and what are they?
A red brindle pitbull named Allie, a black and white border collie cross named Matilda, two orange domestic shorthair cats, Garfield and Spyro. And I count my mom's dog as "mine" also, so a beagle chihuahua cross named Dixie.

Favorite soda?
Diet Coke.

Does your horse go barefoot, or have shoes?
4 shoes, aluminum fronts.

If you could have any saddle you wanted, what kind would you get?
A tad coffin in a medium-dark havana.

What color is your horse's halter?
Navy with a kelly green and navy lead. She also has a leather halter with a hot pink lead rope that I refuse to let be used for taking her to and from the pasture.

You paint your fingernails. How long does it take you to chip them?
Depends on what I'm doing. Sometimes it lasts up to 2-3 days!

Favorite movie of all time?
The Awakening.

Mountains or beach?
I can't even pick. I love both.

Have you ever done anything illegal?
Welllll...yeah.

Would you rather be too hot, or too cold?
Too hot. I can't even function when it's cold.

How many saddle pads do you own?
8. I'm pathetic.

Guess who is flying over fences again?

And, for the millionth time, I failed to update my blog regularly after a promise.

But I am super pleased to report to you guys that:

A) Amber is moving better than ever. Casey says most of the time she doesn't drag at all. We know she tracks up because she's constantly tapping her front shoes with the hind! I probably need some bell boots, but she never does any harm to herself. She just hits the shoes because she's such a daisy clipper. The only things we have changed are her supplement, and the footing we ride on. We switched to Grand H.A., and I've been pleased with it. We don't really need any other supplementation because she doesn't have a weight problem anymore, her coat and feet are great, so really nothing needs "help". I think the grass footing is much better than the deep sand at the old barn. White honestly I think it was making her sore. She's been pretty perfect at the new barn.

B) We are jumping again! And making great progress. I still have my fear issues, but it's coming along. I'm taking weekly jumping lessons. I have no problems with her on the flat. She has days where she wants to get a little strong, but I've finally learned not to fight with her about things and it's made her much more relaxed and willing.

A lot has gone on since my last blog.

We are still enjoying trail rides, although lately I've tried to put some focus on the arena as well. I've been trying to do 2 days of flatwork, 1 day of jumping, and then use Sundays for trails.

I have actually started a trial and gymkhana club for some of the kids and teenagers at the barn, and it's pretty fun. Some of them can really give me a run for my money in the games we play! So we have started doing that on Sundays and after we play games we go on a trail ride and canter around in the fields across the road. They are quite amused by cantering together in the field because it's Saddle Club-esque. LOL.

The groundskeeper we had, I don't think I mentioned him, had 18 horses and was taking up 5 of our pastures, leaving us (who had the same amount of horses), with 3! He was recently fired, for reasons the owner didn't elaborate on, and we got 5 extra pastures. The smaller groups really make for less drama amongst the groups, allows for mare-gelding separation, and because the fields are HUGE, with only 3-4 horses in each, we shouldn't have a problem with grass growth. If we do, we still have plenty of room to regroup everyone and start rotating the pastures.

In other news on the front of our horses and boarders...remember Amber's pasture mates when I put her on 24/7 turnout to recoup from being stalled 23 hours a day? Stormy and Myrada? They're coming back to pasture board in the back fields, since our stall boarders aren't going back there (because nobody wants to walk all the way back there to bring in/turn out every day. The barn they had moved to shut down because the owner there went a little crazy. Something about a meth lab in her barn! Crazy stuff.

We had a couple of boarders leave for different reasons, nothing against us really. And we have 3 new ones coming in. We are almost full of boarders. Casey plans to move her own few ponies she has left to the back pasture to make room if necessary. I think she's getting out of resales.

SO, my jumping.

We started out trotting crossrails and I thought I sucked. I was pretty sure I lost all ability I ever had.

After a few lessons of that, last week, we started trotting in and cantering out of crossrail lines. I forgot that when I try to fix Amber's stide, it messes her up, because she sets herself up. I was jumping to early and jumping for her and our distances and timing was shotty. We ended on a good note though.

This week, it was like a lightbulb came on. Instead of trying to adjust her perfectly, I let her figure her stride out and pushed her at a steady pace down the line. Remembered to count approaching the fence. And no problems. And then Casey sets up a 2ft vertical. LOL. I refused to canter it. It was on the bending line anyway, so I was a chicken, but I did trot it. We cantered the 2ft flowerbox that you'd think I'd be more wary of, since it's got so much stuff sticking up for Amber to look at. It's a visual thing. There was only 1 pole on the vertical, and it just "looked" taller.

But we will get there. We did have 1 bad distance cantering into the crossrail line, and I ducked out because I thought we were going to crash - Casey wasn't pleased with me for that, but we came back around and nailed it.

She's not really getting her auto changes like she used to, but I'm not really thinking about my leads like I should on my approach, so she'd probably get that back if I'd start paying attention. She does great skip-ups and simples, so at least we don't have a fuss fixing them!

Being that we are doing interesting things now, it might inspire me to keep up my blog for a change. I think the main thing has been...our riding has been the same thing pretty consistent.

...And I got another custom saddle pad. Should be here in a couple of weeks. I'm not going to tell you guys about it, you'll just have to wait and see! I also got a new leather halter and I have a nameplate on the way for it.

If anyone is interested, my other leather halter is for sale. $30 OBO. It's warmblood size, would probably fit a draft, it's huge. Padded leather.

My 72" lavender/mint plaid cotton sheet is also up for grabs for $15. We got new blankets so I'm selling this stuff to recoup my funds.

New Barn = Paradise.

I'm really horrible about updating. I need to keep on it...

That million-dollar barn that we were supposed to move to in a few months? Still in the works, most likely taking longer to get running than originally planned. However, C has decided to keep the "temporary" barn. And I think she is wise to do so.

A lot of her boarders and students aren't going to be willing to drive that far, period. And I am at the point where I'm not willing to either. And, too, I love our new barn. I'm a bit sad that I'll miss out on the giant indoor they'll have, but I really, really like the property and barn we have now.

Things have been pretty great at the new barn. We've had a little drama lately regarding Casey's organization and cleanliness of the barn, but S and I should get it resolved. I hate to jump to conclusions on things, but basically, for the past couple of weeks, perhaps a little more, stalls aren't getting cleaned on Fridays, and possibly not finished entirely on Thursdays. And some boarders have noticed, one even cleaning their own stall 3+ times - that's bad!

I won't really go into our barn drama.

The barn is wonderful. Concrete aisles, hot/cold washpit, HUGE arena, and so many places to ride. The stalls are slightly smaller, but still big. The barn has two aisles, and it's basically shaped like an "H", the washpit being in the middle and bridging the two sides. Each side has ten stalls, 6 on the outside with windows. I need to get some pictures for you guys - I can't believe I haven't take many.

We have lovely white vinyl fencing around some huge pastures for most of the horses, and surprisingly, Karona, Mac, Mareeloo and Cindy are going out together in a smaller field beside the arena. The arena, is actually a reformed pasture. But Amber seems to like the grass footing better and she toe dragging is virtually non-existent now.

We were able to take virtually everything with us. Most of our jump standards were some that Casey had made. Most of the useable saddles were Casey's. I heard the new operator of Spring Bank, which is it now called again, doesn't even teach, likely due her charging $60/hr to train - LOL. Literally all the boarders except 3 pasture boarders left.

Things with me and Amber have been pretty great as well. We've kind of got that "black stallion" relationship going on, except she's a chestnut mare. She has never been happier though. We have so much room to run around, beautiful trails and paths. And there's an empty sub division across the road that is great to play around in, it's huge. We haven't done a lot of arena work, but somehow, it's perfect just about every time. She's even throwing in some dressage type stuff when I ask for it. We're jumping again...she's so good at setting herself up. It's like we have such a close bond, I feel connected to her.

I promise pictures soon. It's a little weird that this blog is so short and I haven't blogged in two months. Most of anything I have to say is about barn drama, which I won't go into. At least my relationship with my horse is amazing!

Moving Day, Strikes Again!

I have owned my horse just over two years, and I have to say I would have preferred to move her A LOT less than she has been. Two years, 3 barns. Obviously I am much more cautious now of moving on a whim, and what trainers and barn owners I trust. We are going to go through two moves in the next few months, and I will get to that in a moment, but first...

I have a lot of news. I definitely need a wrist slap for only coming to post once a month! But things might get a little more interesting in our lives very shortly. More on that in a moment, first, let's recap recent things that might interest my long-time readers (and everyone, really.)

-Bob quit managing Halcyon. He apparently continued to serve as the farrier there, but eventually his unskilled work caused several horses to strain tendons, and the vet called him out on it (and was apparently very blatant with him, that his trim was the direct cause). He wasn't fired as I understand it, but just quit and said he was tired of horses. His step-daughter's warmblood, who was always a bit controversial being that I learned from Casey he was only sound for walk/trot, was moved to some small private property. I have no idea where it is, but it looks like they are continuing to do mid-level dressage.

-I no longer slave in the fast-food industry! I am now a very proud employee of a vet clinic. I will refrain from stating what clinic, being that I post some "controversial" things here from time to time, and this is a VERY opinionated blog, I don't want to link our clinic to any of the barn-drama that is mulled over here (and one of the owners is associated with the barn also)! I am currently working as a kennel assistant and loving it! I think my favorite part of the job is bathing and doing dips - making clean/treated dogs are just so gratifying!

-I finally completed my first semester of school! All I have left is exams on the 26th. However, I am changing my major and I'm not totally sure exactly what that will be right now.

-The fact that school is toughening up, and I have to make up for being slow in my first semester, means I have less time for leisure outside work/school - and unfortunately Amber counts as leisure. After much thought I have decided to allow her to be a school horse again. It may be just until I'm out of school, or if it seems to work out well, it may be a permanent thing. But Amber does much better when she stays fit, and having some walk-trot to fill in when I can't get out to ride would be wonderful - my horse would stay limber and fit and I would also save money (being that she would have discounted board). I just hope it works out! She has been an angel lately, and I think we are pretty much over the problems that I unfortunately created last year when I started nit-picking her. I'm still not sure about dead-beginners starting out on her. Her mouth is SO sensitive and her brakes will literally throw you over her head if you aren't sitting back - that could be a good lesson for beginners, or it could give them some fear issues!

-I finally finished paying off my saddle!

-Amber's toes are almost completely grown out now! Our farrier has done a wonderful job with her, and I am pleased to say she is sounder than ever! I'm not sure if I will risk jumping again, because I think my priorities are changing and what is more important than trying to push harder and farther and higher competitively, is keeping her sound for w/t/c as long as possible, and maybe even get around to some local shows. I definitley miss jumping, but I am more aware now than I previously was that Amber is not 100% sound at any given time, although she is better than she has been. When she starts to show that she isn't comfortable doing the flat work, I'm calling it quits and retiring her. Maybe occasional trails, but I don't have a trailer so I will be limited to the barn trails mostly. Which isn't very exciting. But I'm hoping we can keep her pretty stable for a few years, because she is doing well when she stays in consistent work. I would like to do schooling shows, still.

Okay, so I just practically gave you guys a newspaper, and I still haven't told you about all this moving!

I haven't been able to really share anything because most of the "news" aside from those few things, concerns the new barn. But now we are days away from moving, and everyone who the "secret" was being kept from knows now.

Casey has a friend and trainer from PA who has literally purchased a million dollar farm. It's a bit more of a drive for me, but it's very worth it. Her friend is a great trainer, and Casey is also moving there.

GEC is not closing, but a new trainer is coming in. She specializes in Saddlebreds and Arabians from what I have researched. Not my cup of tea - she may be nice, but I don't think she will have the business that Casey did.

As for the business, Everyone - and I mean EVERYONE except 2 or 3 people, is all going to the new barn. Apparently the new trainer is bringing in some horses of her own, which is good, because there will only be 6 horses left of the 20-30 that are usually there at any given time! I think all the students, and if not all then all but 1-2, are leaving as well. Which makes sense. The students are interested in hunters, and the new trainer can't meet that need. I think George would have been wise to try to find a trainer that could compete with Casey as another hunter trainer - not that I'm complaining, I'm happy for her that she has been able to keep virtually all her business.

There is a bit of an issue though. George is "kicking us out" so to speak, by next month. At least, Casey was told to be out by April 1, but since we are all planning on going, we aren't going to stick around.

There is a little twist in the plan. That million dollar farm? We aren't ready to move into it just yet. So we will be at a temporary facility nearby for a couple of months. That is where we are going in a few days. Casey has a show on Easter weekend, so we are doing it during the week. Unfortunatley, we don't have a real plan on what day and what we are doing exactly. Casey is taking two ponies back to PA right now that belong to the new trainer, to save us some space at the temp facility. When she gets back I guess she will give us the deal. I already emptied out my tack trunk except for what I will need to ride the next couple of days.

I don't want to elaborate for fear of starting anything, but there have been some sketchy things happening at the barn and we are pretty sure a certain person is behind it - cough cough - so I didn't want to leave my things laying around. I'm a little paranoid about what I did leave out, even.

I feel like George is going to go out and monitor everything on moving day. I feel like he is going to question everything we take out of there. I have a stall latch, a saddle rack and some tack hangers that need to come down when my better half gets a chance - and that is something I definitely want done before moving day. I feel like George will give me a hard time about the stall latch, even if it does belong to me. And it can all be explained and made okay...but I just don't feel like putting in the effort, you know?

I'm just ready for it to all get straightened out. Tensions are running high, everyone is getting irritated with one another and I'm just trying to do as much as I can to help the situation and keep the peace. I think everyone will get along so much better after we get settled in.

I will post some recent pictures of Red Mule tonight or tomorrow!

A One-Person Horse.

I keep telling myself I'm going to update more often.

Sadly, I think the bulk of the fact that I fail to post on my blog is simply that nothing really interesting ever goes on!

At Amber's last farrier appointment, her farrier and I were talking about trail rides and we might be accompanying him on a mountain ride in the future. I've never ridden in the mountains on anything besides the nose-to-tail packers, so it would be an fun experience. And it would be awesome to have somebody to ride with. Trail riding is a lot better with friends - it's even better with real, legit trails. Which we do not possess at the barn.

So that might make for some interesting blogs, although I don't think we will be able to go every weekend.

I might have some legit trails to ride on in the near-ish future, but the reason I'm not going to post publicly, as I'm sworn to secrecy. It is a very exciting change though.

I was considering half-leasing Amber to a nice older woman who wants to lease a horse to walk-trot in the round-pen once a week, and brush and fuss over.

I was reminded of why I should approach this endeavor with caution yesterday.

I had a really great ride on Amber, she was so relaxed and responsive. Victoria decided to try her hand at riding Amber again...it has not gone well in the past. And not just for Victoria...Amber gets very tense with any new rider and "takes off" in some cases. By taking off, I mean she sticks her nose up and simply avoids the bit and tries to canter away - she doesn't actually get really out of control.

I wasn't sure how things were going to end up really. She was so chill and quiet with me I thought Victoria would have it easy...Amber kept cantering off with her. Tense, rushing and choppy. They eventually worked it out. Amber was still on edge, but she was semi-relaxed. They even got a nice canter! I was impressed.

But it made me wonder how beginner-safe she is anymore. She was pretty lazy when I first met her. Now she likes to go, go, go. And if she starts to worry if her rider is going to hurt her, she goes even faster. It's her way of avoidance and self-defense. I honestly don't believe she would ever do any crazy aerobatics and dump someone, but I know someone like the woman I was thinking of leasing her to, it would shatter her confidence if Amber started cantering off with her, or if she started to trot fast and tense and the brakes weren't working so well.

But it makes me realize just how close she is to me, and how much she trusts me. I have to say, it's very gratifying to know my horse behaves markedly better for me than others. The only person who can get her close to the relaxation I can get her to is Casey. But Casey knows what works for Amber, like me, because she was the one who helped us get there! The best approach is always to keep calm, and above all don't try to adjust everything and nit-pick. Don't ask for too much until she relaxes. It usually takes her a minute once we start trotting and then she's fine. My aids literally have to be whispered to her. And minimal aids are effective because she knows how to go nicely and she only feels comfortable to go like that if the rider is basically sitting there posing.

She wants you in a nearly perfect position. She doesn't even want you on the wrong diagonal - I can't remember if I posted it here before, but she has actually learned to switch my diagonal for me, or at least let me know I'm wrong.

ON A LIGHTER NOTE. I'm getting some serious goodies for Christmas for my sweet girl.

Four, yes, FOUR new saddle pads.

A navy blue Baker baby pad with the baker plaid for trimming. It's going to look stunning on her.

Remember the navy blue fleur de lis pad I had that I spilled bleach on? I gave it to Victoria, but I miss that pad, so I'm getting it in hunter green, since with the addition of the baker pad, I will have 2 navy pads already.

A cheapy cotton pad in lavender. I'm getting this because it will match my tendon boots perfectly.

And finally, a pretty Centaur pad in sage. I've been wanting an "earth tone" saddle pad for a while.

I'm getting ear nets to match all of these, except the Baker pad, because I already have a navy ear net. I'm getting a black one to match my custom baby pad. I'm getting a lavender bonnet that will go with all my purple stuff. I thought about getting a white one to go with my white pad with the purple piping, but it will get dirty so fast I decided lavender will be fine.

I'm also getting a couple of new pairs of breeches, and a new halter and lead in a turquoise color. I'm a little ashamed of myself - I'm totally breaching my purple color scheme! But there's only so many "outfits" you can make with purple, and I'm fairly obsessed with ear net-saddle pad "outfits" lately. I would be getting matching polos for everything, but as of late, I'm way to lazy to polo wrap, and it isn't really necessary with our little 30-45 minute light hacks.

I promise to update more often. I'm sure I'll be itching to post pictures of our new "outfits", anyway.

Team Red Mule

I hate that I'm not as much of an avid poster as I used to be. Full time work, school and several animals just kind of kill extracurricular activities!

I did want to share this gem with you guys. By now I'm sure most of you who follow here know that the inside barn joke is that everything is a cow/mule/nag. Most of the regularly ridden horses have some affectionate name with cow, mule or nag ending it. Amber is, of course, Red Mule.

Which is why my new hoodie is the best thing since sliced bread!

Amber has been doing very well since my last post. Much to my dismay, right when things started getting good after my "epiphany" she when into raging heat. Pretty sure she had some tightness, maybe even soreness, in her hind end from that. She was borderline lame she was so stiff, and let me tell you about grouchy!

I gave her like, 4-5 days off just because I felt like she was starting to get stressed and I didn't want to push her if that was the case. First day I planned on riding, there was a farm show in the field across the road. A ton of mules, drafts, carts and buggies, plows, ect were moving about. All the horses on the property were about to flip. One girl was bathing her OTTB, and he sat back and broke his halter, and proceeded to run around the thankfully enclosed area bucking, power trotting and galloping for about 5 minutes.

That was probably should have been a red flag that it wouldn't be a good day for riding, but I was determined not to change my plans to avoid potential misbehavior from my horse.

I had planned on lunging her anyway, as I like to incorporate lunging now to strength her muscles and help get her bending. I thought it would be a good way to bring her back into work after her mini-vacation. It started off nice enough. She was a little "looky", but she walked on the lunge nicely for me, and started to trot nicely also. But when I asked her to canter - she shot off like a rocket and let out a couple of bucks. I was amused, but I got after her for it. We've worked very hard on lunge manners, and she's come too far since her days of rearing and snatching back from the spring/summer of 2011 to let things slide!

She never really slowed her canter but we did manage to get it under control, even if it was a little speedy. Once she seemed to be listening better, I got on and started working her on something like a 20-25m circle. Getting her bending and listening. She was really looking across the road but she wasn't interesting in acting up anymore.

After I had her attention we went full arena, and she was great. She definitely looked at the commotion across the road, but she remained very focused. And our canter under saddle was absolutely brilliant!

Things have been looking up ever since then. I feel like she gets bored with the flatwork, but I don't think Casey feels we are ready to jump again. And I'm not sure we are either. I don't want to push things. She's been really sound and actually improving on the flat, and I don't want to put more upon her than she can handle and start backtracking on the progress we've made by making her lame again.

We did break rules a bit and go for a light gallop the other day. She did buck twice at first when some birds flew out of a bush, but I've learned her ways from previous similar stunts, and really giving her a little push forward is all that's needed to get her mind back on track. I'm not so sure it wasn't more of an "I feel good!" buck rather than the birds that flew out of the bush.

When we returned home she was super relaxed though. Her whole body was just loose and relaxed, it was awesome. It might be beneficial for her, physically and mentally from time to time!

Saturday it was back to work in the arena and we got some cute pictures taken by Jessie! It was a good workout. She spooked at the neighboring dog playing with a bucket, which was great, and I mean that sincerely, because she never does ANYTHING in the way of spooking, ect...something interesting to happen now and then is appreciated.

But anyway, here are the pictures from my latest ride. Maybe I'll try to actually post and keep up with my blog! I should rename it Team Red Mule...

The Epiphany.

I can't even remember where I last left off at. I think it was post-shoeing.

I don't know what's been going on with me. I've been constantly tired and depressed as of late. For the past 2 months+ I have been disgustingly unable to get anything done. My lack of productivity contributed greatly to my depressive state.

I have a lot to update on so I'll start with the big thing:

I had hind shoes put on Amber in August. She did well but in September, a couple of weeks before she was due, several things happened. With the growth she had towards the end of the cycle, we noticed that the farrier had made one hoof noticeably shorter than the other. She either stepped wrong when I was riding, or did something in the pasture - who knows - but her right front ballooned and she was noticeably lame for a couple of weeks. She also threw both shoes within a week of each other.

Because of the unevenness of the trim (probably contributing to the strain and stress on the legs), I went to the other barn farrier that I have avoided. I also had some other issues with the other farrier, which I won't elaborate on as I don't wish to hurt his reputation on the internet. As to the other farrier, I have always liked him as a person, I was just skeptical of his work...but Amber has done better than ever since he started shoeing her. Having only hind shoes seemed to make her uncomfortable on the front. She just seemed unbalanced. So she is now in four shoes, aluminum on the front. I have been extremely pleased. It minimizes toe dragged off, which has greatly improved even so although she still bumps that toe a little in the stride.

At this point, she is happy and comfortable working and after all the treatments, examinations and knowledge I have gained from the professionals who have worked on her, I have chalked it up to conformation. Her pelvis has a tendency to shift to the right, which would make the shorter stride in the left hind and increased difficulty working to the left make sense. It doesn't necessarily mean there is pain. It is something I want to be cautious of to make sure that it doesn't cause pain, of course.

While all that is well and good, for the past month or more, my horse and I have fought nearly to tears every ride/lesson. I can't remember exactly when it started, but at some point she started to rush in one of the front corners of the arena, only when tracking left.

During this time I was having trouble with my equitation. I couldn't seem to sit up. My shoulders rounded and my lower back ached and I couldn't rate the speed of my post. So her rushing in that corner was even harder to control. And it escalated into me snatching, ripping and pulling and working her to frustration in that corner almost every ride. The ride would usually start out good, and then tension and my nit-picking would make everything explode into a fight.

It got to the point where she was just nervous and couldn't relax in that direction, and she anticipated me to rip her a new one every time in that corner.

It finally came to Casey getting on her 3 times in one lesson (possibly a record), to prove to me that the horse COULD do it, and it was me. Thus, the epiphany.

It made me realize that my expectations are my main problem. My perfectionist personality contributes. Before we started jumping in the spring, I had managed to get Amber into a very dressage-y headset. That turned into me expecting that every time I rode, any time I asked. I started to nit pick, and I forgot the golden rule - there has to be a release and reward.

Because I started to get hard with my hands, Casey asked me to drop my contact and float my reins. I missed the point of this entirely and assumed that I shouldn't touch my reins ever, period. I assumed that Casey liked the nose-in-the-dirt way that she went most of the time when I rode like that.

After a talk with Casey, part of my epiphany included me realizing that I can and should have appropriate contact with her. Appropriate contact is something I already know damn well how to have and I am absolutely ashamed that I let myself get to the point where I was ripping and hanging like a spoiled brat that just learned to ride.

I've been somewhat beating myself up over this because in hindsight (oh, how many times have I said hindsight in this blog?), I can't believe I was riding like I was - I know better. I KNOW better. I'm not an ignorant rider, I know what will and won't work and I can't believe I thought my crap would work.

But, fast forward. I have had two wonderful rides since this "epiphany". What Casey and I talked about I kept in mind at all times. I warmed her up on a loose rein and eventually took up contact after she had walked around a few minutes. I can tell she gets tense and worried about certain things, because she is expecting to get hell from me for it, but that will go away with time. She is relaxing so much better than I expected her to. We rode in the indoor one day and the outdoor the next. She only got a little forward in that corner. It was actually not more than a strong working trot. She was very good in her circles, which are something Casey wants us to work on, as well as bending.

I noticed she was almost lazy in her upward transitions, which was good in the situation, because she was at least not worried and ready to rush, rush, rush. We had an excellent canter, both directions.

I think I had greatly misinterpreted what Casey was trying to teach us and what things I should do working and training Amber to benefit us. I had the idea that every ride should be walk, trot, canter on the rail each direction, as per what I thought Casey wanted us to do. I cut out circles, bending, lunging and assumed that I was to keep a consistent pace and let her otherwise do whatever.

And worse, I expected. I expected the same horse every ride, and I expected every ride to be our best ride. I can't expect it, and I know better.

...And that has basically been what has happened since I last posted. Sad, right? Other than another visit from the kinesiologist...nothing major happened there. Just icing muscles and epsom salt poultices.

Well. The good news is, I'm getting a new bridle for Christmas?

Explosives and Horses. NO.

I feel crappy for failing to post regularly as of late. I stay so busy though.

First off, Amber has decided once again that hunters suits her, and is back to dragging her nose in the dirt (not literally, of course), and just generally being fantastic. Nice, consistent, rhythmic trot and canter. GORGEOUS walk to canter transitions. They are frustrating her less and less. Only thing is, I can't ride as much as I would like to because of the extreme heat. The only time I can really ride is in the morning around 8.

Especially since Amber doesn't handle heat well. She really, really doesn't do well when it's 90+. I rode at 11 the other day and she was absolutely drenched from very light work. When I have the same ride, or slightly longer, earlier in the morning when it's only 80, she's usually a little damp on her neck and a bit under her saddle pad.

All she wants to do is stay in her stall, and I can't blame her. I fed up the barn tonight and I always take out two horses at once...so I grabbed her new friend, Ellie, Victoria's new mare, (it's a CHESTNUT MARE, at that!), and decided to grab Amber on the way out. She gave me the most displeased look and turned away. I'm like, okay, fine, you can go out last.

I literally had to turn her fan off to get her to go out. The good news is she isn't stocking much anymore, if at all. Sometimes on the most humid and hot days it will be slight, and you'd only notice if you knew she had been having a problem. And some others in the barn are doing it as well. So at this point I'm not worrying about it.

Still anxious to see if she will jump again. We both loved it, and she's just a natural at it. Of course, even though we know she'll do up to 2'3" with lead changes (and I be she could go higher), I would never do more than 2' out of sheer caution and common sense.

It's funny how I was so opposed to hunters and it seems to be the one thing Amber and I can agree on. Dressage interests her for about two days and then she wants no part of it. And I'm sure I'd get a lot of protest out of the girls at the barn for saying this, but hunters is really NOT that challenging in comparison to dressage, jumpers, eventing, ect. When you get to the higher levels I'm sure it measures up to other disciplines a bit more as far as challenge is concerned, but the reason I've gone the route of hunters is because, at least with Amber, is because it's nearly effortless for both of us. I wanted to make my riding more pleasure focused, and do something that Amber also enjoyed that we didn't really have to work TOO hard at. Voila.

Now. On the note of explosions...

These kids in the house that's beside Amber's pasture were setting off some of those little Cluster Bees - you know, the little mini "fireworks" that fly up in the air and poof? That also have sharp sticks attached that you stick in the ground that go with them when they launch? Yeah those. Spooking all the horses - a couple gave me a scare with some close calls at the fence line. And then I find several that landed in the pasture. Gee, great call asshole parents.

You,

A) See that it is scaring the large prey animals next to your house.

B) Obviously see that these small explosives are landing IN the pasture, that you do NOT own.

C) Must be too stupid to consider that if a horse ran into the area these were landing, they could be injured when the sharp objects fall from quite high.

D) Must also be too stupid to realize that some horse MIGHT be nearly as stupid as you and decide to chew on these.

And today they were setting off some other loud thing(s). Pests.

The Unshoeable Wild Mare.

Well.

We had some amazing dressagey-type work going on, but them I took a video and realized how absolutely horrible and incorrect my position is. Just BAD. And how bad she likes to duck behind the vertical.

Oh man I look bad. I mean, she looks pretty good. But I don't understand how she does better when I do worse. This is how it always happens. That's just a still from the video. I'll post the video when I get time later this week...

One of the better moments:

You wouldn't know from that or the video that she is absolutely FIGHTING me and running through me like a freight train at the canter. I'm chalking it up to being out of shape and having not been in work for 3 months, but still. She was being STRONG.

She had a day off and then the next day I rode, I tried to correct my position and the ride was just crap. She wasn't going that fast at the canter, but it was choppy and unbalanced and she was totally not listening. Just wanted to fly around and ignore me.

Casey suggested we just trot around "the old way" (hunter-Amber) and let her relax. We are picking back up today with a lesson...a no stirrups and much two-pointing lesson. My muscles are already screaming.

The possibility of her jumping again has been discussed. We will have to see what the vet thinks ultimately, but Casey and I both agree she was happiest and moving the best when she was jumping. I was totally against going back to it at first, but considering that she has remained pretty much the same, except for that one point in time where I feel that Bob screwing up her hoof angles made her lame, through everything we've done...are we really dealing with lameness anymore, or are we dealing with a conformation issue and a horse that just bumps those toes on the ground because that's just her movement. She DOES hand heel first on the hind and she DOES track up. I examined this in our video. She has a ton of "lift" in the canter.

But we will see. If we keep the fences low and the work moderate, and keep vets and chiros involved, I want her to do it if she can because she wants to.

Now...you might be wondering what's up with my blog title for today?

Well, yesterday her old farriers were in Goldsboro and called Casey to see if anyone needed any of their clients had thrown a shoe. I told her if they had time and wanted to come by, the could go ahead and shoe Amber.

And upon their examination of Amber's hooves, she doesn't even have enough hoof wall to hold a shoe. Super. So we are waiting a few weeks for more hoof to grow down, and then we will see what we have.

The last blog I posted, I was talking to the other barn farrier, Roger. I like Roger, but I've decided to go back with the Stallings because Casey really thinks I should - and they are vet recommended in the area, after all. I still need to call Cat and let her know what's going on. I hate to drop her, but if we are going to come to terms and finally say that after all we have done, if Amber picked her feet up an inch higher and moved the same way, we would call her sound - so the focus for now should be to stop her from dragging the hoof back to a level dangerously close to her white line (or in it!). And who knows? Maybe she does just need support back there.

I don't think it will, but if shoes DID stop her toe dragging, I would probably throw up...and then laugh.

We're still here!

I haven't posted in forever. I've been staying really busy as of late!

Anyway.

Where we last left off, Amber was still battling a mystery fungus with balloon legs.

Turned out, she HAD gotten into fireants, and she developed cellulitis. It got pretty nasty. After several daily betadine scrubs, SMZs, Surpass cream and stall rest with wraps, she's doing well. Unfortunately because she stocked up so much with the cellulitis, she's now prone to stocking up in her pasterns in her stall.

We got the cellulitis under control in a couple of weeks. I got the OK to start working her again lightly from Dr.Wheeler. After discussing the stocking up with her she also approved that I let Amber be on 24/7, since she only stocked up in her stall.

Well, Amber disapproved. I thought she enjoyed 24/7, but the heat has become so miserable she just wants to come into her stall in the day - this, I am 100% sure of, and this is why: I was opening the gate for a little girl to put her pony away (Amber now stays with all the ponies in a dry lot during the day), and as I was closing the gate, Amber BARGED right out. And ran straight to her stall. So if that isn't a clear message of what she prefers, I don't know what is. It's so muggy and hot they sweat just standing around, and even though she has a shelter in the dry lot, it's still much cooler in her stall with the fan circulating the air.

So that is settled. Hopefully the exercise she's been getting will help curb the stocking up - Dr. Wheeler was hoping that would be the case.

After thought, observation and getting an opinion from Casey, we agree that Amber looks the same as when we started our quest for "soundness". I think improvement we were seeing was wishful thinking, point blank.

Here is what I think. I don't think the root problem has a damn thing to do with hocks or stifles. Being that I can FEEL the difference in her pelvis, I will say that was something that needed to be fixed, but again - I don't think it was the source of the problem.

The bullnosed back hooves are now more of a concern for everyone. They have been bullnosed since the first day I met her. No farrier or vet ever said a word about it, so I assumed that if it was a problem, they would have informed me and make an effort to correct it. Feeling a bit foolish at my ignorance, I now know that Amber has a negative coffin bone angle.

With this bit of information, I'm starting to think about the possibility of navicular in the hinds.

It's a bit of a long shot. It seems to me that what's probably caused her "higher up" problems is from the lack of heel-first landing on her hinds. That's not something I'm too worried about right now, but something I want to keep in mind. Being heel-sore, for whatever reason, is also a possibility.

Dr. Wheeler was suggesting wedge shoes for the hinds. I'm on the fence about it. The Stallings were suggesting eggbars...again, not so sure about it. Talked to the other farrier today, Roger, and he is pretty much in agreement with me that the toe dragging may very well just be something Amber does due to conformation, or even just having sore/poor heels.

Pretty much all the professionals working with us right now are like...well, if she drags despite doing everything possible, it's most important to minimize wear on the toe as much as possible and be adamant to watch for signs of discomfort, or when she's reaching her personal limits of physical ability.

Which brings me to the point of just throwing shoes on the back. She came to Casey a couple of months before I bought her with shoes - I bet there was a reason. I wish I could get into contact with her previous owners. While I still believe that barefoot is better, my opinion on whether or not horses "need" shoes is changing. We will see what it does for Amber. We've tried everything BUT shoes. Maybe it will provide support she needs to do better. Who knows? But whether or not it improves her dragging is semi-irrelevant. Shoes are going on regardless to minimize toe drag. With Dr. Wheelers approval, still pending (I need to call her), I want to try a plain, flat, steel shoe only on the hinds the first time. Even if she goes to the wedges, I'd feel more comfortable giving her time to adjust to the shoes before we use shoes that will pretty significantly change the angle at which her hoof sits.

I really liked my barefoot trimmer's trims. But I don't agree with what she's doing to treat the bullnose (rasping it), and while I'm more than willing to work with her on that, she doesn't offer shoes, and at this point, I simply feel that shoes are one of my last-ditch efforts. I've got that list in my head - try the shoes, if need be, go to wedges. At least it will curb the dragging (which, due to her lack of activity, is nearly gone all together now - but she needs to start working again and building muscle). Another one of my last ditch efforts is an animal communicator. Do I dare mention this plan to the farriers, vets or Casey? No. I feel that any "leads" I get would be stuck down pretty quick. It's pretty far fetched. But right now, I feel my money is best saved for emergency. After the communicator, my very last attempt to figure this out would be X-rays and nerve blocking. This is the last attempt because the cost will be hefty and it will be some time before I can afford it. The communicator cost will be miniscule in comparison, so spending money on that while I save will probably not make a huge impact, and who knows - it could change the whole ballgame.

So that's our plan for now. She's just as awesome as she ever was under saddle. Her manners on the lunge are a lot better. She understands what I'm asking for better. Walk to canter still frustrates her a bit but she does it nicely. Will still soften and collect and round her back like a champ. After she warms up, she will also drag her nose in the dirt like the little hunter I try to make her be occasionally. She drags like nobody's business at the walk and trot, but she doesn't drag at all at the canter.

I feel pretty confident about Roger's suggestion of flat steel shoes. Let's face it - I'm willing to pay for alum. wedges - he has an opportunity to make more money that way. Suggesting the cheaper option because he thinks it will be better is a good sign. I hope we are able to stick with him - I'm stick of trying to find the perfect match for her feet, and it does her NO good to have to get used to a different trim every time she gets done.

Little update!

Swelling was the same today. In all night was no bueno and I knew it but it would have been worse for her to be sliding in mud fussing with the others I figured.

Tonight she is out by herself in the front arena. I think perhaps it's the rain rot on her legs...I had NO idea but found out via google that that can happen. Being that I discovered the OTHER hind swollen today...and upon a closer look...I think it IS rain rot.

It's been very wet and humid this year. It's really unusual, usually it's very dry this time of year.

So there's that...I'm going to give it a couple of days treating the rain rot and see what happens. She trotted out fine today. I won't even have the cash to have the vet out until Friday in any case, thanks to still recouping from the $565 I popped for the trip to Apex.

Unrelated, I think I'm going to have her go back out in the back pasture next month. I would have done it this month, but being that board is due soon, I don't want to spring it on Casey. But not only would it help me save some money for potential future complications, but I think the 24/7 would do her good. I'll just have to keep an eye on her weight...I wonder if there are any supplements that help easy keepers not be SO easy!

She'll still get her supps in the AM, I already talked to Madison, the morning feeder, and she said she'd be willing to bring Amber in for feeding in the morning. Of course, I'll be paying her for the trouble.

The mare...is falling apart...

Seriously, there is so much going on with her right now!

Not only does she have a weird fungus/bacterial infection on her skin, not sure which at this point, the hives are still there in small places and to top it all of, she had a big fat swollen leg today. The left hind, of COURSE.

I had gone out to bathe her and apply some solution for the skin problems.

Skin problems are these tiny little scabby places of skin that are just peeling off, hair and scab and all. I don't think it's rain rot. But it makes it look like she has hives, due to the little scabs festering up and the little tufts of hair poking out.

The swollen leg...le sigh. I cold hosed it and put on some liniment. I decided to keep her stalled overnight. While I'd prefer her not to be standing around with a fat leg, I suspect it may have happened in the pasture fussing with the other horses, and it's muddy out there. So I don't want to risk her sliding around fussing with the fat leg.

I didn't find any puncture wounds. It's from just below the hock all the way down, slightly worse just above the fetlock. Alissa said she was fine yesterday, so I'm pretty confident now that it was not due to her going back to "normal" work.

I will digress a moment to let you know how that went.

I decided to lunge her for about 5 minutes lightly just to loosen her up, and also so I could see her. She was very well behaved...except in her supposed "good" direction (or should be good, based on which leg is the worst). She decided to buck and fart a bit. And the proceeded to gallop around me a moment. Sometimes...you just have to humor your horse. I got her back to business with some sharp transtions. I rode her maybe 15-20 minutes in the indoor, mostly walk trot. Cantered once around in both directions - this thing is the size of a small dressage arena, mind you.

Then I went for a trail ride. We cantered half-way down the long side of the back pasture, at which point you have to stop for a limb in the way and some low branches, and then we did a slow gallop the rest of the way. Back pasture horses following along behind. We walked the rest of the way back home. Amber was just lovely for all of it. And very happy that she could finally do something other than walk/trot.

We got back. I cold hosed her, as well as those legs (which I had been careful to wrap). She was a happy camper and ate her dinner and went out. Perfect day.

At first I was really worried that our short little gallop might have screwed her legs. But considering I was encouraged to start hill work, I didn't feel that a very brief and slow gallop was more strenuous than that. Not as beneficial, of course. But being that was Saturday and she was okay yesterday...I can't imagine it was that. I had checked on her this morning early, to see how her fungus was doing, and I didn't particularly look at her legs, but I don't think she had the big swollen leg yet. Not positive though, I was in a hurry because I was on my break at work.

Anyway. If the leg is still poofed up tomorrow, Dr. Smith is going to come check it out. If so, perhaps she can clue me in on what's up with the fungus too. Still, mareface continues to be happy as a clam. Fat leg, fungus, hives and all.

Success!

The vet appointment went very well. Amber was well behaved as usual. She was sooo ready to hop off the trailer - after 2 hour ride, understandable.

I lunged her for the chiro, and hilariously, she behaved better on the lunge there than at home. Usually if I haven't been lunging her at least once every week or every other week, she likes to be silly, but she was very good.

Dr. Wheeler was doing some paperwork, and she didn't get to see much of the lunging, but she said from the bit she saw Amber looked improved. The chiro did some adjusting.

As we suspected, the majority of her problems are in her hind, worse in the left hind. She said due to her conformation, her pelvis is susceptible to coming out again, but we will take it a day at a time. Ideally, she needs to be adjusted every week for a while and then taper off to every other week and then once a month until we find a maintenance point, but obviously this is not feasible for me. Not only could I not afford it, but it's impossible to get a chiropractor out to the barn (as I found out last fall). I'm hoping the kinesiologist can help fill that gap with his monthly visits. Dr. Baker, the chiro, did recommend that I have him adjust her as well.

The stifles were injected.

The dex I'd been giving her, 10ccs, Dr. Wheeler seemed concerned at the high dose, and she recommended we not give her any after the injections (too many steroids in her system), and take it down to 5ccs after that. She was on stall rest yesterday and today, and she will be able to go out tonight. On Friday she will go back into light work, and Saturday she will be able to return to normal work. Obviously I'm going to hold off on jumping. I want her to build some muscle again. We will be doing hill work. I'm going to start that probably next week and do it once a week. I don't want to throw her under the bus with that on the first ride!

So basically, the plan is, just limber her up with some leg yields, bending, and walk/trot/canter, big circles and light lunging for the first week. Then start doing a few minutes of trotting up the hills once a week after that. Next month, if she's doing well, I'll consult Dr. Wheeler again and if she's all clear we will start small X-rails again. Honestly I probably won't be doing 18" and 2' again for several months. And it's really a waiting game as it is.

We still don't know how well or how bad she will respond to all this. Dr. Wheeler said it's very reasonable to think she could be sound for lower level and light dressage work if jumping becomes out of the question.

On a side note, check out this new halter!

I also found a fly spray that doesn't seem to be bothering her. Bug Block. We are sort of starting to think that it's something in the hay. Amber isn't the only one who has hives now. *** claims nothing new has been done to the hay, but I'm just skeptical. There's no way I can take her OFF her hay permanently, and really no way I can do it temporarily. Her turnout has roundbales right now because they are locked off the grass so it can grow (which it has - I don't see why they haven't been allowed out again).

At least it isn't the huge welts that it was. I'm thinking that maybe the hay gave her an allergic reaction, and then the Pyhrana irritated the hives (the oil-based mixture is pretty strong), making the welts.

I really wish I knew what the problem was, though.

But yeah. I'm so thrilled. I feel like this is pretty much the final length. We have found the problem, the main problem is a chronic problem, and it's going to be a matter of seeing just how chronic is is, and how it's going to limit her. Finally, finally, I know what's been going on. And we have "fixed" it. But it's not over yet. We have to continue to improve her hind end strength to try to prevent it, or at least prevent it from happening very often. It could still come out that she is limited to flatwork or trail rides.

I just want to take a moment to say to many individuals - I WAS RIGHT. It was everything I thought from almost the beginning. Her pelvis. She was NOT lazy, never was. I have to start trusting my gut more. I was right on the money about what was making her lame before any professional would entertain the idea. I was also right, recently, about her feet - the old farrier WAS the cause of her WLS (which is gone now, thanks to Cat's AWESOME trim). Now her feet and body are finally on the right track. I am SO grateful to Dr. Wheeler, Dr. Heather, Cat, and Dr. Baker. You saved my girl and I will never, ever forget it.

Before, and After.

Tomorrow is the big vet appointment. Obviously tomorrow isn't the final news. We will have to see what the chiro work and stifles actually do, and I'm sure there will be follow up chiro appointments...

But tonight I decided to post some before and afters for some black and white comparison of what Amber was, and what she has become. Kind of inspired by a facebook status Andrea (at The Continental Drift blog) posted about unfancy things...just reminded me I had wanted to do this.

Before, December 2010.

After. Some of these are from Summer 2011, some are from this year.

(Ignore me here, I look foolish)

Her tail is even longer now. When it's in a relaxed position, it touches the ground. It's really a gorgeous tail...I'm proud to say it was accomplished by MTG, keeping it clean, conditioned and brushed, and good nutrition. She's not a million dollar warmblood, but she's something more than the $1,500 "mutt" I bought. ;) Or what I thought was a mutt until we found her papers. I'm still not sure I see the cutting/cow horse in her...or the racing QH. Which is what's in her ped. Like, 3/4 of them are ranch horses, cutting and cow horses, I think maybe a couple of reining horses, and maybe 1/4 racing QHs. Go figure.

I'll be sad if she can't jump anymore. She loves it. She drags you towards the jumps if you aren't paying attention.

Vet Tuesday and Mystery Hives Solved!

So we are definitely going to the vet Tuesday. Dr. Wheeler said she was hoping for around noon, so hopefully we won't be too late getting back. Casey wanted to be back by around 3, and that might not be quite possible, but fortunately it won't be terribly late.

I was kind of getting the gist that she wasn't really feeling taking Amber up there this time. And it could have just been me misreading things, but last week the appointment couldn't be done because of the trailer we need to use being in the shop, and she was also busy with some other stuff. That wasn't her fault at all, but she then wanted me to use the hauler that trailers horses who need a ride to the clinic, then she wanted me to get the vet and chiro to go meet us at another barn that is maybe 30 minutes from us, and still an hour to an hour and a half from them...

Just kind of avoiding taking her up herself, or at least I felt it was that way. And I understand she is busy, and this is really something you have to donate an entire day to...but there was no issue helping us before. But really the only thing to do is go up there. The hauler wants to charge me $150 from the barn to the clinic and back. Apparently it was $80 from the barn in the other town...which, I don't know why I would bother with that, seeing as how I have to give Casey gas to take her to that barn anyway, plus the $80 for the shipper...only coming out slightly better. I pretty much knew that there was no way Amber could possibly have the appointment anywhere but the clinic. The chiropractor and the vet are not associated - and the chiro is in the clinic's area. So arranging to have them both travel an hour or more to see Amber the same day is really not fair to either of them, and I'd have to pay a farm call for both of them anyway - exactly what we were trying to avoid. But, Casey wanted me to ask, so I asked, and they were just kind of like "Ehhh, you really need to come back up here like we planned..."

So off we go. Hopefully for the last time for a while.

We did discover that it IS Amber's fly spray giving her a reaction. No hives yesterday when I got to the barn. Sprayed her, and an hour or so later, little hives again. I washed it off immediately. Hopefully it'll be clearing up soon. I wasn't really feeling giving her more dex. She got several high doses last week when it was so bad, and I'm just not comfortable with giving her more. She got 8ccs one day, and then 10ccs two days in a row. At least now we know why the dex wasn't working. Because I kept spraying her, not believing it could possibly be the fly spray. It was kind of a "duhh" thing. But having used it last year and two weeks this year already, it just didn't seem possible. Now I know.

She's ready for summer!

And so is her stall. Yes, I am "that owner" who decorates my horse's stall seasonally.

Since the barn's ATV is broken, I've also had to become creative with getting hay. I refuse to push the wheel barrow around in 90 degree heat. Call me lazy, but sweat, heat and hay do NOT mix.

Another quick update!

Amber's trim went well. I was very impressed with the attention Cat paid to her and her concern, not for making it a quick job, but doing the best job for Amber's individual needs. She took the time to get to know Amber and to also take pictures of Amber's topline. Felt around, I showed her the pelvic misalignment we have right now, and we chatted about it for a bit before the trim took place.

The trim is fabulous and although Amber is still draggy draggy, I can tell she is more comfortable. From just a trim, that is saying something with all her current issues.

She was ouchy the day after the trim, but rock solid the next, so I'm pretty sure that ouchyness was due to her sitting back on the break away tie that did NOT break in the washpit, when a drop of water accidentally got in her ear and freaked her out. Scared the shit out of me, I thought she was going to flip herself and break her neck. Casey runs out saying "Don't scream at her"...I didn't even realize I was shouting, I just kept saying, apparently accidentally shouting, "easy" trying to calm her while not getting smashed in the process.

Anyway. The reason she was actually IN the washpit was due to the huge welts and hives all over her sides and belly. We battled this with dex and coldhosing for like, 5 days. She hasn't had anything new. I don't think it was bugs of any kind. The only thing I have that might do it is her fly spray, but she has had it for two weeks and she used it all last summer with no problem. Makes no sense. Gone now, but I'm going to do a "test patch" to see if it was the spray. Weird.

Tenatively her appointment to get her stifles injected and have the chiro work on her is May 22. We will see if Casey can make it. If not, I might see if I could beg a ride off someone else. I want this done ASAP.

I haven't told anyone about this next part yet, and Victoria is probably not going to be super happy when she hears it, but I have a new plan if Amber will be unsound to jump. I'll be moving her to Windrift Stables or Canamer Stables. If she is sound for trails, she would be sound enough to do baby dressage (Intro and maybe Training) I am sure. I love trail rides, but I am not content with it full time. Nothing brings me the satisfaction of doing good arena work with my horse. Her understand what I'm asking for, and what I am not asking for. And I really don't have the motivation to do it with any horse but her. To everyone else, she is just a too-short Quarter Horse who is too opinionated, more difficult to ride than I make it look, and not sound enough to ever really do squat in her life - which has barely begun at just 8 years old. To me, she is a gem that fell through the cracks and luckily ended up with someone who is committed to giving her a princess lifestyle. Though she is broken right now, she has the potential to be incredible, and if she can't be fixed, she certainly HAD the potential to be great. She is a fast learner, and a mental ride. You will do a lot more thinking with her than you will be using your body. Part of this has killed me - Gulliver and Jack were super physical rides, and after having Amber so long, I have recently realized how ineffectively I ride other horses now.

Anyway. If she can jump, without risk of problems later (or sooner) in life, we will do the hunter thing for a while. Ultimately, I feel I will end up doing dressage and combined training. But hunters isn't quite as intense and I think it would be a good way to start off easy. A NEW start at showing her.

Quick update.

Don't have a lot of time to post much, so this will be quick one.

Amber's appointment is still pending...I called Apex and told them to have Dr. Wheeler call me a day or two ago, nothing yet but she's busy so I'm sure she will get to it. If I don't hear anything in a few more days, I'll call again...I'm anxious to get this done with and see what we have. I think I'm more nervous than anything about her response to the treatments, and what it means for our future.

Her white line is still separating, and I have the barefoot trimmer coming Monday because enough is enough. Our farriers are are nice as they can be, and they aren't "bad" farriers, but it's just not working for us. I need to do all I can to insure she is on the road to soundness, and a balanced trim is a huge part of that.

Kind of feel like everyone thinks I'm loopy for having a natural trimmer do her. She has an excellent reputation and her trims are beautiful from pictures, so I'm hoping when Amber develops some awesome feet it will change some minds. If not, I'm still happy because I'll have a horse with awesome, sound barefoot feet. But she's never had WLS before, and I know it's because of the flare that has been left. Casey said she doesn't see the flare...I don't think Casey knows entirely what flare really is, with all due respect to her. Flare probably brings to mind the pancake-like overgrown feet for her. It used to for me as well, until I became slightly more educated on healthy hoofs. I can't fault anyone for going with our previous farrier - the vet recommends them. But as I said - it's just not working out for Amber and I.

I did go on a trail ride with the "new girl" at the barn, Alissa. She's a fox hunter. Her horse is coming next week, and he seems completely awesome, I can't wait to meet him. We went down the road and around the back. Amber was a good girl! Even when a school bus nearly drove up her rear end, and some horses we passed decided to buck and fart. She even had to take the lead for Mickey (cute OTTB I rode that time that Alissa was on). But he was also very brave for the most part. I'm just excited to finally have a trail buddy.

My grades are still amazing. Average is 99.