March on into spring (March/April goals)

[blob]

Looks like it's time for a new thread!

Some of my goals are carried over from last time!


Me:
Continue to eat at home/cook more than eat out/order in
Walk 2-3 times a week
Find a better daily cadence for work days
Get trailer sorted
Get bedroom sorted

MM:
Continue getting her back in shape
Enjoy her
Start pre-summer supplements for sweating

RP:
Continue to play with double bridle (get new noseband for it??)
Continue working on changes--start moving away from the high behind
Attend clinc and/or show
Continue working on ease in lateral work

[Moutaineer]

By hook or by crook I'm going to lose this 10lbs! (She says, again...)
Continue with PT/gym, to strengthen my battered body.

Ride 3 times a week at least and up the time/quality of the ride (I also have to accept that if Justin is going to show him this summer, I have to give him quality riding time, too, and Potters is not as young as he was, so we need to be fair to him.)

[Aleuronx]

Time to start dreaming of things, even as the world tries to fall apart.

Section Goals:
-Survive until Trainer returns in April
-Ability to maintain lower neck in the canter piro/steps
-5-6 consecutive 1-tempi’s

-Integrate puppy successfully, pick-up from breeder is next week (!!)

[exvet]

Our goals are definitely carried over from last time.

Junior: continue to improve canter quality such that the piro canter is looking like a real piro canter without getting stuck; have Junior's canter elasticity improved so that I have reliable collection and forward...............then I think the flying change will reliably be consistent and clean. I have a schooling show towards the end of April to test all that out. Junior turns 12 in 2 weeks; so, maybe this will be our year.

Troy: He turns 4 in a few weeks. Expectations will start to rise with him in terms of developing balance both laterally and longitudinally in all 3 gaits. I will also start working on tempo with more earnest. I have him entered in the April schooling show, intro only but it will be a good test to see how he behaves with lots of other horses around and it will be the first time he actually enters a 'real' dressage court. Currently ours isn't up as they take it down for the winter each year.

My goal for Ace is to see if I can get him through the spring without an episode of colic. He has been doing really well and I think stray voltage is what caused his decrease in drinking last year which I've taken care of; so, keeping fingers crossed.

[StraightForward]

I'm pretty much out for the next few rounds. We have a followup ultrasound on March 25th, and I am on the list to tentatively get her into the rehab facility a week after that. I was happy to hear that she had a space available since I'll be gone for a couple weeks in April. I'll see what the vet thinks, but I anticipate keeping her there for three months.

Goals: keep T calm on stall rest.

Don't put myself on stall rest. Use time out of the saddle to hit the gym and get the vegetable garden going.

[khall]

For me:lose the weight and then some that I gained while sitting around on the couch recovering from surgery. Get back to riding. Have 2 more weeks off the horse

For Joplin: continue PT hope I will be riding her soon. Next US 3/23

For Chex: get back on the pony! Doing in hand and double lunging right now. Clinic coming up Cedar will ride him some and I will do in hand lesson with him

For Gaila: back in work. In hand and double lunge for now

[Ponichiwa]

Thematically I am very aligned with many of you:
For me:
- Lose 5-10lb (fit comfortably in that pretty new show coat!)
- Ride, walk, row, or bike 5d/week
- Survive the first 2 months of the new job (same company, but first foray into formal team leadership)

Queso:
- Qualify at 2nd level; ideally 65+%
- More leveling up trotwork; score a 7 on a medium
- Clean up turns on the haunches: score 6.5+

Dijon:
- 2-3 days a week of work
- maybe... get off the property for a show?

[khall]

Whoop! Worked Chex on the double lunge yesterday and he went so well decided to try for WC transition on line. I’ve asked US just a bit and it rattled his cage some then we got it but never asked on line. Gorgeous L transition. R was good just not quite as smooth. Didn’t pogo at all which is his go to when he gets worried in the canter. Hop up and down.

And my friend has been longlining Gaila for me. I’ve been working her in hand and light lunging but she gets strong in the double lunge and my friend has taught driving horses Gaila is pretty settled with a person behind her. She was getting lovely walk and trot and got SI at the trot both directions nicely! Easier R than L starting off but once in nailed it. It’s fun to play with different training tools!

Joplin is just a blast doing her PT and boy do I get steps in!

Happy riding all! Spring temperatures here

[blob]

welp, my plans might get drastically changed. I may need to have surgery in coming weeks. If i do, that will of course change everything and I'll need to decide what to do with RP while I heal. 2 weeks no riding would be no problem, but 4 weeks might be not so ideal for him, we've built up so much strength, I'd hate to lose that. On the flip side, he struggles a lot with new riders and I don't want to put him through an emotional roller coaster if I don't need to. I will hopefully have a consult with the doctor this week to discuss options. Finding someone to keep MM going and in shape will be much easier

[exvet]

After a rather blustery few days, today was gorgeous. Been peeling away the layers of the onion with Junior. He's been getting more fit and developing more consistent carrying power at the canter. This (new to me, sort of) trainer is really helping us a lot. She works really hard and talks to a few she works with on how to try to access what is blocking Junior and is so stinkin' encouraging. We're both about the same age and have developed a lot of the same bad habits due to riding too often alone or without a set of educated eyes on the ground. She brings back exercises to share with me since we have a lot of the same issues though very different horses. Of course she and I both realize that improving our riding and training skills will only help the horse no matter what the horse's issues are. I had a lesson with her yesterday and after we talked out some of the challenges he presents, she gave me some things to focus on and boy did they work today. I had a really nice ride on Junior and he stepped up to the plate and gave me his back, lifted his withers and shoulders at canter and trot, remaining forward the entire time.

What also was wild is as it turns out not only did she foal out my Monty (Desert moon Champignon) who is now 28 but she sent me a picture last night of a pony she rode as a kid. She explained that it was the best darn pony to learn on and use for pony club, a real gem. She thought the pony looked like a Welsh Cob and knew it had Welsh breeding (at least it's dam). Well I recognized the pony and based on where the photo was taken knew immediately who the breeder was. After a few texts back and forth to names I haven't spoken to in decades the mystery was solved and her basics were started on a Welsh Cob................too small of a world. Maybe that is why she is so accepting of my choice in mounts.

Troy has also been working a bit harder, more canter though the right lead is proving to be a bit more elusive under saddle at least when I ask for it. We went trail riding today after I rode him in our pasture/lot and he wore his big boy pants. He tackled a bridge I had been avoiding because it creeks and moans when there is weight on it; but, he just rode across it like it was nothing new. Then we rode by a creek with a thick woody area often known to have mountain lions and deer (water source in the desert always draws the animals)..............well he spooked and bolted, took the right lead though after our earlier failed attempts always ended up in left lead. At first when he bolted I was a little concerned that I wouldn't be able to contain the freight train but our one rein stop worked like a charm. He then realized that there really weren't any monsters chasing him and the rest of the trail ride was uneventful. For those of you with experience riding big drafty body styles, you probably know what I mean when I say that all his extra real estate made what could have been a scary moment a non-issue since I wasn't balancing on a 2 x 4 but wrapped around a large beer keg. There was absolutely no air time between his spook, panicked launch into canter and my butt in that Antares.

[blob]

sigh sigh, this month off to a tough start. I have not been well enough to ride much this march. And now I have surgery scheduled for April 2nd. The doctor is anticipating 4 weeks at least out of saddle. And I've decided not to try to find someone to ride RP, i am worried the switch up will stress him out more than it's worth. And I figure once I can walk comfortably, I can lunge him so i'm still maintaining some muscle and working mindset.

[exvet]

Sorry to hear that blob. I hope all goes well with your surgery and the recovery is swift and uneventful. Honestly as far as RP goes I doubt he'll forget anything and will be quick in getting back into shape. Far, far better to keep him confident and trusting the process than to take a chance of someone scaring him or asking too much of him. Horses never un-learn but fortunately for me and Junior they can be trained to learn new, more appropriate responses. Though I feel we are on a much better path and are starting to get some really good work, understanding and skills he's now 12................would have been much better if I had figured out our mistakes/poor decisions quite a bit sooner. From my perspective, one month out of the saddle, while it would drive me crazy, it's less damaging to just let him sit imo.

[blob]

Thanks, Exvet, and yes I think regaining some lost fitness will be much easier than rebuilding trust and confidence. So, seems like the better choice all things considered.

It's been so nice to hear the recent updates from you on Jr and how far he's come. At 12 he likely has many great years ahead and some of those hardy pony types really stay in their atheletic prime for a long time. But I understand the feeling, RP is far behind where I'd want him to be for his age.

[Ponichiwa]

Oh blob, so sorry to hear you're out of the saddle. Hope all goes well with your surgery. I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing for the horses to get an extended break once in a while, but I know how painful it is emotionally not to be able to do what you want. Heal up and get back in the saddle soon!

[exvet]

blob, I just keep reminding myself and looking at Monty (Desert Moon Champignon) who I sold at age 15 after earning my silver and is now finally fully retired at 28. He is still sound with maintenance and doesn't look to be really accepting that he's retired. He still gets to go on trail rides pretty regularly. I also got to watch Kentchurch Chime with Nancy Hinz who was transitioned from the breeding shows to dressage at age 9. She started taking lessons with him and though he was already solid w-t-c, he had to be shown how to use himself correctly (wasn't too tough for him in the beginning since he was an accomplished CDE horse). When I got to see him in the mid 90s he was doing a grand prix freestyle and rocking it hard. Watching him come across the diagonal with his extended trot, golden coloring and white feathers flying solidified my dream and goals with my Welsh Cobs. I know he kept going until around 18 or so. He died at age 28, still a breeding stallion until his last year leaving a solid legacy. Welsh tend to be quite hardy though sometimes their opinionated nature doesn't actually mellow with age LOL.

[Aleuronx]

Successful week here, puppy retrieved and return flight in tow was no issue. Prim has fit in so seamlessly it’s beyond grand. They’re getting along like long distance friends reunited for a girls trip. Which is shockingly more than we could have hoped for as Shiba’s can be tricky.

IMG_3621.jpeg (198.46 KiB) Viewed 15173 times

In horse news I can tick a box for our goals with video evidence for once as I had set up the Pivo and captured our first successful 5 one tempi’s. No social media glaze here but there were ~10 messy attempts prior in this ride of 3 one’s and then a two and 2 more one’s, 4 one’s and then spider legs, all spider legs, 5 one’s then two more of just hind legs changing when I asked her to stop and both of us then getting our self’s in hand to get this. Bless us if this awful winter ever ends and we get back outside we’re going get a full suite of them.

https://youtu.be/WrgKQMSJoKM?si=LslhdUz6PZLMwqM3

Tanga and Chisbama how are y’all getting on? Haven’t heard from you guys in a bit

[exvet]

Successful week here, puppy retrieved and return flight in tow was no issue. Prim has fit in so seamlessly it’s beyond grand. They’re getting along like long distance friends reunited for a girls trip. Which is shockingly more than we could have hoped for as Shiba’s can be tricky.

In horse news I can tick a box for our goals with video evidence for once as I had set up the Pivo and captured our first successful 5 one tempi’s. No social media glaze here but there were ~10 messy attempts prior in this ride of 3 one’s and then a two and 2 more one’s, 4 one’s and then spider legs, all spider legs, 5 one’s then two more of just hind legs changing when I asked her to stop and both of us then getting our self’s in hand to get this. Bless us if this awful winter ever ends and we get back outside we’re going get a full suite of them.

So awesome on both accounts Aleuronx. You make the changes and the ones look so easy. I'm jealous.

I too have been thinking about Tanga and Chisamba and hope both are doing well.

[Moutaineer]

The weather has been kind enough that we are riding outside. So nice to be out in the sunshine. Getting on safely from the short outdoor mounting block is beyond me as yet, but I can climb up the block and step onto the wall around the arena and get on from there... not pretty, but it does the trick!
We are doing a lot of work on responsiveness, particularly in the lateral work, disengaging the hind end, and keeping Potters really focused and on the aids. It's important that he be light and responsive enough that he is an easy ride for me and my sad rubber legs, while not being over the top, also because of the rubber legs and my desire to stay on... It's a process.

[Lipsmackerpony88]

I've been following along quietly. Jingles to Blob, I hope your surgery goes well. Also jingles to SF for T. And continued jingles for Khall and Joplin!

Everyone else, it's been fun seeing all the progress you all continue to make!

Lynx has been settling into the new barn. Being out 24/7 was an adjustment for the first 2 days for him (Even though he had lived that way previously.) Dare I say, yesterday he looked very sound, I do hope this move is good for his stifles and back. They sure do use the whole available property to move out and about during the day, so that's nice to see. He's been very good and barn staff love him.

My daughter still rides at the previous barn and the chaos continues. We found a bunch of glass on the ground, we highly suspect it came in with a dirty load of asphalt. And they are starting construction (a complete surprise and unannounced) up by the runs where Lynx lived. My daughter's lease horse is actually struggling with the construction by his turnout area and it's caused an upset for many horses. So needless to say, I'm happy to not have Lynx there right now.

That being said, he's back on Zyrtec. I have a vet appointment today for teeth. But I am going to keep pushing for a respiratory evaluation because I'm starting to suspect he has at least mild asthma. It's not helping us work. He has to cough at the beginning every ride but the thing is, he has to trot to cough but he strongly feels like he cannot trot until he coughs. It's more of a battle then I believe is normal and feels beyond (getting the cobwebs out.)

I do believe the Zyrtec helped before, so perhaps there is an allergy component. Either way, I suspect we'll be hauling up to the hospital at some point to get his airway scoped and what not.

It's always something with these animals!

[Chisamba]

Hello, thanks for asking I am doing ok.

we lost a horse at the stables, she was one of my first rescue horses that i had rehabbed and placed with a good friend, and she stayed in training and lessons all the while. it all started quite simply as a mild colic, but turns out i was not tummy but a viral liver failure. She had survived the fire of 2012 and had been with me the longest. ( i have one very old pony left from before 2012 but ponies live forever , i hope) . anyway poor Karma did not show response to treatment and owner decided to let her go gently into that good night. it was the right choice, but I find these things difficult , i know we all do, but it was a particularly difficult one because of waiting for others to make decisions and not feeling in control.

goals for this month.

increased fitness and strength to the new knee. I am not up to riding eight horses a day yet, and i need to get to at least seven to get it all flowing smoothly.

Kimba. I love her dearly and she too is in her teens now, exvet, although older than Junior, at seventeen, and having had two severe injuries she came back from, so I am asking her graciously to not stress bout the whole flying changes thing and perhaps do one last show season at third level. last year she really nailed second level, which has always been my weakest level, winning every single showing with decent enough scores. so either third level or simply staying fit and doing trails.

Pauletta and i have to put on our big girl pants and show, simply training level, as it will be her first show season.
i have been warming up in one arena, and then moving to the other which has strategically been made more scary by the addition of a few cones, flowers o table and chair, and riding a test. This to practice the show ring tragedy of one warm up and a different show ring. i also have scheduled to go to a separate barn to school.

Circles: this is a young gelding here for show and sale. He too needs to step up to the big boy pants and go out for training level.

I am back to working nights and riding days, so i have to( how did blob put it), clean up my work schedule .

i don't think i told you all that i have a brood mare in foal to Gaudi. its all Khalls fault for making be think babies are a fun idea. She is a KWPN broodie, built like a brick house with lot of bone.

Oh, i had two of my amateur riders earn lovely awards at the local dressage club. Rocky, who i train, got high score for the year with a 75. something. and Caliburn got the first level champ of the show year. they have two qualify by attending two or more different shows with two or more different judges.

i have quite an ammy show crew this year, at two at training level and two at second level. this makes it complicated because i have three horses to show myself and so i cannot effectively show at the same shows they are going to. how do trainers manage to both show an coach, enquiring minds want to know.

Blob, i am sorry that you are going in for surgery and hope that it is ultimately a good thing
Khall I'm glad you are recovering and looking forward to your riding soon
exvet i hope junior gives you rows and rows of flying changes
aleuronx i hope you have great joy with the new pup, and rows and rows of flying changes
lsp good luck with the new barn and breathing things
moutaineer. hard choices with sharing your horse, his age and your fitness.
straightforward, i sure hope tesla comes back better and stronger

[Lipsmackerpony88]

Chisamba , good to hear from you. I'm sorry about Karma, that's always hard and emotional. But glad everything else is moving along, especially after your surgery! Sounds like everything is on a good path with both you and your clients.

I rode yesterday morning and I would say the low dose of Zyrtec really did help. He had one cough but was much less sticky to start and loosened up in his back more quickly. Definitely felt like he felt better.

My vet did say that there was some raspy sounds in Lynx's lower throat. Bag test was fine and lungs sounded good. Plan right now is to up the Zyrtec and put him on a good omega 3 supplement. Depending on how that goes we might end up going for a scope. Trying to get a handle on this because I believe it's going to be a smokey summer if I had to guess.

[Moutaineer]

LSP, tis the season for allergies.

Chisamba, good to hear from you! You sound very productive.

Potters and I had a zesty ride outdoors in sunshine and 80 degrees this afternoon. He needs his mind constantly occupied and focused to not find ways te entertain himself. It's exhausting, but pretty fun! I can do about 20 minutes high quality on the ball WTC before my body tells me that's quite enough of that!

And, I managed to get him maneuvered into place next to my big rock and get up on the rock and on him without assistance today. Heavily bribing with sugar to stand still is working "a treat." (I'll see myself out...)

[khall]

Blob so sorry you are facing surgery! Jingles for a quick recovery and hope you can get MM sorted. I’m sure RP will be ok having some down time.

Lsp sounds like the move was the right choice and I hope Lynx settles with his allergies soon. I’ve used Zyrtec on Gaila too for coughing. Worked well.

Chisamba good to hear from you! Sorry not sorry about influencing your breeding adventure:). Due date?? I love foals though have no more breeding plans unless Joplin doesn’t stay sound. Good luck showing this year!

Al lovely work as always! Exciting to see Kora’s progress even during a cold winter. Congratulations on the new pup!

Ponichiwa great to hear of your progress with your two boys!

SF hoping T is handling her stall rest well. Update when you can.

Me I get to ride now! Will pop on Chex today. He got some great work at the clinic with Cedar hopping on so he should be good to go. Crossing my fingers Joplin is next. US on Monday but doing so well in her rehab. Had Cedar watch our PT and she had a couple of tweaks to the details but looking good otherwise. Joplin is showing such good character for 6 months in a stall. Lani made an appearance at the clinic too. We had a lecture looking at muscle development. Lani is just beautiful. Very balanced young horse love her movement. Excited to see how she will turn out as a riding horse. Gaila had in hand only work but was spot on for what she needs right now. Have her insulin in check will rested to see if her cushings is regulated in May.



Exvet hope all continues to move on your current path. What a stunning place you get to trail ride in!

Yay Mountaineer on riding more!

Happy spring!

[Ponichiwa]

I think I have cursed myself with my "sometimes it's good to give the horses a bit of an extended break" comment: Queso has been off in front for 2 weeks. Had the vet out, had the farrier out to tweak angles to match xrays. Now he's a bit ouchy on the OTHER front foot. Vet is coming back out - please please please find me something trivial like a hot nail or abscess or something so I can say I've just wasted some anxiety on worst case scenarios.

I'll add I had just entered 2 shows in April, too.

[blob]

LSP i'm glad you got Lynx checked out early. If I could go back in time with MM, I wish had done more aggressive intervention for her asthma earlier. With her it sort of came out of nowhere. But I would have really loved to been more aggressive in that first year than I was. Hindsight is 20/20. But all that to say I support you getting him checked and for a lot of asthmatic horses zyrtec makes a huge difference.

Glad to hear from those who are chugging along with goals!
So sorry Queso is off for longer than ideal, Ponchiwa, it can be so frustrating. But hopefully nothing serious
Exvet, sounds like your crew is going well
chisamba, you have been busy! Baby news is exciting!
Khall, how is Joplin doing these days with her rehab?

I have another week of riding left before my surgery, so will try to make the most of it. Of course it's also only one more week before I have to take some time off of work, so that is busy as well, trying to get things to a good place before i'm out for 3-4 weeks. I think my back to work timeline will be much faster than my back to riding timeline, alas.

We are in the weird weather swings of March. Monday and Tuesday had lows in the 20s, today the high will be 80 after a low of 38 this morning.

[exvet]

We are in a massive heat wave that is breaking records everywhere. I gave Junior a trace clip last weekend and you can tell he's happy about that. All three are shedding massive amounts. I guess I have to join the many of you with horse health issues though I'm pretty sure this will be short lived. Junior is fine but Troy is a little off. He's going through another growth spurt causing him to have some momentary upward fixation of the stifle and what looks like being slightly off in the right fore. He's croup high at the moment after being level for at least a month or two. It also looks like based on the massive amounts of dried sweat I came home to yesterday after work that he played hard so who knows he may have pulled something but I can't find any heat through all that massive amount of hair. I have to take them down to the Valley next week to get their feet done if his issues aren't mostly resolved by then I'll take a look at his feet with the farrier and maybe stop by my old clinic. Healing thoughts to all who need them and though it's coming on a little strong here, I'm glad to see spring.

[Moutaineer]

Yes, I bathed Potters in 80 degrees today. In Northern Utah, in March. Unbelievable. If we have any hay at all this summer it will be a miracle.

[exvet]

Yes, I bathed Potters in 80 degrees today. In Northern Utah, in March. Unbelievable. If we have any hay at all this summer it will be a miracle.

Hay should not be an issue here in terms of growing unless they cut back irrigation privileges further; however, prices will go up because our growers will see where the money is and starting shipping a lot out of state that we then have to compete with but I guess that's all part of the gamble.

I had a pretty decent lesson this morning though Junior still makes it clear that he really would rather not be a dressage horse. I'm finding the walk pirouette to canter pirouette to be helping Junior both build more strength and improve his coordination. I also find that if I work on tons and tons of lateral work walk then canter then trot that I have a rounder and willing to stay more forward pony. I also am irritating the heck out of him by doing walk-trot-walk-trot where he's allowed maybe 1-2 steps of each in between transitions that we are gradually quickening the back feet - I'm doing much of this on the mile walk back home so he has incentives to keep it going. He now sits relatively well in the piaffe in hand. Eventually all of this has to come together We think we're seeing improvement (instructor and I). Junior does seem to be more rideable as in letting me move shoulders and hind around when and where I want without popping leads or getting really wonky. The real test will be if he gives me more (as in being more honest into the connection) at the first schooling show of the year which is next month.

Troy got a day off - too hot and don't want to mess with his wonkiness/growthy issues but I noticed he's leveling out a little so maybe I'll get to ride next week. I plan to lunge him again tomorrow and see what I've got.

[Lipsmackerpony88]

Sounds like good progress Exvet. Hopefully Troy is just growing and feels better after a few days off.

Today Lynx didn't cough once!! So Zyrtec is working. Excited how he is once omega 3's are added.

[exvet]

Sounds like good progress Exvet. Hopefully Troy is just growing and feels better after a few days off.

Today Lynx didn't cough once!! So Zyrtec is working. Excited how he is once omega 3's are added.

So glad that the Zyrtec is working. Morgan (aka stinker pony) made me respect just how hard managing allergies can be and of course I'm a vet. I have a dog who also struggles with allergies. It just stinks. I rode Troy today and he is fine. His growth spurt isn't 'done' but he felt really balanced today. I had one of the best rides on Junior too.........so I'll take the progress. As an aside, I increased the omega 3's for all three boys and they've never been better.
'

[Lipsmackerpony88]

Yes allergies can be a real pain. I'm lucky and hopeful that the Zyrtec has made such a difference so quickly. I'm glad both boys were good and feeling fine today! Can I ask what source you are using for omega 3's? I decided whether to add flax or do one of the more marine derived omegas instead. I understand the later us supposed to be the gold standard but feeding them can be tricky as well.

[exvet]

I use a combination of products - for all three they get extreme equine supplements which carries quite a bit, they also get KeyFlow feeds Pink Mash low sugar and low starch which is also very high in omegas and Junior for his respiratory issues also gets Platinum Performance Equine Skin and Allergy also very high in omega 3s.

Other than supplementing with Vitamin E and metabolic supplement for the two older boys that's my feeding program. Well plus bermuda hay of course.

[blob]

LSP, I have been using the SmartPak Omega + E so I can get both vit E and high dose of omegas in one supplement rather than more than one. It's reasonably priced and palatable. Having said that best bioavailability usually comes from an oil format rather than a solid. So, if MM would eat it, I would probably do something like Omega Complete or EO-3. Unfortunately MM can be a picky eater and most oil sources of omega include fish oil, which does have a distinct smell. There are many other horses at the barn who eat these oils without issue. So, if Lynx will eat them I would go for one of them.

[Lipsmackerpony88]

Exvet - I guess I didn't know Junior has some respiratory issues too, I guess you have him well maintained with that though. Good to hear what you are doing is working. Lynx is on Triple Crown RB with added vitamin E and Magnesium. But omegas definitely can be added.

Blob- I was looking at that Smartpak one as well. I bet he might eat the oil but the issue is with him being on pasture board, I don't think I can have them feed it. And no where to safely store it in our extreme weather, either. I probably could feed it myself but he wouldn't get it everyday, more like 5 days a week. I'm not sure if that benefit would be enough to try it or not...

[blob]

Yes, that's the other issue with an oil is that not all boarding barns can do it and I understand because oil is a pain! I would think providing daily consistency is more important than the oil format.

For allergies the other thing that I have found to be helpful is spirulina. You can find it in several allergy related supplements and also as a stand alone.

[Lipsmackerpony88]

Thank you Blob. I think you are probably right. I think I might try that smartpak supplement first as it seems it might be my best bet. He is itchy too (of course, he's shedding like crazy as well but I do find he's generally a bit itchy anyways.)

[exvet]

Exvet - I guess I didn't know Junior has some respiratory issues too, I guess you have him well maintained with that though. Good to hear what you are doing is working. Lynx is on Triple Crown RB with added vitamin E and Magnesium. But omegas definitely can be added.

Blob- I was looking at that Smartpak one as well. I bet he might eat the oil but the issue is with him being on pasture board, I don't think I can have them feed it. And no where to safely store it in our extreme weather, either. I probably could feed it myself but he wouldn't get it everyday, more like 5 days a week. I'm not sure if that benefit would be enough to try it or not...

I had Junior scoped a few years ago after Heather Blitz and Molly Martin insisted that he was roaring. I've mentioned that he like his dam and sire sucks his tongue when he gets upset or frustrated. I kept telling them what the sound was coming from but it got to a point where Molly wouldn't give me a lesson without getting him scoped. Well, surprise, surprise his anatomy was completely normal and there was absolutely no evidence of an obstruction of any kind. What we did find though is that he produced a lot of mucous in his airways due to the air pollution and generally poor air quality that we have in the Valley. His breathing has always been better, easier when we've been in the higher elevations - less pollution. I was told by the vet who scoped him to increase his omega-3 intake. Since I had Morgan on the PP Skin and Allergy I just threw Junior on it as well and it makes a big difference when I have to haul him down to the Valley for shoeing. He still sucks his tongue but no where near as much as he used to since changing instructors too.

[Lipsmackerpony88]

Exvet I see! I suspect Lynx has an over production of mucus from allergies as well. Being in the West doesn't help with all the smoke we can often have, even blowing in from other states. I hope to get him scoped at some point but for now we will see what the Zyrtec and extra omega 3's do. It sounds encouraging though right now.

[Chisamba]

Khall she only took in September so it will be an August baby. not accustomed to such a late foal

I had a decent week this week on riding and progress, thank goodness its a bit warmer , i am envious of your early warmth its still ice on the windshields in the mornings here.

[mari]

Odin's sheath and penis bacteria have flared up again and he is very swollen and sore. Another series of vet visits and lots of head-scratching and mutterings of 'such an interesting case'. Amazed at how I can be overflowing with anxiety and bored rigid of this situation at exactly the same time. I'm just really hoping he doesn't have to go to hospital again.

[mari]

The vet just sent me a video. The swollen skin inside the sheath has cracked a bit and now there are maggots. FML. She's thrilled that she found something to treat. I want to never be near a horse penis again. Ever. Never ever.

[Lipsmackerpony88]

Chisamba, so excited for the baby! August will be here before we all know it. About your comment on the warmth, I'm truly envious of your chilly mornings. It's truly been so warm here all winter here in the West and things just don't feel right. Seeing flies and wasps in the winter and spring is just scary. I would love a big snow storm one last time!

Mari- so sorry to hear about Odin's sheath again. Not fun to have medical mysteries. I hope he feels better soon.

I ordered the Smartpak Omega 3 supplement Blob recommended. It was the one that seemed like it would would be the easiest to feed given that he's out 24/7. Just the setup of the barn and the staff with the additional detail that we're very new there, I didn't feel like I should make things too complicated. Perhaps if needed I could try one of the more complicated and better supplements later on in the summer. But feeding oils or aromatics just made me feel a little high maintenance too early at this new barn! Unfortunately that supplement won't be here for another week, but I did order this feed additive liquid that's supposed to kind of soothe their throats which will be hear sooner. Obviously the the soother is not a treatment or anything but I felt it wouldn't hurt to give occasionally right now. I give him Purina outlast before my rides, so I'll just add that in before hand.

It was mild smokey yesterday as someone was burning an irrigation that's quite nearby. He did have one cough but again it wasn't that panicked feeling he had before. He still wants to stop to do the cough but he's more willing to move on after. So I do think the Zyrtec is helping quite a bit.

We've been focusing a lot on poles lately. We switch it up and add transitions between the poles or through lateral work in between them. He really enjoys doing different things.

It's going to be windy today and I'll probably just do some ground work.

[StraightForward]

Jingles for Odin! So frustrating that his sheath problem has come back!

I've been following along with everyone, but sitting on my hands until I had a solid update. T has been behaving reasonably well, which is a relief. This morning she went in for the followup US. The void in the ligament had filled in a lot, and she got the go ahead to increase to 20 minutes of walking, and water treadmill whenever I want. We did a shockwave treatment, and will do two more at two week intervals. Probably another US with the final shockwave. Waiting now to talk to the rehab person about getting her into the program in the next week or two. Fingers crossed for steady progress and no setbacks!

[exvet]

Jingles for Odin and T! Sounds like good progress SF though I get it. Recovery always seems to take much longer than anyone wants but if you have access to a water treadmill that's fantastic!

[StraightForward]

Yes, everyone raves about the water treadmill. I'll be spending aaaallll the money, but I'm so glad that there was a space to get her into the rehab facility for her water aerobics.

[exvet]

Yes, everyone raves about the water treadmill. I'll be spending aaaallll the money, but I'm so glad that there was a space to get her into the rehab facility for her water aerobics.

We have a few of these in the Valley and they are so good for rehab. As a small animal vet, I also love water treadmills for dogs too that are rehabbing from a variety of orthopedic injuries/procedures. I think they are worth every penny.

Worked the boys yesterday and today. In between I hauled them down to the Valley for their farrier appointment. I think we're making good progress in regards to Junior's canter. He still needs more work on his coordination but he's starting to really let me bounce him in the canter so that I'm getting some real (honest!) jump. He is also getting so much easier to do the set ups for the flying change. His rideability is really starting to get to where it needs to be.

Troy is still having challenges with his growth spurts and balance but he tries really hard and he's such a comedian. Yesterday I lunged him before getting on and he was having a lot of trouble with his right lead - cross cantering, bunny hopping (sticky stifles) and then he took off and ripped the line out of my hands. I just let him keep going - all 2 acres he was galloping around and actually doing really well on both leads and then all of a sudden and canters right up to me and stops.....like....."Oh that feels so much better!" I got on him and hacked him a bit really just to cool him out. Today after getting his feet trimmed he did so much better on the lunge line - not sure if it was the trim, the chance to really rip around yesterday, the 2 hour trailer ride each way or what.

So for the comedy hour....I wish I had my phone to film it but I rarely carry my phone when I'm feeding/working around the barn. I got home Wednesday night to see 3 geysers in the horses' dry lot/main winter turn out. Evidently the HOA's landscapers started the irrigation system for the entrance which connects to what was supposed to be a sealed off line down the front of our two lots. There used to be several cottonwood trees in a row more or less bordering the whole neighborhood perimeter. We were asked to let the HOA cut them down when we started construction. I had no problem with that because I didn't want the horses chewing on the trees. I assumed because we never had an issue that they had capped off the line somewhere up the road but to my surprise they capped the ends to the individual leaders to each of the trees and buried them. Well I guess over the three years time the caps worked off or finally blew off and with the help of a couple of Welsh Cobs and a mustang they were dug up to create the best water park EVAH! When I went out to feed, each horse had their mouths open over the spray playing with how far and how close they could get, a combination of drinking and cooling off. Now you have to realize that both Coblets have tried hard to convince me that they don't like baths, water, swimming, etc............but now I have their number LOL. I did my best to cap off the fun and then the landscapers came over yesterday and buried the lines again. I let them know that if any of the seals/caps leak we'll be seeing another grand opening of the Coblet water park LOL..........

[Chisamba]

Exvet that is hilarious. hopefully not a huge hike in your water bill, but a coblet water park!
I find free lunging ( although not around 2 acres) is very useful for the young guns i work with.

I managed to get all the beasts i ride ridden this week. very proud of myself, although i am still not up to 8 in a day. i do lunge two and ride six. having said that, i had one bareback hack in a halter on Pauletta ( please tell me that counts as a ride) but her canter transitions are progressing to not include the buck.

Kimba was in a rush to do everything before i even knew what i was doing next ( which is typical of her modus operandum) and this is a bit of an indication of anxiety level when riding.

occasionally i swear. I know i know, how dare a have any emotion while riding a horse, but i have discovered that a verbal outburst enables me to continue my ride without changing my physical action. so i yell wtf, and my hands and legs remain passive. however today Pauletta decided that a small flapping tag on a cone was the monster of all horse devouring monsters and instead of the expletive that often pops out of my mouth i burst out laughing. (it was forced nothing natural about it/ but i noticed a top rider (Ingrid Klimke) who i admire, was training a youngster on video and she laughed when her horse spooked) well it really works, i got rid of all my impatience and then suddenly the forced laugh became natural and i was in stiches of hilarity at her over reaction. I have a feeling she was not particularly impressed with me. so which is worse, enquiring minds want to know: a quick wtf and breathe and on we go, or a few moment of hilarity. i think the laughing in the long run was more entertaining for me and it certainly gives a better impression than a curse word.

okay, that aside , how the heck are you all coping with the dramatic increase in fuel and the accompanying increase in every thing, hay, grain, supplies, and disposal. And lumber. fiixing fences is always a pita, but now its a really really expense one. Hay in particular, and shavings which come from Canada, have become huge expenses, and i truly truly believe in free choice hay for horse health.

okay, exvet so happy for you that Junior is stepping up to the jump in his canter
LSP i sure hope you are able to help your horses breathing. it has become such a thing of late, i know of so many people with heaves, asthma, and all the breathing things.
straightforward, good luck with the continued improvement in T
blob, hope your health problem is progressing toward the improvement phase, did you have your surgery yet?

all those getting ready for show season, have you planned your riding colors and outfits.

okay its the middle of the night and i should be getting to work.

make your day a good one.

[Moutaineer]

Chisamba, I'm pretty sure we have yet another board increase on the way. I mentioned earlier that hay was getting stupid expensive here, so I can see the reason, but, eek. I was thinking about retiring in the next year. Won't be happening now. Oh well.
Exvet, hah! The coblet Waterpark...the workmen will have a story to tell, too.
SF, so glad to hear about Tesla's improvement. Good you can get her into a rehab facility. Worth every penny, Im sure!
I'm riding pretty regularly now. 20/25 minutes of focused and fairly intense work at a session works well for us at the moment.
I'm pretty toasted by the time I get off, but if we can both stay truly active and focused and thinking from first step to last, shenanigans are limited.
I'm reasonably confident up there but I'm also being a bit careful not to poke the bear too hard, as it is spring and P is definitely for Poltergeist at the moment. A big spook would still be a fairly bad news right now, even though I'm wearing a back brace, which limits the amount of ragdoll movement I can be put through. (The plus side is that it makes my lateral aids clearer!) Lots of circles, bending, lateral work, transitions, oof...

[blob]

Jingles for all the horses and humans that are less than 100%!
Exvet, that is hilarious--glad your boys are doing well!
Chisamba, bareback hack definitely counts as a ride! And so impressed with all that you do in a day.

Our board went up at the beginning of the year, so I think the owners will try to avoid having to up prices right now if they can. But I'm sure costs for everything is going up. It's definitely a difficult situation and not sure that thigns will get better any time very soon. Like you, Chisamba, I also believe strongly in free choice hay, as does my barn, thankfully, but certainly that is an added cost. We get so much grass down south in the summer that soon how much hay the horses actually choose to consume should go down quite a bit.

Surgery is next week, so hoping to get some good rides in this weekend before some time off. I am hoping this surgery is one and done. But the doctor has prepared me that there may be a full hysterectomy in my near future, but that they will go one step at a time.

[StraightForward]

Blob, jingles for a smooth surgery and definitely for a one and done!

Exvet, too bad you didn't get video. What clowns! Obie would also act like he couldn't possibly walk through a puddle, but one day I came out to the barn to find him wallowing in the unmaintained irrigation ditch like some sort of lanky bay hippo.

Chisamba, I am also always in awe of what you get done in a day. I can't imagine riding six, much less eight! Personally, I am on team laughing in the saddle. In the case of silly spooking, it probably helps ease the tension, whereas it seems like swearing might raise it, even at the subliminal level, for the rider. I have certainly laughed at Tesla's antics many times through the years.

Moutaineer, so glad to see you back on and working up to full strength.

ETA on Costs: I am concerned about how they are making things work at my current place which is in the swankier side of the valley, and won't be surprised if they're forced to raise prices. However, I've been really surprised that some places over to the south and west of me still advertising pretty low board prices. I really don't want to move T to where I board Obie, but might have to give it some serious thought if there are price hikes, or at least look harder for other lower-rent options. I was perusing newer trucks for sale the other day and costs are staggering. I paid $7800 for my 2000 F-250 at the end of 2008. Now buying a similar age/mileage truck is like $30-40K. I'm not sure how I'll buy a new truck and be able to buy a younger horse at some point before T is ready to retire (hopefully not for a long time). Very glad I bought my dad's car that is getting 53 mpg!