I haven't felt like writing one bit for the last number of weeks. As usual, I have lots of ideas to write about that would make interesting posts that never see the page. But at least I usually manage to post something once in awhile, even if I know I could do better. I am just now feeling less stressed to the limit than I have for a couple months, so I'm hopeful to be a little more productive soon.
I honestly don't remember a time when I've had my shit less together. And that says a lot! Too much uncertainty, change, and dealing with day-to-day life: Alex has been away 1 week per month since September, I brought Armani home, I had massive job stress and although I'm happy to say that everything worked out even better for me than if nothing changed, it was very stressful in the interim. And change is always at least somewhat stressful, even when it's positive.
Not only was I even less adept than normal at keeping up with anything social, my stress manifested itself in other ways. I would say or write things that I thought were quite innocent, only to royally piss someone off. Oops! I also cut myself badly a few times (yay for adhesive sutures!). I fell asleep one night with a snack in the oven and burned it so badly that I basically created the coal for my own Christmas stocking. It stunk up the house so bad that I had to spend the entire next day scrubbing and washing everything! That is, after driving 30min to the barn first thing in the morning to take Armani's temperature, just to be sure his swollen glands weren't going to be the hallmark of something worrisome. Oh, I have a new horse, so it's ALL worrisome!
But things are settling down! The few extra days off helped me come back to some kind of normal. It's not quite enough considering what the next month has in store for me, but it's enough so that I can make it through that without losing my mind! I have had actual moments of relaxation in the last week! You know, when I'm not shoveling!!
The important stuff:
Armani is healthy and has gained a lot of security in the last weeks with his new environment. He did seem to be quite sensitive to this change in his life. He was quite insecure about everything in the beginning but he is now much more comfortable. Unfortunately, I suspect I babied him a bit too much because I felt sorry for my little baby feeling worried all the time. [insert groans here, mine included]. He really is a sensitive horse, so it's been a constant learning experience for me to understand how I need to be with him.
Hoping to get into a good routine for the new year!
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Monday, November 26, 2012
Simple Solutions.
While doing glamourous things like cleaning toilets and vacuuming this morning, I thought about what my approach was going to be with Armani this afternoon if he tried anything silly while leading him in. Sure, I could probably bribe him forward with carrots but the problem with that is it doesn't really address the issue, rewards the wrong behaviour, and I think likely does nothing positive for gaining Armani's respect.
I thought it through and decided on my course of action.
When I got to the barn, I grabbed my lead shank and dressage whip from my locker, along with the rest of my normal gear. Sounds ominous but stay with me! I took his halter, lead, and the whip out with me. I kept the whip against my body vertically so that it wasn't obvious or threatening. I was a step ahead because Armani was not at the hay but hanging out in the shelter with his new BFF. The BFF might be part of his reluctance to leave but at least I wasn't dealing with hay and his friend.
In my mind I was calm and went in with the expectation that he be 100% perfect. I haltered him with no problem. I did put the chain over his nose. This was there as absolute last resort and protection for me if he escalated the rearing. It was not there to help me lead him. What do horses do when shanked? Lift their head, probably step backwards - the oppositive of what I wanted to encourage, which is forward when I say so.
So, horse haltered, me realxed, I proceeded to lead him forward. He took a few steps and stopped. I stayed relaxed, gave a kiss, and put some pressure on the halter. I stayed facing the way I wanted to go but could see him brace in my peripheral vision. The dressage whip was in my left hand (held against my body up to this point) so I could give him some pressure from behind without changing anything else. At the precise moment where he looked long and light through his chest (i.e. thinking about going up), I reached back and gave a slight twist of my wrist, popping him in the bum.
The result? He moved forward easily and without any drama. I thought it might require more reinforcement but he moved forward willingly without a problem. I think the key was I was able to remain facing in the direction we were going without fussing with trying to use the lead to get the forward drive. Plus I was able to use the dressage whip at the immeditate moment he sucked back. It was gentle, barely a tickle, but clear. Simple.
I thought it through and decided on my course of action.
When I got to the barn, I grabbed my lead shank and dressage whip from my locker, along with the rest of my normal gear. Sounds ominous but stay with me! I took his halter, lead, and the whip out with me. I kept the whip against my body vertically so that it wasn't obvious or threatening. I was a step ahead because Armani was not at the hay but hanging out in the shelter with his new BFF. The BFF might be part of his reluctance to leave but at least I wasn't dealing with hay and his friend.
In my mind I was calm and went in with the expectation that he be 100% perfect. I haltered him with no problem. I did put the chain over his nose. This was there as absolute last resort and protection for me if he escalated the rearing. It was not there to help me lead him. What do horses do when shanked? Lift their head, probably step backwards - the oppositive of what I wanted to encourage, which is forward when I say so.
So, horse haltered, me realxed, I proceeded to lead him forward. He took a few steps and stopped. I stayed relaxed, gave a kiss, and put some pressure on the halter. I stayed facing the way I wanted to go but could see him brace in my peripheral vision. The dressage whip was in my left hand (held against my body up to this point) so I could give him some pressure from behind without changing anything else. At the precise moment where he looked long and light through his chest (i.e. thinking about going up), I reached back and gave a slight twist of my wrist, popping him in the bum.
The result? He moved forward easily and without any drama. I thought it might require more reinforcement but he moved forward willingly without a problem. I think the key was I was able to remain facing in the direction we were going without fussing with trying to use the lead to get the forward drive. Plus I was able to use the dressage whip at the immeditate moment he sucked back. It was gentle, barely a tickle, but clear. Simple.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Week One Ends With a Question (of course it does!).
My first week with Armani is almost over - and he's still alive! And still sound!!
It's been a very busy week with Alex in Whitehorse and me at the barn almost every night. Hazel thought I was the world's worst dog owner, despite getting an hour's walk through the woods in the morning Monday and Wednesday before work, and then putting her in daycare Tuesday and Thursday so she could stay home in the evening.
On Monday, I brought her with me to the barn because it's too dark now when I get home to take her to my off leash places - too creepy. At least at the barn I can walk around in the dark without being afraid of creeps in the bushes. There are coyotes but they don't bother people. After running around a bit I put her in the car and parked in my usual spot next to the arena. I got Armani and handwalked him around the arena so he could explore. When I was all done, I opened the back door expecting to see Hazel sleeping or sitting there quietly waiting for me. Instead she was curled into a ball with her tail between her legs, shaking. Her fur felt damp so she must have been panting up a storm. The best I can figure is the sound of the horses trotting and cantering in the arena must be a bit like thunder and/or fireworks. Poor girl, I think her fears are getting worse. Alex told me last week he was watching a war movie and realized she wasn't with him at some point. He found her hiding in the basement :-(
I knew I couldn't try that again on Wednsday so I gave up and stayed home. I mean, that's one of the advantages of indoor board, right? I was too tired to handle a car or a horse anyway.
I rode Thursday with a little more purpose than my first indoor ride and was of course rewarded with more focus from Armani in return. It is really fun to be so impressed with his maturity on one hand and then a minute later he'll do something that is classic baby. I'm enjoying learning these nuances about him.
I mostly worked on within- and- between gait transitions at the walk and trot, having him moving promptly off my leg, and not leaning on my inside leg through the turns. He finds it hard because he has to carry himself more than he's used to. I'm there supporting him but I am not going to hold him up by his face like he's been used to. I believe I had moments last night where he started to get that he could stretch down and relax while really working from his back end and the feeling was lovely. Fleeting, but I'll take it as a good sign on ride 2!
I need to start wearing my digital watch again so I can hit the timer when I start my ride. For some reason I cannot remember what time I start a ride if I'm wearing a regular watch. I feel like a simpleton but apparently I have to see actual numbers because I promptly forget where the heck the big hand was positioned when I started :-/
Friday night, Alex was home and wanted to come see his horse ;-) So we went and Armani was at the auto-waterer near the gate. Great!, I thought, I wouldn't have to trudge to the hay feeder to get him. I walked up to the gate, Armani took his face out of the water, took one look at me and trotted off to the hay. Argh!
But I laughed, figuring this was a good sign that he liked his increased turnout (he went from 7am-1pm to our 6am - 7:30/8pm winter schedule). I went to get him, no problem, and he lead in easily. The first couple days he was "sticky" coming in at night because any little movement would make him stop and look.
Today was another story. It was a complicated day with a dressage clinic going on. I planned to ride outside while the clinic was going on in the arena, and then watch my friend's ride. The second I got to the barn, I knew there was no way I was riding outside. WIND! Suck the life out of your bones kind of wind. It wasn't that cold but this time of year is the worst here because the air still holds a lot of humidity, making it feel a lot colder than the dry bulb temp would have you think.
Anyway, I ended up doing some scrapbooking. We make a scrapbook every year for the barn owners as a Christmas present. Then I watched my friend's ride while huddled in 6 layers of sweaters and jackets and double-wrapped in my wool cooler. By the end of the clinic I was feeling psyched to work with my baby but SO did not want to ride. I had been freezing for hours, it was getting dark, and I had not yet had Armani in the indoor alone.
I know riding alone is inevitable and I'm totally game and always say the horse has to learn to deal with having other horses come and go or none at all...I just wasn't sure I was in the right mental place to try it in the first week. I know he'd be fine but if I am wishy-washy than it will be ME that messes it up. I knew I was feeling wishy-washy.
Regardless, I did want to change Armani's blanket. Here is where you'll shake your head at me, probably. When I got to the barn and realized how windy it was, I knew Armani would probably be a bit cold since he was only out in a rainsheet (it's been warm during the day and he's in at night). I decided it would be a good day to stress his system a little, hoping he'll start growing a bit more coat. He's got nothing, given his turnout regime before.
Since I was there for hours, I spied on him lots. He spent most of the time by himself in or near the shelter while everyone else was at the hay. Sometimes his new best buddy (the outcast of the herd) would join him. Truthfully, I didn't see him at the hay for a little over 2 hours, whenever I looked, which was frequent but distant. I didn't let myself stress - there is still some grass (unpalatable now?) and I know from my farm spies that he's good at subversively grabbing hay when he wants to. So he was probably cold and hungry for a little while.
As soon as my friend's lesson ended, I went to bring Mani in so I could put a heavier blanket on him. I found him at the hay feeder, haltered and tried to lead him. He was very pissy about it. I managed to get him moving for a bit, then he put on the breaks again. I pushed a little and he threw his head up and then reared up and twisted away from me. I still easily had him on the lead, he wasn't really even pulling much on it, it was just such a surprise, I didn't think he had it in him! SO not ok!!!
We worked through it, slowly, and I brought him in, changed his blanket and turned him back out for a couple hours. Then I went to bring him in and has less of a fight but he still didn't want to come in at all. I'm not yet sure what is going on. My initial thought is that he had probably finally secured a place at the hay and I was taking him away. Also, I was taking him from his new buddy who lives outside 24/7.
Regardless of the 'why' he has to learn that he has to go where I lead him. I'm just a little unsure of myself when it comes to the best way to teach him this. Given his age and that he's likely still adjusting to his new life, I'm tempted to be kind and take all the time he needs. But another part of me is thinking I need to be strong during those moments so that he learns that listening to his handler is non-negotiable. I guess I'm just not sure which approach is the best to get the result I want.
We shall see what tomorrow brings.
It's been a very busy week with Alex in Whitehorse and me at the barn almost every night. Hazel thought I was the world's worst dog owner, despite getting an hour's walk through the woods in the morning Monday and Wednesday before work, and then putting her in daycare Tuesday and Thursday so she could stay home in the evening.
On Monday, I brought her with me to the barn because it's too dark now when I get home to take her to my off leash places - too creepy. At least at the barn I can walk around in the dark without being afraid of creeps in the bushes. There are coyotes but they don't bother people. After running around a bit I put her in the car and parked in my usual spot next to the arena. I got Armani and handwalked him around the arena so he could explore. When I was all done, I opened the back door expecting to see Hazel sleeping or sitting there quietly waiting for me. Instead she was curled into a ball with her tail between her legs, shaking. Her fur felt damp so she must have been panting up a storm. The best I can figure is the sound of the horses trotting and cantering in the arena must be a bit like thunder and/or fireworks. Poor girl, I think her fears are getting worse. Alex told me last week he was watching a war movie and realized she wasn't with him at some point. He found her hiding in the basement :-(
I knew I couldn't try that again on Wednsday so I gave up and stayed home. I mean, that's one of the advantages of indoor board, right? I was too tired to handle a car or a horse anyway.
I rode Thursday with a little more purpose than my first indoor ride and was of course rewarded with more focus from Armani in return. It is really fun to be so impressed with his maturity on one hand and then a minute later he'll do something that is classic baby. I'm enjoying learning these nuances about him.
I mostly worked on within- and- between gait transitions at the walk and trot, having him moving promptly off my leg, and not leaning on my inside leg through the turns. He finds it hard because he has to carry himself more than he's used to. I'm there supporting him but I am not going to hold him up by his face like he's been used to. I believe I had moments last night where he started to get that he could stretch down and relax while really working from his back end and the feeling was lovely. Fleeting, but I'll take it as a good sign on ride 2!
I need to start wearing my digital watch again so I can hit the timer when I start my ride. For some reason I cannot remember what time I start a ride if I'm wearing a regular watch. I feel like a simpleton but apparently I have to see actual numbers because I promptly forget where the heck the big hand was positioned when I started :-/
Friday night, Alex was home and wanted to come see his horse ;-) So we went and Armani was at the auto-waterer near the gate. Great!, I thought, I wouldn't have to trudge to the hay feeder to get him. I walked up to the gate, Armani took his face out of the water, took one look at me and trotted off to the hay. Argh!
But I laughed, figuring this was a good sign that he liked his increased turnout (he went from 7am-1pm to our 6am - 7:30/8pm winter schedule). I went to get him, no problem, and he lead in easily. The first couple days he was "sticky" coming in at night because any little movement would make him stop and look.
Today was another story. It was a complicated day with a dressage clinic going on. I planned to ride outside while the clinic was going on in the arena, and then watch my friend's ride. The second I got to the barn, I knew there was no way I was riding outside. WIND! Suck the life out of your bones kind of wind. It wasn't that cold but this time of year is the worst here because the air still holds a lot of humidity, making it feel a lot colder than the dry bulb temp would have you think.
Anyway, I ended up doing some scrapbooking. We make a scrapbook every year for the barn owners as a Christmas present. Then I watched my friend's ride while huddled in 6 layers of sweaters and jackets and double-wrapped in my wool cooler. By the end of the clinic I was feeling psyched to work with my baby but SO did not want to ride. I had been freezing for hours, it was getting dark, and I had not yet had Armani in the indoor alone.
I know riding alone is inevitable and I'm totally game and always say the horse has to learn to deal with having other horses come and go or none at all...I just wasn't sure I was in the right mental place to try it in the first week. I know he'd be fine but if I am wishy-washy than it will be ME that messes it up. I knew I was feeling wishy-washy.
Regardless, I did want to change Armani's blanket. Here is where you'll shake your head at me, probably. When I got to the barn and realized how windy it was, I knew Armani would probably be a bit cold since he was only out in a rainsheet (it's been warm during the day and he's in at night). I decided it would be a good day to stress his system a little, hoping he'll start growing a bit more coat. He's got nothing, given his turnout regime before.
Since I was there for hours, I spied on him lots. He spent most of the time by himself in or near the shelter while everyone else was at the hay. Sometimes his new best buddy (the outcast of the herd) would join him. Truthfully, I didn't see him at the hay for a little over 2 hours, whenever I looked, which was frequent but distant. I didn't let myself stress - there is still some grass (unpalatable now?) and I know from my farm spies that he's good at subversively grabbing hay when he wants to. So he was probably cold and hungry for a little while.
As soon as my friend's lesson ended, I went to bring Mani in so I could put a heavier blanket on him. I found him at the hay feeder, haltered and tried to lead him. He was very pissy about it. I managed to get him moving for a bit, then he put on the breaks again. I pushed a little and he threw his head up and then reared up and twisted away from me. I still easily had him on the lead, he wasn't really even pulling much on it, it was just such a surprise, I didn't think he had it in him! SO not ok!!!
We worked through it, slowly, and I brought him in, changed his blanket and turned him back out for a couple hours. Then I went to bring him in and has less of a fight but he still didn't want to come in at all. I'm not yet sure what is going on. My initial thought is that he had probably finally secured a place at the hay and I was taking him away. Also, I was taking him from his new buddy who lives outside 24/7.
Regardless of the 'why' he has to learn that he has to go where I lead him. I'm just a little unsure of myself when it comes to the best way to teach him this. Given his age and that he's likely still adjusting to his new life, I'm tempted to be kind and take all the time he needs. But another part of me is thinking I need to be strong during those moments so that he learns that listening to his handler is non-negotiable. I guess I'm just not sure which approach is the best to get the result I want.
We shall see what tomorrow brings.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
The One.
That's right, I found my horse! I was prepared for the pre-purchase exam to yeild a deal-breaker since it's happened twice before, but everything in my mind was quiet and calm leading up to the day.
That day was last Wednesday.
My previous experiences prepared me for the worst. This time, I was able to think about the rest of the things that can come up in a pre-purchase and I didn't have to worry about plain old presenting lameness. Good thing about this process taking so long is that when we did get into some of the finer details, I was fairly educated in determing what I was and was not comfortable with.
In a fairly quick whirlwind of organizing, I brought him home Saturday!
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Armani is a 3 year old registered Canadian Sport Horse. His sire is Apiro, a Bulgarian Warmblood with lots of Hanoverian and Westphalian in his pedigree. His dam is by Popeye K, a Dutch WB (KWPN approved) with Hanoverian, Dutch WB & Holsteiner in his pedigree. He is younger than I was aiming for but I'm okay with taking things nice and easy. He was started under saddle in August and did a few shows in the hack division, in the ribbons every time and winning the show hack. He actually ended up 7th overall in the hack division with only four shows.
He loaded great and trailered the short 30 minutes to my barn. Yeah, that's right, I put halter fuzzies on for a short trailer ride that wasn't to a show. I'm living my dream so I figured if I wanted fuzzies, I would have fuzzies, no matter how silly. The really silly part is that the halter I bought for him is padded leather with a raised, also padded, noseband. You know how hard it was to get fuzzies on an already padded leather halter? I gave the task over to my incredibly patient husband.
Armani settled in well with his new herd. I was expecting some drama but they were fairly boring. Perfect! He seems to be a middle-of-the-herd horse so he stands up for himself and therefore doesn't get bullied badly but also doesn't challenge leadership, either.
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He is still a little unsure of himself around the farm but is taking in all the new stuff well. I'm taking it pretty slow but did do a sight-seeing tour under saddle on Sunday and he was super going through all the fields, the galloping track, and the front jump and dressage rings. It was almost all at the walk, with a tiny bit of trot, just to let the tension out.
On Monday night, I handwalked him in the arena so he could check it out before being tacked up. To me, once he's tacked up it's work time, so I wanted him to be able to explore without any mixed-messages. He is every bit the baby he is when it comes to ground work. It just doesn't occur to him that he can't just walk off whenever he wants. He isn't rude though, just clueless and a bit impatient.
Well, that's all of an intro I can manage! Hopefully things will settle into a routine of sorts soon.
That day was last Wednesday.
My previous experiences prepared me for the worst. This time, I was able to think about the rest of the things that can come up in a pre-purchase and I didn't have to worry about plain old presenting lameness. Good thing about this process taking so long is that when we did get into some of the finer details, I was fairly educated in determing what I was and was not comfortable with.
In a fairly quick whirlwind of organizing, I brought him home Saturday!
Meet Armani!
Hmm, I was going to mention at some point
that Armani toes-in a little - it appears I toe-in a LOT!
Hmm, I was going to mention at some point
that Armani toes-in a little - it appears I toe-in a LOT!
.jpg)
Armani is a 3 year old registered Canadian Sport Horse. His sire is Apiro, a Bulgarian Warmblood with lots of Hanoverian and Westphalian in his pedigree. His dam is by Popeye K, a Dutch WB (KWPN approved) with Hanoverian, Dutch WB & Holsteiner in his pedigree. He is younger than I was aiming for but I'm okay with taking things nice and easy. He was started under saddle in August and did a few shows in the hack division, in the ribbons every time and winning the show hack. He actually ended up 7th overall in the hack division with only four shows.
He loaded great and trailered the short 30 minutes to my barn. Yeah, that's right, I put halter fuzzies on for a short trailer ride that wasn't to a show. I'm living my dream so I figured if I wanted fuzzies, I would have fuzzies, no matter how silly. The really silly part is that the halter I bought for him is padded leather with a raised, also padded, noseband. You know how hard it was to get fuzzies on an already padded leather halter? I gave the task over to my incredibly patient husband.
Armani settled in well with his new herd. I was expecting some drama but they were fairly boring. Perfect! He seems to be a middle-of-the-herd horse so he stands up for himself and therefore doesn't get bullied badly but also doesn't challenge leadership, either.
I was a little worried about the introductions!
.jpg)
He is still a little unsure of himself around the farm but is taking in all the new stuff well. I'm taking it pretty slow but did do a sight-seeing tour under saddle on Sunday and he was super going through all the fields, the galloping track, and the front jump and dressage rings. It was almost all at the walk, with a tiny bit of trot, just to let the tension out.
On Monday night, I handwalked him in the arena so he could check it out before being tacked up. To me, once he's tacked up it's work time, so I wanted him to be able to explore without any mixed-messages. He is every bit the baby he is when it comes to ground work. It just doesn't occur to him that he can't just walk off whenever he wants. He isn't rude though, just clueless and a bit impatient.
Well, that's all of an intro I can manage! Hopefully things will settle into a routine of sorts soon.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Déjà Vet Check, a Revisit, and the RAWF(!!)
I was working on a post of a more positive tone than the last few. I planned to go over the constructive things I've learned from my horse shopping experiences. Unfortunately I kept leaving it not-quite-finished and then when I'd come back to it, I had to do a bunch of edits.
Then, last Monday, I got to the point of deciding to have a pre-purchase exam for a horse about 3 hours away. I'd been out to try him and he was very, very cute. Quite lazy in the arena but had more forward outside. I was fairly confident that I could improve his response to the aids through training and that he had a pretty great brain to work with. The vet check was a big fail - he was lame. Plus he did some funky things with his hind feet walking up and down a slope (the slope was incidental, not officially part of the exam, but yeilded information all the same). I really liked the vet I hired which was great since I had to go with a clinic in that area. She was very professional and also very much looked out for me. I was much better prepared this time, having gone through it once before, so I didn't have a complete mental lurch, lol. It totally sucked to waste a whole day driving and more money on an exam to once again end up with nothing.
I have to admit that even though it was disappointing, I mostly felt relief. In hindsight, proceeding to vet check on this horse really stressed me out. Partly it was the money but now I wonder if something was telling me he wasn't the one (aside from the laziness). I don't know, it just feels that way...but that could also be a defense mechanism to make the disappointment ok. Doesn't really matter, this horse is out. :-(
That makes 16 horses that I had actually gone out to try myself at least once, a few of them more than once. So what to do?
I happened to stay home sick last Friday. I was going on 3 weeks of a nasty cold that twice looked like it was almost over, only to have a resurgence. Normally, I can't take calls on my cell phone in the office because the signal is interrupted. I also don't give my work number to many people for personal calls. I would have totally missed this call if I had happened to be at work that day.
As it was, I was home and took the call on my cell. It was my coach, calling to mention that the fancy 3 year old I tried back in August was still for sale. She knew I had liked him a lot at that time but also agreed with me that he was on the green side for what I want. Of course, back then I found the grey who was further alongt in his training and was also a gorgeous horse. I had cancelled my second visit to this 3 year old in favor of the 5 year old who was much further along. Of course, then the vetting didn't work out but I guess the greeness factor over-took the fact that I did like this horse.
So I tried him that very night and quite liked him. I was a little concerned because he is somewhat fussy in his head/neck and quite honestly it makes me worried about what people at my barn will say. It doesn't feel anything like Willie but I know it might look that way. I know this horse is like that because he's used to being held up by his mouth and he hasn't really learned to carry himself yet. As much as I'd like to believe the opinions of others don't matter, the fact is I've learned that judgements really do hurt me and undermine my confidence. Still, I know a good horse when I ride one; all that much more since the last time I saw this guy.
I requested a proper lesson on him so I could get a proper feel for where he's at. For now, I'm just going to say that it went very well and I am going to vet him next week. I just want to finally finish a post, so details will have to wait! I want this horse to work out more than any of the others, by far.
I'm off to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair tomorrow!!!! I grew up watching the RAWF equestrian events on TV every year and now I am *finally* going to be there in person. Pretty sure some serious shopping will happen!
Then, last Monday, I got to the point of deciding to have a pre-purchase exam for a horse about 3 hours away. I'd been out to try him and he was very, very cute. Quite lazy in the arena but had more forward outside. I was fairly confident that I could improve his response to the aids through training and that he had a pretty great brain to work with. The vet check was a big fail - he was lame. Plus he did some funky things with his hind feet walking up and down a slope (the slope was incidental, not officially part of the exam, but yeilded information all the same). I really liked the vet I hired which was great since I had to go with a clinic in that area. She was very professional and also very much looked out for me. I was much better prepared this time, having gone through it once before, so I didn't have a complete mental lurch, lol. It totally sucked to waste a whole day driving and more money on an exam to once again end up with nothing.
I have to admit that even though it was disappointing, I mostly felt relief. In hindsight, proceeding to vet check on this horse really stressed me out. Partly it was the money but now I wonder if something was telling me he wasn't the one (aside from the laziness). I don't know, it just feels that way...but that could also be a defense mechanism to make the disappointment ok. Doesn't really matter, this horse is out. :-(
That makes 16 horses that I had actually gone out to try myself at least once, a few of them more than once. So what to do?
I happened to stay home sick last Friday. I was going on 3 weeks of a nasty cold that twice looked like it was almost over, only to have a resurgence. Normally, I can't take calls on my cell phone in the office because the signal is interrupted. I also don't give my work number to many people for personal calls. I would have totally missed this call if I had happened to be at work that day.
As it was, I was home and took the call on my cell. It was my coach, calling to mention that the fancy 3 year old I tried back in August was still for sale. She knew I had liked him a lot at that time but also agreed with me that he was on the green side for what I want. Of course, back then I found the grey who was further alongt in his training and was also a gorgeous horse. I had cancelled my second visit to this 3 year old in favor of the 5 year old who was much further along. Of course, then the vetting didn't work out but I guess the greeness factor over-took the fact that I did like this horse.
So I tried him that very night and quite liked him. I was a little concerned because he is somewhat fussy in his head/neck and quite honestly it makes me worried about what people at my barn will say. It doesn't feel anything like Willie but I know it might look that way. I know this horse is like that because he's used to being held up by his mouth and he hasn't really learned to carry himself yet. As much as I'd like to believe the opinions of others don't matter, the fact is I've learned that judgements really do hurt me and undermine my confidence. Still, I know a good horse when I ride one; all that much more since the last time I saw this guy.
I requested a proper lesson on him so I could get a proper feel for where he's at. For now, I'm just going to say that it went very well and I am going to vet him next week. I just want to finally finish a post, so details will have to wait! I want this horse to work out more than any of the others, by far.
I'm off to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair tomorrow!!!! I grew up watching the RAWF equestrian events on TV every year and now I am *finally* going to be there in person. Pretty sure some serious shopping will happen!Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Maybe Forever Horses Take Forever to Find?
I wish I had something exciting to report like, say, a new horse. But no. No. Nope. Nada. No horse for me. In case you too, dear readers, think surely I must be being picky, allow me to give you a rundown of the last few "prospects."
After canceling my trip out of town to see the wonder-winger and son from my previous post, I immediately set up a viewing with a more local possibility. This was through a girl (and yes, I do mean girl - she was surprisingly young!) who runs an equine sales website and organizes viewings and marketing for sellers. I could find no one that knew anything about her and was hesitant as it was to do business with that type of arrangement. But I'm willing to see how it goes.
So out we go to see a 3 year old gelding last Friday. I'm ok with young and green as long as it's got a good brain. This is roughly how the visit plays out. He's about 16.2/16.3 right now, has been started slowly, is barefoot, lives outside but is also ok coming in at night, appears sound, clean legs. All good, plus he's cute and well mannered. A bit bum-high but he's big and 3, so no biggie. Oh, and he got kicked in the face as a baby so you can see a very slight dent in his face (barely noticeable) and they had to have some teeth pulled on one side cause they were crushed and also when the adults came in we pulled those because they were coming in crowded. Ok, not great news, certainly something to ask the vet about if we get that far. Under saddle, horse is soft and relaxed. Lovely, really. A bit of a push ride but I'm sure with some fitness and a bit of waking up he will be fine. I like him quite a lot. Feel hopeful.
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Oh, and seller was Brumby's owner's former coach. She asked me to say "hi" for her. So, I sent a message later on. I got a reply saying this person is a liar and a thief, has been sued for fraud, etc,etc. Hmm, she seemed so nice! Then, as I'm describing this to another friend later that night (my birthday, incidentally), we realize it's the same woman that sold my friend her first horse who, as it turned out, had navicular. Granted, my friend should have gotten xrays but it was her first horse and it seemed sound.
Anyway, not exacly the kind of person I'd like to give my business to.
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Then I go see a mare who is 10 and has shown hunters and jumpers successfully, including in Florida. The more I watch the video, the more I like her but I didn't feel anything special for her. They jumped her 1.15m and I was just like "meh" about it. Not that it isn't impressive, and it's certainly more than I need right now, I just didn't feel it for her. They stuff her ears for every ride, which seems odd but I guess is really only a minor thing. What really bugs me is she has tiny feet. Now, she's not a big mare, either (maybe 16hh) but her heels were also crazy long and she had egg bars in front. They tell me that they've never had them on her before but she started developing a quarter crack in Florida last winter so they are supposed to help that grow out. I'm told the farrier isn't worried (he's a well respected farrier in our area, who also travels to and from Florida for his clients in the winter). I'm told she's never been lame a day in her life. My coach says we will need to "extensively" vet anything we buy from these particular sellers. This warning comes on top of our understanding that I will fully vet anything I want to buy, including x-rays, so it's an extra big warning.
Next up - two well-bred mares from someone who drives me crazy and is trying to steal my business in terms of board/coaching/training despite the fact I clearly said I was horse shopping only. I'm only going because the horses are nice.
I am NOT cut out for the business side of the horse world..
After canceling my trip out of town to see the wonder-winger and son from my previous post, I immediately set up a viewing with a more local possibility. This was through a girl (and yes, I do mean girl - she was surprisingly young!) who runs an equine sales website and organizes viewings and marketing for sellers. I could find no one that knew anything about her and was hesitant as it was to do business with that type of arrangement. But I'm willing to see how it goes.
So out we go to see a 3 year old gelding last Friday. I'm ok with young and green as long as it's got a good brain. This is roughly how the visit plays out. He's about 16.2/16.3 right now, has been started slowly, is barefoot, lives outside but is also ok coming in at night, appears sound, clean legs. All good, plus he's cute and well mannered. A bit bum-high but he's big and 3, so no biggie. Oh, and he got kicked in the face as a baby so you can see a very slight dent in his face (barely noticeable) and they had to have some teeth pulled on one side cause they were crushed and also when the adults came in we pulled those because they were coming in crowded. Ok, not great news, certainly something to ask the vet about if we get that far. Under saddle, horse is soft and relaxed. Lovely, really. A bit of a push ride but I'm sure with some fitness and a bit of waking up he will be fine. I like him quite a lot. Feel hopeful.
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Oh, and seller was Brumby's owner's former coach. She asked me to say "hi" for her. So, I sent a message later on. I got a reply saying this person is a liar and a thief, has been sued for fraud, etc,etc. Hmm, she seemed so nice! Then, as I'm describing this to another friend later that night (my birthday, incidentally), we realize it's the same woman that sold my friend her first horse who, as it turned out, had navicular. Granted, my friend should have gotten xrays but it was her first horse and it seemed sound.
Anyway, not exacly the kind of person I'd like to give my business to.
+(458x344).jpg)
Then I go see a mare who is 10 and has shown hunters and jumpers successfully, including in Florida. The more I watch the video, the more I like her but I didn't feel anything special for her. They jumped her 1.15m and I was just like "meh" about it. Not that it isn't impressive, and it's certainly more than I need right now, I just didn't feel it for her. They stuff her ears for every ride, which seems odd but I guess is really only a minor thing. What really bugs me is she has tiny feet. Now, she's not a big mare, either (maybe 16hh) but her heels were also crazy long and she had egg bars in front. They tell me that they've never had them on her before but she started developing a quarter crack in Florida last winter so they are supposed to help that grow out. I'm told the farrier isn't worried (he's a well respected farrier in our area, who also travels to and from Florida for his clients in the winter). I'm told she's never been lame a day in her life. My coach says we will need to "extensively" vet anything we buy from these particular sellers. This warning comes on top of our understanding that I will fully vet anything I want to buy, including x-rays, so it's an extra big warning.Next up - two well-bred mares from someone who drives me crazy and is trying to steal my business in terms of board/coaching/training despite the fact I clearly said I was horse shopping only. I'm only going because the horses are nice.
I am NOT cut out for the business side of the horse world..
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
The No-Man's Land of Horse Buying.
Honestly, that's what it feels like. Someone asked me how it's possible that I haven't found a horse yet in this abysmal market. The truth is, I have no idea! On the surface, it seems like they should be easy pickin's but the reality is finding the right one is incredibly hard.
There are plenty of horses within my budget, to be sure. If I was looking for a green (but not necessarily young!) Thoroughbred it would be easy...as long as I didn't care about brain, potential, or how it was started or ridden. I quite like TBs but it would have to be the right one. The other group falls into the super-nice-but-broken category. Or at least needing what I consider significant maintainance. There is the stunning mare who injured her superficial digital flexor tendon or the 9yo gelding who needs adequan injections in his hock. While both might be reasonably fine, I am just not in a place for risk-taking. Perfectly healthy horses are a big enough risk.
So those are the horses well under my budget. Then there is the group that starts at about double my budget! The ones in my range tend to be an odd mix. That, and maybe I'm picky. I don't think I'm too picky though.
I did find two potential options a little ways out of town. First is an 8 year old, Dutch Warmblood/TB by Tricolore. I'm interested in hearing thoughts on him. I will withhold my thoughts on him for now so I don't bias the few comments I might get, lol.
Then there is a 4 year old who appears to be quite green but I think he has better movement than the older horse (who is, incidentally, the sire). Not sure if he was an oops baby or if they thought of keeping the above guy a stallion or what. I guess we'll see. This guy is recovering from an abscess, so he might not be rideable by Friday.
Can't seem to embed it here, so here's the link if you are so inclined.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKxGUFYjSfs&feature=share&list=ULRKxGUFYjSfs
There are plenty of horses within my budget, to be sure. If I was looking for a green (but not necessarily young!) Thoroughbred it would be easy...as long as I didn't care about brain, potential, or how it was started or ridden. I quite like TBs but it would have to be the right one. The other group falls into the super-nice-but-broken category. Or at least needing what I consider significant maintainance. There is the stunning mare who injured her superficial digital flexor tendon or the 9yo gelding who needs adequan injections in his hock. While both might be reasonably fine, I am just not in a place for risk-taking. Perfectly healthy horses are a big enough risk.
So those are the horses well under my budget. Then there is the group that starts at about double my budget! The ones in my range tend to be an odd mix. That, and maybe I'm picky. I don't think I'm too picky though.
I did find two potential options a little ways out of town. First is an 8 year old, Dutch Warmblood/TB by Tricolore. I'm interested in hearing thoughts on him. I will withhold my thoughts on him for now so I don't bias the few comments I might get, lol.
Then there is a 4 year old who appears to be quite green but I think he has better movement than the older horse (who is, incidentally, the sire). Not sure if he was an oops baby or if they thought of keeping the above guy a stallion or what. I guess we'll see. This guy is recovering from an abscess, so he might not be rideable by Friday.
Can't seem to embed it here, so here's the link if you are so inclined.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKxGUFYjSfs&feature=share&list=ULRKxGUFYjSfs
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Playing by my own rules.
After my first vet-check was surprisingly cut short, I worried immensely about what to do in terms of this horse. It is not every day (or week, or month) that you find a horse that is perfect for you in just about every way. My biggest fear was that he would ultimately vet sound, I'd buy him, and then the problem (whatever it is) might come back a couple months down the line and then I'd be stuck with it. Paranoid? Maybe. But you can hardly blame me for being cautious. That's why we get pre-purchase exams, right?
I decided to go with what I decided that day with the vet - wait a few days, watch him go and continue the vet check if he's sound. I reminded myself that a vet check is just a snapshot and if he was perfectly sound a few days later and then again when the vet was out, I could be pretty darn sure it was a minor, one-time, issue.
My criteria was that he needed to be 100% sound to my eye otherwise there was no point calling the vet back out. This time, we let him run around at liberty in a large outdoor arena (fenced). He was minorly stiff at first (evenly) but it was a cold morning and he wasn't achy-stiff, just what I would consider very normal muscles needing warm-up. He was happy to move around and cantered both ways, including to the right several times on his own, with zero pressure from us. It was hard to get him to trot; he wanted to stop and look or canter, no inbetween!
Once in the round pen, it didn't take long to see that he was still off to the right, despite the warm-up. It was his owner that said it first, just as I myself had decided that yes, it was still there. It's really very slight...but it's there.
So I stuck to my rules and regretfully said I couldn't proceed at that time. The owners agreed 100% although they too are disappointed since they didn't have any reason to suspect this given that he only displays the issue on a circle. I am still reasonably certain that there is nothing serious going on but I simply can't take the risk, emotionally or financially.
At the end of the day, an otherwise perfectly healthy 5 year old should be able to trot sound on a circle. Period.
So I spent the first few days of this week feeling a little sorry for myself and also feeling like I wanted nothing more to do with this process. Then I started to feel a little grateful because I really would rather something show up before I buy the horse! I have been very motivated to find something for the fall, as I believe I do a lot of bonding with a horse outside of the arena and think it would be pretty awful to bring a new horse and only be able to ride inside for the winter. But I've realized it's not going to happen on my schedule, it'll happen when it happens.
I have yet another incredible offer and my coach has some prospects outside our local area to go see. I will checking up on the "incredible offer" in the next couple weeks to see just how good it is! It seems all my effort with Willie gave me a reputation and there are a few people who would love me to buy their horse, knowing I'd be a great home. I have to say, that feels pretty good.
I decided to go with what I decided that day with the vet - wait a few days, watch him go and continue the vet check if he's sound. I reminded myself that a vet check is just a snapshot and if he was perfectly sound a few days later and then again when the vet was out, I could be pretty darn sure it was a minor, one-time, issue.
My criteria was that he needed to be 100% sound to my eye otherwise there was no point calling the vet back out. This time, we let him run around at liberty in a large outdoor arena (fenced). He was minorly stiff at first (evenly) but it was a cold morning and he wasn't achy-stiff, just what I would consider very normal muscles needing warm-up. He was happy to move around and cantered both ways, including to the right several times on his own, with zero pressure from us. It was hard to get him to trot; he wanted to stop and look or canter, no inbetween!
Once in the round pen, it didn't take long to see that he was still off to the right, despite the warm-up. It was his owner that said it first, just as I myself had decided that yes, it was still there. It's really very slight...but it's there.
So I stuck to my rules and regretfully said I couldn't proceed at that time. The owners agreed 100% although they too are disappointed since they didn't have any reason to suspect this given that he only displays the issue on a circle. I am still reasonably certain that there is nothing serious going on but I simply can't take the risk, emotionally or financially.
At the end of the day, an otherwise perfectly healthy 5 year old should be able to trot sound on a circle. Period.
So I spent the first few days of this week feeling a little sorry for myself and also feeling like I wanted nothing more to do with this process. Then I started to feel a little grateful because I really would rather something show up before I buy the horse! I have been very motivated to find something for the fall, as I believe I do a lot of bonding with a horse outside of the arena and think it would be pretty awful to bring a new horse and only be able to ride inside for the winter. But I've realized it's not going to happen on my schedule, it'll happen when it happens.
I have yet another incredible offer and my coach has some prospects outside our local area to go see. I will checking up on the "incredible offer" in the next couple weeks to see just how good it is! It seems all my effort with Willie gave me a reputation and there are a few people who would love me to buy their horse, knowing I'd be a great home. I have to say, that feels pretty good.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Jinxed?
My vet check on the grey was yesterday. All started well enough with the physical exam, things looked fantastic, actually. Then we went outside to watch him go, do flexions, etc. We started in the round pen and he was quite obviously off on his right front. It was subtle and likely only evident on a circle, but it was consistent.
I'm not a superstitious person but I'm begining to feel jinxed. I finally find a horse where every little detail fits perfectly with what I want and he presents with a lameness at vet check! I know, I know, better that it happens now, yada yada. While I know that to be true, it doesn't make it any easier.
I decided not to proceed any further that day. As my vet pointed out in private, it's not up to me to diagnose a lameness if one shows up, that's the owner's job. Also, even if I did do the flexions and xrays, it's possible nothing would show up and we'd be in the same position, or the discomfort in that leg could mask if there are issues in any others. Ugh.
So I will go back to the farm and watch him again on Sunday. If he shows absolute soundness, I have the vet lined up to re-assess and continue on Tuesday. Obviously if he is still off I will cancel the vet call and have some poutine and beer. And then some candy. Probably all while crying. My gosh that's an attractive image, isn't it?
I shouldn't feel as hurt and upset as I am, it's just not rational! I seem to fall in love too quickly with a good match. I have to say that even though it hurts, I'd still rather love hard and hurt than be more indifferent. It's just not me.
My biggest concern is is this:
Let's say he looks to be perfectly sound on Sunday. Then I have the vet out and everything goes fine, xrays are good etc. So if I had happened to do the vetting that day, I would have never known about the day when he was slightly off. What then? Do I assume he is fine and go ahead with the purchase? I worry about soft tissue stuff because it can come and go...and come back again. I've dealt with this with Hazel most of her life. I know it's not in his hoof because he was amazing through the hoof testers and my vet was very thorough. He was also fine the two previous occasions I've seen him, which were a couple weeks apart themselves.
I have no idea what I'll do. This horse is so perfect for me in every way, it feels silly to write him off for being ever so slightly off one day. But then again, why take the chance. I just don't know what the right thing to do is. I guess I will take it one day at a time.
I'm not a superstitious person but I'm begining to feel jinxed. I finally find a horse where every little detail fits perfectly with what I want and he presents with a lameness at vet check! I know, I know, better that it happens now, yada yada. While I know that to be true, it doesn't make it any easier.
So I will go back to the farm and watch him again on Sunday. If he shows absolute soundness, I have the vet lined up to re-assess and continue on Tuesday. Obviously if he is still off I will cancel the vet call and have some poutine and beer. And then some candy. Probably all while crying. My gosh that's an attractive image, isn't it?
I shouldn't feel as hurt and upset as I am, it's just not rational! I seem to fall in love too quickly with a good match. I have to say that even though it hurts, I'd still rather love hard and hurt than be more indifferent. It's just not me.
My biggest concern is is this:
Let's say he looks to be perfectly sound on Sunday. Then I have the vet out and everything goes fine, xrays are good etc. So if I had happened to do the vetting that day, I would have never known about the day when he was slightly off. What then? Do I assume he is fine and go ahead with the purchase? I worry about soft tissue stuff because it can come and go...and come back again. I've dealt with this with Hazel most of her life. I know it's not in his hoof because he was amazing through the hoof testers and my vet was very thorough. He was also fine the two previous occasions I've seen him, which were a couple weeks apart themselves.
I have no idea what I'll do. This horse is so perfect for me in every way, it feels silly to write him off for being ever so slightly off one day. But then again, why take the chance. I just don't know what the right thing to do is. I guess I will take it one day at a time.
I want to kiss that nose for years and years to come.
Is that such an impossible thing to want?
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Trying Horses.
I have been busy reading ads, sending emails, drumming up some word of mouth, for what seems like a long time now. It hasn't really been all that long but I have ridden quite a few horses, at least by my standards. Some moments through this process have been fun and also a learning experience. But let's face it, trying horses can be trying!
First of all, it's time consuming. And a lot of that time spent doesn't even result in going to see a horse, which is a mixed blessing because at least you haven't wasted more time by going to see something not suitable. Then it's frustrating because so many of the horses are outrageously priced. It would be one thing if most of these horses were actually quality enough for the asking price but they just aren't, in my opinion. I don't know, I must live in an alternate, cheaper, universe ;-) It was actually somewhat depressing as I got yet more emails stating asking prices of 32k, 56k, etc. It made me feel like a horrible potential horse mom for not being able to afford a horse that expensive.
Then I gave myself an imaginary kick in the ass. It's not as though I was contacting people with GP jumpers for crying out loud!
One of the horses I enjoyed the most was a thoroughbred who had shown hunters (schooling) but has been playing polo the last 2 years. He wasn't fancy and was a little stiff but had a very comfortable canter and a cute jump.
Last weekend, I had decided to go ahead and make an offer on the 3 year old Apiro gelding. He was the best of the lot and within my budget. I wasn't super happy with his price because of how green he is but he was very willing, learned well, and was quite fancy.
You can see how I'd be tempted...these are stills from some video my husband took of my ride. He had been under saddle for about 2 weeks at the time.
But I had reservations too, just because there is so much unknown about a horse that age. Could I keep him on outdoor board, as is my plan? Would he be an easy or hard keeper? Would his easy-going nature change as he got older? My experience with Willy had me concerned about preserving my horse-life balance and, most of all, finding a healthy horse!
Speaking of Willy, he is doing ok. Just out being a horse. I have kept away for the most part, mostly for my recovery but also I figure he would get used to the new routine faster. I do go out and check on him and he usually leaves the group when he sees me coming and follows me to the gate when I go to leave. It makes me feel warm with love for him and sad at the same time.
I digress. Sunday, I had another horse scheduled to try. This one was over my budget but when I told the owner what my budget was she said I should come out and try him and we'd talk from there. I figured she would lower her price but still have it higher than I wanted to go but I went anyway.
Wow. There wasn't a single thing I didn't like about this horse! Well, except maybe that he's grey, lol. I have to go to bed but will give more details tomorrow. My coach is coming out to try him, so I will know more then anyway. I will just say that I have not been able to sleep the last two nights because I am so excited to make this guy mine. I hope it all checks out!
Ok, I haven't jumped in forever, so 3' looked big. Honestly, it felt effortless for him.
More soon!
First of all, it's time consuming. And a lot of that time spent doesn't even result in going to see a horse, which is a mixed blessing because at least you haven't wasted more time by going to see something not suitable. Then it's frustrating because so many of the horses are outrageously priced. It would be one thing if most of these horses were actually quality enough for the asking price but they just aren't, in my opinion. I don't know, I must live in an alternate, cheaper, universe ;-) It was actually somewhat depressing as I got yet more emails stating asking prices of 32k, 56k, etc. It made me feel like a horrible potential horse mom for not being able to afford a horse that expensive.
Then I gave myself an imaginary kick in the ass. It's not as though I was contacting people with GP jumpers for crying out loud!
One of the horses I enjoyed the most was a thoroughbred who had shown hunters (schooling) but has been playing polo the last 2 years. He wasn't fancy and was a little stiff but had a very comfortable canter and a cute jump.
Last weekend, I had decided to go ahead and make an offer on the 3 year old Apiro gelding. He was the best of the lot and within my budget. I wasn't super happy with his price because of how green he is but he was very willing, learned well, and was quite fancy.
You can see how I'd be tempted...these are stills from some video my husband took of my ride. He had been under saddle for about 2 weeks at the time.
He is so, so cute!
But I had reservations too, just because there is so much unknown about a horse that age. Could I keep him on outdoor board, as is my plan? Would he be an easy or hard keeper? Would his easy-going nature change as he got older? My experience with Willy had me concerned about preserving my horse-life balance and, most of all, finding a healthy horse!
Speaking of Willy, he is doing ok. Just out being a horse. I have kept away for the most part, mostly for my recovery but also I figure he would get used to the new routine faster. I do go out and check on him and he usually leaves the group when he sees me coming and follows me to the gate when I go to leave. It makes me feel warm with love for him and sad at the same time.
Beautiful Willy.
I digress. Sunday, I had another horse scheduled to try. This one was over my budget but when I told the owner what my budget was she said I should come out and try him and we'd talk from there. I figured she would lower her price but still have it higher than I wanted to go but I went anyway.
Wow. There wasn't a single thing I didn't like about this horse! Well, except maybe that he's grey, lol. I have to go to bed but will give more details tomorrow. My coach is coming out to try him, so I will know more then anyway. I will just say that I have not been able to sleep the last two nights because I am so excited to make this guy mine. I hope it all checks out!
Ok, I haven't jumped in forever, so 3' looked big. Honestly, it felt effortless for him.
More soon!
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Here, Piggy, Piggy.
We went to pick up our local order of pork today. As usual, I enjoyed my time talking with the farmers about the year they've had, which was exceptionally difficult due to an 8+ week drought. We joked how it made last years drought look like nothin'. It didn't help that we had a low-precipitation winter and spring, so the water table was lower to begin with.
The highlight of my trip is always getting to see the animals enjoying themselves. This group was especially curious and hung around us a lot. Pigs don't get enough credit, they are really quite inquisitive and clean. I imagine the pig mega-farms smell, but no more than any other mega-farm. On this farm, I can smell animals and that those animals are not horses but it certainly isn't negative. I also have to get close to the pigs before I notice anything at all. Honestly, I find the smell no different than the smell between different horses. I have come to learn this well in the last year or so how different horses smell and would say it's just like that.
Some pictures from our visit.
The highlight of my trip is always getting to see the animals enjoying themselves. This group was especially curious and hung around us a lot. Pigs don't get enough credit, they are really quite inquisitive and clean. I imagine the pig mega-farms smell, but no more than any other mega-farm. On this farm, I can smell animals and that those animals are not horses but it certainly isn't negative. I also have to get close to the pigs before I notice anything at all. Honestly, I find the smell no different than the smell between different horses. I have come to learn this well in the last year or so how different horses smell and would say it's just like that.
Some pictures from our visit.
I wanted to take him home as a pet.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
"Next!"
I have tried another four horses, including my coach's horse. I have exchanged correspondence with countless others and created a spreadsheet to keep track of it all!
First up, a 7 year old QH gelding. He was ok, but just ok, and was priced accordingly. Not perfectly sound on his right hind and owner disclosed that his right hip occasionally "goes out" and benefits from chiro work. Not the end of the world but also not what I'm looking for.
Another was an 11 year old gelding by Rio Grande. He has a dressage background, shown up to second level and schooling third level movements. He was made sour with all the dressage training and is currently being retrained for hunters. He was incredibly hard to get going but did improve a bit. He has obviously been packaged so much, it was like riding a pogo stick. Nice enough jump. If I could, I would just buy him and do nothing back hack around all fall and winter, let him learn to have some fun with a rider! Also needs hock injections. I also learned, through a friend at another barn, that this horse has had many issues and his leasor hasn't been able to ride until recently.
I also tried a 3 year old gelding by Apiro and out of a Popeye K mare. This young guy is the closest I've found to what I'm looking for. He is green but willing and has very fancy movement. I could definitely see him being a life-horse for me. My coach doesn't think he's worth the asking price since he's so green and has no experience but the owner is not willing to budge.
Now, as for my coach's horse...what can I say? She was pretty much perfect in every way. She felt like an extension of me instantly and although it would obviously take more than one quick ride to understand her perfectly, we did very well together. I have never been on a horse that moved that well even though she's been out of work for awhile (V just had a baby) and is a little out of shape at the moment. It still makes me break out in a stupid grin just thinking about the feeling. Her attitude is just as wonderful. She is not a princess, she is a Queen.
In person, she is simply radiant.
I never should have got on her!
I bought a lottery ticket. I never buy lotto tickets! Lol, you never know!
First up, a 7 year old QH gelding. He was ok, but just ok, and was priced accordingly. Not perfectly sound on his right hind and owner disclosed that his right hip occasionally "goes out" and benefits from chiro work. Not the end of the world but also not what I'm looking for.
Another was an 11 year old gelding by Rio Grande. He has a dressage background, shown up to second level and schooling third level movements. He was made sour with all the dressage training and is currently being retrained for hunters. He was incredibly hard to get going but did improve a bit. He has obviously been packaged so much, it was like riding a pogo stick. Nice enough jump. If I could, I would just buy him and do nothing back hack around all fall and winter, let him learn to have some fun with a rider! Also needs hock injections. I also learned, through a friend at another barn, that this horse has had many issues and his leasor hasn't been able to ride until recently.
I also tried a 3 year old gelding by Apiro and out of a Popeye K mare. This young guy is the closest I've found to what I'm looking for. He is green but willing and has very fancy movement. I could definitely see him being a life-horse for me. My coach doesn't think he's worth the asking price since he's so green and has no experience but the owner is not willing to budge.
Now, as for my coach's horse...what can I say? She was pretty much perfect in every way. She felt like an extension of me instantly and although it would obviously take more than one quick ride to understand her perfectly, we did very well together. I have never been on a horse that moved that well even though she's been out of work for awhile (V just had a baby) and is a little out of shape at the moment. It still makes me break out in a stupid grin just thinking about the feeling. Her attitude is just as wonderful. She is not a princess, she is a Queen.
Need I say more?
In person, she is simply radiant.
I never should have got on her!
I bought a lottery ticket. I never buy lotto tickets! Lol, you never know!
Thursday, August 9, 2012
An Incredible Offer I Have to Refuse. I think.
First, I "came down" off my first horse shopping venture and realized I definitely don't want to chance the hind end on that first mare. I watched the video again after a couple days and the weirdness stood out to me afresh.
The chestnut gelding ended up being a horse I know. The current owner changed his name so I didn't put it together since there are a million chestnut geldings. As we talked, I exclaimed "I know this horse!" Turns out he was my coach's re-sale project when I first joined my current barn 3 years ago and didn't know her all that well. Honestly, I didn't ride him all that well. I think I could learn to ride him well in a couple months but then would be ready to move on...and would then be trying to re-sell a 10-11yo TB in a super-saturated market. Even though he's well-schooled, he might be too well schooled for the novice-low intermediate rider. Horses that only have advance riders on them tend to not do as well in the masses or with riders new to him (likely why I didn't ride him well and why he was so quick in the video I linked to). The plus side is my coach now wants to buy him so that he doesn't bounce around any more.
The buckskin warmblood by Yeager was so, so cute. He was a bit of a pest with mouthiness but not too bad and owner was very forthcoming with his history. He went well w/t/c and his movement felt great. Of course he's very green but he was very sensible and I even took him for a short hack after. The owner contacted me a couple days ago because she has someone vetting him next week but she would rather he go to me. Unfortunately, I don't feel comfortable rushing my decision.
Plus my coach ("V") has made it that much harder.
The deal is, she has a few very talented young horses that she has brought along. She has sold a couple but the market is so bad right now, they aren't moving like they should. The mare in question is her favorite and she most of all wants it to have a good home. She knows what I'm like with horse care and would give me an incredible deal on her just because then she knows the mare is in good hands. Plus since she's my coach she will get to keep tabs on her and help me bring her along. She would get right of first refusal if I were to ever sell, which is not a problem for me. But she would also maintain a partial share in the horse to show jump at an international level "if you and I decide to take her there."
Obviously there are many details to be discussed. For me, issue #1 is price. While she is offering me the deal of a lifetime, the fact remains it is a LOT more than I planned to spend. I mean, who am I to own a horse like that? While it is amazingly flattering that someone of my coach's calibre thinks enough of me to want me to be the one to get this deal - she could sell her for this amount to almost anyone, but won't - the fact remains that I earn what I earn and neither my husband or I have wealthy family backgrounds. I have made it clear that I won't over-extend myself because I never want to feel that I'm lacking in horse care because I can't afford it. We could make it work but it would be more stressful than what I had in mind.
Aside from the cost issue, there is the issue of simply wanting a horse to love and enjoy, not a business venture. I have no interest in being a passive owner of a horse the trainer shows. Here again, V says that's exactly why she is offering me this opportunity. I know there are a lot of shady people who would do this for their own gain. I don't belive V is one of those. I've known her for years and there is a reason I finally broke with my other coach to ride with her.
I'm trying this mare and a couple others tomorrow. I expect we will answer some of my questions and work out details then. I'm glad my husband wants to come see her too because buying a horse, any horse, is a household venture, this prospect even more so. I really don't see it happening but I can't help but be a little excited at the prospect!
Oh, horses.
The chestnut gelding ended up being a horse I know. The current owner changed his name so I didn't put it together since there are a million chestnut geldings. As we talked, I exclaimed "I know this horse!" Turns out he was my coach's re-sale project when I first joined my current barn 3 years ago and didn't know her all that well. Honestly, I didn't ride him all that well. I think I could learn to ride him well in a couple months but then would be ready to move on...and would then be trying to re-sell a 10-11yo TB in a super-saturated market. Even though he's well-schooled, he might be too well schooled for the novice-low intermediate rider. Horses that only have advance riders on them tend to not do as well in the masses or with riders new to him (likely why I didn't ride him well and why he was so quick in the video I linked to). The plus side is my coach now wants to buy him so that he doesn't bounce around any more.
The buckskin warmblood by Yeager was so, so cute. He was a bit of a pest with mouthiness but not too bad and owner was very forthcoming with his history. He went well w/t/c and his movement felt great. Of course he's very green but he was very sensible and I even took him for a short hack after. The owner contacted me a couple days ago because she has someone vetting him next week but she would rather he go to me. Unfortunately, I don't feel comfortable rushing my decision.
Plus my coach ("V") has made it that much harder.
The deal is, she has a few very talented young horses that she has brought along. She has sold a couple but the market is so bad right now, they aren't moving like they should. The mare in question is her favorite and she most of all wants it to have a good home. She knows what I'm like with horse care and would give me an incredible deal on her just because then she knows the mare is in good hands. Plus since she's my coach she will get to keep tabs on her and help me bring her along. She would get right of first refusal if I were to ever sell, which is not a problem for me. But she would also maintain a partial share in the horse to show jump at an international level "if you and I decide to take her there."
Obviously there are many details to be discussed. For me, issue #1 is price. While she is offering me the deal of a lifetime, the fact remains it is a LOT more than I planned to spend. I mean, who am I to own a horse like that? While it is amazingly flattering that someone of my coach's calibre thinks enough of me to want me to be the one to get this deal - she could sell her for this amount to almost anyone, but won't - the fact remains that I earn what I earn and neither my husband or I have wealthy family backgrounds. I have made it clear that I won't over-extend myself because I never want to feel that I'm lacking in horse care because I can't afford it. We could make it work but it would be more stressful than what I had in mind.
Aside from the cost issue, there is the issue of simply wanting a horse to love and enjoy, not a business venture. I have no interest in being a passive owner of a horse the trainer shows. Here again, V says that's exactly why she is offering me this opportunity. I know there are a lot of shady people who would do this for their own gain. I don't belive V is one of those. I've known her for years and there is a reason I finally broke with my other coach to ride with her.
I'm trying this mare and a couple others tomorrow. I expect we will answer some of my questions and work out details then. I'm glad my husband wants to come see her too because buying a horse, any horse, is a household venture, this prospect even more so. I really don't see it happening but I can't help but be a little excited at the prospect!
Oh, horses.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Horse #1 details, plus preview of #2 and #3.
Meet
horse number one. She is a 4 year old Canadian Sport Horse by Xavier K
and out of Mt Vesuvius (by Lorbas). She has a lot of Hanoverian blood
and also Holsteiner and her grand-dam was a TB.
I went to see her last week and had a good ride. She is quite green (I’d be worried if she wasn’t at her age) but so willing. She has a great temperament and doesn’t get fussed about very much. There was another woman there to try her and she comes from a dressage background. She rode after me and really tried to force Lexie into a frame and although the poor horse was confused as hell (“I don’t know where you want me to go!”) she tried very hard to figure it out.
I went to see her last week and had a good ride. She is quite green (I’d be worried if she wasn’t at her age) but so willing. She has a great temperament and doesn’t get fussed about very much. There was another woman there to try her and she comes from a dressage background. She rode after me and really tried to force Lexie into a frame and although the poor horse was confused as hell (“I don’t know where you want me to go!”) she tried very hard to figure it out.
Personally,
I don’t see what you are going to accomplish with that in one test
ride, other than learning how the horse deals with stuff that makes no
sense to it yet. I let her choose her frame with only light contact so I
could see how she moves naturally. That tells me more about what I have
to work with (or work against) and I’m not about to teach her to work
on the bit in one short ride. But that’s just me. Regardless, I did get
to see how she responded and she was great. She popped her front legs up
a bit a couple times, not really a rear and you could tell she didn’t
want to, it was an honest attempt to find an answer to such a strong
hold on her face while being driven forward with the leg.
In
any case, I didn’t get any of that behavior. Not to say I rode her all
that well. As you will see, I let my reins be a little too floppy in the
beginning and my stirrups were WAY too short. While
I do have a secret love for shorter-than-they-should-be stirrups, these
were so short my ankles hurt and I’m in a chair position!
So basically I will ask that you be kind in terms of my riding. Since February, I have ridden 3 horses other than my headshaking Willy, 2 of them in the last 2 weeks and all of them only once each. So I’m rusty. Other than that, I think the ride was good. I’ve cut out the walking and a good bit of the trot, figures etc., so that the video loads sometime this week.
So basically I will ask that you be kind in terms of my riding. Since February, I have ridden 3 horses other than my headshaking Willy, 2 of them in the last 2 weeks and all of them only once each. So I’m rusty. Other than that, I think the ride was good. I’ve cut out the walking and a good bit of the trot, figures etc., so that the video loads sometime this week.
Like
a lot of young horses, she wants to take off really long, even before
the tiniest cross rail. I saw her doing this repeatedly with the young
rider who was on her before me. So I asked her to wait. I was happy with
the response I got – she waited without fuss and although that meant
the stride was off and awkward, the next time around she did much better.
She has some funny movement in her hind legs. The more I watch it, the less weird it seems but it's still unusual. I watched her dam move in her paddock and she is the same, though neither have any obvious conformational issues.
I went to a schooling show to watch her go and she did very well, in attitude and placings. It was her first time at a show and she wasn't bothered at all. She really does have a great temperament. And she did well despite a rough start to the day when the horse she was trailering with spazzed out, which of course made her spazz out. Apparently she got on the trailer fine at the end of the day - they made sure to give her a "rock" partner.
My coach, V, came to see her today and while she thinks I'm on the right track, she thinks Lexie is a horse we could definitely work with but suggests I play the field. She thinks I can probably do better, especially given the market. So I get to keep shopping and keep her in my back pocket. Lexie's owner said she would let us know if she has any offers in the next few weeks, so she won't disappear from under me, either.
Horse #2
A chestnut thoroughbred gelding, 15.3, 9 years old. Has been showing Silver hunters with success. His price is outstanding for how well schooled he is. I should be more excited about the possibility of getting a horse this well trained for such a good price but I'm a bit ho-hum about him.
First, I think he might be a bit too well trained. I loved the feeling of bringing Brumby and Willy along and seeing our progress. This horse would be point and jump and while that would be fun for awhile and I could work on my riding, I think I would get a little bored. Plus, scoff all you want, but I want something that I find pretty to look at. If I'm shelling out the money, I figure it's fair that I get to be somewhat picky. To each his own, my coach would love his face with the wide blaze and two high socks (above the knee) on one side. Me? Meh. But I will go ga-ga over a plain bay *shrug*
Horse #3
Now, if ever there was a horse of my dreams, this one could be it. Another gelding (yay, I found some geldings!), he is a 3yo warmblood (need some details here), stands 17hh (a little taller than I'd like but probably better suited for me than 15.3hh) and is a dark buckskin. He's started and going w/t/c and has hacked out alone. I am SO excited about this one. When I first saw his ad months ago he was out of my price range. Not by a lot, but enough that I didn't want to see him and fall in love and then have to explain to my husband that I re-mortgaged the house or something ;-) But nothing is selling these days so he's come down a LOT. I'm very excited to see this guy. I will of course still base my decision on practical matters but if he works out I will be thrilled as I've always dreamed of having a buckskin. Well, ever since riding through Vermont for their bi-centenial and the son of my outfitter had the cutest buckskin horse.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Now What?
My mind has been quite a whirl so I haven’t really had much energy in me to blog. First, I did consult with my vet again (a few times indirectly via Willy’s owner to update him and again in person). He confirmed that Willy’s problems are neurological, which was a relief to hear because that is what I thought was going on. He has suggested that we turn him out for 6 months to see if the nerves will regenerate, he says sometimes they will but it’s only about a 50/50 chance. The vet also cautioned that he might degenerate more over the next 6 months and if that happens the nerves aren’t going to heal and he is just going to be increasingly uncomfortable. So it’s wait and see.
The last week has been an odd mix of feeling like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders, sadness, uncertainty - you name it, I feel it at some point throughout the day!
I’ve barely been to the barn. I rode someone else’s horse last week and have a few more offers I can take people up on. I just don’t seem to be all that motivated to plod around on other people’s horses. Maybe I’m just coming down from my experience with Will.
I have been thinking a LOT about next steps in my horse journey. Here too, I am a bit flaky. In an effort to simplify things, I tried to dichotomize my choices.
Quit or ride? Ride (I think).
Half-lease or full? Hmm, full-lease because I like tohave control be responsible for all elements of care.
Ok, full-lease or buy? At this point I started thinking about the logic of full-leasing a horse that I would be solely responsible for, paying full board, training etc., only to have the owner potentially not want to renew the lease after, say, a year of hard work. That doesn’t sound very appealing! Combine this with my husband’s desire to facilitate the cessation of my crying every night and I started to seriously think the time might be right to buy.
I still change my mind every few hours though, from excitement to terror. I think it’s so terrifying because I haven’t had the greatest experiences lately. Willy was both the best and worst horse experience I’ve had. I wish I could wait for him but I don’t think that is a wise or healthy option, as cold as that sounds. I also hesitate because obviously having a horse is expensive. Part of me was wondering if this was a good opportunity to invest in something else for awhile. But then the excitement of starting an adventure with another horse starts to take over and I long for that feeling again. At those times, it feels like a perfectly reasonable thing to do. (Besides, I don’t want to miss out on Fall riding! It’s my favorite time of year)
*sigh*
The last week has been an odd mix of feeling like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders, sadness, uncertainty - you name it, I feel it at some point throughout the day!
I’ve barely been to the barn. I rode someone else’s horse last week and have a few more offers I can take people up on. I just don’t seem to be all that motivated to plod around on other people’s horses. Maybe I’m just coming down from my experience with Will.
I have been thinking a LOT about next steps in my horse journey. Here too, I am a bit flaky. In an effort to simplify things, I tried to dichotomize my choices.
Quit or ride? Ride (I think).
Half-lease or full? Hmm, full-lease because I like to
Ok, full-lease or buy? At this point I started thinking about the logic of full-leasing a horse that I would be solely responsible for, paying full board, training etc., only to have the owner potentially not want to renew the lease after, say, a year of hard work. That doesn’t sound very appealing! Combine this with my husband’s desire to facilitate the cessation of my crying every night and I started to seriously think the time might be right to buy.
I still change my mind every few hours though, from excitement to terror. I think it’s so terrifying because I haven’t had the greatest experiences lately. Willy was both the best and worst horse experience I’ve had. I wish I could wait for him but I don’t think that is a wise or healthy option, as cold as that sounds. I also hesitate because obviously having a horse is expensive. Part of me was wondering if this was a good opportunity to invest in something else for awhile. But then the excitement of starting an adventure with another horse starts to take over and I long for that feeling again. At those times, it feels like a perfectly reasonable thing to do. (Besides, I don’t want to miss out on Fall riding! It’s my favorite time of year)
*sigh*
Monday, July 9, 2012
Day 6 and Letting Go.
I've been using the patches for 6 full days. Nothin'. No improvement whatsoever. I'm not surprised but I am disappointed. Truthfully, I am also relieved. When you are desperate to do something to make it better, thoughts are not always rational. Thoughts such as, "what will I do if he does show improvement with the patches?" Would I really want to continue with a horse like that? Would it depend on how fully he recovered? Probably not. So I am relieved that it's clearly not working and therefore I don't have more difficult decisions.
I've grieved and processed. I've cried and rallied my last emotional reserves. And now I am finally, finally, letting go. I am accepting that Willy is an idiopathic headshaker and that there really isn't anything I can do about it.
For the first time, I've started to feel angry. Not at Willy, poor boy, but just in general. That I had to have this experience. That this horse and I really do connect in a way that is hard to find. That I haven't been able to fix him. Still plenty of grief too. Also guilty. I was supposed to make him better.
So yes, I'm still an emotional soup but now that I have a certain level of acceptance it's easier to think about just letting go. He's tried hard enough for me over these last months, he doesn't need to work through pain anymore. I don't exactly know my next steps beyondtalking to the vet and Willy's owners some more.
It's been quite the ride.
I've grieved and processed. I've cried and rallied my last emotional reserves. And now I am finally, finally, letting go. I am accepting that Willy is an idiopathic headshaker and that there really isn't anything I can do about it.
For the first time, I've started to feel angry. Not at Willy, poor boy, but just in general. That I had to have this experience. That this horse and I really do connect in a way that is hard to find. That I haven't been able to fix him. Still plenty of grief too. Also guilty. I was supposed to make him better.
So yes, I'm still an emotional soup but now that I have a certain level of acceptance it's easier to think about just letting go. He's tried hard enough for me over these last months, he doesn't need to work through pain anymore. I don't exactly know my next steps beyondtalking to the vet and Willy's owners some more.
It's been quite the ride.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Into the Breach...of Crazy or Cure?
Well, I've done it. I started a 10 day course of equiwinner patches. I know I said I wouldn't be chasing every last diagnostic but being faced with euthanising Willy, I find myself looking at anything and everything for an explanation. For a cure. Maybe we all need to experience that one horse who you do everything for to learn for yourself what "reasonable" is. I can feel my heart and brain having heated debates over options. They like to do this when I should be sleeping. I'm afraid my heart is good at making my brain think various ideas were brains all along. Pretty good marriage ;-)
The relationship I have with this horse is rare - I know enough good people struggling to find or develop a bond with their horse to know this is true. I've previously had nothing but those experiences myself. Sure, I've had ok working relationships with horses but nothing that remotely compares to this. I'm not talking some ethereal thing where the horse does cartwheels when he sees me or bows for me to mount. Just the sweetness of familiarity and commraderie and working hard for each other.
Let me back up a little. I spent many hours doing some research in veterinary journals on headshaking. What I found was not even the least bit encouraging. I hadn't looked this deeply before because there were still clear options from my vet and when those petered into drug options, I sought a chiropractor first. That had some success (over 4 weeks!) and then a return to headshaking just as sudden and inexplicable as the first time. An "emergency" chiro visit did not identify anything that would explain this. She said if he didn't get better she would come out and watch him go under saddle.
I had no aversion to the chiro watching me ride Will beyond the usual weird feeling when you know someone is trying to see if you're doing anything wrong. But everyone at my barn has been doing that for months anyway, so I am somewhat used to it. The coach I'm riding with now (when we have been able to) has seen him go when he doesn't headshake and when he does and I know she would correct anything I was doing to cause or encourage it. And she absolutely has the skill to know. She's actually had me try a number of things and aside from being as flabbergasted as I am, she is complimentary in how I ride through it.
So the only thing with the chiro is I don't particularly think she will be able to identify anything by watching us ride. I'm 100% willing to try when she's back in town next week, I just don't see it being the answer. He was fine for months with me as the only rider, then suddenly developed headshaking, then had 4 good weeks, then suddenly came back (during a hack, no less). So if I'm the only constant, I think that rules me out, logically.
So this lead me to focus more on research in veterinary journals. Since I'm no longer at the University of Guelph, I can't access full text vet articles as I used to (yep, I developed quite the hobby of this during grad school in human psychology, lol). University of Ottawa uses the PubMed database but must be able to opt out of most veterinary journals since they don't have a vet program. Some I can get but the rest I have to rely on abstracts and sometimes doing some sneaky googling helps find articles.
Essentially, the research shows that if you don't find the cause for headshaking with physical exams, blood work, endoscope, or xrays than you will never find the cause and it will be determined to be idiopathic headshaking. So my vet has recommened everything exactly as per current best practice for Willy's presenting symptoms.
The next steps in the literature would be drug therapies. These are not cures but have some success in managing symptoms. Initial success doesn't tend to last and drugs tend to lose effectiveness over time (varies). At 6 years old, even if the drugs stayed effective that would be +/- 20 years on drugs for this condition. They aren't without their side-effects. Drugs do not seem to me to be a reasonable or ethical option. There is also a surgical option - compressing or severing the trigeminal nerve in the face. I'm not considering this as a reasonable or ethical option.
This lead me to be willing to try a reasonably priced option that at worst would do nothing at all (described in this post). It helped that I found someone in this area who used them for the same issue with success. There are real people behind the testimonials!
In his first night with the patch, Willy drank his whole bucket of water (it was full at 9:30pm and checked at about 5:30am) when he usually does not drink much during the night. He hasn't ever drank more than half a bucket during the year I've been with him, and even that much is rare and pretty much only when he's had a good ride and then in his stall for the night, without any turnout in between. If he's turned out after the ride he drinks right away but won't have much overnight. Last night, the first night of the patch, he drank his full bucket then went straight to the waterer when he was turned out. It seems like something might be happening. Needless to say, I have him on night check for water.
I feel like a bit of a nut-job for trying this but it is worth a try, given the alternatives.
The relationship I have with this horse is rare - I know enough good people struggling to find or develop a bond with their horse to know this is true. I've previously had nothing but those experiences myself. Sure, I've had ok working relationships with horses but nothing that remotely compares to this. I'm not talking some ethereal thing where the horse does cartwheels when he sees me or bows for me to mount. Just the sweetness of familiarity and commraderie and working hard for each other.
Let me back up a little. I spent many hours doing some research in veterinary journals on headshaking. What I found was not even the least bit encouraging. I hadn't looked this deeply before because there were still clear options from my vet and when those petered into drug options, I sought a chiropractor first. That had some success (over 4 weeks!) and then a return to headshaking just as sudden and inexplicable as the first time. An "emergency" chiro visit did not identify anything that would explain this. She said if he didn't get better she would come out and watch him go under saddle.
I had no aversion to the chiro watching me ride Will beyond the usual weird feeling when you know someone is trying to see if you're doing anything wrong. But everyone at my barn has been doing that for months anyway, so I am somewhat used to it. The coach I'm riding with now (when we have been able to) has seen him go when he doesn't headshake and when he does and I know she would correct anything I was doing to cause or encourage it. And she absolutely has the skill to know. She's actually had me try a number of things and aside from being as flabbergasted as I am, she is complimentary in how I ride through it.
So the only thing with the chiro is I don't particularly think she will be able to identify anything by watching us ride. I'm 100% willing to try when she's back in town next week, I just don't see it being the answer. He was fine for months with me as the only rider, then suddenly developed headshaking, then had 4 good weeks, then suddenly came back (during a hack, no less). So if I'm the only constant, I think that rules me out, logically.
So this lead me to focus more on research in veterinary journals. Since I'm no longer at the University of Guelph, I can't access full text vet articles as I used to (yep, I developed quite the hobby of this during grad school in human psychology, lol). University of Ottawa uses the PubMed database but must be able to opt out of most veterinary journals since they don't have a vet program. Some I can get but the rest I have to rely on abstracts and sometimes doing some sneaky googling helps find articles.
Essentially, the research shows that if you don't find the cause for headshaking with physical exams, blood work, endoscope, or xrays than you will never find the cause and it will be determined to be idiopathic headshaking. So my vet has recommened everything exactly as per current best practice for Willy's presenting symptoms.
The next steps in the literature would be drug therapies. These are not cures but have some success in managing symptoms. Initial success doesn't tend to last and drugs tend to lose effectiveness over time (varies). At 6 years old, even if the drugs stayed effective that would be +/- 20 years on drugs for this condition. They aren't without their side-effects. Drugs do not seem to me to be a reasonable or ethical option. There is also a surgical option - compressing or severing the trigeminal nerve in the face. I'm not considering this as a reasonable or ethical option.
This lead me to be willing to try a reasonably priced option that at worst would do nothing at all (described in this post). It helped that I found someone in this area who used them for the same issue with success. There are real people behind the testimonials!
In his first night with the patch, Willy drank his whole bucket of water (it was full at 9:30pm and checked at about 5:30am) when he usually does not drink much during the night. He hasn't ever drank more than half a bucket during the year I've been with him, and even that much is rare and pretty much only when he's had a good ride and then in his stall for the night, without any turnout in between. If he's turned out after the ride he drinks right away but won't have much overnight. Last night, the first night of the patch, he drank his full bucket then went straight to the waterer when he was turned out. It seems like something might be happening. Needless to say, I have him on night check for water.
I feel like a bit of a nut-job for trying this but it is worth a try, given the alternatives.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Plea for Opinions - Equiwinner Electrolyte Patch
If anyone out there has heard of these patches and has some experience - whether it's first or second-hand, positive or negative - I'd like to hear about it! Please!!
A couple weeks ago, Willy took a huge leap backwards in terms of his headshaking after 4 good weeks. It was sudden - one day he was awesome, one day off, next day shaking as bad or worse than ever. I had the chiropractor back out and she didn't find anything to explain the sudden regression but we had some ideas like backing off the soft tissue work I was doing just a bit, in case he is ultra sensitive and she also showed me another TMJ adjustment technique. It hasn't helped, though he definitely gets something out of it.
That lead me to start going through the bookmarks I've accumulated on headshaking, just deperately looking for, well, anything really. That's when I re-discovered a link (http://www.signal-health.com) to this Equiwinner product that claims to help with headshaking, anhydrosis, EIPH bleeding, tying up and a few other things. There is some science there but it's hard to assess the logic as I'm not a biologist. Further, even if the science is sound, I don't know if this patch actually is effective at producing the effect they describe. Yes, I would probably be better spending my time searching journal articles rather than posting but let's call this the public opinion phase of my research!
To give a brief summary, the idea with respect to headshaking is that electrolytes don't always function as they should in the body, regardless of overall levels. The cells don't uptake the ions properly or in the correct proportions. We know many ions are vital for the proper functioning and repair of soft tissue. The claim is that this leads to an increase in blood pressure at rest (apparently high blood pressure in resting horses is rare) and therefore blood pressure increases well beyond normal levels with exercise. This increase in blood pressure can lead to cellular damage.
Now we need to consider the fly response in horses (bare with me!). Over the horse's body, they have panniculus muscles which are the ones responsible for that fast twitch reaction to rid flies off the body. The head and neck of the horse do not have these muscles and, as we've all witnessed, the horse shakes it's head to rid flies in that area.
Back to the cell damage. When the damage occurs around the hair bulbs, the sensation to the horse is like that of flies irritating them, eliciting the headshaking response. As stress (exercise, and hence blood pressure) increases, the sensations likewise increase, eliciting more headshaking.
Still with me? So this patch apparently is designed so the body recognizes the ions more effectively (some dude won a nobel prize for the discovery that the cells recognize the molecules around the ion, not the ion itself, therefore mode of delivery can effect whether or not the cell allows the ions to pass through.
I know enough biology, especially cell biology, to know that it sounds reasonable. I'd prefer to see come clinical trials assessing effectiveness of this particular product. They might be out there, that's my next step.
In the meantime...anyone?? Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Garden Picture Spam!
I have been quite negligent about posting anything related to food or the garden. I'm short on time but thought I'd do a picture post by way of catching you up on where things are. Most of these photos are a few days old and already it looks completely different out there.
I need to do a seperate "insects/pests" post because we've been inundated this year. So in this post I'm only including the beneficial or non-harmful bugs.
The theme this year seems to be "suckers." The tomato suckers are out of control - normally I only pinch the very early ones and then leave the plant alone. Last year I went completely au-natural and regretted it as I had tomato plants that extended horizontally from one side of the 10' bed to the other. Yeild was great but harvesting was difficult and, in a less forgiving year, the lack of air circulation could have encouraged fungal or other problems.
Ok, these next ones are supposed to be a sheppard pepper ("Carmen"). The visual distinguishing feature between them and my Crimson Red peppers is that the blossom end of the Carmen are rounded, whereas the Crimson are very pointy and the overall pepper is narrow and pointy. Hmmm. Either we messed up or we are inadvertently cross breeding a lot more readily than last year. While this cross seems a match made in heaven, I would like to have some peppers with no heat. You know, for guests. ;-)
They are already much larger than this and could be harvested soon. I
don't think the temps will be warm enough for the next few weeks to
ripen them but I'm hoping to at least get a blush before I pull them.
They are tasty even when green, but you know...
I need to do a seperate "insects/pests" post because we've been inundated this year. So in this post I'm only including the beneficial or non-harmful bugs.
Horsehair worm on hydrangea. Horsehair worms are parasitic
to other bugs and cause no damage to plants themselves. Here,
it parasatises the hydrangea leftier and helps us out a bit.
The theme this year seems to be "suckers." The tomato suckers are out of control - normally I only pinch the very early ones and then leave the plant alone. Last year I went completely au-natural and regretted it as I had tomato plants that extended horizontally from one side of the 10' bed to the other. Yeild was great but harvesting was difficult and, in a less forgiving year, the lack of air circulation could have encouraged fungal or other problems.
The strangest thing. Even the peppers have suckers! I've honestly never seen them produce such huge suckers. By the time I realized it, many were too thick to remove. And they're flowering like crazy. I guess we'll see what transpires. At least the peppers don't vine out like the tomatoes!
Pepper sucker with bud.
Ok, these next ones are supposed to be a sheppard pepper ("Carmen"). The visual distinguishing feature between them and my Crimson Red peppers is that the blossom end of the Carmen are rounded, whereas the Crimson are very pointy and the overall pepper is narrow and pointy. Hmmm. Either we messed up or we are inadvertently cross breeding a lot more readily than last year. While this cross seems a match made in heaven, I would like to have some peppers with no heat. You know, for guests. ;-)
This kind of fruit set in June??
They are now about 6" long!
Near bed: Beets (red neareast, yellow far), garlic down centre line,
cucumbers at far right, to be trained up trellis.
Far bed is "normal" peppers, Crimson and Carmen.
Red beet "Merlin".
Raised bed: Carrots and some tomatoes.
In behind are two first-year grape vines.
Little lovely, destined for my salad. I can almost taste it.
Itty bitty grape clusters.
Zucchini have started up. Mostly female flowers to start,
the males are now waking up. Not sure yet if this lovely has
been fertilized or not - we should know within the next day.
Bartlett Pears.
Mystery Stuff! These were on our apple tree.
They look like a cluster or seeds or eggs.
Weird little fringe around them, any ideas?
Close-up. Resolution isn't great but does
anyone have any ideas of what these could be?
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