The plan was to have this update with photos, stats, information on our first week of our workout.
We were DILIGENT about our workouts. We stuck to my workout plan. I was even getting in a good workout lunging them. I was learning about how Karma moves. Watching Strider who's already on to me, but tolerating my crap.
I built in rest days around my own life schedule.
And then Sunday happened (103 degrees at 7:30 pm).
And then Monday happened (107 degrees at 7:30 pm).
*sigh*
So, 4 workouts in, and already my calendar is shot.
Monday-Workout
Tuesday-Workout
Wednesday-Rest day
Thursday-Workout
Friday-Workout
Saturday-Rest day
So, at least THAT went according to plan.
It was THEN supposed to read:
Sunday-Workout
Monday-Workout
Tuesday-Workout
Wednesday-Rest day
Thursday-Workout
Friday-Workout
Saturday-Rest day
Instead it is now reading:
Sunday-Rest day
Monday- Rest day
Tuesday-Workout
Wednesday-Workout
Thursday-Workout
Friday-Rest day
Saturday-Workout
Sunday-Rest day
I'm frustrated at the situation. But, this is part of living in Texas I guess. And tonight might be a scratch depending on the temperature at 7:30pm. I topped off every single water trough last night and put out 3 buckets full of rice bran water to continue to encourage drinking.
Here's our stats from the first week.
Karma Strider
Week 1 - Day 1 Week 1 - Day 1
Distance: 3.06 miles Distance: 2.43 miles
Time: 24:58 Time: 23:05
Average Speed: 7.3 mph Average Speed: 6.3 mph
Max Speed: 13.5 mph Max Speed: 13.5 mph
Temperature: 95 degrees Temperature: 91 degrees
Karma Strider
Week 1 - Day 2 Week 1 - Day 2
Distance: 3.74 miles Distance: 2.53 miles
Time: 28:14 Time: 25:22
Average Speed: 8.0 mph Average Speed: 6.0 mph
Max Speed: 11.4 mph Max Speed: 7.6 mph
Temperature: 91 degrees Temperature: 91 degrees
Karma Strider
Week 1 - Day 3 Week 1 - Day 3
Distance: 3.78 miles Distance: 3.14 miles
Time: 27:35 Time: 31:07
Average Speed: 8.2 mph Average Speed: 6.1 mph
Max Speed: 15.6 mph Max Speed: 9.1 mph
Temperature: 93 degrees Temperature: 93 degrees
Karma Strider
Week 1 - Day 4 Week 1 - Day 4
Distance: 3.07 miles Distance: 2.78 miles
Time: 27:19 Time: 26:52
Average Speed: 6.7 mph Average Speed: 6.2 mph
Max Speed: 8.7 mph Max Speed: 7.8 mph
Temperature: 97 degrees Temperature: 93 degrees
And, while I don't have any photos of the horses after their week of working out, I'm relatively pleased with these stats. Day 4, Karma started slowing down. I never once in the previous 3 days had to ask for her to go. Day 4, I "kissed" at her twice, and she voluntarily took 2 brief walk breaks (5 steps or so) within the 27 minutes of working out.
Strider who understands what is going on, is conserving his energy. Day 4, he was barely moist on his neck. Not that Karma was ever lathered or dripping sweat, but he is bored, and he's doing his "gym" workout simply because I'm making him.
I am hoping that the temperatures drop enough for me to get back to work again.
Showing posts with label Endurance Preparations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Endurance Preparations. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Friday, July 20, 2018
Summer vacation is over....or "Back to work kids!"
Let me assure you, I am NOT a fan of this "lunging for fitness" for my horses. Not because there's anything inherently wrong with it, per se, but because I can see how we're ALL going to get bored with it.
Things went smoothly though, so for that I am grateful. Karma is 'sticky' when asked to go to the right, but she quickly figured it out.
I attached my Garmin to the halter last night to just get an idea of how far they went, and their overall average speed.
Now, the PLAN was to lunge Strider first, let Karma have her dinner, then pull her and work her.
Except, our cow turned into an escape artist and went visiting next door. She came to the gate that separates our properties, and followed me through for dinner, but that kind of threw things off kilter.
So, instead, it was work Karma first and Strider second.
I went out with the target goal of a 25 minute workout for each horse. I was pretty much on the money for Karma, but about 2 minutes short for Strider.
Also, I remembered to take pictures last night of each horse so that I can make a weekly comparison and see how things are tightening up on them.
Initial observations before I post the Garmin's results?
Karma is just, naturally, faster than Strider. What seemed to be her "traveling speed" is about 1 mph faster than Strider's traveling speed last night. Strider, though, to his credit, knew what was up, and I feel he knew he needed to conserve his energy. So, that might have been a factor that played in to this whole thing.
So, here we go.
The link to Karma's work out is here.
Here's the stats breakdown
And, just for a starting point of reference; pictures of her from last night pre-workout.
Initial thoughts regarding Karma?
Her working gait is just faster than Strider's. There's no getting around that. Once I can figure out how to attach my heart-rate monitor to her when she's not tacked up, I'll start tracking that as well. I'm dying to know what it is (was). Based on the physical response, she could probably rock a LD right now as she is. She was a little sweaty, but her breathing wasn't hard or labored.
Once she hit her stride and settled in after squirting around some, her gait is big and ground covering. And, I was just looking at the picture of Dez and I from River Run, and I can see the familial similarities in them. And, with that being the case, she's going to be a powerhouse. Now to make sure she's a powerhouse who can take good care of herself!!!
Now, on to Strider.
The link to his workout is here.
I tried to get him squared up. He refused my instance. So, fine. I'll work with what he gave me.
Thoughts?
He knows what's up. He was doing his best to conserve his energy through this entire exercise. Smart of him. Very smart. He was utterly disgusted with it. He HATES mindless work and circles. So do I. But...I don't really have much choice. First ride is in October. I LITERALLY have 79 days from today to get them both legged up and ready to rock and roll. They will be lunged 5 days a week (or 4 if life interferes). Once my truck is back up and running, I plan to ride once a week and then maybe drop the lunging to 3 or 4 days a week.
I understand the value of rest, which is why I'm fluctuating between the days of lunging and work I'll be doing.
Things went smoothly though, so for that I am grateful. Karma is 'sticky' when asked to go to the right, but she quickly figured it out.
I attached my Garmin to the halter last night to just get an idea of how far they went, and their overall average speed.
Now, the PLAN was to lunge Strider first, let Karma have her dinner, then pull her and work her.
Except, our cow turned into an escape artist and went visiting next door. She came to the gate that separates our properties, and followed me through for dinner, but that kind of threw things off kilter.
So, instead, it was work Karma first and Strider second.
I went out with the target goal of a 25 minute workout for each horse. I was pretty much on the money for Karma, but about 2 minutes short for Strider.
Also, I remembered to take pictures last night of each horse so that I can make a weekly comparison and see how things are tightening up on them.
Initial observations before I post the Garmin's results?
Karma is just, naturally, faster than Strider. What seemed to be her "traveling speed" is about 1 mph faster than Strider's traveling speed last night. Strider, though, to his credit, knew what was up, and I feel he knew he needed to conserve his energy. So, that might have been a factor that played in to this whole thing.
So, here we go.
The link to Karma's work out is here.
Here's the stats breakdown
| Time | Cumulative Time | Moving Time | Avg Speed | Avg Moving Speed | Max Speed | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7:04.6 | 7:04.6 | 6:45 | 8.5 | 8.9 | 13.5 | ||||
| 2 | 6:05.6 | 13:10 | 6:04 | 9.8 | 9.9 | 13.3 | ||||
| 3 | 10:27 | 23:38 | 10:10 | 5.7 | 5.9 | 9.1 | ||||
| 4 | 1:20.6 | 24:58 | 1:10 | 2.5 | 2.8 | 3.0 | ||||
 |
| Don't look at me. |
 |
| If I don't look at you, are you really here? |
 |
| Did you just take a picture of my butt?!! |
Her working gait is just faster than Strider's. There's no getting around that. Once I can figure out how to attach my heart-rate monitor to her when she's not tacked up, I'll start tracking that as well. I'm dying to know what it is (was). Based on the physical response, she could probably rock a LD right now as she is. She was a little sweaty, but her breathing wasn't hard or labored.
Once she hit her stride and settled in after squirting around some, her gait is big and ground covering. And, I was just looking at the picture of Dez and I from River Run, and I can see the familial similarities in them. And, with that being the case, she's going to be a powerhouse. Now to make sure she's a powerhouse who can take good care of herself!!!
Now, on to Strider.
The link to his workout is here.
 |
| Strider's workout breakdown stats. |
 |
| Why? Just, why Mom. |
 |
| I already know what's up mom, and this is bullshit. |
 |
| I refuse to stand squarely. Kiss my Paso ass. |
| Time | Cumulative Time | Moving Time | Avg Speed | Avg Moving Speed | Max Speed | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5:59.7 | 5:59.7 | 5:59 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 13.5 | ||||
| 10:46 | 16:45 | 10:31 | 5.6 | 5.7 | 7.6 | ||||
| 6:19.5 | 23:05 | 6:15 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 5.4 | ||||
| 23:05 | 23:05 | 22:49 | 6.3 | 6.4 | 13.5 |
Thoughts?
He knows what's up. He was doing his best to conserve his energy through this entire exercise. Smart of him. Very smart. He was utterly disgusted with it. He HATES mindless work and circles. So do I. But...I don't really have much choice. First ride is in October. I LITERALLY have 79 days from today to get them both legged up and ready to rock and roll. They will be lunged 5 days a week (or 4 if life interferes). Once my truck is back up and running, I plan to ride once a week and then maybe drop the lunging to 3 or 4 days a week.
I understand the value of rest, which is why I'm fluctuating between the days of lunging and work I'll be doing.
Tuesday, May 08, 2018
Change is a lesson to be learned...or "Bend like a willow...it's good practice for life."
This weekend was spent in preparation for Last Hoorah.
Beet pulp is soaked, triple rinsed, and then put in the freezer so I need only pull it out, add a little water and grain and give it to Strider for pre-hydration.
The kaolin-pectin, CMPK and Enduramax are all in the house, ready to be mixed for electrolyting Strider.
I pulled out all my tack and power washed and cleaned EVERYTHING (saddle pad, cinches, seat cover, breast collar and even my Da Brim with the mud dried on it).
I got out my Hoof Armor gun and made sure to pack extra gloves and the wax paper.
Sunday evening, I did the grocery shopping for the ride. I Googled the closest "Twice the Ice" location I could drive up to for ice for my coolers on Friday morning.
Except for throwing my bag of clothes, and my blankets into the truck and trailer, I'm....I'm actually ready and packed for the ride.
HOWEVER....
I was nervous over something with Strider, I had his accupressurist come out BEFORE Last Hoorah instead of the day after team penning in two weeks. I could feel what I THOUGHT were splints on his fronts. But, were they new or old? I ran my hands down his legs; cold and tight. I've been watching him like a hawk for weeks. Never a single step that wasn't sound. I made Joe trot him out for me. Sound. I lunged him on a circle both directions. Sound.
In my mind, I remember (or I've created a false memory) of my trimmer saying that at one point, he has PROBABLY popped his splints, but, they've healed cold and tight. He's fine.
But I was driving myself insane; had she REALLY said that, or had I made that memory up?
Better to change my appointment, have another set of eyes/hands on him that knows him and to either tell me he's injured, or that he's okay and I'm a freaking lunatic. So, with all that in my mind, I had Jodi come and do a session on him.
I mean, he'd done the Intro (16 miles) and the LD (25 miles) for a total of 41 miles 3 weeks prior.
He was being an absolute turd-asshead about not standing still. Usually he stands and lets Jodi work on him.
We eventually went and grabbed Zurkh for company, and he immediately settled down. *sigh*
As Jodi touched him all over, she said he felt great. Not a single red flag. She said every single thing about him was a horse who was the picture of health and who definitely had the energy to do his job.
THAT all said...she said, knowing his history and KNOWING about that soft tissue injury and that we're only about 8 months out from it...she said, sure, he could do the LD...and he'd probably be GREAT at it and he'd sail through without an issue...-but-....
And that's all I needed.
"Would he be okay for an Intro or should I pull him completely? 12 to 15 miles? I'm good either way, but be honest with me."
So, we're dropping to the Intro.
Yes, he's fine. And I'm sure he is. BUT, right now, why risk it? The Six 0 Ranch has some challenging terrain. And, he's my long-term riding buddy. Why push for 25 miles?
And...while I won't earn as many PFHA points...well...I'll earn some points towards this:
I'm playfully working towards it this year. However, the first place horse currently racked up 50-odd points last season, so, if she does again...not a chance. But, I'm having fun with this too. I'll earn another 6 points, and we'll then take the summer off. We'll go team pen, he'll get to rest and finish healing, and come about last July/early August, he and I will get back to work and prep for legging up for our 50 attempt.
My "Bargain Bin" Easy Boot Gloves showed up yesterday. They're brand new in so far as I can tell. Frankly, I'll never buy them at full price if I can order out of the BB again. It -LOOKS- like they MIGHT fit his fronts once I trim them up and get the toes pushed back. If not, they will PROBABLY fit his rears (they're more oval than round).
And, we're currently in a competition to win a pair of Scoot Boots. Which would be AWESOME and AMAZING if he did!!! Not holding my breath (I never win anything....except that one time I won tickets to the opening season of Sherwood Foreset Faire off the radio), but it sure would help my wallet!!
If not...I'll keep stalking the Easy Boot Bargain Bin and hope a pair of #0's pop up. Blue would be amazing...but the red ones I got yesterday (I think that's why they're BB boots; they're an older/discontinued model) are going to be VERY visible on his feet!!!
So, that's the current plan right now. We'll skip the LD and drop down to the Intro (extra bonuses are it's a little cheaper, and I get to ride with my friend C.B. and her horse Decker).
It would be a lie to say I still sometimes consider just doing the LD anyway. Who doesn't always do the "Well...what if...?" dance? I'm human.
And then I remind myself my horse isn't. He doesn't understand what we're doing. He does it simply because I ASK it of him. He doesn't give two shits about points (PFHA, AERC or Green Bean). He isn't asking me to go 15, 25 or 50 miles. He does those things because, again, I am asking it of him.
So, here is where I'm learning to bend like the willow. Because it's not about ME. Endurance isn't, per se, about me. It's about my team of 2. Him and I.
Maybe I asked too much for 41 miles. He told me about 3 miles out of camp he was getting a little tired on day 2. I heard him. I listened to him. I didn't push hard. I'd ask nicely, and if he gave it, great. If not, I didn't ask again.
So, instead, we're going to go have fun at one of my favorite ride venues, and we're going to go and completely enjoy ourselves.
And then he'll get a break...and we'll come back better for it this fall.
Beet pulp is soaked, triple rinsed, and then put in the freezer so I need only pull it out, add a little water and grain and give it to Strider for pre-hydration.
The kaolin-pectin, CMPK and Enduramax are all in the house, ready to be mixed for electrolyting Strider.
I pulled out all my tack and power washed and cleaned EVERYTHING (saddle pad, cinches, seat cover, breast collar and even my Da Brim with the mud dried on it).
I got out my Hoof Armor gun and made sure to pack extra gloves and the wax paper.
Sunday evening, I did the grocery shopping for the ride. I Googled the closest "Twice the Ice" location I could drive up to for ice for my coolers on Friday morning.
Except for throwing my bag of clothes, and my blankets into the truck and trailer, I'm....I'm actually ready and packed for the ride.
HOWEVER....
I was nervous over something with Strider, I had his accupressurist come out BEFORE Last Hoorah instead of the day after team penning in two weeks. I could feel what I THOUGHT were splints on his fronts. But, were they new or old? I ran my hands down his legs; cold and tight. I've been watching him like a hawk for weeks. Never a single step that wasn't sound. I made Joe trot him out for me. Sound. I lunged him on a circle both directions. Sound.
In my mind, I remember (or I've created a false memory) of my trimmer saying that at one point, he has PROBABLY popped his splints, but, they've healed cold and tight. He's fine.
But I was driving myself insane; had she REALLY said that, or had I made that memory up?
Better to change my appointment, have another set of eyes/hands on him that knows him and to either tell me he's injured, or that he's okay and I'm a freaking lunatic. So, with all that in my mind, I had Jodi come and do a session on him.
I mean, he'd done the Intro (16 miles) and the LD (25 miles) for a total of 41 miles 3 weeks prior.
He was being an absolute turd-asshead about not standing still. Usually he stands and lets Jodi work on him.
We eventually went and grabbed Zurkh for company, and he immediately settled down. *sigh*
As Jodi touched him all over, she said he felt great. Not a single red flag. She said every single thing about him was a horse who was the picture of health and who definitely had the energy to do his job.
THAT all said...she said, knowing his history and KNOWING about that soft tissue injury and that we're only about 8 months out from it...she said, sure, he could do the LD...and he'd probably be GREAT at it and he'd sail through without an issue...-but-....
And that's all I needed.
"Would he be okay for an Intro or should I pull him completely? 12 to 15 miles? I'm good either way, but be honest with me."
So, we're dropping to the Intro.
Yes, he's fine. And I'm sure he is. BUT, right now, why risk it? The Six 0 Ranch has some challenging terrain. And, he's my long-term riding buddy. Why push for 25 miles?
And...while I won't earn as many PFHA points...well...I'll earn some points towards this:
 |
| PFHA's Pleasure Long Distance Trail Horse standings |
My "Bargain Bin" Easy Boot Gloves showed up yesterday. They're brand new in so far as I can tell. Frankly, I'll never buy them at full price if I can order out of the BB again. It -LOOKS- like they MIGHT fit his fronts once I trim them up and get the toes pushed back. If not, they will PROBABLY fit his rears (they're more oval than round).
And, we're currently in a competition to win a pair of Scoot Boots. Which would be AWESOME and AMAZING if he did!!! Not holding my breath (I never win anything....except that one time I won tickets to the opening season of Sherwood Foreset Faire off the radio), but it sure would help my wallet!!
If not...I'll keep stalking the Easy Boot Bargain Bin and hope a pair of #0's pop up. Blue would be amazing...but the red ones I got yesterday (I think that's why they're BB boots; they're an older/discontinued model) are going to be VERY visible on his feet!!!
So, that's the current plan right now. We'll skip the LD and drop down to the Intro (extra bonuses are it's a little cheaper, and I get to ride with my friend C.B. and her horse Decker).
It would be a lie to say I still sometimes consider just doing the LD anyway. Who doesn't always do the "Well...what if...?" dance? I'm human.
And then I remind myself my horse isn't. He doesn't understand what we're doing. He does it simply because I ASK it of him. He doesn't give two shits about points (PFHA, AERC or Green Bean). He isn't asking me to go 15, 25 or 50 miles. He does those things because, again, I am asking it of him.
So, here is where I'm learning to bend like the willow. Because it's not about ME. Endurance isn't, per se, about me. It's about my team of 2. Him and I.
Maybe I asked too much for 41 miles. He told me about 3 miles out of camp he was getting a little tired on day 2. I heard him. I listened to him. I didn't push hard. I'd ask nicely, and if he gave it, great. If not, I didn't ask again.
So, instead, we're going to go have fun at one of my favorite ride venues, and we're going to go and completely enjoy ourselves.
And then he'll get a break...and we'll come back better for it this fall.
Friday, May 04, 2018
Gearing up for the "Last Hoorah!"...or "Final ride of the spring season is coming"
And, just like that, my spring ride season is winding down again.
1 day of a NATRC ride done.
1 intro.
1 LD.
1 LD left to go.
I'm feeling semi-confident that we can tackle the LD at Last Hoorah. I admit to SOME anxiety because I have YET to finish a ride at the Six 0 Ranch. But, I had promised the RM last year, after my stomach fought against me, I wouldn't try another 50 this year.
Didn't say anything about next year though!
He isn't ready for a 50 right now anyway.
But, my current plan is to apply Hoof Armor to his feet, make time up at the beginning of the ride as it's pretty barefoot friendly there, and then take it easy over the gravel and rocks.
I did order a pair of EasyBoot Gloves from their bargain bin (hard to resist getting 2 boots for the price of 1!), but, based off the fitting kit I'd ordered, I'm not sure if this size is going to work on his fronts. I also don't have a lot of time to trial them before the ride, so, I'm currently not planning to use them for a ride until we can do some conditioning in them.
However, I'm a little anxious about getting ready for the ride. This weekend is currently jam packed with things I need to do, and I'm going to go ahead and pack my trailer for next weekend. I'll pull everything out, and get my tack cleaned up and loaded up.
Speaking of tack, look what showed up in the mail yesterday!!!
My new Michael Gascon halter!!! I reached out to Sophie (Michael's girlfriend) and asked about the possibility of getting a halter in purple. She checked, and said that it was possible to get one tied in purple. So, got one ordered, and it happened to arrive last night!!
So, with our Hoof Armor, and our new halter, and all of our tack loaded up, we'll be ready to rock and roll for our Last Hoorah!
And then the weekend after that, Team Penning...and then after that...another big surprise....:)
May is shaping up to be a busy, albeit FUN, month!!
1 day of a NATRC ride done.
1 intro.
1 LD.
1 LD left to go.
I'm feeling semi-confident that we can tackle the LD at Last Hoorah. I admit to SOME anxiety because I have YET to finish a ride at the Six 0 Ranch. But, I had promised the RM last year, after my stomach fought against me, I wouldn't try another 50 this year.
Didn't say anything about next year though!
He isn't ready for a 50 right now anyway.
But, my current plan is to apply Hoof Armor to his feet, make time up at the beginning of the ride as it's pretty barefoot friendly there, and then take it easy over the gravel and rocks.
I did order a pair of EasyBoot Gloves from their bargain bin (hard to resist getting 2 boots for the price of 1!), but, based off the fitting kit I'd ordered, I'm not sure if this size is going to work on his fronts. I also don't have a lot of time to trial them before the ride, so, I'm currently not planning to use them for a ride until we can do some conditioning in them.
However, I'm a little anxious about getting ready for the ride. This weekend is currently jam packed with things I need to do, and I'm going to go ahead and pack my trailer for next weekend. I'll pull everything out, and get my tack cleaned up and loaded up.
Speaking of tack, look what showed up in the mail yesterday!!!
My new Michael Gascon halter!!! I reached out to Sophie (Michael's girlfriend) and asked about the possibility of getting a halter in purple. She checked, and said that it was possible to get one tied in purple. So, got one ordered, and it happened to arrive last night!!
So, with our Hoof Armor, and our new halter, and all of our tack loaded up, we'll be ready to rock and roll for our Last Hoorah!
And then the weekend after that, Team Penning...and then after that...another big surprise....:)
May is shaping up to be a busy, albeit FUN, month!!
Thursday, April 12, 2018
Getting Back to It...or "Let's Go Endurancing Again"
So, I'm kind of a bundle of nerves. Which is ridiculous.
Strider and I are fixing to make the 5 hour drive to Mount Pleasant and the Priefert Ranch to go do Racing Stripes.
Here's the current plan.
Intro on Friday of 15 miles.
LD on Saturday of 25 miles.
There was a lot of thought that went in to this.
The Intro is to earn points for my Green Bean team AND to earn PFHA points towards "Pleasure Long Distance Trail Horse".
The LD is fairly obvious. We're not as ready as I'd hoped to be. I know he can do an LD without a LOT of preparation. The original plan was the LD on Friday and Intro Saturday....BUT....
One of the ladies I was planning to ride with now can't make it up until Friday.
Two, currently, there is 100% chance of thunderstorms and rain on Friday. At least it will be in the 70s?
Three, the LD on Friday is 30 miles.
So, on Friday, I only need to slog through 15 miles in the rain. And stay on the damn horse. And not die.
Also, and more importantly, I'm changing up Strider's headgear. So, the Intro will give me a good opportunity to try it out with only 15 miles instead of 25. However, he's never really been a fire breathing dragon at the start of a ride, just eager to go.
I am also going to test out my riding rain gear on Friday.
But, I'm nervous because this is our first ride back since his injury. I don't quite count the NATRC ride as we were able to keep a slower MPH average. Yes, it was still 18 miles, but...that was just different. Not better or worse, but different.
So, deep breath, and here we go....
Strider and I are fixing to make the 5 hour drive to Mount Pleasant and the Priefert Ranch to go do Racing Stripes.
Here's the current plan.
Intro on Friday of 15 miles.
LD on Saturday of 25 miles.
There was a lot of thought that went in to this.
The Intro is to earn points for my Green Bean team AND to earn PFHA points towards "Pleasure Long Distance Trail Horse".
The LD is fairly obvious. We're not as ready as I'd hoped to be. I know he can do an LD without a LOT of preparation. The original plan was the LD on Friday and Intro Saturday....BUT....
One of the ladies I was planning to ride with now can't make it up until Friday.
Two, currently, there is 100% chance of thunderstorms and rain on Friday. At least it will be in the 70s?
Three, the LD on Friday is 30 miles.
So, on Friday, I only need to slog through 15 miles in the rain. And stay on the damn horse. And not die.
Also, and more importantly, I'm changing up Strider's headgear. So, the Intro will give me a good opportunity to try it out with only 15 miles instead of 25. However, he's never really been a fire breathing dragon at the start of a ride, just eager to go.
I am also going to test out my riding rain gear on Friday.
But, I'm nervous because this is our first ride back since his injury. I don't quite count the NATRC ride as we were able to keep a slower MPH average. Yes, it was still 18 miles, but...that was just different. Not better or worse, but different.
So, deep breath, and here we go....
Friday, January 26, 2018
Where have you been....or "Good, bad and forever good byes"
Sorry for the long absence!! I partially blame AERC for not having ride results posted yet, and partially....well...life has gotten so freaking busy!
I have a post in the works regarding River Run...and a post in the works for High Roller (spoiler alert, I went).
However....there's other stuff too...which won't be as time intensive, so I thought, in the interim while I wait for AERC, I'll drop this post.
Good news?
Strider has an appointment on February 3rd to have an ultrasound done on his left hind. So, I can FINALLY know if he's ready to go back to work, or if he continues to need more time off work to finish the healing process (and perhaps a rough idea of how long it will take). I've considered hopping up bareback so many times, or saddling up for a walk around the property, but the fact is, the last time I was on him bareback, he wanted to go so badly. And, yes, he has the freedom to run and jump and act a fool on his own, but add a rider to the mix, and all of a sudden his balance changes. So, I resist the urge and wait. And I'm constantly touching that left hind and comparing it to the right. Some days, I think I feel NO puffiness. Other days, I'm positive I do. So, now I'll know for SURE.
Medium news?
With that in mind, I've started legging up Socks, with an eye to a VERY slow 50 at Buffalo Run in April. I've never done a ride out of state, but when J.L. (Cowboy and Jett's mommy) mentioned that it wasn't much further away than going to Racing Stripes in Mount Pleasant, and she could do more than stay and ride for one day, the decision was simple.
Buffalo Run, here we come!! Need to find out if it's also TERA sanctioned. Hoping it is!
Right now, we're doing some lunging as I just don't have time to ride at night when we get home. We started with 20 minutes of solid trot (and some canter) on the line, and we're now up to 25 minutes (and some canter). I'll be taking him out for a road ride this weekend.
On the 15th, I took Tilly out for a road ride, which wasn't exactly the most pleasant. We practiced wearing a rump rug. We lunged with it covering her butt, and with it drawn up. Then it was head out the gate, practice the "Come pick me up" cue and get in the saddle. Then we fought about which direction to go. Ultimately, I let her win because she was willing to go left out of our gate, but started getting downright dangerous when asked to go right out of our front gate. If you'll move your feet, I'm semi-willing to allow you to pick our route. So, we rode the entire length of the county road that parallels our property. We had some spook moments. Some freak moments. But, her slow walk is about 4.5, and her medium, not even pushing hard at a gait speed is at 8.5. Impressive.
However, I only got in about an hour and 10 minutes. I wanted a little bit more time in the saddle, so Joe let us in the gate at the house and I went to ride around some more. Yeah. Not a bright idea, truth be told. But only is obvious in retrospect. The rest of the herd was loose, so as she and I went to the back pasture, they came thundering up behind her, which caused some tension and anxiety. We fought for a bit, and I realized, she was just getting more and more worked up, and I would be better off to get off and work with her on the ground.
And that's when all hell broke loose. The herd bolted off through the trees, and Tilly took off with them. And she just kept accelerating. No one rein stop (she's stiff as a board, and I forgot to work on flexing her before I got on, as Michael Gason teaches...I just spaced out). And I realized, perhaps, for my own safety, it's just better to bail off a fleeing horse on semi-soft ground.
So I did. Oh, I was cussing and swearing up a blue storm the entire time, but I bailed off.
There's a reason I now always wear a helmet. I'm semi-sure I got a mild concussion as I don't remember getting up and walking to the house very clearly. I don't remember when Kaylee joined me either, but she was there with me.
I dread to think about how bad it might have been had I NOT been wearing my helmet.
And, sadly, it was a brand new helmet. So already, I need to replace it. ANNOYING!!! But, cheaper than an ER visit any day of the week!
After that ride, I realized our next session was perhaps better spent on a lunge line. So, that next Sunday I worked her for 20 minutes. Girl didn't even break a sweat, knew to conserve her energy, but, when working to the right, she could stretch out. Gorgeous to watch. Just gorgeous.
The bad news?
Sometime early Tuesday the 23rd, Tilly passed away.
It was my worst nightmare made reality. We were leaving for work and as we were going down the driveway, I saw her, and I knew, I KNEW the second our headlights hit her, she was gone.
Hysterical crying and sobbing ensued while Joe checked her.
But, she was gone.
Ground was undisturbed, and she was on her side, no trauma. We opted to not do a necropsy on her. Suspicion is an aneurysm.
Joe stayed home with me, and he was tasked with finding someone to come get her. I couldn't remain calm enough to talk to anyone.
Thankfully, he found a very kind gentleman who was able to come and collect her. I couldn't go outside either during the process. But, he told Joe that the low fee he charges really only covers his costs. He views this service as an act of love (he's a horseman himself), and he understands it's necessary. He told Joe that she wouldn't be alone; she's going to a state approved facility where other equines are buried. And, for whatever that was worth, it eased my pain a little. The idea of a horse going to the dump (which is, sadly, where many end up), pains me. And, while I didn't love her as I love any of my boys, I loved her still.
Kaylee doesn't seem to understand where Tilly went, just that she's not coming back. Sometimes she's at "Miss H's" (where Dakini is). Sometimes she knows Tilly is in Heaven. And last night, Tilly became a unicorn who lives in a rainbow.
Any which way, bless you Tilly. They say you learn the most from the most challenging of horses. You had more lessons to teach me, and I wish we'd had more time so I could have learned them, but, run free big girl.
I have a post in the works regarding River Run...and a post in the works for High Roller (spoiler alert, I went).
However....there's other stuff too...which won't be as time intensive, so I thought, in the interim while I wait for AERC, I'll drop this post.
Good news?
Strider has an appointment on February 3rd to have an ultrasound done on his left hind. So, I can FINALLY know if he's ready to go back to work, or if he continues to need more time off work to finish the healing process (and perhaps a rough idea of how long it will take). I've considered hopping up bareback so many times, or saddling up for a walk around the property, but the fact is, the last time I was on him bareback, he wanted to go so badly. And, yes, he has the freedom to run and jump and act a fool on his own, but add a rider to the mix, and all of a sudden his balance changes. So, I resist the urge and wait. And I'm constantly touching that left hind and comparing it to the right. Some days, I think I feel NO puffiness. Other days, I'm positive I do. So, now I'll know for SURE.
Medium news?
With that in mind, I've started legging up Socks, with an eye to a VERY slow 50 at Buffalo Run in April. I've never done a ride out of state, but when J.L. (Cowboy and Jett's mommy) mentioned that it wasn't much further away than going to Racing Stripes in Mount Pleasant, and she could do more than stay and ride for one day, the decision was simple.
Buffalo Run, here we come!! Need to find out if it's also TERA sanctioned. Hoping it is!
Right now, we're doing some lunging as I just don't have time to ride at night when we get home. We started with 20 minutes of solid trot (and some canter) on the line, and we're now up to 25 minutes (and some canter). I'll be taking him out for a road ride this weekend.
On the 15th, I took Tilly out for a road ride, which wasn't exactly the most pleasant. We practiced wearing a rump rug. We lunged with it covering her butt, and with it drawn up. Then it was head out the gate, practice the "Come pick me up" cue and get in the saddle. Then we fought about which direction to go. Ultimately, I let her win because she was willing to go left out of our gate, but started getting downright dangerous when asked to go right out of our front gate. If you'll move your feet, I'm semi-willing to allow you to pick our route. So, we rode the entire length of the county road that parallels our property. We had some spook moments. Some freak moments. But, her slow walk is about 4.5, and her medium, not even pushing hard at a gait speed is at 8.5. Impressive.
However, I only got in about an hour and 10 minutes. I wanted a little bit more time in the saddle, so Joe let us in the gate at the house and I went to ride around some more. Yeah. Not a bright idea, truth be told. But only is obvious in retrospect. The rest of the herd was loose, so as she and I went to the back pasture, they came thundering up behind her, which caused some tension and anxiety. We fought for a bit, and I realized, she was just getting more and more worked up, and I would be better off to get off and work with her on the ground.
And that's when all hell broke loose. The herd bolted off through the trees, and Tilly took off with them. And she just kept accelerating. No one rein stop (she's stiff as a board, and I forgot to work on flexing her before I got on, as Michael Gason teaches...I just spaced out). And I realized, perhaps, for my own safety, it's just better to bail off a fleeing horse on semi-soft ground.
So I did. Oh, I was cussing and swearing up a blue storm the entire time, but I bailed off.
There's a reason I now always wear a helmet. I'm semi-sure I got a mild concussion as I don't remember getting up and walking to the house very clearly. I don't remember when Kaylee joined me either, but she was there with me.
I dread to think about how bad it might have been had I NOT been wearing my helmet.
And, sadly, it was a brand new helmet. So already, I need to replace it. ANNOYING!!! But, cheaper than an ER visit any day of the week!
After that ride, I realized our next session was perhaps better spent on a lunge line. So, that next Sunday I worked her for 20 minutes. Girl didn't even break a sweat, knew to conserve her energy, but, when working to the right, she could stretch out. Gorgeous to watch. Just gorgeous.
The bad news?
Sometime early Tuesday the 23rd, Tilly passed away.
It was my worst nightmare made reality. We were leaving for work and as we were going down the driveway, I saw her, and I knew, I KNEW the second our headlights hit her, she was gone.
Hysterical crying and sobbing ensued while Joe checked her.
But, she was gone.
Ground was undisturbed, and she was on her side, no trauma. We opted to not do a necropsy on her. Suspicion is an aneurysm.
Joe stayed home with me, and he was tasked with finding someone to come get her. I couldn't remain calm enough to talk to anyone.
Thankfully, he found a very kind gentleman who was able to come and collect her. I couldn't go outside either during the process. But, he told Joe that the low fee he charges really only covers his costs. He views this service as an act of love (he's a horseman himself), and he understands it's necessary. He told Joe that she wouldn't be alone; she's going to a state approved facility where other equines are buried. And, for whatever that was worth, it eased my pain a little. The idea of a horse going to the dump (which is, sadly, where many end up), pains me. And, while I didn't love her as I love any of my boys, I loved her still.
Kaylee doesn't seem to understand where Tilly went, just that she's not coming back. Sometimes she's at "Miss H's" (where Dakini is). Sometimes she knows Tilly is in Heaven. And last night, Tilly became a unicorn who lives in a rainbow.
Any which way, bless you Tilly. They say you learn the most from the most challenging of horses. You had more lessons to teach me, and I wish we'd had more time so I could have learned them, but, run free big girl.
 |
| Tilly and I at Lake Sam Rayburn in November. |
 |
| Socks, Strider and Tilly (right after her arrival at HGR). |
 |
| Larger than life. And a unicorn to boot. |
Monday, December 25, 2017
Endurance 2018....or "Plans? We don't need no stinking plans!...or do we?"
As I'm sure you can gather, this is a scheduled post. I'll reveal the info about Sunday at River Run (did I or didn't I ride? If I rode, who got to go out?! I'm sure you're really just dying...LOL!).
Instead, as I sit in the quiet of my office before my shift begins, most of the people already out on holiday break, I got to reflecting on this past endurance year, and what my 2018 endurance year will look like.
Perhaps this is an early New Year's post. Not sure.
So, 2017 has been rough and fun as well!!
Let's take a look at our AERC break down and see, stats-wise, where we ended up this year.
Horses competed at endurance rides:
3 (Strider, Dakini, Socks)
Miles each horse got credit for:
Strider: 50 endurance / 60 LD
Dakini: 30 LD
Socks: 0
Miles rider got credit for:
50 endurance / 90 LD
Miles attempted: 100 endurance / 170 LD
So, as you can see, my stats this year....pretty bad.
Reasons for non-completion:
2 Lameness
2 Rider Option
Disappointingly, in September, Strider took a very bad tumble. We were lunging on the line in the front yard. It's flat. There was nothing happening that was out of the ordinary. He was cantering as he was acting like a fool, but not out of control, when all of a sudden, he stumbled and went crashing down on both front legs, his head making contact with the ground as he skidded a few feet. When he regained his feet, he was non-weight bearing on his left hind (LH).
I managed to convince him to cross the yard where I cold hosed him, then gave him a small dose of bute and left him out. The constant motion is good for him.
But, as time dragged on and on...he just...wasn't getting better.
Well, I THOUGHT he was better until I took him to my trimmer for a touch up trim before taking him to a clinic. She saw immediately when I led him off and had him pivot left that he was BAD.
So, since then, he's been off. And his LH has been swollen. It's FINALLY gone down, around the beginning of December, but...he's still not quite right.
I've had Jodi Brassard of Brassard Equine Acupressure (https://www.brassardequineacupressure.com/) come out now to start doing acupressure on him. We started doing that in October, and he's now had 3 appointments.
All of that to say this; I'm not sure where my 2018 ride season is going.
Dakini was given back to H, who finds her a MARVELOUS fit for her bad back. So, while I sure do miss that sweet face, I'm beyond pleased that she's able to help someone who has helped me so much.
Socks is Socks. He is always game to try whatever I wish to try. And he may occasionally get to go to easy LDs.
And now there's Tilly. Tilly needs a conditioning program. And to be ridden more. Joe and I gauged the road we live on and determined that one route is better than another for me to road ride, so, that's the plan. It's not a LONG stretch of road (less than 2 miles, unless I get adventurous and tack on some of the more "main" road), but it's got wide shoulders, not as "curvy" where drivers wouldn't see us, and the shoulder looks fairly flat, not INCREDIBLY rocky, but hopefully enough to help keep toughening up soles.
Now, on my calendar, I've written down ALL the rides I'm currently HOPING that somehow I can attend.
That list includes:
High Roller at 7iL
Old Glory at Trace Trails
Shanghai Trails at the Shanghai Pierce Ranch (and I'm on the fence...there's so much bad juju..that I should go to get rid of that!)
Racing Stripes at the Priefert Ranch
Last Hoorah at the Six0 Ranch
Quitaque Climb at the Pole Canyon Ranch
Armadillo Run at the Davy Crockett National Forest (this one isn't posted yet, but it's an annual thing!)
One ride not listed is Heart of the Hills in Bandera. I've yet to be able to have a horse with reliable foot protection to make that ride. It's on my "to ride" list, but not this year again.
So, as I'm looking at that list...I'm trying to decide, which will I REALLY go to? And which ones could I potentially have a horse ready for?
High Roller? I could take Socks for an LD. He's completed one there already with gas in the tank when he finished. But, he'll need to wear bell boots, and there's a LOT of sand there, which could cause irritation and rubs. BUT, I did buy 2 pair of bell boots, so I can change them out between loops. Decisions, decisions....
I'll spill the beans about what, if anything, I'll be doing for High Roller later.
That brings me to Old Glory at Trace Trails. Again, I can take Socks. It's technical trail. I went overtime there with Strider when we first started endurance. So, my DREAM was to return there with Strider and defeat those trails. However, unless something magical happens when Jodi touches him again in January, that's not going to happen. So, take Socks again?
Shanghai Trails next. I could, in theory have Tilly legged up for a SLOW LD. Or Strider might be just fine to go by this point, definately for an LD. And, part of me thinks I need to just avoid this ride after all of the bad juju from last year. And then part of me thinks I need to return to shake off that bad juju. I'm really REALLY not sure what I will be doing about this ride. And it may be that I won't decide until a few days before the ride. We'll see.
Racing Stripes. I've already promised my friend J.L. (Cowboy and Jett's mommy) that I would be there. And I WILL be there. Now, this ride is in April. Assuming Strider has been given the green light in January (I'm also looking into doing an ultrasound and perhaps a lameness evaluation), I should have him legged back up again for an LD for sure. Perhaps back in 50 fighting shape. Well, SLOW 50 fighting shape. This ride would be my pick of all the currently posted rides for Strider and I to aim for to try and get year 3 towards our Decade Team done. ASSUMING he's okay. And, if nothing else, perhaps by this point Tilly will be ready for back to back LDs. Any which way, I may only be there and doing Intros, but I'm going.
Last Hoorah. My favorite ride, but the ride that kicked MY ass last year. I've yet to earn a completion at this ride. Now I SWORE to the RM last year I was giving up the 50 mile division last year....and yet....and yet...I just can't seem to quit it. IF Strider is ready and IF I have proper foot protection...we'll aim for a 50 again. If we don't have foot protection and he still isn't ready...then LD it is. And at that point, I'm not sure who would go. If foot protection is covered, I'll take Tilly. Or Socks with Hoof Armor (his feet are pretty tough).
Quitaque Climb in October. By this point, oh PLEASE Strider has to be better!! We'll do a 50. I'll take Tilly as well. She'll certainly do an LD. If I'm going to dream big, she'll also do a 50.
Armadillo Run. This one would be about 2 weeks after Quitaque. So who knows who I'll take or what distance I'll do.
Okay...so, realizing that this is the PLAN (as scattered and all over the place as it is), the odds are quite good I will have more not-ridden miles than ridden miles again this year. I make plans, and invariably, something happens. Such is the way of both horses and endurance.
But, for me, as each year goes by, my goals change a little bit. I learn a little bit more. And stretch myself to grow.
Endurance 2018 holds wonderful things for me. Once again I am riding with the Green Bean Team of "May the Horse Be With You". I was invited to ride with the Texas Endurance Riders Association (TERA) team as well. And now I get to bring Tilly along to start learning endurance! And I'll re-start Strider. So two, potentially 3 horses to fit up to go play with me!! Looks like the name of the game is "Ride one/Pony one" this year!
Endurance 2018, I'm not sure what lessons you have in store for me this year. But, as long as you leave me with healthy horses, I'll take whatever lessons it is you want to give to me.
Instead, as I sit in the quiet of my office before my shift begins, most of the people already out on holiday break, I got to reflecting on this past endurance year, and what my 2018 endurance year will look like.
Perhaps this is an early New Year's post. Not sure.
So, 2017 has been rough and fun as well!!
Let's take a look at our AERC break down and see, stats-wise, where we ended up this year.
Horses competed at endurance rides:
3 (Strider, Dakini, Socks)
Miles each horse got credit for:
Strider: 50 endurance / 60 LD
Dakini: 30 LD
Socks: 0
Miles rider got credit for:
50 endurance / 90 LD
Miles attempted: 100 endurance / 170 LD
So, as you can see, my stats this year....pretty bad.
Reasons for non-completion:
2 Lameness
2 Rider Option
Disappointingly, in September, Strider took a very bad tumble. We were lunging on the line in the front yard. It's flat. There was nothing happening that was out of the ordinary. He was cantering as he was acting like a fool, but not out of control, when all of a sudden, he stumbled and went crashing down on both front legs, his head making contact with the ground as he skidded a few feet. When he regained his feet, he was non-weight bearing on his left hind (LH).
I managed to convince him to cross the yard where I cold hosed him, then gave him a small dose of bute and left him out. The constant motion is good for him.
But, as time dragged on and on...he just...wasn't getting better.
Well, I THOUGHT he was better until I took him to my trimmer for a touch up trim before taking him to a clinic. She saw immediately when I led him off and had him pivot left that he was BAD.
So, since then, he's been off. And his LH has been swollen. It's FINALLY gone down, around the beginning of December, but...he's still not quite right.
I've had Jodi Brassard of Brassard Equine Acupressure (https://www.brassardequineacupressure.com/) come out now to start doing acupressure on him. We started doing that in October, and he's now had 3 appointments.
All of that to say this; I'm not sure where my 2018 ride season is going.
Dakini was given back to H, who finds her a MARVELOUS fit for her bad back. So, while I sure do miss that sweet face, I'm beyond pleased that she's able to help someone who has helped me so much.
Socks is Socks. He is always game to try whatever I wish to try. And he may occasionally get to go to easy LDs.
And now there's Tilly. Tilly needs a conditioning program. And to be ridden more. Joe and I gauged the road we live on and determined that one route is better than another for me to road ride, so, that's the plan. It's not a LONG stretch of road (less than 2 miles, unless I get adventurous and tack on some of the more "main" road), but it's got wide shoulders, not as "curvy" where drivers wouldn't see us, and the shoulder looks fairly flat, not INCREDIBLY rocky, but hopefully enough to help keep toughening up soles.
Now, on my calendar, I've written down ALL the rides I'm currently HOPING that somehow I can attend.
That list includes:
High Roller at 7iL
Old Glory at Trace Trails
Shanghai Trails at the Shanghai Pierce Ranch (and I'm on the fence...there's so much bad juju..that I should go to get rid of that!)
Racing Stripes at the Priefert Ranch
Last Hoorah at the Six0 Ranch
Quitaque Climb at the Pole Canyon Ranch
Armadillo Run at the Davy Crockett National Forest (this one isn't posted yet, but it's an annual thing!)
One ride not listed is Heart of the Hills in Bandera. I've yet to be able to have a horse with reliable foot protection to make that ride. It's on my "to ride" list, but not this year again.
So, as I'm looking at that list...I'm trying to decide, which will I REALLY go to? And which ones could I potentially have a horse ready for?
High Roller? I could take Socks for an LD. He's completed one there already with gas in the tank when he finished. But, he'll need to wear bell boots, and there's a LOT of sand there, which could cause irritation and rubs. BUT, I did buy 2 pair of bell boots, so I can change them out between loops. Decisions, decisions....
I'll spill the beans about what, if anything, I'll be doing for High Roller later.
That brings me to Old Glory at Trace Trails. Again, I can take Socks. It's technical trail. I went overtime there with Strider when we first started endurance. So, my DREAM was to return there with Strider and defeat those trails. However, unless something magical happens when Jodi touches him again in January, that's not going to happen. So, take Socks again?
Shanghai Trails next. I could, in theory have Tilly legged up for a SLOW LD. Or Strider might be just fine to go by this point, definately for an LD. And, part of me thinks I need to just avoid this ride after all of the bad juju from last year. And then part of me thinks I need to return to shake off that bad juju. I'm really REALLY not sure what I will be doing about this ride. And it may be that I won't decide until a few days before the ride. We'll see.
Racing Stripes. I've already promised my friend J.L. (Cowboy and Jett's mommy) that I would be there. And I WILL be there. Now, this ride is in April. Assuming Strider has been given the green light in January (I'm also looking into doing an ultrasound and perhaps a lameness evaluation), I should have him legged back up again for an LD for sure. Perhaps back in 50 fighting shape. Well, SLOW 50 fighting shape. This ride would be my pick of all the currently posted rides for Strider and I to aim for to try and get year 3 towards our Decade Team done. ASSUMING he's okay. And, if nothing else, perhaps by this point Tilly will be ready for back to back LDs. Any which way, I may only be there and doing Intros, but I'm going.
Last Hoorah. My favorite ride, but the ride that kicked MY ass last year. I've yet to earn a completion at this ride. Now I SWORE to the RM last year I was giving up the 50 mile division last year....and yet....and yet...I just can't seem to quit it. IF Strider is ready and IF I have proper foot protection...we'll aim for a 50 again. If we don't have foot protection and he still isn't ready...then LD it is. And at that point, I'm not sure who would go. If foot protection is covered, I'll take Tilly. Or Socks with Hoof Armor (his feet are pretty tough).
Quitaque Climb in October. By this point, oh PLEASE Strider has to be better!! We'll do a 50. I'll take Tilly as well. She'll certainly do an LD. If I'm going to dream big, she'll also do a 50.
Armadillo Run. This one would be about 2 weeks after Quitaque. So who knows who I'll take or what distance I'll do.
Okay...so, realizing that this is the PLAN (as scattered and all over the place as it is), the odds are quite good I will have more not-ridden miles than ridden miles again this year. I make plans, and invariably, something happens. Such is the way of both horses and endurance.
But, for me, as each year goes by, my goals change a little bit. I learn a little bit more. And stretch myself to grow.
Endurance 2018 holds wonderful things for me. Once again I am riding with the Green Bean Team of "May the Horse Be With You". I was invited to ride with the Texas Endurance Riders Association (TERA) team as well. And now I get to bring Tilly along to start learning endurance! And I'll re-start Strider. So two, potentially 3 horses to fit up to go play with me!! Looks like the name of the game is "Ride one/Pony one" this year!
Endurance 2018, I'm not sure what lessons you have in store for me this year. But, as long as you leave me with healthy horses, I'll take whatever lessons it is you want to give to me.
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Guest Ride....or "Meeting Aleandro de Vez"
So, at Armadillo, while I was walking around with the sweet owner of Miss Betsy Boots, I found out she boarded with a couple who I knew as the husband is a Paso Fino endurance rider (he's the one who helped Strider and I through our first 50, in fact).
While we were walking around, we ran into them and got to talking. I mentioned that my Paso is currently out as he hurt himself. They mentioned in passing that, if I was interested, I could perhaps ride their boy Aleandro de Vez ("Dez") at a ride.
Now, I thought they were kidding. Don't ask me why. Probably because my ride record isn't very good. I'm still figuring things out. And the level of TRUST to allow someone to ride your own personal horse...that's a lot. And, how well do they KNOW me? I mean, I could be an abusive rider for all they know (I'm not). I could override their horse (I wouldn't). It's very trusting to allow someone else to ride your horse.
But, I sent a message through Betsy's owner, and said if they were serious, I would be flattered.
So, it transpired that they WERE serious. Well then, so am I!
Arrangements were made, and I tentatively planned to come out Thanksgiving weekend to at least TRIAL ride him before River Run (which was the following weekend).
Sunday morning on the 25th saw me in the car and cruising towards Huntsville for a date with a pretty bay gelding! And a pleasant ride in the Sam Houston National Forest!
I hit the road and filled the car up...then realized I was hungry so stopped at another gas station for breakfast. I am pretty sure I was a disappointment to the guy behind the counter. I was dressed as I always do for riding; my Ariats, half-chaps, runners tights, and a 3/4 zip long-sleeve sun shirt with another shirt beneath it. He asked if I was going running or going to work out. I said, no, I was actually going horseback riding.
"OH!! Do you have your truck and your trailer?" *starts looking around excitedly, thinking maybe they're in my pocket?*
"Oh, well...usually I do. But today I'm just in my car. I'm riding someone else's horse."
"Oh. What kind of riding do you do?"
"I like to ride long distances. 25 or 50 miles."
"OH! Are you doing that today?"
"Uh, well, not today. Today I'm just doing a short ride."
"Oh." *his face kind of falls* "Well, have a good ride! Come back next time when you have your horses!"
"Sure thing!"
I didn't have the heart to say I have NEVER YET needed to go this way to go to a ride. Oh well.
Waze took me a very convoluted way to their home (like, it took me PAST the turn off for their road, had me do a turn around on another road and then sent me back...wouldn't it have just been easier to turn down their road in the first place?!!!), but I found it and was only a few minutes late.
Their property is just gorgeous with large spaces for the horses to play, and a pretty barn. Took a quick potty break, then we loaded up Tivio and then headed over to their other property to pick up D's horse and my ride for the day, Dez.
They are wonderful people to spend the day with. I laughed and just had a great time. I have such social anxiety, I wasn't sure how things would go, but it was quite smooth.
I ended up riding in their Barefoot, and we did the pipeline trail in the forest, which was maybe a 30 minute drive. And now I understand why their horses are so very very fit. These hills are gentle, but they are quite a workout! We went out and back, and then added on some distance that took us by the trailer.
Dez was quite easy to ride, though I had been warned at the ride to bring gloves as he is a puller.
His previous owner raced him, and his current owners aren't racers, they believe in a steady pace that doesn't tear the horse up. In fact, D is like myself; fights for the turtle award! LOL!!!
I was given permission to treat him like I treat my own horses and to not allow him to pull any antics. For which I was glad. I don't want to upset someone by correcting their horse, but I also don't want to get hurt either.
Really, for this initial "Hello, how are you? Let's see how we work together," ride, Dez was fantastic!!
"Just wait." I was warned.
So I did. For a little less than a week!!
While we were walking around, we ran into them and got to talking. I mentioned that my Paso is currently out as he hurt himself. They mentioned in passing that, if I was interested, I could perhaps ride their boy Aleandro de Vez ("Dez") at a ride.
Now, I thought they were kidding. Don't ask me why. Probably because my ride record isn't very good. I'm still figuring things out. And the level of TRUST to allow someone to ride your own personal horse...that's a lot. And, how well do they KNOW me? I mean, I could be an abusive rider for all they know (I'm not). I could override their horse (I wouldn't). It's very trusting to allow someone else to ride your horse.
But, I sent a message through Betsy's owner, and said if they were serious, I would be flattered.
So, it transpired that they WERE serious. Well then, so am I!
Arrangements were made, and I tentatively planned to come out Thanksgiving weekend to at least TRIAL ride him before River Run (which was the following weekend).
Sunday morning on the 25th saw me in the car and cruising towards Huntsville for a date with a pretty bay gelding! And a pleasant ride in the Sam Houston National Forest!
I hit the road and filled the car up...then realized I was hungry so stopped at another gas station for breakfast. I am pretty sure I was a disappointment to the guy behind the counter. I was dressed as I always do for riding; my Ariats, half-chaps, runners tights, and a 3/4 zip long-sleeve sun shirt with another shirt beneath it. He asked if I was going running or going to work out. I said, no, I was actually going horseback riding.
"OH!! Do you have your truck and your trailer?" *starts looking around excitedly, thinking maybe they're in my pocket?*
"Oh, well...usually I do. But today I'm just in my car. I'm riding someone else's horse."
"Oh. What kind of riding do you do?"
"I like to ride long distances. 25 or 50 miles."
"OH! Are you doing that today?"
"Uh, well, not today. Today I'm just doing a short ride."
"Oh." *his face kind of falls* "Well, have a good ride! Come back next time when you have your horses!"
"Sure thing!"
I didn't have the heart to say I have NEVER YET needed to go this way to go to a ride. Oh well.
Waze took me a very convoluted way to their home (like, it took me PAST the turn off for their road, had me do a turn around on another road and then sent me back...wouldn't it have just been easier to turn down their road in the first place?!!!), but I found it and was only a few minutes late.
Their property is just gorgeous with large spaces for the horses to play, and a pretty barn. Took a quick potty break, then we loaded up Tivio and then headed over to their other property to pick up D's horse and my ride for the day, Dez.
They are wonderful people to spend the day with. I laughed and just had a great time. I have such social anxiety, I wasn't sure how things would go, but it was quite smooth.
I ended up riding in their Barefoot, and we did the pipeline trail in the forest, which was maybe a 30 minute drive. And now I understand why their horses are so very very fit. These hills are gentle, but they are quite a workout! We went out and back, and then added on some distance that took us by the trailer.
Dez was quite easy to ride, though I had been warned at the ride to bring gloves as he is a puller.
His previous owner raced him, and his current owners aren't racers, they believe in a steady pace that doesn't tear the horse up. In fact, D is like myself; fights for the turtle award! LOL!!!
I was given permission to treat him like I treat my own horses and to not allow him to pull any antics. For which I was glad. I don't want to upset someone by correcting their horse, but I also don't want to get hurt either.
Really, for this initial "Hello, how are you? Let's see how we work together," ride, Dez was fantastic!!
"Just wait." I was warned.
So I did. For a little less than a week!!
Monday, June 19, 2017
And then we were there....or "How I Simply Missed the Turn"
At 6am, I couldn't sleep any longer. I was sore and stiff, and past ready to find camp and get settled in so the horses would have a long day of resting and eating ahead of them.
So, I rolled out of the truck, grabbed the horses and took them off for another graze while I looked around.
The view, well, not of my "campsite" was pretty. Mesas and "mountains" and beautiful greenery as far as I could see.
I mean, just about anything looks prettier than "camp", doesn't it?
Anyway, after our handgraze, I put both ponies back in the trailer after breaking camp. Which took all of 15 minutes so I was on the road by 6:30.
Apparently in the dark, I missed the low, brown with yellow paint signs pointing me to the equestrian area. But, with the sun up, I was able to find it, pull in to camp and decide where I wanted to put myself. I had almost my choice of campsites. I opted to go beneath some trees for shade for the trailer. And, while it was sandy next to me, the ground where I parked looked firm and solid. So, I was in camp, offically, by 6:20ish or so. My neighbor was like "Wow, you must have gotten up early to get here this early!" My response? "Something like that."
Offloaded the kids and started to set up my pen. I had forgotten at some point that with the hullabaloo at Shanghai, that Llano had said 1 horse per pen. So, my neighbor came over to let me know. No big deal, I had a jumper, so I could make it work if I cut my electric tape. But, she said she was going to go check with ride management.
So, as I'm partially through getting posts in, she comes back, says it's okay to have 2 in one pen as AERC's new ruling seemed to come down on that side. I was okay either way, but glad that's what happened. So, get the kids arranged, and camp set up, and then....I sat around for the rest of the day.
Let me say, if I ever have the time to arrive a day early to camp in the future, I'm going to take FULL advantage of that!! It was so nice to just relax in the shade, watch my horses, read, nap, get my gear slowly set up and ready for the next day. Take them out for hand walks and just, in general, enjoy my time off.
The ride meeting was quick and easy. Vetting Strider in was simple as well. I gave my Renegades to a friend who needed them for her horse. Told her to just keep them. It's good karma, and I asked her, if she ever had the chance, to pay the karma forward to someone else.
Had some time to talk with my mentor, share the Doc. G electrolyte protocol and share some of my supplies so that she could try it out on their two horses. (Fast refresher; Enduramax powdered e-lytes, kaolin-pectin [or ProCMC] and a splash of CMPK). Spoiler Alert; My mentor said that she feels it really made a good difference in her two horses. She uses Perform and Win, but was happy with how it worked.
I ran into town after the ride meeting and spent some time at Braum's eating dinner, being lazy and checking up on my phone. Ran into WalMart for more ice and some beer for my mentor's husband and headed back to camp later than intended.
Crawled into bed around 10, but couldn't sleep. I'm always attuned to issues or just the general "noise" of camp. I read until I finally said I HAD to get some sleep.
Rolled over, and attempted to get some.
Tomorrow, our first LD!!
So, I rolled out of the truck, grabbed the horses and took them off for another graze while I looked around.
The view, well, not of my "campsite" was pretty. Mesas and "mountains" and beautiful greenery as far as I could see.
I mean, just about anything looks prettier than "camp", doesn't it?
 |
| This right here, THIS is ugly. At one point I guess this was the boat ramp parking lot? For me, it was camp, Night One. |
 |
| But tell me that isn't pretty? In that "rough and rugged" beauty sort of way. |
 |
| This was taken facing down towards the permanently closed boat ramp. More beautiful views. |
 |
| The kids having made quite a mess overnight at our temporary lodgings. |
 |
| What? Wasn't us. We're PERFECT! |
 |
| Endurance ponies doing endurance pony things. Like relaxing. And pooping. |
 |
| I have NO idea what was over there, but apparently Dakini found it fascinating. |
 |
 |
| Yep. Messy ponies. And no, no I didn't clean it up. |
 |
| My neighbor overnight. I think it was some kind of "honey" truck (for cleaning out bathrooms). |
Apparently in the dark, I missed the low, brown with yellow paint signs pointing me to the equestrian area. But, with the sun up, I was able to find it, pull in to camp and decide where I wanted to put myself. I had almost my choice of campsites. I opted to go beneath some trees for shade for the trailer. And, while it was sandy next to me, the ground where I parked looked firm and solid. So, I was in camp, offically, by 6:20ish or so. My neighbor was like "Wow, you must have gotten up early to get here this early!" My response? "Something like that."
Offloaded the kids and started to set up my pen. I had forgotten at some point that with the hullabaloo at Shanghai, that Llano had said 1 horse per pen. So, my neighbor came over to let me know. No big deal, I had a jumper, so I could make it work if I cut my electric tape. But, she said she was going to go check with ride management.
So, as I'm partially through getting posts in, she comes back, says it's okay to have 2 in one pen as AERC's new ruling seemed to come down on that side. I was okay either way, but glad that's what happened. So, get the kids arranged, and camp set up, and then....I sat around for the rest of the day.
Let me say, if I ever have the time to arrive a day early to camp in the future, I'm going to take FULL advantage of that!! It was so nice to just relax in the shade, watch my horses, read, nap, get my gear slowly set up and ready for the next day. Take them out for hand walks and just, in general, enjoy my time off.
The ride meeting was quick and easy. Vetting Strider in was simple as well. I gave my Renegades to a friend who needed them for her horse. Told her to just keep them. It's good karma, and I asked her, if she ever had the chance, to pay the karma forward to someone else.
Had some time to talk with my mentor, share the Doc. G electrolyte protocol and share some of my supplies so that she could try it out on their two horses. (Fast refresher; Enduramax powdered e-lytes, kaolin-pectin [or ProCMC] and a splash of CMPK). Spoiler Alert; My mentor said that she feels it really made a good difference in her two horses. She uses Perform and Win, but was happy with how it worked.
I ran into town after the ride meeting and spent some time at Braum's eating dinner, being lazy and checking up on my phone. Ran into WalMart for more ice and some beer for my mentor's husband and headed back to camp later than intended.
Crawled into bed around 10, but couldn't sleep. I'm always attuned to issues or just the general "noise" of camp. I read until I finally said I HAD to get some sleep.
Rolled over, and attempted to get some.
Tomorrow, our first LD!!
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
Hurry up and SLOW DOWN already!!!....or "If I don't have a nervous breakdown, it'll be a miracle"
This is going to be a record setting short post, though I have things to say. Go figure, right?
Tomorrow I make the drive to my first, and it's final, Llano Estacado endurance ride. This is north of Amarillo. I'm looking forward to going. Except for the drive. THAT intimidates me.
However, there's some....issues.
I noticed on Thursday when I went to pick up Kaylee that the truck's front passenger side tire was a little bald on the outside. So, I knew it needed a rotation.
Scheduled that for Saturday afternoon (we had obligations Saturday morning).
Well, so actually, it needed a new tire. I always buy in pairs, so two new tires, the nice rear tires rotated to the front and my best front tire as my new spare (the guy at Discount Tire was pretty sure it was the original spare with the truck based on the age).
GREAT!! In and out in an hour. READY TO GO!!
I run into the WalMart right next door to start getting supplies and head for home around 6ish.
The instant I get on IH35, it feels like the entire rear end of the truck is fishtailing all over the place. It's just all over the lane, and I'm white knuckle driving to get it to the gas station (needed fuel). I KNOW I'm not hallucinating, so tell Joe I need him to test drive it because there is something VERY VERY VERY wrong!!!
He can't drive it Saturday night (well, it's a long weekend, so he's already kicked back a few drinks). So, he takes it out Sunday morning and says "Yeah, suspension is shot."
Which, we had been told when we did the oil change/transmission flush earlier in the month, but...we thought we could wait a month or two before doing it.
Nope. It needs to be done NOW. Joe's words "The truck isn't even safe to drive."
So, we drive it down the street to the mechanic who did the oil change/transmission flush. I check online, doesn't say they're closed on Monday, so I make an online appointment for it first thing Monday.
Kind of shoots my plans to get hay on Monday...but...whatever, I'll get the truck back and I can at least PACK it Monday night and have it ready.
I drive to the mechanic Monday morning to drop off the keys....and...they're closed.
Cue my screaming and swearing and wailing.
Suffice to say, I left a key hidden on the truck this morning about an hour and half before they open. And, fingers crossed, they'll get him fixed up today!!! If not, well then...guess I'm leaving late tomorrow.
To add insult to injury, I managed to LOSE my bloody debit card on Saturday. So, I have to fly out of work today and run to the bank to get a new one.
The horses won't get their smushes and electrolytes today, but they got them Sunday and Monday.
The way I see it, if all the disasters happen to ME and they happen PRIOR to the ride, maybe things will go my way this time?
Maybe?
See you all post-Llano Estacado!!
Tomorrow I make the drive to my first, and it's final, Llano Estacado endurance ride. This is north of Amarillo. I'm looking forward to going. Except for the drive. THAT intimidates me.
However, there's some....issues.
I noticed on Thursday when I went to pick up Kaylee that the truck's front passenger side tire was a little bald on the outside. So, I knew it needed a rotation.
Scheduled that for Saturday afternoon (we had obligations Saturday morning).
Well, so actually, it needed a new tire. I always buy in pairs, so two new tires, the nice rear tires rotated to the front and my best front tire as my new spare (the guy at Discount Tire was pretty sure it was the original spare with the truck based on the age).
GREAT!! In and out in an hour. READY TO GO!!
I run into the WalMart right next door to start getting supplies and head for home around 6ish.
The instant I get on IH35, it feels like the entire rear end of the truck is fishtailing all over the place. It's just all over the lane, and I'm white knuckle driving to get it to the gas station (needed fuel). I KNOW I'm not hallucinating, so tell Joe I need him to test drive it because there is something VERY VERY VERY wrong!!!
He can't drive it Saturday night (well, it's a long weekend, so he's already kicked back a few drinks). So, he takes it out Sunday morning and says "Yeah, suspension is shot."
Which, we had been told when we did the oil change/transmission flush earlier in the month, but...we thought we could wait a month or two before doing it.
Nope. It needs to be done NOW. Joe's words "The truck isn't even safe to drive."
So, we drive it down the street to the mechanic who did the oil change/transmission flush. I check online, doesn't say they're closed on Monday, so I make an online appointment for it first thing Monday.
Kind of shoots my plans to get hay on Monday...but...whatever, I'll get the truck back and I can at least PACK it Monday night and have it ready.
I drive to the mechanic Monday morning to drop off the keys....and...they're closed.
Cue my screaming and swearing and wailing.
Suffice to say, I left a key hidden on the truck this morning about an hour and half before they open. And, fingers crossed, they'll get him fixed up today!!! If not, well then...guess I'm leaving late tomorrow.
To add insult to injury, I managed to LOSE my bloody debit card on Saturday. So, I have to fly out of work today and run to the bank to get a new one.
The horses won't get their smushes and electrolytes today, but they got them Sunday and Monday.
The way I see it, if all the disasters happen to ME and they happen PRIOR to the ride, maybe things will go my way this time?
Maybe?
See you all post-Llano Estacado!!
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Online Endurance 101 Clinic...or "How Can I Improve on What I Know?"
If you are in AERC (or even if you're not!) and are living under and rock and are unaware, Patti Stedman has an online "Endurance 101" course for about $30. I've been meaning to take it for a month or two now, and recently it was just time for me to get signed up to take it.
If you go to "Horse Learning Online" it takes you to the page you need to go to to sign up.
Direct from the webpage:
"In short, Endurance Essentials is for aspiring and new (and maybe not so new) distance riders who prefer to take a self-paced online course, or who do not have a live local Endurance 101 clinic happening in their neighborhood, it would provide an opportunity get both INSPIRED and EDUCATED about what it takes to successfully prepare for that first competition.
As anyone knows in our sport, there can be a steep learning curve to success.
Our vision for the course was to keep the content fundamental, to focus on the basics for assisting you in preparing to make it to your first competition — whether it be an AERC ride, or a Competitive Trail Ride, or a Ride and Tie — with the building blocks in place to have a successful ride.
But we also know that sometimes learners like to delve deeper, so along with the training comes a Resources PDF, with links to in-depth information — everything from blogs to books to endurance tack websites to more information about balanced hooves and electrolytes."
There are 5 Modules:
Endurance Essentials Module 1
Duration: 46 minutes
If you go to "Horse Learning Online" it takes you to the page you need to go to to sign up.
Direct from the webpage:
"In short, Endurance Essentials is for aspiring and new (and maybe not so new) distance riders who prefer to take a self-paced online course, or who do not have a live local Endurance 101 clinic happening in their neighborhood, it would provide an opportunity get both INSPIRED and EDUCATED about what it takes to successfully prepare for that first competition.
As anyone knows in our sport, there can be a steep learning curve to success.
Our vision for the course was to keep the content fundamental, to focus on the basics for assisting you in preparing to make it to your first competition — whether it be an AERC ride, or a Competitive Trail Ride, or a Ride and Tie — with the building blocks in place to have a successful ride.
But we also know that sometimes learners like to delve deeper, so along with the training comes a Resources PDF, with links to in-depth information — everything from blogs to books to endurance tack websites to more information about balanced hooves and electrolytes."
There are 5 Modules:
Endurance Essentials Module 1
Duration: 46 minutes
This module contains:
You Can Do This, The Different Distance Riding Sports and The Horse
Duration: 52 minutes
This module contains: The Feed, The Conditioning and Camping
Duration: 42 minutes
This module contains: The First Competition, Getting to Ride Camp and Vetting In
Duration: 53 minutes
This module contains: On Ride Day, After the Ride and Mentors and Resources
I do not plan on giving any more details than this (maybe a brief mention of each module, but we'll see). There is a great resource Patti has included with URLs related to each module.
If you haven't already read Patti's blog, I HIGHLY recommend it. It shouldn't take you very long to go through the entire blog itself (I believe it took me a week and a half).
In fact, here you go, just start here; Endurance Introspection
That takes you to the very first page of Patti's blog posts. You can glean a LOT of useful information from there, but I am very optimistic that I will learn even more from her online resource as well.
I am looking forward to getting started, and with the length of each module being about the length of my lunch hour, I plan on going through them during that period of time each day.
If you haven't already read Patti's blog, I HIGHLY recommend it. It shouldn't take you very long to go through the entire blog itself (I believe it took me a week and a half).
In fact, here you go, just start here; Endurance Introspection
That takes you to the very first page of Patti's blog posts. You can glean a LOT of useful information from there, but I am very optimistic that I will learn even more from her online resource as well.
I am looking forward to getting started, and with the length of each module being about the length of my lunch hour, I plan on going through them during that period of time each day.
Thursday, May 18, 2017
So, what's next....or "Let's Keep on Riding Because...WHY NOT?!"
At this point in this season, all I can do is laugh about the mishaps and non-completions.
I have learned.
I have learned shoes are NOT a failure as I once posted.
I have learned a Rider Option of ANY type is not a failure.
I have learned a new method of hydration for my horse.
This season has been about learning, for me. It has humbled me. Beaten me down. Scared me half to death. And taught me to never EVER say "Never will I ever...." Because, those endurance gremlins will have the last laugh.
Anyway, what's next on the horizon?
I was slated to take Dakini and Socks to "Old Glory". I've signed up. Mailed my check. Except, my heart isn't REALLY in that ride. The heat. A trotting horse. And then having to load up in a day or two to drive up to Amarillo. I was going to go, but I wasn't exactly "WAHOO LET'S DO THIS THING!" enthusiastic.
Joe asked if I would stay home. I know he didn't believe I would, but I said "Sure! I'll stay home."
So, I'm staying home.
I'm going to TRY and get in a ride that weekend. But, if I don't...then I just don't.
So, that just leaves Llano Estacado left to do. I'm sticking with the original plan; Strider/Dakini/Strider. LDs.
Both are completely capable. Both are good ponies.
I just...might seek to leave more middle of the pack with each of them on their respective days.
Just in case. ;)
I have learned.
I have learned shoes are NOT a failure as I once posted.
I have learned a Rider Option of ANY type is not a failure.
I have learned a new method of hydration for my horse.
This season has been about learning, for me. It has humbled me. Beaten me down. Scared me half to death. And taught me to never EVER say "Never will I ever...." Because, those endurance gremlins will have the last laugh.
Anyway, what's next on the horizon?
I was slated to take Dakini and Socks to "Old Glory". I've signed up. Mailed my check. Except, my heart isn't REALLY in that ride. The heat. A trotting horse. And then having to load up in a day or two to drive up to Amarillo. I was going to go, but I wasn't exactly "WAHOO LET'S DO THIS THING!" enthusiastic.
Joe asked if I would stay home. I know he didn't believe I would, but I said "Sure! I'll stay home."
So, I'm staying home.
I'm going to TRY and get in a ride that weekend. But, if I don't...then I just don't.
So, that just leaves Llano Estacado left to do. I'm sticking with the original plan; Strider/Dakini/Strider. LDs.
Both are completely capable. Both are good ponies.
I just...might seek to leave more middle of the pack with each of them on their respective days.
Just in case. ;)
Thursday, May 11, 2017
All the Other Ponies With the Pumped Up Kicks...or "How Strider Got Shoes; Round 2"
So, shoes and pads are set. I was a little later than I wanted to get to the barn, but I got there around 4:30. I'm supposed to have the horse off all food for an hour, but I gave him 40 minutes as the shoer was supposed to be there at 5:30. And he was pawing and pawing his impatience, so I finally just gave him his dose of Dormosedan gel and let it do it's thing.
Actually took him longer to settle down on it than previously. Maybe the remnants of food in his tummy? Or that I kept telling him to "STOPPIT!" when he'd start pawing. Not sure.
Anyway, we got our shoes and pads set on with relative ease. I forgot to take pictures at all last night. The setting seemed to go smoothly, and the shoer says I should be able to re-use these pads another time or two. Good to know. And as I'm new to shoes and pads, I asked what, if anything, should I squirt in there to prevent problems. "Thrush Buster". Okay then. I can do that.
Strider on Dormosedan is a funny creature. He gets real relaxed (note to self, give him some so we can get that sheath cleaned sometime in the near future!). I noticed at one point when he coughed, he kind of lost a little control of his bladder and splattered the mats beneath him.
And then, as the shoer was working on his left rear, Strider just couldn't hold it anymore.
So he peed. And peed. And kept on peeing. It was a river of pee and the shoer just kept doing his thing, despite the splash back (sorry, but he's a better man that I. I would have let the horse have his foot so I could get away from the stream of piss).
He, of course, had to wipe off the right rear foot to get it done.
So, once most of the dope wore off, I started walking him back to his pen, letting him get used to his new kicks.
Now, I will say as I was walking up the alley towards my pen I had an "Oh SHIT!" moment.
I had spaced out on the drug list for AERC. Now, I BELIEVE I had looked it up in the past, and my brain seemed to recall that Dormosedan has a 48 hour (Australia/FEI) to 72 hour withdrawal period (Canada). I did verify that this morning, so we should be in the clear Saturday afternoon, even with the 72 hour period in play.
I also noticed he had a small (about a dime size) bare spot on his back. It's scabbed and not raw or irritated, but it caused another moment of "Oh come ON please don't be hurt."
But, the more I looked at it, the more I realized, the saddle won't make any contact with it. I verified this with MM from the barn this morning. Sometimes just hearing it from someone else sets your mildly spiraling panic at ease.
Day 2 of electrolytes and smush went smoothly. I had left the big baggies of beet pulp out in the bed of the truck from when I left work all through the shoeing appointment. Still big blocks of ice. I think that because it's such a LARGE bag it does a great job staying cold thus doesn't melt well.
So, I prepped up both buckets, worked on catching Dakini again (approach, rub, retreat...she actually took off once, so I just kept my energy up and followed her and kept her feet moving until she finally stopped, then I stopped...and retreated). We were much quicker to get caught tonight, even with Socks loose in the pen.
Electrolytes went down smoothly again (well, as always, as smoothly as cramming a tube into a horses mouth and plunging down the contents can go). Withheld water and promptly placed their buckets of smush before them both.
Dakini went to town on hers again. She literally licked the bucket clean. And that's after I drizzled what little bit from my electrolyte container that I couldn't syringe up onto her feed. Mareface is amazing.
Strider also did very well. He left much less last night (maybe a handful and a half) which I split between him and Socks. Strider gets greedy if you go to share his food, and it renews his interest in eating. So, Socks got 3 fist sized servings of smush from my hand and Strider ate the rest.
Also of interesting note. When I went out Tuesday, they had filled both large water troughs to the tippy top. Actually, overflowing them some.
When I went out yesterday, one of the tanks was over half empty. I am going with my gut suspicion and saying that the electrolytes are really encouraging Strider and Dakini to tank up on water.
Tonight I head out again (I remembered my change of clothes!) and it will be a quick trip. I have to stop on the way to get a bale of hay. Feed. Make sure he's still looking good. I BADLY want to give him a bath. A large part of me wants to quickly bathe him before I throw him in the trailer tomorrow so I can clip his neck and rump. But, I'll have Kaylee in the truck. Maybe I can distract her with a video while I give him a fast bath before his electrolytes and bucket of smush in the trailer.
I have one last quick stop at a store to make (which I can actually do once I've dropped Kaylee off tomorrow).
Once I get home, it's a quick load and pack the truck, make sure both coolers are ready to go (one for food and one for beet pulp [it's extra water when the ice melts]).
I'm anxious. I'm nervous. I'm scared. And yet, I feel confident. If we don't get it done, it's not for lack of preparation, that's for sure.
T-Minus 1 day.
Actually took him longer to settle down on it than previously. Maybe the remnants of food in his tummy? Or that I kept telling him to "STOPPIT!" when he'd start pawing. Not sure.
Anyway, we got our shoes and pads set on with relative ease. I forgot to take pictures at all last night. The setting seemed to go smoothly, and the shoer says I should be able to re-use these pads another time or two. Good to know. And as I'm new to shoes and pads, I asked what, if anything, should I squirt in there to prevent problems. "Thrush Buster". Okay then. I can do that.
Strider on Dormosedan is a funny creature. He gets real relaxed (note to self, give him some so we can get that sheath cleaned sometime in the near future!). I noticed at one point when he coughed, he kind of lost a little control of his bladder and splattered the mats beneath him.
And then, as the shoer was working on his left rear, Strider just couldn't hold it anymore.
So he peed. And peed. And kept on peeing. It was a river of pee and the shoer just kept doing his thing, despite the splash back (sorry, but he's a better man that I. I would have let the horse have his foot so I could get away from the stream of piss).
He, of course, had to wipe off the right rear foot to get it done.
So, once most of the dope wore off, I started walking him back to his pen, letting him get used to his new kicks.
Now, I will say as I was walking up the alley towards my pen I had an "Oh SHIT!" moment.
I had spaced out on the drug list for AERC. Now, I BELIEVE I had looked it up in the past, and my brain seemed to recall that Dormosedan has a 48 hour (Australia/FEI) to 72 hour withdrawal period (Canada). I did verify that this morning, so we should be in the clear Saturday afternoon, even with the 72 hour period in play.
I also noticed he had a small (about a dime size) bare spot on his back. It's scabbed and not raw or irritated, but it caused another moment of "Oh come ON please don't be hurt."
But, the more I looked at it, the more I realized, the saddle won't make any contact with it. I verified this with MM from the barn this morning. Sometimes just hearing it from someone else sets your mildly spiraling panic at ease.
Day 2 of electrolytes and smush went smoothly. I had left the big baggies of beet pulp out in the bed of the truck from when I left work all through the shoeing appointment. Still big blocks of ice. I think that because it's such a LARGE bag it does a great job staying cold thus doesn't melt well.
So, I prepped up both buckets, worked on catching Dakini again (approach, rub, retreat...she actually took off once, so I just kept my energy up and followed her and kept her feet moving until she finally stopped, then I stopped...and retreated). We were much quicker to get caught tonight, even with Socks loose in the pen.
Electrolytes went down smoothly again (well, as always, as smoothly as cramming a tube into a horses mouth and plunging down the contents can go). Withheld water and promptly placed their buckets of smush before them both.
Dakini went to town on hers again. She literally licked the bucket clean. And that's after I drizzled what little bit from my electrolyte container that I couldn't syringe up onto her feed. Mareface is amazing.
Strider also did very well. He left much less last night (maybe a handful and a half) which I split between him and Socks. Strider gets greedy if you go to share his food, and it renews his interest in eating. So, Socks got 3 fist sized servings of smush from my hand and Strider ate the rest.
Also of interesting note. When I went out Tuesday, they had filled both large water troughs to the tippy top. Actually, overflowing them some.
When I went out yesterday, one of the tanks was over half empty. I am going with my gut suspicion and saying that the electrolytes are really encouraging Strider and Dakini to tank up on water.
Tonight I head out again (I remembered my change of clothes!) and it will be a quick trip. I have to stop on the way to get a bale of hay. Feed. Make sure he's still looking good. I BADLY want to give him a bath. A large part of me wants to quickly bathe him before I throw him in the trailer tomorrow so I can clip his neck and rump. But, I'll have Kaylee in the truck. Maybe I can distract her with a video while I give him a fast bath before his electrolytes and bucket of smush in the trailer.
I have one last quick stop at a store to make (which I can actually do once I've dropped Kaylee off tomorrow).
Once I get home, it's a quick load and pack the truck, make sure both coolers are ready to go (one for food and one for beet pulp [it's extra water when the ice melts]).
I'm anxious. I'm nervous. I'm scared. And yet, I feel confident. If we don't get it done, it's not for lack of preparation, that's for sure.
T-Minus 1 day.
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
Well, that went smoothly....or "How easy was that?! Almost TOO easy."
So, while I have a few hiccups to work out with frozen beet pulp (namely, getting it out of the freezer with enough time for it to thaw when I get to the barn), overall I would say the beet pulp/grain smush is a success! As is the kaolin pectin/enduramax mix.
As I left work, I grabbed my 2 baggies of beet pulp and my Rubbermaid container of electrolytes and headed out. Threw the baggies into the bed of the truck in the hopes any sun might help melt and thaw the ice.
Well, since there was a massive clap of thunder as I exited the building at work and a few scattered sprinkles as I drove to the barn, guess how well THAT plan worked? *sigh*
Pull into the barn, change into my barn clothes, and into Strider's bucket goes a scoop of his grain and his hoof supplement. And into Dakini's bucket, just a single scoop of grain.
I had texted the gentleman who feeds the horses to please skip the afternoon feed this week for my horse as I'd be taking care of it this week. So, when I pulled up to the pen, Strider assumed (correctly) I was there to stuff his face with food.
Now, lately I've been having some issues catching Dakini. So, I put Socks and Strider into the feeding pen in an attempt to catch Dakini.
After having her scramble away from me 4 different times, I left the halter on the fence and with just the rope wandered around. I would weave, pause, look at ANYTHING but her. Made sure to keep my energy low. Get near her and then leave (as long as she stood still and didn't move her feet). Go up, pet Strider, and then repeat the process, getting closer and closer to her.
After about the 3rd time, I was able to step up to her and pet her without her moving her feet. Retreat again, go pet Strider. And weave my way back to her. Repeat. Retreat.
I did this a few times until I finally looped the lead rope around her neck and led her to the front of the pen, haltered her and lead her out.
I got this feeling from her when I did that of "Dammit, I've been fooled. Now I'm going to have to work."
So, I'd had her bucket soaking in water and the massive frozen chunk of beet pulp. Poured some water over it, which helped to thaw some of the ice. Spent about 5 minutes breaking it up. Honestly, I think on a hot day, a frozen beet pulp/grain smush would probably taste divine to a horse.
Time for the electrolytes!
I actually LOVE this blend. It's smooth and flows easily AND doesn't gunk up my syringe like the applesauce/enduramax blend does. Neither was super impressed, but, I got it done.
Haltered and tied Socks off (so he wouldn't try and steal food) and then gave them both their buckets.
Dakini DIVED into hers and wolfed it down like a champ. And THEN she licked the bucket CLEAN!!
Now, I hadn't gotten ALL of her beet pulp melted and into her original smush (maybe 2 or 3 handfuls didn't make it in there?), so I tossed some water on it and put just straight beet pulp in front of her, which she worked on with a little less gusto, but still ate a good quantity of. I swear, she makes a better endurance horse than Strider does. EDPP on trail and devours anything I put in front of her. Really need to start working her up the distances as I'd planned. And then find a light or middleweight rider to pilot her.
Strider actually seemed to enjoy this combo with beet pulp in as compared to times in the past where he wouldn't eat if I dared foul his grain with beet pulp. I'm not sure if the rinsing helped (just seeing the amount of grit and dirt that comes off my SpeediBeet, that would perhaps explain his disdain for the regular beet pulp that I didn't rinse, just soaked) or if it was because he wanted to clear his palate of the electrolytes (I didn't rinse their mouths, just put their smush in front of them almost immediately). Either way, he didn't leave much smush in his bucket. What little was left I gave to Socks. And what little was left of Dakini's beet pulp he also got.
My overall impressions were that if it's always this way, I'm VERY happy with the end result. Both horses ate very well (truth be told, in one sitting, that was an entire DAYS worth of beet pulp, which they recommend be stretched out into 2 or 3 feedings; so I anticipated there being some left) and both horses took their electrolytes pretty well.
After I was done at the barn, I headed home and got started up on making up more baggies of frozen beet pulp.
I'm planning on taking 10 servings of beet pulp with me for this weekend, broken up.
I've broken down the current 1 gallon baggies I'm taking to the barn into 3 quart sized baggies. So, I'll be stretching out a single day's (actually, he'll be getting more than a single day's feeding) and then some over the course of one day.
1 stepping on the trailer.
1 at a stop.
1 when he gets off the trailer.
1 as a late afternoon meal.
1 as a bedtime meal.
At holds.
Post-ride.
1 stepping on the trailer.
1 at a stop.
So, with all of that in mind, I got to serious work last night. And got 24 quart sized baggies ready and labeled (1/3, 2/3, 3/3) and tossed them into the freezer last night. I got started at about quarter to 8 and wrapped up around 10:30 or so. Grateful that this SpeediBeet soaks so quickly!!
While soaking and rinsing, I quickly, again, made up today's batch of electrolytes and tossed it into the fridge. I'm not sure I need to refrigerate it, but, no harm in doing it, right?
Had a mild freak out that I should just keep working on rinsing and prepping since, in about 2 weeks after I get home, I'll need to have prepped enough beet pulp to run 2 on. And then I'll literally have 2 nights to wash and clean everything and get repacked to head out again and maintain 2. Might as well just rinse and prep this entire bag of beet pulp! And, while I'm at it, go ahead and order more kaolin pectin since each horse is getting about 8-9 oz of it a day right now to pre-load. And I'll be going through it quickly and won't have the time to wait for it. Also should just go ahead and order more Enduramax too. Because it would be AWFUL to run out. And, while I'm not running dangerously low, I think it'll go pretty quick.
Actually...*scampers off and just orders off Amazon* Done and done!! One less thing to fret over.
Tonight Strider's shoes and pads go on. I had laid out my jeans and sneakers to wear to the barn; and then realized I left them at home when I was halfway to work. ARGH!! Thankfully I keep a pair of sneakers in my desk at work, so I'll dart into Dollar General and look for a pair of pants and a shirt I can wear to the barn tonight.
Glad his feet are getting done. We've got some ugly toes and chipping happening. So, hoping that this shoeing goes well for him. I need them to last through this trim cycle. Douglas is free to pull them off when Strider shows up for training, but I need at LEAST a GOOD 4 weeks out of them.
T-Minus 2 days.
As I left work, I grabbed my 2 baggies of beet pulp and my Rubbermaid container of electrolytes and headed out. Threw the baggies into the bed of the truck in the hopes any sun might help melt and thaw the ice.
Well, since there was a massive clap of thunder as I exited the building at work and a few scattered sprinkles as I drove to the barn, guess how well THAT plan worked? *sigh*
Pull into the barn, change into my barn clothes, and into Strider's bucket goes a scoop of his grain and his hoof supplement. And into Dakini's bucket, just a single scoop of grain.
I had texted the gentleman who feeds the horses to please skip the afternoon feed this week for my horse as I'd be taking care of it this week. So, when I pulled up to the pen, Strider assumed (correctly) I was there to stuff his face with food.
Now, lately I've been having some issues catching Dakini. So, I put Socks and Strider into the feeding pen in an attempt to catch Dakini.
After having her scramble away from me 4 different times, I left the halter on the fence and with just the rope wandered around. I would weave, pause, look at ANYTHING but her. Made sure to keep my energy low. Get near her and then leave (as long as she stood still and didn't move her feet). Go up, pet Strider, and then repeat the process, getting closer and closer to her.
After about the 3rd time, I was able to step up to her and pet her without her moving her feet. Retreat again, go pet Strider. And weave my way back to her. Repeat. Retreat.
I did this a few times until I finally looped the lead rope around her neck and led her to the front of the pen, haltered her and lead her out.
I got this feeling from her when I did that of "Dammit, I've been fooled. Now I'm going to have to work."
So, I'd had her bucket soaking in water and the massive frozen chunk of beet pulp. Poured some water over it, which helped to thaw some of the ice. Spent about 5 minutes breaking it up. Honestly, I think on a hot day, a frozen beet pulp/grain smush would probably taste divine to a horse.
Time for the electrolytes!
I actually LOVE this blend. It's smooth and flows easily AND doesn't gunk up my syringe like the applesauce/enduramax blend does. Neither was super impressed, but, I got it done.
Haltered and tied Socks off (so he wouldn't try and steal food) and then gave them both their buckets.
Dakini DIVED into hers and wolfed it down like a champ. And THEN she licked the bucket CLEAN!!
Now, I hadn't gotten ALL of her beet pulp melted and into her original smush (maybe 2 or 3 handfuls didn't make it in there?), so I tossed some water on it and put just straight beet pulp in front of her, which she worked on with a little less gusto, but still ate a good quantity of. I swear, she makes a better endurance horse than Strider does. EDPP on trail and devours anything I put in front of her. Really need to start working her up the distances as I'd planned. And then find a light or middleweight rider to pilot her.
Strider actually seemed to enjoy this combo with beet pulp in as compared to times in the past where he wouldn't eat if I dared foul his grain with beet pulp. I'm not sure if the rinsing helped (just seeing the amount of grit and dirt that comes off my SpeediBeet, that would perhaps explain his disdain for the regular beet pulp that I didn't rinse, just soaked) or if it was because he wanted to clear his palate of the electrolytes (I didn't rinse their mouths, just put their smush in front of them almost immediately). Either way, he didn't leave much smush in his bucket. What little was left I gave to Socks. And what little was left of Dakini's beet pulp he also got.
My overall impressions were that if it's always this way, I'm VERY happy with the end result. Both horses ate very well (truth be told, in one sitting, that was an entire DAYS worth of beet pulp, which they recommend be stretched out into 2 or 3 feedings; so I anticipated there being some left) and both horses took their electrolytes pretty well.
After I was done at the barn, I headed home and got started up on making up more baggies of frozen beet pulp.
I'm planning on taking 10 servings of beet pulp with me for this weekend, broken up.
I've broken down the current 1 gallon baggies I'm taking to the barn into 3 quart sized baggies. So, I'll be stretching out a single day's (actually, he'll be getting more than a single day's feeding) and then some over the course of one day.
1 stepping on the trailer.
1 at a stop.
1 when he gets off the trailer.
1 as a late afternoon meal.
1 as a bedtime meal.
At holds.
Post-ride.
1 stepping on the trailer.
1 at a stop.
So, with all of that in mind, I got to serious work last night. And got 24 quart sized baggies ready and labeled (1/3, 2/3, 3/3) and tossed them into the freezer last night. I got started at about quarter to 8 and wrapped up around 10:30 or so. Grateful that this SpeediBeet soaks so quickly!!
While soaking and rinsing, I quickly, again, made up today's batch of electrolytes and tossed it into the fridge. I'm not sure I need to refrigerate it, but, no harm in doing it, right?
Had a mild freak out that I should just keep working on rinsing and prepping since, in about 2 weeks after I get home, I'll need to have prepped enough beet pulp to run 2 on. And then I'll literally have 2 nights to wash and clean everything and get repacked to head out again and maintain 2. Might as well just rinse and prep this entire bag of beet pulp! And, while I'm at it, go ahead and order more kaolin pectin since each horse is getting about 8-9 oz of it a day right now to pre-load. And I'll be going through it quickly and won't have the time to wait for it. Also should just go ahead and order more Enduramax too. Because it would be AWFUL to run out. And, while I'm not running dangerously low, I think it'll go pretty quick.
Actually...*scampers off and just orders off Amazon* Done and done!! One less thing to fret over.
Tonight Strider's shoes and pads go on. I had laid out my jeans and sneakers to wear to the barn; and then realized I left them at home when I was halfway to work. ARGH!! Thankfully I keep a pair of sneakers in my desk at work, so I'll dart into Dollar General and look for a pair of pants and a shirt I can wear to the barn tonight.
Glad his feet are getting done. We've got some ugly toes and chipping happening. So, hoping that this shoeing goes well for him. I need them to last through this trim cycle. Douglas is free to pull them off when Strider shows up for training, but I need at LEAST a GOOD 4 weeks out of them.
T-Minus 2 days.
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