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. 

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.

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.

Armadillo Run (take 3)....or "Part two"

Finally rolled out of my trailer around 6 and got to work.  Pulled Socks out of his pen and started getting him dressed.

I mean, as always, he looks gorgeous once he's dressed!

Yes, reins on.  What you can't see is my "Booma Rein" holder
to prevent them from falling over his head.

Ears up and a happy face!!  My body was already flinching.

I made sure to put my HRM on, and when I turned on my Garmin...nothing.  In fact, my Garmin started acting SUPER strange.  Like the numbers went sliding sideways.  The ONLY field that worked was pace per mile.  I'm unsure what happened, and I turned it off and on several times, but it never EVER wanted to work.  Frustrating.  BUT, I have my watch, so I can keep an eye on the time, which is really all I NEED to do.  HRM is just bonus.

I almost forgot to eat my own breakfast and prep my water, so quickly did that.  I also pre-loaded some Aleve.  I walked over to another friend's trailer (we were going to start out together, and I said I'd drop back when I needed to [spoiler alert; I needed to]).  She then asked if someone had come by my trailer yet to tell me that the LD's start time had been pushed back to 8:30.

I was already upset the LD's were going to start at 8.  It was hot and humid, and I prefer to get started as early as possible so I can get as much as I can done before it gets too hot.

But, that just wasn't to be.  Lovely.

Trail opens, and we do as I'd planned.  Left mid-pack.  It was great.  He was forward.  Happy.  Straining to go.  But not uncontrollable.

We settled in behind D and her large mare and away we went.  Trot, trot, trot.  I actually didn't feel bad.  Socks wasn't slamming my spine into fine sand, he was happy and forward, ears pricked.  D was a little faster than I wanted to go, so we slowed up just a little.

And, in a brief stretch with horses a little behind us, and trail open before us, he spooks at an invisible Boogeyman, and off I tumble.  Two for two at Armadillo where I've come out of the saddle.  I heave a huge sigh, laugh, and the ladies behind me are kind enough to wait (despite my telling them to go ahead and move on, we're okay!) while I hop back on.

Away we move again.

At this point, I'm hot and sticky, and Socks gets me a little TOOOOOO close to a ribbon on a tree, so it clings to my body, and off it and the clothespin come.  Great.  I hear a voice sing out a few horses behind me "I knew you were competitive Erin, but you don't need to sabotage the trail!" with a laugh following!  It's Zurkh's Mom!!!  I crack up and hollar back "Well, you know me, always fighting to win LAST PLACE!!!"

I do manage to get it pinned back on a tree as we keep up our rhythm, but I know that this speed is NOT sustainable for him and I, and the way he's fighting to keep up is NOT healthy for him, so I slow him back down and we drop back again.

He's strong, my hands hurt a little bit, and so do my shoulders.

See?  Compare this image from our first year and they're light years different! And look at GREAT he looks!
Photo by John Nowell (purchased image)

At some point on this loop, we're going along, all alone, and he spooks.  I cannot figure out what caused it, so from my mouth pours some filth (something along the lines of "What the FUCK Socks?! ASSHOLE!!!").  THEN I hear the hoofbeats behind me.  I turn and realize it's Doc Conway and his wife, and I probably turned a million shades of red. 

"I am SO sorry!!!"  

"Don't worry about it!  He probably heard us coming up behind him like a freight train."

I'm hoping that he doesn't put me together as I'm not on Strider as we fall behind them because Socks is back to fighting to keep up.

First loop done, 8 miles down.  We did a pulse down and trot by (had to take a few extra minutes to bring his HR down, but no big deal).

Armadillo Run; First Loop

Swing back up (okay, so not gracefully, I didn't tighten my cinch quite like I need to, so, saddle rolled, and I about fell off...from a MOUNTING BLOCK...in front of the RM!  Lovely).

Back out for loop two.  We're chugging along, and we tuck in behind a junior on the CUTEST mule and his sponsor at some point, and keep on going.  I get a little concerned that he refuses to drink at ANY of the troughs.  He thinks the herd he needs to catch is ahead, and he cannot seem to settle down enough to drink.  The humidity is sky high (at some point my mentor mentioned it was like 90% humidity) and I'm dripping sweat.

He's still chugging along, happy to go, ears forward.

Telling the photographer this isn't our good side.  Look at him!
Photo by John Nowell (picture purchsaed)

 Before I know it, we're almost back to camp.  Hop off, loosen cinch and walk in.

Armadillo Run; Loop 2

Pulse through fine (5 minutes to get him to drop), and head off to see the vet. 

And that's where the wheels came off.  Jugular Refill and Skin Tenting, C's.  And, at our trot out...slight gait aberration.  I was told to go back to the trailer and see if we can't figure out why he's slightly off.  Maybe some hoof boots?

I'm basically resigned to pulling, then see my mentor and her husband, and a lightbulb goes off as I go over to ask if they might have any boots for him.  We go to check, and immediately her husband sees the problem.

Remember when I said trust your instincts?  Yep, should have used the bell boots I didn't buy!!  He'd torn up his heels.

I briefly considered borrowing a pair, and then said "No.  That's not right."

My first instinct was the right one.  Pull.  For his welfare.  So, we did.  And I have zero regrets about it.  I laugh and realize I'm going to be chasing those last 5 miles for my LD patch for who knows HOW long.  Who cares.  My ride record is crap, but I'm having fun overall, and learning as I go.  And, I didn't push nor ask him to do anything.  He willingly gave.  And as humid as it was, things could have gone south, so I'm grateful we did the smart thing and pulled.

Our vetting in on Friday night.  As usual, all A's for Socks the Fox!!

And after 14 miles.  Those C's worry me.  But, the humidity probably had a large hand in that!

I spent some time at camp relaxing.  Waited for my new friend and her reiner turned endurance QH to come back to camp.  They looked great when they came back in!!!  And my friend D on her horse finished as well!! 

Overall, it was a great ride.  I had a great time!!  Socks had a great time!  I actually didn't hurt at all as I packed up camp on Saturday evening.

Storms were rolling in, and Joe had to work on Sunday, so I knew I wasn't staying for the breakfast on Sunday morning.  The drive home was painless and easy, though the last few hours were a little hard as I was getting tired. 

Once again, if you're ever in Texas in October, come do the Armadillo Run ride.  The ride managers are simply the best.  And it was at this ride in 2014 that I FINALLY started feeling comfortable in my endurance tribe.  Why?  Because this ride manager, who also is the in/out timer at most of our rides, called me by NAME because she RECOGNIZED me.  And as such, this ride has earned a place in my heart. 

Good job Socks.

PS-He now has TWO brand new pairs of bell boots in my tack trunk.  I'll NEVER make that mistake again!!

Armadillo Run (take 3)....or "Trust your instincts, they're not wrong"

I'm pretty bad with ride write ups!  But, FINALLY here is part 1 of my "Armadillo Run" write up! 

Thursday was a fast run to Tractor Supply to get a gallon of Kaolin Pectin, more CMPK, 2 square bales and a bale of alfalfa for Armadillo Run.

Socks was brought up Wednesday night to begin his electrolyte protocol.  He's so laid back that I can dump the mix into his beet pulp/grain "tea" (it's more water than food) and he'll lick the pan/bucket clean. 

Thursday, repeat.

Now, I waffled back and forth Thursday evening evening, should I pen him up, making it easier to load and go Friday morning?  Or let him have the freedom of movement and stay with his herd overnight.

I opted to do the best thing for my horse, and left him out.

Now, Thursday was our wedding anniversary, but I pretty much warned Joe, I was going to be busy with horse stuff all night long.  Because, as we all probably know at this point, I'm a professional at procrastinating.  Which means the tack/changing room in my trailer was STILL a mess.  And that's where I sleep.  So, I HAD to get it cleaned out.  I did NOT want to do that on Friday once I got to ride camp.  I was done with that before 9pm, and even moved my big tack trunk to the barn after grabbing 2 blankets out that I thought I -might- need at camp.  FYI-I didn't need them.

So, early to bed so I could be up early Friday morning.  I still needed to hook up to the truck in the morning, but I had it loaded with my clothes and blankets and such. 

Got up, loaded the last few things and took my final pre-ride shower.  It was still dark at 5am as I was loading the last few things into the truck and then hooking up to the trailer.  At 6, I headed out looking for the horses.  I know they're out in the back pasture as I hadn't seen them out front.  I grabbed a flashlight and, I saw Zurkh's form gleaming as he laid in the grass.  I couldn't resist going over to him and snuggling him for a few minutes.  He was quite content to lay there as Tilly wandered over, wanting to know what I was doing to "my Zurkh".  He then told me he wanted to get up, so I moved, while sweeping my flashlight around, looking for 1 or 2 dark forms. 

Nothing.  So I kept walking. 

And walking. 

More walking.

At this point, I figured I would be better off to just go grab the ATV with its bright lights and come back to look.  Except, I see, tucked behind Tilly (who had followed me some of the way), 4 high whites.  SOCKS.  *sigh*

I ask aloud "Okay, so where is Strider guys?"  And there he is, that SUPER dark spot between Tilly and Zurkh.  Horses.  Sometimes I think they're jokesters at my expense.

As always, get Socks loaded quickly (he's such a saint), and hit the road.


Now, I realize as I'm fixing to leave, Socks USUALLY is ridden in bell boots.  Now, H had bought me 2 rubber gum ones, but they're size large.  I hadn't tried him on them yet, so went to go through my tack trunk to see if I could scrounge up a pair of his bell boots.

I found 1.  Not useful.  Considered stopping and getting him a pair....and then...didn't.  Trust your instincts.  They're not wrong.  But, I was trying to do this ride on the cheap, and didn't want to spend the money.  So, figured the ones H had gotten me would probably fit, so I'd be ok.

The drive was uneventful.  We did a quick stop for groceries.  I spent maybe $25 for food, and didn't eat all of it.  If nothing else, Bo and Linda make sure riders are well fed all weekend long. 

I pull in to ride camp and have a decision to make.  Park where I've parked the past 2 years?  It's open, quiet, NO neighbors, and I can make my pen whatever size I want.  BUT, it's far from the potties, and vet check, and it's in the sun with really no shade.

NOPE!! 

So, I camped in a new spot this year.  As I'm pulling in, I see one of the Blazin' Belles already pulled in and set up, some buckets beside her camp, so I pull down past them, swing wide and pick my spot.  It's a hike from VC, but near the potties AND gets my horse in the shade if I set him back far enough.

Off load and start setting up.

As always, quick and painless.  I'm getting better and better at this part of the endurance process.  The ground was harder than normal, so I had to hammer in my posts.  Unusual, especially since A from the Blazin' Belles mentioned a brief storm had rolled through a little before I got there.  Soften the ground?  NOPE!!  HARD!!! 

As I'm getting established, a new lady pulls in next to me on the other side, and we get to chit chatting.  Another new friend made!!  Who actually happens to be friends with another Paso rider here in my region with a 100 miler Paso.  COOL!!! 

We get smacked with another brief storm (maybe 30 or so minutes), so I hang out in my trailer and read and relax.  That's always nice!

We get vetted in around 5 or 6, prior to ride meeting.  I really like to let my horse relax.  Tank up on water and hay and I made Socks another slushy meal.  As normal, he vets in with a lower HR than Strider ever seems to.  *sigh*  Arabs. 

I try the bell boots on that H had bought me, realize they're so large, I fear rubs.  Consider the Mueller tape I'd bought; discard that idea.  Vet wrap?  Nope, discard that idea too.  The last few rides we'd done, he hadn't overreached, so maybe we're past that?

Any which way, I get settled in for the night after giving him some more electrolytes, another meal, and more fresh hay and I take just a moment to say good night before I turn in.

And realize, I've talked about my set up post "The Ride Which Shall Not Be Mentioned", but I've never really gotten good pictures of it at night.

Here's the quick breakdown.

I ordered a set of beta tack from "Trail Blazers Tack" off Facebook for Dakini in wine and reflective silver (I've shown it before on this blog).
I ordered indoor/outdoor "fairy lights" in 100 feet (came with a remote control even!) that I string up on my pen.
I bought some inexpensive solar lights that I stake/zip tie to all corners of my pen and then put sporadically on posts as well for additional light.
I USUALLY tie a glow stick to the halter overnight (for this ride, I forgot).
And I JUST bought battery operated bands to go around the pastern.

No, I don't play anymore.  People think the lights are pretty, but they serve a few purposes on my fence.  One, so that my horse can SEE the barrier at night.  Two, so that any potential LOOSE horses can see the barrier at night.  Three, to add one additional layer of "fencing" for my horses.

Glowstick on the halter.  Light up high, so if they get loose, I stand a chance of seeing it.

Reflective?  Shine a light on my horse, I can see them.

Battery operated bands?  Again, lost, hopefully I'll see them, even if they ARE down low!

Lights on the pen at the corners?  Again, to help ward off loose horses so they don't go crashing through my pen.

These were ALL ideas tossed about after that unfortunate incident, so I have put ALL of them to use in my camp.

And these photos are the end result.

Not a great picture because of the flash, but this is my usual set up.  Socks is in Dakini's old tack, so it's silver reflective.  "Fairy" lights that twinkle all night long.  Solar lights at all corners and some of the posts.  And, a new addition, blue flashing pastern bands for my horse.  I usually also do a glow stick on the halter, but didn't for this ride.

This is what it looks like without the flash on! 

And a profile view of my pen.

So, I set my alarm for 4 am to do another electrolyte dose, a little bit of beet pulp and I doze until about 6 for our 8 am start time.

Monday morning musings....or "Same ol' same ol'..."

Ever follow a blog, and then it just abruptly stops?  I always wonder where those bloggers went.  What happened to them? 

Some I know transitioned to Facebook.  But more often than not, they just seem to disappear for no reason I can discern.  I always wish they'd come back just once more to say goodbye.  As I've mentioned, I go back to the start of every single blog I read and work my way through.  I don't care how many years of blogging you've done, I'm going start to current.  So, if I've invested ANY time at all into your blog, understand, I'm interested in you and your life.  Don't vanish on me, ok?

Why do mushrooms grow so well out of horse poop?  I have mushrooms growing willy nilly at the house.  They're fascinating, and they amuse me, but they sure do seem to love growing in shit.  And why do horse poop mushrooms look so different from the other types?  I'm sure there's a reason for all of these things, but, I'm not feeling inspired enough to go hit up Google and ask why.

Why do passwords have to expire?  No, seriously...why?  And why don't you get reminders about how the password should be structured?  Some websites will remind you that your password will have required both letters AND symbols.  But, more often than not, they don't remind you of that, so I'm there banging out my password (I have just a few variations on the same theme), over and over again, whirling through my combinations, to be locked out.  So I reset it, and when I'm resetting my password, it reminds me I need both letters and symbols, and when I go to do it...well, guess what?  That was my previous password, so sorry, you can't use that one!  So. Frustrating.  And incites a level of rage on a Monday morning that I probably shouldn't have. 

I don't like Gala apples.  Not sure why.  Maybe because the fruit is so soft?  But I love a Granny Smith apple.  The tart and the 'crunch'.  My favorite. 

So sorry I'm so tired.  I think that right now life is a little stale for me.  I'm not really riding.  I did trim up Socks' feet on Friday evening because he was cracking and chipping.  And I did learn something fascinating.  I am LESS concerned about screwing up his feet than I am about Strider's feet.  And I suspect there's a lot of factors at play there.

With Strider, if I take off too much heel or I don't push that toe back far enough, it stresses his tendons.  And he's already prone to tenderness with his tendons.  So I don't want my poor trim job to be the root cause of that. 

With Socks, well, everything about him is so "go with the flow" that it's ridiculous.  He stands still like a statue when I'm trimming his feet (Strider isn't BAD, but he will wiggle and squirm).  I did remember a few things Holly had gone over with me when doing Strider's feet.  Socks remains fairly well in balance, but he does flare to the outside some.  But, I was able to easily clean up his feet and get them rasped up, and they looked WORLDS better. 

But, here's the magic.  I know that, for the horse's health, their feet really DO need to be trimmed properly.  But, Socks has a higher tolerance for my mistakes, if that makes sense?  So, while I can butcher the job, as long as I haven't LAMED him, he'll be okay ultimately.  So I was able to just nip, nip, nip around, level things out, rasp and round the toes....and when I set his feet down, while I know that a professional would look at them and point out issues, I felt good. 

Tonight I need to rasp Strider's toes back again on all 4.  Check his feet.  And then fit on the shells for the Easy Boots I've got sitting in the house. 

I'm fairly certain that he will be sitting out Armadillo Run at the moment.  I will re-evaluate him this weekend and see where he's at though.  I keep hoping he'll bounce back so I can take him. 

Otherwise, I'll go and take Socks again.  Which I both look forward to...and dread.  Socks ADORES the rides.  LOVES them.  Just, my body doesn't.  But, we'll take it nice and slow.  I believe I'll be potentially sponsoring a junior through this ride (unless it's hot and humid, then her mother will drop and do the LD with her).  And...oh PLEASE let me get it done.  Because I am 5 miles away from my 250 LD patch.  I ONLY NEED 5 MILES!!!!

So, bring it on home Socks.  Or Strider.  PLEASE let it be Strider.  But, if not, then bring it on home Socks!!!!

Work it girl!!!...or "How all the ponies modeled new tack"

Forewarning.

Photo heavy post.

So, a week or so before our endurance ride, I ordered a trail halter/bridle, breast collar and hackamore noseband for Dakini from Janet Grimes Stoltz of Trail Blazer Tack.  Earlier this year (maybe late last year?) she had posted this gorgeous set of wine/reflective silver and I saved it because I KNEW it would look good on Dakini.

I finally took the plunge and went all out on this set.  I upgraded everything and did what I wanted.  Because, how often do I order such things for my horses?

Padded noseband and breast collar.  Diamond cut.  Bling!  Upgraded hardware. 

And the final result looks FANTASTIC!!

I put just the halter/bridle and breastcollar on all 3 horses.  Really, looks the best on Dakini, is okay on Strider and just isn't my thing on Socks.  But, push comes to shove and someone needs to wear it, they'll wear it!!

(PS-Sorry she's so filthy!!)

And then, I tossed it on Socks!!

He didn't look over impressed with the whole thing.  And is so chill that he didn't care that I was jumping up and down and hollaring in an attempt to get his ears forward.  Crazy Arab?  No.  Not even close.

And then, Strider's turn!!

In his, I snapped more photos of the detail that Janet does which, for me, puts her stuff over the top.

Bling on the keeper loops.  Beautiful buckles.  Bling on the strap that attaches to the cinch for goodness sake!! 

And she was easy to work with.  I had the set in my hands in a little over a week from the day I ordered it to delivery to my box. 

HIGHLY recommend Trail Blazers Tack (Janet Grimes Stoltz) on Facebook!!

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.

Tune up time....or "On teaching Strider to be less of a pain..."

I enjoy doing ground work.  I really and truly do.  I'm not GOOD at it, but I like to mess with a horse on the ground, and if I know how to teach a skill, I enjoy teaching that skill to a horse.  Something about seeing them learn and grow is immensely satisfying to me.  In a different life, I'd have enjoyed being a "recreational" horse trainer; buying green horses and putting a handle on them.

The reality though is I'm just not an accomplished enough rider and I lack the tools to teach a horse much more than the most basic of fundamentals.  I can overcome those issues by studying with someone; but I cannot overcome my lack of free time to do such things.

So, quite recently I realized it's PAST time to address Strider's quirks that make him a right royal PITA to deal with. 

So, I reached out to my farrier extraordinaire, Holly, to see if she was still doing training.  She isn't, sadly, but her son is. 

I took a few moments to weigh it out.  Holly is very affectionate with horses, but is no nonsense when they're working or act naughty (she has, in fact, corrected Strider in his younger years when she would trim him, and she was firm, but fair).  Her son perhaps isn't as "lovey" on horses, but he's no nonsense and gets results.  So, I feel that they will be a good match to work together.

Strider doesn't need "loved" on.  And, with Holly there, he'll get the loving from her. 

So, after Llano Estacado, Strider will get dropped off for another 30 days.

Goals?

Stand STILL!  He doesn't do this, and it's downright obnoxious at vet checks.  I suspect teaching him to ground tie is the answer to my problem.  And I know the fundamentals of it.  But figure I'll let someone else get that on him.

Yield the hind and forequarters.

Sidepass.

Open gates.

In general, let's see how much of an "all around" trail horse we can make him as well.


Icing on the cake is figuring out WHY he "bunny bucks" and seeing if that can be removed from his little brain.

The reality is that I want all of these things in case I should ever want to dabble in NATRC.  Also, it will just make him a more pleasant partner to have around.  And safer for our vets.  It kind of haunts me that at Shanghai the vet had to take him in hand and correct him.  I feel pretty awful about that.  Which is what sort of launched "Operation Tune Up".

Now, so Strider's all signed up.

My thoughts turn to Dakini.  She's a great little horse.  Needs to know more.  Gain confidence in herself.  Be balanced at a canter.  Learn to do trail obstacles too. 

For her, she needs a more "lovey" trainer.  She's a sensitive soul.  She needs no nonsense, but someone who will love on her.  So, now I'm on the hunt for that trainer.  I'm planning on sending her out for 30 days.  At some point this year.  Perhaps she will go sometime this summer as well.  My little "problem" child horse.  :)

Sometime this year, I also am planning on sending Socks for his 30 days.  Same lessons as Strider, although he needs some strengthening on his butt I think to make his canter less "ouchy" for his rider as well as learning how to negotiate trail obstacles and such.  Socks is such a friendly fellow that he also will probably go to Holly's son.  A large part of me is looking at making Socks my back-up to my back-up LD horse as he's in his 18th year now (certainly not OLD, but getting older), but really, making him a safe horse for Kaylee.

Strider is DEFINITELY going.  So is Dakini (once I find a good 'match' for her personality).  Socks is a "Well, he'll probably go this year....or next year.  But sometime."

And I'm kind of excited about it!!

Shopping List/Wish List...or "Small Purchases for Long-term Improvement"

So, since Shanghai Trails, I haven't stepped on a horse since.

Well, until the 14th.  It was a combination of recovery (I really had no idea I'd feel as badly as I felt) and probably a bit of anxiety.  Seems like when the wheels shoot off (as compared to falling off), I get scared and doubt myself and the sanity of endurance. 

But I can't seem to fully quit my drug of choice. 

So, I've been reading and researching.  And buying. 

I just acquired two of these:

Why?  Because Dr. Susan Garlinghouse mentioned them in a seminar at the AERC convention, and if they work for Dr. G, and for my friend who jotted down notes, then it's time I started using them too!!  Ordered two and in red...to match the RedDraggin', naturally.

I've got my Tractor Supply shopping list:
Muck Bucket (to soak hay in on the trips...or for rides where we have to tote it back out...line it with a trashbag liner and fill it)

Steel trash can (this stays at the barn..apparently a rat thinks Strider's ProForce Fuel is DELICIOUS, so...I need another can)

35 gallon "Incredible Solutions trash can" (inexpensive way to haul another 35 gallons of water to a ride for a mere $25)

 CMPK (replace the one I currently have)

I also will be ordering the ProCMC and some small wide-mouth jars.

Suffice to say, I've been studying the electrolyte protocols and committing to them in earnest going forward. 

I WILL:
Electrolyte 3 days leading up to the ride once a day
Electrolyte prior to loading onto the trailer
IN the trailer in the new buckets will be a soupy/wet mash of ProForce Fuel, Rice Bran and some rinsed beet pulp (actually, looking into the SpeediBeet which doesn't have molasses AND only needs to soak for 10 minutes!)
Electrolyte after getting out of the trailer
Electrolyte at bedtime
I will get up early and electrolyte
And before I get in the saddle I will electrolyte
I will electrolyte every hour to hour and a half on the trail
I will carry carrots (87% water) and apples (84% water) with me on trail
1 hour POST ride, I will electrolyte again

Current plan is:
Last Hoorah! Strider - 50 miles
Old Glory; Dakini and Socks on deck - 25 miles each day
Llano Estacado; Strider/Dakini/Strider - 25 miles each day

Then this insane Spring season is over for us.  They all get to relax and be horses for the summer (with some sporadic riding here and there).  I will probably pull Strider's shoes for the summer, but not totally sure yet.