Who is my equestrian idol.
Well of course we all would like to be more like Buck, or Dennis, or Clinton, or Parelli, or Charlie Hill, or any of those big name guys who seem to have it all figured out.
Temple Grandin of course is also just amazing.
But my real idols?????
Well that would be the most amazing women I have met through Equine Blogging.
Let me tell you why.
The first blog I ran across was when I searching out information on stringhalt. The first one I found was Shannon's. Through her I found more, and more and more. I have a pretty huge reading list now and everyone blogs about different things, but there is one thing that many, if not all of us have in common. It seems we almost all have at least one horse with special needs of some kind. For some it is physical, for others it is in regards to training. Many of the blogs I read share a common theme of women who work so hard to keep not so sound horses, more sound, or at least comfortable.
I feel that I am often surrounded by people who say, "Why are you going to all that trouble for that old horse, or that unbroke mare?" They would have me ship them off to slaughter, or just take them out and shoot them. I believe, that with perseverance, my horses can be helped. I am willing to go the extra mile for them. I am lucky enough to have a man in my life who feels the same way. But truthfully I felt isolated in my goals, and often felt depressed when even the vets had nothing more to say than, "He can't be helped".
Then I found you folks, the ones who treat their horses with EPM instead of just putting them down. The one who duct tapes her little donkey's foot (with a hole in it) and searches for new boots that will fit him. The ones who rescue mustangs and give them a new life. The one who has the for sight to chose leasing a horse for now, until she is more prepared to own. The ones who have learned how to do their own trimming. The one who is starting over with her Arabians to rebuild their foundation. The ones who rescue the donkeys in NM. The one with the Morgans. The one who pulled off the shoes of her mare and rehabed her into a barefoot life of comfort. The one who lost "her guy" but then was able to rescue the mammoth brothers, even through the pain of her loss. All of it...all of you. I'm sure there are some I have left out, but every blog I read is included in this.
YOU LADIES ARE AMAZING!!!!!!!
At a time when most of the world sees animals as disposable, I have run across a group of people spread out all over the world who go to great lengths to help horses with different health issues. This is a big deal to me.
As far as I am concerned it is people like you that are the real hero's of the equine world. Not the big time trainers who make all kinds of money. It is you ladies, who keep on keeping on, for the love of your horses, and donkeys, and dogs.
You are the people I want to be when I grow up.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Experimenting with Shenanigans
Well lets see if I am smarter than my computer.....
Here are a few of the pics I took this morning. I had to upload to my header, then delete so they would be saved to my blog. Then open a new post so that I could include them here. Yup pure genius!
Here are a few of the pics I took this morning. I had to upload to my header, then delete so they would be saved to my blog. Then open a new post so that I could include them here. Yup pure genius!
 |
| Danny runs funny, but Trax doesn't hold it against him |
 |
| Can you see the joy in his eyes? |
 |
| Terrible lighting even after editing |
I love this one!
With his hair squished down from the blanket he
does not look quite so chunky
Can you guess what Big K is saying to me?
Sassy and K did not roll first thing.
I'm not sure why because Sassy usually does
Killian's first order of business...
Make sure Danny knows who's boss
I took this one to show how K's mouth is shaped different.
Most horses always look like they are frowning
he usually looks like he is smiling
but now I don't see that here :(
Can you Strangle a Computer?
I am so fed up with computers. My computer at home is archaic. I cannot edit any pics there, and most pics I take need a little help. My internet service (Wild Blue) is the worst (but all I can get). Remember the video I posted the other day of Jalan Crossland? It is a 4:02 min video. It took 324 minutes to upload that to you tube. I'd be better off with dial up. It wouldn't be that big of a deal if I wasn't paying top dollar for that lousy service. Over 100 a month and if I go over my alloted "usage" they cut my service in half. I hate that company.
I have a great computer at work, but for some reason everything has gone whacko. I cannot upload a pic to my blog from here. For some reason our internet service at work is all jacked up. It takes forever to load a page and sometimes it never does and I have to start over. This is true for all websites. My banking websites, parts suppliers websites, and my personal non work related stuff too.
IT says they have fixed it, but everymorning it starts again.
(Before you think less of me for doing personal computer stuff while on the clock, let me point out, that the shop guys take smoke breaks. I take blog breaks.)
Ok, moving on.....
For Christmas Tom gave me an IOU for a new lens for my Sony Nex 5. I was not going to redeem it, as he spends too much on me as it is. He insisted. When I got the camera I thought it came with a pretty decent lens but it didn't have a good zoom on it. The new one is a 4.5-6.3/55-210. Not exactly sure what that means (200mm???)
I haven't had much of chance to use it yet. But I did experiment a little.
I took this through my bedroom window looking down into the pasture. I did not crop or edit this one. It is what it is. Not to shabby when you consider how dirty my windows are. (Hey second story! LOL)
Now in order to get this on here today, due to a limit of time this morning. I had to upload to an unpublished post, then save, then come to work and ad to this post. What a pain!
Oh wait. I did say I was moving on, didn't I?
Here are some pics I took a few weeks ago. These are pics of pics that are hanging on the wall in Toms Mom's basement. I guess these are of her late husband, George. I just think they are great pics!
I have a great computer at work, but for some reason everything has gone whacko. I cannot upload a pic to my blog from here. For some reason our internet service at work is all jacked up. It takes forever to load a page and sometimes it never does and I have to start over. This is true for all websites. My banking websites, parts suppliers websites, and my personal non work related stuff too.
IT says they have fixed it, but everymorning it starts again.
(Before you think less of me for doing personal computer stuff while on the clock, let me point out, that the shop guys take smoke breaks. I take blog breaks.)
Ok, moving on.....
For Christmas Tom gave me an IOU for a new lens for my Sony Nex 5. I was not going to redeem it, as he spends too much on me as it is. He insisted. When I got the camera I thought it came with a pretty decent lens but it didn't have a good zoom on it. The new one is a 4.5-6.3/55-210. Not exactly sure what that means (200mm???)
I haven't had much of chance to use it yet. But I did experiment a little.
Now in order to get this on here today, due to a limit of time this morning. I had to upload to an unpublished post, then save, then come to work and ad to this post. What a pain!
Oh wait. I did say I was moving on, didn't I?
Here are some pics I took a few weeks ago. These are pics of pics that are hanging on the wall in Toms Mom's basement. I guess these are of her late husband, George. I just think they are great pics!
Today is Thursday, I unblanketed my ponies this morning. I tried to get some pics of their shenanigans this morning as they went out and rolled and scratched their back. I will hopefully post those either tonight or in the morning. Keeping fingers crossed!
UPDATE: WHOA!!! WHY IS THAT PIC OF TRAX SO HUGE?????
UPDTAE # 2: Thank Marissa, got it fixed!
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Thoughts on Herd Dynamics
On Facebook I follow the Sand Wash Basin page. I love those horses. Especially Picasso. If you haven't been to their page or to that blog, feel free to click right here to check it out.
So I was watching some of the video's on FB by Sally Wright (also on You Tube) and I found myself really watching the herd dynamics and then thinking how much our training methods reflect on that. Of course I know this is no new revelation. People have been using herd dynamics for years, and all the big name training methods are truly based on those dynamics.
I found myself thinking of the day I rode with Kim and how she got so angry with Schnizzle when he would not lope a full circle and ended up hurting her back. When I think back to how she reacted, she did not make her leadership clear to him. She simply got angry and emotional and her message after that became very unclear to the poor guy. He was scared and confused and everything went down hill from there.
When I watched the videos I saw how Picasso, Tonka, and even the bachelor stallions controlled their mares (or other stallions in the case of the bachelors) with clear precise direction. Ears pinned, neck snaked, body language as clear as a bell. There is no doubt in the mares mind that he is in charge, and he will make them move their feet and body where ever he wants.
So now I am trying to examine my own training methods. Am I clear in my message? Do I get angry and react? Well of course I have. I like to believe that I have gotten better about it though. I have never had to wail on my horses like she did. I have had to be firm, and I have used my stick on them, but I always make a point to rub it away afterwards. This is not to say that I am better than she is. After all, her horses do not run away with her. They are soft and supple and have beautiful stops.
Most of my horses are very good about respecting my space. Sassy is starting to challenge it, but I see it and I know how to fix it. My horses are all quite good about being messed with my me or a vet, or by anyone else if needed. I have learned that when they do not care to stand still I have a tool that works better than anything. I can push them sideways from one end of the road to the other. That simple act of moving their feet in a manner that is not natural to them makes it clear that I am in charge. It also makes them quite happy to stand quietly. I do that move before I get on them too. I think it makes them think.
What about when I am riding? Is my message clear? I'm going to say no. So...how do I fix that? I guess time and experience will help. Perhaps thinking clearly what I want before I ask would help. I know having Jay there to tell me what he sees makes a difference, but I don't have that much anymore.
Jay says that if you can't ride your horse from the ground, you will not be successful on their backs. I believe this to be true. Here is my example. I can ground work Trax, asking him to trot, canter, flat out run, back up, step to the side, move his front end. or move his hind end. The only thing I cannot get him to do is stop (well walk actually) When he is trotting in his circle I slow my body down, keeping myself in position. I think walk and use my body language to say it. He still trots. I will let my air out, I can see him watch me, but he still trots. Sometimes he will finally ease into a walk, but usually I have to get out of my "riding" position and move myself in front of his shoulder to get him to walk. I have the same issue on his back. He will do pretty much anything I ask, but he runs through my hands. Bringing him from a trot down to a walk is still a challenge.
I need to think on this a while. What do I need to do different. How do I, as his herd leader make him understand when I want walk?
So I was watching some of the video's on FB by Sally Wright (also on You Tube) and I found myself really watching the herd dynamics and then thinking how much our training methods reflect on that. Of course I know this is no new revelation. People have been using herd dynamics for years, and all the big name training methods are truly based on those dynamics.
I found myself thinking of the day I rode with Kim and how she got so angry with Schnizzle when he would not lope a full circle and ended up hurting her back. When I think back to how she reacted, she did not make her leadership clear to him. She simply got angry and emotional and her message after that became very unclear to the poor guy. He was scared and confused and everything went down hill from there.
When I watched the videos I saw how Picasso, Tonka, and even the bachelor stallions controlled their mares (or other stallions in the case of the bachelors) with clear precise direction. Ears pinned, neck snaked, body language as clear as a bell. There is no doubt in the mares mind that he is in charge, and he will make them move their feet and body where ever he wants.
So now I am trying to examine my own training methods. Am I clear in my message? Do I get angry and react? Well of course I have. I like to believe that I have gotten better about it though. I have never had to wail on my horses like she did. I have had to be firm, and I have used my stick on them, but I always make a point to rub it away afterwards. This is not to say that I am better than she is. After all, her horses do not run away with her. They are soft and supple and have beautiful stops.
Most of my horses are very good about respecting my space. Sassy is starting to challenge it, but I see it and I know how to fix it. My horses are all quite good about being messed with my me or a vet, or by anyone else if needed. I have learned that when they do not care to stand still I have a tool that works better than anything. I can push them sideways from one end of the road to the other. That simple act of moving their feet in a manner that is not natural to them makes it clear that I am in charge. It also makes them quite happy to stand quietly. I do that move before I get on them too. I think it makes them think.
What about when I am riding? Is my message clear? I'm going to say no. So...how do I fix that? I guess time and experience will help. Perhaps thinking clearly what I want before I ask would help. I know having Jay there to tell me what he sees makes a difference, but I don't have that much anymore.
Jay says that if you can't ride your horse from the ground, you will not be successful on their backs. I believe this to be true. Here is my example. I can ground work Trax, asking him to trot, canter, flat out run, back up, step to the side, move his front end. or move his hind end. The only thing I cannot get him to do is stop (well walk actually) When he is trotting in his circle I slow my body down, keeping myself in position. I think walk and use my body language to say it. He still trots. I will let my air out, I can see him watch me, but he still trots. Sometimes he will finally ease into a walk, but usually I have to get out of my "riding" position and move myself in front of his shoulder to get him to walk. I have the same issue on his back. He will do pretty much anything I ask, but he runs through my hands. Bringing him from a trot down to a walk is still a challenge.
I need to think on this a while. What do I need to do different. How do I, as his herd leader make him understand when I want walk?
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
The Want Ad (or...A Very Long Night)
FREE TO ANY HOME:
ONE TOTALLY ADORABLE, SLIGHTLY RETARDED, DEAF AND DUMB, YELLOW LAB WITH A MAJOR EATING DISORDER. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A LAP DOG, THIS IS YOUR GUY, HE ONLY WEIGHS ABOUT 115 LBS. HE LIKES TO SHOW OFF BY TAKING OUT THE TRASH, ONE PIECE AT A TIME, BUT USUALLY EATS IT BEFORE IT GETS TO THE DUMPSTER. LOVES TO SNUGGLE IN BED- GENERALLY PREFERS TO LAY ON YOUR FACE SO YOU CAN'T BREATHE. LOVES TO RETRIEVE WILL CARRY YOUR SHOES AROUND ALL DAY. NO HE WON'T HUNT. CANNOT SWIM, FLIPS UPSIDE DOWN IN WATER. ON THE BRIGHT SIDE HE IS TOTALLY HOUSE BROKEN- MOST OF THE TIME. PLEASE TAKE HIM OFF MY HANDS BEFORE I TAKE HIM OUT AND SHOOT HIM!
Yesterday it was very cold during the day so Tom left the dogs inside. He put kiddie gates up so that they were confined to what we thought was a safe area. We were wrong. Mason is convinced he is starving all the time. He managed to get up on the counter and pull down a huge bag of Beggin Strips and eat the entire bag, along with a box of tea bags and a couple of jars of spices. When Tom got home the kitchen was a disaster and Mason looked like he was pregnant. Tom threw him outside where Mason went out and drank a ton of water, adding to the size of his waistline.
By time I got home he was huge. He had to skip dinner of course, which about drove him crazy. I swear the receptors in this dogs brain that tell him he is full do not function, because even when he was so full he couldn't even lay down comfortably, he was still searching for food to eat.
Picture if you can- a very large obese man running around a grocery story cramming food in his mouth uncontrollably...that would be my dog.
Then he started throwing up...liquid Beggin Strips...EW! I wanted to just throw him outside, but I also didn't want him to bloat and twist, and it was 6 degrees outside so I had to keep him in. I gated him in the office where the floor is vinyl and easy to clean. He does not care for isolation so he retaliated by puking in the door way on the gate...and...on to the white carpet. (on a side note- who in their right mind puts white carpet in a house in the country????) This time there were even whole tea bags in it....awesome!
Thank God for Bissel!
(Here is a good mental image for you. I am cleaning up after him as he lays his head on my shoulder and tries to climb in my lap- slobbering all over me-eww!)
The rest of the night went like this:
Whine whine howl bark
click clack click clack (the sound of toenails tap dancing on the floor as he paces in circles)
"Mason go lay down!!!"
"You know he can't hear you right?" (From Tom)
I get up and go point at the bed- he stands at the gate and wags his tail because he thinks I'm going to let him out.
I give up and walk away.
Whine Whine howl Bark bark bark
"Mason Hush Up!!!"
"You know he can't hear you, right???"
"Shut up or you'll be in there with him" (I think to myself)
I decide its time for bed
I put him outside in case he needs to potty
He sits at the door
Bark Bark Bark Bark (with gusto)
(Hey! My nuts are freezing to the deck) (is what I suspect he is saying)
I bring him in and put him back in the office, put the dog bed by the door so he can see in our room.
pant pant whine whine bark bark
I give in and bring him in my bedroom (just knowing I'll be shampooing carpets again.)
pace pace pant pant bark bark
"WHAT NOW????"
I take him towards the back door
He lays down in the hallway in protest (this is how he says, "No I don't wanna go out)
He waddles to the bathroom door- which means he is trying to get to water.
I put him back in the office with a bowl of water.
drink drink slobber slobber click clack click clack...Whahumph!!! (he finally laid down)
5 minutes of snoring
click clack click clack click clack drink drink slobber slobber...Whahumph!!! (he doesn't lay down with any kind of grace what so ever)
3 minutes of snoring
click clack click clack click clack whine whine bark bark
"I swear I'm gonna take him out and shoot him!"
I take him to the back door and throw him out...this time he went down the deck stairs to the yard..YES!!!!!
I raced to my window to watch him
He waddles to the dog house, sits down, looks up and sees me, wags his tail and gives me his best "I love you mom" look. AWWWWWW
Then he jumps up and races down to what used to be a garden and happily trots around in big circles. I mean literally like he is the happiest dog in the world. He stops, he pees...and he pees...and he pees...and he keeps on peeing. (well atleast he did it outside)
Trots to the door, I left him in and put him back in the office.
whine whine bark bark
"OH FOR CRYIN OUT LOUD!" (its about 1:30 am now)
I took down the gate and he ran to our room and....WHAHUMPH!!! On the dog bed he goes.
within seconds it was SNORE SNORE SNORE SNORE!
SUCCESS!
I finally was able to go to sleep.
Fast forward to 3 am
pant pant whine whine bark bark
Argh!
"Okay Doodle Lets go."
He trots to the door so I put him out- this time I just went back to bed.
From 3:10 to 4:30 he barked at the door.
I put the pillow over my head and pretended I was someplace quiet.
At 4:30 I put Smarty out with him.
At 4:45 they both started barking.
Tom got up, shut our door, and I finally went to sleep.
At 6 am three dogs busted in to see me,
Mason does a flying leap into the middle of the bed (no I have no idea how he gets his fat arse up there) and lands toenails first in my face.
I now have a fat lip and a nice scratch down one cheek.
"I'm gonna shoot this dog!"
He lays on my chest and tries to lick me to death
Finally Tom gets him off me.
When I was sitting there attempting to enjoy my coffee he comes and lays his head in my lap and gives me his "sighing whine" He says, "Thanks mom for taking care of me"
ONE TOTALLY ADORABLE, SLIGHTLY RETARDED, DEAF AND DUMB, YELLOW LAB WITH A MAJOR EATING DISORDER. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A LAP DOG, THIS IS YOUR GUY, HE ONLY WEIGHS ABOUT 115 LBS. HE LIKES TO SHOW OFF BY TAKING OUT THE TRASH, ONE PIECE AT A TIME, BUT USUALLY EATS IT BEFORE IT GETS TO THE DUMPSTER. LOVES TO SNUGGLE IN BED- GENERALLY PREFERS TO LAY ON YOUR FACE SO YOU CAN'T BREATHE. LOVES TO RETRIEVE WILL CARRY YOUR SHOES AROUND ALL DAY. NO HE WON'T HUNT. CANNOT SWIM, FLIPS UPSIDE DOWN IN WATER. ON THE BRIGHT SIDE HE IS TOTALLY HOUSE BROKEN- MOST OF THE TIME. PLEASE TAKE HIM OFF MY HANDS BEFORE I TAKE HIM OUT AND SHOOT HIM!
I'm kidding of course...sort of
 |
| Can you see his gut? That is the normal size of it multiply it by 3 and you can imagine what he looked like last night |
Yesterday it was very cold during the day so Tom left the dogs inside. He put kiddie gates up so that they were confined to what we thought was a safe area. We were wrong. Mason is convinced he is starving all the time. He managed to get up on the counter and pull down a huge bag of Beggin Strips and eat the entire bag, along with a box of tea bags and a couple of jars of spices. When Tom got home the kitchen was a disaster and Mason looked like he was pregnant. Tom threw him outside where Mason went out and drank a ton of water, adding to the size of his waistline.
By time I got home he was huge. He had to skip dinner of course, which about drove him crazy. I swear the receptors in this dogs brain that tell him he is full do not function, because even when he was so full he couldn't even lay down comfortably, he was still searching for food to eat.
Picture if you can- a very large obese man running around a grocery story cramming food in his mouth uncontrollably...that would be my dog.
Then he started throwing up...liquid Beggin Strips...EW! I wanted to just throw him outside, but I also didn't want him to bloat and twist, and it was 6 degrees outside so I had to keep him in. I gated him in the office where the floor is vinyl and easy to clean. He does not care for isolation so he retaliated by puking in the door way on the gate...and...on to the white carpet. (on a side note- who in their right mind puts white carpet in a house in the country????) This time there were even whole tea bags in it....awesome!
Thank God for Bissel!
(Here is a good mental image for you. I am cleaning up after him as he lays his head on my shoulder and tries to climb in my lap- slobbering all over me-eww!)
The rest of the night went like this:
Whine whine howl bark
click clack click clack (the sound of toenails tap dancing on the floor as he paces in circles)
"Mason go lay down!!!"
"You know he can't hear you right?" (From Tom)
I get up and go point at the bed- he stands at the gate and wags his tail because he thinks I'm going to let him out.
I give up and walk away.
Whine Whine howl Bark bark bark
"Mason Hush Up!!!"
"You know he can't hear you, right???"
"Shut up or you'll be in there with him" (I think to myself)
I decide its time for bed
I put him outside in case he needs to potty
He sits at the door
Bark Bark Bark Bark (with gusto)
(Hey! My nuts are freezing to the deck) (is what I suspect he is saying)
I bring him in and put him back in the office, put the dog bed by the door so he can see in our room.
pant pant whine whine bark bark
I give in and bring him in my bedroom (just knowing I'll be shampooing carpets again.)
pace pace pant pant bark bark
"WHAT NOW????"
I take him towards the back door
He lays down in the hallway in protest (this is how he says, "No I don't wanna go out)
He waddles to the bathroom door- which means he is trying to get to water.
I put him back in the office with a bowl of water.
drink drink slobber slobber click clack click clack...Whahumph!!! (he finally laid down)
5 minutes of snoring
click clack click clack click clack drink drink slobber slobber...Whahumph!!! (he doesn't lay down with any kind of grace what so ever)
3 minutes of snoring
click clack click clack click clack whine whine bark bark
"I swear I'm gonna take him out and shoot him!"
I take him to the back door and throw him out...this time he went down the deck stairs to the yard..YES!!!!!
I raced to my window to watch him
He waddles to the dog house, sits down, looks up and sees me, wags his tail and gives me his best "I love you mom" look. AWWWWWW
Then he jumps up and races down to what used to be a garden and happily trots around in big circles. I mean literally like he is the happiest dog in the world. He stops, he pees...and he pees...and he pees...and he keeps on peeing. (well atleast he did it outside)
Trots to the door, I left him in and put him back in the office.
whine whine bark bark
"OH FOR CRYIN OUT LOUD!" (its about 1:30 am now)
I took down the gate and he ran to our room and....WHAHUMPH!!! On the dog bed he goes.
within seconds it was SNORE SNORE SNORE SNORE!
SUCCESS!
I finally was able to go to sleep.
Fast forward to 3 am
pant pant whine whine bark bark
Argh!
"Okay Doodle Lets go."
He trots to the door so I put him out- this time I just went back to bed.
From 3:10 to 4:30 he barked at the door.
I put the pillow over my head and pretended I was someplace quiet.
At 4:30 I put Smarty out with him.
At 4:45 they both started barking.
Tom got up, shut our door, and I finally went to sleep.
At 6 am three dogs busted in to see me,
Mason does a flying leap into the middle of the bed (no I have no idea how he gets his fat arse up there) and lands toenails first in my face.
I now have a fat lip and a nice scratch down one cheek.
"I'm gonna shoot this dog!"
He lays on my chest and tries to lick me to death
Finally Tom gets him off me.
When I was sitting there attempting to enjoy my coffee he comes and lays his head in my lap and gives me his "sighing whine" He says, "Thanks mom for taking care of me"
Yes Doodle Dummy I love you too.
I guess he can stay
Monday, January 14, 2013
The Distinction From Left to Right- and a little song
How do you remember your left from your right?
I think most people know without thinking. I on the other hand have to mentally work it out in my head each time.
My clue?
The dog goes on your left.
When I was a young girl and showing my dogs in obedience, I knew that my dogs always go on the left. so if I can picture in my mind where my dog would be, then I know that side is my left. It has worked for me my whole life. Although I learned yesterday that it hasn't really.
When Bruce was here to look at Sassy, I told him it was the RF that had the broken coffin bone, so that is where we did the nerve blocks. Yesterday I got an email from him that says all his records indicate that it was the LF. So although it explains why she is still very lame on the left front, it does not explain the lameness on the right front.
So now I am questioning, which foot we had the corrective shoes on. Was it right or was it left? Holy Moly! What the heck is wrong with me? So is my memory really that shot, or am I second guessing everything thought I have ever had. This really is confusing for me. I do recall that we moved Sassy for the farrier before shoeing her, so surely he saw which foot it was. My neighbor even said to me the other day, "I thought it was her left that was bad" Its pretty bad when a 72 year old has a better memory than me!
Regardless, we still have lameness on both sides. He mentioned laminitis, and thin soles with chronic bruising. I guess when we revisit next week, we will get this figured out.
What I do know from all of this, is that it is time to start documenting a little better.....oh wait, isn't that what this blog is for? CRAP!
Moving on.........I went to a show on Friday night. My favorite performer of all time. Jalan Crossland.
I doubt that many of you have heard of him. so I am including a video for your viewing pleasure.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSqk3PRqTf4
Have a great day everyone!
I think most people know without thinking. I on the other hand have to mentally work it out in my head each time.
My clue?
The dog goes on your left.
When I was a young girl and showing my dogs in obedience, I knew that my dogs always go on the left. so if I can picture in my mind where my dog would be, then I know that side is my left. It has worked for me my whole life. Although I learned yesterday that it hasn't really.
When Bruce was here to look at Sassy, I told him it was the RF that had the broken coffin bone, so that is where we did the nerve blocks. Yesterday I got an email from him that says all his records indicate that it was the LF. So although it explains why she is still very lame on the left front, it does not explain the lameness on the right front.
So now I am questioning, which foot we had the corrective shoes on. Was it right or was it left? Holy Moly! What the heck is wrong with me? So is my memory really that shot, or am I second guessing everything thought I have ever had. This really is confusing for me. I do recall that we moved Sassy for the farrier before shoeing her, so surely he saw which foot it was. My neighbor even said to me the other day, "I thought it was her left that was bad" Its pretty bad when a 72 year old has a better memory than me!
Regardless, we still have lameness on both sides. He mentioned laminitis, and thin soles with chronic bruising. I guess when we revisit next week, we will get this figured out.
What I do know from all of this, is that it is time to start documenting a little better.....oh wait, isn't that what this blog is for? CRAP!
Moving on.........I went to a show on Friday night. My favorite performer of all time. Jalan Crossland.
I doubt that many of you have heard of him. so I am including a video for your viewing pleasure.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSqk3PRqTf4
Have a great day everyone!
Friday, January 11, 2013
Some things to brighten my outlook
So in my quest to brighten my outlook on life (after the depressing visit from my vet) I have found a few tidbits of info.
1. There are good farriers in WY, and now I have a list. (fist pump) YESSS!!!!!
2. I have exactly 5 months and 24 days until the next local Ranch Horse Competition. So now I, no WE (as in Trax and I), have a deadline, and goals to meet.
A. My first goal for this weekend, is to work on Trax's fear of ropes. I think we will start with the log pull. Tom made one for me to pull around, and I think it is the first step. Maybe the second. Maybe we will start with lunging with a rope draped over his hind end. No sense putting my self at risk for a face plant.
B. My second goal will be learning how to feel what lead he is in, and figuring out how to get those easy lead changes out of him.
C. Third goal will be gates. Opening and closing with me on his back. Now that I can move his parts around with my feet this should get easier.
D. Fourth goal will be to continue on with softness and leg cue exercises. Oh and stops....gotta work on those stops!
3. There is another show coming up in Feb, it is dressage and western pleasure. I will not even attempt to compete, but I will make a point of going to watch. I am sure there is much to be learned there.
4. Because I now know that my trainer is going through some personal issues and most likely will not be around much to help me (no that does not brighten my outlook) I now know that it is up to me to figure this stuff out on my own. I am now armed with a new determination that I did not have before. I was counting on his help and since I know I won't have it, I will have to meet this challenge.
I CAN DO THIS!
5. and totally unrelated, Butch is doing a gazillion times better with his new suppliments. He is like a new dog!
1. There are good farriers in WY, and now I have a list. (fist pump) YESSS!!!!!
2. I have exactly 5 months and 24 days until the next local Ranch Horse Competition. So now I, no WE (as in Trax and I), have a deadline, and goals to meet.
A. My first goal for this weekend, is to work on Trax's fear of ropes. I think we will start with the log pull. Tom made one for me to pull around, and I think it is the first step. Maybe the second. Maybe we will start with lunging with a rope draped over his hind end. No sense putting my self at risk for a face plant.
B. My second goal will be learning how to feel what lead he is in, and figuring out how to get those easy lead changes out of him.
C. Third goal will be gates. Opening and closing with me on his back. Now that I can move his parts around with my feet this should get easier.
D. Fourth goal will be to continue on with softness and leg cue exercises. Oh and stops....gotta work on those stops!
3. There is another show coming up in Feb, it is dressage and western pleasure. I will not even attempt to compete, but I will make a point of going to watch. I am sure there is much to be learned there.
4. Because I now know that my trainer is going through some personal issues and most likely will not be around much to help me (no that does not brighten my outlook) I now know that it is up to me to figure this stuff out on my own. I am now armed with a new determination that I did not have before. I was counting on his help and since I know I won't have it, I will have to meet this challenge.
I CAN DO THIS!
5. and totally unrelated, Butch is doing a gazillion times better with his new suppliments. He is like a new dog!
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