eh, tha's champion, lass

Our last show, the riding club ribbon day. More about this later. Maybe.

It is Christmas here in NZ. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.

We are having a quiet day with only half the family at my parents' place on (the other coast from where I live). Lots of food, wine and laughter. Cheers!

An email from the new girls

"Hi Sharon

Just a quick note to let you know that Penny has settled in really well.  We have got her where she can get into the shade of the she oaks and she spent the middle of the day dozing in the shade.  The girls rode her tonight - just walking and trotting and she was great.  Even B. trotted her which was great to see!!

Thanks once again

S, B and K"

Isn't that nice? It certainly made my day and helped me to realise that I have done a good thing for Possum and those girls. I know if I were a teenager getting a new horse, I would certainly want it there for Christmas Day. There were many, many years when I rushed out on Christmas morning to see if finally Father Christmas had got me what I really wanted.

Well, I know better now than to rely on a man!  

Horse Lease or Loan

It was a brief email from the riding club. Just asking if anyone had a sensible horse for a couple of young girls who needed their confidence building.
It got me thinking.
If Possum is not happy doing what I would like her to do, is it selfish to keep her to myself? Maybe there is someone else out there who could give her a job to do, look after her well and cherish her too?

So I replied to the email with some info on Penny and a photo, and that lady passed my details on to the family who were horse-hunting. They emailed to say they were very interested. I rang and talked to the Mum, who filled me in on the background and how her daughter had fallen off the young horse and become nervous. We agreed to meet on Saturday.

And they came to the paddock and Miss P was an absolute angel! I caught her, got her ready, and then rode around a bit. Both the girls then had a little ride, and I could tell by the beaming grin on the older one's face this could work. We agreed to a month's trial and if that worked, they could take Possum on a loan basis for as long as it suited everyone.

So I delivered her over to their place and said my goodbyes. It wasn't until I went to her paddock this morning to finish the mucking out that I started to cry...

Who's a dirty girl?

We had a thunderstorm and heavy downpour of rain. I got to the paddock to find this:

Thanks!
Good old Possum, never one to turn down the opportunity to have a wallow in a mud bath. She must have overheard my intention to clip her this weekend and thought this might foil those plans. Now she will get a bath as well!

Actually it doesn't look as bad in the photos but you do get an idea, and also an inkling of how fluffy she is at the moment. That is not her usual summer coat, as normally she has a lovely TB-like coat (from her Grandaddy). I'm not sure if this is another part of ageing, to not want to lose the winter woolies completely. It has been suggested that it might be the start of Cushing's Disease, but I will have to do some more research on that.

Log- rode for an hour in saddle. Walked around orchard, along the road, then some flatwork and a little jumping practise. Both of us are horribly unfit, so it wasn't very pretty. But I think we achieved a bit of good work with some nice "long and low" phases.

Not Horse Related But Funny!

I am hopelessly late in discovering this, but it made me laugh and so I'd like to share it with anyone who hasn't seen it.

The Engineer's Guide to Cats.
Thanks to Paul and TJ for this!

Playing Possum

Actually, that doesn't work very well here as it is not an expression we use.

But anyway, it means to pretend to be dead. Or, just failing to post because there isn't much happening with the horse, and work is taking over your private life and WHY DOES EVERYTHING HAVE TO BE DONE BY CHRISTMAS??????????




That actually feels better now.
Thanks.

Another weekend where I completely failed to sit upon a horse. But Saturday was the Work Christmas Party where we weren't allowed caterers, so guess who had a no fun party? And Friday night was my book club dinner, Sunday morning was spent writing for the Dressage Champs, Sunday afternoon taking the young horse to his new/old home, Sunday night BBQ dinner with the neighbours. Where's the riding time?
Will try harder this week, then next week it is the Christmas holidays!

Possum goes to the beach

In the end, I didn't take Possum anywhere with the ute. My friend got a ride so took her off to the beach for the weekend.
Am I jealous?

No, not much!!!

Progress???

July 2008

November 2009 (Please ignore the devil's eye. Must have been a cranky day)

See any difference in her back? The second photo is after three months of massage, body work and correct saddle fitting. We know she has moved up a gullet size and if you draw an outline of her wither, she has definitely filled out.

I am not sure she is less grumpy, and she still has days when she sidles away from her saddle. But I think I can see a difference. I will try to get photos this week as the saddle fitter/therapist has just been and is very happy with her progress. We are to continue with the pads, bareback riding, massage and must change gullets ASAP! Not sure this will affect her hind-end stiffness though.

The therapist also said she is impressively loose in her glutes, quads and hamstrings. And she does her leg stretches better than the big grey six-year-old at the same paddock. Life still in the old bat?

Out and About

Finally, I have the use of a vehicle to go places with Possum! It has been a long wait, but we are now able to go off on our own and not be reliant on the kindness of others.

So - where to go this weekend?
Maybe the river? Although I've heard there are ticks along the trail there.
To the beach? Reminder to self - check the tides.
Down to the arena - nah, too boring. Unless it is raining again.
Soooooo exciting to have all these opportunities!

Not forgetting that I need to do some hoof trimming. Should be much easier after all this rain, and it is time to have a good tidy up. The reappearence of mud has probably caused some thrush to flare up, so it will be out with the copper sulphate solution too.
Sounds like a busy weekend. Shame about the housework...

No drought, so far

Just when we thought that our normal Hawkes Bay weather was resuming, it rains again. I went out this morning in a raincoat and with umbrella, after hearing rain on the roof all night. (Aside- don't you love the sound of rain on a corrugated iron roof when you are safe in bed and you don't have to go out in it?) Both my horses were wet through and even ol' tough-as-boots Possum was shivering! Unfortunately I have packed away all her winter covers, so all I could offer was an unlined cool coat. Will have to go home tonight and dig out the one with 100g fill.

The yard was awash with water, most of it running straight through to the paddock. But there was a puddle deep enough to soak my boots. I ended up wet as well, with cold, wet feet all day and no riding.

End of NaBloPoMo

Phew.
Made it this year, one post everyday for November. Slightly less painful than having your boyfriend do Movember. Much easier than NaNoWriMo. Vaguely more fun than-
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, Transgender Awareness Month, American Diabetes Month, Lung Cancer Awareness Month, National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, Crohn's & Ulcerative Colitis Awareness Month. (Thanks to Wikipedia for the information).

It has got me into the habit of blogging daily. Sometimes the subject matter has been a bit sparse, but I did it. And it has made me realise how keeping a journal of your progress, happenings and thoughts is both theraputic and cathartic.

PS I was joking yesterday. I think.

For sale - 1.5 horses + gear

"Penny" 20-ish bay stationbred mare, 154 cm.
Barefoot, easy-doer, tends to be cranky, snarls at other horses but hardly ever bites. Fantastic all rounder, has competed in Preliminary (Level 1) dressage, Pre-training eventing, show jumped to 1 m. Two years running was Games Day Champion and obstacle course winner. Participated in NZ Riding Clubs NITE 2009, team placed 4th overall, 1st in cross country, 2nd in quadrille, 4th show jumping. Now starting to stiffen up, requires expensive HA joint supplement, massage, frequent chiropractic adjustments. No longer happy jumping and seems to be going through menopause - wildly fluctuating heats, mysterious swelling and personality changes.

(Half share) "Max" 7 year old smoky dun stationbred approx. 156 cm
Barefoot, easy-doer, sweet tempered if a bit dim. Started but very green, not in work due to stifle injury.

Plus Astil double horsefloat, covers, halters, bridles, other gear etc. Wintec saddles - 17 inch/43cm Pro Dressage saddle, 17.5 inch/44 cm 500 dressage saddle and 2000 GP saddle.

Rider giving up with a broken heart and smashed dreams.

Are we ready? Yes, we are!

Right, ODE tomorrow.

Dressage test learned. Yes, I know, walk at X, halt at G. Dumbass got that wrong last time...

Float hooked up, hay bags full, dressage whip at the ready (in case Miss P decides to be difficult)

Gear in the ute - 2 x saddles, bridle with multiple nosebands, saddle cloths, jumping boots, my boots, jacket/stock/cc jumper, back protector, helmet, jumping armband. Do I get brave and take the bitless bridle too? Or will that completely freak out the gear-check Mums? Can't remember the PC rules...

Food to take including bananas (potassium and carbs) lots of drink, chocolate for cheering-up purposes. May throw in a bottle of wine and/or the whiskey too.

Money, camera, phone.

There can't be much left in my house by now. Do hope the trusty Hilux will be able to move all of this plus slightly chubby horse! Toyota Power!
Will probably discover tomorrow what I have forgotten.

Already - don't forget the water container + bucket. Rescue remedy for me and horse. Carrots.

Right, will try going to bed now and visualising great things! Wish me luck...

Having no jump in your hind quarters

My beloved Possum is really starting to show her age. My lesson last night was an effort to try to sort out the "wall of death" canter. Now that's all very entertaining, especially for onlookers, but not required in a dressage test.

Coach had a look at her warming up, and said "Hmmmm".

We trotted - another "Hmmmmm".
Then onto canter - not too bad, I thought, reasonably quick transition, correct leg, and cantering along without ripping the reins out of my hands.

"Hmmmm. Other rein."

This is the not so good leg, but again, trot, sit, sit, transition to canter, correct leg. Bit heavy on the forehand, but we are not exactly Grand Prix level.

"Hmmmm. So, how does that feel to you?"

Uh, oh. Now, I have been having lessons with H. for a couple of years now. She knows how much I hate being asked my opinion. I hate getting it wrong, it's just the way I am. I want to do everything right the first time. No matter that is nearly impossible with horses. Naturally, H. uses this to torture me. I mean, teach me.

But even I could tell that something wasn't right. I knew that on the weekend when I last tried canter transitions. H. then had a ride herself and tried a couple of things, increasing the contact, pushing her more together and I could see how little push she had in her hindquarters. As she has gone off her hard feed, she hasn't been getting her joint supplement for the past week or so.

The conclusion we came to was that she is seriously stiffening up and has lost the "jump" needed for canter. And that's probably why she is stopping at jumps too. Coach advised us to go out and just have fun at the ODE. Ride the dressage for accuracy and do as best we can without stressing either of us out. It's only a pony club test that doesn't even have a full 20 m canter circle so we should be able to cope.

But I am now having to face the decision - do I retire Possum? And what will I do with her then?

Tears and no post today

Sorry, it has been a bad day. Ending in tears.

I am applying some Riesling to help salve, but I'm not sure it is working.

More tomorrow.



If I feel up to it.

Weird and tingly Wednesday

I'm a scientist by training and inclination, so I'm not sure I believe in the supernatural. But there are some things that can't be explained by science, and so maybe there is more to the world. My current fav radio station does a section on Wednesday mornings where you can share your spooky stories. This would be my contribution-

I had never met a stallion in person. They just aren't that common around the horse world I move in. My coach had a retired dressage stallion at her place as his owner had moved overseas. We had jokingly talked about sending Possum to him to see if we could breed a great Kiwi eventer. I never took that seriously as I was having enough trouble with an older horse, let alone trying to take on a stroppy little warmblood.

I had been working crazy hours as we were flat out harvesting. Eventually I hit a wall after about three weeks without a day off. I got everyone up and running and gave myself the day off. On my way down the road, I decided to pay a visit to the stallion Limmy. I had thought I was going straight home for a sleep and some horse time, but something made me change my mind. Making my way up to the hills, rather than back into town, I had a lazy, picturesque drive through high country.

Having called ahead, I met H. my coach at the house. She led me to Limmy's paddock where the old boy was dozing in the sun. Lippizaner/TB cross, he was white-grey and speckled with chestnut freckles. He certainly didn't look like a savage dressage stallion and lipped at my proffered carrots with politeness. H. pointed out the lumps and bumps along his neck she had concerns about and mentioned the vet was visiting this week to check them out. We talked to him for as long as he was interested, then he wandered off to graze.

Impressed by meeting him, I thought I'd love to see him really move and decided I would have to come back to see him play with his paddock mate. A small part of me wondered what his foal would look like, with Possum as the mum. I made my slow, sleep-deprived way home somehow cheered by the experience.

The next day, they had to put him down as he was full of tumours.

I don't know what made me decide to drive the other way that Monday. Why I needed to meet him after hearing about him for nearly a year. But I am so glad I followed that impulse as it turned out to be our last chance to meet.

One month till Christmas Eve!

Wow, just four weeks to the Big Day. I had better get organised and figure out presents, wine, etc etc.

I haven't even thought about what I want to put on my suggestion list. But there were a few things in the latest catalogue:

• Roma padded jacket and saddle bag (already have the boot bag)
• IRH Pro Velvet helmet
• Dublin Airflow Body Protector

Of course, I do have other interests apart from horses. There is a permanently growing list of books. I wouldn't say no to a new laptop. Not to mention the ute for towing the float. (Well, a girl can dream, can't she?)

LOG: Walk roadwork for an hour + in bareback pad. Still spooky but controllable. Worked on relaxation and keeping her head down. She didn't spot the llamas, so that's a plus! Some short bursts of trotting (no stirrups!) - next time bitless, bareback and barefoot!

Monday

New saddle is a Wintec 500 dressage (red gullet).

{Photos here}


Hopefully this will give a better fit as it is a better size for my bum and has nice wide panels and channel. The problem is my little horse has a bit of a short back, so to get a saddle that fits me, often is too long for her. I like the Wintecs as you can adjust the gullet size as your horse changes shape, and they are so easy to look after. My beloved Pro Dressage is too small for me and I miss it so, as it is amazingly comfortable and puts me in a great position. You could almost think I can ride when you see me in it!

So we have an appointment with the saddle fitter in a couple of weeks. I will continue to ride her with the special pad, and in the bareback pad, and also do our exercises and massage. Hopefully this will result in a happy horse, good saddle fit and one relieved owner.

Although, judging by the 30 minutes it took to catch her, she might be in some pain that needs more than a massage...

LOG: Took half an hour to catch her. So she got lots of trotting about (equivalent to lunging?) I got a walk in the fresh air and that was enough for a Monday. I pulled her mane while she was nice and warm. Still spooky in the yard, won't eat her hardfeed. Will try sugarbeet next.

Long weekend in the saddle = sore bum

I know! Who woulda thunk?

Today was our club ride around the vineyard at work. Sorry, no photos as I forgot to take my camera. It wasn't a great day, and was in fact raining as we saddled up. But as there is so much on at this stage of the season, it was today, or not at all, so everyone got told to toughen up. By the time our last straggler arrived and we set off, the drizzle had stopped and it wasn't too bad at all. I had Possum in her bitless bridle and she was pretty well behaved apart from wanting to walk fast to get to the front. One of the others rode in a bareback pad as her saddle was being used by her daughter. Might have to try that myself next time!

We had a quiet walk around the vines, down to the river and then back for the special treat - a winery tour and tasting. This had been the main attraction for most of the members so it was great fun to show off our place and let them try some of this year's new wines. I take it so much for granted that it's always wonderful to see people's reaction to wine on a big scale.

Our horses had mostly stayed tied up, apart from one who got loose and wandered up on the lawn to check out the grazing. As everyone had been told to stay off the lawn, he was greeted by a chorus of "Not my horse!". The embarassed owner scuttled over to retrieve her boy and put him back. We had a nice, wine-filled lunch with lots of laughter and then made our way back into town.

I was reluctant to go home as I knew there was housework waiting for me. So I procrastinated, soaking P's feet, giving her a massage and then a hoof trim. It has been getting obvious even to me, how long her hind toes are getting. To make it a bit easier on myself, I drew a line across her hoof to try to get the angle right. Unfortunately, the only thing I could find to do this with was a pink whiteboard marker! It lasted through the soaking well enough to do the job, so I guess that is okay. I need to do more in little bits, more often to stay on top of things. Note to self!

Log- One hour trek at walk but with some hills! at Riverview. Massage (no stretches), hoof soak and trim. Also slightly hard to catch in the morning - trotted around for about 10 mins then gave up.

Other horses

Cambodian horse/pony at Angkor Wat, 2005.

I was fascinated by these ponies that I saw grazing on the lawns inside the temple walls. Tough, hardy types that look a lot like the Eastern European ones from the Russian Steppes. I guess they could have made their way right across into Asia? Did Ghengis Khan go that way or just west? I can imagine the Mongol hordes riding something just like this.

Anyway, they look like good doers despite the small amount of tough, tropical grass they had.

LOG: Hack to and from arena - 7 km total at walk. Not so demented but looky and determined not to walk straight. Short rest then 45 mins schooling in arena for dressage test. Lots of practise on canter transitions. Need to get some help with this! Tends to run off and get very hot, pulls reins out of my hands, not very dressagy!

long day, short post

Here it is, 9.43 pm and I can hardly type.
Long day, long week.
Thursday- day off (someone was supposed to go to Book Club, but didn't know where that was, so went home to drink wine and watch Shortland Street instead.)
Friday - day off (committee meeting/screaming arguments, with no wine and someone thinking I am on too many committees)

Now the Cat is walking on my laptop and suggesting it is bed time.
Purr, purr, purr.
Bloody good idea, I says.
More later.
I promise.

Bareback!

We now have a bareback pad - second hand from my friends at the RDA. No excuses now for having to use the saddle when she's a bit sore. This is the Best Friends pad - I thoroughly recommend them.

Log: Wed 18th
Rode in bareback pad + bridle.
45 mins of slow, long and low walking around orchard.
Started out spooky with high head carriage and rushing. Gradually calmed down, got some nice stretching downwards. Did need constant half halts to slow her as the natural inclination is to walk out quickly.
Hock still puffy and warm. Finished with leg stretches and tummy lifts.
Note - need to do more massage.

Long and low

The theory is: slow feet, slow brain.

In order to get my horse to concentrate, and not to spook and bugger off, I need to get her to walk s l o w l y... Here was me, thinking "well, it's fitness work, so if she marches out, it's all good" and we thunder around the 7 km block in record time. Turns out this was just making her spookier and more stupid. No wonder we experienced ghosts the other day!

So our goal is to do slow walk, and get her head down below her wither. Not too easy, when your horse's natural inclination is to be a giraffe. Okay, so she's a short 154 cm giraffe, but the neck extension can be pretty darn impressive. This of course, makes her back go hollow and then she drags along on her forehand, and I've got a great photo of us doing this but I'm too embarassed to post it here.

We made some good progress towards this in our lesson. Our attempts to do some work towards our dressage test were foiled by a hot and puffy hock. Probably from Monday's thundering around the block, and attempting to canter on the road! So we kept it short and simple, all at the walk, concentrating on getting that head lower and the back higher so she is using it more correctly. I had some observers (the other grazers) who mentioned that I didn't get much of a lesson. In actual fact, it was a great lesson, and I learned a lot - having one of those A ha! moments. We made some progress in getting both of us to understand how to search for the contact. I, of course, stuff it up by dropping my outside rein and then she pings back up. But slowly, slowly, slowly we will get there.

PS got a pep talk from my coach. Not so depressed about my riding now but MAN! this takes a long time to get anywhere. And we are entered for the Intro class at the ODE, aiming to do a great dressage test and rebuild our confidence.

Log: Tues 17th Lesson with H, but hot hock so only walking, long & low stretching. Some massage after, and 10 mins cold hosing on hock and feet.

Riding with the Black Dog

I have struck a dark patch of depression about my riding. The last couple of times that I have ridden, I have ended up feeling hopeless, useless and tearful. I don't feel like I have improved over the past few years and wonder why I bother? My horse is clearly unhappy - doesn't want to be caught, sidles away from the saddle and just isn't moving straight. I can't sort my trot diagonals out and it is a crapshoot what canter lead we get.

I don't know why this has happened, but as I have a lesson this afternoon, will have a heart to heart with my coach. Maybe it is time to give it a rest and just do some other things for a while?

EDITED: It occured to me that this is a great place to note the work we do.
Monday 16th - 20 mins flat work (not successful- wrong bend, resistant)
45 mins roadwork - maniacal. Longlands/Riverslea/Davis/Norton roads. Flat out trot, broke to canter, spooky. Also met new llama neighbours!

Haiku Monday

My horse is dark bay
She stands quiet in the sunshine
Half asleep and shines.

Time to get focussed

Right, I have two weeks to get organised for the ODE.

First, I have to decide which class to enter. Pre-training (85 cm max) or Intro (65 cm)?
I have twice previously competed at Pre-Training at this course, last time doing a double clear round jumping. So I will probably get lots of hassle from everyone if I turn up to do Intro. But my confidence is shaky after some refusals and falls this season.

Is it better to go down and level to something I know we can achieve, to re-build our confidence? Or should I challenge us a bit more even though it is scarey?

I need to get some dressage work done, even if I'm not sure which test I'll be doing. We can probably crash our way through the jumping without too much preparation. And there needs to be some fitness work for both of us. Cantering around a bit last Tuesday night demonstrated how unfit we are! So, roadwork, flatwork, a bit of mane thinning (as that didn't get done yesterday) and also a hoof trimming.

That's my spare time gone then!

Saturday - home again

"Where have you been, and why have I been so neglected???"

Missing my girl

Bloody work.

I know I need it to give me the money to have a horse. But I don't like it when it keeps me away from my horse. I am used to seeing her twice a day and to be away sucks.

I want to go home tonight.

Photo Thursday

As I am away from home for work, I am a bit short of posting time. So instead:

Cross country training night

Our wonderful La Presidenta of the riding club has organised some twilight rallies for us. Darned good of her, considering she's gestating and so is forbidden to ride herself.

We had a chance to train last night over some of the Park's cross country fences with coaching from one of our local eventers. I just wish there was a competition where you could just do the cross country! I know, the dressage is essential for everything, but I just want the action! Show jumping is fine but doesn't compare the the adrenalin thrills of galloping at solid fences.

Miss P was very full of herself, tanking off into canter as soon as we got out into the paddock. I tried to slow her back to trot to warm up, but as I had not put her drop noseband on, and only taken along two left-hand gloves, I was at a bit of a disadvantage. At least, I thought, she must be feeling very well to go hurtling about like a maniac!

We started with some canter work, lengthening and shortening the strides. Somehow we have lost our right canter lead in the last few weeks so that was fun. Especially as she was trying to get to the jumps she could see. Sigh, back to the dressage training then...

The group then went out and schooled over some of the training and pre-training fences. We have jumped most of these before so I just played around trying not to wear the girl out. It was nice to be asked to give a green horse a lead several times, so I guess I am not too hopeless. But then I got a bit cocky and took on the down hill log followed by the big spider (see previous post for photo). She stopped at the spider and decanted me off the shoulder. That is the 5th time I have fallen off her and I have regained my teenage ability to fall off and land on my feet, still holding the reins and whip! Its impressive to see, but hard on the back. No-one had seen as there was a bit of dust but I saw the coach look over, so I gave her a bow to show her I was okay. Just not on my horse!

That shook my confidence a bit and she was pulling like a train, dragging the reins out of my hand. I just feel she still isn't right and I am reluctant to push her to jump at the level we were last season. Might be time for the chiropracter again, and maybe the physio? The herbs seem to have helped while she is in season although she was much more "mareish" than I have seen her before. But there is something I can't put my finger on, and it is affecting my confidence, which leads to a downwards spiral for both of us.
Any suggestions, dear readers?

Sunny days

Sigh...

I am trapped at my desk, trying to fit a week's work into the rest of today so I can be in meetings for the rest of the week. Yay! And the sun is shining, the sky is clear blue and Possum is standing in the paddock.

I hate it when work keeps you away from doing what you want to do. Damn the money.

And I will be away till the weekend, so not much chance of riding 4 times this week. Man, I am getting real cranky here. Better keep your heads down!


To cheer myself up, here a couple of spooky jumps we have conquered!

Hawkes Bay Equestrian Park, the "Spiders"

The Jenny P Diet

Miss P and her companion, the Dratted Pony, are on the Jenny P Plan.

This is a lifestyle plan, rather than a diet, and is based on the Wild Horse model which also applies to hoof care. See Jaime Jackson (www.barefoothorse.com) for more info. Our local NZ expert is Jenny Patterson (www.horsemanshipnz.com) who travels the country talking about how to keep your horse happy and healthy.

Briefly, the aim is to keep the horse from grazing on lush, sweet grass all day long. Here in NZ, we tend to keep our horses on what is really sheep/cattle pasture with ryegrass and clover predominating. This is not ideal for horses who are designed/evolved to live on poor, stalky grass and move many kilometers in a day searching for food and water.

So to try to help them have a better diet and lifestyle, we put them on a track. I built a loop track around the paddock exterior about 5 meters wide, using electric fencing. This means they are not able to take the short-cut across the middle and have to walk all the way around to get to the water or salt lick. The grass has been grazed right down with the help of the sheep, and I feed out hay to keep their guts ticking along. This is usually pretty successful in keeping the girls in good shape. Except for the Dratted Pony lately, as she has been crashing through the electric fence to get to the good stuff in the middle of the track.

I have threatened her with murder and mayhem, but she just looks blonde and makes out she has no idea how she ended up in the the good stuff. There is some more power on its way to spark up the fence, so that might help.

Some days they have a good canter around, which is great. Unless you are trying to bring your old bay horse in to do some work. Then it becomes very frustrating as you try to take the short cut to get to the old bat. Some swearing may ensue.

Photos to follow.

Goals

Goals:

Get P fit and sound for eventing at Pre-Training level

Achieve a dressage score of 65% in competition

Get her hooves in correct shape and maintain that

Jump a course at 1m

November goals:

Ride at least 4 days a week
Get Lynne or Anna to help with trimming
Lessons fortnightly on P
Compete at Flaxmere ODE - Intro level

More about Possum

Show Name: Pennyroyal
(From the herb which grew in the first paddock I kept her in. It meant I didn't need to change her name (bad juju) and sounds fancy enough for a show name).

Paddock Names: Possum, Miss P, Fluffy, Flossie, You Old Bat!!!

Breeding: NZ Stationbred
Sire: Unknown
Dam: Unknown

Colour: Dark Bay

Markings: Station brand on near shoulder of a rounded diamond, some white hairs on forehead, TMJ, and body. Over-reach scar on near fore heel

Height: 154 cm (not quite 15.1 hands)
Weight: 470 kg

DOB: ? 1990, I consider 1 August to be her birthday

Disciplines: Eventing, Dressage, Jumping, Games, Trekking

Gear: Wintec Saddles with Wide/red gullet
Snaffle bridle with 5" Trainer (double jointed) loose ring snaffle
Dropped or grackle noseband when jumping
4 ft 9" covers

Girth: Jumping, Dressage

Shoe Size: Barefoot!

Favourite Treat: Carrots

Favourite Itchy Spot: Still haven't found this.

Guy Fawkes survived, so far

We made it through last night with no major injuries. Just R and me pretty tired as we were out till eleven calming a couple of ponies.

Possum was fine, and as she is far enough away from town it doesn't get very noisy at her paddock. She is still revoltingly in season so I left her next to the boys for some entertainment. Well, I think it is entertaining even if they don't. They can sniff and squeal or ignore each other as they want, which must be better than standing in a far-off paddock with no company?

I am watching her carefully as she cycles to see if she shows any reaction this time around. She is still on the tiger lily preparation for the rest of the month, but has finished her course of Apis. Yesterday she had a hot and slightly swollen udder and I thought I could see some swelling in her hind fetlocks. It was a really hot and sticky day though - still 24C while I was driving home from work at 5 pm. She was a bit sticky looking too, from sweat and the boys' lickings. I think it must be time for a bath and makeover this weekend.

PS Complete Fail! on protecting the cat from the fireworks. I forgot to shut him in the house but found him later, totally unphased by the humungous bonfire and explosions from next door. He just strolled up, asked for a petting and looked perplexed when I asked if he was frightened. Another advantage of adopting an ex-street cat from the SPCA, I suppose!

Damn the fireworks and the idiots too

I HATE Guy Fawkes.

I used to love it as a kid, all very exciting, looking forward to staying up late for fireworks. We had lots of fun with the sparklers and my brother spent days blowing things up with Double Happies. Typical boy.

But now, it is just days of stressed horses, late nights out in the paddock with them, trying to syringe them with sedative and a cranky me. Where I live there are 7 ponies, most of whom are old and sensible enough to not bat an eyelash as whatever goes on. But come Guy Fawkes, when they start selling fireworks, it all goes out the window.

Little Choco is terrified and will stand and shake in a panic. So far, she hasn't tried to run away, but it is heart-breaking to see as she is such a lovely little pony. It puts her off her work as well, once the local idiots start letting them off every night. They seem to start as soon as they are on sale, and unfortunately the idiots are smart enough to stockpile some so they can continue for other nights such as New Year's Eve. We have to spend hours at the paddock, holding on to her, talking to her and then letting her walk out her anxiety as she needs to.

So far this year we have got away with sedating her lightly each night, but tonight our dear neighbours have a HUGE bonfire. And I mean huge - they spend all year building it up with a frenzy of activity in the last weeks of November. It is about 2.5 meters high as at this morning, and no doubt by the time I get home they (and all the kids they have ever met) will be running around, shouting and dying to get burning. They also like to take the kids for rides behind the quad bikes and other vehicles, which means hours of varooming, and shrieking kids and did I mention it makes me a bit cranky?

R. and I will have some quiet wines, keeping an eye on everything. Once it is dark we will go out into the paddock and sit there to be close enough to intervene in any mayhem. I think the plan is to put all the ponies in together and hope for the best. The older ones will hopefully offer a bit of sanity, and with all of them, their motto is "if in doubt, eat" so that should help.

I will have to hope that Possum is far enough out of town not to be bothered, and I know there are people there to keep an eye on her and the others. It hasn't been a problem the last couple of years. She, too is pretty sensible and I can't imagine her being silly enough to waste energy running around like a loon.

Must remember to lock the cat door to keep the cat inside too.

Feeling Flirty

The old baggage is definitely in season. She was in the paddock with slightly longer grass yesterday afternoon, which is next to all four of the boys. When I went to bring her in she was covered in what looked suspiciously like goober marks. Sure enough, she had been flirting with the boys (all geldings) and even let Albie groom her for a while. Hence the goobers.

She is ususally a cranky mare and snarls at everyone, including me. But she is feeling very lovey-dovey, and is being so nice to the boys they are confused. Being geldings doesn't help as none of them know what the heck to do, but they are happy to hang out with her. It made me laugh to see her still snarl at the Dratted Pony (probably 'cos it's a mare too) so she hasn't had a complete personality change!

Melbourne Cup day

Such a weird thing. This whole country is waiting for a horse race at 5 o'clock.

We have a young German woman working with us on her working holiday. I was trying to explain to her this morning why we were all so interested in a race in Australia.

Hard to say really. But lots of "our" horses have won the Cup over the years. Even if they were only bred here, and now have foreign owners/trainers/passports. If they win, we proudly declare them Kiwis!!!

The same phenomenon applies to musicians/celebrities. Except for Russell Crowe - the Aussies can keep that one.

I am absolutely hopeless at picking the Melbourne Cup winner - the best results usually come from the office sweepstake. And there aren't enough people in my office to run one. So I will vote for Daffodil ('cos she's a Kiwi mare) and Zavite (because of Zabeel/Sir Tristram lines) and Cape Cover (no reason, but Kiwi!).

Results after 5 pm.


EDIT - Melbourne Cup results First: Shocked, Second: Crime Scene and Third: Mourilyan. See - don't let me pick your horses!

Can horses see ghosts?

I am trying to get both of us fitter, so thought I would ride tonight, even though Monday is usually rest day. Miss P was standing half-asleep in the paddock so wasn't too hard to catch. I thought a bareback ride would achieve three things: a rest for her back, still get some riding done and help improve my balance. So I just brushed her off, put the bitless bridle on her and got on.

Off we went, striding down the driveway in her usual confident way. I decided to just hack around the orchard and paddocks as I noticed how slippery her new coat is. Too much linseed in her diet? Anyway, she looks great, with a dark shiny coat. We got down to the hay paddock, where I heard her kick a piece of wire, so I hopped off to find it. Once I had sorted that out, I then had to figure out how to get back on!

I led her up to the stack of tree trunks (soon to be firewood) and eventually got her to stand close enough that I could get on. She was a bit squirmy, but that's not unusual and I try to get on from both sides so it doesn't worry me too much. Off around the apple trees, past the scary shed at the end of the property. She was starting to get a bit tense by now, and was a bit spooked by the new piles of junk outside the packing house next door. But just a raised head and shortened strides, nothing problematic.

But a bit further round the orchard, she stopped, snorted and started to go backwards. Even though she was off the grass and into the holes left when the trees were ripped out and in danger of falling over, she went backwards. I couldn't see anything to spook her, so told her to get on with it. No way. She just spun around to snort at the ghost again, and refused to take another step. As I was bareback, I decided that it was safer to give in and try again. We turned back the way we came, hacked along for a bit and when I tried to turn her back, it was all on again.

Eventually we made it out of the former pear orchard (by some tacking manoeuvres the America's Cup team would be proud of) and onto the drive. I had spotted the neighbours' cat slinking around in the weeds, so maybe that was the problem? I had had enough of feeling as if I was going to fall off, so I got off and led her for a bit. Back we went to the shed where I could get on again off the mounting block. Determined to get some exercise into both of us, I set off again into the apple trees. But we didn't get far before she saw the ghost again and started the prancing about.

Now, I am a fan of high school dressage, but having your horse attempt piaffe and halfpass in a panic is not dressage. Especially when you don't have a saddle to hang on to! I just gave up after that and took the silly old bag home.

So, can horses see ghosts? Or was there something else I couldn't perceive? She is normally so good and nearly bomb-proof for most things and even if she does react, she keeps going forward. I just can't figure it out. I will be increasing her magnesium uptake from now on though.

And will think for a while before going bareback again...

NaBloPoMo

So, I've been on holiday. I had great intentions of blogging lots and doing all sorts of exciting stuff but then my internet has been - well, pardon me for saying - crap. Thanks Vodafone.

I think my computer is a bit overladen with stuff as well, but the trip to get that sorted is a story for another day.

I am trying to achieve my first NaBloPoMo and I'm already a day late, but that's okay because it is still November 1 at BloPoMo headquarters. (Slightly cheating) But then if I keep going till the end of the month for them, that's okay isn't it? Ah well, better to have a go and die trying. Or something...

I will also finish some of the draft posts that are sitting in the wings, so it wasn't a wasted effort. And I had a great time on holiday being around the horses, and going to the A&P show, and gardening and staying in bed and reading a book if I felt like it. Bliss.

Holistic vet visit

Possum had a visit from her holistic vet on Saturday. Dr D. offers a range of unconventional treatments including acupuncture, homeopathy and Chinese herbs. Coming from the US, she says this is normal for vets there, but is quite unusual for NZ at the moment. While I am a scientist by training, some of these therapies are a bit borderline, but I am prepared to give anything a try to make my Possum well.


The first thing she said was that P's spine was out. This doesn't surprise me as this is an ongoing problem for her. And me too, I have discovered recently. I decided I should take better care of myself and so have taken on a chiropracter to "crunch my neck". I have been impressed with the difference in Possum after she has been adjusted and so thought it might make me less cranky too. Turns out having your spine badly aligned can cause all sorts of things from headaches to sleep problems. My neck hasn't been this good for years! Interestingly, both P and I have a tendency to be out at C1 and C2 (top of the neck)- it that related?

So, after some fairly serious crunching and re-checking, the vet moved to other issues. I explained about the hormone thing and my concerns there. Not to worry, says the vet, I can give her some herbs/homeopathy for that! Phew, so no surgery then? She now has Apis (bee venom)



and Lilium tigrinum (tiger lily) to take for the next few weeks and I am to report back after 14 days on her progress. I think she is due to cycle again about the end of the month, so will see then I guess.

I had to look up the potions, and was interested to see that they are both recommended for "female problems". Amongst other things. As a scientific sort, I am a bit skeptical, but then there have been drugs such as Asprin, developed from herbs. It is just the whole dilution question. But there are more things around than what we undestand and I feel better for having done something so I guess that is a positive. And surely the placebo effect can't work on a horse?

The ODE that wasn't

We were entered for the Havelock North Pony Club ODE on Sunday. This has a great little cross country course, complete with a little gully so you aren't just on the flat. This is a bit of a problem in Hawkes Bay, we are a bit short of hills. It is great fun, even if the Pony Club kids sometimes need a smack. There is quite a group of us older ladies who compete at this level and we all cheer each other on and commiserate if necessary.

Anyway I had just put us in the Intro Horse class which is only 65 cm jumps because P is so weird about jumping at the moment. If we could do a half-way decent dressage test, we could be in the prizes as there aren't many that go double clear at this level. Not that I was pot hunting, but it would be a confidence boost to actually complete something this season.

After much soul searching, and stressing, I decided to scratch our entry on the Thursday night. I rode Possum and popped her over some little jumps at home. She is still slightly uneven, not really lame or anything you can put your finger on, just a bit odd especially on the diagonal that has the sticky hock. She seemed to jump happily enough, tanking off and showing enthusiasm and a tendency to stay on her favourite canter leg. But she wasn't picking her hind end up very well and touched a few poles. I had to admit it wouldn't be fair to her to push her round a day at an ODE.

So we scratched and I might get my entry fee back, which would be nice. That can go towards a vet visit. I have made an appointment with our local holistic vet who in addition to the conventional, also offers alternative treatments. She is a real character and her visits are always entertaining if nothing else. I hope she might be able to shed some light on what is going on with my girl...

On the ovary front, no progress as the vet I really need to talk to is on holiday. He is the local expert on reproductive matters and so we will have to wait. I guess her next season will tell us something. Will keep you informed.

I'M ON HOLIIIIDAAAAYYYY!!!!

Yay! Two whole weeks when I don't have to go to work, or turn my work phone on, or think about the place!
Just me and lots of time to do what I want.

4 x 4

Bit stuck for inspiration, so thought I could do a meme.

1 Four places you have ridden a horse

• Waimarama beach, Hawkes Bay
• Tasmania
• Fiji
• Fitzroy beach, New Plymouth
  

2 Four favourite horse books/films

• Black Beauty
• Summer Pony
• Phar Lap
• Tug of War
  

3 Four horses you would like to own

• Charisma
• Alerich
• Theodore O'Connor
  
• Mr Ed

4 Four can't-live- without things

• horses
• chocolate
• coffee
• wine

Sending this out to four of my fellow bloggers:
Beckz
Kate
Andrea
Raven

Back to normal?

Her majesty seemed to be fine last night, all the swelling has gone and she has no other symptoms.

So weird. I am hoping this is just an abberation, a little hormonal blip and nothing more will come of it. But then it might explain why she suddenly stopped wanting to jump. If there is something going on, it would be best to know and figure out where to go from here. The prognosis is not very good, with the recommended treatment to take out the growth/ovary. I can't imagine that is going to be very cheap.

Penny says "I don't feel so good. What is happening???"

Calling the vet on a Sunday

I had quite a day yesterday. First the youngster barged through the gate, knocking me flying and catching himself in the stifle. Then when I got Possum out to do her feet, I noticed her udder was really swollen.

Additionally, she was sweaty all up the back of and between her thighs. Her udder was hot and very firm to the touch, although it didn't seem to be hurting at all. Now, she has been in season, and was out with the boys that morning on quite lush grass. But I couldn't think why this would make her "bag up". She looked quite sorry for herself and I thought she was breathing more rapidly than usual. I grabbed everyone else who was at the paddock and got them to take a look in the hope that someone would have seen this before. No joy there, and so I called the duty vet and asked him to come out.

Fortunately he arrived very quickly - it has just occurred to me that the poor guy was probably happily watching the motor racing at Bathurst. Oh, well, that's the breaks if you are on call, I guess. We trotted her up, and she wasn't lame but he agreed the swelling was unusual. He said he'd only seen it before in maiden mares during their first pregnancy. She was also showing swelling in her hind legs from the fetlocks down.

In the end, he decided that it was probably due to a hormone imbalance. The leg swelling is possibly secondary to the udder swelling, or because she was standing around rather than moving as usual. I couldn't remember how regularly she comes into season (it's not something I keep track of) but I think she is fairly regular. He gave her something IV to reduce the swelling and pain and told me to let him know if it didn't improve or got worse. Then he told me that it might be due to a tumour or cyst on an ovary! I will have to do some research on this, but it might explain why she has suddenly stopped jumping. It would be good to know, even though the thought of such a tumour is giving me the heebie jeebies.

I gave her some Devil's Claw as well, rugged her up and hugged her. She was uncharacteristically soppy and let me! Another sign she is not well.

This morning, the swelling had gone but she still didn't seem herself. I am off to check her now and see how she is. More to follow...

Barefoot trimming (part 1)

Nice feet, eh? Not actually Possum's as I am too embarrassed to post hers at the moment. A small case of long toes and high heels that I am well aware of. Now that it has stopped raining, I might get a chance to trim them.

Actually, now I have another look, they don't look so great. Is that a big hole at the toe? Don't remember seeing that at the time. And the heels look contracted and squished. Sigh...

But this is in introduction to talking about the trimming course. A, the instructor (for want of a better word), started with a brief talk on all the background things. This covered anatomy, physiology, physics, biomechanics, history and other big words. Luckily, there were lots of photos in the presentation - so it was all good! I'm not here to give a lecture on the pros and cons of barefoot trimming, so I'll leave you to your own research - let me know if you are interested and I can post some links.

Anyway, none of my horses that I have owned have had shoes. Not that there's been many of them when it comes down to it. Although I love the sound of shoes on the road, I am starting to think that horses are better off without them. At the level I am riding, there's no need for studs to give grip and we don't do huge miles on rough terrain, so my horses don't need them. All I have learned about the form and function of horses leads me to think they need their feet to be able to expand/contract, to provide shock absorption and feeling.In summary, the way they are designed is the best way for them to stay.

I started doing my own trimming about a year ago, after a not-so-great experience with my former farrier who failed to point out and treat some seedy toe. I knew he was doing just a paddock trim, but was too scared to go down any other road or have a go myself. But after that, I thought I probably couldn't do much worse. I couldn't find a local trimmer but lucked out and got some one-on-one instruction with a well qualified trimmer who was visiting. Most of it has been learning the hard way, and reading lots and meeting some great people on a forum who have helped.

The way A. trims is a bit different to the way I was taught. But as that method is pretty harsh, I am happy to go to a less invasive trim. It is all about balance, looking at the hoof and reassessing as necessary. All the schools agree about the importance of reducing heel height and toe length. When you first see barefoot hooves, they look horribly short, but now I am used to it, shod feet look horrendous!

I now want to get away from the computer, and get my trimming gear out. More to follow!

Whatever the weather....

Gotta love spring in NZ!



Saturday was fine, a bit windy and we had to move inside to avoid sunburn.

Sunday it rained. And rained. And rained.

Monday it was cold and rainy. Cold. It was snowing on the ranges.

Today the rain has stopped and we can see the snow on the hills. There is a piercing cold wind that goes straight through you and feels like it comes directly from Antartica. So the horses are still in their 200 gram fill rugs and have had hay to keep them warm.

The forecast is for a grandaddy frost on Thursday morning - that is one way to reduce the grape harvest for next year!!! I am not looking forward to that.

This is sort of what the ranges look like today.
Only, more snow, and this is supposedly spring!

Saddle fitter (III)

Another visit today from the wonderful Sarah.

I am as slack about doing Miss P's massage as I am about my own physio exercises. Well, maybe not that slack. But work has kept me away for several days last week and meant a disgustingly early start today. I have been struggling with the change to daylight savings time and my neck was out, giving me a three day headache.

I know - excuses, excuses.

Here is Possum, having a lovely sleep after her aromatherapy session. In all the time we have been together, I have never seen her lie down flat out to sleep. Must be something to it after all.

Note the Dratted Pony also having a nap - I thought one of them was supposed to stand guard?

EDITED TO ADD:
So, got a big tick for doing my homework, although have not been as swotty as Bron. However, she works from home and has lots of time to go out and massage. Some of us are stuck in an office 40 hours a week, you know! Anyway, we got some more stretches to do, and can now use a special magical massage tool (aka a tennis ball) for advanced moves. Sarah re-measured P's back and she has filled out especially the big hollow on the near side. It seems amazing to have made such a difference in only a month, so the long term effects should be incredible.

Possum has been having a bit of a holiday with very little riding. She has had a few little hacks and is on Devil's Claw daily and I think she is a bit happier. I am still hopeful that we can get her sorted out and find a suitable dressage saddle. Then we could be back in competiton! I have entered us in the Havelock North PC one day event, but that is only on the 18th, so will see if that is too soon...

Trimming course

This Saturday I will be attending a course on barefoot trimming.

I have been trimming Possum for about a year, but still don't know much. I have had some training and have a great trimmer who I see occasionally. But most of it is up to me.

Interestingly, there is an interest growing here in barefoot. People have been asking me for help - Yikes! I would hate to put anyone wrong and don't think I could be much help as I am still very much a beginner.

But one of the locals has organised a course that will cover anatomy, practical aspects and all the rest. I am really looking forward to it, if only for the opportunity to meet some like-minded horse folk. Hopefully we will have some cadaver legs to trim and dissect. I know that is awful as that is someone's horse lying dead, but at least they did something for the benefit of other horses? I am very brave now, but the reality might be different. It has been a few years *cough*decades* since I did zoology and I might not feel the same now.

I might be able to post some gory photos of the dissection...
Watch this space!

Hairy Horse Show

Our first red ribbon ! Naturally, we won the Hairy Horse Class. No competition!
July 2007

Can't remember what this was for, but same day. Miss P. doesn't look too impressed
(showing is not her thing - too dull by far).

At the beach

I didn't grow up here. Where I come from, the beaches have black iron sand and crashing waves from the constant onshore winds. I remember visiting here when I was a kid and being amazed by the pale "sand"-coloured sand. That colour had never made much sense till then! Sadly I don't have any photos of us riding on the beach in the 'Naki - it was before the days of digital cameras.


The beaches north and south of the cities here are brilliant riding beaches. The closer ones unfortunately are not horse friendly and frankly dangerous with waves that take small children, and pebbles instead of sand. So you need to load up the float and drive about an hour, but then you get this...

Waimarama Beach, in winter (you can tell by the Hairy Horse)

Sometimes there are obstacles - this is actually a log that has been made into a seat. Apologies to the locals, but we just saw a jump!




The long, flat beaches are fabulous for going for a gallop on. This is locally known as "hooning" or "going for a blat". As long as you don't run over the other beach occupants, no-one minds. It pays to watch out for the fishing lines but you are usually pretty safe. If you get out of control you guide your horse into the deep, soft sand or the sea. My little Possum tends to run out of puff before we run out of beach!

I'd love to be there now...

I miss competing...

This past weekend I went to watch some of my friends ride at one of the local sports. This is a small local show open to all, usually run by the local Pony Club, Hunt and residents. They typically have flat/show classes, show jumping, show hunter and games for the kids. It's a great way to introduce yourself or horse to show atmosphere and they have a very friendly, low-key feeling.

They also have small jumps for those of us who prefer them that way. So last year, Possum and I did show hunter and show jumping at 80 cm and had a ball. Unfortunately everyone and their dog is there with young horses, so your chances of placing are slim to none. But it means you get to ride against former Olympic riders - can't imagine that happening in other places or even other sports. It is just terrifying to sit at the side of the ring and watch them though!!! I think I did better than some of the pro riders and did a double clear SJ round, so that was enough for us.

But this year, I was there on foot, feeling a bit sad and lost. It wasn't much consolation when my friends didn't have great days with their showing.

Someone was trying to give away a thoroughbred - I was interested until I heard it is 16.3 hh! Yikes! I don't care if it can jump a metre 30, that's way too tall for me. I am quietly looking around for another horse, especially one I can take out competing now, because I miss it. I do so love the jumping...

What to do this weekend?

Now that we are not out competing all the time, it leaves the weekends wide open. I am not at all used to this and I need to set some goals or I will just waste the time. I could of course, go along as someone's groom. It would be hard though, to be at the events I was planning on doing but be without Possum and only watching from the sidelines. Not at all the same.

So, what to do?

We could go out hacking around the roads.
We could go to the arena and do some in-hand work.
If I had some transport, I'd love to go to the beach.

I do need to do her stretches and massage work.
She could do with a good de-furring.
I can't remember when all of her gear was last cleaned.
I could sort out some things to sell to pay for her supplements etc.

But really, I'd rather do some jumping...

Nuuuw Zuland

One of the things that fascinates me about blogs is how they give you an insight into someone else's life. And photos of their world are great, so I thought I would add some of my world. Some photos from my on line albums for you...

Not my paddock, but one of my horses lives here. Kereru, Hawkes Bay
This was a cold day in June (winter)

Possum in her paddock with one chook and the sheep
See how flat it is - not many hills around here!

Just up the road from my work, one April morning
Kaweka Ranges in the distance

Ngaruroro River from the vineyard
That's a cabbage tree to the left
Yeah, I know it looks like a palm. That's what we call them.

Autumn vineyard

Saddles

We are very fortunate to have a wonderful saddle fitter who travels here about once a month. She is also a therapist who does a variety of things to make the horses' lives better.

At our first appointment, I got her to check out both my saddles. I have a half-share in a young horse, and I was hoping I could use the same saddles for both of them. Unfortunately, the dressage saddle is too small for me! And I love it so much! And the GP is okay but doesn't fit either horse properly. It can be adjusted with some judicious padding and lots of homework on my part - massage, stretches etc.

It seems that some of Possum's stiffness is due to her saddles digging her in the back. Logical, I know, but sometimes it takes a professional to get you to see things! I have known for ages that she has severe muscle wastage at the top of her shoulder/wither area. It was probably caused by too many years in too small saddles, as typically most farmers believe one saddle can fit all horses. We have a series of stretches to do, which I have to admit I have been a bit slack about.

We had another visit on the weekend, and I got a tick on my homework (massage etc) and then more homework! Yuk, reminds me of school. I had borrowed a range of saddles from various people but none of them fitted well. Sigh, back to the drawing board/trade me... P. was quite tense and spooky, and covered everything in her fluff, as she is shedding like crazy. The therapist tried some aromatherapy oils and made a blend up for her that has lavender, clary sage and marjoram which seemed to calm her down well.

Looking at her feet

I want to post some hoof photos, mostly to document where we are at the moment.
Although the shots I have are a couple of months old, so I will have to get some more this weekend.


Front feet in July 09



Near fore
Note the lower point at the toe where I have tried to get to the seedy toe there.



Off fore



Near hind



Off hind
Note the asymmetry of hoof and frog - I need to trim this more on the inside to balance her movement.

Where we're at

I started a post a couple of weeks ago after we had a disasterous day at the Top Score jumping. I couldn't finish it, so it's still in the drafts folder.
Suffice to say, my fears that my girl is getting past it are becoming real. We got eliminated in three of the four sections, and she is not a happy horse. So far we have had the chiro/physio and saddle fitter out, upped her supplements and started her on Devil's Claw.

I rode her last night and she was very bouncy and spooky, and seemed full of herself. That might be in part to the couple of days she has spent on the good spring grass, despite the toxin binder. Or it might be that she is feeling better and the additives are working. She certainly hasn't lunged at me trying to bite me lately, which is a good indicator of her temper!

My coach is finally back from the US, and we have a lesson/assessment on Saturday morning. I need to make some serious decisions about where we are going. I really hope we have at least another season together, but if she is not happy jumping, I will have to accept that and start looking for a replacement.

Don't get me wrong, she will have a wonderful life of standing in the paddock, eating, and going on gentle hacks. I'm not one to put a horse down because she can't do what I want her to do. As long as she is happy, she can be a paddock ornament. And someone has to keep that dratted pony in line!


THAT DRATTED PONY!