Equine First Aid

Last Thursday we had our last Therapeutic Riding night and since it was close to halloween we had a dress up and trick or treat night.  I dressed like a unicorn and it was fun, so many cool costumes!

(I did my nails in unicorn colors too)

(Our superhorse Ashley)

(The group with our rider 

who was pouting cause we wanted a smile 

and his dad in too)

(The whole 6:00 group)

Then Friday I loaded up and headed to Saskatoon to Lisa's and she was hosting an Equine First aid course.  It was really cool. Some I had known about but lots of new things as well.  And good practice bandaging again as it has been a long time since I have had an injury here.  Well more than a just a few stitches or a rest/time off injury.

(We were given a bunch of scenarios and we had to deal with them as we thought was best. 

 Poor Lefta had a lot of injuries in one day)

(and we wrapped a donut for an eye injury)

(our other victim, lol)

(The instructor showing a stretch I think)

(A hoof abscess and a mid leg wrap with expansion joint)

(Yay we all graduated )

I tried to take some photos of touristy places but its winter and stuff was closed or hard to get to, except the dump oops I turned too soon, and they have cows in the middle of town :)  Of course its a vet college but still cool.

(the nice hotel room, seemed a bit fancy but I'd sure stay there again)

(Pike Lake....obviously lol)

(they were working up the sand)

(and sign on the highway said point of interest.....not sure what it was)

It was cool meeting Lisa too although we didn't get a lot of time to spend together since its not that far we may try to meet up next summer again.

Update

So I been thinking a lot about what to do with Easy.  My options are send him to Doug's and he can live there during show season, it would work but be a lot more expensive.  Or I can just pony him everywhere unless I can ride at home cause he's good to ride alone.  Or I can haul 3 and he can always have a buddy.  Or I think if I haul to Brooks and I'm alone when I ride Jess (which is most of the time there) I can just let him loose.  He's not crazy and neither is she will will work on just walk at first work our way up to trot and we will see about a lope after that.  I think he will be fine and if comes along with us just more exercise for him lol.  One thing I'm not gonna do is to tie him where there is anything he can get caught on.  I used to have an overhead tie place but we took it down cause was in the way, wonder if I can talk Neil into putting it back up somewhere....but where??

(The side scrape, looks bad but the least of our worries)

(and the front scrapes, they are the worrysome ones)

(and the swelling in the fetlock is gone down from yesterday, bad angle from the other foot tho)

I'm sure he hasn't seen hobbles and I'm not even sure that would help at this point, he can still rear and buck with them on and so not really a feasable option.  I've also talked to someone and have a calming spray but since he's kinda calm the rest of the time they figure it probly won't do much but I may try anyways.

(I like this purple one on Jess)

(not as sure about this one but I like the colorful noseband)

But today I went out there caught both and Easy was bobbing his head around like a goof not leaving just being weird.  I don't think he liked the drugs in his mouth.  I just waited and he quit and was good again for me giving them, just his way of saying he doesn't really want them I think.  But he needs them today at least, it's just bute so a painkiller for another day or so.

(our dugout is a bit full lol)

Then I finally tried on the halters Shirley made for me.  I got to get another rope for the teal one, I was using that purple rope on Easy before so that was handy.  Not sure which I will use on them but they are nice.

I just gooped up tails and brushed them and manes out today and that was about it.  Sun was shining and it was warm in the truck but still felt cold outside.  Tomorrow is another day have to see what I can come up with to do then lol.  I'm not very good at doing not riding stuff.  And I feel bad just giving his drugs and leaving.

Time Off

So after the show it really bothered me I had so much trouble cutting a cow from the herd.  I usually have so little trouble with that I never think to work on it.  It took me all the way till Thursday to figure it out.  At practice all the cows are in the center of the arena and we work them outside. In straight lines back and forth like a show but on any side.  And I think that's where my trouble lays.  I have trouble push to the side and they separate...but at a show its always to the front.  Got to work on that in practice.

Have taken a couple weeks off since then cause the weather was pretty miserable.  Since I have to haul to ride unless I ride out which its too cold and icy now for that, and I wont haul if below -20*C.  And hasn't been above that.  Brrr.  And then my Grampa passed away and while still sad was not completly unexpected and he will be happier now he is with my Gramma.

On Monday the ponies got their teeth done and so Tuesday was a day of in case of sore mouths and Tuesday back riding. Rode Jess first and she was full of beans what a character she is lol.  Had a good ride even though a odd lady was there doing I dunno what with her horse.  But we worked around her and had a good time.  Sure felt good to be back in the saddle again.

I also brought Kali and had her ready to go but as I put her bridle on she was acting weird and sure enough her mouth was still sore so she just come along for the ride I guess.  Then today was a day of shopping and back at it tomorrow and Saturday and Sunday...and hope a lesson Monday :)

Farrier Day

Wednesday was the day I had planned for my farrier to come out. He was planned to come at 8 and I was worried it was gonna be cold out, but turned out to be just perfect.  I had 6 trims and a front shoe.  Wow after 3 or so hours I was exhausted.  But I did not have to walk far to get everyone in.  I caught Bailey and Kali and Jessie and had them tied up and I could see the others just outside the corral gate so I opened the gates and let them in, but of course then they decide they need to run and buck and play so I left them and come back in 15 or so minutes when they were done being silly.  And caught Razz, Disco, George, and Belle.

 (Kali off by herself cause she thought she needed to squeal and strike at the other horses)

(someone always has to get in trouble, lol Bailey didn't even know her rope wasn't right)

After everyone was done I put Razz and Jazz in the alley way and turned out everyone else.  I really need to get something done with Jazz and since Doug is so busy I won't be takin lessons for a while I figure now is a good time to get started.  I picked Razz to go with her cause I am thinking after a few days workin with her I might start ponying her, although I am not sure how that will work yet but that is my plan so when I find a trainer she will be at least a little farther ahead.

That evening the sunset was so pretty and I asked Neil to get me a bale of hay and he did so quite late so I was feeding just as the sun was setting and looked so pretty.

More Feet -- Disco and Shasta

Well I finally got pics of Disco and Shasta's feet, and they are not perfect and hopefully will improve a little.  First off Disco, she has really tall feet (which I don't know if its bad, just not what I am used to and they are better than when I got her last year) and her right front had an injury at some point at the back inside of the heel. 
A front view:

And a side view: 

First left Front (which I see her frog needs to grow a little):

Then left hind:

And right front:

and right hind:

And then onto Shasta, I had to take a pic of her cause they both have dark legs so then I could tell where the different feet started.  Not the best pic of her but I love the outlining of her ears,  you can see it when riding too :)

And her front view (no her foot is not really that crooked shes just standing funny):

And her side view she has the opposite problem as Disco, her feet are very flat.I wish I woulda taken in a little farther away so you could see how much its not in a straight line from her knee.

Her left front:

Left hind:

Right front:

and Right hind:

So I guess now I have something to compare to in future when I get thier feet where they need to be.  Not as obvious on some horses cause they always have good feet, but sure makes you notice the differences in them.  But next time I think I might have to get someone else to hold them when I take the pics.

This week with Ponies

I haven't posted much last week for no reason.  But I have done some pony stuff.  I rode Razz on Wednesday and Saturday.  Also on Saturday I brushed Disco and brought her in the barn, which she knew exactly what was going on there cause she just walked right into the stall and over to the feed dish, lol.  She stayed in the stall while I rode Razz and only called out a couple times.  I am thinking I won't be riding her till after Tuesday when she is getting her teeth done.  I am excited and yet nervous as well. 

Duchess has been making her way into the herd here at home.  I felt a little sorry for her when I turned her out with everyone cause they were all about protecting the baby, but she is very much an alpha mare and she had no problems getting in the middle of the herd and I expect before too long she will be ruling it. 

I had to get after her the other day when she kicked out at another horse when I was out there and I yelled at her.  She run away about 5 steps and looked back at me like she couldn't believe someone was yelling at her.  I said I was sorry and I know she has never been chased away for doing that before, but I don't want to get hurt out there even though I know she wouldn't hurt me on purpose I want to avoid any opportunities.

I am really torn on weather to put a blanket on Razz.  I would like one on her so hopefully she will not sweat as much when I ride her, but it is a lot easier for me to not have one on her.  I am not gonna put one on for sure until I know if I am gonna ride Disco all winter.  Cause if I ride Disco I may turn Razz out for the rest of winter.  I bought one the other day I will use to start out with if I do blanket her.  it is a rain sheet with a polar fleece liner.  i think it will work really well as just keeping her a warmer out of the wind before it gets really cold and she needs a real winter blanket.

Other Neglegted Ponies

Sometimes I feel like I am not ever posting about any ponies that I am not really doing anything with.  So here is an update on everyone except Jamaica and Dinero.

I'm sure I said this before, but every morning I give my ponies a little bit of oats (that they don't really need) just so I make sure they are up and I can get a good look at them.  This works really well in case someone got injured or if I want to ride one that day, they are waiting at the gate.

Jazz is still friendly, walking up to me every time I go out there, but nicely she will no come right up to me, she waits for me to pet her which I greatly appreciate.  Even though she wants me to scratch her, she waits just an arm length away for me to make the first move.

Belle is same as always, just close enough for oats but prefers me not to scratch her (although sometimes I do and it surprises her every time I just scratch and don't catch)  And Disco is a noisemaker, even if I can't see the horses she whinnies so I know she is out there.

And Casino is growing like a weed! She is now just about 2 1/2 months old and her bum is so big!  she is very pretty, just like her daddy.  I guess that's the pleasure breeding makes them look feminine.  I was talking to a lady at the wedding dance last Saturday night who bred her mare this year to Casinos sire (Redford's Blue Chip) in order to get a taller pleasure horse.  And I forgot till she mentioned it that he was very pretty, not stud like at all, more feminine like.  Which is amazing for such a big horse.

And Razz I think is wondering why I took Dinero to ride instead of her, but I don't want to ride her inside and she gets boarded all winter, I think she needs some downtime in pasture too. 

And Kali, really haven't done much with her, keep meaning to call a trainer to get her in but just keep forgetting or putting it off or something (I am a chicken, I admit, I don't really like others riding my horses so it's easier just to not phone even though I know it is what she and I need)

And Bailey, still haven't rode her much this year, and probly won't.  And Neils horse, George, he is same old same old.  I do think he is surprised he isn't boss horse anymore since I put Razz out there.  Razz was boss last summer when she had a foal and as soon as she walked out into that pasture he walked away from her so same all over again.  But they hang out together so I guess no hard feelings there.

Well this afternoon plan on riding Dinero again then work with Jamaica, yesterday I sprayed his tail and hopefully it will be not to tangley I can brush it.  Then Saturday is the Hayes Brothers Sale and another wedding dance.