Life is, well, Life. Family situation is, really, for all purposes, no better. If anyone had asked me late last week, I would've said, "It's improving". As the weekend drew to a close, it was a disaster, again. I'm caught in the middle, and I can't do a thing about it. I've thought through all of the conversations I've been in the middle of, and none have been pretty. I'd like to say I'm the mature one that's handled things well, but I've only responded to what's been dealt to me. I hate the whole situation, I hate that it's impacting my every moment, and I hate more that everyone has involved me more than I should be. I hate that I'm being held responsible for things I had no part in, no piece in the original decision. I hate it. Enough said. Well, for now, at least.
After a chaotic day at the office, I decided to ride Chewie early rather than late. I also decided last-minute to pull my hunter saddle off the rack & ride him english. His warm up was a little stiff, but it seemed he was working with the side reins a bit more at the canter, especially right. His trot left was disappointing, as he was head-up, and leaning with all his might into the bit. He worked in side reins for about 10 minutes, then carried me for 30. We worked on walk, trot, on the bit, long stretches down, and a little WP jog. I peeked down at his track in the jog a few times, and it appeared the hoofprints weren't far from tracking-under. Nifty for as slow as it felt.
The turnout blanket has been claimed, and departed for its new home Saturday morning. I think I sent it to the right place, as the lady seemed honest and the story true. If I'm being taken advantage of, that's a risk I took. I hope the turnout gets many more years of use on a horse it'll fit better.
My saddle search continues. Can't settle on a size for horse bars. I have concluded I'm a 15" seat. The more I cantered in the 16", the more I slid around, and the less secure I felt. Still can't find a horse-fit I understand.
We are blessed - it did rain at my house today, and I hope to find puddles when I get home. I don't think I will, but maybe I'll at least find the ground damp.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
Chewie Back to Work
Sweat is what Mr Don said he needed. And Sweat is what he got. I caught Chewie on Saturday (09/06), tacked him up western saddle, english bridle, and we set in the round pen. I warmed him up with walk, a little trot, and a lot of canter. Trot builds muscle, but I wanted him thinking, "I am going to canter with Mom today", so I got all of the chance of canter-buck of out him before getting on. He threw a little mini fit here and there, and had his head out to the right. I figured that was still a little pain and decided that canter-right lead might not be in the cards under saddle just yet.
When I climbed on, we worked on trot right, with great results. Without a side-rein warmup, he was a bit stiff, but quickly loosened up and relaxed his head & poll. I had his mouth, and his attention, but the reins were still on gentle contact. A nice forward trot, good up & down transitions. I focused on "3s".
Reversed to left. Trot 3, walk 2, trot 3, walk 2. I figured if I was going to canter, this was my chance. Trot 1, canter 1.5. I felt like I had lost a little balance in the canter, so I told him, "Sh", just a little bit, hoping he'd just ease up a bit. Nah. He transitioned down immediately into trot, and softened his face. I laughed, realized he gave me what I wanted from "SH", and if I want an easier canter, I'm going to have to find another way to get it. I can't verbally ask for it anymore.. *giggle* Smart little man.
A little more trot left, and back to the right. Focused the last right and left set on "stretching down" trots. He lifted his back and stretched down a few times, so I walked him out. Total work, nearly an hour. He was very cooperative for a horse that hadn't been cantered under saddle in over three months. I was satisfied he was ready to get back in the game.
Sunday, I warmed him up a bit, saw I had his attention, and his brakes. I walked one circle in the round pen, opened the gate from his back, and walked around the pasture. The wind was fierce, and his ears were everywhere. His head was up a bit, so I had just a bit of contact, just enuf that if I had needed it, I could stop him. Walked around for about 15 minutes, and I hopped off. I wanted to "test drive" my new confidence on him, and I think the best way to measure the level of trust in our relationship is trail riding. Anytime we've had success in an enclosed space, it seems to blow apart in the pasture. Since I'm working on his fitness, I figured it's a good time to work on my confidence.
I'm learning that all my horses are waiting on is for me to trust them, and relax. Both are bright enough (now) that they know what's expected, and they know how to stop if I need it. The only thing holding us back, is me, and my fear. I've come a long way, and there's still more to accomplish.
When I climbed on, we worked on trot right, with great results. Without a side-rein warmup, he was a bit stiff, but quickly loosened up and relaxed his head & poll. I had his mouth, and his attention, but the reins were still on gentle contact. A nice forward trot, good up & down transitions. I focused on "3s".
Reversed to left. Trot 3, walk 2, trot 3, walk 2. I figured if I was going to canter, this was my chance. Trot 1, canter 1.5. I felt like I had lost a little balance in the canter, so I told him, "Sh", just a little bit, hoping he'd just ease up a bit. Nah. He transitioned down immediately into trot, and softened his face. I laughed, realized he gave me what I wanted from "SH", and if I want an easier canter, I'm going to have to find another way to get it. I can't verbally ask for it anymore.. *giggle* Smart little man.
A little more trot left, and back to the right. Focused the last right and left set on "stretching down" trots. He lifted his back and stretched down a few times, so I walked him out. Total work, nearly an hour. He was very cooperative for a horse that hadn't been cantered under saddle in over three months. I was satisfied he was ready to get back in the game.
Sunday, I warmed him up a bit, saw I had his attention, and his brakes. I walked one circle in the round pen, opened the gate from his back, and walked around the pasture. The wind was fierce, and his ears were everywhere. His head was up a bit, so I had just a bit of contact, just enuf that if I had needed it, I could stop him. Walked around for about 15 minutes, and I hopped off. I wanted to "test drive" my new confidence on him, and I think the best way to measure the level of trust in our relationship is trail riding. Anytime we've had success in an enclosed space, it seems to blow apart in the pasture. Since I'm working on his fitness, I figured it's a good time to work on my confidence.
I'm learning that all my horses are waiting on is for me to trust them, and relax. Both are bright enough (now) that they know what's expected, and they know how to stop if I need it. The only thing holding us back, is me, and my fear. I've come a long way, and there's still more to accomplish.
Riding With the Cowboys
I received this email this morning from Cowboy Les' wife, MG.
Hey girl,
I understand that you need to change your name to Annie Oakley instead of Calamity Jane.
Les just couldn’t stop bragging on you when he got home yesterday.
I’m really proud of you.
Have a great day.
And I am proud of me. I had a blast last night at the roping arena. Les and I had plans to trail ride around my place Sunday afternoon. Obedience training with Kenzie got cancelled, so I told him, "No need to haul up here. I'll be at the arena later this evening." I figured if I could lope my horse out in an open field, I can lope him in front of the cowboys.
When I arrived, we tacked up, and Les and I (Les on Sugar) went into the arena to warm up before penning the steers. I walked, I jogged, and I loped, nice big fast circles. Romeo was ready for action, with a nasty uncomfortable almost gallop around the lower half of the arena. Speedie little twit. I loped and loped until I was satisfied I had his attention with turns and stops. We penned up the steers, albeit a bit difficult because they weren't in the mood to be penned, and I was pushing too hard to start.
As we finished up penning, another one of the ropers arrived. Les said to me, "Go show R how to warm up that horse there." As R was bringing his three horses into the arena, I got to loping again. I caught his eye, and saw him staring from the far end of the arena. I felt myself relax a little, and, instead of bouncing like a nut, I was moving in my hips, with my horse, instead of against him. I didn't even glance to see if I had the lead, I just kept going. I got him pointed towards the out-gate, and gently said, "Whoa", and he stopped on his rear. He got a nice pat & scratch, and we walked to the roping boxes. R said to me, "Good to see you've got your finger out of your butt & you're actually going to ride that horse now. You can move the steers by yourself maybe instead of us all having to help you every time." All I could so was smile. Les was glowing, and I could tell it was a smile of "Look at that horse I trained", and "Look at that rider I'm getting confidence into."
Later in the evening, Mr W was teasing me to "ride my horse for him like I do for Les." After pushing a pen of steers back to the chute, Les said to me, "Go show Mr W how you ride that horse now." And I did.. I calmly trotted a little bit out of the little alleyway, asked him to walk, and went right into a correct-lead lope down the arena. I loped about five big, slow, circles, my toosh in the saddle, loose rein, and felt completely calm about the whole thing. I caught Mr W staring, dead square in the center of the arena, almost with a disbelief look on his face. I asked Romeo to "Whoa" (which I got without issue or complaint), and trotted over to Mr W. He said to me, "Well look at that! Let me tell you now, if you ever want to impress somebody with your riding, you just lope circles, girl. Those cowboys will be after you, if you'll just keep loping circles. You were completely stuck in that saddle, and you weren't flopping around one bit. That looked great!" Mr W is one of those older hands, that, will give you his opinion at every opportunity, will tease if he thinks it'll build up confidence, but will always be your biggest cheerleader if you just try.
So in a few hours, I went from being the wallflower rider that the cowboys protected and helped out, to the cowgirl that pushed steers independantly, and was genuinely respected. They trust me now... R even said, "You need to start tracking cows on him. He's ready, and so are you." That's the phrase that leads to "I need help moving some cows today, and I'd like your help." Around these parts, that's cowboy-speak for, "I trust your riding ability, and I think you're a helpful hand." For a cowgirl, that's not easy to earn. I'll take it however I can get it.
Hey girl,
I understand that you need to change your name to Annie Oakley instead of Calamity Jane.
Les just couldn’t stop bragging on you when he got home yesterday.
I’m really proud of you.
Have a great day.
And I am proud of me. I had a blast last night at the roping arena. Les and I had plans to trail ride around my place Sunday afternoon. Obedience training with Kenzie got cancelled, so I told him, "No need to haul up here. I'll be at the arena later this evening." I figured if I could lope my horse out in an open field, I can lope him in front of the cowboys.
When I arrived, we tacked up, and Les and I (Les on Sugar) went into the arena to warm up before penning the steers. I walked, I jogged, and I loped, nice big fast circles. Romeo was ready for action, with a nasty uncomfortable almost gallop around the lower half of the arena. Speedie little twit. I loped and loped until I was satisfied I had his attention with turns and stops. We penned up the steers, albeit a bit difficult because they weren't in the mood to be penned, and I was pushing too hard to start.
As we finished up penning, another one of the ropers arrived. Les said to me, "Go show R how to warm up that horse there." As R was bringing his three horses into the arena, I got to loping again. I caught his eye, and saw him staring from the far end of the arena. I felt myself relax a little, and, instead of bouncing like a nut, I was moving in my hips, with my horse, instead of against him. I didn't even glance to see if I had the lead, I just kept going. I got him pointed towards the out-gate, and gently said, "Whoa", and he stopped on his rear. He got a nice pat & scratch, and we walked to the roping boxes. R said to me, "Good to see you've got your finger out of your butt & you're actually going to ride that horse now. You can move the steers by yourself maybe instead of us all having to help you every time." All I could so was smile. Les was glowing, and I could tell it was a smile of "Look at that horse I trained", and "Look at that rider I'm getting confidence into."
Later in the evening, Mr W was teasing me to "ride my horse for him like I do for Les." After pushing a pen of steers back to the chute, Les said to me, "Go show Mr W how you ride that horse now." And I did.. I calmly trotted a little bit out of the little alleyway, asked him to walk, and went right into a correct-lead lope down the arena. I loped about five big, slow, circles, my toosh in the saddle, loose rein, and felt completely calm about the whole thing. I caught Mr W staring, dead square in the center of the arena, almost with a disbelief look on his face. I asked Romeo to "Whoa" (which I got without issue or complaint), and trotted over to Mr W. He said to me, "Well look at that! Let me tell you now, if you ever want to impress somebody with your riding, you just lope circles, girl. Those cowboys will be after you, if you'll just keep loping circles. You were completely stuck in that saddle, and you weren't flopping around one bit. That looked great!" Mr W is one of those older hands, that, will give you his opinion at every opportunity, will tease if he thinks it'll build up confidence, but will always be your biggest cheerleader if you just try.
So in a few hours, I went from being the wallflower rider that the cowboys protected and helped out, to the cowgirl that pushed steers independantly, and was genuinely respected. They trust me now... R even said, "You need to start tracking cows on him. He's ready, and so are you." That's the phrase that leads to "I need help moving some cows today, and I'd like your help." Around these parts, that's cowboy-speak for, "I trust your riding ability, and I think you're a helpful hand." For a cowgirl, that's not easy to earn. I'll take it however I can get it.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Chewie Is Back to Work
I haven't got the pictures yet. I unfortunately didn't start snapping up shots before Mr Don started work. Here's the quick word summary.
- Took as much off the front right as he could, but it's still a tad longer than the front left
- Rear toes were chipped up - wall seperation, rounded off toes to try to prevent reoccurence
- Thrush still lurking front left, rear right. Other two cases are clear. Took out some of the frog around those thrushy cracks so I can get the Durasole in better this time
- Hoof shape & angles are improving, but not there yet.
- The pad on front right is working! All the signals indicate it helped
- Front right has blood hemmorage on the sole near the toe, old bruise growing out, probably from Chewie's barefoot five weeks standing around & being grumpy
- Front hooves blood still flowing - pulse is still evident on both - although not good, indications that P3 is creeping back up where it belongs by soundness
So I asked Mr Don "Okay, the question of the day.. What can he do now?" I love his answer, "Sweat! Get him back in work, get the muscles back where they were before this mess started and you met me. If he gets sore, get off, hose him down, give him a treat, and apologize to him for over-doing it. Take the following day off, and then get back after it. Don't linger every day at trot - hard on the hooves, hard on the legs." He also told me to give him some patience if he gets fussy or grouchy. He said, "If that head isn't bobbing, he's sound, but if he is a real grump one day, it's probably because something hurts, and he doesn't know how else to tell you. If he's like that many days in a row, call me. We'll talk about what you need to do next. If it sounds like he's just avoiding working, we'll talk him through that, too."
And Sweat it is! We're ready to get back at it. I hope to get a couple canter circles today. Mr Don also confirmed something I've been thinking for a while now - Chewie swinging his head to the outside for canter right, wasn't defiance, wasn't bad balance, wasn't him being a snot. He's trying to get that 50lb head off the right front hoof. Poor kid. And to think Robin was forcing weight on it, shorter inside rein, putting more strain on an already painful situation. I only feel kind of like a snot for pushing him despite the bad foot.
I've decided to put the chiropractor for him on hold a bit longer - I want him sound & muscled before I waste the effort. It's a long drive, and I don't feel like hauling him now, and then hauling him again in a few months for the same thing. He hasn't been fussing about being brushed, and doesn't seem to be particularly bucky one direction or the other.
Cheers all... have a great day. I've got too much to do, so I better get the engine oiled (with coffee), and get my rump moving.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
It's Finally Fall
And I couldn't be happier. I'll find a way to get a link up to my local weather somewhere's on here... But anyways, let me summarize it for you. It's supposed to go down near 45F tonight, and near 40F on the weekend. Hallelujah! God remembered this little Yankee and gave me the fall I want!!!
How excellent! I will be able to ride without sweaty miserable horses, I can put on a long sleeved shirt again, feeding in the evening will not be overrun with nasty rank mosquitoes. I feel so blessed to live where it never snows and almost never freezes.. until around September, when it's still bloody 90F hot during the days, sometimes humid in the mornings. It's unbearably hot here too many months of the year.
And I'm finally blessed with at least one sweet weekend! Can't wait to pick up turnouts at the cleaners tonight, and be able to cover Chewie in a clean turnout sheet. :) keep the winter fuzzies away.
Tomorrow, we go for new feet. I will take pictures before, and after, and put them up on the picture site with links. I am going to drive Mr Don the Farrier absolutely nuts, I'm sure. I want pictures of each trip before & after, and I won't stop taking pictures until I see marked progress. I want my old horse back - I want my cantering hunter trotting over ground poles, easy going Chewie back. And when he gets happy feet again, I will have that horse.
Tonight, I'm planning on at least free in the round pen. I am also considering a really quick warmup, followed by about 30 minutes of ground driving. Dig out the surcingle, and get him in the long lines.
I will post tomorrow, at some point, with at least a recap of what Don tells me during the visit. What is getting better, and what if anything is getting worse.
If ya'll are of the praying nature, please remember me and my parents. I don't know who reads this and doesn't tell me they do, but I'll summarize - things suck. It's not good, there's been a lot of immature hollering, and I'm my parents' child, for certain. Just pray for peace, and resolution. Can't ask for much more yet. GMail me if you want to pray for specifics.
Pessimist blood type? B-negative
How excellent! I will be able to ride without sweaty miserable horses, I can put on a long sleeved shirt again, feeding in the evening will not be overrun with nasty rank mosquitoes. I feel so blessed to live where it never snows and almost never freezes.. until around September, when it's still bloody 90F hot during the days, sometimes humid in the mornings. It's unbearably hot here too many months of the year.
And I'm finally blessed with at least one sweet weekend! Can't wait to pick up turnouts at the cleaners tonight, and be able to cover Chewie in a clean turnout sheet. :) keep the winter fuzzies away.
Tomorrow, we go for new feet. I will take pictures before, and after, and put them up on the picture site with links. I am going to drive Mr Don the Farrier absolutely nuts, I'm sure. I want pictures of each trip before & after, and I won't stop taking pictures until I see marked progress. I want my old horse back - I want my cantering hunter trotting over ground poles, easy going Chewie back. And when he gets happy feet again, I will have that horse.
Tonight, I'm planning on at least free in the round pen. I am also considering a really quick warmup, followed by about 30 minutes of ground driving. Dig out the surcingle, and get him in the long lines.
I will post tomorrow, at some point, with at least a recap of what Don tells me during the visit. What is getting better, and what if anything is getting worse.
If ya'll are of the praying nature, please remember me and my parents. I don't know who reads this and doesn't tell me they do, but I'll summarize - things suck. It's not good, there's been a lot of immature hollering, and I'm my parents' child, for certain. Just pray for peace, and resolution. Can't ask for much more yet. GMail me if you want to pray for specifics.
Pessimist blood type? B-negative
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
An Official Solution
That's an ominous title, ain't it? :) Don't fit me one tiny bit... And no, it's not a solution for Climate Change, the Economic Crisis, or the Presidential Election.
It's my house title... After nearly a year of arguments with the house title company, and their appointed attorney, (and a pestering email today), I got this note this morning...
Jennifer, a followup on my last email, we just checked the Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs website and they have placed it in your name on September 15th. Therefore, we should be getting the Statement of Ownership and Location for us to record here in __X___ County very soon.
Hallelujah! It's finally mine.... been living it in it for about three years, and didn't find out until a year and a half into it that the papers were never finished. I was told at closing it would be, then they didn't do their part. Lots of excusues, then an attorney, then more excuses, and finally me threatening to get my own lawyer for not fulfilling the contract, and me personally volunteering to hunt down offending people and make them sign whatever needed signing. It's finally mine.
Sunlight in a dim day!
It's my house title... After nearly a year of arguments with the house title company, and their appointed attorney, (and a pestering email today), I got this note this morning...
Jennifer, a followup on my last email, we just checked the Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs website and they have placed it in your name on September 15th. Therefore, we should be getting the Statement of Ownership and Location for us to record here in __X___ County very soon.
Hallelujah! It's finally mine.... been living it in it for about three years, and didn't find out until a year and a half into it that the papers were never finished. I was told at closing it would be, then they didn't do their part. Lots of excusues, then an attorney, then more excuses, and finally me threatening to get my own lawyer for not fulfilling the contract, and me personally volunteering to hunt down offending people and make them sign whatever needed signing. It's finally mine.
Sunlight in a dim day!
Chewie 09/30 and A Saddle Question
I tacked Chewie for dressage, and we headed to the round pen. Nice easy loose warm up, followed by 15 minutes w/t/c on side reins. I've got them back to using the inside rein one shorter than the outside - he's been leaning out, especially to the right. It's probably his way of avoiding putting weight on that right front, but he needs to learn to trust it. I rode walk and a tiny bit of trot, all sound & satisfying. Total work session about 45 minutes.
Mosquitoes are here, too, and wow are they hungry! Skeeter-monsters.
So, onto my saddle question. I've had a Wintec western saddle for about 3 years. It's still in great shape, but I'm not entirely convinced it fits either of my horses well. I think it's too small in the front for either horse. It might be the pad I'm using, but I somehow doubt it. I think it's more an issue of a small saddle. Paperwork says "Semi QH bars"... I thought it was a 15" seat, but there's a little stamp on one of the girth-keepers that sure looks like "16" to me.
I'm much better at English-style saddles.... I have a Wintec Pro dressage saddle (17"), that's got the "one smaller than the avg gullet" in it - Chewie only. I've also got an HDR eventing saddle (17") that fits Chewie much better than Romeo - it seemed to just sort of lay across Romeo's almost non-existent withers.
What should I be looking for, and better yet, where can I go to find something durable, yet cheap? I think synthetic is okay, but I'd prefer regular leather, for sturdy-ness, if nothing else.
Thoughts?
Mosquitoes are here, too, and wow are they hungry! Skeeter-monsters.
So, onto my saddle question. I've had a Wintec western saddle for about 3 years. It's still in great shape, but I'm not entirely convinced it fits either of my horses well. I think it's too small in the front for either horse. It might be the pad I'm using, but I somehow doubt it. I think it's more an issue of a small saddle. Paperwork says "Semi QH bars"... I thought it was a 15" seat, but there's a little stamp on one of the girth-keepers that sure looks like "16" to me.
I'm much better at English-style saddles.... I have a Wintec Pro dressage saddle (17"), that's got the "one smaller than the avg gullet" in it - Chewie only. I've also got an HDR eventing saddle (17") that fits Chewie much better than Romeo - it seemed to just sort of lay across Romeo's almost non-existent withers.
What should I be looking for, and better yet, where can I go to find something durable, yet cheap? I think synthetic is okay, but I'd prefer regular leather, for sturdy-ness, if nothing else.
Thoughts?
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