The Bedding Issue
I use pine shavings as bedding in the stalls. Old hay, if the Boys don't eat all of it, can also serve. Some of the bales of hay I get are not as appetizing as others, so at times, it ends up as bedding instead. But the shavings are the prime bedding.
There are several different suppliers, apparently, and I've found that the bedding from where I now buy my feed, though more expensive per bag--plastic bales, actually--is finer texture and offers more coverage than the bedding sold by the tack store--both in the same town, actually.
When I pulled into the feed store this morning, I noticed that the usual bags of bedding were not there, but there was another brand. I purchased my feed, and some bags of bedding. I looks like that wasn't the best decision for the day. The shavings were of the larger texture--not as absorbant, and the bags themselves were smaller. I would have made out better by going to the tack store, I think. Apparently the shipment of bedding was due at the feed store some time this afternoon.
I'll go back later in the week to see if I can get some of the finer stuff as I'd rather have that on hand. This stuff is OK, but I don't like it as much.
I used to supplement my bedding by taking the shavings from the carpentry shop at school. At one time I would average three good sized bags or more a week. But then the new teacher modified the collection system in the back room and instead of separating the very dusty sawdust from the planing machine's shavings, everything got mixed together and the stuff I got was far too dusty to be used as bedding for the Boys.
There are, I think, still some places where you can bag your own bedding at a lower price. Some stables buy the bedding loose in in bulk, which is also cheaper. Because my Boys do not get locked in their stalls every night, I usually don't need a lot of bedding, but this winter has been a little harder.
I'm a bit frustrated about my purchase today, but, as they say, "It is what it is." The important thing is that the Boys will be comfortable.
And in the end, that's all that really matters.
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Monday, January 04, 2010
Kittypost
Cats In Winter 
Nothing quite matches a cat's ability to relax and winter is the perfect time for a nap. Here we have DJ, on the left, and Reggie on the right, totally relxed on the fleece blanket I left rumpled on my bed. I wanted to wrap up in it myself, but when I found this, I gave up the idea. Like Mohammed's robe, the blanket stayed where it lay until my kitties decided to wake up on their own.
DJ is the most confident, friendliest cat I own. He is always ready for a cuddle. He and Reggie are supposedly brothers, but it's hard to tell. Reggie is a live wire with his own agenda in life. He will cuddle when he wants too and is very sweet, but he also often wants to be entertained. This includes my bopping around a dangly cat toy on a string so he can simply hide behind something and watch. While he does pounce and play sometimes, he seems to think that my job is to play "cat TV" so he can just observe my and the toy's antics.
This is Church, or Choo-choo, as I call him. I used the flash when I took the picture, so his coat is a little lighter gray in the photo than in real life. But he is definitely a silver boy. He is posing under the Christmas tree in the by window. Church was rescued from a city street in the dead of winter about 4-5 years ago. He speaks with his eyes and if that doesn't work, he will offer a plaintive "meow" to accent whatever request he might be making. He's not one to sit on your lap, but does like to be petted. He also likes to sleep alongside me in bed, cuddling close.
I have a feeling he is a little intimidated when I am taller than he is, so he's comfortable when I am lying down and he can walk over top of me before snuggling down for the night.
And this handsome fellow, all dressed up in his formal "clothes" is Scooter. He was adopted from a cat colony about ten miles from here. When I brought him home was was small enough to fit in one hand. He, like Church, feels a little more comfortable when he is above me. If I lie or sit on the couch, he will climb up behind me, groom my hair a little, and expect me to pet him in return.
He was terrified and panicked when I first tried to trim his claws, but now, after several years of determined practice, he is good about it. He has a super purr and a totally sweet disposition.
These little guys are wonderful company and have, I'm sure, helped me in my recovery. How can you feel too bad with a purring cat nestled by your side?
Nothing quite matches a cat's ability to relax and winter is the perfect time for a nap. Here we have DJ, on the left, and Reggie on the right, totally relxed on the fleece blanket I left rumpled on my bed. I wanted to wrap up in it myself, but when I found this, I gave up the idea. Like Mohammed's robe, the blanket stayed where it lay until my kitties decided to wake up on their own.DJ is the most confident, friendliest cat I own. He is always ready for a cuddle. He and Reggie are supposedly brothers, but it's hard to tell. Reggie is a live wire with his own agenda in life. He will cuddle when he wants too and is very sweet, but he also often wants to be entertained. This includes my bopping around a dangly cat toy on a string so he can simply hide behind something and watch. While he does pounce and play sometimes, he seems to think that my job is to play "cat TV" so he can just observe my and the toy's antics.
This is Church, or Choo-choo, as I call him. I used the flash when I took the picture, so his coat is a little lighter gray in the photo than in real life. But he is definitely a silver boy. He is posing under the Christmas tree in the by window. Church was rescued from a city street in the dead of winter about 4-5 years ago. He speaks with his eyes and if that doesn't work, he will offer a plaintive "meow" to accent whatever request he might be making. He's not one to sit on your lap, but does like to be petted. He also likes to sleep alongside me in bed, cuddling close.I have a feeling he is a little intimidated when I am taller than he is, so he's comfortable when I am lying down and he can walk over top of me before snuggling down for the night.
And this handsome fellow, all dressed up in his formal "clothes" is Scooter. He was adopted from a cat colony about ten miles from here. When I brought him home was was small enough to fit in one hand. He, like Church, feels a little more comfortable when he is above me. If I lie or sit on the couch, he will climb up behind me, groom my hair a little, and expect me to pet him in return. He was terrified and panicked when I first tried to trim his claws, but now, after several years of determined practice, he is good about it. He has a super purr and a totally sweet disposition.
These little guys are wonderful company and have, I'm sure, helped me in my recovery. How can you feel too bad with a purring cat nestled by your side?
Sunday, January 03, 2010
On The Other Hand
In Defense Of Thoroughbreds
I don't want anyone to think I meant to give a bad impression of Thoroughbreds by yesterday's post. As a matter of fact, I love Thoroughbreds. Given my choice of any breed, they are number one as far as I am concerned.
Many are good, quiet, solid kids' horses. I have just had the luck of getting ones with tricky personalities. But I even love those quirks. Yes, they are sensitive creatures and yes, they do mentally overload, but that too is part of their appeal. They are the perfectionists of the horse world, always ready to offer maximum effort when it counts.
They are also extremely intelligent. Again, that can make for a difficult train. As a rider/trainer of a sharp Thoroughbred, you must be able to out think your horse. Riding becomes an intellectual sport where you must ever be conscious of what you are doing and what you are communicating. One international trainer told me you always have to be careful of drilling a Thoroughbred on exercises. They learn quickly and build muscle quickly too, so knowing when to quit is an important skill.
Getting a Thoroughbred fit for sport is not a huge challenge. Bred to be the ulitmate athlete of the horse world, these horses are prized for their strong wills and determination. They have the will to win, to succeed, and the heart to match. Remember, they were not bred to be compliant, submissive, or a gentle companion to man. Their breeding is all about running as fast as they can no matter what happens. And that spirit translates as they become riding horses.
I think too, that matched with the right owner, they can become fiercely loyal partners. I know my Russell was, and I developed nearly as strong bonds with PJ and Toby. I am also sensing a deep bond of mutual respect with Tucker as if we are sharing this world with each other instead of his being my servant.
A agree that every Thoroughbred is not a horse for everyone. But there are many Thoroughbred that are the kindest, gentlest, and wisest horses you would every want to know.
Despite the challenges, I love them.
I don't want anyone to think I meant to give a bad impression of Thoroughbreds by yesterday's post. As a matter of fact, I love Thoroughbreds. Given my choice of any breed, they are number one as far as I am concerned.
Many are good, quiet, solid kids' horses. I have just had the luck of getting ones with tricky personalities. But I even love those quirks. Yes, they are sensitive creatures and yes, they do mentally overload, but that too is part of their appeal. They are the perfectionists of the horse world, always ready to offer maximum effort when it counts.
They are also extremely intelligent. Again, that can make for a difficult train. As a rider/trainer of a sharp Thoroughbred, you must be able to out think your horse. Riding becomes an intellectual sport where you must ever be conscious of what you are doing and what you are communicating. One international trainer told me you always have to be careful of drilling a Thoroughbred on exercises. They learn quickly and build muscle quickly too, so knowing when to quit is an important skill.
Getting a Thoroughbred fit for sport is not a huge challenge. Bred to be the ulitmate athlete of the horse world, these horses are prized for their strong wills and determination. They have the will to win, to succeed, and the heart to match. Remember, they were not bred to be compliant, submissive, or a gentle companion to man. Their breeding is all about running as fast as they can no matter what happens. And that spirit translates as they become riding horses.
I think too, that matched with the right owner, they can become fiercely loyal partners. I know my Russell was, and I developed nearly as strong bonds with PJ and Toby. I am also sensing a deep bond of mutual respect with Tucker as if we are sharing this world with each other instead of his being my servant.
A agree that every Thoroughbred is not a horse for everyone. But there are many Thoroughbred that are the kindest, gentlest, and wisest horses you would every want to know.
Despite the challenges, I love them.
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Looking Forward
And Thinking Forward
As I sit here waiting for the dishwasher repairman to call to tell me he is on his way, I am thinking about my horses.
When I first got Toby, he was a willing learner, but he had a stubborn streak. To this day, I'm still not sure what is was all about as I've never really had any soundness problems with him and that includes back issues. We would have a series of really good days and then there would be a major meltdown when he would quit, buck, refuse to work--often leading to my dismounting and simply sitting at the side of the arena in tears. Eventually, I sent him for some short term training with Chris, my former trainer.
For the first few days, Toby was superstar and Chris was confused as to what the problem was. Then, finally, it happened to him too. Toby simply exploded in a training session and showed his temperament big time. I think now, knowing him as I do, that he falls prey to what I call "Thoroughbred sensory overload." For whatever reason, including being physically tired or sore, or mentally overstressed, he simply loses the plot. All reason, sense, and the ability to respond properly to the aids just vanishes. My Russell R. did that a few times, and my PJ would fall victim to it too. I have learned to sense when a meltdown is on the way, and I back off. That trail ride I took a few months ago, when I dismounted and simply led him home is a good example.
Chris's training, however, managed to convince Toby that the best response was always "Forward." When a horse is going forward, it becomes harder for him to lose focus, spook, buck, or get out of control....well, aside from the runaway. Nine times out of ten, if I get into a difficult situation with Toby, "Forward" will ride him through it. The difficulty starts when he reaches the point where he simply can't mentally go forward--which means things have already gone too far.
Tucker was, early on, always on the edge of a meltdown. "Forward" was not in his vocabulary except when he wanted to go. His response to being pushed was to buck, badly. I, of course, have since found out that much of this behavior was caused by ulcers. Nearly everytime he began to work, the stomach acid sloshed around and caused him serious pain. Once I treated him for the ulcers, his attitude changed dramatically, but, I fear, old habits die hard.
Those years of being ridden in meltdown mode had taught him some bad habits including challenging my aids to go in front of my leg. I've worked on it since, but we still don't have a "Forward" guarantee in our training package. I guess if there is one thing I need to concentrate on with him for 2010 it is to establish that for once and all.
Chance is naturally forward, but he does "work down" unlike my Throughbreds. The Thoroughbreds I have owned never quit. They would still show as much attitude and energy at the end of a ride as at the beginning. Chance, on the other hand, gets tired. At least, he loses his energy as he works, and "over relaxes." Fortunately, he has a very cooperative nature and will go if I urge him on. I think the key with him will be to make him light to the leg aids, and to make sure I do not nag him all the time to keep him going.
Of my three, Chance is probably the easiest to train. So far, everything has been very straightforward, and all the traditional rules seem to apply. I hope it stays that way as I would love to have a nice easy horse as I grow older. Tucker will still challenge me, Toby will remind me of what can be accomplished, and Chance will just be fun.
Not a bad little herd when I think about it.
As I sit here waiting for the dishwasher repairman to call to tell me he is on his way, I am thinking about my horses.
When I first got Toby, he was a willing learner, but he had a stubborn streak. To this day, I'm still not sure what is was all about as I've never really had any soundness problems with him and that includes back issues. We would have a series of really good days and then there would be a major meltdown when he would quit, buck, refuse to work--often leading to my dismounting and simply sitting at the side of the arena in tears. Eventually, I sent him for some short term training with Chris, my former trainer.
For the first few days, Toby was superstar and Chris was confused as to what the problem was. Then, finally, it happened to him too. Toby simply exploded in a training session and showed his temperament big time. I think now, knowing him as I do, that he falls prey to what I call "Thoroughbred sensory overload." For whatever reason, including being physically tired or sore, or mentally overstressed, he simply loses the plot. All reason, sense, and the ability to respond properly to the aids just vanishes. My Russell R. did that a few times, and my PJ would fall victim to it too. I have learned to sense when a meltdown is on the way, and I back off. That trail ride I took a few months ago, when I dismounted and simply led him home is a good example.
Chris's training, however, managed to convince Toby that the best response was always "Forward." When a horse is going forward, it becomes harder for him to lose focus, spook, buck, or get out of control....well, aside from the runaway. Nine times out of ten, if I get into a difficult situation with Toby, "Forward" will ride him through it. The difficulty starts when he reaches the point where he simply can't mentally go forward--which means things have already gone too far.
Tucker was, early on, always on the edge of a meltdown. "Forward" was not in his vocabulary except when he wanted to go. His response to being pushed was to buck, badly. I, of course, have since found out that much of this behavior was caused by ulcers. Nearly everytime he began to work, the stomach acid sloshed around and caused him serious pain. Once I treated him for the ulcers, his attitude changed dramatically, but, I fear, old habits die hard.
Those years of being ridden in meltdown mode had taught him some bad habits including challenging my aids to go in front of my leg. I've worked on it since, but we still don't have a "Forward" guarantee in our training package. I guess if there is one thing I need to concentrate on with him for 2010 it is to establish that for once and all.
Chance is naturally forward, but he does "work down" unlike my Throughbreds. The Thoroughbreds I have owned never quit. They would still show as much attitude and energy at the end of a ride as at the beginning. Chance, on the other hand, gets tired. At least, he loses his energy as he works, and "over relaxes." Fortunately, he has a very cooperative nature and will go if I urge him on. I think the key with him will be to make him light to the leg aids, and to make sure I do not nag him all the time to keep him going.
Of my three, Chance is probably the easiest to train. So far, everything has been very straightforward, and all the traditional rules seem to apply. I hope it stays that way as I would love to have a nice easy horse as I grow older. Tucker will still challenge me, Toby will remind me of what can be accomplished, and Chance will just be fun.
Not a bad little herd when I think about it.
Friday, January 01, 2010
Watching the Snow Melt
And What to Wear?
It's warm enough in the sunshine to melt the little layer of snow. We only had about two inches at the most, and it was raining a bit last night when I went out to feed the Boys and shout, "Happy New Year" to the world. (Amidst blasts of gunfire and what sounded like fireworks somewhere. People celebrate noisily around here.)
As a result, I am a bit betwixt and between about what the Boys should be wearing. I think they are OK in their winter blankets, though. The air is still chilly and it's supposed to go down below freezing again tonight and stay cold for the weekend. Their blankets are not heavyweight and they don't seem to be running around much out there. The ground is still pretty frozen and not the best footing for frolicking.
It is a bit of a challenge once you decide to sheet or blanket your horses. Now that I am home most of the time, it's OK, but when I was working, I would have to decide in the morning when it was still cold, just what clothes the Boys needed for the day. Was it going to warm up a lot? Was it going to rain? Was it going to get colder? I'd pay strict attention to the weather forecasts and then, despite all my efforts, worry all day long if anything changed.
Unexpected storms were and are always a worry. My pasture is on a hill and when thunderstorms rise up I am always afraid the Boys are out there, standing like lightning rods as the clounds darken. While there is less worry about that in the winter--although we do have some thunder and lightning now and then--the unpredicted icy rain or snow can certainly add to the worry. A horse standing around with a wet sheet--one that's not as waterproof as advertised--is worse than a wet horse with no sheet.
I have a rather extensive collection of sheets and blankets on hand. I sorted through them this summer and patched the ones that could be saved and got rid of the too damaged ones. Even so, I have to know the properties of each one when I decide what to dress the Boys in for the day/night. The truly waterproof sheets tend to be heavier weight than the water resistant ones, so they don't work as well in the warmer weather. But, I don't worry too much if it rains in the summer as no one's likely to get a chill.
The good thing seems to be that all three horses can wear the same size. It is a bit strange when you think that Chance is 15.3, Toby is 16.1, and Tucker is 16.3+. Chance fills out his blanket with his broad confirmation, Toby fills his with his longer back, and Tucker snugs in with a short back. Makes it easier to select the right blanket for each Boy.
But you do have to watch the sizing of different brands of blankets. Some brands run big and some run small. It would be nice if every manufacterer was the same, but that is simply not so.
It's the same thing with women's (and I assume men's) clothes. That's why clothes shopping takes so long as you have to try on everything before you buy.
Now all I need to do is take the Boys with me to the tack store and try on their blankets before I buy them. Uh-huh.
It's warm enough in the sunshine to melt the little layer of snow. We only had about two inches at the most, and it was raining a bit last night when I went out to feed the Boys and shout, "Happy New Year" to the world. (Amidst blasts of gunfire and what sounded like fireworks somewhere. People celebrate noisily around here.)
As a result, I am a bit betwixt and between about what the Boys should be wearing. I think they are OK in their winter blankets, though. The air is still chilly and it's supposed to go down below freezing again tonight and stay cold for the weekend. Their blankets are not heavyweight and they don't seem to be running around much out there. The ground is still pretty frozen and not the best footing for frolicking.
It is a bit of a challenge once you decide to sheet or blanket your horses. Now that I am home most of the time, it's OK, but when I was working, I would have to decide in the morning when it was still cold, just what clothes the Boys needed for the day. Was it going to warm up a lot? Was it going to rain? Was it going to get colder? I'd pay strict attention to the weather forecasts and then, despite all my efforts, worry all day long if anything changed.
Unexpected storms were and are always a worry. My pasture is on a hill and when thunderstorms rise up I am always afraid the Boys are out there, standing like lightning rods as the clounds darken. While there is less worry about that in the winter--although we do have some thunder and lightning now and then--the unpredicted icy rain or snow can certainly add to the worry. A horse standing around with a wet sheet--one that's not as waterproof as advertised--is worse than a wet horse with no sheet.
I have a rather extensive collection of sheets and blankets on hand. I sorted through them this summer and patched the ones that could be saved and got rid of the too damaged ones. Even so, I have to know the properties of each one when I decide what to dress the Boys in for the day/night. The truly waterproof sheets tend to be heavier weight than the water resistant ones, so they don't work as well in the warmer weather. But, I don't worry too much if it rains in the summer as no one's likely to get a chill.
The good thing seems to be that all three horses can wear the same size. It is a bit strange when you think that Chance is 15.3, Toby is 16.1, and Tucker is 16.3+. Chance fills out his blanket with his broad confirmation, Toby fills his with his longer back, and Tucker snugs in with a short back. Makes it easier to select the right blanket for each Boy.
But you do have to watch the sizing of different brands of blankets. Some brands run big and some run small. It would be nice if every manufacterer was the same, but that is simply not so.
It's the same thing with women's (and I assume men's) clothes. That's why clothes shopping takes so long as you have to try on everything before you buy.
Now all I need to do is take the Boys with me to the tack store and try on their blankets before I buy them. Uh-huh.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Happy New Year!
No Resolutions Here
I'm not one to make New Year resolutions. I find that long term promises are hard to keep, and I'm not one to make a promise if I don't think I can keep it. This past year, for example, had I made a promise to ride more or reach a training goal, my unexpected health issues would have derailed the plan well before the year was over.
I think if you try to live your life well each day, taking care to think of others as well as yourself, you really don't need much in the way of resolutions. Living well just kind of leads you to do the right thing and accomplish many of the important things along the way.
So, here I am facing a brand new year with no immediate plans. I am looking forward to being able to ride again, but the winter weather doesn't encourage me too much. It was snowing again this morning. Apparently we are not going to get more than perhaps four inches at most, so it's not quite as annoying as it could be. I was going to go to the feed store to get some more bedding, but the roads are a bit "iffy." Right now they just look wet, so it may be the temperatures are rising as predicted and all this will turn to rain. But since I don't really need the bedding, I'd rather wrap up in my new super soft bath robe and hang out inside.
When I went out to feed this morning, the Boys were at the far end of the pasture, appearing to be grazing. They sauntered casually in when they realized I was out there to feed. They were definitely not in any hurry. I like to see that. When horses do not go into a feeding frenzy it tells me they are well fed and content. This is particularly important in the winter when much of the food they eat has to go to maintaining body temperature.
I make sure they have plenty of hay every day. I just heard again from a friend that her boarding stable does not feed enough hay and many of the boarders supply extra out of their own pockets. I've boarded at places where the hay is rationed like that and simply cannot understand it. For example, if the horses were fed at around 3-4 PM and boarders then came to ride later, there was no extra hay put in the stalls later. Horses would get a couple flakes with the afternoon feed, eat that, get ridden, and then have nothing to fill their stomachs through the night. Bad practice as far as I am concerned.
Horses naturally graze, browse, and eat all day long. When they are locked in stalls, that natural instinct is restricted by whatever feed humans give them. What they need is something to nibble on all the time. And, if they are exercised and then put back into a stall, it becomes even more important.
I may go excesses with my Boys as they get three feeds a day, but I would rather have leftover hay in the stalls than have them left with nothing to eat all night.
Over-indulged and seeming quite content, the Horses of Follywoods seem to be doing just fine. Here's hoping the New Year brings them more satisfaction and a good life here.
I'm not one to make New Year resolutions. I find that long term promises are hard to keep, and I'm not one to make a promise if I don't think I can keep it. This past year, for example, had I made a promise to ride more or reach a training goal, my unexpected health issues would have derailed the plan well before the year was over.
I think if you try to live your life well each day, taking care to think of others as well as yourself, you really don't need much in the way of resolutions. Living well just kind of leads you to do the right thing and accomplish many of the important things along the way.
So, here I am facing a brand new year with no immediate plans. I am looking forward to being able to ride again, but the winter weather doesn't encourage me too much. It was snowing again this morning. Apparently we are not going to get more than perhaps four inches at most, so it's not quite as annoying as it could be. I was going to go to the feed store to get some more bedding, but the roads are a bit "iffy." Right now they just look wet, so it may be the temperatures are rising as predicted and all this will turn to rain. But since I don't really need the bedding, I'd rather wrap up in my new super soft bath robe and hang out inside.
When I went out to feed this morning, the Boys were at the far end of the pasture, appearing to be grazing. They sauntered casually in when they realized I was out there to feed. They were definitely not in any hurry. I like to see that. When horses do not go into a feeding frenzy it tells me they are well fed and content. This is particularly important in the winter when much of the food they eat has to go to maintaining body temperature.
I make sure they have plenty of hay every day. I just heard again from a friend that her boarding stable does not feed enough hay and many of the boarders supply extra out of their own pockets. I've boarded at places where the hay is rationed like that and simply cannot understand it. For example, if the horses were fed at around 3-4 PM and boarders then came to ride later, there was no extra hay put in the stalls later. Horses would get a couple flakes with the afternoon feed, eat that, get ridden, and then have nothing to fill their stomachs through the night. Bad practice as far as I am concerned.
Horses naturally graze, browse, and eat all day long. When they are locked in stalls, that natural instinct is restricted by whatever feed humans give them. What they need is something to nibble on all the time. And, if they are exercised and then put back into a stall, it becomes even more important.
I may go excesses with my Boys as they get three feeds a day, but I would rather have leftover hay in the stalls than have them left with nothing to eat all night.
Over-indulged and seeming quite content, the Horses of Follywoods seem to be doing just fine. Here's hoping the New Year brings them more satisfaction and a good life here.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Handyme
A Narration of Independence
OK, for all you people out there without a partner, it's time to own up. Can you do it all by yourself?
I was brought up with a sense of "can do" about almost anything I ever tried. Mind you, there were things I never tried to do, but usually, if I attempted something, I figured out how to finish the job.
My little horse farm and house have accented the "do it myself" concept in spades. I am now currently waiting to see if the dishwasher will actually run through the rinse cycle without giving me a "drain blocked" error message. Part of it are still littering the kitchen as I didn't want to put all the screening and stuff back on until I was pretty sure I'd fixed the problem of the drain blockage.
Thank heavens for the Internet as I looked up dishwasher drains and found a good illustration and explanation about cleaning the darn thing...something I certainly don't recall from when I purchased said machine. I think the general idea was for the ignorant woman of the house to call a certified repairperson to take care of such things, but if it's only a matter of taking out some screws, then I'm all for it!!
OK, for all you people out there without a partner, it's time to own up. Can you do it all by yourself?
I was brought up with a sense of "can do" about almost anything I ever tried. Mind you, there were things I never tried to do, but usually, if I attempted something, I figured out how to finish the job.
My little horse farm and house have accented the "do it myself" concept in spades. I am now currently waiting to see if the dishwasher will actually run through the rinse cycle without giving me a "drain blocked" error message. Part of it are still littering the kitchen as I didn't want to put all the screening and stuff back on until I was pretty sure I'd fixed the problem of the drain blockage.
Thank heavens for the Internet as I looked up dishwasher drains and found a good illustration and explanation about cleaning the darn thing...something I certainly don't recall from when I purchased said machine. I think the general idea was for the ignorant woman of the house to call a certified repairperson to take care of such things, but if it's only a matter of taking out some screws, then I'm all for it!!
But so far, no luck on this one. Every time I put the dishwasher through the rinse cycle, it get just so long into the process and then the alarm sounds again. First it says, "blocked drain," then "slow drain." I think I am out of my league.
Which means I called the repair service. But with the holiday coming up, no one can come until Saturday. I don't need the dishwasher as I certainly can wash things by hand, but I do not like having something broken staring me in the face. I'm also not keen on paying a large repair bill.
On the up side, I have taken out two filters and cleaned them really well and I have cleaned the interior of the machine pretty well. Once I get it fixed, I'll run some special cleaner through.
As you can see, despite my surgical recovery, I have plenty to keep me busy.
The Boys are waiting for dinner, so I will be heading out soon to feed them. It's still cold enough that the mud is frozen so Tucker has the run of the paddocks. He is much happier when he is with his buddies and the little herd is all together.
Horses are a lot more like people than we realize. They're not too keen about being on their own either. But at least they don't have to worry about dishwashers.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Windswept Days
Shiver Me Timbers
The weather changed abruptly last night...or early this morning. I woke up to the sound of wind whipping up a frenzy. I'd left the Boys in their sheets overnight, and I'm afraid that was a mistake. They didn't seem cold this morning, but I surely was. Horribly wind and bitterly low temperatures had rushed in on another weather front.
I switched all three back into their insulated winter blankets. This time, though, I tried to put the new one on Toby. Since it was brand new, it was still a little stiff and the fabric was a little noisy. That proved a problem.
Toby has a deep seated fear of rustling plastic, paper, and, in this case fabric. I related this back to a boarding stable with plastic on the windows, all of which blew out during a huge storm, leaving noisy, flapping plastic near his stall. Then, a rather mean barn manager found out he didn't like the rustling sounds and, I suspect, tormented him with the paper bedding bags whenever she could. (Long story of a manic personality and a resentment of me attached.) At any rate, Toby was traumatized, and ever since, I need to be careful with noisy rustling things around him.
Today, I had to bring him into the aisle, put him on the cross ties, take off his sheet, give him a nice quieting grooming, and then put on the noisy blanket. Once he was soothed by the handling, he was fine, so I'm guessing the combination of the blanket and the horrendous wind created too strong a memory of his past fear. Once he was dressed in the new coat, he was just fine and, I think, really appreciated having the extra protection from the cold and wind.
I was able to let all three have full run of the paddocks and pasture today as the ground was frozen along with the mud. There isn't much to eat as far as grazing goes, but I think they just like to nibble at whatever they can find. I do give them plenty of hay, however. This time of year, especially, it is very important for them to have good forage so they can keep up their own body heat.
My water tub heaters seem to be working just fine, so the other essential--fresh water--is also always available.
The one benefit of the day is that the sun was out. That did make for a few places where, with the wind blocked by either trees or the barn itself, it was probably fairly comfortable for them to hang out.
I have to keep reminding myself that horses are true outdoor animals, well adapted to tolerate the weather. Well fed, watered, and with shelter available, they do just fine.
I'm the one who's shivering. *G*
The weather changed abruptly last night...or early this morning. I woke up to the sound of wind whipping up a frenzy. I'd left the Boys in their sheets overnight, and I'm afraid that was a mistake. They didn't seem cold this morning, but I surely was. Horribly wind and bitterly low temperatures had rushed in on another weather front.
I switched all three back into their insulated winter blankets. This time, though, I tried to put the new one on Toby. Since it was brand new, it was still a little stiff and the fabric was a little noisy. That proved a problem.
Toby has a deep seated fear of rustling plastic, paper, and, in this case fabric. I related this back to a boarding stable with plastic on the windows, all of which blew out during a huge storm, leaving noisy, flapping plastic near his stall. Then, a rather mean barn manager found out he didn't like the rustling sounds and, I suspect, tormented him with the paper bedding bags whenever she could. (Long story of a manic personality and a resentment of me attached.) At any rate, Toby was traumatized, and ever since, I need to be careful with noisy rustling things around him.
Today, I had to bring him into the aisle, put him on the cross ties, take off his sheet, give him a nice quieting grooming, and then put on the noisy blanket. Once he was soothed by the handling, he was fine, so I'm guessing the combination of the blanket and the horrendous wind created too strong a memory of his past fear. Once he was dressed in the new coat, he was just fine and, I think, really appreciated having the extra protection from the cold and wind.
I was able to let all three have full run of the paddocks and pasture today as the ground was frozen along with the mud. There isn't much to eat as far as grazing goes, but I think they just like to nibble at whatever they can find. I do give them plenty of hay, however. This time of year, especially, it is very important for them to have good forage so they can keep up their own body heat.
My water tub heaters seem to be working just fine, so the other essential--fresh water--is also always available.
The one benefit of the day is that the sun was out. That did make for a few places where, with the wind blocked by either trees or the barn itself, it was probably fairly comfortable for them to hang out.
I have to keep reminding myself that horses are true outdoor animals, well adapted to tolerate the weather. Well fed, watered, and with shelter available, they do just fine.
I'm the one who's shivering. *G*
Monday, December 28, 2009
Ponderings on 2009
My Horses and I
As I sit back and evaluate 2009, I realize a year of not much accomplished, but much enjoyed.
Ever since I bought my first horse in 1971, Russell R., I had been an intense trainer. By then, I had been riding for at least seven years and had a fair background in the hunter/jumper world. Determined to succees in the show arena, on the average, I rode six days a week and took lessons at least once a week. I constantly traveled to clinic opportunities with dozens of international trainers, learning, practicing, and working towards competitive goals.
I also showed nearly every weekend during the Spring, Summer, and Fall and often weather permitting, even braved Winter's weather to show indoors. Russell and I earned over 150 show championships in our career and he was a well known competitor in the area. Gradually, I moved on to eventing, and then finally, dressage once I realized my eventing courage was limited.
When I got PJ's Folly, Russell soon retired from active competition, and the cycle continued. When Russell passed away, I brought Toby into my life and again followed the training routine. I adopted Tucker when Toby was around 10 or so and once more trained.
But somewhere along the way, something happened. Part of it was my frustrations with Tucker, well documented in this blog. He was and still is, a difficult horse to train and with his size and tendancy to solve problems by bucking, an intimidating ride for me at times. While I have now pretty much worked out all his training issues, in the process, I simply stopped competing.
I would have thought I would have missed it, but to be honest, I have not. I still enjoy an occasional riding lesson and, if a good clinic came along, I would probably pack up and go--provided I and my horse were both fit enough. (Not now, of course as it's going to take a good long time for us to get back to work.) But if all my riding is here in my arena at home and on the trails behind the house, I will be content.
I may decide to show Chance in the future, but that will only be if I feel he would be an easy ride. So far, he looks to be a solid fellow about that kind of thing, unlike Tucker.
As for Tuck, we'll see. If I manage to train him to third or fourth level, I might go back to the show grounds, just to play. The upper level tests are actually fun to ride--as Caroline is now discovering--so that is a plus. But there's no pressure.
Showing has become a very expensive pursuit around here. I have to ask myself if it's really worth the money. Meantime, if my trainer comes, I will ride with him and I'll still keep my eyes open for any interesting clinics.
Otherwise, it's a nice ride in the woods on a bugfree day that will bring a smile to my face. Maybe that's all I really need anyhow.
As I sit back and evaluate 2009, I realize a year of not much accomplished, but much enjoyed.
Ever since I bought my first horse in 1971, Russell R., I had been an intense trainer. By then, I had been riding for at least seven years and had a fair background in the hunter/jumper world. Determined to succees in the show arena, on the average, I rode six days a week and took lessons at least once a week. I constantly traveled to clinic opportunities with dozens of international trainers, learning, practicing, and working towards competitive goals.
I also showed nearly every weekend during the Spring, Summer, and Fall and often weather permitting, even braved Winter's weather to show indoors. Russell and I earned over 150 show championships in our career and he was a well known competitor in the area. Gradually, I moved on to eventing, and then finally, dressage once I realized my eventing courage was limited.
When I got PJ's Folly, Russell soon retired from active competition, and the cycle continued. When Russell passed away, I brought Toby into my life and again followed the training routine. I adopted Tucker when Toby was around 10 or so and once more trained.
But somewhere along the way, something happened. Part of it was my frustrations with Tucker, well documented in this blog. He was and still is, a difficult horse to train and with his size and tendancy to solve problems by bucking, an intimidating ride for me at times. While I have now pretty much worked out all his training issues, in the process, I simply stopped competing.
I would have thought I would have missed it, but to be honest, I have not. I still enjoy an occasional riding lesson and, if a good clinic came along, I would probably pack up and go--provided I and my horse were both fit enough. (Not now, of course as it's going to take a good long time for us to get back to work.) But if all my riding is here in my arena at home and on the trails behind the house, I will be content.
I may decide to show Chance in the future, but that will only be if I feel he would be an easy ride. So far, he looks to be a solid fellow about that kind of thing, unlike Tucker.
As for Tuck, we'll see. If I manage to train him to third or fourth level, I might go back to the show grounds, just to play. The upper level tests are actually fun to ride--as Caroline is now discovering--so that is a plus. But there's no pressure.
Showing has become a very expensive pursuit around here. I have to ask myself if it's really worth the money. Meantime, if my trainer comes, I will ride with him and I'll still keep my eyes open for any interesting clinics.
Otherwise, it's a nice ride in the woods on a bugfree day that will bring a smile to my face. Maybe that's all I really need anyhow.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Sunny Sunday
Talk About Contrast!!
Last week the snow was blowing up a blizzard. Today? Almost "no coat" weather. Aside from a few piles left over from plowing, the snow is completely gone.
Of course, that means the mud is back. Tucker had to spend the day in the riding arena again. While it was wet in there, somehow it didn't seem as bad as I would have expected. The other two Boys were in the front paddocks. Since I spent the morning in church and went to lunch afterwards, I don't have much to report on what went on as far as play goes. All sheets seemed to be intact at any rate, so that's a good sign.
However, that is not true of the once rather expensive Classic Coverup Goretex blanket (Just to establish its quality here) Chance had been wearing during the early days of the snow storm. As you may recall, I found him naked one day and ended up dressing him in a brand new blanket I'd bought. I'd looked around for the blanket he'd lost and didn't see it anywhere.
Now I know why. White stuffing matches the snow. Now, mind you, the blanket was blue, with a gray quilted lining....no white there. Unless, of course, said blanket had been ripped. Or, shall we say savaged? If there hadn't been mud to negotiate back to the house for the camera I would have take a picture. I will still take one of the blanket remains, but the "scene of the crime" really deserved its own shot. I might try to reconstruct the sight, just for fun.
The blanket was torn to shreds with the white fiber filling all pulled out on top of the pile. One square piece, filling and all, was draped on the lower fence rail nearby. Once again, "Chance the Ripper" had claimed a victim.
I have seen Chance with fabric. He once stole my jacket and walked off with it. Before I could save it, he deliberate put his hoof on the body of it, and pulled on a sleeve until that ripped off. Then despite my screams of horror...well, "Hey, Chance, stop that!" He proceeded to take the other sleeve in his mouth, put his foot on the rest of the jacket and yank that one off as well. This was not an accident, but an intentional act. I've since seen him rip a sheet that way too so I always try to make sure the horse clothes are safely out of his reach.
Poor Classic Coverup. It was a really nice blanket. From the looks of it, I don't think there is any hope of repair. It may just be time for a proper burial.
It will be sad to say goodbye.
Last week the snow was blowing up a blizzard. Today? Almost "no coat" weather. Aside from a few piles left over from plowing, the snow is completely gone.
Of course, that means the mud is back. Tucker had to spend the day in the riding arena again. While it was wet in there, somehow it didn't seem as bad as I would have expected. The other two Boys were in the front paddocks. Since I spent the morning in church and went to lunch afterwards, I don't have much to report on what went on as far as play goes. All sheets seemed to be intact at any rate, so that's a good sign.
However, that is not true of the once rather expensive Classic Coverup Goretex blanket (Just to establish its quality here) Chance had been wearing during the early days of the snow storm. As you may recall, I found him naked one day and ended up dressing him in a brand new blanket I'd bought. I'd looked around for the blanket he'd lost and didn't see it anywhere.
Now I know why. White stuffing matches the snow. Now, mind you, the blanket was blue, with a gray quilted lining....no white there. Unless, of course, said blanket had been ripped. Or, shall we say savaged? If there hadn't been mud to negotiate back to the house for the camera I would have take a picture. I will still take one of the blanket remains, but the "scene of the crime" really deserved its own shot. I might try to reconstruct the sight, just for fun.
The blanket was torn to shreds with the white fiber filling all pulled out on top of the pile. One square piece, filling and all, was draped on the lower fence rail nearby. Once again, "Chance the Ripper" had claimed a victim.
I have seen Chance with fabric. He once stole my jacket and walked off with it. Before I could save it, he deliberate put his hoof on the body of it, and pulled on a sleeve until that ripped off. Then despite my screams of horror...well, "Hey, Chance, stop that!" He proceeded to take the other sleeve in his mouth, put his foot on the rest of the jacket and yank that one off as well. This was not an accident, but an intentional act. I've since seen him rip a sheet that way too so I always try to make sure the horse clothes are safely out of his reach.
Poor Classic Coverup. It was a really nice blanket. From the looks of it, I don't think there is any hope of repair. It may just be time for a proper burial.
It will be sad to say goodbye.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Silent Night
Afterglow, Aftersnow
The Boys were quiet Christmas Eve, although I seem to have heard the word, "love" a few times, but that might have meant, "I love my carrots with tops and this nice big apple in my midnight feed." Then, again, maybe it was, "I love you." One can only dream.
Still, going out to the barn for a silent night was special. I'd had a really nice evening at my cousins, with a new, soft cuddly bathrobe in my possessions and some very pretty jewelry. I also had a full tummy for the first time in weeks. My cousin's positively delicious lasanga had perked up my appetite and I had two helpings! I was thrilled to actually be eating again, and enjoying it. So listening to the Boys crunch their apples and carrots with that unique and comforting sound of "horses eating," was the perfect finish to Christmas Eve and the perfect beginning to Christmas Day.
I did go to my other cousins' house at the shore. The first cousins did the driving, however, which was a good thing as it takes about an hour and a half to get down there. I am pretty sure I never would have managed the trip on my own at this point. The temperatures were warming up, but between the ocean and the bay there was a cool, damp breeze blowing with that noticeable scent of salt water when we arrived. Their house is a nice, snug little "saltbox" of a shore home with two floors. I never did quite make it up the spiral staircase to the upper floor--that will have to wait for another day--but downstairs fit us all in nicely. Dinner was a super delicious ham with veggies and all the appropriate trimmings. Once again, to my delight, my appetite was ready, willing and able to lead me to more than one helping of each dish. Mind you, they were small helpings, but again, I was just pleased to "want" to eat again.
I had started to rain by the time we got back home. The snow was vanishing quickly and by this morning, much of my lawn is bare again. The paddocks are sloppy, but I did take the chance of just opening Tucker's stall door to give him free access. There is no real mud yet, just lots of sloppy snow and since it is raining, I keep hoping he will use some horse sense and spend most of the day under shelter. Interesting that the snow has melted from the grassy areas, but not yet from the bare areas, including the arena. Might be a scientific study here for someone who understands thermal theory. Might be something to do with the heat conductivity of the grass, or air pockets between blades or.....well, somebody go for it!!
Essentially, we had a traditional white Christmas, and now, the day after, a wash away. I think it's supposed to rain both today and tomorrow, so it's possible all the snow--except perhaps for a few piles pushed up by the plows--will disappear.
Frankly, I won't miss it.
Hope your Christmas was as nice as, or even nicer, than mine!
The Boys were quiet Christmas Eve, although I seem to have heard the word, "love" a few times, but that might have meant, "I love my carrots with tops and this nice big apple in my midnight feed." Then, again, maybe it was, "I love you." One can only dream.
Still, going out to the barn for a silent night was special. I'd had a really nice evening at my cousins, with a new, soft cuddly bathrobe in my possessions and some very pretty jewelry. I also had a full tummy for the first time in weeks. My cousin's positively delicious lasanga had perked up my appetite and I had two helpings! I was thrilled to actually be eating again, and enjoying it. So listening to the Boys crunch their apples and carrots with that unique and comforting sound of "horses eating," was the perfect finish to Christmas Eve and the perfect beginning to Christmas Day.
I did go to my other cousins' house at the shore. The first cousins did the driving, however, which was a good thing as it takes about an hour and a half to get down there. I am pretty sure I never would have managed the trip on my own at this point. The temperatures were warming up, but between the ocean and the bay there was a cool, damp breeze blowing with that noticeable scent of salt water when we arrived. Their house is a nice, snug little "saltbox" of a shore home with two floors. I never did quite make it up the spiral staircase to the upper floor--that will have to wait for another day--but downstairs fit us all in nicely. Dinner was a super delicious ham with veggies and all the appropriate trimmings. Once again, to my delight, my appetite was ready, willing and able to lead me to more than one helping of each dish. Mind you, they were small helpings, but again, I was just pleased to "want" to eat again.
I had started to rain by the time we got back home. The snow was vanishing quickly and by this morning, much of my lawn is bare again. The paddocks are sloppy, but I did take the chance of just opening Tucker's stall door to give him free access. There is no real mud yet, just lots of sloppy snow and since it is raining, I keep hoping he will use some horse sense and spend most of the day under shelter. Interesting that the snow has melted from the grassy areas, but not yet from the bare areas, including the arena. Might be a scientific study here for someone who understands thermal theory. Might be something to do with the heat conductivity of the grass, or air pockets between blades or.....well, somebody go for it!!
Essentially, we had a traditional white Christmas, and now, the day after, a wash away. I think it's supposed to rain both today and tomorrow, so it's possible all the snow--except perhaps for a few piles pushed up by the plows--will disappear.
Frankly, I won't miss it.
Hope your Christmas was as nice as, or even nicer, than mine!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Holiday Traditions
Merry Christmas to All
We all have our holiday traditions. Mine will be a little askew this year as I am not doing all the barn work.
Part of my tradition is to make sure the stalls are super clean and bedded for Christmas Eve just in case the Christ Child happens by. My barn has a star on the run in roof which I will be sure is lit for the evening as well. Because I haven't been doing all the evening chores lately, I have not turned on the lights every other night. Tonight will be special.
The Boys do not get presents exactly. I did buy two new blankets for Chance and Toby, and will probably dress Toby in his today--Chance is already wearing his. Otherwise, my Boys have just about everything any horse could want, so they don't need much.
Except for the carrots and apples. Each year I go to the supermarket and buy fresh carrots with the greens still attached. Normally, carrots around here are sold in cellophane bags with the greenery cut off. The greenery carrots come in small bunches of five or six and cost a lot more. But, when it's a Christmast present, it's worth it. Apples? Again they are packed in cellophane bags sold in three and five pound lots. I managed to find two nice five pound bags, so we are well set there too. I could have gone to one of the orchard farms around here to get a basketful of local apples, but again, my physical limits this year put a damper on that idea.
The Boys get their treats in the evening and late night feeds Christmas Eve and on Christmas morning. The apples last longer as I only feed them one at a time, spreading the holiday cheer over the week.
Christmas Eve for me is usually spent with my small remaining family--two sets of cousins and my aunt. My nephews and sister-in-law are on the West Coast now, so I don't see them much. Years ago, we all used to go to my grandmother's house just up the road where my father's whole family would gather and this little group is all that's left to hold up the family tradition. My Aunt used to live next door but since has moved to her son's house. Now her daughter will be hosting the annual Christmas Eve celebration. She does not live far from here so I'll be fine going over for a while--until I wear out, as I am still kind of tired much of the time.
Some years I go to one of the three church services my church offers, especially if I am singing. This year, however, I am not planning on that, as pretty as it may be. I think the family event will be more than enough for me.
I make a point of getting myself home in plenty of time to visit my barn at midnight. I love the old legend of how the animals talk on Christmas Eve and keep hoping I will drop in on a horsey conversation during the magic hour.
Christmas Day plans are up in the air. There is definitely a family dinner, but for me it's on hold until I see how I feel.
Whatever your traditions, whatever your plans, may the season bring you all the joy, hope, love and peace it has promised for centuries.
Merry Christmas to all!
We all have our holiday traditions. Mine will be a little askew this year as I am not doing all the barn work.
Part of my tradition is to make sure the stalls are super clean and bedded for Christmas Eve just in case the Christ Child happens by. My barn has a star on the run in roof which I will be sure is lit for the evening as well. Because I haven't been doing all the evening chores lately, I have not turned on the lights every other night. Tonight will be special.
The Boys do not get presents exactly. I did buy two new blankets for Chance and Toby, and will probably dress Toby in his today--Chance is already wearing his. Otherwise, my Boys have just about everything any horse could want, so they don't need much.
Except for the carrots and apples. Each year I go to the supermarket and buy fresh carrots with the greens still attached. Normally, carrots around here are sold in cellophane bags with the greenery cut off. The greenery carrots come in small bunches of five or six and cost a lot more. But, when it's a Christmast present, it's worth it. Apples? Again they are packed in cellophane bags sold in three and five pound lots. I managed to find two nice five pound bags, so we are well set there too. I could have gone to one of the orchard farms around here to get a basketful of local apples, but again, my physical limits this year put a damper on that idea.
The Boys get their treats in the evening and late night feeds Christmas Eve and on Christmas morning. The apples last longer as I only feed them one at a time, spreading the holiday cheer over the week.
Christmas Eve for me is usually spent with my small remaining family--two sets of cousins and my aunt. My nephews and sister-in-law are on the West Coast now, so I don't see them much. Years ago, we all used to go to my grandmother's house just up the road where my father's whole family would gather and this little group is all that's left to hold up the family tradition. My Aunt used to live next door but since has moved to her son's house. Now her daughter will be hosting the annual Christmas Eve celebration. She does not live far from here so I'll be fine going over for a while--until I wear out, as I am still kind of tired much of the time.
Some years I go to one of the three church services my church offers, especially if I am singing. This year, however, I am not planning on that, as pretty as it may be. I think the family event will be more than enough for me.
I make a point of getting myself home in plenty of time to visit my barn at midnight. I love the old legend of how the animals talk on Christmas Eve and keep hoping I will drop in on a horsey conversation during the magic hour.
Christmas Day plans are up in the air. There is definitely a family dinner, but for me it's on hold until I see how I feel.
Whatever your traditions, whatever your plans, may the season bring you all the joy, hope, love and peace it has promised for centuries.
Merry Christmas to all!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Attitude
Kicks and Bites
My horses are, generally, well behaved, polite fellows. Except sometimes....and someone....and that one happens to be the big bay Tucker who has an ATTITUDE. It could be his social status in the herd--second fiddle with aspirations of being alpha horse--or his Bold Ruler breeding, but he does think he should be in charge.
This is particularly true at feeding time or saddling time. I constantly have to watch is mouth in case he tries to take a bite, and his hind feet in case he tries to take a kick. While he has nipped me, he has never kicked me, but I consider any hind foot lifted off the ground when I am near his hind end a threat, so I am ever cautious.
In his small defense, I am sure he suffered from ulcers for quite some time and he did learn to be very defensive about being touched behind the girth--particularly on his right side--but he's been well treated for that, so I don't hold it as much of an excuse. Let us just say he is sensitive about his "space" and prefers life to run his way instead of any other.
When I feed him he will lay his ears back if I go back into the stall, and swish his hind end, shuffling his back feet, offering that threat to kick. If I make a move to adjust his blanket, he will "snake" his head an threaten to bite me. In essence, he treats me as another horse trying to take his food.
My response? Backatcha, baby.
I have always found the best answer to a threat to kick or bite, is a kick or bite back--sharp and first. The feed bucket is great for the "kick" part as a good, quick swat with the flat bottom makes a nice loud sound on his rump and doesn't hurt him one bit. His ears fly up to polite attention, and he plants both feet firmly on the ground after one quick step to move out of my way to give me the respectful space I deserve. The correction is my version of a kick, exactly as another horse would do to put him in his place. And Tucker accepts this as fair and warranted.
My response to his offer to bite is equally quick and needs nothing but my fingers. I use my hand, with my fingers stiff, to give him a "bite" any where I can reach. I developed this teachnique after a Kenny Harlow technique of grabbing and pinching the biting horse's nose--again as another horse might. While I like that method the best, Tuck, at nearly 17 h. can get his head too high too fast for me to reach said nose, so I find "biting" him anywhere does the job nearly as well.
In both cases, my responses to the bad behavior is similar to another horse's response, so I am doing the "horse whispering" thing by talking equine.
Please note that all my horses have been handled with the same consistent training and ground handling since I got them. I've owned Toby and Tucker since they were two years old and Chance since he was three, so there is no reason in his training background for Tucker's attitude. I am firmly convinced every horse has his own personality and temperament and there is very little we can do to change that. Tucker is the kind of horse ready, willing, and able to constantly challenge and test his limits and restrictions. He's the kid in class always trying to see just what he can get away with.
Like any good teacher, my job is to find the materials and methods to get across his lessons effectively. So far, so good.
My horses are, generally, well behaved, polite fellows. Except sometimes....and someone....and that one happens to be the big bay Tucker who has an ATTITUDE. It could be his social status in the herd--second fiddle with aspirations of being alpha horse--or his Bold Ruler breeding, but he does think he should be in charge.
This is particularly true at feeding time or saddling time. I constantly have to watch is mouth in case he tries to take a bite, and his hind feet in case he tries to take a kick. While he has nipped me, he has never kicked me, but I consider any hind foot lifted off the ground when I am near his hind end a threat, so I am ever cautious.
In his small defense, I am sure he suffered from ulcers for quite some time and he did learn to be very defensive about being touched behind the girth--particularly on his right side--but he's been well treated for that, so I don't hold it as much of an excuse. Let us just say he is sensitive about his "space" and prefers life to run his way instead of any other.
When I feed him he will lay his ears back if I go back into the stall, and swish his hind end, shuffling his back feet, offering that threat to kick. If I make a move to adjust his blanket, he will "snake" his head an threaten to bite me. In essence, he treats me as another horse trying to take his food.
My response? Backatcha, baby.
I have always found the best answer to a threat to kick or bite, is a kick or bite back--sharp and first. The feed bucket is great for the "kick" part as a good, quick swat with the flat bottom makes a nice loud sound on his rump and doesn't hurt him one bit. His ears fly up to polite attention, and he plants both feet firmly on the ground after one quick step to move out of my way to give me the respectful space I deserve. The correction is my version of a kick, exactly as another horse would do to put him in his place. And Tucker accepts this as fair and warranted.
My response to his offer to bite is equally quick and needs nothing but my fingers. I use my hand, with my fingers stiff, to give him a "bite" any where I can reach. I developed this teachnique after a Kenny Harlow technique of grabbing and pinching the biting horse's nose--again as another horse might. While I like that method the best, Tuck, at nearly 17 h. can get his head too high too fast for me to reach said nose, so I find "biting" him anywhere does the job nearly as well.
In both cases, my responses to the bad behavior is similar to another horse's response, so I am doing the "horse whispering" thing by talking equine.
Please note that all my horses have been handled with the same consistent training and ground handling since I got them. I've owned Toby and Tucker since they were two years old and Chance since he was three, so there is no reason in his training background for Tucker's attitude. I am firmly convinced every horse has his own personality and temperament and there is very little we can do to change that. Tucker is the kind of horse ready, willing, and able to constantly challenge and test his limits and restrictions. He's the kid in class always trying to see just what he can get away with.
Like any good teacher, my job is to find the materials and methods to get across his lessons effectively. So far, so good.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Recovery Ups and Downs
An Interesting Adventure
Some days I feel almost normal and other days, I don't feel well at all. Stomach issues and a lack of appetite seem to be the more constant complaints. Apparently both are fairly common with abdominal surgeries. I am trying to be patient, but it does get tiring. Yesterday I ate, today I have no interest in food and have a bit of pain. Nothing intolerable, but definitely annoying.
I did go to my wonderful chiropractor this morning as all the lying about has messed up my upper back and I was getting rather uncomfortable. No sign of a headache, at least, but now I am sneezing and seem to be battling a cold! That's what I get for venturing out in the world on my own. Better to have remained a hermit for the duration. *just kidding* I'll work on my standard home remedies and hopefully beat the worst of it back.
My good friend Bill's number one son came over yesterday to drive the tractor about and clear up some more of my snow. I wanted to be sure my farrier could get in if he needed to and also that I could get the horse trailer out in case of emergency. While he was working, I went to the tack store in search of some blankets for the orphan horses (Toby and Chance) and when I got back I found the yard nicely plowed , the ends of my driveways cleared out, and one happy young man grinning from ear to ear up in the tractor seat. Number one son was having the time of his life. He wouldn't take a penny for all the work he'd done because, as he said, "It's just too much fun driving this tractor!"
It was his last day before some foot surgery so he was treating himself to a day out on the machines. I think he was going snowmobiling afterwards. He is fine and back home now today, but I suspect he is not too comfortable yet. Having had my surgery, I am well aware of how both the anesthesia and the procedures can affect your body. It will take a day or so for him to start to feel better, but his parents are gems and will take good care of him in the meantime.
The horse Boys ventured out into the pasture this morning, cutting their way through the snow in search of something to do. I haven't seen much romping and frolicking out there, however. I don't know if they have not been playing or if I just have not been watching at the right time. When I spoke to Stacie the other day, she'd turned her little herd out and they'd gone into a galloping, bucking, playing frenzy. It must have been quite a sight. Once again, apparently no camera in hand at the right moment.
Stacie had over two feet of snow down her way (only about 45 minutes south of me) and she'd kept her horses in during the storm. My Boys--at least Toby and Chance--had the run of the paddocks, barn, and run in sheds during the snowfall, so perhaps the novelty wore off pretty quickly.
I know the novelty's worn off for me.
Some days I feel almost normal and other days, I don't feel well at all. Stomach issues and a lack of appetite seem to be the more constant complaints. Apparently both are fairly common with abdominal surgeries. I am trying to be patient, but it does get tiring. Yesterday I ate, today I have no interest in food and have a bit of pain. Nothing intolerable, but definitely annoying.
I did go to my wonderful chiropractor this morning as all the lying about has messed up my upper back and I was getting rather uncomfortable. No sign of a headache, at least, but now I am sneezing and seem to be battling a cold! That's what I get for venturing out in the world on my own. Better to have remained a hermit for the duration. *just kidding* I'll work on my standard home remedies and hopefully beat the worst of it back.
My good friend Bill's number one son came over yesterday to drive the tractor about and clear up some more of my snow. I wanted to be sure my farrier could get in if he needed to and also that I could get the horse trailer out in case of emergency. While he was working, I went to the tack store in search of some blankets for the orphan horses (Toby and Chance) and when I got back I found the yard nicely plowed , the ends of my driveways cleared out, and one happy young man grinning from ear to ear up in the tractor seat. Number one son was having the time of his life. He wouldn't take a penny for all the work he'd done because, as he said, "It's just too much fun driving this tractor!"
It was his last day before some foot surgery so he was treating himself to a day out on the machines. I think he was going snowmobiling afterwards. He is fine and back home now today, but I suspect he is not too comfortable yet. Having had my surgery, I am well aware of how both the anesthesia and the procedures can affect your body. It will take a day or so for him to start to feel better, but his parents are gems and will take good care of him in the meantime.
The horse Boys ventured out into the pasture this morning, cutting their way through the snow in search of something to do. I haven't seen much romping and frolicking out there, however. I don't know if they have not been playing or if I just have not been watching at the right time. When I spoke to Stacie the other day, she'd turned her little herd out and they'd gone into a galloping, bucking, playing frenzy. It must have been quite a sight. Once again, apparently no camera in hand at the right moment.
Stacie had over two feet of snow down her way (only about 45 minutes south of me) and she'd kept her horses in during the storm. My Boys--at least Toby and Chance--had the run of the paddocks, barn, and run in sheds during the snowfall, so perhaps the novelty wore off pretty quickly.
I know the novelty's worn off for me.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Oh, The Weather Outside Was Frightful
This is the house after the snowstorm. The snow is level with the front porch which is about a foot and a half above ground level. It does make a pretty picture for the holidays.
This is the east driveway that leads up to the garage. It's a little hill up and when it really snows badly, this can drift in pretty deeply. We lucked out with the wind during this storm so it wasn't as bad as it can get. Still, it does give you a feel of the snow's depth. This was a big storm for New Jersey, especially this early in the winter--well, actually before winter's official beginning.
The view to the barn from the house. I'm nearly at the back door so you can get a feel for how far it is to the Boys. Not bad at all when you have to trudge out there in bad weather.
This is the house after the snowstorm. The snow is level with the front porch which is about a foot and a half above ground level. It does make a pretty picture for the holidays. This is the east driveway that leads up to the garage. It's a little hill up and when it really snows badly, this can drift in pretty deeply. We lucked out with the wind during this storm so it wasn't as bad as it can get. Still, it does give you a feel of the snow's depth. This was a big storm for New Jersey, especially this early in the winter--well, actually before winter's official beginning. The view to the barn from the house. I'm nearly at the back door so you can get a feel for how far it is to the Boys. Not bad at all when you have to trudge out there in bad weather.This is the view from the barn across the back lawn to the house which you can just see at the top right corner. Again a sense of the snow here after my farmer friend plowed me out. What a sweetheart to help me out in my time of need. He used an ATV with a plow on it. I was surprised at how well it moved the snow. Right next to where I was standing is my tractor which is a honey for moving snow with four wheel drive and its front end loader. I am not exactly in shape at the moment to bounce around on it, plowing, however. I offered it to my farmer for use should he need it, though, so we are on a good wave length with that.
Here's Toby out in the snowy sunshine, sporting his grubby looking blanket. It has a duct tape patch on it for now. Not quite the picture of fashion.
And for some reason, Chance just wouldn't look at me. Normally, he likes to have his picture taken. He was, though on the far side of the run in and the Big Boys were hogging the limelight. He very much takes on the role of low horse in the herd, so I think he was deferring to them this time. I'll try for a better shot another day.
And here's Tucker! He'd just finished digging his way through the snow for a morsel or two of hay....or something. I just thought he looked so cute with his face all snowy. And, he insisted on looking right at the camera for a good shot.
Here's Toby out in the snowy sunshine, sporting his grubby looking blanket. It has a duct tape patch on it for now. Not quite the picture of fashion.
And for some reason, Chance just wouldn't look at me. Normally, he likes to have his picture taken. He was, though on the far side of the run in and the Big Boys were hogging the limelight. He very much takes on the role of low horse in the herd, so I think he was deferring to them this time. I'll try for a better shot another day. I am, as you can see, well dug out. The roads look pretty good and I may go to the tack store to see if there are any reasonalbly priced blankets for the ill dressed horses. If not, it's fine. I have some sheet/blanket combos to use if something should fall apart over the next few days and it is supposed to get warmer again. (Well, I know it will eventually, but I meant over the next few days. *G*)
Oh, and the electric bill? They are sending me a refund check. Apparently, there have been some messed up billing errors in their system and they are finally getting it all straightened out. At least now I know that my solar system was working and I was actually producing more electricity than I was using--a good thing. I should be getting a refund check soon. Yea!!!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Snowed Under
Not So Dashing Through the Snow
We have over a foot of snow. Hard to be 100% sure how much, but I measured over 13 inches by the back door where, perhaps the wind did not come into play. Trudging out to the barn was a bit of work, but now that my feet have made a path, the later trips should be easier.
Donna carted three bales of hay to the barn yesterday, and I've used up one so far as I gave the Boys extra last night at late feeding. I do have a little sled to get more over there should the need arise, but I certainly will not be able to do the transport of a full bale. I've used the sled in the past and it does work well, however, so if I want to take some flakes over it will be fine. Grain and water are all in the barn already, so there's no extra lugging there.
Cleaning the stalls is a problem at the moment. Again, I would normally shovel a path to the manure pile, but one little effort to clean off the back step of the house told me there is no shoveling I can do at the moment. The snow is wet enough to have a bit of weight and just moving some of it so the door to the house would open was a challenge to my body. Healing muscles in my abdomen are very sore and I definitely don't need to risk damaging anything.
So, I am stuck. Until rescue parties arrive to do some plowing, "tractoring," or shoveling, I will just have to cope.
Would you believe church was actually cancelled for today? I got a call from the choir director yesterday and an email message from the church that services were called off due to the storm. Wise move, actually. I trust God understands that sometimes humans just have to surrender to His creation. The church is in a town, so I suppose some people might have been able to walk there. For me, it would have been impossible as my driveway is impassable and my road doesn't look too great either. There might be a chance that my truck, in full four wheel drive mode might be able to get me out in a real emergency, but it might not be a pretty picture.
I remember one year when we had a storm worse than this one. My one driveway was totally drifted in. I had the other truck with a snow plow on it. I managed to clean about 30 feet of the one side of the driveway (my driveway loops in a "U" around my house with two ends opening on the road.) But then I was stuck with about 6 feet of heavy snow piled up in front of the plow. So, I started out the other driveway, plowing at angles to keep the snow from piling up in front of the blade. (No room to do that on the first side.) After about 20 minutes of that, I still had some 75 feet to the break open. I backed the truck up to the top of the little hill, dropped the plow and gunned the engine. The Dodge battering ram and I went smashing through and out into the roadway with my driveway finally open!! Thank goodness there was no one coming down the road when I broke through. It took a HUGE front end loader from the heavy equipment operators across the street to get my first driveway cleared later that day as that snow was so bad, but I had conquered one side all on my own. I felt so pleased.
Which is why all of this is so frustrating. I really do like to feel self-reliant.
On another note...solar energy. I have suddenly received, from the electric company, a set of revised invoices indicating I have over $600 worth of credit to my account since May. They have been charging me for full energy usage every month, deducting money from my bank account on auto pay, even though I have been producing more solar energy than I have been using. (Except for perhaps one month when the air conditioning ran full force).
Now I am totally baffled. They installed a bi-directional meter in May and back credited all my bills from January. I had thought, after that, that each month's bill would reflect how much energy I was producing to offset my bills. Not having paid a lot of attention to my total monthly energy usage in the past, and knowing that energy prices were soaring, I was having trouble figuring out just how much I should have been paying. When my August and usage were actually higher than the year before--when I did not have solar energy--I was really perplexed, so I started keeping closer tabs on things. But then, my medical concerns kind of took top priority and I lost momentum.
But now?? I now have a revised bill from May, showing a $600+ credit on my account. Yet, according to my bank statements, I have been paying electric bills all year. Why wasn't that credit applied to my bills? Of course all this "stuff" arrived in the mail yesterday, so with the snow and the weekend, I certainly cannot get any answers.
I am going to have a very interesting phone call sometime tomorrow trying to get this sorted out. Better yet, even if they credit me with the money on my energy bills for the coming months, the credit will just escalate as it seems a good number of those months I was producing more energy than I was using. That means the energy company owes me for the extra my system produces. Confused? So am I. *lol*
We have over a foot of snow. Hard to be 100% sure how much, but I measured over 13 inches by the back door where, perhaps the wind did not come into play. Trudging out to the barn was a bit of work, but now that my feet have made a path, the later trips should be easier.
Donna carted three bales of hay to the barn yesterday, and I've used up one so far as I gave the Boys extra last night at late feeding. I do have a little sled to get more over there should the need arise, but I certainly will not be able to do the transport of a full bale. I've used the sled in the past and it does work well, however, so if I want to take some flakes over it will be fine. Grain and water are all in the barn already, so there's no extra lugging there.
Cleaning the stalls is a problem at the moment. Again, I would normally shovel a path to the manure pile, but one little effort to clean off the back step of the house told me there is no shoveling I can do at the moment. The snow is wet enough to have a bit of weight and just moving some of it so the door to the house would open was a challenge to my body. Healing muscles in my abdomen are very sore and I definitely don't need to risk damaging anything.
So, I am stuck. Until rescue parties arrive to do some plowing, "tractoring," or shoveling, I will just have to cope.
Would you believe church was actually cancelled for today? I got a call from the choir director yesterday and an email message from the church that services were called off due to the storm. Wise move, actually. I trust God understands that sometimes humans just have to surrender to His creation. The church is in a town, so I suppose some people might have been able to walk there. For me, it would have been impossible as my driveway is impassable and my road doesn't look too great either. There might be a chance that my truck, in full four wheel drive mode might be able to get me out in a real emergency, but it might not be a pretty picture.
I remember one year when we had a storm worse than this one. My one driveway was totally drifted in. I had the other truck with a snow plow on it. I managed to clean about 30 feet of the one side of the driveway (my driveway loops in a "U" around my house with two ends opening on the road.) But then I was stuck with about 6 feet of heavy snow piled up in front of the plow. So, I started out the other driveway, plowing at angles to keep the snow from piling up in front of the blade. (No room to do that on the first side.) After about 20 minutes of that, I still had some 75 feet to the break open. I backed the truck up to the top of the little hill, dropped the plow and gunned the engine. The Dodge battering ram and I went smashing through and out into the roadway with my driveway finally open!! Thank goodness there was no one coming down the road when I broke through. It took a HUGE front end loader from the heavy equipment operators across the street to get my first driveway cleared later that day as that snow was so bad, but I had conquered one side all on my own. I felt so pleased.
Which is why all of this is so frustrating. I really do like to feel self-reliant.
On another note...solar energy. I have suddenly received, from the electric company, a set of revised invoices indicating I have over $600 worth of credit to my account since May. They have been charging me for full energy usage every month, deducting money from my bank account on auto pay, even though I have been producing more solar energy than I have been using. (Except for perhaps one month when the air conditioning ran full force).
Now I am totally baffled. They installed a bi-directional meter in May and back credited all my bills from January. I had thought, after that, that each month's bill would reflect how much energy I was producing to offset my bills. Not having paid a lot of attention to my total monthly energy usage in the past, and knowing that energy prices were soaring, I was having trouble figuring out just how much I should have been paying. When my August and usage were actually higher than the year before--when I did not have solar energy--I was really perplexed, so I started keeping closer tabs on things. But then, my medical concerns kind of took top priority and I lost momentum.
But now?? I now have a revised bill from May, showing a $600+ credit on my account. Yet, according to my bank statements, I have been paying electric bills all year. Why wasn't that credit applied to my bills? Of course all this "stuff" arrived in the mail yesterday, so with the snow and the weekend, I certainly cannot get any answers.
I am going to have a very interesting phone call sometime tomorrow trying to get this sorted out. Better yet, even if they credit me with the money on my energy bills for the coming months, the credit will just escalate as it seems a good number of those months I was producing more energy than I was using. That means the energy company owes me for the extra my system produces. Confused? So am I. *lol*
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Still Waiting
Snow's On the Way
Just a dusting so far, but there are dire predictions for tonight for anywhere from 12-20 inches of the white stuff. I always care when this happens, but this time I care more. Due to my condition, I cannot shovel. While I do have the tractor with the front end loader, I'm pretty sure operating it is not exactly the best idea either. And, it has a chronic soft tire in front that needs air and carting the compressor over to fill it is also not on my list of "things I can do."
Which means....I am very likely to be snowed in should we get the predicted storm. I do have potential rescue parties on the horizon, eventually, however, so for once in my life I will just have to wait it out. I have plenty of hay and grain for the Boys and as long as I can slog through to the barn, they will be fine, which means I too will be fine.
Curious how, even in this advanced technological age, we are still easy victims of the weather. You would think mankind would lose some of its arrogance in the face of nature, but somehow we still think we can defy it. The recent global warming conference just accents our convictions that we are somehow in charge. The nations who refused to acknowledge the crisis seem to think their needs and progress surpasses any other needs the world may have to protect and defend the climate. How foolish to believe that humans have no responsibilty to treat nature with the respect it deserves. *sigh*
The Boys are hanging out on the hill corner by the trees out in the pasture, despite the weather. I dressed them in their winter blankets this morning--although I was much surprised to discover I had a rather limited choice of decent ones to use. They are fine in what they are wearing, but it looks as if I need to do some upgrading, sooner than later. Toby has a duct tape patch, Tucker has a broken chest strap, and Chance is a little snugger in his than he could be. I do have some alternatives, including some lighter weight blankets that I use under waterproof sheets, so it's not as if they will be naked at any point, but one good winter turnout for each one would be nice. I found some on sale that just might do, so perhaps I will place an order. I just my buy three of the same size if I do. Chance can use one size smaller than the big boys, but he can also wear the same size if need be. It would just make it easier sorting things out for the wardrobe.
I just put more of the lovely second cutting hay in the stalls should they decide to come in from the far reaches. I called them to let them know, but aside from pricking up their ears at the sound of my voice--a fair enough compliment from horses--they didn't seem too interested.
The snow seems to be starting up again. Apparently the storm slowed down a bit on its way up the coast and is arriving later than predicted. I might take a quick trip out to get some milk as the quart I have is a bit older than it should be. Other than that, I am in fine fettle for a stay in.
Did I say hate snow?
Just a dusting so far, but there are dire predictions for tonight for anywhere from 12-20 inches of the white stuff. I always care when this happens, but this time I care more. Due to my condition, I cannot shovel. While I do have the tractor with the front end loader, I'm pretty sure operating it is not exactly the best idea either. And, it has a chronic soft tire in front that needs air and carting the compressor over to fill it is also not on my list of "things I can do."
Which means....I am very likely to be snowed in should we get the predicted storm. I do have potential rescue parties on the horizon, eventually, however, so for once in my life I will just have to wait it out. I have plenty of hay and grain for the Boys and as long as I can slog through to the barn, they will be fine, which means I too will be fine.
Curious how, even in this advanced technological age, we are still easy victims of the weather. You would think mankind would lose some of its arrogance in the face of nature, but somehow we still think we can defy it. The recent global warming conference just accents our convictions that we are somehow in charge. The nations who refused to acknowledge the crisis seem to think their needs and progress surpasses any other needs the world may have to protect and defend the climate. How foolish to believe that humans have no responsibilty to treat nature with the respect it deserves. *sigh*
The Boys are hanging out on the hill corner by the trees out in the pasture, despite the weather. I dressed them in their winter blankets this morning--although I was much surprised to discover I had a rather limited choice of decent ones to use. They are fine in what they are wearing, but it looks as if I need to do some upgrading, sooner than later. Toby has a duct tape patch, Tucker has a broken chest strap, and Chance is a little snugger in his than he could be. I do have some alternatives, including some lighter weight blankets that I use under waterproof sheets, so it's not as if they will be naked at any point, but one good winter turnout for each one would be nice. I found some on sale that just might do, so perhaps I will place an order. I just my buy three of the same size if I do. Chance can use one size smaller than the big boys, but he can also wear the same size if need be. It would just make it easier sorting things out for the wardrobe.
I just put more of the lovely second cutting hay in the stalls should they decide to come in from the far reaches. I called them to let them know, but aside from pricking up their ears at the sound of my voice--a fair enough compliment from horses--they didn't seem too interested.
The snow seems to be starting up again. Apparently the storm slowed down a bit on its way up the coast and is arriving later than predicted. I might take a quick trip out to get some milk as the quart I have is a bit older than it should be. Other than that, I am in fine fettle for a stay in.
Did I say hate snow?
Friday, December 18, 2009
Armchair Training
What I Remember
"Armchair Quarterback" is a term often used in the USA to describe the person watching an American Football game criticising the quarterback (the leader of the team who calls the plays) from his living room as he watches the game. He's just a viewer, of course, not out there on the field, but he is always ready to comment on how another play should have been called when one fails.
It's easy to sit on the sidelines watching other people work, thinking you could do it better. It's a lot different when you, yourself are actually doing the work.
It's the same with horses. I remember a number of clinics I attended with my horses over the years where the trainer kept telling me what to do as I repeatedly had no success. These were, most of the time, highly rated international trainers. (I live on the East Coast of the USA, less than an hour from the US Equestrian Team Headquarters--not so much used now--and many international stars would frequent our area with clinics because of that.) Often, when things would not work out, I might hand the reins over to the trainer and simply say, "Show me."
The results were often not at all what the trainer would expect. My PJ, in particular, was a senstive fellow, very eager to please, but very quickly tense when he didn't understand something. Bully him around, and he would "freeze" up in his efforts. One German instructor insisted he could get him going "right" in a matter of minutes. It was a disaster as poor PJ just got more and more tense with his strong arm tactics. A Swedish trainer insisted she could accomplish something, got on and within a few minutes had PJ nicely on the bit--to her mind--but when I asked he if she had really intended to ride a sharp haunches in on the circle to do it, she gulped, tried to straighten him, and lost the program all together. One Danish trainer, for which I will never quite forgive myself, rode PJ into the ground in a rollkur horror during a clinic when I could not ride due to a broken wrist. (It took three chiropractic/acupunture treatments to get my Boy back to 100% afterwards.)
This is all one of the reasons I loved riding with New Zealand trainer, Lockie Richards. Lockie had been an international even rider, the coach of the national team and eventually a Grand Prix competitor. Due to financial restrictions, he often worked with more difficult horses during his career. (By the by, Aragon's horse in "Lord of the Rings," Brego, was Lockie's former Grand Prix mount.) Because of his experience with all kinds of horses, Lockie had a huge "bag of training tricks" to deal with nearly every kind of situation he might encounter in a lesson.
There was never one approach with Lockie. If one technique didn't work, he'd come up with another. Little "miracle" cures often solved big problems. I subtle ways I learned to shift weight to a seatbone by "dropping my knee," or, get this, "dropping my ear," on one side or the other to get my horse straighter. And if Lockie did get on my horse, you could always see the master at work. He'd try a dozen little exercises or changes to fix a problem, rarely, if ever, confronting the horse to the point of emotional upset.
But, above all, he was one of the best "armchair quarterbacks" I've ever met in the horse world. When he taught, I could tell he was riding along with me, not just observing and making decisions based on what he thought "might" be happening. He "knew" what was happening at that moment and addressed the issue just as if he were in the saddle along with me.
Whenever it comes time for me to teach or train, I try to keep that concept in mind. As well, when I comes time for me to comment on or critique someone else's training or riding--unless I see something I consider outright cruelty (rollkur for example)--I do try to bite my tongue. Unless I have been in the saddle on that particular horse, perhaps it's not my place to make a judgment about what's right and wrong.
It's something to think about.
"Armchair Quarterback" is a term often used in the USA to describe the person watching an American Football game criticising the quarterback (the leader of the team who calls the plays) from his living room as he watches the game. He's just a viewer, of course, not out there on the field, but he is always ready to comment on how another play should have been called when one fails.
It's easy to sit on the sidelines watching other people work, thinking you could do it better. It's a lot different when you, yourself are actually doing the work.
It's the same with horses. I remember a number of clinics I attended with my horses over the years where the trainer kept telling me what to do as I repeatedly had no success. These were, most of the time, highly rated international trainers. (I live on the East Coast of the USA, less than an hour from the US Equestrian Team Headquarters--not so much used now--and many international stars would frequent our area with clinics because of that.) Often, when things would not work out, I might hand the reins over to the trainer and simply say, "Show me."
The results were often not at all what the trainer would expect. My PJ, in particular, was a senstive fellow, very eager to please, but very quickly tense when he didn't understand something. Bully him around, and he would "freeze" up in his efforts. One German instructor insisted he could get him going "right" in a matter of minutes. It was a disaster as poor PJ just got more and more tense with his strong arm tactics. A Swedish trainer insisted she could accomplish something, got on and within a few minutes had PJ nicely on the bit--to her mind--but when I asked he if she had really intended to ride a sharp haunches in on the circle to do it, she gulped, tried to straighten him, and lost the program all together. One Danish trainer, for which I will never quite forgive myself, rode PJ into the ground in a rollkur horror during a clinic when I could not ride due to a broken wrist. (It took three chiropractic/acupunture treatments to get my Boy back to 100% afterwards.)
This is all one of the reasons I loved riding with New Zealand trainer, Lockie Richards. Lockie had been an international even rider, the coach of the national team and eventually a Grand Prix competitor. Due to financial restrictions, he often worked with more difficult horses during his career. (By the by, Aragon's horse in "Lord of the Rings," Brego, was Lockie's former Grand Prix mount.) Because of his experience with all kinds of horses, Lockie had a huge "bag of training tricks" to deal with nearly every kind of situation he might encounter in a lesson.
There was never one approach with Lockie. If one technique didn't work, he'd come up with another. Little "miracle" cures often solved big problems. I subtle ways I learned to shift weight to a seatbone by "dropping my knee," or, get this, "dropping my ear," on one side or the other to get my horse straighter. And if Lockie did get on my horse, you could always see the master at work. He'd try a dozen little exercises or changes to fix a problem, rarely, if ever, confronting the horse to the point of emotional upset.
But, above all, he was one of the best "armchair quarterbacks" I've ever met in the horse world. When he taught, I could tell he was riding along with me, not just observing and making decisions based on what he thought "might" be happening. He "knew" what was happening at that moment and addressed the issue just as if he were in the saddle along with me.
Whenever it comes time for me to teach or train, I try to keep that concept in mind. As well, when I comes time for me to comment on or critique someone else's training or riding--unless I see something I consider outright cruelty (rollkur for example)--I do try to bite my tongue. Unless I have been in the saddle on that particular horse, perhaps it's not my place to make a judgment about what's right and wrong.
It's something to think about.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Day By Day
New Perspective
Not being quite up to par healthwise offers a new perspective. My bad knees have limited me for years and years, so I have often viewed the world with a notice that there are just some things I cannot do--like running, jumping, and mounting my horse from the ground.
With my surgery, I am now even more limited as I cannot pick up so called "heavy" objects. Ten pounds is the limit and, as all of you with horses know, the world of horses is full of things weighing more than ten pounds.
A bag of grain here in the US is 50 pounds. The bales of hay I get weigh in anywhere from about 30-40 pounds apiece. My saddles, treeless so they are much lighter than a treed saddle, still weigh it at, I think, around 15 pounds. Of course, I can't ride anyhow, so it doesn't matter, but it is an observation. And what about horse blankets? Not sure, but a wet one is probably pretty heavy. One gallon of water is 8.8 pounds, so a 2 gallon bucket is too heavy too and forget about a bag of wood shavings or a wheelbarrow even partially filled with manure.
All of my cats are over 10 pounds, for good or ill. My big concern about that is should any one of them have need of a trip to the vet during my lay up, I can't carry them. So far, so good, but it does not rest easy on my mind.
Should I go grocery shopping, I need to be careful how many things I put in a bag.
All in all, it puts a different perspective on the world. I will just have to see things with new eyes for a few more weeks.
Not being quite up to par healthwise offers a new perspective. My bad knees have limited me for years and years, so I have often viewed the world with a notice that there are just some things I cannot do--like running, jumping, and mounting my horse from the ground.
With my surgery, I am now even more limited as I cannot pick up so called "heavy" objects. Ten pounds is the limit and, as all of you with horses know, the world of horses is full of things weighing more than ten pounds.
A bag of grain here in the US is 50 pounds. The bales of hay I get weigh in anywhere from about 30-40 pounds apiece. My saddles, treeless so they are much lighter than a treed saddle, still weigh it at, I think, around 15 pounds. Of course, I can't ride anyhow, so it doesn't matter, but it is an observation. And what about horse blankets? Not sure, but a wet one is probably pretty heavy. One gallon of water is 8.8 pounds, so a 2 gallon bucket is too heavy too and forget about a bag of wood shavings or a wheelbarrow even partially filled with manure.
All of my cats are over 10 pounds, for good or ill. My big concern about that is should any one of them have need of a trip to the vet during my lay up, I can't carry them. So far, so good, but it does not rest easy on my mind.
Should I go grocery shopping, I need to be careful how many things I put in a bag.
All in all, it puts a different perspective on the world. I will just have to see things with new eyes for a few more weeks.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Staples Out
I Am "Metallically" Free
My incision feels so much better now that the staples are out. My doctor removed them this morning. He told me again that the pathology report was good and the cancer was confined to my uterus, so I need no further treatment. However, for the next five years, I will need to have regular follow up visits to be sure all is well.
My next appointment is in four weeks, at which time he will probably give me clearance to resume really "normal" activities, including physical therapy, which I will likely need at that point. He said I could to the treadmill and stationay bike for exercise, but neither one of those choices is "knee friendly" for me. I'll try the bike a little in a week or so, but if it hurts my knees as I suspect, it's off the list. Guess I'll just fall into a state of physical "fitlessness." *lol*
Actually, I won't be too much worse off than I am most winters except I can't get the added exercise of pushing the wheelbarrow through the mud or shoveling snow...heaven forbid. Feeding the Boys does take about a half hour at least, more if I fill the water tub with the gallon bucket, so it's not as if I am totally bedridden.
I don't have much of an appetite yet, another common consequence of the surgery, so I am definitely not gaining weight. In fact, I have lost some which, for me, is a really good thing.
Meantime I got the Boys back out to the pasture today. Things did dry up enough to clear some of the mud, but it also got cold enough to do some ground freezing again. Tucker was delighted but Toby and Chance were not so impressed. I don't know if it was "cute," "cuddly" or just plain typical horse, but when I opened the gate for them neither one went through until I went first. Then they both hung around me for a while. Then Toby moved off and Chance stayed for an extra bit of attention. I'd love to think it was just wanting to be near me, but it might have been the expectation of a treat instead.
Hard to tell with horses, sometimes. They are wiser and deeper in understanding than many people realize and I have a gut feeling my Boys are watching out for me at least a little. Tucker has been very gentle and cautious around me so far and Toby has not been as standoff as he often is. Chance is a cuddle bunny anyhow, so he's an open book.
Regardless, their presence is enough to make anyone feel better.
My incision feels so much better now that the staples are out. My doctor removed them this morning. He told me again that the pathology report was good and the cancer was confined to my uterus, so I need no further treatment. However, for the next five years, I will need to have regular follow up visits to be sure all is well.
My next appointment is in four weeks, at which time he will probably give me clearance to resume really "normal" activities, including physical therapy, which I will likely need at that point. He said I could to the treadmill and stationay bike for exercise, but neither one of those choices is "knee friendly" for me. I'll try the bike a little in a week or so, but if it hurts my knees as I suspect, it's off the list. Guess I'll just fall into a state of physical "fitlessness." *lol*
Actually, I won't be too much worse off than I am most winters except I can't get the added exercise of pushing the wheelbarrow through the mud or shoveling snow...heaven forbid. Feeding the Boys does take about a half hour at least, more if I fill the water tub with the gallon bucket, so it's not as if I am totally bedridden.
I don't have much of an appetite yet, another common consequence of the surgery, so I am definitely not gaining weight. In fact, I have lost some which, for me, is a really good thing.
Meantime I got the Boys back out to the pasture today. Things did dry up enough to clear some of the mud, but it also got cold enough to do some ground freezing again. Tucker was delighted but Toby and Chance were not so impressed. I don't know if it was "cute," "cuddly" or just plain typical horse, but when I opened the gate for them neither one went through until I went first. Then they both hung around me for a while. Then Toby moved off and Chance stayed for an extra bit of attention. I'd love to think it was just wanting to be near me, but it might have been the expectation of a treat instead.
Hard to tell with horses, sometimes. They are wiser and deeper in understanding than many people realize and I have a gut feeling my Boys are watching out for me at least a little. Tucker has been very gentle and cautious around me so far and Toby has not been as standoff as he often is. Chance is a cuddle bunny anyhow, so he's an open book.
Regardless, their presence is enough to make anyone feel better.
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