Barn and Other Updates

Well it has been a few weeks since my last post. Nothing has been going on horse wise... at least nothing I have been wanting to talk much about. So here is the update on each team member:

ME: Healed from sprained ankle. Healed from minor possible concussion. Eating too much Halloween candy.

TOKAJ: Trail ride today. She did great. We were out for over three hours and she did wonderful. The warm up in the round pen definitely helped to convince her that it was time to go back to work! She has been off for a few weeks for various reasons: Rider ailments, Rain and slick ground, and some lameness from a cracked hoof. I bought Tokaj with a cracked hoof because the crack is horizontal to the ground and not vertical and going into her coronet band where the new hoof grows. I did not expect any lameness.... however.... after the rains and mud, her hoof softened and swelled and the crack enlarged somewhat. She started to get ouchy on it. So... she now gets her feet dried out at night and gets a thick coating of Tuff Stuff on the crack so it doesn't absorb water when she is out during the day. After a couple weeks of that she is good as new and the crack is growing out.

BAILEY (AKA Gus.... short for fungus): Bailey loves the wet weather. He is growing fungus everywhere! He has spots around his pasterns, and some even growing further up his legs. Sheesh. So I am busting out the fungus topical treatments to keep them away. Otherwise "Gus" is doing well and tomorrow will be going for his first ride in a while.

SAVANNAH: Found the only nail I did not find first in her new stall (new construction... they sure do drop alot of nails and stuff!!!) and rolled on it. She ended up with cellulitis on her hock and we thought for a brief moment that she had punctured the joint... but she's fine.

Training Update: After several rainstorms, I was finally forced to address the question of where I would train during bad weather. I had been wanting to board at Pine Hill where a very good dressage trainer is located, but then we built the barn etc, and money is short! So I found an indoor arena that is five miles from home. The arena is big, new, nicely lit, with great footing! It doesn't appear to get much use and for a small monthly fee, I am being allowed to use it at will! YEAH! Apparently it does not get any daytime use, so it will be like having my own! I am taking Bailey there tomorrow and will be taking Tokaj on Thursday or Friday. When I arrived at the facility I went to see who was using it and a very nice young cowboy came up and gave me the info on the arena. I don't think anyone else rides dressage or hunt seat there... so I did nto mention that I do. :) They will find out soon enough. I still plan on getting together regularly with a dressage instructor, but I will trailer in rather than paying full board at their facility.

Hunting Update: No more hunting for us yet. Now the formal season is here and although I am officially a member of the club... I don't have the formal hunt attire yet. So when I get that, and Tokaj is going good... we are going to try it again. I just know it will be great! ;)

Barn Update: The barn is up and being used each night. The horses like it in there and I have had no pawing, chewing, or stall walking so far. They go in at night and out during the day. The electrical, lights, and water are not connected yet, but I am working around that until the rain stops long enough for the contractors to dig a trench without getting stuck!

Happy Trails!