The Second Chance Event Team is potentially going to have a giant setback. My 5 year old gelding Bailey has developed a large bony mass on his jaw. It appears on x-ray to be bone and not an abscess. So far my vet, and a second consulting vet have not been able to determine the cause of the growth. It is directly under the interdental space where the bit goes in the horse's mouth and doesn't seem to involve any teeth or tooth roots where abscesses or fibromas are more common.
The remaining theories are that it is bone healing over an old fracture, or it is a form of bone cancer.
The idea that it is a healing fracture is not likely due to no significant fracture evidence being found on the x-ray... and also it is not likely because I handle Bailey every single day, twice a day, and monitor his food consumption. There is no way in my mind that Bay suffered a broken jaw without my knowing it. He would have been swollen, and resistant to having a halter put on him since the noseband would have hit the traumatized area. And I would think that he would have had a hard time chewing and therefore I would have noticed that he was not eating all his feed.
On Tuesday afternoon, Bailey is scheduled for a bone biopsy which should give us a definitive diagnosis. I will update the blog when I know more.
P~
Monday, February 25, 2008
Friday, February 8, 2008
Settling in for the Long Wait
Patience. I wish I had more patience. I am thinking about how patient I am going to have to be as I settle in for the long wait for the baby to be born. I have ridden Tokaj up until almost five months of pregnancy with the promise to myself that I would really concentrate on how I was feeling and stop if it became uncomfortable in any way. Some of you may know that doctors say no riding horses during pregnancy... but their concern is really about falling off... not about bouncing at the trot. You can be a runner, but not a rider in their minds due to what they percieve as a huge risk of falling on your abdomen.
I think the risk can be minimized (to equal that of falling down on your own or a vehicle accident) by riding only gentle, trained, predictable horses in very controlled circumstances like in the indoor arena where I ride Tokaj. That way a spook is unlikely and so are any bucking episodes. So that is what I did. Like I said, I promised myself I would be careful and stop when I felt anything negative.... well, I am calling it quits on riding until after the baby is born. And what is funny is that I really never felt physically BAD, but I can't control my core muscles (abdominals etc) anymore, and I am having a harder time not banging around on poor Tokaj as I get bigger and bigger and bigger... so I have decided that for Tokaj's sake, I will stop now while she still is looking forward to seeing me each day. We aren't progressing on the finer details of our partnership because I am simply too ungainly in my attempts at athletic and subtle communication.
I am bringing Tokaj home this weekend or next week from Stonewall. I will be very sad to go. There are sure a lot of really nice people who board and work at the stable. The great thing (at least I think so now.... ask me when I am 8 months +) is that having the three horses at home gives me something physical to do each day. I get up and do barn chores: clean stalls, feed, take hay to the paddock, water, turn out horses, and groom horses in the morning and in the evening I feed and bring horses in from the pasture. It seems like it should be simple and easy, but with my wide-load... it actually is a workout! :)
I am reluctantly getting into baby stuff. I am such a tomboy. I told my husband that at least he won't be confused as to whether I love the baby or just dressing him/her up like a doll... because I am SO NOT turned on by the frilly baby clothes and cutesy stuff. I know... I'm weird. BUT one good thing about baby stuff I found out is that they have jogging/all terrain strollers that resemble four wheel drive vehicles... and some are even made by JEEP! How cool is that? I am also very excited about baby backpacks (for mom to pack around baby while doing horse stuff). I guess there is something amid all the baby stuff even for the most tomboyish of us moms.
I will continue to update the Second Chance blog especially as the arena begins to be constructed. That is something new to me and it is quite a challenge to design an arna with proper base and footing, when you have never done it before and especially when you have not done it in a rainy/wet/muddy state. AND I have to explain to a excavation company how to do it since no one (in my price range) specializes in all-weather riding surfaces.
P~
I think the risk can be minimized (to equal that of falling down on your own or a vehicle accident) by riding only gentle, trained, predictable horses in very controlled circumstances like in the indoor arena where I ride Tokaj. That way a spook is unlikely and so are any bucking episodes. So that is what I did. Like I said, I promised myself I would be careful and stop when I felt anything negative.... well, I am calling it quits on riding until after the baby is born. And what is funny is that I really never felt physically BAD, but I can't control my core muscles (abdominals etc) anymore, and I am having a harder time not banging around on poor Tokaj as I get bigger and bigger and bigger... so I have decided that for Tokaj's sake, I will stop now while she still is looking forward to seeing me each day. We aren't progressing on the finer details of our partnership because I am simply too ungainly in my attempts at athletic and subtle communication.
I am bringing Tokaj home this weekend or next week from Stonewall. I will be very sad to go. There are sure a lot of really nice people who board and work at the stable. The great thing (at least I think so now.... ask me when I am 8 months +) is that having the three horses at home gives me something physical to do each day. I get up and do barn chores: clean stalls, feed, take hay to the paddock, water, turn out horses, and groom horses in the morning and in the evening I feed and bring horses in from the pasture. It seems like it should be simple and easy, but with my wide-load... it actually is a workout! :)
I am reluctantly getting into baby stuff. I am such a tomboy. I told my husband that at least he won't be confused as to whether I love the baby or just dressing him/her up like a doll... because I am SO NOT turned on by the frilly baby clothes and cutesy stuff. I know... I'm weird. BUT one good thing about baby stuff I found out is that they have jogging/all terrain strollers that resemble four wheel drive vehicles... and some are even made by JEEP! How cool is that? I am also very excited about baby backpacks (for mom to pack around baby while doing horse stuff). I guess there is something amid all the baby stuff even for the most tomboyish of us moms.
I will continue to update the Second Chance blog especially as the arena begins to be constructed. That is something new to me and it is quite a challenge to design an arna with proper base and footing, when you have never done it before and especially when you have not done it in a rainy/wet/muddy state. AND I have to explain to a excavation company how to do it since no one (in my price range) specializes in all-weather riding surfaces.
P~
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
2008 Update
Well it is 2008! I think it is going to be a great year for the Second Chance Event Team. We are still in a building process and have some obstacles to overcome... like not having our own arena to work in... but by 2009 we are going to be up and running.
The plans for 2008 are for Tokaj and I to keep building a partnership. She is coming along really well. She is currently being stabled at Stonewall Farm in Kearney, MO where they have a fabulous indoor arena with synthetic footing that is just lovely to ride on. I will have Tokaj at Stonewall for the rest of January and also February. I am hoping to give Tokaj as much time as I can these next couple of months because I will be laying her off for a few months this Spring and Summer since my husband and I are expecting our first baby.
I know, I know, I can hear you all now.... "How are you going to continue your dream to event if you have a baby?" And my answer to you is that I am going to see how it goes, but it seems to me that there are plenty of eventers who have children. I am going to work with my husband to figure out how to make it work. I know it will be work, but nothing in my life that has been worthwhile has been easy so I am not scared of a little hard work. Also, my super-supportive husband is cheering me on and vows to be a very active dad so that I can take a couple hours each day to train.
One thing that needs to be established before I can really have goals, is that I need a place to ride at home. With a baby, there is going to be no way to trailer every time I need to ride. So this Spring, plans are in the works to build an outdoor arena that can accomodate a short dressage court, and also be big enough for a course of jumps. I am thinking that by September, or October of 2008, that I will be making my way back into the saddle and be ready for fall and winter clinics and be competition fit by 2009. Really, it is not that far away! :)
Bailey and Savannah are my two young horses, and they are also my biggest concern. I was hoping to find someone out here in MO who I would trust to put some time in on them... but so far I haven't met anyone who specializes in young horses, or who I would trust to get them going correctly. I need to start asking around. Ideally, I would like for Bailey to get some riding in 2008 to further his education, and it would be nice for Savannah to be a riding horse and not a pasture ornament by the time I get back in shape enough to ride in the Fall. My very ambitious goals for them is to start competing Bailey in 2009 at lower level events, and to take Savannah on trail rides (she will be 4 years old) and to dressage schooling shows, as well as introducing her to jumping. Three horses will be a lot to keep going while also raising a baby, but I think with the right facilities here at home, and if I am willing to seek help with the young horses, that it can be done.
We have an exciting year ahead! Well, I better get going to ride Tokaj...
P~
The plans for 2008 are for Tokaj and I to keep building a partnership. She is coming along really well. She is currently being stabled at Stonewall Farm in Kearney, MO where they have a fabulous indoor arena with synthetic footing that is just lovely to ride on. I will have Tokaj at Stonewall for the rest of January and also February. I am hoping to give Tokaj as much time as I can these next couple of months because I will be laying her off for a few months this Spring and Summer since my husband and I are expecting our first baby.
I know, I know, I can hear you all now.... "How are you going to continue your dream to event if you have a baby?" And my answer to you is that I am going to see how it goes, but it seems to me that there are plenty of eventers who have children. I am going to work with my husband to figure out how to make it work. I know it will be work, but nothing in my life that has been worthwhile has been easy so I am not scared of a little hard work. Also, my super-supportive husband is cheering me on and vows to be a very active dad so that I can take a couple hours each day to train.
One thing that needs to be established before I can really have goals, is that I need a place to ride at home. With a baby, there is going to be no way to trailer every time I need to ride. So this Spring, plans are in the works to build an outdoor arena that can accomodate a short dressage court, and also be big enough for a course of jumps. I am thinking that by September, or October of 2008, that I will be making my way back into the saddle and be ready for fall and winter clinics and be competition fit by 2009. Really, it is not that far away! :)
Bailey and Savannah are my two young horses, and they are also my biggest concern. I was hoping to find someone out here in MO who I would trust to put some time in on them... but so far I haven't met anyone who specializes in young horses, or who I would trust to get them going correctly. I need to start asking around. Ideally, I would like for Bailey to get some riding in 2008 to further his education, and it would be nice for Savannah to be a riding horse and not a pasture ornament by the time I get back in shape enough to ride in the Fall. My very ambitious goals for them is to start competing Bailey in 2009 at lower level events, and to take Savannah on trail rides (she will be 4 years old) and to dressage schooling shows, as well as introducing her to jumping. Three horses will be a lot to keep going while also raising a baby, but I think with the right facilities here at home, and if I am willing to seek help with the young horses, that it can be done.
We have an exciting year ahead! Well, I better get going to ride Tokaj...
P~
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Lessons with Karin
It has been a while since I have posted. We have been winterizing the property. Here is a photo of our new barn. You can see the dutch doors leading from the stalls. I will get some interior photos to post soon.
I have been riding Tokaj quite a bit. We have not hunted as we had anticipated due to the cost of formal hunt clothing and other issues. Tokaj and I have been trail riding with Sandy, working at a nearby indoor arena, and having lessons with Karin.
Last week I had a lesson with Karin and she confirmed something I had been feeling all along... that Tokaj travels crooked to the left. Karin helped me with some exercises to help her learn to travel straight (meaning properly curved to the left if she was traveling left... the horse's spine should follow the curve of any circle or turn). This habit is something that Tokaj has been doing, and re-training her to balance herself and carry herself straight will take time. It is like learning to write with your left hand if you are right-dominant. Anyway, we are definitely making progress!
In all her paces, Tokaj and I are improving greatly. She is becoming more connected, stepping under herself and carrying more weight on her haunch rather than on her front end. She is becoming more capable of stretching into the bridle and creating an elastic connection instead of being stiff and resistant. It is fun to ride her when she goes from stiff to suddenly elastic and bouncy... like hitting a tennis ball with the "sweet spot" on the racket rather than near or on the frame. She makes me glow!
I have had another wonderful opportunity presented to me. Karin is going to go to Chicago to work with a very high level trainer for the months of January and February. She is taking her two high level horses. She has a warmblood going Grand Prix, and an Andalusian horse who is young, but she just won a young horse National Championship on him in both Florida and Texas. We all need help and eyes on the ground... even Karin, so she is headed to Chicago. Karin offered me her stalls at Stonewall Farm. Stonewall is a wonderful facility with a large indoor arena with synthetic footing that is great for horse leg and joint health. I can only afford to take one stall for Tokaj, but this will afford me the opportunity to train during the worst winter months here in Missouri. I was not looking forward to trailering in snow and ice, so this will be great for us!
Friday, October 26, 2007
Dressage & Other Schooling
Tokaj and I went to the indoor arena nearby today. She did really well. I am very rusty and can tell that much of the time... more than 75%... I am in her way. The other 25% of the time she is just going great. We worked on me sitting straight. I am the Queen of Crooked as usual, and stirrup leathers that are not the same length sure do not help matters. How can I have done as much as I have with horses and still be riding in stirrups of two different lengths?? I am disappointed in my Stubben leathers though. They have really done some stretching. They were uneven by TWO holes from the mounting side and the off side. Thank goodness for arenas equipped with mirrors. Sigh.
Today I was not going to focus on big tasks as much as getting Tokaj and I more used to one another before we head off to our first dressage lesson with Karin Glynn next Wednesday. Karin is from Norway, trained for dressage in Germany, and has trained to Grand Prix... which is far more knowledge than I am going to need at the moment, but it is nice to know that no matter what level I reach, she can definitely help. Karin trains out of Stonewall Farm in Kearney which is about eight to ten miles from me. I went to look at the facility and am sure impressed. The indoor arena is very large, and has footing made of synthetics and rubber. Very nice on horse's joints and feet. I am going to have Karin help me develop a better partnership with Tokaj. We have many specific areas that need improvement, but I am not sure where to best start. Some of the areas might be fixed with improvement in others so that is going to be where I need Karin's help.
I did work on some basics today that are not so much dressage oriented as western inspired. Tokaj is learning to stop like a Quarter horse rather than having the rider drag her to a disorganize halt with the reins. I know that dressage riders often do not teach "Whoa" to mean stop right now... but I like emergency brakes and think they should be installed in the first few rides on a colt. I also like manuverability for riding outside of the arena. Tokaj is learning to be more manuverable, backward, and sideways. She learned how to assist the rider when opening a gate from her back today. I have never had a horse that I could not do basic trail riding manuvers on, and won't be starting now. Tokaj is very very smart and quick. Her thinking process is like this: 1.) Do I have to? 2.) Try a couple evasions to make sure I have to. 3.) Learn quickly and do it right so we can do less work. I can't say I dislike her thinking and she got the gist of opening gates in fifteen minutes or less. We can stop quickly and balanced on the hindquarter from the walk and trot, on a loose rein. We are still working on stopping from canter. We sidepass, turn on the forehand, and are working on turning over the hindquarter and disengaging the front end. I think these basic movements are key to any riding horse, and rider safety.
I will let you know how the lesson goes with Karin. I am anxious about making at least a decent impression... but Karin knows we are basically starting from scratch with an old rusty rider, and a horse from a different discipline. Hope she has LOTS of patience! And I will be sure to make sure at least my stirrup leathers are the SAME length!
;)
P~
Today I was not going to focus on big tasks as much as getting Tokaj and I more used to one another before we head off to our first dressage lesson with Karin Glynn next Wednesday. Karin is from Norway, trained for dressage in Germany, and has trained to Grand Prix... which is far more knowledge than I am going to need at the moment, but it is nice to know that no matter what level I reach, she can definitely help. Karin trains out of Stonewall Farm in Kearney which is about eight to ten miles from me. I went to look at the facility and am sure impressed. The indoor arena is very large, and has footing made of synthetics and rubber. Very nice on horse's joints and feet. I am going to have Karin help me develop a better partnership with Tokaj. We have many specific areas that need improvement, but I am not sure where to best start. Some of the areas might be fixed with improvement in others so that is going to be where I need Karin's help.
I did work on some basics today that are not so much dressage oriented as western inspired. Tokaj is learning to stop like a Quarter horse rather than having the rider drag her to a disorganize halt with the reins. I know that dressage riders often do not teach "Whoa" to mean stop right now... but I like emergency brakes and think they should be installed in the first few rides on a colt. I also like manuverability for riding outside of the arena. Tokaj is learning to be more manuverable, backward, and sideways. She learned how to assist the rider when opening a gate from her back today. I have never had a horse that I could not do basic trail riding manuvers on, and won't be starting now. Tokaj is very very smart and quick. Her thinking process is like this: 1.) Do I have to? 2.) Try a couple evasions to make sure I have to. 3.) Learn quickly and do it right so we can do less work. I can't say I dislike her thinking and she got the gist of opening gates in fifteen minutes or less. We can stop quickly and balanced on the hindquarter from the walk and trot, on a loose rein. We are still working on stopping from canter. We sidepass, turn on the forehand, and are working on turning over the hindquarter and disengaging the front end. I think these basic movements are key to any riding horse, and rider safety.
I will let you know how the lesson goes with Karin. I am anxious about making at least a decent impression... but Karin knows we are basically starting from scratch with an old rusty rider, and a horse from a different discipline. Hope she has LOTS of patience! And I will be sure to make sure at least my stirrup leathers are the SAME length!
;)
P~
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
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!
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!
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
She's A Big Girl Now!
Savannah was ridden for the first time today! She was very good and accepting of the situation. She even tried to do some grazing while I was up there! I look forward to turning Miss Savannah into a riding horse rather than her being a full time hay burner. :)
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