A mistake, and a progress report

First up- I made a mistake when I assumed (you know what they say about assuming...) that it was Tay who nailed Thumper in the eye.

Once the swelling went down a bit, I could clearly see scratch marks that line up with cat's claws, and to clinch it, the next day, the neighbour's intact male cat was in the barn fighting with Thumper. I helped Thumper put the run on him! The owners are being asked to get their cat neutered asap. Wouldn't want their cat to go missing now, would we? 😇
So, I apologized to Tay.....

and I think it was accepted! She really responds to affection and attention, and over the last few days of working with her I can call her off when she is stalking the cats.

I worked with Mesa on the step yesterday.

I think I will modify it so that it's on a low platform and then the step up will flow more naturally. What I asked for, and got, was for me to be able to place her foot on the platform and have her leave it there.

It is still slippery enough that her foot slides if it is extended too far forward, so I need to do something about the surface. Maybe a piece of textured rubber mat?

She is getting really cute, but it is hard to get a good photo of her because of all the fuzzy baby hair and that awkward yearling growth stage.

Not only that, she is always either 2 inches away from the camera, or on the move!

Here is the Gussie update:

She is starting to look much better! Remember a month ago , here is what she looked like-

We are getting  some curve back in her hind end....

and the hollow above her eye is gone.

For reference:

Working on her muscle tone is next. I could jiggle the muscles in her hind quarters and they are like jello! Since we are in sunny spring weather for a bit it's time to get serious about getting her in shape.

Changes

The minions left today. I sure enjoyed having them! I hope they come back this summer.

I have Rosalee news..... 

She is officially sold. Not to the lady from the coast, but to Shayla, which is something I have hoped for! She will head over there after her foal is weaned, and will be put into training for barrel racing, something I always thought she would be good at. It's nice not to have to worry about dealing with people I don't know to get her sold, and she will have a great home with Shayla and will be kept busy!
In other news, Tay is becoming a problem. She attacks any critters that run from her, whether it be cats, or Tess chasing a ball, she is very aggressive and goes in for the grip. I've had to break up 3 fights with Tess, and this evening I found Thumper like this:

 Bit above his eye and the eye isn't visible when I pull the eyelid back, I'm hoping it is just the inside eyelid swollen and not the eye itself injured. Tay will have to be rehomed and tomorrow I will go get a muzzle for her which she will have to wear when she is outside at all times as she sneaks away to the barn and looks for the cats. Kinda bummed about this.

So there ya go, 3 things that were dealt with today.
Update: Ted says we should keep Tay, he really likes her so I guess it's up to me to make sure she is muzzled for any trips to the barn or unsupervised time in the yard when she may wander to the barn. Thumper's eye will be ok, no permanent damage that I can see.

Girl power

Yesterday's feed time was all about the horses having fun. They were on a roll! I saw Belle levitate about 3 ft. off the ground, straight up with all 4 feet. Man o man she is feeling good! They were all pretty much airborne for a while.

Rosalee  started bagging up yesterday.....

So excited! I had a lady get ahold of me yesterday who really wants her, and is willing to fly up here (she lives on the coast) after foaling to check her out. I'm really hoping this one is the right one for her, as this lady used to show in reining and has her own beautiful proven stallion. She wants one to both breed and ride, so Rosalee fits the bill- and she has a beautiful place with good fencing.
Of course you know what that means.... yes there will be a foaling contest this year! Stay tuned for that one around mid April.
Rosalee had to show that she still has the moves, even if she is fat and pregnant.

Belle has taken up a protect mode when it comes to Gussie and Mesa, check out her attitude to Rosalee.

She did that several times, backing up to her and kicking, but always from a good distance away so as not to connect. Today is wet and we have snow/rain, so I'm leaving Rosalee in the foaling pen until the weather improves, don't need her slipping and falling.

Just for kicks and giggles, here is an old photo of me and Gussie, and the blue roan colt is her first foal, Choctaw Peppy.

The palomino filly is Sassy, I bought her as a long yearling, then got her started under saddle the next year and sold her.

Having fun

Having fun. It's what being a kid is all about.

But first, gotta earn the fun! I had them help me pick up garbage in the mare pasture, everything from strings to car parts are surfacing. Rosalee thought she should help too:

Thanks for the offer Rosalee but I'm pretty sure you can't push that wheelbarrow!

Apparently, Mesa thought she could help too.

Yeah no Mesa, pulling it doesn't work either!

And that's what they did on Thursday. I set up a simple obstacle course for them and they took turns riding Gussie through it a couple of times.

Riding straight through the lane

Turning a 360 in the box

Then we went down through the bush and up onto the dyke and back with them taking turns riding her. This was just what  they needed!

  

    

I rode a bit too, made them walk when we hit a snowy patch (adult privilege!)

 After they were done I worked on counter bend and same rein serpentines with her to free up her shoulders.

I love how Gussie took care of them, the only little hitch was on the way back when she was in sight of the other horses she wanted to hurry a bit, so I made her walk behind me and made sure Theresa rode with a loose rein.

Sending them around a group of trees

Riding day 18

Herbs and natural remedies for horses

Please note: This post is not intended to replace or downplay good veterinary advice.

Some of you know that I have been giving Beamer burdock root, nettles, cider vinegar and alfalfa pellets for his arthritis. The only place he has arthritis is his left knee, where Coyote Belle kicked him years ago- the hazards of live cover.
I tried Turmeric for him, just as a powder added to his ration but he hated it. So I decided to try it again, but this time as Golden Paste. So many health benefits! Studies have been done on arthritis:
"Turmeric and Arthritis: In traditional Chinese and Indian Ayurveda medicine, turmeric is used to treat arthritis. A 2006 study found the turmeric helps reduce join inflammation. A different study from the same year found turmeric to have anti-arthritic effect. And a 2012 study provided evidence that curcumin might even be more effective for rheumatoid arthritis than anti-inflammatory drugs."
So- golden paste is now included in Beamer's num nums.
It's very simple to make.

Half a cup of Turmeric powder, a cup (or more as needed) water, simmer for 6 -8 minutes until it forms a thick paste, let it cool to lukewarm and add 1/3 cup coconut oil and 3 tsp freshly cracked black pepper.

Store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.  There are lots of ways to use it for yourself too, I'm not a fan of the taste but I think I'll have to suck it up and start taking it too. Can also feed it to dogs so Tess will get some too. If you are interested, there is a plethora of info on the internet.

Another thing I'm doing for Beamer is making sticky bud oil; now, I googled it by that name to look up the health benefits and had to laugh because it's all marijuana sites- but this is actually the sticky buds from poplar trees. Another simple thing to do: pick the buds while they are fresh and sticky and put them in a glass jar and cover with oil- I made one with coconut oil (which I keep in a warm place to keep it liquid while it infuses) and one with olive oil. Use enough oil to allow for the buds to expand, usually 2 times the oil to the volume of buds. Should be ready to use in about 2 weeks.

It's just an infusion, very simple, but can also be made into a salve.  Here is a bit from that page:
"One of my favorite plants to gather in the springtime is the bud of the poplar tree. These resinous buds are rich in salicin, which your liver converts to salicylic acid, the active ingredient in aspirin. An infused oil made from poplar buds will reduce pain and inflammation and is excellent for sore muscles or rheumatic conditions. It is also excellent for simple wound healing and used as an expectorant rub on the chest when suffering from a boggy spring chest cold."

Family and happy first day of spring

Saturday morning I headed up the lake to the Kootenay Lake Ferry to pick up 2 of my nieces (Beamer's Minions ) for spring break. Such a beautiful day and the lake was so pretty.

Of course, the horses were a main attraction for the girls, and they are getting lots of extra attention and brushing.

Beamer was quite happy to see them and he will visit with them at the gate; even if I bring his feed in he will still stay and visit instead of going for his food as he normally does.

And yes, the cats are getting extra loves too.
Gussie got the first call to duty, both girls rode in the round pen on a lead line and then I rode her, and the next day it was Beamer's turn.

I was really happy with Gussie for them. She doesn't go too fast, in fact she needs encouragement to speed up when they are on her, as we found out yesterday when they rode her in the bridle.

Beamer is definitely their favourite. He is so gentle and sweet with children.

Yesterday, I took Gussie and Mesa and the girls and we headed to the river. One rode while I led and on the way back they switched.

This one is my goddaughter, she is a happy go lucky kind of girl. Who always forgets to bring her coat.....

They enjoyed getting out for the walk, but I think the horses enjoyed it more. Mesa was interested in everything and so well behaved that I let the older niece lead her on the way back.

When we got back I rode Gussie for a bit, and then they each got a lesson in the bridle in the round pen. They both did really well, but I need to find more ways for them to have fun on horseback and not just have lessons. It's been so long since I've had to entertain kids that I am going to have to get creative! It's too early in the season for there to be any outdoor riding club activities. And I don't have an outdoor arena here. So maybe I will set up a mini trail course, using natural things like a log to cross, trees to ride between etc. Riding with a purpose! instead of just going round and round.

Since I rode each day also, that is riding day 15, 16 and 17.

Riding the diva

The frost is pretty much gone out of the ground here except in the shaded areas, like in front of the foaling shelter. When I had the pens scraped the other day he couldn't get all the frozen poo from there so yesterday I got busy and raked and shovelled 4 wheel barrows full. As I was working (who needs a gym membership when there is poo to shovel?) I was listening to the birds of spring.... robins and other song birds, crows, a woodpecker hammering away... and then I looked up as a bald eagle passed overhead low enough that I could hear the whoosh of his wing beats. Magic moment!

I spent time grooming all the mares and then I saddled up for my afternoon ride. Took Tay with me and off we went.

As we neared the end of the trail, I could see other riders and horses with a dog approaching, and not knowing if Tay was going to be aggressive to the other dog I turned back and rode ahead of them. Tay was actually good when their dog came up to greet her.  At one point the other riders, who were about 100 yards behind us, took a different route. Up to then Gussie was perfect, just kept an ear on them, but when they turned off she got all anxious, started to sweat and went into her nervous little jog. She gets all up on her tippy toes and frames up beautifully- but it would be nice if I was actually asking for that! I am happy that she didn't lose her forward like Rosalee can do, and I took all that coiled up energy and put it to work with two tracking across the trail and back, and some circles where the trail permitted. When we got back to the turn off to the barn, I dismounted and watched as the riders went by, and Gussie finally relaxed. I was about to get back on, but when I saw where the saddle had slipped back to I just walked her back to the barn.

I remember when this saddle was too small for her big shoulders, but now it is slipping down and back on her. In the next photo you will see where my hand is - it is where the shoulder blade ends and where I set the bars on the saddle to sit just behind that spot.

I always check for the end of the shoulder blade in relation to where the front of the bars are before I cinch up my saddle. I don't want the bars sitting directly on the shoulder blade. Anyway- this saddle is obviously too wide for her at the moment. I am going to try my Wade saddle on her next and see how it works out for her. And- hopefully as I get her back in shape I will be able to go back to using this saddle, it is my favourite!
Once she had cooled off, and I had taken her into the barn for her extra feed, Thumper came to visit. He is such a snuggly cat, all over me while I am sitting down anywhere in the barn. So- I set him up on Gussie, and he stayed. Surprisingly, Gussie didn't mind - other than one "what the heck" look back at him she just went back to eating.

I changed out the mecarte reins for a nice set of reins that Shayla gave me for Christmas- they will work much better for ponying Mesa!

Riding day 14

Ready for spring

Isn't it funny the little things that make you ridiculously happy? Yesterday we had the neighbour in with his tractor to clean the horse pens. It was frosty enough to prevent him making ruts where the ground is soft, and it just looks great!

Later once the sun came up I saddled Gussie and went into the mare pen and spent some time ponying Mesa, as I want to get her good to pony so I can take her out on trails this summer.

I am using a snaffle bit with mecarte reins on Gussie at the moment and it was hard to get all that thick rope organized!  But Gussie was really good and Mesa did ok for only her second lesson on this.
After that, we went on down to the dyke and through the bush for a wonderful trail ride.

I sure hope spring is finally here! I'm sure we will get a few more snowfalls but the best part is that it won't last!
I turn Rosalee out with the herd now during the day- it looks like she and Gussie have called a truce.

All is well in my world!

Riding day 13

Back in the saddle again...

Had a great day yesterday! The sun was shining, I saw my first robin, and I got to ride both horses!
I took Beamer out first, had a nice bareback ride down through the trees and around the pond. It's just enough of a ride to relieve his boredom without over stressing his knee.
Then I saddled up Gussie and we went exploring new-to-her trails. We took Tay with us, and what a bundle of energy she is! She explored everywhere and everything; in and out of trees , down and up the banks of the dyke, sniffing and rooting at all the smells and sights. Happy dog!
The nice thing is that all that activity didn't bother Gussie one bit. She just strode along like a good girl, no hesitation or silliness.

 Up along the river we went, enjoying the warm sun and the view.

That was looking back behind us. We cut down the bank and got on the trail that leads back home, no snow there! It sure is feeling spring-ish.

Back home, I got Ted to take our picture. Gussie is a naturally high headed horse, but I have in the past ridden her where she travels nice and level, so that's a goal to work on- getting her relaxed and fit in mind and body.

I'll be happy when she is carrying more weight, to me she looks so thin even though she isn't skinny. I like my horses to have some meat on their bones!

For inquiring minds- I measured Gussie and she is 15. 2 hh. A bit difficult for me to get on without a mounting block but I can do it.
At feeding time I was checking Rosalee's baby bump and was rewarded with seeing some bumping.

This week's plans include getting some work done pushing up the poo piles in the corrals, and making plans with Ted on building a hay shed. I wasted about $200 worth of hay from leaky tarps this winter. So annoying!
Also it's time to do more with Mesa, she has taken a back seat until we got all the Gussie stuff sorted out.
Riding day 12

Test ride

Now that Gussie's teeth are done I took a li'l ride on her. We started in the round pen where I worked on the ground with her crowding and backing issues, then some riding in the pen before I gave her the grand tour of the property.

The snow is nice and soft right now and not very deep. We circled around to the left and up the hill next to the mare pasture; Mesa came over and shadowed her new buddy.

Gussie is nice and soft in the bridle, but still having issues to the right, I think it will take some body work to make that better. 

I has a happy. 

Riding day 11

The dental work

Today was dentist day for Gussie. I loaded her up and drove the 5 minutes to the vets office, and when I unloaded her...

She had worked up a nervous sweat. She was on high alert too. (and yes, her left hind foot needs more work done on it)
The vet was busy so even though I was on time I had to wait at least another half hour for him- which I spent walking her around and trying to get her mind on me and relaxing. In doing so, I found several things that I need to work on with her as ground work. I need to get her to not come right into me when I change directions with her- she tends to drop her shoulder and come right in to me instead of holding her frame. That could be a side effect of her needing work on her hind end, but I think it's more a lack of focus and emotional turmoil. Then asking her to back.... she will back if I am right at her shoulder and put pressure on the halter while I walk backwards with her, but when I stand in front of her and walk into her and ask her to back, she just stands there; as well, when I try shaking the rope and stepping towards her with a verbal "back" she just stands there and ignores me. So I think this diva redhead has been allowed to pretty much do as she pleases over the last 4 years. That's about to change... (big grin)
Finally the vet came and started working on her.

I had not seen this type of speculum before; he uses a ratchet on that spiral screw to open and close it.

 He had to give her a second dose of happy juice. So what we found: the bottom back molar was ramped up quite high, and the corresponding top tooth was worn down in the shape of the bottom ramp. The left side was opposite; a hook on the top back molar and a corresponding worn spot on the bottom. As well lots of sharp edges. The teeth were pretty flat though, and the front incisors were in good shape and didn't need a touch up.
I'm curious about her nervousness in the trailer- I don't remember her being like that. I wonder if it's just because she has been thrust into a new situation and she needs to adjust? I will monitor it and see if she settles down and realizes that yes she will be coming back home.
Now- on with some serious riding!

March madness

While everywhere else is getting hammered by spring storms, we had only about 6 inches of fluffy white stuff, and no wind, with temps right around freezing or warmer. As I left the house to go do chores, I could see hopeful faces peering at me....

As I was getting the hay loaded in the wheelbarrow, the fun began.... instigated as usual by Mesa.

Nice to see Gussie getting into the fun; I think her spirits are much improved now even if it is only that it is much warmer here than Alberta with it's -20 something daily winter temps that they got this year.

Mama Belle was having a blast too!

She had to show off some of her moves...

and even Rosalee got in on the action.

That one leap was about all she could muster though, her baby belly is getting pretty big! 2 months to go! She did try to warn Gussie off a couple of times by rushing the fence and trying to bite her butt, but Mama Belle put a stop to that by rushing at Rosalee with ears pinned (Don't mess with MY Gussie!). The herd dynamics are always interesting to watch. I am keeping Gussie and Rosalee separated as poor Rosalee has a few patches of hair missing from scrapping and I don't want Baby in the Belly getting kicked

.

Yes you Gussie, I know it was you!

Belle does keep Gussie in line too though. There is absolutely no doubt that she is the alpha mare.

Beamer was having as much fun as the mares. I let them all play for a while before I brought their feed to them, I had such a good time watching them that I was smiling for the rest of the morning.