Ambi-Turning

Arya has been doing well under saddle. We have our routine; ground work, sometimes a quick "kicks and giggles" jaunt on the lunge line before I get on and we go to work. On the ground, her ability to go left or right when asked has improved immensely; she no longer runs me the heck over when turning to circle going right, which is much improved from the accidental feeling near body checks I'd get from her when doing that work initially. 

Kitted up to ground work, lunge and ride all in one! 

She's much more of a thinker and much less of a runner than I was expecting; she has lately tested me (or that's how it feels) by slowing down or pausing and not immediately moving forward when nudged. I kick her on and so far, she hasn't threatened to rear because of this, so that's great. I think this is also a side effect of me struggling to figure out how to teach her to bend, and it comes out when I introduce new concepts.

The bending thing has been a struggle; she wants to travel totally bent left when going right under saddle. And I want to take my inside hand across her neck to lever her head over to the "right side". And I want to pull, even though she only sometimes understands the whole giving to pressure thing. Bad Ashley!

We had some good progress yesterday, but the theme comes and goes. I think what my next steps need to be is an emphasis on going right, and installing the tools I need to feel comfortable going that way; the brakes and any sort of lateral push I have with my leg going left tend to go haywire when going right. We need to do it on the ground, and we need to do it at the walk going right until we can trot and canter and do them, too.

I've been trying hard not to rush her, but we have been doing some more tiny jumps and trot poles. She wiggles a lot and they definitely are scary or stressful to her, despite her being jumped at the rescue before she came home to me. I haven't even given her a real jump yet - just a "cross rail" set up on the feet of my jump standards. I think we need to bond and build up her skillset on the flat before we really do any jumping; she's game, but clearly doesn't know her job yet and that makes her uncomfortable.

What I would love to hear from others, is... what are your favorite exercises for working a green horse or OTTB? I'm struggling to not just go in circles picking at her until she does it right. Send help!

Shhh don't tell her stuff she will make me work

Arctic Horse Skirt: I wore it, guys!

I finally got to wear my Arctic Horse Tongass Rain Skirt last night; it wasn't raining, but it was quite cool and breezy, an approximately 58 (according to my car). I wore my regular breeches (Smartpak Knit Pipers with the Silicon full seat), and a warmer coat running errands before my ride and I was thoroughly convinced it was chilly enough. So I tacked up. Unfortunately J wasn't able to be out last night, so my media is limited - but more is coming, promise! Why?

Because I'm obsessed.

The skirt is easy to move in and it didn't take long to figure out how to move so that I don't magically wrap it around my clumsy ankles. It didn't catch on my spurs, and while the size is maybe a bit generous for wearing with just breeches and a thin shirt (no belt, no fleece, just the heavier coat over top) it has belt loops to hold it steady. I punched a few extra holes in my belt as the belt itself is a little too generous (thanks, Internet size guide that definitely wasn't 100% accurate).

I used the mounting snaps to get on, and had chosen my dressage saddle for my quick ride. It had been blustery and spitting rain all day, so Bailey was at maximum fluffiness and maximum "I IZ GIRAFFE" ness. I haven't had a quarter sheet on her in some time, so I was ready for her to decide she was being chased by a black plastic bag like she normally does when I put my fleece lined waterproof Horze quarter sheet on her. However, the Arctic Horse skirt is more of a softshell material than something like a turnout; it doesn't catch the wind and billow around. The mounting snaps made getting on a breeze - absolutely no issues. I settled the skirt around me and slid my feet through the straps that help keep it from flapping and we tapdanced our way around the ring, spooking at all of the tarp covered shed-to-be piles on one side of the arena.

Bailey didn't seem to mind that the skirt wants to slide down her butt over her tail (she's intensely short coupled, something I didn't think about when ordering, so the skirt sits much further down her rump than the horses in the product photos). She didn't seem to mind the minor amount of flapping that occurs when I post the trot, and happily jammed along at the canter like nothing was different in our set up. She did seem to relax more quickly than I expected; I'd like to attribute that to having a warm back. I resisted putting a Back On Track pad on her or doing anything special to warm her up, as I wanted to see how she truly reacts to the skirt.

I had more trouble with a rubberband-less peacock stirrup than the skirt, and it was easier to post in than my dressage show coat. It did not flap terrifyingly, and it truly never impeded my ability to ride (other than being so distracted thinking about how cool it was). It didn't catch on my saddle, or my spurs, or my dressage girth. It was easy enough to dismount, though I didn't use the mounting snaps and just whisked my way off her due to the leg straps. I was warm and windproof in a light weight way. I'm excited to finally try it in the rain - though Bailey might hate me for it.

Now, here are some images. My husband thinks the skirt is suuuper silly looking (he says I look Amish, I don't care), though I have photos of him wearing it like a cape, so... he can be quiet.

"Do you know how ridiculous you look?"
"Don't Care!"
"I'm taking a picture so you can see how ridiculous you look."

View from the saddle featuring Bailey's overly active walk

Moving On

First of all, thank you all, so, so much for the comments on my last post. I oddly haven't had the courage to truly respond, but let me tell you; every comment felt like a hug from someone who understood, and did so much to hold back the emotions when people around me clearly didn't understand what losing a companion and heart horse of 13 years was like, and nor did they care.

Miss you, Fox Mare.

We've decided to mark her grave with an apple tree and are calling the farm Fox Point Farm; I finally got husband to agree that having Fox part of the name is only right. The farm has always been a dream of mine, because the minute I got my 9 year old OTTB, I knew, eventually, she'd get old and need to retire. And I wanted to retire her to grass pastures and a giant comfy stall, as a way to say thank you for everything she has done for me. I've wanted to call it Fox River Farm forever, but we don't have a river (and the stream hardly runs anymore)... so Fox Point it is. We have pointing dogs, so it makes sense, at least more than Fox River. 

While the shit storm was raging around me, and in the hollow aftermath of putting Fox down, I just kept moving. I kept doing things. I couldn't stop and I felt like a monster, but I do feel like I had a choice; shut down and let the wheels fall off the bus (which cannot happen, IMO) or keep moving. 

I sat on Arya, and then rode her, and even though I was too scared to close my leg and ask her to walk off (J lead us instead, she's the best), Arya clearly has no memory of the rearing incident, and rode off just fine. We've been riding and lunging pretty steadily, and I'm asking more and more of her every time First was walk/trot, then walk/trot/canter, and on Saturday, we even jumped the world's tiniest crossrail. She's been good, if green, and I'm working hard to make sure that we take things slowly and that she is always confident in herself and the tasks I'm giving her. 

She is always super cute and fancy, IMO

And apparently my elbows are out of control... again.

Ignore the elbows, look at the try! She thought this was so scary.

We also took her photos for New Vocations, to send them her first update. She hasn't been enjoying the brief forays in to fall weather we've been having; she sucks herself in and looks to be all ribs despite appearing to be in good weight when it's not cold and windy. I'm trying to get her to grow a winter coat, so I've been trying to not put sheets on her, but I have broken down a few days here and there (and am contemplating going out and putting one on her now). 

IZ MAJESTIK

IZ COLD

Bailey has also been coming back to work, though she's clearly out of shape. She's been so lovely and consistent, but losing her condition really sets her back in relaxation and ride-ability. I guess I just keep fighting! I've been eyeballing a clinic late this month, but I'm not sure she will be fit enough in time, and also... my finances might not be that fit, either. I've been throwing a lot of money out there that I've felt like I haven't had a choice on, but it will definitely feel good to have the projects wind down for the winter and to be able to save and prepare ourselves to better take on next year. Plus, our hay field finally got planted and despite some unexpected costs, I'm so excited to be making our own hay next year (hopefully). Please cross your fingers for a mild fall so my pasture and hay has time to take root and grow. Also I just noticed I have no pictures of B lately. Poor neglected girl! 

In funner news, I have a new fun thing to review sometime soon (the bipolar weather has made it hard to use long enough to get a bearing on)... an Arctic Horse Tongass rain skirt! The heavier insulated version will probably be making its way to me very soon, too; just have to decide on colors and the style. Maybe a vote will be in order? 

Tara Shani - "Foxie" 1996 - 2017

This post has been nearly impossible to write, but it needs to get done, if only because I can't move forward until I do.

We put Foxie down on Sunday afternoon, September 3rd, 2017. She had spent the week before being a total trooper through the pain of her injuries, and spent Sunday morning grazing, up to her cannons in grass and clover. She had lost weight from refusing grain, but had been building back up to eating her usual ration. She was dehydrated, but a couple of tubes of electrolytes and ulcer guard had really perked her up. She was no longer pawing, but still shook most of the day. She had laid down, and scraped herself up getting up again, but she was walking better and her pain seemed to be under control (finally) with Bute, Banamine and previcox in cycles.

Sunday afternoon, hubs came home and stopped in to the barn to stuff her with some cookies, and found her violently in distress; she was weighting her injured hind leg (which already had a dropped and compromised suspensory) and lifting her other hind, and nearly falling trying to figure out how to relieve whatever discomfort or pain she was experiencing. She was frantic. We called the vet, who thought, perhaps, it was an abscess. I knew in my heart, but I didn't have the courage to say that it didn't matter. She was hurting and it was too much to ask.

She passed, as peacefully as a horse can when they're put down and need to go down in the process, in the spot of deep grass I had left growing tall for her to graze on. She's not hurting anymore. With the help of the neighbor, she was laid to rest that evening on our property, and we plan to mark her grave with a honeycrisp apple tree; she always loved honeycrisps more than any other treat.

The other mares - especially Bailey - seem to know she isn't where she is supposed to be, but they haven't seemed to grieve or react negatively to having one less horse on the farm. I have an empty 16x10 stall, too many blankets and a huge hole in my heart.

Many of you weren't around for the Foxie years; this blog is a new iteration for Bailey, but I've been blogging about Foxie for a long time before I began to write here. She was kind, and full of personality. She was my impossible girl; she came back from two horrible injuries and I honestly still struggle imagining life without her. She was the center of my world for 13 years. I don't have words for the lessons she taught me, the wonderful memories we made together and the trust, love and bond we shared that don't sound trite.

Goodbye, Foxmare.

Shorthair Saturday

Here are some photos of my handsome boys for your Saturday. Happy weekend!

The Universe hits when you're down

Life isn't fair. I don't expect it to be. But at this point, I feel like the universe is holding a grudge.

Last night, 9:15 pm, I'm thinking about putting the dogs to bed and going up to sleep. Hubby had gone up early, because what's the point of sleeping on the couch, just go to bed. The neighbor's dog starts barking, and then I hear a noise. And something about it makes me go grab a flashlight and run outside, leaving the dogs to their own devices.

My instincts were right.

Arya's leg was pouring down blood, bright red arterial blood. I got her into the barn, and slapped a pressure bandage on her leg and winched it down with vet wrap. Her flysheet's shoulder was wet with blood. I had blood on my face, and on my hands, and it is so dark out.

I tote my flashlight out to the pasture, verify the other two mares are totally fine (they are) and investigate everything I can think of for signs that Arya cut herself on it.

And I didn't find a thing.

And then I got inside, got the dogs to bed, and then myself. I got up at 1 to make sure she hadn't bled to death (she hadn't) and was out there at 5 this morning. She wouldn't stand to leg me re-bandage the thing, and she had stall walked Bailey's stall (hers doesn't have mats yet) into a mess, and her leg had clearly broken open a few times through the night. I finally got a bandage on there - and laughably, I'm out of bandages, so I used one of the diapers I've been wetting and freezing to use as ice packs on Foxie's leg - and more pressure from the vet wrap bandage. And then, helplessly, I put her out.

I don't know if that was the right thing to do, but at least she won't be cranking around in a stall in tiny circles. Foxie was so sad to lose her new stall rest buddy. I went to look at her bandage - she kept a hock bandage on all night, I was so proud, and her bandages are soaked, and when I unwrap them, they're heavy and wet and filled with more lime green furizone even though I scrubbed her leg like a madwoman  and it's been a few days since the sweat wrap (and several bandage changes). I re-wrapped her, stuck a hock boot on that leg and went to go start my day, now an hour+ later than usual.

So today is already sucking hardcore.

Bright Spots

I'm not capable of a lot of competent thought at the moment, but I am going to try and put some sunshine on this blog, and talk about positive(!) things. AKA things that make me happy. Here are some thing-things:

Arya smiling (yawning) made me laugh

- Higher Standards leather soap and balm: I finally got around to using this stuff on more than a dog collar a few weeks ago, and the smell + the awesome conditioner (I cleaned tack outside, so the sun warmed the balm to perfection) and how clean, soft and nice all of my bridles look right now is a total positive. I plan to do saddles and girths sometime soon...

- I finally got off my ass and washed some blankets: I worked out a pretty good system by the end using our flatbed trailer, the hose, a long handled scrub brush and my usual Rambo brand soap. The brush especially upgraded the experience to "quite cathartic" because I scrubbed a lot of negative feelings (and dirt) off of those blankets. If the trailer had been slightly slanted, it would have been 100% perfect, but the blankets are clean and packed away, and I only have approximately 10 more to do (ok, I haven't counted).

Arya may or may not be growing. Or else she just stands like a weirdo.

- I don't think I ever talked about it before, but I finally got to use my De-Braider tool after Carriage House earlier this summer and it's THE BEST tool. Braids came out so quickly, it was wonderful. I also have used it to change out hay nets on the hay hoops and even slice open hay bales... and it is a wonderful, useful little thing. 10/10 would recommend.

Always an excuse to use this photo. <3 my BB

- Speaking of sharp things, also 10/10 would recommend this hook knife that I purchased off of someone's suggestion on Stephanie's blog (Hand Gallop). I haven't had to use it as a panic knife, but it is GREAT for opening hay bales, and is much safer in general than the knife I was using, and half the time leaving open for horses to randomly impale themselves on (though I was leaving it open and shoved into a bale... still. Dangerous).


And some other stuff:

- My barn looks super legit, lately:

Top: before
Bottom: After!

- I finally sat on Arya! For all of 3 seconds, but I sat on her. Bareback. In a halter. This was brought to fruition by another positive in my life:

- My friend J and her mare Ginny are now our boarders! She arrived on Saturday and we've already had some weird and fun adventures.

On Mondays we stand in lines (Ginny is the one in the fly sheet)