Who Needs Physical Therapy

Who needs Physical Therapy! Today the horse was WAAAAY out at the farthest point of the pasture (3/8 mile hike one way)(uphill). Took me a long time, and my leg was screaming "Glory Hallelujah" by the time I got to him, & took about as long to hike back to the barn (didn't help that he kept wanting to stop for snacks). Brushed him up & then hobbled down to the round pen, where he did NOT want to go inside, but he did eventually.

Ended up free lunging his butt maybe 15-20 minutes in nice, deep, energy-sapping sand, but he was just trotting and cantering all on his own, I even sat down and let him run around me (horribly unsafe and frowned on by all horse professionals, so don't do as I do, do as I say, lol) until he tuckered out on his own. Then a nice break for the only green, lush grass on the property (growing near the wash rack, so it got plenty of watering!) before stripping him of his splint boots and letting him back out into the pasture. He flung his head prettily and stalked off w/o a second thought. Fine, be that way! Harrumph!!

I'd managed to squeeze my foot into my running shoe, which was the cause of my pains (swelling foot + tight constricting shoe = misery), but now that I'm back in my fake Crocs, all is well again.

The place was pretty desolate today...the county fair starts tomorrow, so I guess all the 4-H kids were at the fairgrounds, decorating the barns, & Bob took a trailerload of horses downstate to a horse auction (where he is also picking up a new Corgi puppy, & offered to get me one for the bargain price of $450, yikes!

Lovin' my pretty horse, even if he is an arrogant prick at times.

I've Been SO Naughty Again!

Tue Sep 4, 2007

My surgeon might even give me a spanking, lol! (Hey, he is so easy on the eyes, it wouldn't be a bad thing, BWAHAHAA)

Yes, I rode Coos yesterday! Bad me! Treeless saddle, bitless bridle, witless rider, but all went quite well! I stacked up four lawn chairs (those resin ones) & used that as a mounting block, so it was about 6" taller than the regular mounting block (I SO missed the REALLY TALL mounting block they used to have when they did therapeutic riding there), and after some initial wiggling and horse-positioning, I was able to get right on him w/o him tearing off (thanks to cranking his head to the left so he couldn't go anywhere...if I learned ANYthing this year, that's the best thing!)(That, and don't let a lead rope dangle on the ground when changing halters at a horse show)

Of course he was good as gold, yadda yadda, but better still; I was able to bend my ankle enough to actually get it into the stirrup, and IT DIDN'T HURT! WhooHOOO! Well, not initially anyway. We even did some trotting... a sitting trot, obviously (not up to trying to post just yet, not until after my appointment tomorrow).

Quickly bored with going around and round, we got the gate open and went outside. I just let him do some grazing, it was wonderful to just sit on his back after nearly 4 months! We even made it down to the outdoor arena and walked around that. He was being very cautious, which surprised me...staring at this, halting and snorting at that...cripes, he was in there a week ago...THEN it dawned on me...he was in there a week ago...with BLINDERS on! Duuuh! LOL! But he behaved and didn't kill me, and we ended up back indoors for some more trotting. About then my ankle WAS letting me know it was still there and I wisely called it quits. Didn't suffer any lingering pain, so I'd say no harm done!

Was SOOOO tempting to want to go on the trail, just for a little bit, but I know better than THAT. If I get the green light from the surgeon, you can bet I'll be on the phone, organizing a trail ride for this weekend!!

I Cantered!

Thu Sep 20, 2007

It's truly amazing how fast my ankle is healing now (like the Surgeon said it would!) A week and a half ago I couldn't post at all due to the pain, and as of last night, I can post all I want w/o ANY pain whatsoever! Getting the foot in the stirrup is still a chore, because it's hard to bend it inwards to pick up the stirrup with my boot toe, but once it's settled, no pain (and no numbness assuming I do more than just sit there)!

Rode the horse last night, and he was in an unusually friendly and cute mood. He wouldn't let me get on him though...waiting until I was standing on my stacked chairs, THEN swing his butt away from me! I'd get down, walk him around again, get him in position, get up the mounting block and onto my chairs...THEN he'd swing his butt away! I finally got down, took the reins (soft rope reins on my bitless bridle) and fwapped him across the chest and moved him backwards!! Brought him back, put him by the chairs, and lo and behold, he stood rock solid for me to get on, lol! I love it when he's so easily "persuaded" to behave himself!

Did a lot of trotting, and the lack of pain made me brave, and got Quzqo into a nice canter...he did beautifully! I think that deep new arena footing helped because it sure was soft and non-jarring. Plus he had to pick his feet up higher, heh heh. Cantered both directions, NO pain whatsoever, and we even made it all the way around the arena without breaking gait!

Only rode for half an hour or so, didn't want to press my luck. Of course when I dismounted, THEN my ankle let me know what it thought of all that nonsense, ha! Stupid ankle!

The Way To Measure The Success of a Trail ride...

Sun Sep 9, 2007

Is to count the leaves stuck in your tack when you get back to the barn!



Yeah, I did it! I went on a trail ride this afternoon, yaay me! Went with a relatively new boarder to the barn, a nice lady, my age, with an ADORABLE little QH mare (that Bob sold her)...bomb proof, easy-going, sweet little jog trot, the woman loves her! I was happy to be able to show her the trails, because she'd never been off the barn property, not knowing where to go.

She'd been at the barn for 3 months, but like I'd ever seen her, duuh. I guess I did a few times in my crutch-hobbling, but it's nice to be able to interact with folks again!

Quzqo was HELLISH! I had to keep reminding myself he hadn't been on a trail ride, or really even RIDDEN since May 11th. Never mind that yesterday I drove him for about 45 minutes, with lots of trotting in deep dirt in the outdoor arena (and he did VERY well). It's a whole 'nuther thang under saddle!!

I got to use my new Kimberwicke bit and at least THAT works great! Not as harsh as my cowboy pelham, but more kick than a snaffle! I rode Coos a little bit in the indoor arena to see how he liked it and how my ankle liked the stirrup of my trail saddle. The horse liked the bit, my ankle did NOT like the stirrup, but tough!

The fun began when I opened the arena gate and TRIED to get Quzqo to go out...trouble is, I only got it maybe 3 feet open, and didn't WANT to try to squeeze through that small a gap...I wanted to open it further, but SOMEbody wanted to go OUTOUTOUTOUTOUUUUUT!!! And SOMEbody was VERY displeased when I told him "no", we have to open the gate more! VERY hard to do on a prancing Arabian (I SO admire those trail folk who can negotiate the gate obstacles...truly I do! I'm the only one at the barn who can't do it!). "Lisa" went ahead and went outside the barn through the opening, I thought maybe I'd TRY to see if we could fit through there w/o smashing my left knee on a wooden post, but Quzqo wanted to RUSH through...no way...so I was trying to hold him back, the little shit was REARING and lunging and rearing some more, I pulled him in some tight circles, tried to get back to the gate to pull it open more, he REARED up and then BUCKED! LOL! I spun him around and made him walk AWAY from his beloved gate and go around the indoor arena. Oh, was he pissed, snark!

Lisa came back and managed to open the gate ALLLL the way open, so there was a nice 12 foot opening, & I made Quzqo STOP half in and half out until he settled down. He did, and off we went!

Yeah, my ankle let me know what it thought of all that nonsense, but nothing I couldn't handle. I was glad I had my helmet on my head, and a whip in my hand though!

I tell ya, it felt like May, 2004 all over again!! Seriously!

We did a little trotting on the fenceline away from the barn, I could sit that okay w/o jarring the ankle, that's good to know. No MAJOR spook-fits, just plenty of minor ones. I just reminded myself that the horse hasn't been on a trail ride since May 11, so it's understandable. The driving doesn't count, since he had blinders on, lol! I was tempted to go back and put his driving bridle on...that might be the way to go!

Thank God for Michigan's suck-ass economy and the bursting of the housing bubble!!!! That big plot of hardwoods that last spring was plastered with "No Trespassing" signs and surveyor's stakes and that was destined to become a housing development has been literally abandoned!!! All the "No Trespassing" signs had been removed, the surveyor's stakes were faded and fallen over, the big swath they'd cut through the woods for the road was grown over with Mullien plants and brambles...nobody'd been there in months! Hoorah! That means we could ride through there again, ha! (Yeah, I've got my priorities straight! Thousands are unemployed and broke, but *I* can ride through some woods, hoorah!))


We still rode along the roadside though on the way out, and no major incidents despite the cars & trucks that went by. Saw what was left of a road-killed deer in the ditch, that was kinda gross, but the horses didn't care.

Eventually we made it to the Michigan Shore-To-Shore trail (about half hour ride normally, 45 minutes with Quzqo) and did some more trotting and cantering on the wide, flat dirt road! LOL, poor horse had a hard time cantering, he's so out of shape...those cantering-with-rider muscles are all flaccid and weak!! I discovered if he takes his right lead, it doesn't bother my ankle at all. If he takes his left lead, it bothers my ankle...a LOT! (Yes, I tried both leads). So, have to remember...right lead only for a while! You wouldn't think how much your ankle is involved in riding a horse until one hurts it. LOL...I tried posting...didn't even get one post. Forget THAT nonsense for quite a while! Ouch!

We made it to my favorite little trail bridge that crosses a small stream, got over that and as soon as we turned around, the horses went nuts about heading BACK! Thankfully Quzqo is too out of shape to go galloping off, he settled for trudging up the hill, puffing as he went, LOL. He needs to turn in his Arabian Membership Card...he's a disgrace to the breed! A fat, puffing Arabian! Who ever heard of such a thing!! Tsky!

Coming back we cut through those afore-mentioned hardwoods, having to make a few little detours as they'd piled fallen trees across the trail to deter people from using it. Horses, being the ultimate all-terrain vehicles, had no problem cutting through the trees and going around. That's where I got those leaves stuck in the saddle, LOL! In fact I had a fairly long thin branch caught under my left fender and up through the leather keeper by the pommel, LOL! THAT took some doin'!

Made it back safe with no further harm done to horse nor monkey! My ankle was an odd combination of numb and screaming pain, my butt was VERY sore, my legs will be equally sore by morning I'm sure! But it was worth it & we're already planning to go again next weekend!!

Sure feels nice to be TIRED again!!

2007 Speckle Update Photos

Sept. 3, 2007
Definitely getting more fleabites, and getting lighter. I sure miss those cute dapples though.

Talk About Prophetic Statements!!!

Mon Sep 3, 2007

From nearly 3 years ago to the date:

"Well, when I'm totally crippled, I'll get a cart & harness & show him in driving classes, LOL!"

Quzqo Hits The Road

Sun Sep 2, 2007

And it didn't hit back!

Yep, a beautiful day for a Sunday drive! Mid-upper 70's, blue sky, low traffic due to the Holiday weekend, horse spent the night outside so he was tired, all according to my plans!

Got out to the barn this morning, happy to see the church parking lot full of cars...better they be in the parking lot than out driving about on the same road I planned to drive on! Got Coos harnessed up & hitched up in the cross-ties and managed to lead him down the aisle outside... trouble is we went past this injured horse's stall (somebody kicked him and tore a hole in his butt...it's pretty gross...I have a suspicion just which little grey horse might have done it too!)...that horse is TERRIFIED of the cart...never mind last time I lead Coos & cart past he didn't care (that was BEFORE we spooked him outside & he dislocated his mistress' finger & ran galloping off into an empty field)...Mr. "Memoir" cared this time & to have a 16hh TB trying to scramble up his stall walls in terror...yikes! (I checked him later and he was fine, no harm done!)

His owner is not enchanted with my driving pursuits, so... enough said.

Y'know, it's probably not the BEST conditions to drive when you've got 10-20mph sustained winds...just for future reference!

Coos was a little...um...excited, I had to lead him down to the arena so he'd stand still long enough for me to get in the cart, then I decided to drive him around the yard a bit just to get the edge off. Well, it seems a horse and cart is VERY interesting to the two horses Bob had in the side pasture...those big shits came GALLOPING up to the fence and started snorting and ripping back and forth. Coos apparently saw them galloping towards him (we were maybe 20 feet from the wire), and the goof spooks, spins 90 degrees and starts bolting!!! ShitShitShitShit!!! I managed to get him down to a trot (he only got like one stride at the canter) and quickly to a walk & got him organized again, and we walked back by those horses three or four times until all parties concerned settled down and got bored! Well, that answered a lot of "what-if's" I had in the back of my mind, LOL. Just glad he listened to me!

It's also not a great idea to leave the barn property using the driveway with the blind spot on the left caused by a huge bush growing about 30 feet away by the road. I SWEAR as we were approaching I didn't see ANYbody coming in either direction...it's only as we leave the drive and go into the road, and the horse is totally in the right hand lane and I clear the blind spot do I see a black SUV heading right for us!! ARRUGH!!! I quick popped Coos on the butt and got him trotting across the road to the other side & gave a friendly/sheepish wave to the driver, who HAD slowed down (I found out coming back that way that the driver had a much better view of that driveway and probably saw the horse before the horse even stepped onto the pavement). GAD, needless to say THAT has been haunting me...what if.... So...not using that driveway EVER again (hell, Bob's got four driveways, plenty of choices)

We walked about 1/2 mile down the road (very narrow shoulder, I hate it!), with TONS of traffic whipping past us! Of course, by that time it was after Noon...church had let out! Great! Thankfully everybody at least moved into the opposite lane to give us plenty of room, the really nice ones slowed down as well. One MORON honked his horn, but thankfully AFTER he'd passed...I hope he looked in his rear view, expecting to see a panicked horse, and got a good look at my upraised middle finger instead! Shithead. (the horse didn't react one bit, good boy!)

THANKFULLY we made it to the quiet residential street I'd aimed for and not only was traffic non-existent, the shoulders wide and grassy, but the trees cut the wind down to nothing! I tell ya, you could hardly hear the oncoming traffic for all the wind noise!

Coos did pretty good...he spooked in place a couple of times at scary blowing leaves. We made it past the TWH farm on that road (he had a traumatic experience with their stallion whose paddock was right on the road two years ago), & actually made it across the county line to a nice wide dirt road that leads to the State Forest & the campgrounds/etc. Soon as we hit the dirt I got Himself into a wonderful trot...a bit bouncy due to the rough road surface, but he just lowered his head and trotted SO nice! That was FUN!!! It got to be a bit woodsy, but no oncoming traffic, so I kept him trotting...suddenly he JAMS on the brakes and thankfully I had my feet braced against the front of the cart! He suddenly decided the dappled sunlight and shadows were SCARY! He was trying his darndest to give them the hairy eyeball and side-step (hard to do with blinders and a cart)...durn horse! I will say I AM getting better with the whip, and encouraged him to keep moving forward, thank yew very much! We got past that scary stuff and made it to a crossroads (right where Tezlu dumped me that time we were chased by dirt bikes), turned around and headed back. I'd have loved to go on to the camp ground, but there's SO many blind curves, it's nerve-wracking riding a horse with an elevated POV...it'd be foolish to do it lower and behind a horse!

Again he decided the dappled sunlight was out to get him, but we made it past the worst of it, and I got him trotting again, which he did with a LOT more enthusiasm since he knew he was heading HOME, LOL! I'll admit I had trouble slowing him down, durn thing, he was HAULING! Got him walking long before we hit an intersection, and was happy he actually stopped when I asked him (well, there WAS a stop sign, after all).

An uneventful walk back down the residential road (it's about a mile or so long)...LOL, as we went past the TWH farm, their herd of Walkers was in the front pasture (BEAUTIFUL palominos and duns!), and they went BERSERK at this horrific sight (horse and cart)! They were running-walking and snorting and carrying on...Coos didn't care, he was on a mission (to go home!).

The trip back along the main road to the barn was also uneventful, thank GOD! (I was prayin', you better believe me!)....wider shoulder, less traffic, and that's when I saw that the SUV driver had a lot better view of Bob's driveway than I thought, phew!

Brought Coos in the back door to the barn into a set of cross-ties, so we wouldn't have to go near Mr. Memoir and get him upset again, sheesh. I should hold a Cart Sensitivity/Desensitivity Training Clinic...Get used to it, horses!

Coos enjoyed his Sunday bran mash, he actually had some sweat this time, ha! But man, that wind was driving ME crazy, much less the horse! Won't do that again in a hurry (would have been just as nuts as if I'd ridden him on a trail ride). But he did seem to enjoy the trotting....as did I! I'm trying to figure out a route to the other dirt road I'd use for cantering (when riding that is)....unfortunately it involves more road driving, and going down a very steep (but unpaved) hill with a blind spot at the top. *sigh*. What I'd LOVE is if somebody would ride their horse with me, sort of as an outrider, but crap, everybody's horses are afraid of the cart (or they no longer board there, like my friend w/the Paint mare). Well, we shall see.

Best part was, we were out for about 90 minutes, and I don't have any blisters on my mahooky-doo, LOL!