Went to ride at noonish today. Groomed the beast and spied a HUGE chunk chip out of his front left hoof. :S I could tell it was not a soundness issue.... but it was rough and had a "hook" like a hangnail and I was afraid he might just catch it on something and cause damage. No ride for me. Called farriar. He will be here tomorrow morn.


So...back to Doc's paddock we go. Get to the gate. Horsey standing calmly to my right side waiting like a good boy for me to open the gate, when...... HORRORS! A black plastic trash bag from HELL floats out from God knows where. Horse jumps in my direction. I am caught off guard and have not a clue whats up. THEN......the handyman had been taking trash out earlier and apparently dragged his can (pardon the pun) dripping some horrid white liquid on the ground right near the gate. Now horsey jumps the other way.....omg Snorting at the white spot on the ground. I guess it smelled like something dead. Like dead milk. Follow the jumping horse. Scared the _rap out of me, especially since I had not a clue what the problem was at the time.

Doc must of stared and stared and stared at that damn white ucky blob for ten minutes. His eyes were like saucers and SNORT, SNORT, SNORT. Finally got him under control and back in his paddock. It was a stand off. Horsey vs bag. Tied the black bag from HELL to the horsey's fence gate using the red "handles" that you tie at the top when discarding. The two handles stood out like huge loops waving in the wind. Horsey kept his distance staring in perfect park position. (If I had known a garbage bag would park him; I could have implimented it a long time ago) Joe stood by the bag playing with it and making noise. Nosey just had to come forward. But verryyyyy carefully. Joe still scrunching bag as horsey finally reaches the gate. Those red "handles"....history. Doc grabbed the handle ties and pulled, stretching same about a foot. He backed up pulling and red handles were like stretchy bands. Finally one broke and remained hanging from horsey's mouth flapping in the breeze. Joe retrieved said red band from horsey mouth after a little tug of way. Could not believe Doc had a death grip with is teeth on that thing and would NOT let go.

Joe won the tug of war and proceeded to tie it to the noseband of Doc's halter. (there's no getting away this thing...lol) Doc peered down crossedeyed trying to catch an end with his lip. So much for the black trash bag from hell.

As Joe and I said goodbye and proceeded to leave the stable, Doc was still staring and snorting at the dead milk puddle. Hopefully he will get over it by the time he has to go back to his stall, because by tomorrow it should really smell wonderful.

Well, it's been forever, it seems since we posted here. And trust me...it's not because there has been little to tell, but there just hasn't been enough time to share all the events of the past year. Maybe we can get a few caught up later, but for now, here's what we did this week.

Had a lesson yesterday. Vickie was amazed at my progress and "fixed" the speeding up issue. When Mr. Racer wants to go go go... I have to bend him to the outside. Without being noticeable....hmmmm.... Just a flick of the wrist. No problem. lol

Well...... when we got to the far corner of the ring LETTER F; Horsey thought he heard the starting bell. Started with his speed thing. Bend with the outside rein----horsey back to correct speed. It works! Who knew!

Then Vickie had me do the First level test. Twice. We did well. I asked about his behind the bit (at times). She said he is evading, which will get better as I keep riding. He looked gorgeous yesterday as Iris rode.

Vickie also noted horsey a little plump. :( With his winter coat it is hard to tell for sure if it is fatty or hairy. A little of both. Spoke to Iris and Vickie and MaryJo. All agreed to cut back grain some. I think putting him on oil over the winter may have added to his roundness. Time to get lean and mean.

Lesson time yesterday was scheduled for one. Vickie was behind and I did not get my lesson till after 2. (Doc had been out all night Sunday night, then trailered up to Jackson late Monday morn. He was quite "bendable" at that point.) By the time we got him back to the barn it was 4. Gave him some hay in his stall and brushed him some to get rid of sweat marks while he slept. Just love a mushy horse. Poor guy was pooped between being out all night the day before and out all day with his lesson. A much deserved nap was in order. :D

Also yesterday was the first time we incorporated a flash on his bridle. Did not crank it down all the way since it was his first time. He did well with the restriction and did not mind one bit...pardon the pun.

End of horsey tales.


:)

Doc, the Builder - December 2010

Getting cold out there. Doccie growing MORE hair; if that's possible. Been home all week trying to shake this virus or whatever I have. Just exhausted and achy and not me. Joe been going it alone to the stable.

Matt had some finishing touches to complete on Doc's barn this week which involved a ladder on the horsey side. lol

Horsey stood under ladder looking up the entire time. Whenever possible horse would poke at that huge metal thing, upsetting human on top rung. Matt had his butt tweaked and his jacket lipped a dozen times. As Matt picked nails out of his work belt to hammer into the barn horsey tried to get work belt and run off with it WHILE ATTACHED TO MATT! Matt had to come down to shoo horsey away and made the mistake of putting hammer down. All hammers belong to Doc. No one told Matt. So it goes on and on. Construction is one of horsey's strong points. :) Joe was there "helping" No one can "help" while Doc is around 'cause you can't stop laughing long enough to be helpful.

Ho, Ho, Ho.......

:D

August 2010 - A dressage lesson in August

Well, it's been forever since we updated the blog, so I thought it was about time I gave an update.


A DRESSAGE LESSON IN AUGUST

What a summer this has been. Hot, hot, and more hot. Too hot to ride. Horsey may melt. I WILL melt. Had to cancel four dressage lessons. Just can't ride in that hot ring for our eleven o'clock lesson. Finally the heat seemed to let up this past Monday. Our eleven o'clock lesson was on and I was looking forward to it.

The first 20 minutes is usually a lesson for Doc. Our trainer has an accomplished dressage rider (Iris) mount up and put Doc through his paces. Since we have not been able to practice due to the heat, I wondered how well he would perform.

Unfortunately this particular Monday Iris was not available.
Ergo substitute rider No.1, Ashley. Ashley is the up and coming 15-year-old granddaughter of my trainer, Vickie. Her quiet hands maneuvered Doc around the ring in poetic motion. Trot, trot, trot.....hot, hot, hot. Better Ashley than me (I was thinking). Young horsey and young rider being in good shape could tolerate the heat far better than I.

Ashley off....Gloria on. Gloria accomplished rider #2 and trainer's daughter. Trot, trot, trot...hot, hot, hotter. Time ticking later. Horsey fine. Looking great! Trainer comments on "this horse can be a schoolmaster." Proud Mommy (me) beaming. Vickie adds that the sign of a good horse is when said horsey accepts different riders and performs readily. With that Vickie mounts up! Rider No 3. First time she has EVER sat Doc. Wow! Could that horse move. Vickie barely had contact and Doc was like butter.

Now enter rider No. 4. Yours truly. The butter turned to lard. Now almost noon and hotter than hell. Horsey fine; happy, agreeable, and trying to understand my aids. God bless his soul. In defense of my inferior riding.... I must say I am making progress and finally "feeling" with my hands. Big accomplishment for an old lady. We were having a wonderful lesson and I was not feeling the heat at all. Till we stopped. Omg....horsey hot and wet. Me ready to fall over. First concern was to remove tack and hose Doc down. Rider #1, Ashley helped. (Oh...... to be fifteen again.) Once Doc was cooled and watered, I realized how exhausted I still was. Barely could walk, let alone pack up and load horse. Thank God I have Hubby with. Must have drank a gallon of water and still feeling queasy.

OK....... all's packed and ready to go. Horsey on lead ready to load. Hubby, Joe waiting patiently in trailer for me to walk Doc in. All systems go. Except my "go" went. There I stood trying to gather all my strength to walk my horse in that trailer. Doc waited patiently for my instruction with a look of "what's up with you, Mom?" (Yes, horse. Mom is old and pooped. Can' take the heat. Are you happy now?) Waiting..waiting....waiting...horsey and hubby waiting. Finally here goes. One step forward a point and a cluck, I threw the lead over Doc's back. He walked right on by himself! "Whats all the fuss about?" Right up to Joe he went and stood patiently as Joe connected the trailer ties to his halter.

Good. From now on your on your own. Why didn't you TELL me you could load yourself......??????

Love that horse. He teaches me something new every day.

NOVEMBER 2009
ALL TIED UP FOR THE HOLIDAY

First let me start by telling you I just LOVE Walsh halters. Recently purchased a new Walsh turn out halter for Doc. Got the one with all the adjustments, ie: headstall, cheek and chin. The price is a little more; but well worth it. They look great, fit well, and wear like iron.

Now the story:

Earlier this week Trina was following her usual ritual of taking the horses out to pasture. She owns Dazzle (Thoroughbred) and has been coming along nicely with his training. That horse has the most beautiful collected canter.

Anyhow.... Trina arrived at the paddocks at her usualy a.m. time to find Doc waiting patiently at the gate for her to come get him. He and Daz march out together on either side of Trina. Stable mates, they are buddies and both know their manners. Trina has been around horses all her life and does not tolerate any nonscense. Going out to pasture each morning is something the boys look forward to so much so that this particular morn Mr. Doccie could not control himself. There he stood patiently waiting at the gait as Trina haltered up Daz. The suspense was just to much for him to bare....waiting, waiting, waiting. By the time Trina arrived with Daz in hand to get Doc the excitement had esculated to: "WHOO HOOOOOO! " With that Doc gave his exhuberant squeal of delight, jumped straight up in the air and came down bucking. Off he ran round his paddock just so happy to be alive. Trina on the other hand was not whoo hoooing. She called to Doc to no avail. His "happy to be alive" antics had taken over and no way was he ready to come to the gate.

So......Trina left Doc's new Walsh red turnout halter on the fence post of his paddock and proceeded to walk Daz out alone. She figured by the time she walked back, Doc would have figured out he missed the boat and be waiting. She was not about to go chase happy horse around his paddock. And...... she was right abut the "waiting" part..............
The walk to the paddock is about two blocks away and around the corner. Once you have reached a certain point you cannot see the paddock area. Unbeknownst to Trina "someone" was working on getting into trouble back at the paddock.

That halter hanging on the fence post. " Hmmmmm.....whats that there for? Let me take a better look see. Hmmmm......no one EVER leaves anything on MY fence." (wonder why)
Doccie proceeded to lip that halter and pull it up off the post. As he pulled it, the lead which was attached to it; wedged itself between the gate and the fence, jamming the knot at the end of the lead. Doccie tried to leave with his prize to find he was attached to the halter that was attached to the lead that was attached to the fence. At which point he dropped the halter. (or so we think). Beautiful red new Walsh halter now on ground with horsey pawing at it. :(

Yes...there's more. Now mind you Trina is only gone five minutes and now on the way back to get Doc. When she arrived back at his paddock she was shocked to find horsey all tied up! He had apparently pawed and pulled at the halter in an attempt to run off with it and got his front foot stuck. Once stuck he must have tried to unstuck himself and got his SECOND front foot stuck. Now he must have turned and WRAPPED the remainder of the halter around his legs. He was hobbled together with his feet wrapped tightly in halter and attached to the fence. :@ Trina remained calm and feared horsey would freak and break a leg or at the very least pull a tendon. How in HELL did he do that? Her first instinct was to open the fence and release the lead. No go. It was wedged so tight that the chains that secure the gate could not be opened. Then she thought to cut the lead. Needed a knife. She was concerned about leaving horsey standing stuck alone for the time it would take to get a knife. Time was of the essense. Trina decided to climib under the fence and proceeded to unbuckle all those Walsh buckles on that halter. One by one she started to release and unwrap the halter from Doc's legs. He stood quietly watching, not moving an inch. He knew. Trina was there to help him.

When I arrived at the stalble later in the day, Trina was there to greet me with: "Your horse amazed me." She proceeded to tell me the above story and how calm Doc remained. Thankfully no one was hurt.

Trina had a "Meet the Morgan" experience

September 2009
Fence Repair 101

We arrived at the stable yesterday to find a board falling off the
fence in Doc's paddock. Said board was 16 feet long and SPLIT in
half.

Now I wonder how that happened. It was the middle board. No one but the
resident who lives there knows what happened and he ain't talking.
Hmmm......???

However, Joe and I have noticed the "resident" (on numerous occasions)
KNEELING on the ground (butt in the air) STICKING HIS HEAD through the
fence in an attempt to suck up a blade of grass. on the other side.

So Joe scavenged around to find another board to repair the fence while
I toiled at manure pick up. I noted hubby's truck circle around the
paddock and hubby dragging said replacement board over to the damaged
fence. Someone else was watching too.

My poop pick-up detail was interrupted by grunting, sighing and
yelling, ie: "Will you stop it! Let go; damn it! Give that back!
Will you get outta here! LEAVE MY HAT ALONE!"
BARBARAAAAAAAA!

Seems that "the resident" wanted to help. Joe lifted one side of the
board and sort of rested it on top of the bottom board trying to balance
it while he put a nail in the other end. As soon as he headed to the
other end "his helper" picked up the "resting end" and dropped it on the
ground. This went on back and forth for a few minutes. Thus the "damn
it" part. lol

Joe put his hammer down and started the procedure again only to find the
hammer missing. ???? After extracting the hammer from horsey's mouth,
Joe was finally able to attempt to hammer a nail into the board.
Horsey insisted on inspecting EXACTLY where the nail was going by
placing his nose one inch away from the nail head. Joe had to stop
hammering for fear of nailing horse's nose. Thus the "WILL YOU GET
OUTTA HERE."

By that time hubby was yelling for me to come help. Big help I was.
Could not stop laughing. As Joe hammered horsey had that huge top lip
of his going thump, thump, thump on Joe's head trying to snatch his hat.
Which in turn produced the "Leave my hat alone!" As Joe grabbed his
hat, Doc took the hammer. The board fell.

OH MY GOD......I'm gonna pee here from laughing.

August 2009
The Fly Tarp

Well Gram.....

Mom screwed up again. She measured me for a new fly sheet (THREE TIMES)
and called the company to ask their advise. Since I measured 75" Mom
ordered 76"...... Holy Cow.

The "fly tarp" arrived yesterday. Mom came to the barn all excited
(like the new outfit was for her). Ho hum here. Do I care about a new
fly sheet? Think not. Although a good sniff was in order, the rest was
BORING.

So....Mom opened the HUGE sheet and flung it on my back. (I'm such a
brave soul. You would not BELIEVE the things they do to me and I stand
there like an ass.) It landed squarely and ALMOST REACHED THE GROUND!
Yikes. I will have to eat double rations of oats to fill out the butt,
and get hoof lifts . The leg straps were too long even though there
were adjusted to their smallest length. The overall length and
shoulders seemed fine....but the rest was just too big. I looked like I
was wearing my father's suit with pants falling down to my knees. The
other horses were watching as I stood there looking stupid. How
embarrassing.

Yeah, well....I'm NOT wearing that thing! I don't like the color
either. Snort!

Love

Doccie