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.


:)