Wednesday, October 30, 2013

October 30- family videos

Compiling some videos of Sherlock's ancestors! His pedigree- Link if you want to see it bigger or clickable!



His father Smarty Jones wins the 2004 Kentucky Derby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqdItLlti6c
and Smarty Jones wins the 2004 Preakness
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTrUPZsMKJM
ESPN Wish Series- Patrick meets Smarty Jones
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAL2fahRPTA
Smarty Jones at stud 2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rr9QTvTPOS4

His paternal Great-grandfather Gone West wins the 1987 Dwyer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpNa3v0gixs
Gone West as an aged stallion 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38DwIa0ylxY


His maternal grandmother Beautiful Pleasure wins the 1999 Beldame
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtQ0UrJXdOA
Beautiful Pleasure wins the 1999 Breeders Cup Distaff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N_kOz9s1-c


His maternal Great-grandfather Pulpit wins the 1997 Bluegrass
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIjuknXJw14
Pulpit at stud 2007- $80,000 a breeding.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0n6SBv3wx7U

His maternal Great-great-grandfather Foolish Pleasure wins the 1976 Kentucky Derby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcWZutSuW2A

Sunday, October 27, 2013

October 27- Ride #13

Sherlock with Max peeking over
Sherlock is doing great and looking very healthy. Finished the tube of GastroGuard with bran mashes or soaked pellets. Grooming with the magnetic currycomb.

Tuesday I groomed in the barn, put on Sherlock's bridle and Western saddle, and we went to the indoor arena. Free-longed walk/trot with a nice rhythm but not as comfortable with the footing once I got on. Rode about 10 minutes at the walk, some good stretchy walk, good steering, turns on the haunches and a back up today.

Busy working but saw Sherlock every day, fed and checked his gums with the help of mints or other treats. Flies came back on Friday and I got the flyspray out again. These late-season flies really bite. A little food-protective, when he usually counts on me to have the dressage whip out to keep the ponies out of the bucket.


Saturday trying to get some good works in and extra water into the horse as another cold/rain front is moving in. Round pen groomed, cleaned all 4 feet and hoof toughener applied. Stretched all 4. Some edema on the belly. Free longed, walk/trot/canter, relaxed and looked perfectly sound. I'm good at teaching horses to come to a flat stop after the canter. Need to learn how to teach them to continue cantering... Probably in the voice, with Sherlock learning it so quickly.

Sunday Sherlock was still eating breakfast when I arrived. Thorough grooming, cleaned feet, conditioner everywhere, thinned and pulled his mane a bit. Fed soaked pellets, a little too soggy and half of it came home on my clothes. Sherlock is starting to get shaggy at last.
Max and Sherlock- no ribs showing!


Monday, October 21, 2013

October 21- Ride #12, Health care

Another extremely busy crazy week!
Thursday I went out early ro ride before Sherlock's chiropractor appointment. Groomed him in the barn, which was all closed up with heaters on. He was a bit nervous but good for grooming and Easyboots. He seemed a bit sore in the back, I put the Western saddle up but didn't bridle as I thought I might just longe. him. Went out to outdoor arena and led over poles, some lunging but he seemed low-energy. I got on with just the rope halter and walked just a few minutes, over the poles and a crossrail.  Pretty good steering with the rope halter, moving well off the leg. I fed him and put him away as Dr. Deb was running late and ran home for lunch. 930#, same as the day I got him!

Dr. Deb came to adjust him, I woke him up from a nap in the shelter and back to the warm but dark barn. Much improved this visit. Still could use more massage across his back on the right, and his left hip- but his neck really improved and he let her stretch all his legs with no complaint! In fact, I thought he might be a little TOO good. He did let off a lot of gas, which is often normal, but it seemed odd when paired with him lying down. I put him away again but decided to come back and recheck after work. I also called to see if I had any Banamine still on prescription, and I went and got a tube.

After work, Sherlock was lying down again and didn't get up when I came in and put his halter on. I gave him some Banamine and THEN he wanted to get up and escape. Checked vitals, nothing obvious- lots of gut noise, lots of gas. Blanketed for the cold night coming. Called the stable manager to call me if Sherlock didn't come right up for dinner. No call, and I rechecked him at 9 p.m., he was pacing a bit, a bit hot under the blanket but eating and bright.

Friday morning I went out first thing, and Sherlock was eating but his belly was sore to the touch and he was grinding his teeth. Called Dr. Dave and gave Sherlock more Banamine. Took Sherlock into the indoor arena with a wheelbarrow full of hay and let him eat while we waited. Dr. Dave liked him right away and said Sherlock belongs in the house. Sherlock's gums were red and he was just a bit feverish. Checked for sand but nothing there. Gave him some meds and took blood to check for larger infection issues. Took a very light lip rope well for taking oral meds. Loves to have eyes rubbed. Dr. Dave said Sherlock seems like he really wants to trust people but is still defensive. Biosponge in bran mash at 11:00, put him away and ran off to work.
Friday after work he was alert but calm, looking good. Gave him a  bit of grain.

Saturday Sherlock was galloping and yelling for breakfast when I arrived. Didn't want bran mash with GastroGuard, so I took him to the round pen to eat it. Head shy about his mouth- a bit sick of medicines. Solving that with mints.

Sunday back to the round pen, groomed with new magnetic massage/curry mitt. Sherlock was nervous about that, still tense in the belly, but did ok. Cleaned his feet. GastroGuard bran mash with mints crushed up a bit hit.

And Monday! Checked his gums and belly, both normal. Gave him 1/2 the amount of grain with BL solution, getting back to normal.

Humans are so untrustworthy, I don't know how most horses handle it. Even your most beloved friend can turn on you and give you medications one day. Sad state of affairs. Sherlock is still a little nervous about his mouth but I have a trick up my sleeve for that, a dose or two of applesuace can help that out right quick.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

October 15-getting colder

Yummy
The weather is changing! Leaves are falling and it's starting to hit freezing at night. My health has been a bit troublesome with the back still healing up from the bruised tailbone thing, and blood pressure testing very well with a spike due to pain, I think. Got my new birthday phone!

Thursday Sherlock was sound in the paddock. Less psyllium in the feed and added the BL-Solution, which is a sweet liquid. Much more palatable- he was eager to eat it. Some small bite marks on both his and Max's necks.

Friday a new horse appeared in the paddock, a blaze-faced chestnut with a bandaged foot. Fed Sherlock in the paddock, psyllium / BL-Solution. A lot of shedding blade work, that old hair is coming off for the winter coat to come in. Cleaned all 4 feet, excellent behavior, thrush treatment applied. Weight-taped 902#.


Saturday Sherlock was grazing in the weeds with the new chestnut. Hope he's making a friend. Fed with psyllium and BL added. Brushed, cleaned and thrush treated and stretched all feet.

Sunday groomed at paddock, looped rope over fence of single paddock to clean feet, which worked out very well. Walked all around shop area and barn, through big puddle, then hand-grazed. Turns on forehand for stretches to hind legs. Feed w/psyllium and BL. Nice day, talked w/ stable daughter C about first horses.

Monday I was sick. Brushed and feed w/BL and CoolCalories. Everyone looks good, Sherlock was dry and not cold.

Tuesday I was sick.  Brushed and feed w/BL and CoolCalories.Sherlock is really starting to get fuzzy at last. Stable Manager M said he was galloping before feeding time and bucking and rearing up. I said "Good!" I'm glad he's getting some energy up and feeling good enough for pasture antics. Thank you, BL-Solution, Cassandra and Dr. Deb.  Dr Deb again on Thursday, we'll see if he looks better to her, too.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

October 9- Ride #11


Riding indoors!
Saturday we had a great day- Sherlock had a just super attitude, willing and cheerful. Cross-tied in the barn, great for all his feet, stretched all four. Free longed in round pen, still very stiff, is it the RF or the hips?

Sunday rode Western indoors- for use of cushion for my bruised tailbone. Great  for grooming at cross-ties. Anxious at mounting block but settled. Walked well,  slow but calm. Liked watching out both doors, but walked on leg pressure. E had Fifi out and was kind enough to take our picture!


Monday I was really stiff aftert the chiropractor so just groomed in the paddock, cleaned his front hooves which are a little thrushy, put lotion on all the old scratches and his spot of rainrot. I did some massage work and really saw some changes in his hip muscles. started psyllium in his feed for the week, he didn't like it much but ate it all.

Tuesday I had little time before work so fed with the psyllium, and gave lots of pets. Sherlock looked a little stocked up both hinds. Luna was with me and dicovered the jolly ball (like a soccer ball with a handle), so I kicked it for her as we checked the fenceline. Horses didn't really care about that.

Sherlock, Annie and Max
Wednesday Sherlock was quite stocked up and stiff. Went to the barn for cross-ties, good for all feet, and I put the Easyboots on both fronts. Went for a long handwalk, around the new jumps in the outdoor arena, then back out to the hay barn, had grain+psyllium at the grain trailer. He tried to get in twice! Silly guy. Took him back to his paddock and took off the boots, then did carrot stretches. He wasn't too keen on the cookies today. Clearly a bit uncomfortable today and doesn't like the psylium. I have BL Solution to start him on for the soreness, I guess I can start tomorrow.

Friday, October 4, 2013

October 4- Pasturemates

Got Sherlock's win photo! This is his only win, at Pimlico. I may also be able to get video of him at the Keeneland yearling sale, which would be pretty cool.

Anyway, this week has been really busy so not much work with the horse. Monday I went to the doctor and she was not as concerned over my blood pressure. I did start working towards the DASH diet, but didn't get much exercise this week... Sherlock was doing well but one of E's horses got badly bitten in the riding horse pasture.

Tuesday Sherlock looked very stiff on his right hind so I massaged him a bit and fed in the paddock. New pasturemate Max the Appaloosa, I didn't even know he was in there as he was hiding behind the shelter. More new horses running in the painted horse pasture, new stable manager arrived. E knows him from HT, I hope he will be ok.

Wednesday all peaceful in the pasture, no new bites on anybody- I gave everyone a light brushing just to check.

Thursday peaceful in pasture! Everyone eating from the same pile of hay. Sherlock was a bit stocked up, small scrape over right eye. Groomed, hand-sized area of rainrot on left buttock, probably where the blanket doesn't quite cover when he eats. Eqyss spray on that and on his heels. Storm coming, light rain/snow overnight but I had to leave him for the day before noon so no blanket.


Sherlock in the lead, Max and Annie
Friday Sherlock was browsing the weeds with Max and Annie when I arrived and came galloping when called. No bites, only a slight shiver or two, and half covered in mud. More snow coming so I'll stop in tonight with the blanket.

Friday night blanketed Sherlock- he was cold and hiding out in the shelter. Protective of me when he knew I had cookies. Carrot stretches, then went for a walk to the far end of the paddock, with the others following along. Very windy, and a tumbleweed spooked them and they ran off. Sherlock stayed with me, but when the others circled back then ran off again, I unclipped the lead and let Sherlock run with them. After they all watched me pull up and release some more tumbleweeds everyone calmed down and I took Sherlock's halter off and headed home.