Nov 30-Where does the time go?

Wow- another whole month gone with no blogging.

Lots of snow this month and lots of work.

Checking out the view

11/2 to 11/4 blanketed for extreme cold

11/5 we practiced lunging with the lunge line on instead of free- building to lunging in the hay field later on to get him used to being outside working. Difficult for him to understand and only wanted to go  right, but tried hard. R hock popping.

11/6 Rode roundpen. Walk only, R hcok poppy and L hip a bit sore. Stretches including BIG kneeldown! Good whoa, practiced setting up to open gate. Good back ups.

11/8 Rode Indoor. Stretches including the new Kneeldown- got it on video, thanks Terrie!
Turns forehand and haunches, and sidepass work, better turning right.

http://youtu.be/b_NvupIVv8c- Sherlock takes a bow




11/10 snowing again, blanketed 11/15 blankets off. Dobby the weanling and Beatrice moved into paddock.

Sherlock and Trigger

Allie, Dobby and Beatrtice

11/22 blanket on for snow
11/23 blanket off
11/30 Very cold in the morning, blanket on at 10:00 a.m.

Pretty pretty but COLD

November 2-rides 45,46 and trailer

Wow- I was really busy all month working all my freelance stuff and starting at Serenity Tibet.

Sherlock did fine while I was on vacation, the farrier came on October 14th and Sherlock was good for his trim, a bit stiff but we just did a bit of stretching and he held up very nicely. The ladies who own the ponies didn't arrive for their appointment so I held the ponies for their trims. Both were good. Sherlock was very jealous and kept coming over to make sure they were not getting any treats that should by right be his.

The next week it was hot. Sherlock is already quite fluffy and he was sweating in the sun- but I'm not going to clip him, it will be cold soon enough.

October 23 Ride #45 in indoor, English saddle. Still a little footsore and needed to circle out from the gate again and get used to where chairs had been moved to. Trotted a little bit but he was not very willing. Rode over double pole "micro-ditch". Trimmed his mane and practiced with clippers a little.


October 27 Cleaned up really good, played with clippers while he had his grain. Show-sheened legs, belly and neck and face to prep for photos.

October 28. Photographer! Hay net and grain while I groomed, then out to outdoor arena. Very good, didn't mind reflector even when it fell off its stand. Lots of mints. R knee swollen, small shallow cuts inner above knee.

October 29 Grain and BL Solution. Swelling of R knee greatly reduced. Clipped cuts, hand-grazed.

November 1. Grain in paddock. Leg looking good. Small swelling back of knee. T got on Rocket today! Very proud.

November 2. New halter (aqua). Ride #46 bareback in round pen. Still a bit sore on R leg, w/t free longe then got on for 10 minutes easy walking. Grain with BL Solution. Hand grazed then L came by with trailer to take Lady to her new home. Practiced loading! I got in the trailer and he looked at the floor, when I put pressure on he backed up but I just maintained light pressure and he came forward. When he advanced I turned and walked in and he followed. Lots of pets while he settled and had a treat, then turned around and walked out. VERY happy. I feel like a superhero!

Sept 26-ride #44 fittings

This week I helped T set about fitting her self and Rocket for a saddle. My old Stubben fits Rocket pretty well. So over the week me met up and she got up on Sherlock in the round pen in the Stubben and walked around a bit to get a feel for it. He did very well!

Then I got on and rode a bit, just light work on sidepassing and voice commands. We tried the gate again and he gave me a step over to it so I could unlatch it and then backed up to open the gate! Almost like a real ranch horse! Super improvement in body control for us.

Other than this grand success, we've been doing some light ground work and getting lots of feed into the horse so he'll have a few extra pounds for winter. He's shedding summer coat and growing winter in already, despite it being 88 degrees today.

Sherlock and Maya share a snack

 And I also used my new phone to take lots of pictures to use for wallpapers on the phone-

Sept 23- Ride #42,43

9/15 Ride #42 (lucky number?) Rode in round pen English, w/t I wanted to canter but he was a bit stiff and short-strided. Hard ground or just too small a circumference to balance properly? Opened gate from up top- he was very curious what I was doing, then walked over to the outdoor and went in that gate with no arguments. Walked a set of poles then I got down and helped set up jumps.

Nice trot in round pen!

9/17 We tried my Stubben saddle on Rocket. He doesn't have withers as high as Sherlock's as is a bit wider- it fits him pretty well! T wants black, of course!

9/21 Ride #43 in indoor arena. Sherlock's belly was a bit tight with recent weather changes. Walk/small amounts of trot. Walked poles. Sidepass beginnings both directions, back up. Tried hard, very nice.

Maya, Sherlock and Trigger

Sept 13- slow and steady

Weather was crazy and we took it easy. Not only are big weather changes bad for the horses' bellies (Sherlock tends to get a little gas colic when it starts to get cold) but the cooler weather amps up the energy!

8/28 I fed Sherlock in the outdoor arena - handy to be able to set the bucket down on the mounting block and hold it instead of taking its whole weight. Trotted in-hand, walked over trail obstacle course of flower box, cross rail, back through poles, 3-pole curved with varied heights.


9/2 Cold morning! Sherlock was excited so I took him straight to the outdoor to run, but then he didn't want to. Free-lunged in indoor instead, w/t/c, picking up canter more easily and balance seems great. Sideways game work. Hind legs very "poppy" today and a little stiff. Fed and groomed in barn.

9/5 Muddy and slick footing. Fed in the round pen and did some light work, walk/halt.

9/7 Fed and groomed in the round pen, sideways and squeeze game work.

9/9 Fed in paddock, raining.

9/10 Hand-grazing 15 minutes. The cool weather has made the grass really sweet and high.

9/11 Checked on him this am and he was cold but dry. Brought him into the barn to groom, feed and put blanket on.

9/12 Grain in paddock, unblanketed.

9/13 Visited with my friend CA. She was uncertain about horses wanted to try to get accustomed a bit more. Everywhere was full of horses so I just bright him up to the tie rail out front. I led him in with Beatrice- a little nervous but with B tagging along behind they both did fine. She is so big...

A little pacing at first but settled to be groomed and do carrot stretches. I should remember to do the stretches last or he does them the whole time you brush. Very friendly and made a good effort to pose for pictures at the end of the grooming session. REM more mints from car into the brush box.

August 27- Ride #41 hints, switcheroo

Ride #41, August 24. Simco Western saddle with the wither-fill pad. It looks like two felt ping-pong paddles attached by a nylon strap. The paddles fit into the hollow area on either side of the withers to hold the saddle up off the backbone.

Fussy for grooming since other horses were working in indoor arena, but settled. Took him in and let other horse out. Introduced sack of cans, dragged it around a bit. He stepped on it and startled himself, I need to remember to hold it farther from his feet when we start again.

Got on at the mounting block and walked a few minutes- then he brought me back to the mounting block. And stood there and ground his teeth. I put my hand under the edge of the saddle and decided the wither pad had shifted. So I got down, loosened the cinch and rearranged the pads. Got on again and he was much more willing, walking faster and more relaxed. Thank you for the hint, Sherlock.

Walked and trotted all the way around the ring sweet and cheerful. Still very giraffe-y with his neck but balance is much improved, head set comes later. 

Get off and fix the saddle, please.

August 25 came out to feed and the barn sign warned that horses were rearranged and would be fixed that night. Seems the gate between the Pony paddock and the Non-dominant pasture was left open and almost everyone decided to try something new for the night. Only Sherlock was left in the Pony paddock with everyone but Eva from the Non-dominant. He was hiding in the shelter when I called him, and I put him the pasture with his herd after he ate his grain.

At 6:00 I came back and helped catch everyone to go back into the Pony paddock. Allie was a challenge but Tooie was a perfect angel once I'd caught Allie. Sherlock was excellent as usual, if a bit carrot-focused.

August 22- rides # 38,39,40 & saddle shuffle

Lots of riding pics this time!

Bareback stretching

August 1, ride #38. Rode bareback in indoor just to stretch out my sore back. Casual strolling and then some hand-grazing with Rocket. They get along very nicely.


August 4. I'm starting to feel stomach troubles again. Likely just the stress of 2 freelance jobs and 2 eBay selling jobs. Got my custom bridle from Uiseach Saddlery in Ireland today! Thank you G for a great anniversary present!




August 8, grooming and tried on new bridle for pics! Clipper introduction, after photos did some round pen work walk/trot. SO hot. Ugh.

Handsome in new blue-stitched bridle!

August 10, back from overnight trip to Steamboat Springs.  Sherlock's right knee swollen, small cut on the outside of the joint. No heat, not sore to touch. Added  B-L Solution to feed.

August 12. Sherlock saw me coming with grain and came galloping in! Clearly not lame on still-swollen knee. Watching for possible joint fluid leakage on front of joint still squishy, but swelling everywhere going down. B-L Solution and beer grain.

August 17. Trimmed by farrier M. Did great today- another very successful day. Stood well and calmly, we let him stretch between and front and hind feet today instead of after every foot.

August 18, ride #39. Light ride trying out King western saddle. Nice narrow tree with a high wither relief gullet, but twist was too wide for me. I was sore within 20 minutes.


August 21, ride #40. Light ride re-testing Simco western saddle. Still sitting a litle too low and pressing on withers, but was a good fit for me. Talked to A who was aout riding Trigger, and he had a wither fill pad he got at Saddle Up. Went right over and bought one! Can't wait to try it out but this weekend may be full of Sounds True Wake Up Festival instead of horseback riding.

Western today!

July 31- Back..from vacation

Titled as such because I returned from a wonderful week in Vail with a very sore back.

Sherlock did well under CC's care, I think he even gained a bit of weight. He did well with the citronella bands and his feet weren't chipped up or legs stocked up! They were starting to fade over the course of the week, then I took them off due to mud. I expect they will not last the listed 5 weeks- but even 2 weeks was very helpful.

I just said hello the first day back and gave out some carrot slices. The new POA mare, Maya is in with them and Sherlock is a bit grumpy about her but seems peaceful with Trigger now.

Tuesday we had a hand-walking day. Up the hill to the pond, Sherlock was nervous up there. Came back down and grazed the edge of the hay field along the back edge of the lesson horse pasture. Strong walk coming back. Still a little nervous passing by Lady and her foal Dobby.

Went back to the barn and free lunged just a few minutes. He was stiff at first but opened up well. Walk/Trot very nicely. Had grain and groomed up, went home.

I had to go out early on Wednesday, and I beat the girls feed truck. It was already raining quite hard. I just gave him a small amount of beer grain and took off the fly bands for rinsing. Pics of mud coverage for the day- quite good, I guess 85%.

July 18- ride #37, busybusy

Wow-working very hard during this time at two part-time jobs and selling items on eBay.

Sherlock looking good in blue.

On July 3 the pinto mare went back to the lesson horse pasture and Trigger moved in. Large disruption. Sherlock was very desperate to get back on top and they seemed to be fighting a lot, new bites and scrapes all the time. Really hot, 93-97 degrees for days.

July 9 Rode in indoor. Walk, small amount of trot, walked over poles. Free longed more trot afterwards for conditioning.  Recall game over pole when he realized I had carrots! Grain and some alfalfa hay.

Then it began raining every day and making everything really muddy and slick.
July 12th I fed Sherlock in the paddock and got trapped in the shelter by a thunderstorm. Sherlock was good a while and then he'd push Trigger outside, so I drove him out too. After a couple times getting wet he hid behind me and was good. I hope this helps.

July 13 Worked in round pen 30 minutes- walk/trot/canter, and over groundpole. Just enough to need to catch breath twice, worked up a sweat. Hosed down.

July 16 Good grooming, all mud scraped off, worked indoors, w/t/c. Put on citronella leg bands and collar to keep flies off without needing flyspray while I'm away. Smelly! But they work- almost immediately stopping the stomping.

Getting ready for Vail vacation. C is going to feed Sherlock his grain while I'm gone. Glad to have someone watching over him.

June 25- Ride 36, how tall is he?

6/20 I dropped my Western saddle off to get the small repairs/updating it needs and ordered some Western safety stirrups. Was planning to ride but it was windy and Sherlock was very excited in the barn, so I free-lunged him in the round pen instead of risking a fall. I set up a small jump and worked him over it both directions.
What we learned was this: Sherlock only refuses or overjumps when turning left- with his good eye towards the rail. Whether it's an attention problem, a vision issue with the jump appearing faster than he'd like, or a vision issue that he can't see my cues so is uncertain what to do, I can't tell.

After the battle.

6/22 Planned on a 30-minute easy walk to stretch my sore hip and back. Went out to outdoor and mounted up. The gate is still off so it's permanently open. Sherlock was keen to go out again. We walked and trotted around a few minutes then he was fussy at the gate when the other horses went out. So I figured I'd go out, let the others go back to the barn, and practice coming back in. Sherlock had a fit- dancing sideways and threatening to rear if I got him facing towards the gate. So I dismounted, lunged in little circles just a bit, and made him go back in the arena.



Got back on, walked and trotted a bit, came out the gate, asked him to go back in. He had a fit. I was more successful in moving him forward so we walked over towards the paddocks, along the little internal dirt road. He acted up again at a place where the roads met, but we got around there and headed back towards the arena. Again he blew up, I got off and lunged and made him go back into the arena.
 Re-mounted and took a break there. Walked him straight out the gate and turned around to face the gate. He started to get sideways but I just kept this head pointed at the gate and let him stand there when he was straight on. I gave him a light cue to walk every so often but didn't push hard. After about a minute when I leaned forward he sighed and slowly walked into the arena.
The moment his whole body was in the arena I jumped off, lots of praise, scratches on the sweaty itchy neck, loosened the girth, and relaxed a few minutes. M was riding and asked me to take some pictures, and she took one of us. Didn't want to torture his poor brain by getting on again so yet another pic of me on the ground! Hosed him off and fed him his beer grain.
Wow- I'm tired and sore and bruised legs, probably from emergency dismounts.

I'm tall!

6/23 I posted the pic on FB and realized he looked really small, with the photo taken by M from atop her horse! So today I brought a pocket full of carrot slices and hoped to get another picture. I got Carrie to take some in the barn showing how tall he really is, 16 hands exactly. Often people say,"Wow, that's a big horse!" when we arrive in the barn. Partly he looks big because I'm short. But 16 hands is about where people start to say the horse is tall. Anything shorter is a short horse. Anything taller is tall.  Put Sherlock away clean and fly-sprayed with some extra hay.
I was just pulling out when the farrier pulled in. I thought I had time for lunch before she arrived! I turned around and came back- no, I had it written down wrong! She trimmed him in the paddock and he was really really good. I walked him and stretched when one of the backs was done, and he was much less stiff with the final back hoof.


Last 2 days I've been slightly sick with sore stomach again, Tums are a food group. I've just been visiting to feed Sherlock his grain. It's rained in the afternoons but the flies are starting to bite. So today fly mask and fly sheet, all set for the bugs.

Sherlock goes undercover.

June 17-Ride #35 gaining

Very busy week working, fed Sherlock beer grain mixed with his usual grain every day.

6/11 Ride #35- Tacked up at tie rail in front of barn, new English bridle fitted and went out to the outdoor. Gate is still broken so we stuck to the non-gate end, walked some poles and pole bending before it started thundering and lightning strikes to the North of us. Did a circle around the arena (scared of passing by gas of shavings but handled it calmly given a few moments to stare) and dismounted and went back to the barn.

When we reached the tie rail, the trash truck was just arriving. So I moved Sherlock a little farther back, where if he did get spooked he had room to move without endangering himself with the farrier's truck.  He stood his ground and watched them pick up the dumpster, set it down, compact the trash, and drive off. And he watched them drive off and pick up next door, and go away off down the street. No snort, no spook, just fascinated until the truck was out of sight. Farrier was pretty impressed.

Took him in the barn and fed him his grain, then grazed the grass on the way back to the paddock. Really good day, super well-behaved.

Sherlock at the hay net.

6/12 Raining, groomed and fed grain before Dr. Deb arrived to adjust him. He picked up all 4 feet for her and stretched nicely, sore over hips in SI joint and in withers, neck was pretty good. Weight-taped 870#, gaining well!

6/13 Fed grain and measured for custom bridle from Uisce Saddlery of Ireland! Liz suggested her and I think a custom bridle for half the price of a decent show bridle is quite the deal!

6/16 Fed grain and tried on new royal blue sports boots and bell boots. Looking good for Halloween- bought saddlecloth rayon material and felt for numbers. Now I just have to find my iron...

6/17 Fed grain, cleaned hooves and hung out with Terri and Rocket. V left today and the girls who feed are happy about that. Note to self: never make an enemy of the person who takes care of your animals.

June 4-Ride 33,34 groceries needed

Sherlock 5/20 

Wow- really busy here with several freelance projects. A book to edit, a website to arrange, and a bunch of super art to sell on eBay!

Sherlock has been having some time off to gain weight, but I did get to ride some in late May.

5/20 Ride 33. Indoor arena English/sidepull. Walked over poles, worked on stretching and forehand turns.
Started compressed alfala-mix hay for additional calories. Measured for protective boots- he'll take a royal blue Medium in the boots I'm planning to get for him.


5/26 Ride 34. Round pen bareback pad/rope halter. Still a bit short-strided on the harder ground, walk only. Lots of backing a few steps, turns on forehand. L said he was caught in the electric tape- no cuts, no sign of trouble today.

5/29 Groomed in barn, farrier was there doing hot shoes. Good experience watching and smelling that, while eating a bunch of extra hay. Weight-taped 835#. UGH! Asked stable girls to feed more, and they gave them all lunch. They have a new hay that a lot of the horses won't eat, apparently. Sherlock will. I wonder how good the hay is since it must be last-year's. It was such a wet spring that almost no one has cut hay yet.

6/1 Small facial cut. More hay, added new fat-booster supplement for grain. Thinking about getting a month worth of ulcer meds. Give the new feed a chance. Still no sign of beer grain...
Lady did have her foal, a buckskin colt, and I keep forgetting to take pictures!

MacDuff at one day old

May 17- rides 31,32 Archery

I was sick again this week and low-energy but fed Sherlock every day.

Rocket returned from CSU with prognosis of possible riding later with continued stall rest. Lots of arthritis in that ankle.

Lady has still not had her foal- we have a betting pool now for birthday, sex and color of the foal.

5/14 Ride #31 I rode Sherlock for the first time in a while. His feet are still sore from the big changes farrier M made. He is not stocking up any more which means he's walking the paddock better. Still, showing some stiffness, hocks popping and not able to step under for turns. I got on bareback in the indoor for a few minutes to let him stretch out on the soft footing, and practiced turns on the forehand to work that hind end. He is accepting the cue very well now, but sometimes clearly sore stepping under.

5/16 I bought a hay bag and some compressed alfalfa. There isn't anywhere high enough to hang the bag to avoid Annie, well, not without a ladder. Still, I fed a small amount, I hope this will help get the weight on at last. It's been raining but not cold. New pinto horse in the paddock as her owner couldn't catch her. She seems shy and stands back from the others.

5/17 Saturday=Grooming day! Got all the mud off, brushed his forelock and mane out, shedded. Practiced braiding, he even handled his tail braid with minimal complaints. Fussier about mane braids up by his ears but was really good for first attempt. Ready to ride tomorrow!

5/18 Ride #32 Sunday Sherlock was still clean- saddled up and rode walk only in the outdoor arena. Walked over poles, backing, turn on forehand good today. Set up my target and picked up my bow. The sound the arrow makes coming out of the quiver is a bit scary, but actually shooting it doesn't really seem to bother him.

I hadn't realized I was going to be holding the bow in my left hand and trying to steer to set up the shot right-handed. You're always trained to steer left-handed so you have your right hand for the rope or polo mallet or whatever other reason you need your hand off the rein. So a very clumsy first neck-reining lesson and a few arrows shot.

T had not seen me riding yet and she was amazed at the rope halter sidepull. Sherlock likes it and he rode well in it today. Met two new people at the barn, gave Sherlock his grain and wet down a feeder-full of compressed hay for him.

New pinto mare has befriended Annie- the girl's club- and the paddock seems pretty quiet.

May 10- sore feet, flu

Slow progress this week.
Sherlock was sore after the farrier- since we are changing his foot angles for pleasure horse instead of race horse, he is some times sore for a few days. I put his Easyboots on for 2 days and used the sole toughener liquid on his feet, and gave him BL-Solution in his feed, but more than anything a little rain to soften the ground really helped.

A new horse was added to the paddock, a yearling gelding who Zip didn't take to. With nowhere else handy for wusses to live, the youngster stayed and Zip was moved to the Lesson Horse Pasture. Things seem quiet for the most part, the baby is a little dominant over Tooie but gets chased by Annie. Sherlock is half-and-half with Annie- he shares feed with her but doesn't run from her.

L moved her new filly into the Lesson Horse Pasture. She is a very pretty 3yo-even in that unbalanced stage where the shoulder height has not caught up with the hip height.  And she brought Lady back to have her foal. She's got a stall/run for now and then they'll be building one of the new paddocks for her and the foal. Could be anytime- she's not showing obvious signs but the foal is shifting, and with a snowstorm on the way, hopefully this weekend we'll have a new baby. My bet is a buckskin filly.


T took Rocket to CSU today for a full workup on his ankle. I hope the prognosis is good.

Gray and I have been sick all week. Just another flu, I guess. I'll take a head flu over a stomach one any day. We cleaned the garage enough to allow the addition of a new lawn mower to the family.

I'm glad they didn't show the races after the Derby. Awesome Sky got 4th in his race, but two other horses in the race didn't make it home safely. Best of luck to Appealing Alex and RIP Canadian Winner.

May 3-Happy Derby Day

Happy Derby Day everyone!

This week I rode bareback a couple of times, just walking to stretch my sore back. Sherlock has done well with these lazy days, we've worked on backing up, turning and halting off the lightest touch, and biting my toes for treats. Sherlock loves his carrot stretches now and offers them on voice command and in the saddle, even chewing on my boot to try to get my attention.

4/23 Wednesday Dr. Dave came to do Sherlock's teeth-  Sherlock was excellent for him, taking very little sedation for both teeth and sheath. Took a while to wake up enough to go back to paddock. Wormed him while he was too drowsy to argue...

Thursday very minor trailer practice. I stood in the trailer while he ate his grain.


The wind came up very strongly and for several days I just came out to check Sherlock's fly mask ( to protect him form the blowing dirt) and feed him. Every time I went in the early afternoon or lunchtime I woke him from his nap. Weight taped 902#

5/2 Friday rode briefly bareback (ride#30) in round pen to stretch for farrier. Funny step and slightly sore RF. Michelle came, Sherlock was excellent except for the last foot, which was the RH this time. Locked up in both hips, really making discomfort faces on last foot. Sore afterwards on the road and on the cement. But ok in arena and on grass.

5/3 Saturday went out before Derby coverage started. Fed with BL solution in grain. Slightly swollen RF fetlock but walked ok. Put flymask back on as gnats were back.

Hope the TV shows race #13 today- Sherlock's cousin Awesome Sky racing on Derby Day, in one of the undercards. Awesome Sky's mother is a full sister to Sherlock's mother.

Good luck and a safe trip to all those racing today!

April 20- Ride #29 bareback

This week was Spring in Colorado, which includes a litle bit of snow and several stunning 70-degree days.

Sunday night it snowed and Sherlock got to wear his new blanket, which fits him much better. I went out as early as I could after work to take it off, it never warmed up that much Monday-but he had shed so much under it he almost had mats of hair. Took me a while to scrape them all off.
Taco was added back into the paddock for a few days, then a grand adventure trying to catch him for M, with T helping.
I accepted the trade saddle and am waiting for the saddle-expert's estimate to bring it up to speed. I got a full set of SMB boots for Sherlock, lighty-used off eBay, but they ended up purple instead of the royal blue I was expecting. Maybe will trade those with Liz later.

Annie and Sherlock sharing the hay

Thursday we worked in the indoor arena, I set up a cavaletti (6 inches) and he trotted over it for me. Tried to run out and after a scolding he jumped it twice in a row without asking for a break. Ended on a good jump.
The same day Dr. Deb came to adjust Sherlock, and he did really well. Much less sore, only tried to bite me once. He leaned away from the right side quite a bit, but never so far she couldn't continue to work on him. Picked up all for feet for stretching and really did well. Proud of him.

Saturday I rode Sherlock in the round pen bareback pad and with rope halter. Walked well, feels very good on my stiff back. Whoa and back up good, working on back 2 steps and then walk forward. Then asked him to trot a few steps, tried hard but feels odd bareback. Listening and uncertain. Clucking to maintain rhythm helped. Still 'popping" his front end up to trot- I wonder if he thinks he should be cantering.
Need to get cantering and differentiate the cues. Gnats bothering his ears.
Aztec added to the  paddock, I didn't even notice him but while I was riding I did see them chasing and Zip and Aztec fighting.

Sunday they were still eating breakfast so I groomed Sherlock in the paddock (MUD! From last night's rain). Put Eqyss spray all over his back, and lotion on underside of tail from another recent loose stools episode. Very good manners for this. Wearing Sirah's fly mask with ears- too small but we'll see how it lasts. Put wormer in the grain this time and he didn't want it. I broke up a mint on top but not sure how much medicine actually got through...

Shopping List:
Blanket Rack and a hook/something to hang it on
Fly mask with ears
Maybe feed-through fly control
More wormer- scent free this time

April 14- Happy Birthday Sherlock!

This week the weather has been crazy again. Sherlock hasn't felt very well and lost some weight.

Wednesday I took the possible-trade saddle in for an estimate at Saddle Up. The saddle expert was there and we talked about what would need to be done but I didn't actually get a total price. Needs new tie strings, updated stirrup leathers and buckles, and a cinch holder-buckler. Plus a serious oiling. And I should probably buy new stirrups. I want these cool safety stirrups that I may have mentioned before...

Then Thursday my very good friend Foster heard me talking about saddles and he wants to gift me an old saddle of his. I have no idea how long it's been hanging around or what size or anything but I'm willing to take a look!

Friday I fed Sherlock in the barn. It's been nice to talk with V and T about their TBs.  V has a trailer and might be willing to do "Jack-in-the-Box trailer training". T's sister is a very experienced rider and could be a great help to all of us! Things in the Pony Paddock are much quieter with Taco relegated to the barn to be company for Rocket. Everyone eats together, no new bites (ok just one) and things just look peaceful again.

Sherlock, Annie and Zip.

Saturday AM I did some light free-longe with Sherlock in the indoor. He was a bit stiff turning left and didn't want to go that way at all, but walked out of it ok. Stretches, played with standing in the hula hoops, very nicely done.
Saturday PM G&A came along to the stable, A took pictures with his newly-cobbled-together antique camera while G held back from the shedding horses. Gave Sherlock grain with Banamine but it was still too warm for a blanket.

Sunday got up early, still light rain. Headed out to stable as it turned to snow. Gave Sherlock cookies and did stretches, put new blanket on.

Monday 14th. Arrived during breakfast, took blanket off and hand-curried some of the huge clumps of hair off. Good manners, very sweet.

April 8- ride 28, trade saddle

On Monday I didn't work. I went to the chiropractor instead, then came home and slept. After a nap I went  out to see Sherlock and to borrow a cinch to ride the possible trade saddle. L was kind enough to lend a cinch and I met another new boarder, M and her Arabian gelding.

Rode just a few minutes walking in the saddle but it fit well, might need a shim or half-pad at first, but a much better fit. Sherlock accepted a carrot from M and ate it in little teeny bites. So adventurous!

Sherlock shedding.

On Tuesday I went out for a short visit, but the weather was so stunning, finally sunny and 70 degrees, and the barn was opened up. So I brought Sherlock up to the indoor arena, groomed and did some free longing over a cavaletti (little tiny jump) which he did very well with. Then I lured him to walk over the crinkly tarp a few times with cookies. Gave him his grain and hand-grazed for a minute before escorting him home. Sherlock's manners have really been exceptional since the spook on Saturday.

April 6- ouchie, new neighbor

This week the weather was crazy, with high winds, light snow, and one day of freezing rain.
Our local therapeutic riding center had their yearly tack sale and I got Sherlock a winter blanket. Of course it was still out getting washed when the freezing rain arrived, so he had to wear the old one this last time.

Saturday the 5th I got Sherlock out to ride. After I closed the gate behind us I realized his halter was quite loose. I reached over the adjust it and startled him, and he hit me with his head, then stood there looking quite shocked and the untied halter fell off. I said "whoa" and "it's okay" and "oh my aching head", clambered up, and put the halter back on him.

Not much in the mood to ride any longer, I took Sherlock to the outdoor arena where we schooled walking over and through the flower box jumps. Then I lunged him over them, and went back to the barn for grooming- and grain, which he flung all over the aisle. People going out to ride told me he has respect issues if he hit me with his head. How can I explain he can't see me? Or am I letting him get away with too much?

I was a little grumpy with him going back to the paddock (headache!), so no grazing allowed and I got tired of him stopping and drove him a little to make him move. When I returned to the barn to clean up, T was there getting a stall ready for her new OTTB, Rocket. Talking to her really cheered me up.

Icepack on my head in the evening. And the hip I landed on stiffened up. Downton Abbey, Aleve and hot chocolate to the rescue! Did some research, esp. on the Blind Horse Rescue site, and Blind Horse Care and decided getting bumped is just part of having a sight-impaired horse. I do want to practice my ground work, but I can't get mad at him for not seeing me. Still, he saw my hand moving, where he used to see nothing. The eye is improving. Called Dr. Deb, the horse chiropractor.

Sunday I did some work cleaning in the garage, broke down a ton of boxes and got the leg-straightener thingies off my synthetic leather saddle to take it for trading. They keep the torque off the kness when riding Western. Anyway, I took the saddle up to Berthoud to meet a gal wanting to trade. We had coffee and talked horses, great a good time. We even both worked at Bi-Polar Farm, her just a couple years ago. Sounds like not much had changed.

So I brought her saddle back to try on Sherlock. I saw that the new horse had arrived ansd he was eating. Just after I set the saddle down and got Sherlock's grain made and wet down for less flinging, T and her sister arrived and I helped them put together a likit toy and chatted. Rocket just arrtived from Golden Gate Fields- he is also a 5yo bay gelding. He is sired by Street Cry, Zenyatta's sire! Some kind of TB royalty we have around here nowadays.

I went and got Sherlock from the paddock where they were still eating- Maybe they had some lunch, he could use a few more calories. Have to thank Tyler. Back to the barn, I put him in the cross-ties for his grain and he was pretty good. Many admirers.

Tried the saddle on, to some face-making. But I think it might be ok. Regina will be back Monday and I can have her take a look. I need a girth, but I was planning on buying a wool felt one anyway.

Free-longed Sherlock a few minutes in the indoor, he did very well even though he got a bit anxious when the rain began to make a lot of noise on the roof. He stopped and came to hide behind me. Said hello to Rocket through the bars, very calm, no squealing. Walked back to the paddock very nicely, better balance today. Great manners, very sweet today despite minor cookie begging.

March 30- Ride #27

Sunday 3/22 after the snow I took Sherlock out to the round pen and did some grooming. I brushed out and thinned his mane. He seemed a bit uncomfortable, holding onto my sleeve with his teeth. Did some leg stretches and food with Banamine in it. Weight-taped 888#. Tyler keen on about upping their hay a little bit.

Over the course of the week we had alternating sunny 60-degree days and patches of snow. G was ill again a few days and with linmited time I did see Sherlock everyday for feeding. Met new boarder V and her TB Sam and mini Pixie.

Saturday 3/29 Groundwork day. There's a coop in the round pen and we de-spooked with that. Did back-and-stops, and practiced sidepass, as well as turns on forehand and haunches. Brushed out and conditioned his tail.


Sunday 3/30 ride #27. Groomed in round pen, light free longe. A little low energy but not belly-sore. Rode very light bareback in round pen, walk, whoa, back 2 steps. Got down when he decided he was ready to roll, and he let me take everything off before lying down.

Pixie escaped turnout paddock into the Pony Pasture while Sherlock was eating his grain. I ran to tell the girls and we eventually got the little one out again and noted the wide spot in the fence where she slipped through.

March 22- ride #26

So I did get sick. Quite sick. Luckily we had anti-nausea meds from G's trip to urgent care.

On Saturday the 15th we both wobbled weakly out to the stable for vaccination clinic. G came in case I was too weak to hold Sherlock for shots. I took Sherlock to the round pen for a few minutes of frolicking and squealing, he showed off a very nice relaxed canter and his big trot which I am never going to get on film... Then he was very good for his shots, a little nervous when the vet switched sides but a mint solved that.

Sunday I went out to check on him and woke him up from a nap. He lets me come up and give him a pat and then he gets up. Grain and some shedding blade work. No reactions in shot areas.

Fed in paddock and shedded a few times over the week. Areas that were very muddy and got showsheened are staying cleaner.

Friday the 21st rode in the round pen. Sherlock was pawing while grooming, which he never does. But other people were feeding their horses grain. and I was trying to clip his muddy
bridle path. I was hoping to trot some poles in the outdoor arena, but he was being so fussy- So I tacked up and out we went to the round pen to work off the excess energy. But there was no energy. He walked slowly and trotted just a few steps. When I got down I realized the wind was getting colder and the clouds dropping over the mountains. Weather must be changing.

So I put Sherlock away and went home for the Banamine. Came back, put the meds in a bran mash and fed it to Sherlock, who was not excited at first but slurped it all down.

Snowing today.

March 12- Ride 24&25, Past and Present

After riding with advice from Jo, I paid for a set of lessons to be started after Horse Expo. It snowed for several days, blowing my plan to ride as much as possible before the farrier, since Sherlock is usually a bit footsore for a few days afterwards.

Th 3/6 The farrier did come and Sherlock was very good except for the last foot, Left Hind this time. Snorty when he saw racing bikes going by on the road. Round pen afterwards, he was very squealy and needed to run. Note to self: exercise before cleanliness on farrier days. Yes it's nice to have his feet clean but better to have him stand quiet. Worked up a sweat, got a few bucks in.

Sherlock towering over Annie and Tooie

Fri 3/7 Off early from work to go to Ft. Collins in the sleet to sign Brand Inspection for Sirah to J&D. Horrible drive, was early so stopeed at World Market and bought a snow globe Eiffel Tower for protection (long story). Anyway, the inspector was there on time and we went into the paddock to identify the horse and note her markings. I whistled and she whinnied! It was good to see her, she looked good- Mirah is taller than her by a goodly amount.
At last J appeared but he had no paperwork. I was supposed to have the old Brand Inspection papers. No, they would have been handed over with everything else, I said. J went to look for them. I knew he wouldn't find them, and he came back eventually and the inspector had to call the office to look it up on the computer. Got everything done and signed but just a little extra stress.

Decided to go home the slower, safer way and stopped at Latigo Lariat. Window-shopped a bunch of saddles and bought a red,white and blue nylon bridle for Halloween costume, and a blue and white sparkly bat. Just for old times' sake I also drove past GF. It was locked up tight at 4:30 pm with not a horse in sight.

Went by the stable to feed and Sherlock was really cold- shaking like his knees were going to give it up. Got the blanket and came back, he wouldn't let me get close to put it on as Zip and Taco were being aggressive. Got the halter and followed him- nothing- got a handful of grain and caught him, shooed everyone off. Put blanket on. He really didn't want it at all until I spread it over his back then he settled right down. Let him go, got the grain, got him fed. Went home cold, wet, covered head to toe in filthy mud.

Saturday 3/8 Warming and sunny. Unblanketed the beast, Eqyss spray all over his back, light grooming in paddock, fed. Sherlock still anxious.

Sunday 3/9 Ride 24. Stunning day! Really bright, high 60's . Turned Sherlock out in outdoor arena, groomed, very muddy but I cleared a spot for the saddle. Super-nice smooth canter in turnout- I can't wait to sit that canter. His belly was a little tight so very light work under saddle, walking, strong walk, light trot. Steering over a few poles, single, double then a set of 4. Steering a bit tricky in rope halter, esp at trot, but did well.

Monday 3/10 Ride 25. Worked at ST, came home early and did some mud cleaning. Picked up feet well, put up with lots of Showsheen in forelock and mane. Areas that were heavily Showsheened are staying cleaner. BUT Showsheen may cause the saddle to slip. So the one area I'd like to stay clean I don't really want to Showsheen. I will probably do it anyway and take the chance. Cleaned him up some, ran out of time before Chiropractor Appointment so rode about 20 minutes, light work w/t but trotted pair of poles. Much more forward when I am carrying the crop on the side he can see it. Snoopy's people working in indoor, Sherlock had to go see them as they were in the shade, hard for him to see. Sniffed all the kids and behaved very well.

Tuesday 3/11  G came down with a stomach virus. It was cold and nasty all day with horizontal blowing snow, perfect for a trip to Urgent Care and 2 pharmacies for meds. Exhausted. Worked a little from home.

Wed 3/12 G still sick and needs someone here to help. I'm very paranoid about my stomach and am watching its every move. I do not want to get sick.

February 28- Rides 22 & 23 "feel"

This week I've been working my temp job at Sounds True as well as just two afternoons at Ziji.

Sunday 2/23 My first ride with the new super Valentine's Day present sheepskin pad was a bit stiff. Sherlock seemed a bit confused and while we got some very nice stretchy marching walk, he didn't want to trot off leg pressure. I got down and did a bit of free lunge just to be sure he was sound, and he trotted fine. So I picked up the lunge whip and got back on. With a little show that I had the whip he trotted for me under saddle, albeit a little nervously. Mostly just a refresher day- weight 985# and I STILL could not get all the mud off.

Tuesday went straight to stable from work, 55 degrees and sunny, keen to give Sherlock a bath- by the time I got there the wind had picked up and the temps were dropping fast. Snowed overnight. Bad Colorado, bad.

Wednesday 2/26 Groomed with ShowSheen and decreased the mud coating greatly. Can't wait for some warm weather and bath time! Jo came out to visit and I asked her to watch me ride. She thought Sherlock looked a bit uneven, not lame but short-strided. I carried my dressage whip this time and got some good trot transitions, working backwards into voice command. Even better when we started working on back up into trot. Great reminders about feel and finding the release, esp. when backing up. Sherlock steered well when not trying to spiral in to beg Jo for mints. She had a doggy bag in her pocket and he could hear it crinkling.
Good ride!

I set up with Jo to take some more lessons when she has time this spring around her clinics.

February 18- Snow + Sun= Ice, then Mud

So this week Ezio cut my hand. Cats are so strong and fast that when something goes wrong it goes wrong quicker than you can really move. Horses are much the same. Anyway, Ezio was headed out the window to the cat run (for the first time in weeks due to snow and cold), something spooked him and he flew backwards in the window, landing on my right hand, then the scanner. The scanner luckily was closed and its looks are not much marred. The right hand did not fare so well- with 4 slashes in the space between forefinger and thumb and one puncture on the thumb.

It's a very non-handy place to be cut. Even though the cuts were not that bad (thankfully all claws had been trimmed a few days before) opening the front door or a jar of any kind was right out. Sewing also a no-go. I put on gloves to drive and to walk the dog. So leading a horse who hadn't been out in weeks over the ice was not an attractive prospect.

So I fed and groomed and Thursday I took my bow, arrows and target out and set up by the fence.  Caught Sherlock and had him stand behind me while I did a practice set. Sherlock was a bit uncertain at the first arrow, but by the time I'd shot my 8 he was bored. Great sign. I also saw Tooie startle him by appearing on the left side. I think Sherlock is getting some vision back- at least he sees some motion.

Sunday I took the archery stuff out again. Due to feed placement I put the target in the shelter, where I had control over who was around. Didn't catch him this time. I shot 8 and then Sherlock came and watched the second 8. I shot a little harder to make more sound and he watched with his good eye.

Sherlock examines the target for clues.

Tuesday I went after work (first day back at ST for temp stuff!) and took shelock out through the mud to the outdoor arena for a run. He trotted and cantered a bit, played in the puddles pawing and nosing around. Groomed but I didn't get everything-sore wrist for me and he gets really tired of the scraper. Faced pile-of-snow monster by the goat pens and flapping-blanket monster in the aisle between the stalls and the barn, had feed in the barn and went back to the paddock like a champ.

February 9- Ride #20 bareback

Big snowstorm and cold snap right after my last entries!
I did get Sherlock out Saturday Jan 25th and tried my OLD Western saddle on him- too wide and it set too heavy on his withers so after just a minute riding in it in the round pen I took it off and got back on bareback. Sherlock was a bit confused at first but steered great on weight and light leg and his whoa was super good. I think since it was new to him he was really paying close attention.

Nothing else happening. Very icy from paddock to barn so just grooming and feeding in the paddock. Saturday Feb 8th I was planning to get him out and at least lunge in the indoor arena or do ground work. But I cut my right hand in the morning so not the best day to deal with a very fresh horse!

Cold enough to share the heated bed- Ezio & Dante

Ezio the kitten was going out into the cat run for the first time in 2 weeks due to the cold. I moved to adjust the window and he came flying back in and landed on my right hand, cutting me before I could get away. He has been really sorry all weekend, very snuggly and visible all day instead of off sleeping under a blanket. No sutures, just big Band-aids, but I'm cut right in the webby area between thumb and fingers. I can't open jars or the front doorknob.

Wish me well, hopefully I'll find some riding time this week before I start my temp work at the True on the 18th!

Sherlock and Tooie

OTTB videos

Links to videos about OTTBs- mostly spirit-lifters.

Homemade video featuring horses on OTTB Connect on FB, includes Sherlock (Daren).

Roger's Story- Grey OTTB learns to jump

Quigly's Story- Older OTTB mare rescued 

Couragous Comet - OTTB jumping at Rolex

Wonderful Will- OTTB jumping at Rolex

Titanium-  OTTB jumping at Rolex

January 21- Ride 19, 20

Last week I spent catching up at work, with only short visiting time for Sherlock.

Saturday the 18th Gray, Luna and I headed out there. Woke Sherlock up, he has a favorite nap spot now but got right up when called. Turned out first and he had a nice run, unfortunately didn't see a small jump standard that was in shadow and ran right over top of it. Not hurt- I moved those standards into full sunlight and he didn't have a problem with them later.



Tried the sheepskin pad again with the Happy Mouth D-ring bit. He was fiddling with it quite a lot but willing to go forward, walked and trotted well but not much contact. Fussy for turns on forehand, doesn't like the combination of cues. Sidepassed along fenceline well, whoa not great, back was ok. I felt like my leg was very loose and pics show saddle a bit crooked. Had grain and a nice roll. Gray took pictures!

Monday I was back again for ride #20. I groomed and rode in the round pen using the Aurigan eggbutt bit that was Lissa's fave. Sherlock hated it and could barely be steered with it as he was too busy chewing on it. Gave him 10 minutes carrying it and then took it off and rode in rope halter with leadline tied together under the chin. Worked on serpentines steering with leg/weight, whoa on weight alone, and back then walk off straight. Nice ride, low pressure, did some 2-point to strengthen my leg. Practiced dismounting on off side, then worked on not passing me back to pasture. Good progress.

So, I guess I'm going to be using the Myler D-ring for the moment, and the rope halter sidepull. Sherlock being very good, moving forward well, almost decided to canter but my leg felt too weak, got to get more secure first.

Good horse, good weather!

January 13- Ride17,18 "What others think"

Returning to riding at last, after a very cold and snowy week,

Tuesday the 8th, I met up with E for a "trail ride" around the property. Sherlock was a bit of a baby, just nervous his first time riding out, in the snow. Especially when Annie and the others threw a fit when we rode past. He started backing up and taking advantage of circling to get closer to the paddock, but he didn't panic and started forward again when E's horse walked on. He wouldn't go up the snowy hill behind hay barn to the pond, we went back to the outdoor arena and worked walk/trot for a few minutes, then came back but he had a fit there again. This time I dismounted and led him up and down the hill, then continued a while on foot on the road, met up with E at the pond and re-mounted from the fishing boat, and finished up well. A bit messy but I felt it was a success, he eventually did everything I'd asked and didn't rear up or slip in the snow.

Shaggy Sherlock

In the evening E texted me an offer to ride Sherlock for me and "make him" behave. I know it was meant well and she is a very experienced trainer but I declined, feeling very depressed about the possibility of having her as my next trainer. Woke up in the dead of night mad about it. Thought about the techniques that worked best for Sherlock in his most problematic time so far- trailer loading. Joe Andrews loaded him calmly and with no bribes or threats. I want that relationship-first type of training.


Thursday the 10th I rode in the indoor before the farrier arrived. Tried out my oldest sheepskin as an English saddle pad- hard to put on straight but he rode quite well in it. Walk/trot wearing the sidepull halter, turned a barrel, carried the lunge whip in both hands as a prelude to archery training. Calm and well-behaved. Great ride.

He was quite good for the farrier, he did flail a bit with his hind feet but every time with a little correction on the halter he relaxed and released without having to put his foot down. Lots of pets and a mint at the end. Farrier M very pleased- she said he's really improving and clearly our relationship is getting really special. I was very pleased and hummed all the way home.

So this week seems to be about handling what other people think. I know we as human social animals are made to socialze and care what each other think.  I wish I didn't care so much- but I have also not given in to advice that I thought was wrong for me and Sherlock. People thought I was failing with Lissa when I trained her but I refused to let anyone help and I got the best horse out of it. I will remember Sherlock is just a 5 year-old half-blind racehorse newly off the track, be forgiving, take my time, and love Sherlock for himself and what we can enjoy together rather than what other people think he should do.

I plan to call J to see if she might still have lessons spaces this spring.

January 3- Happy New Year

Sherlock checks out Flat Stanley

Happy New Year!

What a year it has been. From retiring Sirah through the stresses of the horse search to finding Sherlock and getting started riding him.

Just returned from a week's travels to reconnect with my horse. I seem to think he's going to forget everything while I'm gone but he was glad to see me and the feed bucket the first day back, and yesterday he was great for grooming and very light work.

He had diaper scald- must have had a bad day while we were gone- but accepted cleaning and lotion without any fuss. Such a good boy. Bitten up a bit, and he looks afraid of Taco. But he's in good weight, and his coat is heavy and warm.


Sherlock checked out my Flat Stanley, who is traveling the country as part of my friend S's daughter's geography class. And then we did some light free longe, just walk and trot to test his soundness. He looked very well but his hocks were a bit loud at first, worked out of it quickly. Thought it might be his right hock and stifle twisting just a bit as he walked. Chiropractor time again soon.