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!