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.

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.

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.

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.

Sept 29- Massage, Ride #10

So Thursday was a really busy day and I just fed Sherlock in the paddock, hiding behind the shelter again. No new bites.

Friday morning at was cold and starting to rain, so I rushed out and put the blanket on Sherlock. He was shivering but working on his hay in good spirits. The 2-horse paddock opened up and they moved Goldie, Blackie and Charlie over there. Which leaves Sherlock with two of the smallest ponies, Annie and Tooie the mini. He was still the only one outside the shelter. I don't know if he minds the rain less than they do, or is just hungrier. Gave him a bran mash with last 1/3 of the wormer. They said he got 12 pounds of alfalfa/grass hay today. That should help. No new bites, and I didn't see any bites on the ponies.

Friday was a bad day, overall. G was sick and came from work early, my blood pressure was high at the doctors so they switched my pills again. I've got an appointment Monday at my primary doctor for another check. Started diet diary again and bought DASH diet foods- blueberries, yams, bananas.

feed me

Saturday took the blanket off before it started to warm up and gave Sherlock some hand-grazing before the massage therapist arrived. She came to do a basic free exam but ended up doing a full-body massage. Sherlock was very ouchy but we found some really nice relaxing spots to add to the litany of places that hurt. Very light pressure all over, sensitive, allowed her to stretch front legs but anxious about the back legs. Nice to meet her and I hope to have her back later on.



Sunday groomed in the barn at the cross-ties, Sherlock was very good for hind feet. Learning to just rest them so I can clean them without grabbing onto them at all. Western saddle with cushion for my sore tailbone (and the stirrups wrapped for silence). Went out to outdoor arena, mounted with minimal wandering and tightened girth from up top. Boy, he's tall in the Western saddle. 
    Walking mostly at the South end where people were feeding horses and talking. Very interested in the goings-on today. Worked on steering through corners (it's rockier down in the corners, so this is a clue for him to stay out on the rail), moving forward from leg pressure even when we don't want to, his whoa was very good today, and turns on the forehand. Untacked him in the round pen, taught carrot stretches to both sides, and took him back to paddock where he had his grain. Gaining weight clearly now.

Sept 25- trade you a pound

My mudball

Not much going on this week- Sherlock is putting on a few pounds and I have also grabbed on to a couple, due to not getting much exercise. ALL the hiking trails and many parks are closed due to the flooding, so I've been walking a little farther in the neighborhood and taking Luna to the dog park.

I had a slip in the mud compounded by Sherlock's problematically heavy hind foot and landed on my tailbone. Ugh. No riding this week. I realized I do have a 'tushcush' someplace, I need to find it.


Saturday I got Sherlock out and groomed him and cleaned his feet on the cross-ties in the barn. Also did light stretches for hind legs. NO new bites today! A first!  Lunged walk in outdoor arena, walked over slightly-raised flowery poles.

Where did I put that feed?

Sunday I felt horrible and I just fed him, did some beginning massage on his back and hips, and measured Sherlock's hooves for Easyboots of some kind. There are so many types now,  I am astounded. So different from 10 years ago.

Monday I weighed both types of feed, they are very close in weight. I'm doing half-and-half trying to get him switched to the Healthy Edge version. Sherlock can have a scoop and a half at each feeding and it would be a good idea for me to come some evenings as well as mornings, I think. Gave 1/3 tube of wormer in the grain today- he ate the tastier parts first but he did finish it all. He always flings part of it on the ground and then cleans it up gradually afterwards. I think I might buy some psyllium pellets to help the sand move through without discomfort for the horse.


Tuesday he was covered in mud. So much mud in his mane, when he moves it sounds like bells. Fed behind the shelter. Went out in the evening after G left for his writer's group. Very buggy in paddock, so took Sherlock to the round pen for his West Nile Virus vaccine and another grain meal. Almost out of natural fly spray- doesn't seem to be helping much for mosquitoes. Just a pretty day- saw 2 bald eagles on my way to work, and then a super sunset tonight seen from the indoor arena. Could not get a photo, maybe with a better camera than the one in my phone.

Wednesday Luna joined me at the stable, her first time off-leash.  I took Sherlock to the round pen and fly sprayed, groomed some of the mud off, and cleaned his feet and stretched them all very slightly. Gave him 1/3 wormer in the grain again and he didn't complaint so much today. Trainer AM was feeding her guys a bit of grain when I headed back to the paddock, so Sherlock got to hand-graze a minute or two while we chatted.

E has brought one of her horses, the youngster Fifi, and a BUNCH of jumps. I am very excited to get Sherlock in shape to try them out. She is moving from HT, which was the other stable I saw the day I toured CE. Glad I chose this place or I might be moving again already.

Packing List:
Tush cushion for saddle
fly spray if any left of other bottle
rider's rasp

Shopping List:
brown Vetwrap for silencing Western stirrups
fly spray
psyllium pellets

Sept 19- Ride #9, health care

Saddle fitting better!

On Tuesday, I got my riser pad replacement from SmartPak. After cleaning Sherlock up and struggling with his very tense hind legs- it's like trying to lift a post some days- I put the saddle and new pads on to take a look. It still looked a tad high in back but pretty good. Stable Manager AW came and watched me mount up and ride a few circles, gauged the saddle pretty level, and headed back to work. Hackamore NOT enough today with Sherlock trying to follow her rather than circle. Packed my breast collar and sidepull rope halter for next time.


Wednesday M the farrier came. He was still pretty bad with the back legs but slowly improving. Embarassingly bad condition- he's a bit thin and all bitten up, at least no hives.

Thursday Dr. D the horse chiropractor came. I haven't seen her in many a year but she's still going strong. She said Sherlock's balance was passable, his bad eye does have some vision, and he has a LOT of sore areas that need adjusting. Both hips (he would not pick up his hind feet fort her), SI joint, L6 rib, TI girth joint, withers, most of his neck and his poll were very sore. He stood quite well for the adjustments, though he was very nippy and twitchy.
I asked about the low-current massager and she said ANY sort of massage, reiki, laser, anything could help if done regularly to loosen him up. I wonder if my friend E who is quite good at animal massage, could teach me a few things more.

Very light sideways game afterwards, and a little walking, then gave him his grain. I met a gal who will be mving her horses in soon who jumps, and would also like to do hunter paces and join the Arapahoe Hunt someday. I hope we can ride together soon!