The Verdict Is In: Ulcers Phase 2

Posted on April 27, 2015 by Britt

Thursday the spotted pony and I made the reluctant trip back to the vet clinic to get re-scoped for ulcers. Emphasis on the word reluctant, since Foster was loathe to get on the trailer for about 5 minutes, and who could blame him? Our last three trips have been to the vet clinic. Horse is not stupid.

sedated horse

After being properly sedated, the tube was fed down his nose and into his stomach, which was then inflated with some air so the vet could look around with the scope. Since we knew where to look this time, the process was much shorter than before, a small blessing to Foster I’m sure.

The bad (albeit expected) news is, the ulcers are still there. The good news is that the ugly grade 4 ulcers are now in a healing grade 1 phase. For the brave of stomach (ha) see the before image here, and the current image here. The yellow bumpiness you see in the second photo is actually the healing ulcers, and when they are gone the stomach lining there should return to its shiny pink color.

Sleepy Foster starts to wake up in the stocks

The plan from here is another month of treatment on a lower dosage of Gastrogard- 1/2 tube each day for three weeks, followed by a week at 1/4 tube each day. Then one more re-scope to hopefully confirm that the ulcers are gone for good.

While I hate the constant back and forth stressful traveling to get him scoped, it’s really important to me that I know the ulcers are gone before moving forward with real training. If there are lingering behavioral issues, I would hate to push him through anything if it were actually a pain response. Additionally, if the ulcers are never actually resolved it will only be a matter of time before they get worse again. So, unfortunately the trips to the vet are worth the aggravation and dollars in my mind.

Another month of medication, here we come!

Photography Friday: Rolex Edition

Posted on April 24, 2015 by Britt

How I never thought to do a post with my 2012 Rolex photos, I have no idea. So, in honor of America’s only 4*, here are some of my favorite shots from Rolex 2012!!

Unknown Rider at the Head of the Lake

Boyd Martin and Remington

Kristi Nunnink and R Star

Karen O’Connor and the gawgeous Mr. Medicott warming up for dressage

Karen O’Connor and Mr. Medicott Note the hackamore/snaffle combination- lots of hardware!

Oliver Townend and Pepper Anne over the coffin ditch

2012 Winner William Fox-Pitt and Parklane Hawk

Show Season: Revised

Posted on April 21, 2015 by Britt

Every year I map out our show season, and always tell myself it’s written in pencil- things happen rapidly with horses and there’s no sense getting attached to plans that can and probably will change.

So it is in that sense no surprise that our season now looks completely different from the one I planned at the beginning of the year. Though I had an unwritten rule about not posting planned shows, I figure, what the hell. It’s going to change again anyways.

~~March 15 MacNair’s CT (Novice)~~
~~April 12 MacNair’s CT (Training)~~
~~May 9 – 10 Carolina Horse Park Schooling HT (Novice)~~
~~May 22 – 24 Recognized Virginia Horse Trials (Novice)~~
May 30 – 31 NCDCTA Capital Dressage Classic
June 20 – 21 Dom Schramm Clinic (??)
July 11 – 12 Carolina Horse Park Schooling HT (Novice)
September 4 – 6 Five Points (CHP) Recognized HT
October 11 Carolina Horse Park Schooling HT (Training)
October 30 – November 1 Virginia Horse Trials (??)
November 8 Carolina Horse Park Schooling HT (Training)
November 22 MacNair’s CT (2nd)

The first four shows of the year are cancelled for us, thanks to the ulcers from hell. Two of course are now in the past, and the other horse trials are simply not doable due to his likely ongoing medication and even if they were gone in a poof today, there still wouldn’t be time to physically prepare for them.

So, as far as the other items tentatively on our calendar…

*If* he is really feeling better, and funds fall into place, and a whole lot of other things fall into place, maybe we will start our season off at our first recognized dressage show in forever. Actually, maybe ever? Foster has never been to the State fairgrounds and it would be fun to check in with a pure dressage judge to see where we are, probably with a couple First level tests.

Pending fitness and a whole lot more, then there’s the Dom Schramm clinic in June, but it’s hella far away and might be tricky to get to. Or I might just get lazy and not want to drive all the way there. Who knows.

After that it’s a ramshackle list of horse trials. The last three are a bit close for my taste, and I wonder if burnout could happen with traveling every couple weeks to a show. But they are all options at this point, and probably something will get crossed off the list eventually.

And lastly, I threw the last MacNair’s Combined Training show on the list because… that could be the perfect venue to try out a Second level dressage test. How exciting could that be?!

Until May, we will be simply focusing on channeling more positive thoughts and getting back to 100%, and then it will be a matter of seeing how things go from there! Happy planning 🙂

Glimpses of Dressage

Posted on April 20, 2015 by Britt

Forgive me this week. I’m riding the struggle bus this week with both life and work moving at full throttle, and the struggle bus, like any other bus, goes 45 mph at best.

The good news is that I got to see the Foster pony a lot this weekend, and am seeing more and more improvement in his demeanor. That means I come home every evening with horse slobber from shoulder to fingertips and a smile on my face.

FENCE, September 2014

Yesterday we had the barn to ourself and while it was dismal outside, the lower temps helped put a little pep in his step. I decided to bypass the extra feeding before exercise since he had recently finished dinner, and the lack of mash rumbling around his stomach may have helped as well.

Re-using photos yay

We started with lots of bend on a figure 8 at the walk in order to get him bending properly and moving into each leg and hand equally, and help him let go with the stiff base of his neck. When I saw the slobber on both sides of his mouth we started trotting, and he offered some lovely stretchy trot that must have felt wonderful to his back.

Following that I asked for canter and started to ask him to sit down and stay active, rather than the loopy stretchy canter that I have been doing, and while it wasn’t perhaps amazing test quality, I considered it successful enough. Now that he is improving a bit I am trying to get that rear end a little stronger before asking anything too serious of him. In that vein I also tried a bit of leg yield, and was surprised that he seems to flip which direction was easier for him. When he was staying soft and moving away from my leg I called it a day. All this is 30 minutes of riding, and he finished with perked ears and a happy attitude.

CHP, November 2014

I realize that is potentially a rather boring post, but having a happy ride with no trantering, nappiness, or sour grape faces is a big deal. We haven’t had that kind of ride since early March.

I don’t know how much I’ll be able to replicate our success this week, but that ride, though not brilliant or exciting by normal standards, should last me the week nonetheless.

Case of the Dying Stubben

Posted on April 15, 2015 by Britt

Let’s recognize something first off- I am not a tack ho. I will invest in quality pieces, and then typically use them until they die. My grooming box still has my maiden name on it, written in permanent marker, and I’ve had it since middle school. When it comes to most things, I’m of the ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ mentality.

This bridle

So I have had a horse sized Stubben bridle that also dates back to middle school. It’s been fit to countless horses, as is indicated by the indentations made by buckles all up and down the leather. It’s my everyday bridle, and my show bridle. The rein stops are molded to my hands, and I love it.

This bridle

Sadly though, I think it’s reached retirement age.

No matter how much I clean the thing, the ‘shine’ has really gone out of it. On days with any kind of humidity (and let’s be real, this is North Carolina- there’s pretty much always some humidity, and in the summertime you drown in it), the reins start to flake away in my hands. A swears the thing is going to disintegrate any day now.

This bridle

But I’m loathe to part with it and buy some cheap bandaid of a bridle, after using this supple piece of German leatherwork for more than a decade. If I were to replace it, and I probably need to, I want to find a similarly well made piece of tack with nice leather. Picking up new bridles, my hands have a hard time imagining how the often inflexible leather will feel after conditioning- how much difference will it make to the product I see before me?

So I’m reaching out to you, dear friends- edumacate me. What brands are out there that you recommend? If you know of a bridle that fits these requirements, where should I look and what should I expect to feel leather-wise once it arrives?

Black, high quality leather
Flash or Optional Flash Bridle
Leather reins or rubber lined reins
Anatomic Fit
Does not cost arm, leg, and promise of first born child to acquire

Help a non-tack ho out!

Quality Times

Posted on April 13, 2015 by Britt

I spent the weekend focusing on the house and horses, and it was a pleasant reminder of what life can be like when not constantly chasing a season. Not that I don’t love competing, I do, but there is something just so nice about not having any real plans or schedule to worry about.

This coming from the girl that was champing at the bit to plan our potential ~~glorious~~ Training debut. Well, that’s horses for you folks, and we all find peace where we can.

Part of my non-competing weekend including supporting J at MacNair’s for a Novice CT, and playing photographer with a continuingly crap-focusing camera. I really enjoyed watching Jasper go and catching up with a lot of folks I know from the equestrian community. Bonus that I got to see a couple logo projects being displayed on various shirts and fleeces being worn about the show.

Even a bling squirrel finds a nut though

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes (aka the adorable OTTB Jasper in dressage mode)

I then got to go visit with my BFF, A, and her amazing Appendix gelding, Bo. These guys are a real comeback kid story- from Hunter/Jumper glory to eventing, and after multiple mishaps (not eventing related btw), to being almost retired with one functioning leg of the four. Now Bo is learning to be a dressage horse, and the transformation from broken horse to where he is now left me awed. The wonders of dressage, people!

Jasper again

The weekend wrapped with heading out to my own barn for some quiet time with Fosterpants. I love being met with a whinny when he first spots me, and spent a long time just sitting in the grass and watching him be. I did hop on for a whopping 25 minutes, and while he started off a bit stunted and eh, he settled into the work and we did long and low at trot and canter before I put him in for the evening. Joy of all joys!

I hope everyone else had a peaceful or fun weekend, and got lots of similar quality pony time. It’s good for the soul!

Let’s Discuss: What’s your Horse Show Style?

Posted on April 8, 2015 by Britt

New hat, same old natty sweatpants and ‘Ugly Boots’

Over the years, I have started being a little more aware of what my appearance is in between rides. Not like I dress up by any means, but at least now I don’t wear sweatpants with holes in them anymore. Also, I have more-or-less retired my Camoflauge Cookout hat. (go ahead, judge me!)

One of my main take-aways from our trip to Hunterland last year was just how ‘done’-up’ everyone looked, even when relaxing ring-side. I saw trainers (owners? riders?) in pearls, elegant visor-wearers, and more collared shirts than a frat house could hold. The fashion on display was pretty impressive, and definitely made an impression on me. Fashion sense and horse sense were quite the combination!

Everyone dresses like a SmartPak model

On the other end of the spectrum, I can remember one rather eventful season in Intercollegiate dressage when we as a team decided we were going to up our standards with one simple rule: Thou shall not wear pajamas to shows.

Not that the No Pajamas rule would stop me from looking like a hobo (I don’t dress like this anymore, by the way, at least most of the time..)

These days, in between classes/events my typical horse show outfit is as follows: jeans, my Mango Bay belt, the waterproof shoes I fondly call my “Ugly Boots”, ideally a collared sun shirt and some sort of small stud earrings. I may not quite fit in with the fashion pros, but I’m not entirely embarrassing (I don’t think?). One of these days I would love to upgrade my Ugly Boots to Dublin or Dubarry River Boots, but for now, they’ll have to do.

We is goobers.

What do you guys wear to hang out in at horse shows? Are you of the all-breeches-all-the-time club? Diamonds and pearls? Or are you a horse show trend-setter?

3 weeks later and back in the saddle

Posted on April 7, 2015 by Britt

After 3 long weeks, I finally sat on my horse yesterday!

Foster’s friend made him a get well soon basket

After checking to see how his NiBBle Net was holding up (Foster and I both think that thing is awkward), and letting him eat his mash while tacking up (PS no girthy-ness exhibited, though it could be the distraction of the food) I lunged him for a couple minutes in each direction.

Awkward face + Awkward NiBBle Net. Also, husband thought those were ribs poking out until I assured him it was likely just fat crinkles

Lazy, lazy pony. But still, no real nappiness, so I hopped aboard.

Those ears, I have missed them.

I really only sat on him for 15 minutes, most of which was at the walk. When we trotted, ha, if you could call it that- jogged? Tralked? I let him do as he pleased and gave him lots of good boy’s even though he looked like a spotted giraffe camel while doing it.

At the end of our miniscule ride he did start to seek the contact and after a few steps of stretchy trot I called it a good day. Poor boy was sweaty due to temps in the mid 70s and obviously being out of shape. Also my own shortcomings, as documented in yesterday’s post. Surely it will take some time to build back up the fitness.

Foster’s frand

We’ll continue with these mini rides for a while and keep walking and trotting until he seems happily cantering. I’m trying not to hold him to any kind of timeline, I’m mentally prepared for 6 weeks of ulcer treatment, and after talking to another boarder who’s grade 3 ulcer horse was treated for 2 months, I’m now thinking it may be even longer.

Still- I can’t tell you how good it felt to be back in the saddle!

Side Effects of Ulcer Treatment

Posted on April 3, 2015 by Britt

Not listed on the little tubes of Omeprazole:

Warning: Rider may experience frustration/anxiety/crankiness due to not riding.

Warning: Rider may or may not gain 5-10 lbs, due to not riding.

Warning: Horse may lose his beautiful topline, due to not riding.

Warning: Horse may gain weight. Just like rider, it will go straight to his gut. (Kidding- thank goodness my horse is gaining weight)

Warning: Rider may have to delay move-up to Training another year, due to not riding.

While I whinge about our waistlines and all that, it should be noted, there have also been some positives from the ulcer treatment:

Warning: Horse may start prancing around his field, the little show off.

Warning: Horse may want to move forward again.

Warning: Horse may become a happier, brighter eyed beastie.

happy

Eh, so I guess it’s OK, all in all 🙂

Plans to *gasp* sit in my saddle tonight, hope this goes well!

First post-ulcer workout

Posted on April 2, 2015 by Britt

So, I lunged Foster on Tuesday to see how he felt. He definitely was brighter and happier in his stall, but I wasn’t sure how exercise would go. I was looking for nappy behavior, anger or running around in obvious discomfort. This was the first time doing anything with him in about 2 weeks, and a full week into his ulcer treatment. Per the vet’s directions, he munched on some alfalfa mash before heading to the arena.

Watch out y’all, crazy horse on the loose.

Although sinfully lazy, I thought his overall demeanor was quite relaxed and pleasant. Maybe he was a bit slower due to the full belly, but I’ll take the improvement for sure!