Two Paths

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Britt

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Yesterday marked day 9 of our 10 day Previcox trial. And given that tonight it will be approximately 10 degrees, I chatted with the vet to make sure day 8 and 9 would be a good indicator of the drug’s success (it would). So I hopped on (still wearing 1,000 layers from hanging out at the Bobby Costello clinic- post to come), and after a 20 minute walk warmup, had a friend video.

Verdict- he’s significantly improved, though obviously still not 100%. I tried not to make a big effort to put him together and allow him to do his thing for the most part, except when he kept trying to hop into canter while trotting to the right- that’s when I gave up and did sitting trot in order to establish a true trot rhythm.

After sending the video to my vet, along with twenty new questions- I got the verdict. No need to go straight to retirement. He is serviceably sound enough to be a trail riding and light ring work horse, or we could see if anything changes with 8 months off. Two roads- and one horse.

Finding good juju, courtesy of Straight Shot Metal Smashing

Right now my first choice would be to find him that free lease situation, as it would guarantee that he would continue to get the care and attention I want him to have. Also, finding a reasonable pasture board situation is proving to provide less leads at the moment. But the person to take over riding my spotted pony will have to be a trustworthy individual who finds Foster just as charming as I do. I’m trying to be realistic in that the first person who comes along may not be a good match, or even the second, but I have a lot of faith that the right person is out there.

I’ve started shooting emails to individuals who may be interested, and I’m hoping to be able to enact a plan either way in the next few weeks. If no one suitable comes forward before then, I’ll send Foster to my parent’s farm to start his pasture period until I can find an appropriate board situation around here. At least that’s the plan as it stands right now!

Moving… Hobbling Forward

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Britt

First of all, thank you so much for the kind comments, messages, and phone calls since this weekend. You don’t know who your friends are until you’re really down, and it was uplifting to hear so many words of support and sympathy.

I dealt with the initial shock Saturday by going into a typical (for me) emotional brain freeze, and then crying and imbibing lots of wine when it all started to sink in. And that was before Ali stopped by with 3 more bottles of wine and a tiny carton of Ben and Jerry’s. Screw lactose intolerance, I needed some ice cream therapy.

But since then I have tried, for now, to be forward looking, instead of being purely retrospective (although that’s coming- expect a couple sappy posts in the future). And there are some major things to attend to in the near (next 12 months) future.

For one, I implemented phase one of my plan to buy a truck 3 days prior to getting Foster’s news. That is to say, I sold my car. And then of course realized that those pennies I’d been saving up for a hauling vehicle would likely have another purpose, since obviously, homeboy isn’t going to be competing, or clinicing, or lessoning anytime soon. So I’ve been scavenging around for a vehicle that was more gas-efficient, and if we need to go anywhere, I’ll just have to beg borrow and steal a pickup for the day.

Of course there’s what-to-do with Foster, as well. I’ve been trying to imagine what the optimal life would be like for him, and come to the conclusion that this horse needs interaction. He begs for attention, hams for treats, and in general is one of the sweetest, most personable and cuddliest horses I’ve ever met- that doesn’t strike me as the type of horse you through out to pasture to mind his own business for the next 10 years. Ideally, I’d like to get him sound enough that I could find a free lease situation, someone interested in trail riding and occasional flatwork, but that is looking more for a horse to dote on then anything else. But of course, I’ve got to get him comfortable first.

We’re still working a little. This is our trial phase with the previcox, and Monday evening I’ll be able to assess at all 3 gaits if he’s more comfortable on the drug. That will be very telling, but I must divulge- I’m not holding my breath.

The other option I’m seriously considering after a long heart-to-heart with my vet is letting him be on full turnout for 6-8 months, and just see if consistent, low-key movement will allow his body to heal. So I’m trying to find a situation for him that would allow for this and still let me love on him and monitor his progress.

If I can’t find the perfect place to put him, the next step is Adequan/Legend/similar product. If anyone has specific recommendations on one of these options- I’m all ears as I try to learn all I can. Then he’ll stay in some semblance of work (even if it’s just walking) and see where it goes.

We’re moving forward. Slowly, cautiously, but forward nonetheless.

The Post I Never Thought I’d Write

Posted on January 11, 2016 by Britt

Here’s the big one! Move up to Training!
~~Increase strength in haunches through cavaletti work (2-3x/week)~~
~~Walk-Canter-Walk transitions~~
- ~~Lead changes~~
~~Completing a Second Level dressage test with a score over 63%~~
~~-new- Participate in at least one dressage clinic~~

Oh how much can change in a week.

After my long 20 minute walk warmup last Thursday, I picked up the trot and immediately alarm bells went off in my head. I hopped off and threw him on the lunge and saw this:

And my heart sank. I put him up in his stall with lots of scratches and good boy’s and called the vet.

Two days later we poured over him, palpating, assessing, flexing, talking. On the lunge he looked just the same, and when he couldn’t pick up the left lead after three different attempts, we had a discussion.

My vet looked me in the eye, and said she had to be unsentimental about his prognosis.

She knew my goals of Training level CT’s/Eventing, and bar that, of 2nd and 3rd level dressage. And she said he would never do what I wanted him to do.

For clarification, I asked- you mean he’ll never jump again?

“Sorry Britt, I don’t think so.”

And what about 2nd/3rd level dressage?

“Not without an obscene amount of maintenance.”

It turns out my almost-9 year old has a slew of issues. Beyond the front fetlock chip and subsequent arthritis, he also has mild neck arthritis, probable arthritis in his hind left fetlock, slight hock arthritis and now stifle issues that are in turn aggravating his SI area. In order to maintain him at the level of dressage competition I was aiming for, I would have to inject all of those areas. Which beyond being financially impossible to keep up, isn’t fair to him.

We’ve got a couple things to try first. He’s on 10 days of Previcox, and we’ll see if this anti-inflammatory can make him comfortable enough to stay in work. If not, we’ll look into Adequan and similar products, and consider injecting at least the stifle. If he can be made comfortable enough to be worked, and build up the muscle required to support his weak areas (the muscle loss from stall rest, etc likely being what has made these issues so obvious), then we’ll be in a better place. We could at least “putz around” as my vet said, trail riding and doing really basic ring work. But he has to be comfortable first.

As to our future, I am still trying to figure things out. I have a lot of questions. And luckily, Foster is not without fans. I’m hopeful that I can find a solution that works for both of us.

2016. Not the year of redemption after all.

Happy days, CHP, May 2014

Let’s Discuss: Muzzle musings

Posted on January 6, 2016 by Britt

Though it’s been a thing in mainland Europe for some time, hairy muzzles have just recently become acceptable in the US Dressage scene in the last couple years. And though I admit it’s still tidy compared to a completely untouched face (it appears to me that the top half of the muzzle is trimmed, but not the bottom lip/chin), I still prefer a more svelte outline.

From what I understand (and any full-blooded DQ’s are welcome to speak up and correct me), these whiskers are meant to help the horse maneuver through his environment, and so it is a kindness to the horse to leave some whiskers intact.

A proper dressage horse with whiskers

All of the upper level eventers I’ve seen have their horses trimmed to the nines, and that includes any wispy muzzle, ear, or even tail hairs. Why the difference? No idea.

An eventer’s trimmed profile

Other disciplines have different views on facial grooming, and of course there are plenty of opinions to vary within those disciplines. Muzzles aside, I know those who won’t clip the ears in the summer because of bugs, or in the winter because it’s cold, and pretty much every reason in between. Who knew facial hair could be such a hot topic?!

Foster showing off his maw

Obviously, I fall in line with the eventers on this one. Truthfully, my opinions on trimming probably come more from my mother than from any trends, but it’s always nice to be in good company. And yet, a tiny little piece of me feels guilty as I zoom the clippers over his muzzle.

What do you do when it comes to trimming? Do you change your horse’s grooming regimen with the season? Share your thoughts!

2016 Goals

Posted on January 4, 2016 by Britt

Now that the holidays (and my unintended blogging absence – sorry folks) are over, it’s time to look forward to all that 2016 has to offer. 2015 was a tumultuous year for Foster and I, and I’ve been hoping for a long time that 2016 will bring some redemption to us. So, without further ado, here’s what I hope to accomplish and strive for in the coming year.

The Horse
Really this is a re-hash of our 2015 goals that weren’t accomplished due to unforeseen medical circumstances. However, I still hope to be successful in them, even if it’s a year later!

Here’s the big one! Move up to Training!
Increase strength in haunches through cavaletti work (2-3x/week)
Walk-Canter-Walk transitions
- Lead changes
Completing a Second Level dressage test with a score over 63%
-new- Participate in at least one dressage clinic

The big caveat is that I won’t know how his fetlock will feel as we continue to recover. Jumping will remain to be the biggest question mark, and I’m determined to just see how it goes- if he tells me that he can’t do it, we’ll just have to focus on dressage domination instead.

The House

Paint upstairs – hallway, study, State room
Wrap up giant handyman to-do list covering all sorts of small sins
Declutter in the extreme….
In order to put the house on the market!

Surprise!

One of the original goals for this house, and the reason we decided to take on all the challenges that purchasing a foreclosure brings, was that in selling the house we would be able to afford our dream home. Now there’s still a lot of kinks to be figured out, and probable changes to our plans, but come summer, the House on the Hill may be home to a family besides ours. Updates to come as they happen!

Documenting Fair Hill | PC: JP

The Rest
Even though 2015 was an emotional roller coaster, I felt like I ended it in a better place than I started. I can only hope that I can say the same thing when we wrap up 2016. But until then, these are the goals that I have for myself.

Health
- Eat less red meat
- Make a dedicated effort to consider myself an athlete as a rider and take responsibility for staying in decent shape
Concentrate on photography and expanding my range of work
- Complete 10-15 sessions this spring – my fingers are itching for that shutter button!
- First newborn session!
Stay positive and keep calamities in perspective

Here’s to many more memories in 2016!

Well, there you have it! Here’s hoping that 2016 is a joyous and successful year for everyone! Happy new year!

Let’s Discuss: Horses and Potato Chips

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Britt

Horses are like potato chips – you can’t only have one. Or can you?

Right now I’m a single horse mother (for lack of another word), but that hasn’t always been the case. In high school I competed both Merry and Mac in eventing, and so had the responsibility of keeping both in shape, training, taking lessons, and generally keeping both in show-ready condition. It was frequently exhausting, but the completely different rides (Merry being hot, well schooled jumping, but prone to ultra sensitive antics, and Mac being quiet, but opinionated and green, as well as being a pony) kept things really interesting and exciting.

Merry going Novice @ The Fork

Mac

But for the last ten years, my attentions have always been dedicated to one horse at a time. This meant that my relationship with that horse was always a lot more close and my investment in the journey that much more.

Cuddles with Ivan

But there are times, like now, when having two horses doesn’t sound like that bad of an idea again. Having a second horse would allow me to continue an active riding career while I figured out what is going on with Foster. Foster on the other hand, would absolutely hate this scenario, as I learned how jealous he is when I was briefly riding Bob a while back. He’d nicker to me every time I walked away from his stall, watching and making pathetic noises while I groomed and worked with the other horse. It sounds silly, but Foster enjoys being a pampered single [horse] child.

Plenty of personality to go around

Of course having two horses is a logistical pipe dream for me anyways, financially and regarding time. But as I watch friends go through the adventures of working two horses, or seeking out their second steed, it does make you wonder.

What about you? Do you have one horse? Two horses? What do you feel is the right mix for you? If you have two (or more) horses, how do you handle the balance of attending to both/all? In a perfect world, what would you do?

A is for Answers

Posted on December 15, 2015 by Britt

If you’ve been reading this for any amount of time, you’ve probably realized that I really like answers. Having a NQR issue without resolution is like a carrot on a string, and drives me bonkers. Oh yeah, and you’ve probably also notice that I may or may not be ~~a crazy passionate horsewoman~~ Type A. It’s a lost cause.

So when the farrier came out, put the hoof testers on Foster and got nothing, I was frankly pretty disappointed. I really wanted just one little flinch that would indicate the sore spot and then we could fix it and get on our merry way. Instead, we had a very long conversation about next steps. Between farrier and vet (thank you for working together, I love you forever), these are:

Continue with normal plan for hind feet – rocker shoes, short toe, packed with magic cushion every other cycle
Change front feet- bring breakover point back with shorter toe and half-round shoes
Add leather pads and magic cushion temporarily to front feet to alleviate any soreness
Get a chiropractor out
After his session, begin trotting again
Wait 2 weeks and re-evaluate

Sigh.

I’ll be working with a new chiropractor that the vet recommends, because at this point I feel like I’m still forming my A team and I want everyone to communicate well- so she can fill the chiropractor in regarding all the nonsense of the last several months before coming.

Here’s officially hoping they never find my blog.

So anyways. I suppose we’ll be just walking for a little while longer, instead of cantering as we were supposed to do this week. Chiropractor to the rescue?

2015 Goal Review

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Britt

It’s almost the end of the year, which means that it’s time to look back at the goals I made in January and see how we’ve done!

Horse Goals

Here’s the big one! Move up to Training!
Increase strength in haunches through cavaletti work (2-3x/week)
Walk-Canter-Walk transitions
- Lead changes
Completing a Second Level dressage test with a score over 63%
~~Get a 7 on a lengthening~~ completed 2/11/15

Bahahahahahahahaha…. goals. Ulcers knocked us out from February until about April. The only silver lining is that prior to this we did complete a winter clinic at the Carolina Horse Park, where you could say we moved up to Training, except that it didn’t include cross country- so I’m going to call that goal incomplete. We did however make great new contacts in Mr. Robert Costello, trainer extraodinaire, and also got a 7 in our first attempt at a judged lengthening, all at that outing.

In the short time between April and July when we were in full work, I can proudly say that Foster’s booty was strong. While some of this was cavaletti/ground pole related, a lot of it probably had to do with the more intense collected work we did, including starting to teach piaffe. I’m going to call that one a win.

The rest, as you all know, is a wash. After a lesson at the end of June with Bobby C, Foster became NQR to downright lame. After throwing all kind of diagnostic tests at him we eventually discovered negative palmar angles and a bone chip in his front right stifle. Everything post August has been about recovering from surgery.

Personal 2015 Goals

Be a better competitor
Stop over-thinking the distance
~~Stop overthinking people~~
~~Lose 10 lb~~

Well- the first 2 obviously being horse related didn’t happen. So let’s look at the last couple. A couple months ago I had some minor health issues that put my anxiety through the roof, and finding a solution to [all of that] has been a major life-changer for me. So win on the ‘not overthinking people’ goal. Then happily, as a result of starting to ride again, sticking to a pretty low-carb/non-starch ~~diet~~ change in my diet has allowed me to lose the 10 pounds as well. I feel a lot better and have way more energy to boot- no more 2pm caffeine crash! Win.

A photo from our Christmas party this weekend- gotta love being surrounded by such fun horsewomen!

House 2015 Goals

~~Granite kitchen countertop~~
~~Aerate + seed front and back yard~~
Paint upstairs hallway
Paint the NC State Room
~~Be better about blogging about the house!~~

Hey, look! Some big goals accomplished here- how about that. The kitchen finally got it’s complete makeover, in the form of both the granite countertops and something that wasn’t even on the list- painting the kitchen cabinets! All this has definitely provided some (in my mind) interesting house fodder for the blog- what do you guys think? The other painting projects got left behind as a result of focusing on the kitchen- but I see a roller in my future very soon!

Overall
If I were looking at my goals list alone, it looks like a total failure. Our success rate is 42% – not so hot by anyone’s standards. But, looking at the bigger picture, there are still some big accomplishments.

The silver lining of Foster’s situation is that I learned a lot more about what my horse takes to be healthy and happy (i.e, ulcer prevention techniques, icing after workouts, etc etc). By taking the time to really truly diagnose his NQR lameness, we discovered a bone chip, and by proactively doing surgery, are hopefully prolonging his career as a sporthorse. I can close 2015 by knowing I have done absolutely everything within my power to help him be successful in 2016 and years to come. And that’s a comforting feeling.

My sweet boy in his pre-surgery photoshoot

The house has undergone huge changes, and bar several small projects, feels done. The culmination of this was our Christmas Party this weekend, when everyone finally got to see the kitchen in all it’s madeover glory, and truthfully, it made me so proud to think of all the husband and I have accomplished. It’s been a wild 2.5 years, and the end is in sight!

A full before and after House post coming in 2016!

And then there’s those pesky personal goals. I didn’t get a chance to improve my overall competitor attitude, but the year’s challenges have (I think) made me a better horsewoman. Certainly someone more knowledgeable about little things like bone chips and ulcers, at the least. I’ve made changes in finding a better me as well, though that will certainly always be a work in progress.

2015- another year of changes, challenges, and a little cheer. 2016 – looking to you to be a year of happiness and success!

A speed bump in the road to recovery

Posted on December 9, 2015 by Britt

Ugh.

Let me repeat that.

UGHHHHHH.

Over the weekend, at the end of my ride, which included a little lateral work and a couple trot poles, I thought Foster felt a little off. Not lame per se, but just not 100%. Call it intuition.

So I gave him the next day off, and Monday went out to put him on the lunge and get some video to send to my vet.

Verdict? Slightly off right-hind.

UGHHHHHHH.

Thankfully, the thought is that he is due to be shod, and as such, those toes are a little long and his heels are a little low, which is causing a bit of ouchiness. Not much else has changed in his routine (pasture size, etc, remained same, just added a tish more trot into our work), so it seems like natural hoof growth could be to blame.

The farrier comes on Thursday, and so until then I’m giving him a few days off.

So, here’s hoping that my pony is feeling better by the weekend. Please.

Christmas Chores

Posted on December 7, 2015 by Britt

This weekend we at the House on a Hill are hosting our annual holiday party. I absolutely love playing hostess, and get a sick sort of pleasure from the rush to complete myriad little projects before the big event.

Such projects have thus far included finally painting up the dinged bathroom cabinets, trim, and doors in the guest bathrooms:

Scrubbing the entry railings and trim so it’s free of green dust:

And then some more mundane tasks, like mowing the grass, spreading fresh pine straw, and clearing all of the boxes used to support painted cabinet doors from the garage.

Taking time away from chores for a quick shoot with my favorite model

It all probably sounds very tedious, but I suppose that’s one of the pleasures of being a homeowner- while you have a lot of responsibility, you can take great pride in the work that you’ve done.

Coming soon- a Christmas decor photoshoot from the house on a hill!