When one door closes....

An intense year of struggling to diagnose and treat Lance's Inflammatory Airway Disease effectively shelved any future hopes or plans I had for doing more with him than basic training and trail-riding ("Not that there's anything wrong with that!" to quote Jerry Seinfeld ;-). Earlier this year I toyed with getting a youngster as a future competitive dancing partner, but with my dad's death, preceded and followed by challenging family dynamics, I had to let that dream go as well.

Lance and I were moseying along in our new normal when he somehow sustained another suspensory injury, but Bentley came along just in time to keep me in the saddle and reignite a flicker of hope for more. By the time that little flame was thoroughly doused, Lance was able to be walked again and so we've pottered along. Lance is now back up to what we were able to do before the suspensory injury, and we have our first horse-camping trip of the year under our girth (pictures here).

Meanwhile, Lance has become a CHUNK! I marvel, because at the beginning of last year he was wasting away and I was doing everything I could reverse the weight loss. He shed out beautifully this year, too, after nearly going bald last spring. Between the minimal work and the maximum poundage his endurance is low, but his breathing has stabilized even though we've eliminated the antihistamines and even lowered the prednisolone dose just slightly (he still gets spirulena and flaxseed meal). Our challenges to better fitness are time and place. The sand arena has dried out to the combination of hard and shifty that I don't trust, and our ride-out-from-home range is getting ever more restricted with continued development. I've been putting Lance's Renegade boots on so we can use the gravel roads more, and am contemplating front shoes. I was looking forward to hauling to the beach and elsewhere with my best riding buddy, but she broke her ankle so is out of commission for at least another month. :-(

But wait; what's behind Door #2? Door #2??? I didn't even know there was a Door #2 until a month ago, when someone seeking a dressage instructor was referred to me by another professional. After her first lesson, the owner of the barn where student #1 sometimes boards also expressed interest in dressage lessons, and turned into student #2. Then student #2 referred student #3 to me, a 13-year-old who boards at her barn and really wants to learn dressage. Student #3 came out for her first lesson on Sunday – and Lance became a schoolmaster! I'm still trying to process this surprising turn of events even while feeling thankful and affirmed. Life is a wild ride!

Stepping it up

No supermodels this week; we're too busy getting ready for our first horse-camping trip of the year!

Rick checked Lance's right front suspensory with the ultrasound this week and said it's looking really good. Lance is feeling good, too. I've been putting the Renegade boots on his front feet and he feels much more forward when wearing them. We took our most ambitious ride of the year through the woods Tuesday evening.

The horses are getting up to three hours of pasture a day now, and Lance is showing it.

Good thing we're cleared to up our exertion level!

On motivation and perspective

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted! I've thrown out occasional tidbits on Instagram (see blue button at right) while going through the many necessary motions and riding a bit of an emotional roller coaster, exacerbated by not enough sleep. But things feel a little saner at the moment, so it's time to sit down and share.

First of all, we had a great time at Cowboy Campmeeting. We got the best campsite we've ever had – close to the provided horse water and the meeting tent, and shaded by firs we could use for high-lining.

We didn't get an electric-fence paddock set up this year, so we took the horses out to graze on the lush grass as often as possible; it helped offset the rich alfalfa hay they weren't used to (the only certified weed-free hay we could find). I felt bad that Lance couldn't lay down and rest, but not enough to give him a longer lead. Every year at least one horse gets hung up on its lead while high-lined, ending up with a severe rope burn and likely strained and sore body parts from the struggle; it happened to someone again this year. Nope; not worth it!

Lance and I went on wonderful trail rides every day, thanks to Rick joining us twice, and friends riding Ollie the other two days. One of those days was the organized competitive trail ride! I was afraid that might be beyond Lance's capacity this year and was prepared to sit it out, but after Rick and I rode most of the route we decided it was do-able. And to my great surprise (since I was thrilled just to be able to participate), Lance took Reserve High Point Horse and I got Reserve High Point Adult!

After we got back home from Cowboy Campmeeting, a couple things we had ordered arrived. First, Rick bought this fancy new nebulizer with which to treat Lance. But things were too hectic to start using it right away, between unpacking and cleaning up from our trip and all of us working at Rick's clinic while his secretary was on vacation. And once we did start using it, it took FAR longer to administer each treatment than we were lead to believe it would – and I had to do that twice a day for a week.

The two big advantages to this system is a better-fitting mask and a battery pack, so I can walk Lance during his treatment. That helps get the medicine further into his lungs where he needs it most. Unfortunately, he hasn't wanted to move much, and has been coughing a lot more when I do make him walk. He's had the same problems on the few short road rides we've taken, too. I really think Lance was doing better before adding the nebulized fluticasone to his treatment regimen.  :-(  Needless to say, that's discouraging, and robs me of the motivation to ride. (It doesn't help that our "riding world" is shrinking, either, what with the too-dry arena, hard gravel roads, and overgrown trails). The other thing I had ordered couldn't even pique my interest at first:

I got this on eBay from Germany. I did quite a bit of research and this style seems to address all the concerns and shortcomings I've seen in other bitless bridles. This type is even used in dressage and jumping competitions in Europe! Besides my lack of time, energy, and motivation, the German-language instructions had me stymied. But after the last of the twice-daily nebulizer treatments (YAY, just once a day now!), I sat down with my laptop and used an online translator to figure out how to set it up with headstall and reins. The next day I tried it out for a short ride, and it worked fine – as in nearly indistinguishable from our usual bridle (I took photos but they have disappeared into the ether, apparently).

Last Thursday evening our local dressage chapter had a get-together. In the course of conversation I learned that  one friend's horse had surgery for a compressed spinal cord and ended up with Sweeney shoulder; my instructor's promising filly (a Totilas offspring) had surgery for kissing spine; and her mother's schoolmaster isn't sound enough at this point to make the trailer ride to where they are moving in North Carolina. It was humbling to hear of these much bigger problems, and reminded me to be thankful that I can still enjoy some saddle time with my mustang, even if it isn't competitive or strenuous work.

The view from the top of one nearby gravel road (Mt. Jefferson in the distance)

As I said on Instagram, even if we aren't in "in clover," we can still be IN clover! ;-)

Just a little gas; it'll pass (hopefully!)

Last weekend we endured a heat wave, and this week we've been getting ready to go to Cowboy Campmeeting at the base of Mt. Adams, so I haven't been riding as much. I'm looking forward to enjoying the beautiful setting with my mental health mustang, family and friends; I know Lance won't be up to long or challenging rides, but there are easy trails, too. When we get back, his new inhaler mask and nebulizer should be waiting so we can start him on fluticasone to see if that improves his exercise intolerance. Thank goodness for Costco!

Rick had to get some additional parts to construct the hay steamer, so hopefully we can get that done when we get back, too.

When I went down to do morning chores today, Lance was lying down, not up and waiting for his "treat" (rice bran pellets make the medicine – Aller-Tec – go down quickly). I went into his stall and pet him; he still didn't get up. I decided to finish chores and keep an eye on him; when I left his stall he groaned and laid flat out in his stall. That sent me running flat out back to the house to get Rick; I've never seen Lance lay down like that, much less when he's usually up and nickering at me! Of course by the time we got back to the barn, Lance was up and eating breakfast. Rick said he had some gas; let's hope that's all it is (as we head into the wilderness for several days). =:-O

Happy campers

We are back from our annual Cowboy Campmeeting trip, which was chockful of adventures.

They started on the way there. We were cruising east on I-84 when a pick-up drew up alongside us. I looked over; he motioned back. As Rick started looking for a good place to pull over, another vehicle's driver came up and motioned to us. Eeek! Fortunately an exit ramp appeared where we could safely pull over. The problem? A totally shredded rear trailer tire. My adrenaline spiked as I thought of what could have happened had the tire on the front axle failed; praise be to God that it didn't. With two horses, three full water tanks, several bales of hay, tack, generator, and various other gear for our trip, that trailer was LOADED. Whew; so thankful!

I posted the above photo on Instagram, and a friend asked how Rick jacked up a fully loaded trailer to change the tire. We have this (sorry, couldn't get a good photo of ours in use), and it has been a life-saver. EVERY owner of a dual-axle trailer should own one; it's worth every penny!

As we approached our destination, I spotted smoke coming from the forested hillside above the campground. It looked like a small wildfire was just getting started! We pulled in and asked around, but no one knew about it. Concerned, we kept our eye on the smoke through the trees, wondering if we should set up camp or wait to be evacuated. Finally, one of our leaders called the Forest Service, and learned they had started a prescribed burn. Considering how very dry and windy it was, and the fact that campfires were banned, we were all astounded. The pros had it under control, though; by the next day, the fire was out. Another "Whew"!

Many of our group highlines their horses; we prefer to set up a paddock with hot wire so they can move around and lay down. (Some people use long-enough rope that their horses can eat from the ground and lay down while highlined, but we've seen too many bad rope burns – including one on Russell – to take that risk.) We found a lovely spot amidst some trees so they had shade most of the day.

During our first night there, I was gradually dragged from a very deep sleep by strange noises. Noises that sounded like hoof steps, but without the usual whinnying that occurs when someone's horses get loose. Still, Rick and I jumped up and threw some clothes on. A quick flashlight check of our paddock confirmed it was our horses gone walkabout – or should I say runabout! After they dashed past us a couple times we were able to catch the turkeys and tie them to the horse trailer while we set up a highline at o'dark thirty.

From then on, Lance and Ollie spent nights on the highline and days (when we weren't riding) in the paddock. That means we slept better at night, and they could get caught up in the daytime!

On Thursday, Brian and I participated in the competitive trail ride our group sets up every year. I was happily surprised Brian wanted to do it, and a bit relieved that we wouldn't be leaving Lance's buddy in camp. (Even the most independent of horses can act terribly herdbound when in the wilderness; I think it's a security thing.) Brian wanted to start first, so Lance was a pill about his disappearing buddy while I worked on getting him through the first obstacle (and once out of sight, Brian couldn't get Ollie to continue on the trail). Once Lance and I caught up, we stayed within sight of each other for the rest of the ride so both horses were happy campers.

Enjoying the spring-fed water trough at the end of the ride

The protected source provided refreshment for humans, too

I don't have any photos of me and Lance, but I did "dress for success" – I wore the fancy fringed breeches Theresa gave me!

That night at the meeting, the winners were announced. There were only two riders in the youth division, and Brian won the equitation award!

The next morning I couldn't get either of my guys to go for a ride, so when an acquaintance rode by on her pretty gaited mule and invited me to join a group for a trail ride, I threw my saddle on Lance and took off. It ended being a much longer ride than I anticipated; we were gone for several hours. I should have known better; the three riders on Tennessee Walkers in front (who peeled off on a different route for the return), and the two women behind me on mules are all used to longer rides than I am usually able to indulge in. Still, it was a beautiful ride.

Lance was very tense and screamed for his buddy much of the ride, but thankfully didn't get too crazy – as evidenced by my being able to shoot a few photos. Another "whew."

When we got back to the water trough, there was Rick on Ollie. He said he'd given up on us and was going to ride by himself, but would rather have us join him. So Lance and I added another hour or so to the many miles we'd already covered . . . but we did get to see more beautiful country, and my horse could finally relax.

Whenever I'm with a group like this, I enjoy noting the different breeds present. Besides mules, Walkers, quarter horses, mustangs (Lance wasn't the only one), Arabians, and Appaloosas, there was a Norwegian Fjord (of whom I didn't get a photo),

an Icelandic horse (with a gray Tennessee Walker behind him),

a Halflinger,

and a Percheron (who had once been a carriage horse at Disneyland).

Variety is the spice of life!

The horses got Sabbath off; on Sunday we took a conversational ride with friends before breaking camp.

No personal adventures on the way home, thankfully, but we saw the sobering smoke of a wildfire just outside The Dalles, Oregon. I heard on Tuesday that it was under control with no structures but a pump house lost. Hallelujah!

That's "our" beautiful Mt. Hood behind the smoke screen

In praise of the perfect trail pony

Our first horse-camping trip of the year has come and gone. It was practically perfect . . . after a bad scare on the way there when our truck overheated. Turned out the radiator had a leak and had run dry. We added fluid and limped to a town with a NAPA store where we could get some copper leak-fix, and that did the trick.

With that behind us, we could enjoy our favorite location, a good turn-out of like-minded friends, beautiful wildflowers, and glorious weather. I got to ride all three days, and Lance was such a good boy! In the past he has acted unhappy about going down hills, and would often stop unbidden going up hills; this time he motored along happily, and handled whatever we encountered with grace.

It was good to see him relax in camp, too. :-)

Mustangs in the forest

Cowboy Campmeeting 2015 was a blessing; I'm glad we went! (And I'm glad we went for a shorter period; it was just right.) We had a very small group; I think many were scared away (as I almost was) by the heat (and it WAS hot), plus the location had to be changed fairly close to the event. I didn't get photos of them, but there were three other mustangs in attendance, all of them wild-caught and BLM-branded. Some of our group also caught sight of a wild herd that roams this area; I would have loved to have seen that! (I had to "settle" for deer and pronghorn antelope.)

There was so much green grass where we camped, and although it was hot during the day, it cooled off nicely at night.

Everyone knows watermelon is a great hot-weather snack

Lance and I got rides in Thursday, Friday, and Saturday; other than some coughing during our last ride, Lance was fine. Friend Laura hauled her horse up Friday morning for a ride; it was so good to see her again.

I'm going to try and squeeze a ride in this evening before flying out tomorrow morning for a week. When I return, I hope to be back in the saddle again more regularly, join Kate and Dinah for some outings, and take another lesson with Julie.