No foot, no horse

Russell got new shoes on his front feet yesterday; his right one grows wonky if we don't keep it supported. Our farrier has done some inventive things to keep his feet optimal, and yesterday was no exception. But Russell's feet weren't nearly the adventure that Ollie's were; he's been digging holes in his graveled paddock to the point that his soles are thin and one has an abscess. So Troy had to build two custom shoes for Ollie; one with a hospital plate so the abscess can be treated but also protected from the gravel, and the other, with a regular pad to protect the foot, to match the first in thickness. As I was watching the craftsman work, I thought "I should be taking pictures!" Fortunately I had my camera with me; below are some of the results I liked:






If I spent as much on my own feet as we do on the horses, I'd be another Imelda Marcos!

Pining

I've been getting Russell out every other day for a short ride or hand-walking, as per our vet's orders. But the other horses are now getting out for a couple hours of grazing every afternoon, which Russell is NOT allowed to do, as per our vet's orders. Too much risk of re-injury at this point, if he busts some moves in the pasture. So he stays in, pining for his stablemates - and all that green grass.

Back in the saddle again

Last night, two months to the day from when I noticed that Russell was short-striding with his left hind, I got back on my horse with my vet's permission. Granted, we only walked around the arena for ten minutes, but we were still "together again." It seems like so much longer than two months, but I remind myself that it would be much longer if I didn't have a vet with an extracorporeal shock wave machine for a husband! There isn't a faster way to heal up soft-tissue injuries than this therapy, and Rick combined it with an IWRAP treatment as well, so we've given Russell every advantage in becoming sound again. Well, except for that day recently when Brian left Russell's stall door open and Russell cavorted around in the lawn and pasture; I am praying he didn't damage something else in that escapade!

Anyway, Russell was a perfect gentleman on our short ride in spite of being cooped up for two months. That's one of the many things I love about this horse; he's no dead-head, but he's about as steady as they come. Our first scheduled horse-camping trip of the year is over Memorial Day weekend, so I plan to talk a lot of those (very short at first) walks to get us both back in riding shape!

More time for "lamb watch"

A week ago Saturday, March 6, Brian had a friend over after church who wanted to ride horses. So Breezy and Russell graciously gave "pony rides" in our arena. I observed out loud, "Russell is short-striding on his left hind." Rick said, "I see that." Sigh.

So a week ago Rick had some time and started his investigation. Although Russell was short-striding with his left hind, he was positive on the flexion test to his right hind, so Rick started there. He had time to do a six-point nerve block (blocks the foot and pastern) and a suspensory nerve block; neither changed Russell's way of going. Rick didn't have time to do more until today. Since nerve blocks interfere with a good ultrasound image, Rick shaved Russell's suspensory and stifle areas on his left hind and ultrasounded them first. His stifle looks good; his suspensories, not so much. So Rick did the same nerve blocks on the left hind and as we suspected, the lower block didn't change anything, but the suspensory block did. Rick checked his records and confirmed this was the same area Russell injured two years ago and Rick treated with extracorporeal shock wave. He treated it again with shock wave, but is thinking of using IRAP as well. It is not reassuring that Russell has injured it again, especially since he has not been worked hard in the last two years. Indeed, I can't seem to keep him sound long enough to get him fit for hard work!

Right now we have two lame horses and two old horses; you'd think we ran a home for the aged and infirm here....

A three-horse day, not a three-dog night

I've been on three horses today, the most "horsing around" that I've done in I don't know how long!

First I got on Breezy, Brian's pony. The last couple times Brian has ridden her, she's bucked at the canter - getting him off once. Since we got her to build Brian's confidence, this was a big step backward and not welcome. Rick felt that some remedial training was in order and I was the obvious choice to do it. After re-establishing law and order, Brian and I headed out on a road ride. (I rode Russell; mount #2.) Happily, Breezy behaved like a perfect little lady for Brian, and he had a great time.

This evening I felt like I entered a time machine. Last Sunday I had a completely unexpected phone conversation with the lady we bought this place from 15 years ago. She asked about us and our animals, and I asked about her and hers. That's how I learned she has a tall six-year-old Morgan she got as a weanling and who isn't really suited to her, and, well, I got curious. So tonight I met up with her at the barn where this Morgan boy is stabled, and got to ride him, too.

So why did that feel like a time machine? Because my very best dancing partner was a Morgan gelding that I bought as a long weanling and trained through the levels, hitting the top spot in the USDF All-Breed Awards from First Level through Prix St. George. Axel (Rogue Hills Galaxy) was my first and only Morgan, and a real departure mentally, emotionally and physically from any other horse I've ridden. By the time I reluctantly parted with him almost eight years ago, I had come to love and appreciate that horse like no other, and the horse I rode tonight reminded me of Axel in so many ways. Is there a second Morgan in my future? I don't know; I really don't know.