Feeding

On another note entirely, I am also trying to monitor what we feed, how we feed, and overall, be as scientific in the process as we can. Considering we have a goat who kicks them both out of their feeds buckets (Sam!), horses that pick their buckets up and throw them (Sherwood!!!), and horses that in general, just are too nice for their own good (oh, Andi...), I think it's going as best it can.

Right now, we have been and are feeding 6 lbs of Kalm and EZ (Andi) or 5.2 lbs Fibremax (Sher), 3 lbs of alfalfa hay cubs soaked, 1/2 sc of Cool Calories, 1/2 sc of Farrier's Formula, 1 Sc Magnesium 5000mg, and 1 sc of MSM daily (Grain and cubes divided into 2 feedings). I am slowly transitioning Andi to Fibremax (2.5ish lbs of KnEZ + .6 lbs of Fibremax/ feeding on second week)bc I just like the nutritional values on it better, even if the KnEZ smells way better.. Who doesn't love Anise, honestly?? Black licorice fans, hear me roar!!

Anywaaaayyy.. They are also sharing free choice 1st cut hay in slow feeder nets round the clock. It has come out to 24 bales in 31 days. I counted today, as the last day of the month. So that would be... 38 lbs of hay/day. Or... Roughly 15 lbs of hay apiece if you give the goat 4 lbs to play with. We heart Sam the Saanen. See?

Three buckets and a bucket? :D

I am monitoring Andi's body scoring, and... after looking at his conformation shots of today, have decided he needs more weight and muscle. So, cavaletti and some increased calories for him. Yes, they have both been wormed and are completely up to date on all shots/worming/ulcery stuff. I went over his vet records from November to make sure. So.. calories and work. It is winter, after all. Maybe some beet pulp..?

Longlining day 2!!

So, there are no videos of the Fire Breathing Dragon, but Andi got a full portfolio. We did some conformation shots and some videos of OUR second day ever longlining. I am sure I screwed up a bunch in placement and technique, but he just... covers and carries on. All this for the woman who is asking about him. He got a little snarky when I asked him to do trot-walk transitions, but after he figured out it was going to get done, he did it. Also was a bit less pleased about stuff behind him, but figured it out and we changed directions multiple times without incident. Even went over the noodles without having a heart attack. Good boy!!! I am very excited to see how much less footsore he is- still without shoes! He may be one of those TBs who can be transitioned to barefoot. Sah-weet!! And props to Logimoose for showing up, shutting up, and helping me with ponies, lugging cavalettis, putting blankets back on.. And overall just being a good boyfriend. 

Sher was also very good, although it started out a bit less promising than I would've hoped for. But by the end, she was bending nicely in both directions without throwing shoulders, stopped thinking of rearing, there was no bucking at all! (Amazing!),  and.. we even got to trot. I decided canter wasn't going to be a good gait for today, so.. we'll try again Wednesday. Bahahah!!

On a more serious note, can I say that I'm kind of sad that we have people interested in him? I keep saying it- the more I deal with him, the more I like him. Can't wait to hop on and see what kind of shenanigans he has in store for me. We'll give his feet another couple of weeks and work him more consistently in hand before we try, but... It's going to happen soon. I moved cavaletti inside the indoor.. Sher and him are getting a workout. Bring it. I know my job. (I may have had 4 rum and cokes tonight and it's only 9:15. Bring on the New Year!!!)

Some more past found!

I went searching and I found some new footage of Mr. Andi from before New England.

These are from T1,  and.. I don't really see anything that screams "Run far and fast!!" In fact, I see a horse totally respectable and respective of his rider.

The more I see of this boy, the more I like him. *Smirks* Maybe I should be trying to sell Sher. Bahaha!

In any case, I have a woman asking about him and requesting videos. I am such a bad horse trader, I am cringing at telling her, "Oh yeah, he's bucked off everyone so I pulled his shoes and now he's lame as hell because we're planning on working only on ground work and building up his hella unbalanced topline so MAYBE I can get a saddle to fit both him and Sher in the spring.. When I plan on getting back on him." So I told her I pulled his shoes and he's footsore and I'll get videos of him long-lining tomorrow. Ehh... It's the truth.. Just maybe not the WHOLE truth... Eh. I'm going to Hell anyway.

But.. Honestly, I think that with the right owner, he'll be awesome.

Groundwork, Day 1

So, since both of my horses are fairly footsore from frozen rutted ground (Thank You to my mud yard from this loverly year of rain, rain, and more rain), I am keeping off their backs while their toesies feel a bit better. Sher has front shoes, so is slightly less lame, but Andi looks pretty sad all around. *Shrugs* Farrier says leave 'em off, we leave 'em off. Sorry dude. Toughen up those toes!

Anyway. Groundwork. Sher's been looking super stiff travelling to the right. On lunge, she pretty much counter bends completely, but I haven't decided if it's a matter of imbalance in her previous rider that she's now formed a habit or if she's truly that stiff. And Andi has some serious concavity along his right back and shoulder as compared to the left. So... We've got our work cut out for us with both of these monsters.

Sher went first. I worked on flexing at the neck first, then worked on pushing the hind end over, then moving the front end laterally. Then backing up, coming forward, and repeat in some order of that. With Sher, I mix in some small circle work because it's always good to reinforce that when I ask her to do something, she needs to do it when I ask.. not 5 minutes later. And she's also a bit more prone to forgive me if I mess up my timing, which was bound to happen because we haven't done this stuff in a bit. So..

Sher: Interestingly, not that stiff to the right. Carrot stretches very well. More stiff pushing off her right hind, which is to be expected with her known hock issues, but not significantly more stiff than pushing off her left, which she tends to try to walk forward out of instead of rotating around her left front as asked. Moving front end is always a little more difficult, but I think that may be my fault. I will continue to work on my technique.

Andi: Very stiff in his neck equally on both sides with carrot stretches. Very food motivated, though. Good motion laterally behind in both directions. Did not attempt moving the fore due to my technique issues. bah. Back up is... non existent. So, we worked on that with some success, and was able to move him back a couple steps by the end and call him forward. Very willing to try, but not as reactive as Sherwood. I need to remember to give him more time to process. We did not work on circles due to his sore feet.

So then we worked on some basic densensitizing stuff- Sher is very reactive to a windchime over her head, Andi was suspicious but did not move his feet. He was more reactive to the branches around his feet, but quickly adjusted. The rubber flaps on the barn door are... a problem. Andi less so than Sherwood, but Sherwood seemed to be okay with it after an hour of getting them to just walk through the flaps calmly. Appeared, I say, because the hay was still untouched in the AM even though their other bag was empty. *Rolls eyes* We'll keep working on it.

First ride, check!

So, it went like this:

Me: I'm going to take the ponies for a walk. (On a leadline, while I walk the dogs through our normal haunts in the local fields.) Wanna come?
Logan: Sure. But I'm going to ride.
Um.. That's not a good idea. (Remembering that we have a horse who was given to us because of a bucking problem, and one who is prone to fits with 3 days off, but has had roughly 6 WEEKS off.)
Well, I'm not taking a horse for a WALK, I'm going to ride him.
 *Further discussion ensues, in which Logan reminds me he used to be a professional bull rider*
Me: Fine. We'll put the western saddle on him and.. you'll wear a helmet.
Logan: Nope. Not wearing a helmet.
Then you're not getting on.
*Further discussion ensues*
Me: Fine. Then you're staying on the grass. (Which is about 6 inches of mud underneath. My poor grass..)
Logan: Fine.
Me: *Slightly shitting my pants at the idea that now I have to get on MY horse after she's had 6 weeks off to do this "leisurely" trail ride. Which, btw, the dogs are NOT going on with us. Oy.* I'll get Andi ready.

He got on, I set them loose on the grass, and everything was fine! I was pretty impressed. So, I got Sherwood ready. Brushed, saddled, bri... And then Andi wandered up to us without a rider. *Picture shock, fear, cursing and unbridling, haltering as quickly as I can, and...*

Logan, as he comes limping around the front of the house: That FUCKING HORSE!! He dumped me!! That asshole!
Me: Okay, well, someone needs to get on him again and sort this out. Do you want me to do it? You can just hold Sher.
No. I got this.
Okay...

*Logan remounts with  a crop this time, and... And takes off bucking with him half in the saddle, on the driveway, down the gauntlet of cars. Redneck madness ensues.*

In the end, it all turned out fine. They got on great, walked around for a good 15 minutes further, backed up, lateral work, etc. No big deal. Logan's actually a remarkably soft rider with fantastic balance. I may use him again in the future. If I can convince him to get back on.. LoL

We went to the indoor again! Bonnie, the woman who owns it, offered to teach me to long-line the two of them. Andi, who is not getting shoes this winter, is SUPER footsore, but Matt says it will make his horrible feet better this spring. So, we're going with it. And Sher is brewing an abscess in that back left, so she is.. lame. Dead lame. Poor girly.

ANYWAY! We learned to Long-line! Both of them were fantastic. Sher tested and tested and tested, but Bonnie was patient and Sher picked it up as quickly as she does everything else. Comments of the day? "You've had your hands full with her, huh?" and "You know, this mare really likes you. I can see it. She gives you the benefit of the doubt, whereas she tried to trip me up. Smart girl.."

Andi was.. as I have come to expect Andi to be. Just.. quiet, sensitive, thoughtful. If he had a question, he didn't blow up, he just... backed off a bit and literally ASKED. You could see it- the ear tilting your way, the question in the line of his neck and back. He picked it up just as quickly, and by the end of it, was going in both directions at the walk. Nice job. "He's going to be wonderful when you get him going," was the opinion on him. And.. I agree.

I was feeling pretty anxious before getting him and up to now, but... I am beginning to think it might work out okay. Just maybe.

Updateeee!!

Andi has settled in nicely. He is now mine according to the USEA, too! Woot! I have twooo show ponies!! How lucky for me, right??

Logan and I have discussed it, and.. he will be a resale project. It was the premise I took when I decided to offer to take him, because if you know me at all, you know I have my hands full with my loverly mare. Lovingly (Ahem, when I'm not screaming it) known as Sherwood or Bitchface or The Dragon or Starface or... Buggy girl. Buggy girl is when I'm back in love with her. it's a very tempestuous relationship we have.. Whatcha gonna do?

Starface being her starry best.

In any case, Andi is a resale project. Soo... If you know anyone who wants a gorgeous chestnut gelding who is super easy to work with on the ground and.. maybe a bit more interesting on his back.. let me know!!

Anyway, first week pics!

When you put up a paddock and finalize the barn in less than a month, it's a construction zone in progress. But ponies are in and safe!

And then they decided they wanted to be friends. 24/7. Seriously.

Sher and Andi get along fantastically. There have been no kicking matches, not even a scratch on them. They appear to be sharing very well lately. I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop, but until it does, I'm quite pleased! this may even work! :)

So, I had to find a new indoor. They texted me 3 days after the ponies came home saying that they needed it for turnout so I couldn't use it. I can't say I was extra special sorry. I may have been more relieved. In any case, I went driving about and threw my name at a couple of other barns.

1) I found "Horsey Wonderland" in Woodstock. Location to remain relatively undisclosed, but... Wow. Wood panelled barn, Horse and Hound-like lounge for when you're done, a full 100 x 200 heated indoor with like.. 20'+ ceilings, and... 3 or 4 imported Warmbloods that travel down to Wellington every winter to compete with the owner's granddaughters at some huge showjumping competition. All winter long. *Blink* Yes, please, can I be reborn into -that- family??
2) Much more laid back but still with very nice indoor, driving barn 15 minutes from my house, where owner used to event and LOVES thoroughbreds. Beautiful facility, lovely people, couldn't ask for more.

So we went yesterday to #2, and.. had a great time! Andi was a total dream- footsore but a perfect gentleman on the ground, at the trailer, and working around. Wonderful. Couldn't sustain a canter in either direction on the longe, but it may have been due to footsoreness. We shall see.
Sherwood was also very good, also very footsore, particular back left leg- this mud to frozen ground shit is for the birds- but I hopped on and we walked and worked on lateral movement, bending, flexin, and relaxing. She was also fantastic and great. Right up until I worked with Andi. Then she tried to take my trailer apart. So.. now we get day stalls! The owner looooves Andi, thinks he's the cat's meow and I should sell Sherwood. LMAO.

Pony Blogging and Tracking. Take 2

So, I tried to do this with Sherwood, but I'm awful at consistency in just about anything. I LOVE new projects, then have a hard time seeing them through. Even Sherwood feels it at times. Right around August/September, we start backing off our competitions and workouts, everything gets a little lax... Eh, I'm only human. Every year it gets a little better, but it still happens. Last year was a complete fluke and not of my own doing, just FYI.

Anyway, Let me tell you a bit about the Andy Experiment. Andi, AKA Adonis, AKA Classic Maestro, AKA The Nice Horse in My Backyard.

Officially, he became mine on 11/26/18, When his owner sent me his bill of sale for $1.00. He's got a bit of a backstory. But I'm pretty sure all free horses do, am I right?

He came up from the Lower east coast (VA? SC? eh..) from a professional trainer who had gotten him from a different professional trainer, who had originally pulled him off the track. The first trainer, who we shall call T1, showed him Novice at recognized events with decent results! See??

 Not awful, for a first couple events.

So then the second trainer got him, shall we call them T2, and we have some amazing videos of him going round just so nicely! And quietly. Shall me take a look at those?

So, his last owner bought him, shipped him up from wherever he was, and... it fell apart. Fast forward 2 months in which he got a bunch of time off because he wanted her saddle to fit him better, so she got it fitted to him, and then started bucking. He colicked, was bucking uncontrollably under saddle, and got diagnosed with ulcers. Scoped, the whole she-bang. Unfortunately, after scoping, board, buying and shipping costs, new saddle, saddle fitting, and some personal financial issues, she had run out of money. Ulcers.. sort of treated. Hi, have you heard of Gastrogard? This shit is exxxxxxpensive!!! So. It's mid-Novemeber, this horse has bucked off a bunch of people, he's progressively becoming more and more of a dick, his ulcers are sort of being treated, she's becoming afraid of him, she can't sell him because... see above.. and.. My horse is moving home 12/1. I offered to baord him, cheap, at my place, (looking back, I'm so glad she didn't take me up on it, because this winter would not have been worth the money. Who could predict MONSOONS in DECEMBER!?!?!? In New England!!!)until spring. Just to give her a chance to recoup and regroup. She doesn't want to do that. Tosses around other ideas, but nothing is really working out. Week of Thanksgiving, she tells me she is going to give him to a sales barn because he's dangerous and she can't sell him and she doesn't want to afford him anymore. So... I offered to take him. Free-like, because quite honestly, I don't need 2 horses. In any way, shape, or form.

End of the week, he's mine. And so that, my lovely friends, is how I got the Red Beast of the East. And amusingly enough he and The Dragon have been besties ever since. Who knew??