A Sunday well spent....

I'm playing a little catch up tonight...
Dishes, laundry, and a bit of cleaning...

It has been one of those days when the weather isn't good for much of anything. The temps today only reached into the mid to (slightly) upper 80's, but the humidity was terrible.  Being outside for any length of time and just standing still is enough to make one uncomfortable. 

....and tomorrow will be more of the same.

Ugh.....

....so  with that in mind, and a loyal Simon taking up residence in my lap, I thought I'd talk about my ride on Sunday.

On Tuesday of last week, Vickie sent me a text message asking me if I wanted to go riding at the Castle Rock Horse Trails on Sunday.

Without missing a beat, I responded back  that I didn't have any plans on Sunday and I was all for it.

A short spell later, Vickie texts me back asking if I was ok if someone else picked Tex & I up (I have access to a truck,  but my financially, poor self does not own a horse trailer). 

She wrote that our mutual, barn friend, Brenda knows this gentleman as she has lent Morton to him for trail rides with his friends/family.

His name is Brian and he does roping & team penning with his horses.

Vickie, herself, only recently met him...

Vickie also mentioned that if anyone else from the barn wanted to go, that he would also have room for another horse.

At the time, all I could think about was getting out on the trail with my wonderful lease partner and having a nice ride. The forecast for Sunday was supposed to be gorgeous! 

During this text exchange back and forth, I had been out enjoying the evening doing some fun activities with my sister, Gayle and my niece, Fiona. For the moment, I agreed to go and filed it away mentally that I would have plans for Sunday. I then proceeded to enjoy the remainder of my evening with my sister.

It wasn't until the next day that the warning bells started to go off in my introverted brain.

What if no one else from the barn wanted to go? 

Would my shy self be able to make small talk with someone I don't even know for the 1+ hour ride over to the Castle Rock Horse Trails? 

What if we decide right off that neither of us likes the other?

What if he decides to do something crazy and dump me in a ditch somewhere and run off with Tex? 

....my mind has a tendency to think bizarre things when I let it wander too long without a leash! (perhaps I've watched 1 too many Cold Case files on TV).

The next afternoon, I approached Kris about coming with. My barn has very few trail riders and Kris was the only one at the moment that I could think of that might have Sunday free to go along. 

As it turned out, Kris was about as enthusiastic as I was at the prospect of hopping in a truck with someone she didn't know (in addition to her horse being hauled in a strange rig). It ended up being that she decided to pass on going.

At this point, I texted Vickie back and told her I was getting increasingly uncomfortable with the idea of riding with someone I didn't know.

Vickie texts me back "Brenda says you've met him."

Whaat?? (This was news to me)...

....then Vickie, being the ever-faithful  riding friend she is -- told me that if I wasn't comfortable, then she would drive out and pick me up (which takes her farther out of her way).

On one hand, I was happy that we would still go, but on the other hand I felt like a wimp. I should just suck it up and take a chance at meeting someone new (arguing with my stubborn, introverted self).

I decided at that point to text Brenda and find out more about Brian. Brenda, of course, was working (sadly....as always) and could not join us either. I remember her loaning Morton out to a friend, but did not recall meeting him.

In my text conversation with Brenda,  she did, in fact remind me of another instance in which we had gone to his place to look at a horse he was going to give to another friend who boarded at Tammy's farm at the time (that's a whole other story that would take too long to get into here).

At any rate, I might have spoken with him for about 5 minutes.  I still didn't feel like I "knew" him.

Brenda assured me that I had nothing to worry about and that Tex and I would be in safe, capable hands. She said that she had just been with Brian the previous night to cut his hair (Hairdressing is one of Brenda's many skills). She said that he had asked about me as well.... (probably wondering if I was some crazy, Axe wielding, Lizzie Borden sort of chick)....

Smiling,  I just texted back and asked if she told him that I was a fat, overanxious person who wraps my horse in bubble wrap?

she didn't respond to that (*laughs*)..

After talking with Brenda, I felt somewhat better about the idea of riding with Brian. All of my insecurities at that point had to do with me and not the situation.

As expected, Sunday brought along some beautiful weather. Sunny skies and warm (but not overly hot) with little to no humidity.

 

I got to the barn early.....about an hour or so before Brian was due to pick us up. I used the time to do a thorough groom on Tex and bond with him a bit.

When Brian pulled in shortly after 9 am, we were ready to go. I was still nervous, but told myself to focus on the one thing we surely would have in common;  horses.

Brenda was correct that I needn't have worried. Brian was the perfect gentleman through and through.

Tex shared a stock trailer with Brian's horse, Rudy and the two horses rode well together. I immediately noticed that his truck was immaculate and was dually impressed. I guess I expected well used and Dusty (not that it would have mattered as I don't judge folks by what they drive).

We got to the horse trails about a half hour or so before Vickie was due to meet us, so we took our time chatting and getting the horses ready.

I really enjoyed being able to take my time getting set to go instead of feeling like I needed to rush and hurry up out onto the trail. I'm somewhat pokey by nature, so this suited me very well.

Tex (left) and Rudy (right) waited patiently while we waited for Vickie to arrive.

Once Vickie arrived, I played "hitching post" for Dusty so she could get ready without tying him and in no time at all, we were off on the trail.

We rode for the better part of the day and had a lovely ride. 

Surprisingly, the bugs were not bad at all (they have been so bad at the farm, Tex and I have been working mainly on arena stuff as opposed to our usual rides in the woods and fields).

About halfway through, we rode over to the Ukarydee Campground and took a little break. This is a horse user's campground that is connected to the Castle Rock Trails. It was nice to get off for a bit and hang out in a shady spot. There was water access there and bathrooms which were nice to use.

 Camping there with Tex is on my list of future "activities I want to do."  I also found that the break gave my arthritic joints a much needed rest and definitely improved the quality and longevity of my ride.

This makes the 3rd time that Tex and I have ridden at Castle Rock and I still haven't seen all the trails yet.

I guess we need to go more then....

 

I wish I had gotten more photos of our ride.  I came away with only a handful of blurry, snapshots and there were many pretty views to be had on the trail. Tex and I need to work on our tripod skills!

We saw gazillions of mushrooms in a variety of colors (purple,  red, and orange among them). We also saw a couple of deer in 2 different spots. Unfortunately,  neither of them would have been easily photographed.

A blurry shot of Vickie & Brian. I need to teach my man, Tex that a good tripod will hold still.

Brian and myself. Dusty has superior tripod skills to Tex because Vickie 's picture is more clear.

All in all, it was a wonderful day. I was tired and sore and dragged my sorry butt through work on Monday but it was 100% worth it!!

I am hoping Brian will ride with us again...and even more so-- that Brenda will join us. They have known each other for quite some time but have never ridden together.

Horsey camp outing anyone?

Yesterday was my Holiday....

I made a promise to myself yesterday that it was going to be a minimal "chore" day and I was going to spend the day on myself. 

This was going to be my 4th of July Holiday so-to-speak (even though it was only the 3rd).

I usually get a nice paycheck if I opt to work on a holiday, so Monday would be a workday for me anyway. 

Unfortunately,  on Saturday night,  I had one of those sleepless nights that occasionally occurs when I am thinking about too many random things and just cannot. Fall. Asleep.

Nights like that suck.

So while I had hoped to get up and get my day going early in the morning, it didn't really happen that way.  I ended up playing lazy,  bed potato with my cats until about 10:30am.

All in all, that's not a bad thing--but I still didn't sleep (Ugh)....

It was going to be a caffenated, prop my eyelids open with toothpicks sort of day.

Since Griffin had my attention on Saturday,  Sunday was to be Tex's day.

We had our usual long grooming and bond session and then did some arena work with just a short ride out to the road after. 

Because my boarding barn is surrounded by DNR lands, woods and marsh, we get HORRIBLE amounts of bugs during the hottest parts of the summer. Unless you are willing to dunk your horse (and yourself) into a vat of pyrethrin, you can pretty much rule out an enjoyable ride in the woods & fields. From now until about early September,  riding in the arena and areas close to the barn are usually the best bet.

You know things are bad when the deer flies keep pace with your car (just outside the windows) while driving up to the barn.

Some years are worse than others,  and while I wouldn't say things are as bad as I have seen them,  they are annoying enough right now.

So with all that in mind,  Tex and I worked on lateral movements as well as our usual riding patterns in the arena.

Tex knows hindquarter yields fairly well, but his front end gets sticky and he is still figuring out that he can move is front half sideways while keeping the back half still.

I was even able to get him started on a few side pass steps in one direction over a ground pole (Good Boy, Tex)!!

It was a warm day, but there was a breeze and we had a nice ride.

Retrieving Tex from the pasture. He is the black horse half buried in the buffet table (round bale).

Wondering if my hands are hiding a few Nicker Snacks while I attempt to remove the fly mask (My halter doesn't fit well over his mask, so I usually remove it when I put it on).

Groom session in the cool barn with only a minimum of biting insects....Ahhhhh...

The resident ducks came to visit & briefly hung out in Daphne ' s  stall while Kris was out riding.. (Daphne stays inside during the day & goes outside at night).

When the ducks got bored, they headed to the indoor to waddle around before going back outside.

Tex all set for his ride....

Taking a break in the shade between exercises...

After going to barn, I went home for a wee nap before heading over to Christmas Mountain Resort in the Dells to watch fireworks with the family.

My fireworks photos seldom turn out well, so I didn't take any.

Fiona kept me occupied playing with her giant, soft purple frisbee. This was her second year seeing fireworks.

Last year did not go well because the noise scared her.

My sister, Gayle, has since purchased a small pair of child- size ear muffs for her, so she can enjoy loud experiences like this without being afraid of the noise (which she will grow out of with time).

At first she wasn't sure about the huge, sparkly plumes in the sky-- but with reassurance from everyone (Grandma,  Grandpa, mom,  dad and myself were all in attendance), she was enjoying them by the end....even laughing.

She didn't want them to be over!

I wish I had some cute, Fiona pics to add...but as I said I was too busy catching a frisbee beforehand to take any.

Tomorrow its back to full days at work-- but a little camp outing in a week should sweeten that deal!!

Griffin's Oncore Performance ( in hurting himself yet again ) PT 2

On the evening following Griffin's injury, I was pretty sure of 2 things...

1) I would be taking some vacation time on Monday to go out and check on my boy.

2) We would be seeing the vet.

As it always does, worry managed to grab a choke hold on my thoughts and prevented me from getting much sleep on Sunday night. I can honestly say that at times like this, I wonder if I'm cut out to have horses in my life. I've seen so many other equestrians handle (much larger) issues with far more calm and grace than I could ever muster during even a mediocre problem.

I tell myself that the happy times still far outweigh the tough moments and  that it's worth it to keep picking up whatever pieces fall (both emotionally and physically) and keep trying.

So, on Monday morning, after a call to my not-so- thrilled supervisor,  there I was at the barn tending to my injured senior friend. ♡

I was somewhat relieved to see that Griffin's leg hadn't gotten any worse since I saw him last. Right away, I set to the task of doing another round of cold hosing & applying DMSO.

After Griffin was safely (but reluctantly) tucked back into his stall with a haynet, I phoned my vet to see when they might be able to come out for an exam.

The receptionist said one of the doctors was in our area and she would check with him to see when he could see us. She just needed to wait until he finished his current call and checked in. She would call me back....

So I waited....

and waited some more.......

I hid from Griffin's view and parked my butt at the picnic table just outside the barn. Griffin is a terrible "stall rest" type of horse. He must always have food and a buddy available to stay inside (Tammy's young gelding, Minnow, was assigned buddy duty for the old man. *Thanks Minnow*). In addition,  Griffin must also NOT be aware that his human is nearby. Once Grif spots me hanging around, he turns into a little whirling helicopter, anticipating that I will take him out.

He's a little spoiled that way.....

So.....as a result, I found myself eventually shuffling out to Tex's pasture in search of my borrowed riding partner. If I was going  to be hanging at the barn for awhile waiting for the vet, I might as well play around with Tex.  Staying seated  at the picnic table would only allow the dampness from the morning to seep through my jacket and into my bones. 

Grooming Tex proved to be a pleasant distraction to all that was churning around inside my mind. (The photo below is of Tex doing his part as my mental therapy horse on that day) ♡

I hadn't planned on doing any riding, but since the receptionist still hadn't phoned me back when I was done grooming, I decided a short hack wouldn't hurt and would help pass the time.

I can honestly say that for the FIRST time ever, I longed to be at work rather than on a horse. My reasoning was that if I was at work, then it would have meant things were normal. I was only using this ride as a distraction to pass the time while I waited for the vet (which, of course, was NOT A normal, Monday morning for me).

Tex and I only walked around.....or meandered as Grif and I usually do. I was not dressed for riding and my jacket had loose, shallow pockets holding my cell phone (awaiting a call from the vet).

Anything faster than a walk, and I could envision my phone taking an unexpected flight somewhere beyond....

Tex and I plodded around the arena, down the drive, around Tammy's house and the barn. It was probably almost 45 minutes before I finally got a call.

Dr. K would be at the farm sometime around 1-1:15 pm, but that wasn't exact since he was fitting us in. It would be at least another hour or so.

I found myself wishing I had brought food. The cereal I ate for breakfast was starting to feel like a distant memory.

Tex and I rode for a tiny bit more and then, not feeling my usual enjoyment aboard a horse, I finished...groomed him a bit more...and turned him back out.

I checked on Griffin (who was having a snooze after eating about 3/4 of his hay), and once again, parked myself at the picnic table.

The cool dampness finally started to penetrate my jacket and I got a chill.

Hungry and cold, I retreated to the warmth of my car and continued to wait. This was, perhaps one of the more miserable vacation days I've had.

Eventually,  my fellow boarder and friend,  Kris, showed up. She took pity on me and gave me one of the fresh apples she had brought with to eat. I was quite grateful...and darned if it didn't taste WONDERFUL.

Not long after,  Dr K finally arrived. Since there are roughly half a dozen equine vets in this practice, I'd never really met Dr. K before.

He handled Griffin patiently and gently and I immediately liked him. After testing Griffin's feet to rule out a hoof abscess (which can cause swelling that can be mistaken for tendon problems), he agreed with my thoughts that Grif had a bowed tendon.  Fortunately,  he also didn't think it was anything but a very mild bow and that it should heal fine.

In cases such as this, an Ultrasound is the recommended,  diagnostic tool, but since Griffin is (mostly) a retired horse and not, in any way, looking to return to any form of competition,  I opted to go only on a physical exam and treat accordingly. Dr K seemed to agree, all things considered, that this was a sensible enough choice.

Griffin is already on Previcox for arthritis comfort. Dr. K mentioned that the medication might have actually helped in this case for Griffin's injury not to swell too badly.

I was told to continue cold hosing and applying DMSO until the swelling subsides. Restricted turnout (since Grif is a terrible stall rest candidate) was recommended for at least 4 weeks after the swelling is gone. Tendons heal slowly, and it will take several months for a complete recovery. Unlike this time last year, when my boy did a number on his Stifle, I was also told that I could hand walk Griff immediately and that "controlled" exercise is good for the tendon. No trotting, running, or playing though..

I asked about wraps for support, but was told that Griffin's case was mild enough that he shouldn't need it (unless the swelling gets worse).

Dr K kindly apologized for not having better news (although, to me, the word "mild" associated with Griffin's injury WAS good news). He also said that for a 27 yr old, Cushings horse, my old man looked GREAT!

Did I mention that I like this vet??

After Dr K left,  I did the most sensible thing I could think of....

I drove to Subway and ATE A SANDWICH (I was hungry enough to eat 4)!!

***********

It's been a full week since Griffin's vet exam. I am happy to report that he IS improving. He attempted a squeal and silly bounce (which I quickly thwarted) yesterday during our walk. I've been walking him in his bridle just for this reason (as well as polos and bell boots for added protection).

He thinks he is 7 -- not 27....remember?

At this point, his swelling has come WAY down and he's pretty sound at the walk.

This is also the first chance I've had to write on my blog since this happened. Work and going to the barn have pretty much filled my days. A trip to my barn (both ways) adds up to about an hour and 15 minutes in the car alone.

By Friday of last week,  I was EXHAUSTED.  I didn't even have the energy to read my favorite blogs much less write on my own.

The positive side of me is keeping my fingers crossed that Griffin will continue to improve and we will be able to continue our meandering rides come spring...♡

Note to Griffin: Please don't pick ANOTHER body part to injure NEXT fall or your human might just go insane & jump off a cliff!!

A Platform Dismount comes in handy!

Because I now have a bum elbow, bum knee, and a recovering bum back (Train wreck...I know), I wasn't sure I'd be able to ride when I went to the barn yesterday,  but I sure wanted to try!!

I decided I was going to do a little ride with Tex because he stands well for me to both climb ON him from the big, outside mounting block as well as climbing OFF of him.

Vickie (Tex's owner who is also an avid trail rider) told me once she likes her horses to stand at a block for both mounting and dismounting as well as being able to do so from both sides. She has taken some seriously long rides throughout her horse life (including Competitive Trail) and she says that being able to dismount onto something is a definite advantage when every muscle in your body is screaming after a long ride.

Knowing some of the rides she has done, I don't doubt her for a second.

I have practiced the mount/dismount using a block with Tex before & he does very well.

...and as I suspected he did well with me today. With my aching, sprained muscles, it was an absolute godsend to be able to get on and off this way! (Note to self to teach Griffin the "platform dismount" as well. He simply has just never been asked to do it).

During our ride, we rode solo in our favorite woods a bit and then did some work in the arena. We even did some trotting (and posting) which I was pretty sure I wouldn't be able to do.

.....and that made me happy!

Aside from riding myself, I loaned Tex to Jena ' s daughter, Jaxcin, to ride for a little bit (Jena is Tammy's sister. She has her own horse, Sky,  but Sky isn't quite ready for the kids to ride yet).

Jaxcin will be learning the ropes of showing over the next year so she can do the horse project in 4-H.

She spent a little time riding Tex and then hopped aboard Kris' s horse, Rain.  It is the plan that Rain will ultimately be her mount for the fair.

She did very well considering she hasn't had a lot of chances to ride.  Hopefully , she will get more practice in the coming months!

The top photo is a between - the - ears picture of my wooded ride with Tex. The next 3 are Jaxcin and Rain (sadly, I didn't get one of her on Tex).

Hot....yet again

I don't really have a whole lot to say today other than the fact that it's Labor Day....and.....well...I'm going to go provide some Labor. I'm working for the extra cash so I can (hopefully) afford a new  blanket for Griffin before winter.

Given the Cushing ' s disease and old age, I want to give him that extra help so he won't be burning valuable calories to stay warm.

Yesterday was another hot, humid, craptastic, summer day. It was worse than Saturday.

...and me....

I did virtually nothing (and the steps on my fitbit reflect that).

I went to get some groceries and then pretty much laid around with my book for three quarters of the day.

I did finally drag myself to the barn around 2:45pm. My friend, Kris was supposed to have a Dressage lesson at 3 pm and I wanted to watch (with her permission of course).

When I got to the barn, I found out that her lesson had been moved up an hour at the last minute, so I was unable to observe. :-(

At any rate, I brought Griffin into the barn for some grooming and bonding time. He enjoyed standing in front of the giant, barn fan while I brushed.

I didn't feel much like riding, but Griffin is doing so well right now with his stretches and walking rides, I decided a short ride would be good.

Since I never ride him more than 30 minutes anymore (only light exercise for my beloved retiree), a short ride for us was about 15 minutes.  We did a few laps around the indoor (to be away from the flies and baking sun), some stretches and called it a day.  As you can see in the photo, Grif looks about as enthused about the heat as I am. Griffin has always handled hot weather VERY well, but I think we are BOTH ready for some cooler temperatures!!

Trails and Good Friends

I had to push myself to go to the barn yesterday.  I happily spent the morning at home with my cats, getting housework done, cuddling, and reading my book.

A few days ago my good barn friend, Brenda, had asked if I wanted to go for a ride when she got done with work.

Of course I never say "No" to something like that.

I planned on getting to the barn early to get Tex, my lease horse, ready and be all set to go when Brenda got there (I'm known for my extra long grooming sessions)!

...but do things ever happen the way we want them to?

I got to the barn almost right after one of my other barn friends,  Kris.
....and then ANOTHER barn bud showed up. Kristi.

So we sat around & talked.

...and then Brenda arrived and we sat around and talked some more.

We did eventually get around to getting the horses and going for a ride. It was a scorcher of a day (high 89 with some serious humidity), but once we all got out to ride together, no one seemed to notice. I LOVE rides like this!

We rode in some of the fields around the farm (the top photo shows Griffin watching Tex and I in the field behind his pasture). I miss riding my boy in the fields & woods, but I know it's safer for him to be in good, flat footing for our short, walk rides...

Kristi had to do evening chores (since Tammy was away at a show) and Kris wanted to work on some arena exercises, so Brenda and I finished with a ride down the road. Except for the single car that passed us (going WAY TOO FAST), it was nice. Really nice.

We all agreed, with fall coming,  we need to ride together MORE!