I finished the new paddock this morning and the girls are loving all the grass. I left their old paddock open for now – I think they’ll be a bit more comfortable knowing they can get back to their favorite roll pits and shade trees. Once they are used to it, I’ll close off the old paddock so we can start raising it with dirt and seeding that.
I also have some fencelines to replace around the barn. We’re trying to get all the fences to match so everything looks uniform.
Adiva’s leg looks good. Only one icky spot left. All the lumpy crusties are gone and she’s really getting annoyed with me. I take that as a sign that it’s healing and bothering her. So, a few more days and she should be good to go. Whew on that one!
I hope the weather holds tomorrow and I can lunge them. They are just begging for attention and I want to keep their minds and bodies in top shape. Plus, it would be nice to start riding soon!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Adiva stresses me out!
Friday, July 17 I noticed some 'fight wounds' on the girls. No biggie as they do this from time to time. Of course I mentally cataloged everything, and nothing was different by Saturday morning. But by Saturday night, I noticed Adiva's right front leg was all swollen, so I bring her onto the washrack and it's hot, soft and really swollen. There was an abrasion under her knee on the outside of her cannon that I saw Friday, but now all the skin was sloughing off. And it seems to be spreading down. Like she's going to lose all the skin on the outside of her leg. Healthy pink tissue underneath, and she isn't lame and barely cares that I'm messing with it. The swelling does extend down into her fetlock, but the joint itself doesn't seem to be affected.
My first thoughts were snake or spider bite, or just serious reaction to the concussion of the kick. But I really don't know what I'm dealing with. I did cold hose it for a few minutes, but the water doesn't get as cold as I'd like. I didn't cover it with anything - I think I want it to ooze. My brain is trying to tell me what it is, but I just can't put my finger on it.
Sunday morning when I go out, it’s the same, but a bit drier. Good. Swelling seems a bit less, so I cold hose again but I don’t scrub or anything. Sunday night, I clean it well, but it’s looking so much better. Normal leg size and everything! Monday it looks the same, so I leave it alone in the morning, and clean it at night. Tuesday it looks a bit more puffy, but there’s no heat, so I don’t stress too much. But…but Tuesday night it was icky looking. When I scrubbed it, it oozed. Looking like a summer sore now. I immediately call the vet. I am not messing around with a freaking summer sore. I get an appointment for Thursday, and settle in to wait. I leave it alone Wednesday morning (mostly because I don’t have time with work) but that night I clean it out again. It’s icky. I hate icky. I decide not to medicate it and just leave it open. Thursday morning it’s all swollen and hot again. I’m so glad I have the vet coming.
THE VET VISIT: Doc comes out and I give him the story. He has his tech clean it out and when he looks at it, he doesn’t think it’s a summer sore! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY. I couldn’t be happier. He’s thinking contact dermatitis. So, antibiotics and aluminum spray for a week, and if it’s not better in a week, he’ll come back out.
I spent the afternoon working on their new paddock. If it is something she’s rubbing on (which she has to be) I want to get her away from it. So, by Saturday they will be on the new paddock and I’ll rope off the old area so we can Round-up, pull weeds and till. I’m quite happy about it all, because they’ll have a nice clean paddock with tons of grass and we can get working on fixing that paddock and getting me an area for a round pen. I’ll try to update this more to keep everyone informed of Adiva’s leg.
My first thoughts were snake or spider bite, or just serious reaction to the concussion of the kick. But I really don't know what I'm dealing with. I did cold hose it for a few minutes, but the water doesn't get as cold as I'd like. I didn't cover it with anything - I think I want it to ooze. My brain is trying to tell me what it is, but I just can't put my finger on it.
Sunday morning when I go out, it’s the same, but a bit drier. Good. Swelling seems a bit less, so I cold hose again but I don’t scrub or anything. Sunday night, I clean it well, but it’s looking so much better. Normal leg size and everything! Monday it looks the same, so I leave it alone in the morning, and clean it at night. Tuesday it looks a bit more puffy, but there’s no heat, so I don’t stress too much. But…but Tuesday night it was icky looking. When I scrubbed it, it oozed. Looking like a summer sore now. I immediately call the vet. I am not messing around with a freaking summer sore. I get an appointment for Thursday, and settle in to wait. I leave it alone Wednesday morning (mostly because I don’t have time with work) but that night I clean it out again. It’s icky. I hate icky. I decide not to medicate it and just leave it open. Thursday morning it’s all swollen and hot again. I’m so glad I have the vet coming.
THE VET VISIT: Doc comes out and I give him the story. He has his tech clean it out and when he looks at it, he doesn’t think it’s a summer sore! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY. I couldn’t be happier. He’s thinking contact dermatitis. So, antibiotics and aluminum spray for a week, and if it’s not better in a week, he’ll come back out.
I spent the afternoon working on their new paddock. If it is something she’s rubbing on (which she has to be) I want to get her away from it. So, by Saturday they will be on the new paddock and I’ll rope off the old area so we can Round-up, pull weeds and till. I’m quite happy about it all, because they’ll have a nice clean paddock with tons of grass and we can get working on fixing that paddock and getting me an area for a round pen. I’ll try to update this more to keep everyone informed of Adiva’s leg.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Rain's back. With a vengeance.
The girls get the day off because their pasture has some standing water, so I decide to pick weeds. They, of course, decide to help. It’s not easy pulling weeds with two helpers. Right over my head. Grabbing the weed bucket. Drooling in my hair. Getting bumped with my elbow every time I pull. So cute tho - so freaking cute!
Yesterday I hosed them off before dinner. They were angels. Both stood completely still on the washrack even when I ran into the tackroom for fly spray. I’m so proud. It’s one of my biggest pet peeves – dancing around – but I can’t complain too much when I haven’t been able to work them. Hell, I’ve barely had any time to even see them because of the weather. I know it’ll change soon tho and we’ll be begging for rain, so I think I’ll stop whining. ;)
Yesterday I hosed them off before dinner. They were angels. Both stood completely still on the washrack even when I ran into the tackroom for fly spray. I’m so proud. It’s one of my biggest pet peeves – dancing around – but I can’t complain too much when I haven’t been able to work them. Hell, I’ve barely had any time to even see them because of the weather. I know it’ll change soon tho and we’ll be begging for rain, so I think I’ll stop whining. ;)
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Finally a day without rain!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
I took advantage of a nice afternoon and spent quality time with the girls. They had been getting a bit grumpy with me because I haven’t had time to spend with them. Well, I’ve had the time, but not the weather! It’s still a bit wet in their pasture but I decided to at least give them a good grooming and tack them up just to get them used to being saddled.
Adiva was first and she got rinsed off then her mane and legs shampooed. Then I hand grazed her for a bit and did some basic groundwork. I wanted to work on starting, stopping and turning. She’s so smart, tho she didn’t want to listen. Which is my fault for interrupting her grazing time. I then took her back and worked on getting her used to being tacked up. Which she didn’t care about at all. I even shook the saddle pad at her and smacked the saddle and rocked it. Yeah, she didn’t care. I walked her around to get used to the weight then I untacked and worked on her mane. I’ve been keeping it braided because it’s so long and thick but it’s been down for a few days because it’s been wet and gritty. She always naps when I do her mane and is the cutest thing ever!
I grab Anni next so she can get all clean too, and scrub her mane and tail. She’s always rubbing them, but I finally have the scurf out of them. YAY MEDICATED SHAMPOOS!!! I then hand graze her and work on some leading stuff too, just to keep her sharp. Then I tack her up, and just like her sis she doesn’t even care. Yeah, I know, I’m lucky.
Now if only the weather holds and I can start lunging them again. I really need to get them used to carrying the saddle and also get them working with the side reins. Everyone cross your fingers that I can start making some headway soon. I’m getting a bit impatient!
I took advantage of a nice afternoon and spent quality time with the girls. They had been getting a bit grumpy with me because I haven’t had time to spend with them. Well, I’ve had the time, but not the weather! It’s still a bit wet in their pasture but I decided to at least give them a good grooming and tack them up just to get them used to being saddled.
Adiva was first and she got rinsed off then her mane and legs shampooed. Then I hand grazed her for a bit and did some basic groundwork. I wanted to work on starting, stopping and turning. She’s so smart, tho she didn’t want to listen. Which is my fault for interrupting her grazing time. I then took her back and worked on getting her used to being tacked up. Which she didn’t care about at all. I even shook the saddle pad at her and smacked the saddle and rocked it. Yeah, she didn’t care. I walked her around to get used to the weight then I untacked and worked on her mane. I’ve been keeping it braided because it’s so long and thick but it’s been down for a few days because it’s been wet and gritty. She always naps when I do her mane and is the cutest thing ever!
I grab Anni next so she can get all clean too, and scrub her mane and tail. She’s always rubbing them, but I finally have the scurf out of them. YAY MEDICATED SHAMPOOS!!! I then hand graze her and work on some leading stuff too, just to keep her sharp. Then I tack her up, and just like her sis she doesn’t even care. Yeah, I know, I’m lucky.
Now if only the weather holds and I can start lunging them again. I really need to get them used to carrying the saddle and also get them working with the side reins. Everyone cross your fingers that I can start making some headway soon. I’m getting a bit impatient!
Monday, July 6, 2009
We made it thru with flying colors!
Pun included. There were a few close booms but they handled it all in stride – a few small spooks but they were never out of control or too upset about it. We had lights on and stayed out very late even tho the fireworks never stopped. So many freaking backyard yayhoos having to play with fire. Oh well – these are the times I’m glad that B practices with his bullwhip out there. ;)
Thursday, July 2, 2009
And you thought I teased about my luck!
So, I got to leave work at 2:30 today - started pouring at 2:20 - and it was already wet at the barn so no working the girls. :(
I decided to cook dinner early and go to the barn a bit later because of the rain. After I clean stalls I get ready to leave and realize the water isn't working. Oh joy. I run to the pump and yep, it's running. Dry. Sigh. I call B and he comes out and fixes it for the girls. But geez, can't I get a break?
All I want is to get working the girls again. Even they seem to want the attention and don't understand why we aren't playing like we used to. I know I can't fight mother nature, but I miss spending all that quality time with them. I won't complain about the rain since we do need it, but man I wish it would rain in the am and I could work the girls in the afternoon!
I decided to cook dinner early and go to the barn a bit later because of the rain. After I clean stalls I get ready to leave and realize the water isn't working. Oh joy. I run to the pump and yep, it's running. Dry. Sigh. I call B and he comes out and fixes it for the girls. But geez, can't I get a break?
All I want is to get working the girls again. Even they seem to want the attention and don't understand why we aren't playing like we used to. I know I can't fight mother nature, but I miss spending all that quality time with them. I won't complain about the rain since we do need it, but man I wish it would rain in the am and I could work the girls in the afternoon!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
How to scare a horse without even trying.
Friday, June 26, 2009
The morning started out fine. I decided to leave the girls out for the day – bedding was low and the weather was nice. I’m a bit OCD about them being in if the stalls aren’t nice and deep. After breakfast, the girls start milling around. They always take their time leaving me, but Anni was even more clingy then usual. She’s staring at the back yard two houses down. The girls are always watching everything that’s going on, so I don’t think much of it. Until, of course, the girls take off for the front corner of the pasture. Um, ok. I’m getting ready to leave for work but the girls are pacing the front fenceline. Bad. Huh. Ok, I’ll see what’s going on. As soon as I’m out of the car, I hear the most intense sound. I almost recognize it, but I go to investigate. I round a corner, and there are two bobcats fighting. And the submissive one is screeching. Well, now what? I can’t leave with the girls that scared, but the cats don’t care I’m even there. They finally run off, and I throw some rocks in their general direction just to get them farther away.
The girls are still scared, but at least aren’t running around anymore.
After work, I run to the feed store for bedding and hay and when I get back to the barn, I can tell the girls have spent all day in the front of the pasture. Poor things. I bed their stalls and try to get the girls in for dinner. They aren’t buying it. I actually have to go halter Anni and coax her in with peppermints. I get her in, and Adiva follows, luckily. But they are still nervous. I sure don’t blame them. After dinner, I turn them back out and they book it for the front again. This time, at least, they come back for their hay, so I know they’ll be ok.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
The girls are still a bit spooked, but at least come in for breakfast, although they had to run in. Silly things. By the afternoon, they are back to normal, finally. I guess they survived their first ‘predator’ sighting!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Why am I so lucky?
Honestly, all I wanted to do was get back to working the girls. But no, today it has to rain. Not a lot, but enough to slick up the ground. So I decide to just trim Anni’s mane. Adiva likes hers all braided, but Anni never wants me to. And since her mane is so long, it’s hot and bothers her. So I gave her a ‘hunter trim’ and she loves it! Can’t wait to get some cute pics of her!
The morning started out fine. I decided to leave the girls out for the day – bedding was low and the weather was nice. I’m a bit OCD about them being in if the stalls aren’t nice and deep. After breakfast, the girls start milling around. They always take their time leaving me, but Anni was even more clingy then usual. She’s staring at the back yard two houses down. The girls are always watching everything that’s going on, so I don’t think much of it. Until, of course, the girls take off for the front corner of the pasture. Um, ok. I’m getting ready to leave for work but the girls are pacing the front fenceline. Bad. Huh. Ok, I’ll see what’s going on. As soon as I’m out of the car, I hear the most intense sound. I almost recognize it, but I go to investigate. I round a corner, and there are two bobcats fighting. And the submissive one is screeching. Well, now what? I can’t leave with the girls that scared, but the cats don’t care I’m even there. They finally run off, and I throw some rocks in their general direction just to get them farther away.
The girls are still scared, but at least aren’t running around anymore.
After work, I run to the feed store for bedding and hay and when I get back to the barn, I can tell the girls have spent all day in the front of the pasture. Poor things. I bed their stalls and try to get the girls in for dinner. They aren’t buying it. I actually have to go halter Anni and coax her in with peppermints. I get her in, and Adiva follows, luckily. But they are still nervous. I sure don’t blame them. After dinner, I turn them back out and they book it for the front again. This time, at least, they come back for their hay, so I know they’ll be ok.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
The girls are still a bit spooked, but at least come in for breakfast, although they had to run in. Silly things. By the afternoon, they are back to normal, finally. I guess they survived their first ‘predator’ sighting!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Why am I so lucky?
Honestly, all I wanted to do was get back to working the girls. But no, today it has to rain. Not a lot, but enough to slick up the ground. So I decide to just trim Anni’s mane. Adiva likes hers all braided, but Anni never wants me to. And since her mane is so long, it’s hot and bothers her. So I gave her a ‘hunter trim’ and she loves it! Can’t wait to get some cute pics of her!
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