Red gets bute today

I called Dr. Sherwood's office today and got Bute for Red - kinda like horse aspirin.  I went out to the barn and gave it to him.  He is still very gimpy and not moving around.  He kind pulls up his leg for me to pick up - like "this is where it hurts".  Sigh.  Poor guy, it is always something.  Pulling shoes, anhydrosis, sore toes, now this.  I want to sit down and boo hoo. 

Red is gimpy and I was knocked on my butt today

I went out to the barn to ride - I was excited that I was going to ride in the back by myself for the first time.  I got out to the barn and was actually talking to Margaret when I drove out to the back.  I could see Sarge down on the ground with all fours under him.  Red was laying FLAT on the ground.  I nearly had a stroke.  He didn't get up when I drove up.  I got out and hollered at him and he still didn't get up.  I was in the fence by then and running...I hung up on Margaret after yelling Red was down.  I was yelling RED's name like a crazy woman and finally he raised his head and got up.  OMG I thought he was colicking again.  He got up slowly and stiffly.  Sarge had came towards me and I petted his face and spoke to him.  I went to Red and Sarge followed.  He gave Red the heave ho and Red moved and I was telling him to be still so I could check him out.  I went around Red and Sarge was giving him the heave ho and "herding" him.  Red jumped awkwardly out of his way and came right at me.  I put out my hand and Red bashed into me and I stumbled to the left and I lost my balance and down I went ... busting my big butt.  OMG I don't know who looked more shocked, me or Red.  I started toward the front telling Red to follow.  I was going to get his halter.  He was not really following.  He stopped to urinate and a few seconds later he pooped a little.  I ran Sarge off and fussed at him.  I got Red's halter and walked out to Red and he was very reluctant to follow me.  I called Margaret and she said he was probably just stiff from his ride and to ride him to get the soreness out. 

He was slow moving all the way to the barn.  I brushed him and he ate alfalfa.  He was reluctant to walk on the concrete but didn't see to be in pain.  I brushed and brushed.  He even dropped and I cleaned him as he was pretty darn crusty.  I cleaned his hooves and checked his feet and legs out.  I saddled him and led him into the arena but couldn't get on him.  I would have felt bad!    I decided to give him a hot scrubby bath and asked Barry to bring me towels.  I couldn't get the water right so I just washed his legs with liniment and rubbed and scrubbed his legs.  I dried his legs with a towel.  I put his blanket on him to keep him warm and dry tomorrow. 

I went back to the barn this afternoon and filmed him and let Margaret see the video.  She send me a message later and said she thought he pulled something and he needs some bute.  I will drive to the vet tomorrow to get some bute and give to him before I go to work in Liberty.  Hopefully, he is just sore from walking on rocks?  Maybe he pulled something?  Did his saddle cause him issues.  AAAUUUGGHGHGHGH.   I don't know.

Riding at the 10 Mile Hunt Club

I called Kelly and Randy to go riding and Robin called and wanted to go too!  I called Raymond and asked him to go so he said he probably would meet us out there.  I went to bed all excited about it.  Barry and I got up with morning and went to the barn to get the boys.  I went down to the pasture to bring them up and Barry loaded the trailer.  I was grooming Red and he seemed a little skittish this morning or excitable.  I was going to lunge him but Barry said "groom Sarge and I will lounge Red."  He had Red running around in a circle and Red was full of piss and vinegar this morning.  We got loaded up and off we went.  We had to make a detour in Vidor and the mileage was 31.  Accounting for the detour it is probably 29 miles from the barn to the hunt club.

When we got there, Robin had already arrived and Raymond and Mr. Short where there.  Kelly and Randy pulled in about 10 minutes later.  I tacked Red up and I really like my Aussie!  I actually started out without anyone else because Red often doesn't want to go out by himself but he set out this morning very forward.  I didn't go far but Barry wasn't too thrilled I set out without him.

We went down to the first fork and turned right.  We went down a little while and I be doggone...it was a LAKE!  In we went...it was almost up to their knees and it was not just a little short way.  It was quiet awhile and I think the horses were walking on rocks.  We finally walked out onto a little spot of rocks!  Randy's horse had come up with a split hoof and he was WAY behind us.  He and Kelly had to turn around and go back as he couldn't walk on the rocks. 

We continued through the water and it was sometimes almost up to their bellies.  The hunt club had put up Tbars with yellow tape to help people know where the road was because there were creeks that had overflowed their banks and the water was running.  The horses did a great job of not freaking out and they just kept on walking.  I think it was kinda a hard go though because of the rocks.  Red would sometimes slow down and watch where he was going.  We went down a road where they had an oil platform set up and the horses didn't even give it a look.  Red seemed very thirsty and he kept stopping for a drink when we went through alot of water.

He was walking with his head down and I think he didn't like the tight breast strap but he did a great job today but he did seem tired.  LOL  Poor guy, he is hauling around a chunkybunky and he hasn't had much riding this winter.

Raymond was riding Comet - his gated horse.  He doesn't know what breed but thinks it is a Rocky Mountain Horse and I would think it is.  He is that unusual mocha color with amber eyes.  He started gaiting and he was MOVING!  Wow.  It was pretty to watch.  I did take some FLIP video's but didn't get any of Red.  Barry isn't much on taking pictures. 

We had a good time and want to go again.  We talked to Robin about riding next Sunday and we set that up.  I have a wedding Sunday and she has baseball.  Raymond may go with us, too.

We ate at Novrotski's and then went back to the barn.  I groomed Red, put hoof hardener on his hooves and trimmed Sarge's bridle path and his muzzle.  Lee Anne wants to go riding with us Sunday so I am looking forward to that.  Mike was there working with one of the little Arabians.  He is amazing.  I wish I could do that with horses.  I don't know squat!  I cleaned the horse poop out of the trailer.  My trailer needs to be cleaned.  I am going to pull the hay and grain out of it tomorrow and hopefully power wash it.  It is gross!

Joining the Hunt Club with an Equestrian Membership!

I spoke to a representative of the hunt club today and gave him my information and we are in like Flynn!! OMG that is wonderful...we now have a place to go riding that is safe for us and the horses.

Robin, from up the country called me tonight and she wants to ride it before she joins so she will ride with us tomorrow.  I called my buddy Raymond R. and he might join us.  Mr. Short said that he never seen anyone who loves trail riding like Raymond and I am glad.  Raymond is a doll!  Hopefully, Kellie and Randy are going to join us so it might be me, Barry, Robin, Raymond, Kellie and Randy.  Woo Hooo  It is on like Donkey Kong!

Riding Club Membership

I spoke to Ray this morning and he said his hunt club is going to accept Equestrian Memberships.  Woo Hoo.  We can join for $200 for a family and ride all we want, when we want except during hunting season which is reasonable.  He said he is planning on having organized trail rides once a month with a cook out.  Now that sounds like a blast!!!!!! 

Kelly and I are doing a family membership and hopefully, I can go pay for it tomorrow or even this evening if necessary.  I have a cake due and a consult tomorrow so tomorrow will be busy. 

Alfalfa on its way

I went to Louisiana today to make sales calls and I stopped in Vinton to get Red and Sarge a bale of alfalfa.  I will take it out to the barn tomorrow when I go to take Sarge to the vet for his Coggins test.  I hitched the Brenderup to the Rav4 this afternoon when I got in from DeRitter.  I backed it into the driveway, not perfectly but I am getting there.  I am thrilled that I can back it up by myself now!

I talked to Margaret and Toy is missing.  Hummmmm that makes me sad.  She is my sweetheart and I hope she shows up tonight safe and sound.  Isn't she darling?

Riding Red today with Lee Anne

We were supposed to go riding with Ray and a big group today but this morning it was COLD -  it was 30 something degrees with a wind chill in the 20's.  Later it warmed up and cleared up.  We went to the barn about 1:45 and the wind was still blowing and it was chilly chilly chilly.  I tacked Red up and it is easy to mount with this saddle.  It didn't slide.  We rode in the arena for about 15 minutes or so.  I had Barry tighten up my girth as it has loosened.  Lee Anne and I then rode out into the back.  Red behaved very well but he refused to step over the little fence.  I kept trying but he refused.  Hummm.  I really like the new saddle - it is very comfortable.  I still haven't found my perfect rhythm when posting but I am working on it. 

When I got back to the barn I was able to get off without the saddle slipping.  I groomed Red again - he was a pig.  I trimmed his bridle path and trimmed his wiskers.  He looked so pretty.  I took a picture with my cell phone of him in his saddle today and I will post when I get it downloaded.