Sarge breaks out in hives at Ebenezer

Barry and I spent the weekend up at Ebenezer in The RoadRunner.  Friday he left before I did because I was going to help Margaret with her cake.  I met him out at the barn.  We got tack, feed, hay and then the horses.  I put their manger's up and put their feed in there.  We wanted to put Biscuit in first and lo and behold, for the feed, he hopped up in there.  Sarge hit his back right hoof getting in.  Off we went.

I stopped in Kirbyville and got some stuff Margaret needed and headed for her house.  We went out and looked at the new dairy calves, some cute little beef calves, her "ugly" pigs (they had extremely long snouts unlike most domestic hogs - they are wild hogs) and then out to see all of the horses.  I had never seen Jack - nice looking little fellow - and got to see Easy, Cub and her buckskin, Benjamin.  I just love Benjamin.  He is simply gorgeous.  We worked on cake til 6:35 PM and got it done.  I left with a quart jug of her homemade yogurt!!

Went to WalMart for some supplies and headed for Ebenezer.  We visited with Kellie and Randy until it was time to turn in.  OMG the A/C in my RoadRunner works like a beast.  We nearly froze to death!  Love that!!!!

Saturday we got up and tacked up and headed out.  We came through a spot that was covered with nasty biting flies.  Ugh.  We got to the Beaver Pond and I told them about the Trestle Ride and off we went.  James was riding Josie and ponying Fox.  Fox fell into a hidden hollow spot the day before and sunk up to his belly and hit his mouth hard enough it was bleeding.  James went to hop off right when Fox was trying to get out of the hole and James ended up stretching some muscles more than he would have liked, poor fellow!!

We rode around the Beaver Pond and over to the train trestle area.  OMG it was so pretty!!!  Love it there.  Kellie and Randy liked it.  Biscuit jumped over a little stream and I slammed into my pommel.  Ended up with an ugly bruise on my stomach - woo hoo.  We rode to where the 8 is tacked to the tree and turned around to come back.  We went back a different way and had a great time.  I washed the horses off and sprayed the with aerosol Deep Woods Off.

We went to The Stump for lunch with Kellie and Randy.  I took a nap later and the a/c went off!  The whole camp was without AC but it came back on later.

We didn't make an afternoon ride but kicked back and visted.

Sunday morning we got up and I tacked up early because I am ALWAYS the last one.  I move so slow now.  Anyway - Biscuit was tacked up and so was Sarge.  No problems.  We start off and get to the 4 way and Kellie and Randy decide going to the Train Trestle ride was too far so they cut off to the lake and Barry, Bev, James and I head for the pond.  We went through nasty bugs again.  We stopped and Barry noticed some bumps popping up on Sarge.  We sprayed with Deep Wood Off pump spray and kept going.  We got to the pond and more popped up.  Sarge seemed fine so we kept going.  We thought they were bug bites.  When we got over to the train trestle area he had become covered with them.  We rested and headed back with Barry pretty much walking 2/3 of the way leading Sarge.  He wasn't having problems breathing but OMG the hives looked horrible.  Pictures don't do it justice.

We got back and Kellie gave him 10cc of Banamine.  Barry gave him a bath with some of my body wash and we broke up came and headed home.  I called Doc and he said give him DEX or Benedryl.  We stopped in Kirbyville and I got Benedryl and we managed to get 5 down him.  We headed out and got to the barn right as LeAnn P was leaving.  I asked her if she had DEX and that I had a sick horse.   She turned around and we unloaded Sarge and he had greatly improved on the 100 miles home, but he still was covered in hives.  Ms. Jean gave him 10cc's of 2mg DEX.  We left both of them in the arena overnight so he wouldn't be in the sun.  Ms. Jean said she would check on him.  We rinsed him off again.  Ms. Jean and LeAnn thought it may have been bug bites as opposed to the aerosol but who knows?

Barry and I came back a few hours later to check on him and he had improved even more.

By Monday he had improved to the point that other than his sheath a little swollen he almost looked like nothing had happened.

What I learned:

1..Just because it is safe for humans doesn't mean it is safe for my horse.  I didn't know that OFF was not for horses.

2.  Don't go ANYWHERE with my horses out of town without a vet bag of Banamine (I have some), Bute, (have some), Benedryl (have some) and DEX (going to get some)

Sarge just before we left for the Sunday morning ride.  Not a mark on him.

Biscuit is ready to go Sunday morning.  Fox in the background

Barry walking Sarge 

Beverly and Josie

Biscuit and Fox having a conference

Barry, Bev and James - checking on Sarge

Sarge has major hives

Hives on the right side

Kellie giving Sarge a shot of Banamine to help with inflammation

                                   

My poor sweet baby 

Sarge's stomach

Swollen sheath area

Between his legs

Ms. Jean giving a shot of DEX - much improved during the ride home

3 hours after we brought him home

3 hours later - so much better

The next day - so much better

Sarge never had trouble breathing - thank God.  We were so grateful that it went away almost as fast as it came.  It was very upsetting and I hope to never have something like that happen again with my horses.

Mother's Day Ride

Kellie and I set up a time to ride on Mother's Day.  I really wanted to ride - Saturday would have been Dana's 49th birthday and Sunday was my first Mother's Day without Momma.  Sigh...to hard loses so close and then these two milestones next to each other...too much - too many.

Anywhooooo...I got up early to make sure I could catch Biscuit.  I got to the barn and Jamie gave me a hug for Mother's Day.  His mom is so far away in Mexico he wasn't able to see her.  Bless him.  He is so sweet.  He had already fed Biscuit so I hurried down there and Biscuit had left the corral.  I tried to entice him with treats and he said no.  I called Barry to come out and he couldn't catch him either.  Jamie went down there with feed...no go.

I called Kellie and she said "Call James.  He is riding with us."  So I did and bless James...he came to help.  Barry saddled up Sarge and together with James Biscuit was finally caught.  Well, he allowed Barry to put a rein over him and lead him to the barn.

But, before that was a rodeo.  OMG Sarge was in his element.  He was team penning again!!!  LOL he got to charge after Biscuit and round him up.  He got to side step up over to Biscuit and around they went again.  Biscuit can really outrun Sarge but he also sees Sarge as the dominant horse.  Barry dismounted a few times to catch Biscuit before he was successful.  James said he is disrespectful and roundpenning would help.  I have tried that with no success.  I am not a trainer.

Biscuit was soaking wet with sweat and so was Sarge.  James held Biscuit while Barry and I moved vehicles so I could hook up my trailer.  He was making Biscuit do circles behind the trailer.  We loaded him up and James and I headed for the park.

Biscuit was a little spooky tied to the trailer.  I am going to stop the BOSS (Black Sunflower Seeds).  They may or maynot be making him hot but since the melt down Monday and the spookiness Sunday - going to stop those.  Keep them for treats but not something for everyday.

We rode out Cattail and dang, I forgot Biscuit's boots but I am happy to say he didn't seem ouchy AT ALL!!!  Good Biscuit!  We saw alligators, softshell turtles and best of all a bald eagle!!!  We have seen the brown juvenile eagle but never one sporting the white tail and bald head!!!  Woo hooo!!!  Impressive!

We went around the bog and had a great time.  We came back through the woods and woo hooo!  Ricky's been working on the trails like a champ and they look great!  There had been someone riding an ATV in the woods when we got there and I called the 311 number to report it.  Dang...they scare the horses and there are signs up NO ATV's in park except on the paved road!

All in all, I had a great ride and was so glad I wasn't sitting home upset.  It was a gorgeous day - breezy and just nice to be out on my horse.  Thank God for horses.  Biscuit may be 5% bipolar but he is 100% special to me.

Biscuit has a major meltdown

Last Monday I was going riding with DeAnn and Lori out at the park.  I went and got Biscuit with no problems whatsoever.  I rasped his feet and groomed him, loaded him up and headed for the park.  DeAnn said she had a flat and would be a little late.

I got to the park and started tacking him up.  I was careful not go get anything under his saddle.  When I cinched it up it didn't seem to pull all the way up.  I ducked under his head to go to the other side and when I reached to tough the girth on the right WHAM...he lost his mind.

He went straight up in the air and forward and then all over the place.  I managed to get his lead rope pulled out and he was by then, sideways crouched down and trembling; looking like he was ready to shoot off like a rocket.  I was trying to calm him down and I was pretty upset myself.  I called Lee Ann Potter almost in tears.  I couldn't imagine what set him off - he has NEVER done anything like this.

I called DeAnn to say I wouldn't ride and she said she would check him out when she got there.  He was still shaking, spooking and having a mini meltdown.  She came and took off his saddle pad and checked it - nothing.  Took everything off and then put it all back on and walked him around.  She got on him and he was fine.  I decided to mount up - I didn't want to let it get bigger in my mind.  I mounted up and off we went.  I was going to show them new trails in Tyrrell.  We went though the woods and out onto the bayou.  Down the bayou to the bridge.  We then turned and went across the yellow brick road bridge and around back to Willow Bayou to Hildebrandt.  We got tangled in a trot line and had to cut out of that.  Biscuit stepped over it with no problem.  The little mare DeAnn was riding turned out to be Biscuit's half sister!  Lena was unimpressed though with Biscuit.  We rode down Willow Bayou until it was Hildebrandt Bayou and went back up towards the park.  We got to the area where it is VERY VERY narrow with a deep crevice on th side.  It was very overgrown so we decided to turn around as there was no clear pathway in a dangerous situation.

When we were going back up Willow on the back side I was going through very high vegetation and wanted to get Biscuit on one of the "pig trails" so I moved him towards one.  As we were going he stepped in a hole probably 8" deep or so.  Dang.  That was a jolt but he took it in stride like he always does.

We went back across the yellow brick road bridge.  When we had originally crossed it DeAnn had got off of Lena and she was ponying another little 2 year old filly.  That little filly was going sideways bless her heart but she did ok the second time.   We went to the left to stay off of the rocks and went past the huge crane with no issues.  We came back up Willow Bayou and went into the woods to the right.  We got to the tree that whacked me and Lori was going to try to cross at the roots.  I told her that Lee Ann B had tried that yesterday with no success.  Poor Bubba sank half way to his knees so she backed him out.  We went under the tree and I scraped my back a little as Biscuit was going a little faster than I wanted as he was following Bubba.  Everyone did just fine and we came through to the little trail to the picnic tables and went down that.  Ran into Ricky V. on the tractor working on the trails.  Woooo hoooo!!!!  I hollered thanks to him and kept going.  We got to the front and chose to go down the little trail to the main trail instead of going on the road.  We finished the ride with no problems at all.

I was so grateful to DeAnn for helping me with Biscuit and my own fears.  Glad I got on him and rode - and that was riding for miles.  Woot.  Working on all of my own issues.

Biscuit's half sister Lena.  She is 5 years old.  What a great little mare

May 4th Ride

Kellie and I went riding last Sunday morning.  We were riding around the loop of the road and there was a happy birthday sign flapping.  Elan didn't like that too much so we walked over there and he still didn't like it but finally got used to it.

Kellie and I went out Cattail Marsh and went around the bog going to the left over the land bridge first.  Beautiful ride and smelled so good!!  Coming back up the other side of the bog we ran into The Lee Ann's and stopped and talked to them for a moment.  When we got back to the entrance of Cattail Marsh Biscuit wanted to cut across the park.  We went down the little tiny ditch and hit a canter.  We cantered twice.  Woot.  My right foot came out of my stirrup though.

When we got back to the trailers I said goodbye to Kellie and Biscuit and I hit the trail and rode the woods by myself.  Biscuit was a little cranky about it at first but got over it!

Riding out in the Back of Tyrrell Park and horse auction

Kellie and I met to go riding on April 26 at Tyrrell Park.  We didn't ride the weekend before because it was Easter.  Dang...I missed riding!

Kenny was having a consignment horse auction there that day.  When I got to the park I asked him where he wanted me to park as I didn't want to be in anyone's way.  I  parked to the right of the trees and unloaded Biscuit.  The auctioneer and Kenny came over when I unloaded him.  Dang...his lead rope unsnapped while he was eating so grabbed him and ask Kenny to hold him while I got his lead rope reattached.  The auctioneer thought Biscuit was the bomb.  Said he wanted to try Biscuit on a cow...that with his hip he could drop his butt and pull a cow off of their feet.  He asked if Biscuit was in the sale and I said "Ten thousand dollars wouldn't buy this horse from me.  He is my baby."  LOL the Auctioneer said he thought he could get 10k for Biscuit.  We discussed Biscuit's bloodlines and size etc.  But no...Biscuit is NOT for sale.  He said that he'd like to ride him to see what he could do with a cow...I said we might do that one day.  But I think that would not be in my Biscuit's best interest or even in mine.  I think they used to do speed events or cow events of some sort on Biscuit and it took me forever to calm him down in the arena.  He just wanted to go.  He wasn't running away from me or anything but he would be walking off before I got him butt in the saddle.

We went out through Cattail Marsh and down the side of the bayou.  It was gorgeous and fragrant with the flowers in bloom.  Saw birds and alligators...they are coming out in droves now.  Biscuit and Elan were well behaved as always.

We did a little canter coming back up Willow Bayou.  We rode about 7.8 miles.

When we got back to the park Devin and Mazlyn were there and she rode on Biscuit and Elan.  So cute!!!  I got on Elan to try his saddle....omg to wide in the twist for me and I had a hard time getting my leg over the cantle.  Kelly had to push my leg over the cantle when I was dismounting.  

Barry and I stayed and watched the horse auction.  Just a few low priced horses but hopefully it will pick up for Kenny and do better.  

Ebenezer Ride

On the 3rd weekend in April I went up to Ebenezer on Saturday morning to ride with Margaret.  We were supposed to spend the weekend up there but Barry had had surgery and was unable to go.  I got there around 9:30 AM and tacked up Biscuit.  I parked where Bev and James usually are - they took my spot for the weekend since I wasn't going with my camper.

Margaret and Cub met us up there and off we went.  We went behind the Beaver Pond and down the old tram trails.  Wow!!!  That is a fabulous ride.

Biscuit was a good boy.  I got off around 3/4 of the ride out.  I needed to stretch my legs and eat my lunch.  I shared my sandwich with Biscuit and Cub.  Margaret helped me get him side passed to a tree so I could remount.  We kept going and finally turned around and came back.  We rode about 5.5 hours.  It was wonderful.

Visited a little with Bev, James, Randy and Kellie before leaving.  I took me 3 hours to get home.  Biscuit was stomping in the back which was annoying!!!

Had a great time and rode 11.7 miles.  Woo hooo!!!

Bare Foot Trimming

I went out to the barn to have the horses trimmed.  Biscuit's hoof has greatly improved.  The center sulcus is opening up and he is getting a callus area on his toe.  Woot!!!  I told Mike that I had rasped them the week after he did and then 2 weeks later so I had done it twice.  They are really growing now.
Biscuit was a toot a few times but mostly pretty good about getting his feet done.  I told Mike that I walked him across rocks and he didn't gimp up like he normally does.  I am hoping by fall his feet will be where I want them to be.  He will probably never has Sarge's feet but if I can improve his that will be fantastic.  I will probably always ride Biscuit in boots when he has to travel over rocks.  No reason to tear up his feet.  He still wants to pull his toe back in.  Going to work on that!!!

I put Biscuit up and took Sarge out and started grooming him.  OMG hair going EVERYWHERE.  I was using the Furminator and a curry comb.  His hair is like an old teddy bears.  Brush Brush Brush Brush clobs of hair all around on the ground.

While I was brushing Sarge, Lee Ann P got Classy in the ring and was lunging her and then was going to ride her.  Biscuit started tearing around the big arena, bucking, backfiring and skidding to a stop at the gate...snorting and blowing and whinnying.  Lee Ann suggested taking him out before he busted his butt.  I didn't have a problem haltering him and when I got him out he calmed down and ate clover.  I think he has a crush on Classy and was showing off!

Lee Ann was going to use the big arena for her lesson so I left Sarge and Biscuit tied up and she put them back up.  Here are pictures....

Center Sulcus greatly improved

Toe needs to come back more

Sarge having a pedicure

Biscuit is shedding out and shining

Tied up...I am treating Sarge's center Sulcus

Don't forget us here!!!

Pouring Rain

I went out to the barn in the very early afternoon Monday.  The Lee Ann's were both there brushing horses.  I was brushing Sarge and it started raining - then it was freaking POURING.

I gave up on brushing Sarge because the area was getting overran with water.  I was on the washrack and the water was rising so fast I was up to the grooming cabinet standing in an inch of water.  When I ran to my care maybe 20 feet away I got soaking wet.  Thunder and lightening - heavy white out rain.  So much for my trails drying up.

Attack of the Tree

I wasn't able to ride with the group at Tyrrell Park due to delivering wedding cakes.  I was up almost all night Friday night making cakes.  Betty P went down to Crystal with me to deliver the sea shell cake and Jarrod went with me to deliver the bronze cake.

I left Jarrod at home and headed for the barn.  Biscuit and Sarge were standing in the arena!  That made The Biscuit easier to to catch.  I put him on the washrack and went down and hooked up my Brenderup.  I loaded up Biscuit and my tack and headed for the park.  I went through the park not the back gate.

I brushed Biscuit and tacked him up.  He spooked hard once for some reason but I calmed him down.  I brought my step stool and pointed his head into the little area between my car and the trailer and mounted up.  I walked to the woods trail head but it was full of water so we went along side of the road and entered the first trail cut in and went to the left.  Trail was half wet and half dry.

Biscuit went through dry spots, moved the side for some wetter/softer areas and crossed water/mud like a pro without getting pissy about it.  Woot!  We crossed the right of ways and OMG they were freaking DRY!  How exciting that was!  We kept going and towards the back a  tree was uprooted from the right hand side and laying over the trail.  I couldn't go around it and the root area looked like it could be too soft.  Who needs to hurt their trusty steed?  So I went to go under the tree.  Did just fine until a limb on the other side whapped me in the head, bonked me on the eye and clobbered my shoulder and upper arm.  But, I was still sitting in my saddle riding the Biscuit.  

We kept going and went all the way around.  Biscuit was just an angel.

We got to the trailer and Kellie, Randy, K.d and Jimmy had come back from their ride.

I washed Biscuit off because his legs were pretty dang muddy.  Took a bit of washing to get the mud off of him and his hoof boots.  Jimmy came over and showed me his Renegade Boots.  They are nice.  When Biscuit wears out these two pairs of Easy Boot Gloves I will get him some of those boots.

Trails are drying up at Tyrrell

I stopped out at Tyrrell today to check the trails.  I walked out on them and there are still some wet areas but lots of dry now.  Woo hooo!!!!  I am going to ride on them this weekend if possible.  So ready to ride by myself with The Biscuit!

Jacque B visits The Biscuit

Jacque B was here teaching us cake classes and came to see me Wednesday before leaving.  We visited here and she followed me to the barn to see Biscuit.  She gave him and Sarge handfuls of treats!  I think Biscuit liked her!!

After Jacque left I saddled Biscuit after grooming him.  We rode in the arena for 30 minutes.  He was not wanting to trot and after kicking and kicking and popping with a crop he finally started a little trotting.  OMG he needs to be ridden more.  When I got off my legs were like spaghetti from kicking him.  

Lee Ann suggested using the snaffle - he is getting missed signals she said.  I am going to use his Allegany bridle with the snaffle and ride in the arena more.  I am going to put my spurs on too.  I can't kick sideways with any strength and it really wears my legs out.  I talked to my physical therapist about it but it is just going to take a long time for my nerves to heal.  Ugh.  So wish they would heal and I could walk straight again.  I will just have to barely touch him with spurs but I do believe he will get the message!

Biscuit's hoof is improving

Biscuit's hoof is looking fantastic.  I am still putting the ointment and organic vinegar in it.

The center sulcus is looking fantastic!  I will keep at it until it looks flat across the frog and the heels spread.  I think his heels are a little contracted.

I went out to the barn Monday after my cake class and Lee Ann P was in the ring with a lady on a Paint horse.  She wants to do some Western Pleasure classes.  Sweet little mare.  Lady likes to trail ride too.

The next day Lee Ann was riding this little mare.  She is very quiet and sweet as she can be.  She is boarding out at the ranch and Lee Ann will be training her.