When I got home I later got an email from Kellie saying Lady Dollar possibly had taken an indirect hit from lightening. She was unstable on her feet, had spasms in her muscles and had trouble turning around and stepping up on the concrete. Doc was coming out to take Reagan's stitches out and he seems to think she was hit indirectly by lightening. Poor girl. He treated her and took blood and sent it off to California to rule out a return of EPM.
Doc came out this morning and wasn't happy with her progress and took her to the clinic where they gave her a huge IV. All kinds of meds, etc. Kellie took her home this afternoon but she is not better. He said to not turn her out with the other horses as she is unstable on her feet. Kellie said her muscles were twitching and quivering and that her hair was falling out like crazy.
We have tried to research lightening strikes on horses but none of it was good news. I know that it is impossible to protect horses from everything but it is heartbreaking to see your beloved horse ill or injured.
Most information said to put lightening rods around buildings....I can see where a horse with shoes on is not a good thing either. Doc said it would be 2 or 3 weeks before he'd know the extent of damage. LD will be getting IV's and meds to help her fight.
I went out to the barn when I got off of work. I brought Biscuit up and Lee Anne B and Lee Anne P and I worked on his hooves. His hooves are looking great. We did three of his feet. It started pouring down rain with lightening popping everywhere. Gaaaaa....Lee Anne P tried to get Amir's Song into the water bath and she refused flat out. Lee Anne P said she was smarter than us...she wasn't getting into water in a metal area when it was lightening. LOL horse is smarter than us! Rogue and Biscuit were looking at each other over the wall before it started raining...they are so funny.
Lee Ann B loaded me a raincoat to take Biscuit down the road. I got pretty darn wet anyway.
EveryTrail - Find the best Hiking near Beaumont, Texas
Barry, Kellie, Susan and I went riding in Tyrrell Park Sunday. We loaded up and hauled out! We tacked up and we headed for the woods over by the stables to check to see how much water/muddy was in it. Too muddy so we went around the park and into Cattail Marsh. We went down the gravel road to Willow Bayou. Biscuit cantered like a good boy down Willow Bayou. Wow wee it was fun. We went quit a ways cantering at the right speed. He didn't try really to speed up and slowed when I asked him to. Good Biscuit. We crossed over the bridge and Kellie was behind me and said, "There is a boat...hurry up!!" Elan was on high alert when he saw a pontoon boat!
We came down off of the bridge and made a U-turn to go down Willow Bayou. Elan was still on alert and Kellie said "it is gone, silly". I said "No it isn't!" and the boat glided under the bridge full of people! The horses were quiet flummoxed by the sight of a boat! The rounded the corner going down the bayou and they all leaped a tiny impression. Biscuit, not to be out done, JUMPED it and threw in a little buck to boot. What a pill. We went down the canal and he wanted to run/trot up and down each hill. I refused to let him because he was fighting me. I tried to let him go into a canter but he threw his head around and wanted to gallop. So sorry...walk was his option then. We went all the way down to the ride away. We went to the left to go back up the other rideaway and went about 100 yards or so but it was entirely too wet. We turned and went back. Biscuit got to trot some. Some more head tossing and some more "you will do what I say Biscuit". We made it just fine. We got back to the bridge and the boat was still there...Elan was again on alert. He doesn't forget squat. This time I went first and went all the way to the left and around so Biscuit didn't jump. He probably wouldn't have anyway but I wasn't going to be unseated either!
We went all the way down to the back of the park to Hildebrandt Bayou. Wow wee...lots of green now in the bayou. It was gorgeous and I am sure next week will be even better!
The Marsh Area on the south side of the park.
We trotted and did short canters all the way to the bayou. It was so fun! It looked beautiful back there. We got down to the back and took some pictures.
Biscuit is examining the new grass
Denise & Biscuit - he is watching Barry going into the woods
Susan, Sababba, Denise & Biscuit - could the horses be any cuter?
The world between a horse's ears - the best place to be
Kellie, Elan, Denise and Biscuit Hildebrandte Bayou in the background
Barry and Sarge - Sarge is our fearless one
We got down to the back of the park and Barry and Sarge were trying to go through the tangles of what used to be a trail. He went down one area and come out in another. We all decided to go down it as far as we could go. It was over grown and branches everywhere. Sue grabbed one and thank God it broke because it would have smacked me in the face! I checked the Garmen and we went 3/10ths of a mile into the brush. The City of Beaumont said they would clear the trail with a bull dozer in April. Woot! We can't wait.
We started back and did some trotting. We got about half way back to the bridge and all of the horses clustered up close to each other ... there is safety in numbers. I asked Elan if he wanted me to carry him...LOL he was right up against me.
I took some more pictures.....
Barry and Sarge by the overflow canal that is now covered in water lilies
Part of the marshy area...it will be gorgeous when the trees leaf out.
Barry and Sarge
We went over the bridge and Elan was still looking for the boat...which was STILL there. Must have been catching a lot of fish! We dismounted and cleaned hooves. Biscuit was really good about picking up his feet. We mounted and off we went. Trotting, a tiny canter and Biscuit wanted to shake his head. Nope. We slowed. I then trotted to catch up with Kellie and Susan. Barry was way back from us when I got to Kellie and Susan and he took off on Sarge and let him really rip. Sarge was running as fast as his two little legs could go. He is magnificent.
There were two little alligators sunning themselves and Barry went down to the bayou and back up. Sarge was blowing and snorting a little. He was so excited. He loves to go. He is truly a man's horse.
We went further down and I took these pictures
Can you see the little alligator in the water?
Willow Bayou
We went down to the big ride away that goes across the woods and the retention ponds. It was high and dry. We were looking for ways to make the ride longer!!! There was only a little water getting up to the road. Nothing bad or that will give anyone any problems.
We went up the gravel road and there was a huge flock of Pintail ducks in the retention ponds. Barry went on top of the levee road to check out what kind they were and he said "Pintail" and since he used to be a duck hunter I guess he knows.
Biscuit stumbled really bad on a rock and when we got to the parking lot at Cattail Marsh where the equipment goes in he started limping really badly. I got off and checked his feet. FULL OF BIG CHUNKY ROCKS. I cleaned out his feet which was pretty easy since his feet have a nice concave shape to the bottom! I mounted on a little hill of mud and off we went.
Barry brought his own truck so he could leave to visit his dad in the hospital and after taking the saddles off of the horses and putting those up, he left. The horses always seem upset over the kids playing basketball. The sound of the bouncing ball really seems to put all of the horses on high alert. Their ears are up, they are looking at the kids running around and they seem edgy. I got the boys loaded up and tried to take off. My back wheels were just spinning....we were HEAVY! I backed it up and then was able to take off.
I got back to the barn and unloaded the boys and gave them a bath. They were disgusting dirty. I put them back in the trailer and fed them and hauled them to the pasture. Biscuit was dry by then and looked gorgeous.
Sarge and Biscuit in the Brenderup. What cute butts!!!
I brought Biscuit up to the wash rack and checked his feet. I will have to give him a pedicure Monday. I groomed him and he is shedding out nicely. I tacked him up and led him into a corner so I could mount. Biscuit is not calm in the arena like he is on the trail. I wasn't even seated when he took off. This time I was able to control him though and he later calmed down. We walked and did circles. Later jogging and trotting but he wants to speed up, he turns his neck slightly and is trying to turn his body sideways but it is almost like he thinks that is what he is supposed to do. One of these days I am going to go talk to Mr. Joseph about Biscuit.
He will side pass somewhat to the right but not the left. He is totally confused about the left. I watched Julie Goodnight doing an emergency stop by putting the left hand tight into the mane and pulling up with the right rein. I practiced that a few times just in case I ever need it. Wish I would have known that when I rode that horse that threw me.
I rode for about 30 minutes and untacked him. I took him over to the spa and asked him to get in. He refused of course so I was going to trot him in a circle on the end of his lead rope. I was popping him lightly on his butt with the end of the lead rope and he kicked out with his right leg. I was near his shoulder but I don't think so. I hauled him around and backed him up jerking down on his halter - I backed him up right in to the rail fence. I think he seriously got the message.
I tried to lead him back into the spa but he started pulling back and I let him go following him back. Let him back up several times with him backing up. LeeAnne B came in and lead Rogue in and he went in quietly and stood there. We walked him out and tried Biscuit again and he pulled back...this time I sat back on the lead rope and he came forward. Several times he pulled back and I leaned heavy on the lead rope and he came forward finally and walked in. I had to turn him around and skinny up to the fence to get him actually into the pool. I didn't want to get my Gypsy Boots wet!!! I praised him and petted him and he relaxed. Later I moved my hand to quick for him and he jerked his head up. He is not super trusting and I think when he decides something is not good for him he can be pretty stubborn but I was able to overcome his objections and he did what I asked. Don't know if he will tomorrow but we will see!
I took him over to the wash rack and cleaned his hooves and added the last of the meds to his sulcuses. Hope the thrush goes away soon.
Lee Anne B. called and said she was heading for the barn so I headed out too so we could ride in the arena. I grabbed my camera and took off.
I got to the barn and stopped at the edge of the tack room to put my coke in the fridge. I could see LeeAnn with all of her stuff from the tack closet out on the floor. I went in and Ms. Jean asked if I had left some the stuff out.....ummm...no....I haven't even been in the tack area since Wednesday.
Someone was in the tack room and tore everyone's stuff out of the closets. My grooming bag was over by the door! We quickly started counting saddles and tack. Nothing was missing from my stuff...initially I thought Red's Les Vogt bit was gone but I had put it on the other door. I was counting saddles and only counted 3....we have 4. OMG I thought the Ryan saddle was gone until I remembered it was at the house.
We started picking stuff up and putting it away. They didn't take any saddles and there are some nice ones in there! Nice bits, saddle pads, etc. All of my tack except a few things are in the tack room. Lee Anne was missing her brand new rasp with handle. That was it.
I think they were after equine drugs. I have some bute, acepromazine and some antibiotics but they never even opened the drawer it was in. I have just a small amount in case of colic.
Whoever broke in needs to be aware...Ms. Jean and Mr. Gus are champion marksmen....LOL Mr. Gus said Ms. Jean hits whatever she is aiming at!!!
PRN cabinet opened
My locker was open and the grooming bag was removed
Lee Ann B. cabinet opened and riffled though
Lee Ann B's. stuff out on the ground
Doors open, stuff scattered around
what a mess
My grooming bag dropped by the door and gloves out
I added a Wish List to my blog of places that are within a 4 hour drive from here that I would like to ride this year. Some I have rode and just want to go back! I want to make a plan to make my list a reality...if I plan for it I can make it happen. One is to complete all trails in Ebenezer. That is near and dear to my heart. I absolutely love Ebenezer...it is beautiful and peaceful there. Good times with friends and family and I remember how excited I was the first time we rode there. I had such a good time...stepping over logs, going through little slews, going down Eagles Nest Hill...OMG...I was scared stiff yet excited. Red was crowding Sarge, his saddle was flipping up in the back and to me it felt like we were going down at a 50 degree angle!! LOL I know now it is nothing of a sort but that day it felt like it and seemed to be oh.....a mile down! I was hooked on trail riding...that is why I bought a horse in the first place and this year is the year to expand and get out more. I am going to cut back on the number of wedding cakes that I take so we can ride more.
I am riding Tyrrell Park this month and April will have McKinney Roughs, Ebenezer and probably Tyrrell Park again, too. I would like to hop over to Boykin on the Ebenezer rides. Perhaps I can get Barry to go to Kisatchie for Memorial Weekend or at least part of it.
I should have my new saddle soon and I will need to put some miles on it!
We are planning a girl's trail ride at McKinney Roughs Nature Park on the 2nd weekend of April! It will be The LeeAnn's and me. Kellie unfortunately, won't be able to join us. That is too bad because she is a riot.
We are going to stay at the Happy Horse Hotel which is two miles from McKinney. We discussed our plans this afternoon while LeeAnn B was trimming on Rogue's feet. We plan on leaving around 8:00 AM or earlier. It is 233 miles and should take us around 4 hours of driving to get there. We hope to arrive no later than 1:00 PM and get in a nice afternoon ride, ride all day Saturday and then leave fairly early Sunday to get home at a decent hour.
I went to the barn when I got off of work. I talked to Barry right when I was turning into the paddock road and he said to bring up Sarge, too.
I got out of the Rav4 and the boys were on the other side of their shelter near the far side of the paddock. I called for them and lo and behold, The Biscuit came across to me and stood quietly while I put his halter on. I was so proud of him. He is becoming comfortable with me and comfortable in his own skin I think. He doesn't flinch like he used to with me. He still will with other people though. I walked the boys up to the wash rack and put Sarge in the arena. Biscuit was tied at the wash rack outside wall.
LeeAnn P was working with Legato's hooves and Amir's Song was on the other side. Legato's hooves are looking fantastic...her frog looked almost perfect. LeeAnn is a hoof rasping Queen Bee.
I brushed Biscuit and cleaned his hooves. He had a little tag of frog that I used the knife to cut off but other than that he was fine. Hooves were a little chalky in some spots. I can still smell some of the thrush but we are working on it. We looked at Sarge's back left hoof at the laid over bar and it is better.
LeeAnn took her horses back to the pasture and I took Biscuit to the spa...he can be somewhat hard headed and refused to go in today. I thought LeeAnn had left so I went to get him some hay to entice him....LeeAnn appeared and said "Biscuit...you WILL get in the spa!" So back to the spa and after some coaxing he was in the left side and we were able to turn him and get him in the spa. We stood there and chit chatted while Biscuit soaked. Barry arrived and came over to see the spa. He liked it. It is really is handy to soak their feet! After I got him out I took him over to the wash rack again and put the medication in his frogs to get rid of the thrush. The back left seems to be really tender when I shoot it in the frog with the syringe. I brushed him with the Furinator comb and then walked him down to his paddock.
Barry worked Sarge in the arena and he said he was being a pill. He saddled him up and rode him in the little arena and then the big arena. He worked Sarge back and forth. Sarge was a little sweat ball but he loves to work. After Barry got off of him I tried to get on from the flat ground.
LOL wasn't happening. I will have to limber up and stretch my muscles and strengthen them. Biscuit is taller than Sarge so I don't know if I will EVER be able to mount with out a mounting block, tree, low area, etc. I am going to measure Biscuit tomorrow and see exactly how tall he is. I think he is 15.2. Humm...we will see.
We took Sarge over to the spa and he walked right in. He is such a good fellow. Always does what he is asked and does it willingly.
I could be eating some of that grass over there if she didn't have me stuck in this spa!!
PRN Horse Spa
Sniffing the vinegar bottle
Checking out the drain plug
I went out to the ranch today to tend to the horses. Lee Anne told me that Edgar has finished the Soaking Spa and it was ready to go. They converted the former kennel runs into a hoof soaking spa. As part of our natural living for our horses, they need to soak their feet every day. Edgar made it all come together. He put in two concrete rails in between the concrete dividers with a drain in one end. Lee Anne P. filled it with water and added a jug of vinegar - voila! Foot soaking spa for the horses.
I went down and got Biscuit and brought him over the the spa area. Lee Ann was soaking Torigue's feet so Biscuit was nibbling on the grass and walking around. Finally it was his turn. Lee Anne and I got him in the water with just a little bit of encouragement. He stood there kind of bewildered at what these two nutty ladies were doing to him. There was a bench over on the other side - very solid and heavy! I went and got it and brought it over and Lee Ann and I sat and talked about horses, trail rides and of course, hooves. In the mean time, Torigue and the young filly were flirting to beat the band and Mi Thi was screaming like a possessed witch. Horses are so funny.
Why am I standing here?
After Biscuit soaked for about 20 minutes or so I picked up his hooves and used the brush on the pic to rub the vinegar water into the frogs. His feet look pretty good when they are soaked! I took him to the cold wash rack and put the Neosporin/Lotramin mix into a syringe and then put it into his frogs. We followed that with Desitin to water proof it. Hopefully the thrush will be gone soon - with the vinegar soakings and hoof ointment we will have Thrush on the Run!!!
I went out to the barn today and pulled up The Biscuit. It was overcast, windy, chilly and just plain yukky. The wind seemed to be blowing from the east so the cold washrack was just that - COLD! I took Biscuit into the main barn and tied him in the washrack. Poor guy seemed a little nervous - he still is a little uneasy sometimes. I went and got my grooming bag and my knife, gloves and rasp.
I started currying him and he was shedding like a Yeti. When I got through brushing and currying him there was a pile of hair that looked like I'd clipped a poodle! He pooped so I cleaned up hair and poop. I cleaned his hooves and he picked them up and handed them to me. Good Biscuit!
The LeeAnn's arrived around that time - they'd taken the aluminum trailer to a truck stop wash and acid washed it! For $30 it looked brand new. We went and got the stool and hoof stand and LeeAnn B's rasp because it has the handle on it. I will have to order one!
We started with his front right. His hooves were done 2 weeks ago by Darolyn and had grown some quiet a bit. We rasped them just a little, I trimmed the bars. There was some thrush funky smell. I am working a learning to balance the rasp - LeeAnn P. is better with the rasp than I am but I can use the knife well!!! We put his hoof on the stand and he was pretty darn patient considering 4 months ago this horse wouldn't even pick up a hoof! A few times he tried to pull the hoof away but mostly he was a good boy. LeeAnn B was holding hay for him and so he was pretty happy with that.
We did the back two feet and worked at shortening the toe just a little on the back left where he had had an abscess. We put it on the stand 3 or 4 times and he stepped on it, pulled the foot down a few times, but we didn't have much trouble. LeeAnn P was going to use the nippers but Biscuit wasn't too crazy about the noise. I think the few times he had his feet done was with nippers only, his feet were whacked off and he was forced so nippers aren't his favorite. There is no sense in upsetting him and making him go backwards - I want him going forward in his trust of me and his training to be a top notch trailhorse!
We did the front left with needed very little and then we shot some of the hoof ointment in his center sulcus. One hoof seemed a little sensitive. This treatment is supposed to get the thrush on the run and I hope so.
LeeAnn P said the soaking hoof bath is now ready and full of water with vinegar. I will bring up both of the boys tomorrow and soak their feet. The LeeAnn's and I are dedicated to making their hooves as strong and healthy as possible.
I walked Biscuit down to the pasture and Sarge was pawing at the fence and seemed to get his foot hung in the bottom line. Thank God he doesn't have shoes on! Sarge loves attention and he was calling to Biscuit or maybe to me - he gave Biscuit the evil eye when I put Biscuit back into the pasture so he'd move. Then he turns to me with an angel face. LOL how can you not love Sarge? He is so sweet!
Here are some pictures of Biscuit's hooves. They are improving!!
I went riding today at Masterson's Forest with The LeeAnn's, Kellie, Randy and Robin. We had a blast. We made two rides for a total of 8.1 miles. Biscuit was a good boy today. We went through mud and water - but with sandy bottoms so it wasn't bad. I had never rode there before but I liked it. Peaceful and serene. We talked to the park ranger, Scott. We had a nice picnic lunch in between the rides.
On Monday I went out to the barn and brought up the horses. Lee Ann P. and I worked on Sarge's feet...I trimmed his bars back and one of his bars looked like it was laid over. I worked on his feet with Lee Anne B and Lee Anne P.'s help. I think I did a good job! He was getting restless with his feet and I was doing his back right foot and he slammed it toe first into my toes. EyyYiii Yii. I saw toe stars. My toes are bruised but not broken!
I soaked them and they will survive! The rest of the week I tried to get out to the barn but Tuesday the tv man came, Wednesday the cable man came, Thursday I had to take Morgan to the ER. Friday I got to see them for a few minutes. Friday Biscuit was tugging on Sarge's shoulders with his teeth. Sarge was very tolerant of him but I know he gets fed up with it and lets Biscuit have it!
Lee Ann B, Lee Ann P, Kellie, Randy, Barry and I went up to Big Sandy today to ride. We rode 12.2 miles. Crossed tons of downed trees, got snagged up in some!! Went off trail once - circled back and around a snapped in half tree that was easy going one way and not so easy going back!! Crossed a little bridge. It was just a fun ride. I enjoyed it so much. Biscuit was an absolute doll for the most part. He layed back his ears a few times, Lagato kicked up a few times, Rogue was a doll - like his old self!!
Barry took off on the ride back by himself to stretch Sarge's legs. It was a pretty ride - I bet it is gorgeous in the spring and fall! A tree or something fell out of the trees (loads of downed and snapped trees due to storms - you could hear branches falling!) and it startled the horses some.
The Big Thicket
Riding down the trails in Big Sandy
Crossing the little bridge
Biscuit and Denise - doesn't he look gorgeous?
Barry and Sarge
It was a nice park with a potty!!! Thank God for Park Potties! We are planning to ride at Masterson's next weekend.
When we got back to the trail head Biscuit was soaking wet and filthy as all get out. Where does he hid all of that dirt?!! I picked up his feet one by one and they looked polished on the inside from walking 12.2 miles in the sand! He feet looked simply fantastic!! I can see where the bars have grown since last Monday - Lee Anne P and I are going to trim them tomorrow. His frogs looked healthy, his soles did too. He did stumble a few times today on rocks, stobs, roots, but mostly he did a fantastic job. His girth had foam on the outside when we got back. I think he was pretty darn hot. His hair is long but he is shedding off nicely. His face is a darker gold. I think he is going to be gorgeous when he sheds out. His chest is full and pretty - he is just looking fantastic.
