Going to Kisatchie with The Lee Anns

Kisachie with The Lee Anns 1st Ride

Went too far trail

Gorgeous Star Trail

Are you back there Legato?

Thursday was a busy day getting ready to go to Kisatchie.  I had to go to banks and cash checks, run to the grocery store, run home and make a casserole, pack and get out the door.  I pulled up The Biscuit, loaded my stuff into the 3 horse slant and we took off.   What a fun ride - The Lee Anns are always so much fun.

We got to Kisatchie after a little snaffoo in directions.  We unloaded the horses and put them in the stalls and unloaded our stuff.  Lee Ann B had made us a terrific broccoli chicken casserole so we never starve!  We had to jack a microwave from another cabin as ours didn't have the micro and fridge they were supposed to have. 

We got up Friday morning and puttered around, fed the horses and I took Biscuit down to the round pen and let him walk around and stretch his legs.  We met some of the other guests - Denise and Troy, Justine and her husband - darn, can't remember his name! that are originally from York, England, and Cathy and her husband that live there during the winter months. 

We finally tacked up and headed out with maps.  We went down the Wind Chime Trail.  Biscuit was a little frisky but not much considering the horse has barely been rode in the last month.  He got tangled up in some vines like Tony's horse did there last year.  He didn't panic though and backed up-went forward-backed up til he was free.  I sat as still as I could while he got himself out of it and considered where I would have to bale off!!!  He freed himself and that was it.  Good Boy.  Lee Ann P said the map we were using was dead on and I left the navigating the map to her as I was pretty sure of where I was as we had rode this trail with Mr. Weber last year.   Also, without my glasses it is hard to see the map!!!  The new little Cashel Trail Kit really comes in handy!!!  I did stop and put on my glasses so I could see the map and my memory was pretty good about where I was at.

We stopped to go around a culvert and I remembered that is where we took pictures going through the little creek.  We stopped and got off for a little rest.  I went over to the place where we had gone through and made sure the horses wouldn't bog down.  It was solid so it was no problem.  I went back to where Biscuit was and was standing there and then stepped back and into a tree hole.  Down I went on my butt.  I am sure Biscuit was cracked up laughing on the inside!

I went to mount up and did a go over AGAIN.  He stepped towards me and then forward and I pitched over the top, same thing as last time and was afraid my foot would hang in Barry's stirrup and whop!!!  I fell flat on my back when Biscuit moved around - I was just glad he didn't step on me and the stump I hit was rotten.  I took him over to a tree that was down and it was maybe 3" off the ground and it helped.  I mounted with no problem and held his reins tighter.  We went through the little creek without a hitch.  We traveled the same route I had before down by the horses that came running up to us.  We got off and walked the horses.  Biscuit was ok with it last time but you never know.  Better safe than sorry.  We did some trotting which was fun.  We rode 7.1 miles and just had a blast.

Bad weather was on its way and Kellie texted that it started raining in Jasper at 2:00 PM and rained for 12 hours over there.  Ugh.  We had gorgeous weather Friday - clear skies, LOW humidity, mild temperatures.  What could have been better than that?

I gave Biscuit a huge bag of hay which he promptly devoured.  I had moved him to a middle stall as the other was to wet for me.  I didn't mind the smaller stalls but I didn't like them being wet.  We tacked up later for another ride - Biscuit was an ass about being saddled and I dropped my saddle.  We only rode about a mile or so and came back due to threatening weather. 

We ate my Mexican Casserole I had made and it was pretty good.  It started raining that evening but it wasn't a heavy rain.

Saturday it was overcast and chilly.  I was able to get on line and see that it would clear around 3:00.  Lee Ann P decided not to ride but Lee Ann B and I tacked up and rode out at 1:00 PM.  We went down to one that I had rode part of before.  It was now marked as a double red dot trail.  Biscuit was being pretty darn frisky and wanting to MOVE out.  They were a little explosive I think due to being too long in a stall and cool weather.  I wanted to stop and look at the map and he kept moving around - I slapped his neck and growled at him.  Still wanting to move out - I put him in the lead - we switched back and forth on that - and he settled down.  We kept going at an 8 mile loop marker and later my Garmin went out...the batteries died.  I knew we had to go west but trails do loop around.  Anyway we followed one trail and kept going til we hit a Louisiana Camp Site that was closed.  We rode up to the road and the gate was locked.  Thank God some kids turned in that were looking for a place to 4 wheel.  Lee Ann kicked down the boards because there was wire fences.  We let the horses out and Troy and Sarah went to tell Lee Ann P to come get us.  What sweet kids!!!  We rode about 11 miles and Lee Ann and Cathy came and picked us up. 

Little Creek

What a cute bridge

Biscuit looks to Rogue to get his opinion on the crossing of a bridge!!

Sister, I do NOT want to go over that bridge first....let Rogue go!!

Super Rogue - he was a trooper!!!

Look at Rogue Go!!!

Piece of Cake Biscuit...just follow Rogue

Biscuit followed like a good boy

The sweet couple that helped us!!!  Their momma's raised them right!!!

Rogue by Hwy 112

Biscuit waiting for his transport

Thought we were going to have to eat berries for dinner!!!

Pretty Black Berries

Lee Ann with our ride!!!!

Ooops!!!  Had to get out somehow!!!

Another horsey friend stopped to make sure we were ok

Kisatchie Forest

 Biscuit did seem to get a little tired on this ride or maybe it was just being tenderfooted.  He did knock a little chunk out of his coronet band, probably on a root or something like that.  Tons of roots out there.  We got back to the 4B and I put Biscuit in his stall and made sure he had his water, hay and feed.  He was a happy camper.

I did realize that no matter how short you think a ride is - take the phone.  We, thank God, weren't lost.  I could have turned around and got back the way I came but it would have been dark when we got back.  We ran into a band of 14 hogs - a couple of big ones and mostly little ones.  Who wants to run into that at night and spook your horse?  Not me!!!

I also realized that I will ride now with extra fresh batteries in the Cashet Trail Kit.  I am going to get new batteries for my little square flashlight and keep fresh batteries for that in the kit too.  It has a nice strong beam.  Matches to start a fire if needed.  I will get some and put the little waterproof first aid container that I have.  Hummm...I am going to make a post on what to take no matter what!!!

Sarge is Ok!!!! Ava meets the horses

I called Doc Wednesday morning and Cassie set me up with a 9:30 appointment.  I hitched the Brenderup to the Rav (thank God it hitched up just fine...that is another story about what happened to my hitch at Modica Brothers!) and was going down Central Blvd when Cassie called.  She said that Doc had a call out on colic and could be change the appointment to 6:00 PM. 

I put up the trailer and didn't have trouble with it at all.  What happened was when I went to get it last week it was in the front of Modica's instead of the back where I left it.  I wondered how they moved it because it had the lock in the ball.  I thought they would just use a jack to take the tire off.  I went in to pay and they said no charge.  Hummm...that is odd.  Why no charge I wondered.  I backed up to it and couldn't get the key in the lock.  I tried several times.  I went inside and asked if something had happened to my trailer.  They put it on a ball of a truck or something and had to take their receiver hitch off to get it off the ball.  He came outside with me to look at the key/lock issue and asked I had the right key. I said the very ones I used yesterday.  Ugghghghghghghghghgh....I went home and got the original key.  Came back - it doesn't fit either and looks like the lock has been squished so the key won't go in.  I called Kay at Leibe and Lucas where I bought the trailer.   She said to try to tap the key in or I'd have to have a keysmith drill it out.  OMG.  The guy was able to tap the key in and turn it with pliers.  He apologized for my inconvenience.  OMG my lock is toast.  I wouldn't trust it at all now.  I did tell him I thought they would just jack up my trailer and take the tire off.  I said I would have preferred that they called me and said they couldn't repair the tire unless I removed the lock.  When I hauled the trailer Sunday I had a little trouble get it on the ball and take it off. 

So back to my vet story.  I went out to the barn to give Sarge a medicated bath.  I pulled him up out of the pasture and he was such a good boy.  I took him to the main barn.  Dr. Sherwood, Ms. Jean and Lee Ann were working on Jabarre in the clinic.  He was getting his eye sewed up, his teeth floated and his sheath cleaned.  Poor guy!!! 

Lee Ann had looked at Sarge earlier and said she thought that patch would slough off.  Ms. Jean wasn't so sure.  She said she has had huge  parts slough off.  Gaaaa!!!! 

I used warm water to give Sarge a good bath - I used my curry comb to scrub him down and was pulling tons of hair out.  He was a little nervous hearing the drill they were using on Jabarre.  He didn't like it so much when Doc Sherwood did his teeth a few years ago.  I made sure to really rinse him off good.  I took him outside and he was pretty darn shiny on most of his body.  Even the long hair. 

Shiny Sarge

Hummm...I will be riding you before you know it Sarge!!!!

I took him on the outside washrack and brushed him with the Furminator and pulled off more hair.  He seemed a little tender skinned and hollowed his back when I was going down his back.  I tried to be very careful so I didn't hurt him.  I put Cowboy Magic in his mane and tail and combed them smooth. 

I asked Dr. Sherwood to look at Sarge and he said that bay horses sometimes shed out a little differently than other horses - often looking just like Sarge - ratty in the places because literally all of the hair falls out.  He said the Capsan blistered his skin in the wrinkly place.  (OMG I felt terrible!!)  He said to just wash Sarge in Tide - without bleach - when I think that he is getting rain rot.  Save myself some money he said.  I wanted to pay him but he said no - that way I wouldn't be pissed off if it didn't work!!!  LOL  He is so funny.

Well, aren't you a cutie patootie

Lee Ann told him I was putting the Captan on full strength and he said he'd never heard of that and perhaps I had misunderstood.  Lee Ann said no, she didn't misunderstand because I was there when she called them back and confirmed the method.  AAAAACCCKKKK!  I felt so bad causing this poor fellow any moment of discomfort, pain or aggravation. 

I later gave Sarge his West Nile Shot.  Poor baby, he has been through the ringer.  His coat is very shiny and soft where he has shed off.  I told Barry it is important for him to rinse him off after riding - this horse obviously has sensitive skin.  My horse as a teenager, Gal, was a little bay horse much like Sargent.  Probably about his size when grown.  I don't remember her looking funny shedding out but of course, that doesn't mean EVERY bay horse looks like doody shedding out!

I got Biscuit out of the pasture and washed his mane.  The medication had got in the last part of his mane and it was thick black strings from the meds, the sun screen and dirt.  It took two scrubbings with shampoo and OxyClean to get it out.  I tried his new saddle on him and the girth is a little short I think.  I tried Lee Ann's expensive girth on him and took him into the arena and yeah....it's an Aussie.  It slipped twice.  Had to tighten and finally got on.  We went around the arena a few times and I can tell he hasn't been ridden.  I can't get another girth before we leave for Kisatchie so I am going to take the Billy Cook. 

I lounged Biscuit for 20 minutes.  10 minutes to the right and he went quickly when asked.  That is the side he usually gives me trouble and spins around in a circle like he is confused.  Not today.  10 minutes at a trot.  He finally stopped himself and turned the other way!  LOL  he is so funny.  Jarbarre was racing around the arena and Biscuit did some cantering in that direction.  He was barely damp but I rinsed him off anyway.

Barry arrived when I was down at the paddock and we got them horses some alfalfa.  Barry got it at Tractor Supply and it is VERY compressed.  Sarge pawed his because it is so compact.  Barry pulled it apart for him and then he was happy.  Barry read Biscuit the riot act last week for getting up in his Kool Aid while giving them alfalfa.  Biscuit hadn't forgot and was much better about waiting til Barry gave him his alfalfa.

Julia is moving but will be coming back to see Shalom til she is able to move her.  I promised to take pics and put them on the blog.  She gave me a hug and we made plans to ride in June. 

Barry and I kept the kids and took them to eat at Cracker Barrel and then out to see the horses so Ava could meet the boys.  She wasn't afraid and tried to poke Sarge in the eye and grab his ear.  LOL  Sarge is so sweet.  Kayden gave Biscuit and Sarge clover and led Sarge around by his lead rope. 

Treating Sarge and Biscuit

I have been putting the Captan on Sarge and the other meds on Biscuit's back.  They have been so patient about it.  Sarge's hair is growing back but I am still worried about him.

I went to the barn this afternoon to put Captan on him.  Barry was meeting me out there and I had bought a huge bale of alfalfa at the Vinton Feed Store today.

Hey...there is the Alfalfa Girl and hey, she has alfalfa

Got a snack for the Biscuit?

yummmmm. Sarge left a bite

nummmm nummm nummm

wow...Sarge is such a sweet guy...

ok...party is over...Sarge wants his own Texas Trash...

How about a bite for the Biscuit? 

Sarge's wrinkle

Sarge is shiny in some places and not in others...Biscuit is Golden

I gave them the alfalfa (I noted that Sarge had left some food in his bucket but returned to it when he saw Biscuit in it!!) and put the meds on Biscuit's back.  I was wiping Sarge down with the Clorox wipees and on his left shoulder was a funny wrinkly area.  It is odd looking like it is separate from the rest of him.  I called the vet and will be taking him in tomorrow.  He said it may be trying to slough off.  I want Doc to do a blood test on Sargent.  I am worried about him.  I don't like him looking so sad!!!

Allegany Saddle

After Doc told me that the new saddle didn't fit in his opinion I had to call Staci.  I told her what Doc said and explained that he not only was a terrific vet, but that he was a real cowboy - that he had competed in all kinds of performance disciplines.  I asked what she would give me on the saddle and, bless her heart, she said it was a brand new saddle and she would just build me one that fit Biscuit now and take that one and sell it or keep it as a demo.  Wow!  I never expected that and I was blown away but her dedication to providing top notch service.  I shipped the saddle back to her and she is shipping the fit kit back to me.  We will refit The Biscuit and build me a new saddle.

I do want a Renegade Endurance saddle with the slim pommel in the lighter color.  I want it stamped, I want endurance stirrups, no dropped rigging, slim fenders, the deep pocket seat with the Supracore and 2 latigo's on each corner.  Also, my hoof pick pocket!!!  I am sure it will be wonderful but it will take 2 months to get it so I won't have it til mid - June.

Hair Issues, Tire & Battery Issues, Sunburn Issues Part 2

Left Side

Both sides

Add caption

Issues and concerns galore as the day continues.  I got the horses back to the barn and pulled the trailer over past the stud pen.  I tied them on the wash rack and took pictures of Biscuit's back.  I had told Margaret about this yesterday and I think she thought I a slightly hysterical horse owner for taking them to the vet.  She said hot scrubby baths and treat at home had worked for her.  I texted her a picture of Biscuit's back and the Fungus Amongus message.  She CALLED me and said "that is is bad!!!  You have to get that treated immediately."  hahahahaha I actually do know some things and I am not over reactive but stuff where the saddle goes can't wait.

Doc did say I could still ride him...put Desitin where the patches are till the hair grows back which does grow pretty quick.  I probably won't ride til we go to Louisiana next weekend but will lounge him so he doesn't act like an idiot.

I will have to disinfect his saddle pad and all the brushes.  Lee Ann came out and asked about what Doc said.   I was telling her about it and she recommended some oral stuff that she and Ms. Jean had had luck with.  I called Doc about it and Cassie is going to get back with me on it.  She did later and Doc said it didn't work in his opinion any better than what I am going to do and it is $170 per horse.  Gaaaa.  I visited for a few minutes with Ms. Jean and Lee Ann on the patio.  OMG the patio is gorgeous.

Hair in clumps

Sarge feeling better with the hair off

A soaking wet Sargent

Lots of hair gone but still more to go

So...back to horses....I got out my Orvis Paste Shampoo and went to work on Sargent.  OMG his hair at his flanks was coming out in hunks and he is bare there now after I plucked it out.   I hosed him down and got to work with the shampoo and rubber curry comb.  Lots of hair coming out.  Then I got the Furminator and pulled that all over him...hair coming out by the tons.  I rinsed him really well and put Show Sheen in his mane and combed it.  Sarge is a horse that is going to take extra grooming.  I guess I will have to do it because Barry isn't!  Poor guy!!!

Before nipping - omg they are long!!!

After nipping - but before rasping

Back left hoof before nipping

before nipping

After I got him cleaned up I started on his hooves.  I nipped them first because they were long!  I had to pop him once.  Sarge can be hard to trim.  I turned him and Biscuit out in the arena so I could go get something to eat.  I went to my car and the lights were on.  OMG...I had left the car on ... not running but the key to the first turn.  Lee Ann came and jumped it for me.  I then hauled the trailer to Modica Bro. to have the back tire patched.  I went and got lunch and the dust Dr. Schneider told me to get.

Julia clipping KaTim

KaTim is much cooler now

I came back and they were body clipping KaTim.  I got to help.  It was an education!!!  It was really fun!!!  Hair was going everywhere.  I clipped his legs and face plus smoothed out his body clip.  So much for that crazy Arabian BS.  KaTim was such a sweetie while I was clipping him.   Lee Ann folded his ears and I trimmed his ears and the backs of them.  Around his eyes, down his forehand and under his jaw.  What a total sweetheart.  He is an old fellow now but I understand he used to be the cat's meow in the show ring.  What a lovely old boy.  Wish I had known him in his glory days.

I finished rasping Sarge's feet.  I put the medication on Biscuit's back and dusted Sarge like a rose bush.  I took them one at a time down to the paddock.

Fungus Amongus and Saddle Fit Issues Part 1

Busy as a bee on Tuesday.  My Brenderup was in front of Morgan's car!!!  I attached my Rav and backed up my Brenderup without going off of the driveway on the right side.  I am a backing up champion!!!!  Look at that watermark....3 years ago backing up was a little hard!!!  Trailering has been fun and a challenge. 

I got out to the barn and put the boys feed in the trailer and went down to get them.  I got out and got near them (they were at the gate) and both of them took off!!!  OMG like I had time to chase them down.  Went to the other side and easily caught them after their "I'm hard to get" game.  They both loaded up quickly and with no problem.

Ohhh ohhhh....tire was low.  I hadn't taken it to be plugged.  It was fine without the horses though.  I pulled up to the main barn and asked Edgar if he thought it was too low.  He said he'd fill it for me again.  Bless his heart.  He is such a sweet darling person.  I just love Edgar and Jamie.  They are wonderful people.  So, I put the Rav in reverse and backed it up down, around the curve and to the feed barn without it fishtailing or swerving around!!!!  Edgar filled it for me and I said I would take it as soon as I unloaded the horses after their trip to the vet. 

So, I called Cassie to let her know I would be about 10 minutes late due to run away horses and a low tire.  Ughhhh   and I thought I was going to be early!!!  It always takes longer than you think it will to go ANYWHERE with horses. 

ummmmm, explain to us again WHY we are here?

The horses were well behaved so I snapped a few pictures of them.

Sarge isn't happy...he is giving me the stink eye...Biscuit is hopeful that it isn't going to involve a hand up somewhere that isn't his idea of a fun time!!

Here, you have dirt on your face, let me get that off for you. 

Aren't my boys just gorgeous?

Doc shaved his back

 Doc looked them over and said Sarge's was just garden variety fungus amongus of Southeast Texas this time of year.  Biscuit's, on the other hand, was not.  Deep tissue fungus - damaged tissue.  I tied Sarge up and held Biscuit while Doc shaved his back.  Poor boy, he was terrified....he had that frozen statue look but he wasn't trembling like he used to do.  He stood quietly even though he was scared.  Doc shaved both sides of his back.  It doesn't have open sores but just short of them. 

I told Doc about his having the white bars on his back last year and ordering the custom saddle.  I said I had just got it back after Staci rebuilt it but on the same tree.  I said that if it fit I would keep it - if it didn't it was going up for sale immediately.  He said get it out and we will look at it.  So I go the saddle and the Skito out and set it on Biscuit.  Doc looked it over and said "Sell it.  It doesn't fit him and you are going to hurt his back with this.  Too tight at the withers - pressure here and at the back.  Also was bridging (he put his hand under and so did I)."  I showed him the Skito - he said "no"  It won't help.  Gaaaa!!!

I asked Doc which saddle bars he thought he needed.  He said about 3/4 horse or full bars.  I said the Billy Cook had that in it.  He said this saddle would have fit Biscuit well last year when he was a rolly polly but that Biscuit was extremely fit now and just exactly as he should be.  Biscuit does look terrific. 

Doc said to get Capsan powder and dust on Sarge and a medicated shampoo a few times a week.  They were out of the shampoo so I will have to go back to get it.  Doc said it was flying off the shelf because this is rampant at this time.  It was $88 and that included the salve and Biscuit's health certificate.  I will have to put this salve on Biscuit two times a day.  I loaded the boys back up and headed for Dr. Sherwood's to pay for the summer sore medication.