Visiting The Biscuit and Sarge

I didn't get to ride last weekend due to cakes and holiday parties.  I missed my boys.  Barry and I went out to see them today and I took them each 3 carrots.  I haven't been out there since last Thursday.  Biscuit was a little head shy like he gets IF I don't go out there and handle him.  He is still a sweetie and oh did he ever love his carrots.  He was a filthy beast on his right side and just as fuzzy as he can be.  Such a sweet guy.  Sarge is fluffy too and glad to get carrots.

Kellie and I are planning a ride either Saturday or Sunday in Tyrrell Park.  I can't wait to go.  My legs are wobbly and I was really having a hard time walking last Thursday - that is the last time I was out at the barn til today.  I haven't drove since then either.  I am going to Houston tomorrow to have some tests that will hopefully tell me what is wrong and what we need to do to fix it.  I just want to be better.  My horses are so dear to me and I can't imagine not being able to ride any longer.  That is just to scary of a thought.

Walking Tyrrell Park

Barry and I hauled out to the barn to get the horses.  Biscuit turned and walked off - Sarge soon followed.  OMG they started running all over the paddock - Biscuit was flagging his tail and channeling his Arabian side.  Much of the time he was extended trotting and he has a gorgeous extended trot that can really cover some ground.  It was a pleasure watching him and I told Barry to let the run til they were ready to be loaded up....they need the exercise.  I finally caught Biscuit and he quietly walked into the trailer.  Wish I had had my camera on so I could have caught all of that action!!

We had to feed them when we got up to the barn and load up my saddle.  Sarge broke the hanger for the bucket and it must have scared them when his feed bucket hit the floor and the entire trailer jumped back like they were fighting in there.  We had to get a chain to tie it up with.  We took off for the park and unloaded.  I brushed Biscuit and cleaned his hooves.  I tacked him up and was very careful mounting up.  We walked over to where the old round pen was and met two ladies...one was Tammy that I knew owned one of the Arabs from the ranch and have talked on the Horse Forum with her.  The other lady I introduced myself to and she said she was Mona and I knew her last name was LaBleu.  LOL  I went to school with her and we used to discuss horses as kids.  I told her I was Denise Guntner but that didn't ring a bell.  Hummm....then I said I went by Wilson in elementary and then she remembered who I was!  How funny!!!  Robin, Big Randy, Kenny and a young teacher named KD joined us.  KD did the bomb proof clinic with us.

We went through the woods that were dry as they could be.  Last week it was POURING rain in there.  We went over the mat and Biscuit just very dutifully walked over it.  We went out on Willow Bayou and down past the resident alligator.  We crossed the bridge and went straight to the right side of the bog.  Such a nice day to be out riding.  Somewhat overcast and a little breeze blowing.  We hadn't got too far down just past the big bog area when a pack of pigs came running out about 20' in front of us.  They ran down about 20' and went back in the brush!  I counted 12 - about 3 large sows and the rest were little piglets.  Barry and Kellie were in front and I was directly behind them.  Not one of the horses so much as flinched.  Good Boys!!!  Kenny had to go back so he was missed on the rest of the ride on that darling little Halflinger.  I could just kiss this pony up he is so cute!!!

We got down to the point and stopped and rested a few minutes and then took off again.  We went all down the back of the bayou and came back up.  Sarge was backing up at one point over something and bumped into me and Biscuit...lol a slightly squished leg ensued but all was good.

We were crossing the bridge and Barry got off and walked Sarge because he picked up a rock in his hoof.  He cleaned out Biscuit and Sarge's hooves at the bridge.  I didn't want to dismount.  We went back up the bayou and Elan was wanting to move out and Kellie kept making him circle to slow him down.  He was not a happy camper.  I had Biscuit collected up and walking and poor guy finally broke into the SLOWEST jog "see sister, I can jog this slow if you will let me".  Poor guy!  Poor me!  Walking was actually HARDER on my legs, feet and pelvis than standing up in the stirrups and posting.  Ugh.....I don't know if my backside with survive the walking!

We took our tack off and I rinsed Biscuit off.  He was a mess - cleaned his hooves and gave him lots of treats.  Gave quiet a few to Elan too.  He was watching me for his treats.

KD took this picture in the front of the woods .  Biscuit's cantle bag is crooked!!!

Kellie, Barry, Robin, KD and I went over to the picnic table to eat our lunch.  Susan was on her way to give Kellie some satsumas.  We waited til she got there and she had Dulci with her.  Dulci looked like a million bucks!!!  It was so nice to see Sue.  Haven't seen her in a coon's age.  Kellie gave me some of the satsumas and OMG they were delicious!  We loaded up and hauled home.  I always enjoy my rides but walking the entire way really made my legs and feet unhappy.  I am certainly no speed queen but standing up in the saddle and jogging really feels better.

Busted down to just walking

I had my meeting with the doctor over my health issues and he went through the MRI with Barry and me.  I have some bulging discs in my neck but not enough to be causing my issues with walking.  He said it was minor and more like just the regular old aging process!  I do have some compression in the T10 and T12 discs and degeneration.  He said it is a 50/50 chance it is MS and I will have to undergo light tests on my eyes to determine that plus have another MRI at the office in the Medical Center not in Pasadena.  He said I was a little past the age most people are diagnosed with MS.  I have never been so glad to be an old chick in my life!  Barry asked him about riding and he said only walking - no fast stuff no jumping - as if!  I said I do not ride like a crazy person - I trot mostly but will just be walking and will be with an ER nurse.  Barry wasn't too happy about it but I did tell Dr. M that I feel better after I ride and can walk better.

So probably for the next 2 months or so I will only be allowed to walk on Biscuit.  I told Mom I didn't want to not ride and let my old fears return...plus Biscuit would be a handful if I didn't ride all winter! He also said I am not diabetic - just borderline.  My numb feet have nothing to do with diabetes - it is the constriction of my spinal cord.  That is good news but I will continue with a low sugar diet.  I don't want to develop full blown diabetes either.

We are riding tomorrow God willing and the creek don't rise.  Looking forward to a walk with my Biscuit.

Riding in the Rain

I loaded up and hauled out to get Biscuit.  He walked to the back of the pasture and I cripped my way out there to get him.  Sarge didn't even bother to walk off because Barry wasn't with me!  hahahah  It is so funny how they KNOW.  They do pay attention!  I loaded up The Biscuit and hauled to the park.  I got there before Kellie and started brushing Biscuit.  Kellie arrived.  Randy had sent me a HUGE cabbage and I put it in the trailer.   We tacked up.  We mounted up and thank God I was able to get on with no trouble.  

We went to the right and down to the matt.  There was a man standing on it and we asked about how long it would take once they started putting in the pipe line.  He said about 2 weeks and they would bore under the wetlands and Hildebrandt Bayou.  They may block us from that side of the woods but 2 weeks isn't bad.

We rode around to the little trail and went down that.  Someone was cutting with a chain saw not far from the trails near Cattail Marsh.  We went back to the main trail and went out by the front and went down the grass and around the front of the stables.  Over to the cars and then back into the woods and we went to the left.  We got around the first turn and it started sprinkling a little more.  Kept going....later started just RAINING.  We got to the huge cut ride away and went that way walking down where they had cut everything because it wasn't slippery with mud.  Kellie had put on her poncho but I didn't have mine with me.  I ended up soaking wet but I like riding in the rain.  We went up to the main trail and headed for the barn.  Elan was slipping in the mud because of his shoes.  We got to the trailer and went over to where Kellie's neighbor was having a photo shoot.  We were going to walk the horses under the eaves of the barn but Biscuit wasn't too hip on that!!  We went to the trailers and took their tack off.  I was soaking wet and had to take Barrys saddle off  of the top and move it to the bottom and still hang onto my saddle Ugh.

Kellie's truck was right behind the trailer and Biscuit was reluctant to load up so I had to maneuver him so he'd feel secure and up he went.  I got my RAV soaking wet.  Dang!!!

I took some pics of Biscuit and Kellie's neighbor took a picture of us soaking wet.  hahahahahha  we had fun rain or not rain!

Arena Riding

I went out to the barn and got Biscuit out of the pasture.  I got him up on the washrack and Lee Ann P came out.  Legato is doing way way way better and Dr. Sherwood said she was going to be fine.  Lee Ann tacked up Shalom while I brushed and tacked up Biscuit. I went to get on and my leg didn't push when I asked it to push.  I almost had a cow.  Lee Ann held Biscuit and told me to PUSH.  I was able to get on thank God.  This weak leg, numb feet thing has to go.  It is worrying me.  Morgan and Cody showed up just when I was getting on.

Biscuit and I went around and around the arena - he was being a toot about moving towards the center and not staying by the rail when we were going with his right to the rail.  I can pop him with my right hand holding the reins and the crop but quickly found out I can't with the left!!!  Hahahah  I will have to work on that skill set!  We did some backing up and some side passing.  One turn on the forehand.  He wanted to speed up at times and that head was going up when I wouldn't let him.  I locked my hands at my sides and made him go around twice without moving off the rail before our ride ended.  We didn't ride that long....maybe 30 minutes if that long.  Lee Ann was riding Shalom and she did a fantastic job.  Shalom is a very nice girl!

I enjoyed my ride and then got off.

I cleaned up some of his poop and washed it off and put the hose over his back.  It now dangles from the top and it bumped him and he had a cow thinking it was killing him.  He spooked and it and was moving sideways bumping into me and I was trying to get out of his way without falling.  Thank goodness I was able to and told him to calm down.  He was scared to death of that hose.  I untied him and calmed him down - lol he had a terrified look on his face and kept touching me with his nose.  He does that now when he gets scared or upset...he reaches out and touches me with his nose.  I think that is what he was doing a long time ago when we would go by the little tumbled down building and I thought he was trying to nip me.  Poor baby!

Lee Ann and I were standing there talking about endurance riding and all three horses were on lead ropes.  Shalom got irritated with Legato and pickup her butt and both barrels!  She didn't kick Legato though but she got her butt in a little bit of hot water.  Legato is better - she has a little trouble backing up and turning on her back legs but since it has only been 2 weeks she is doing great.  Dr. Sherwood looked at her and said she was fine and would totally recover.  Thank God.  I took Biscuit back to his paddock and turned him out.

Trimming Biscuit's hooves and Barry Bareback Riding

I only made it out to the barn twice this past week to see the horses just briefly.  I am dealing with some health issues - found out I am diabetic.  Dang.  I am going to turn that one into a positive - I will have to lose weight to control the diabetes.  That is a plus for The Biscuit!  The other is I am not very stable on my feet - can't balance well and my feet and toes are numb.  Had MRI and have seen a neurosurgeon.  Have to go for another MRI and special blood tests.  It could be lots of things but as long as I can ride I will have to adjust.  Thank God I have a light saddle.  Wish it was even lighter as I am just so dang wobbly right now.  It has made mounting up a little difficult because I can't move quickly.  I am so glad my horse is a good boy!

Barry and I went to the barn Saturday.  I would have loved to rode but Biscuit needed his feet trimmed.  Lee Ann B was there and rode Rogue in the ring.  Barry rode Sarge bareback - he was cantering him and his butt wasn't even leaving the little patch he was sitting on!

Biscuit's feet were a little long - but I was able to get some concavity to his front hooves.  I had to nip them and then rasp.  I got out a hay bag with alfalfa in it for Biscuit to get him to stand a little better as I don't have balance.  What a pain in the butt!

Later I had to laugh at him.  He had pulled a very compressed piece of alfalfa out and it kept dropping on the ground.  I picked it up twice and put it back in the hay net.  I finally told him he needed to put it back in the bag himself.  Hahahaha....that horse understands English well.  He started rubbing it up and down on the bag trying to tear it open so he could eat it.  It was hilarious with him tossing it around.  I finally shredded it for him.  I only got his front feet done but they looked really nice.  I will finish his back feet Monday.  I will then have to start on Sarge's feet.  I told Barry he needs to go out there with me when I do and hold Sarge as he can be a toot.  Not bad or scary...he just refuses to pick up his feet sometimes.