Biscuit had a sore foot

About a month ago, Kellie and I hauled out to Tyrrell Park.  I thought Biscuit looked a little tender when I put him in the trailer.

I got him out to park and tacked him up...I thought he'd be ok but nope!  He was LAME  - I told Kellie I couldn't ride him like that - that would be mean!

I took him back and to the barn and soaked his hoof.  I couldn't see an abscess.  A few days later Craig Williams was at the barn and used the hoof testers on him.  It took a bit of pressure before Biscuit really reacted so not sure if it is an abscess or a stone bruise.  I was soaking his hoof everyday and putting Epson Salt Poutice LeeAnn P had.  I ordered some of my own.

In the mean time, I rode Lady Dollar for 2 weekends in a row.  OMG - she was a handful but sweet as she can be.  She was afraid of the water in the ditches - poor girl.  She hasn't been out to ride in 4 years and was pretty upset that first ride when we got to the bayou.  She kept trying to turn around and turning her head so she couldn't see the water.  I finally got off of her and led her thinking that would calm her down.  I remounted up by the road and we took her back.  No sense and upsetting her.

The following week I was so proud of her - still not liking water on the ground, spooked a few times but went down the bayou like a good girl.  Got a little nervous out in the back so I brought her back.  I would love to learn to ride her faster gaits!  What a good girl she is!

Sarge is swollen again

Went to the barn with doughnuts for my favorite barn guys.  .  Biscuit came in with Sarge but stood at the entrance to the small corral.  He turned and hauled his big butt out at a gallop - who knows what goes through  a horses mind?

I was taking Sarge up front when I noticed his sheath was swollen.  He was full of piss and vinegar!!!  He was cantering beside the Rav!

Got him on the wash rack and pulled out a big ol' chunk of gunk out of his sheath - the size of a prune and two smaller pieces.  I stopped to asked Lee Ann some questions and we yakked and then I went back to clean out Sarge.  I hosed him off - trimmed the dead ends on his mane and cleaned out his sheath the best I could.

They are going to be moved to a different pasture while they hot wire their pasture.  Lee Ann let me choose which one.  I took Sarge back and he was blowing and going.  He has started to cough again so I upped his Dex to 3cc.  Biscuit came to me with no problem...running into the little corral whinnying for Sarge.

Barry and I went back this afternoon and they were in their new pasture with their little corral moved. My ranch hand buddies did that!!!  Woot!!!

Seemed like Sarge's sheath wasn't so swollen so I will check it out each day.  Biscuit had no problem coming to me then.  What a toot!

Riding in Tyrrell Park with new friends

Tuesday after I came back from Ebenezer I rode at Tyrrell Park with Carla, Rhonda and Crystal.  We met at 10:00 AM and rode out  through the woods and all the way around  the back.  It was a great ride - I had a wonderful time and Biscuit was a total sweetheart!!!  Rode 8.5 miles.

Haven't rode since then outside of the arena due to bad weather.  So sick of the rain.

Pictures from Ebenezer

Our Ebenezer Trip

Monday morning I got the last of my things together, stuff for Sister, called and added minutes to my Verizon phone.  I called Jaimie and asked him to lock up my horses.  Called the vet for more Dex

I got to the barn and loaded feed and hay into my Rav, went down to get my horses and hook up the trailer.  Away we went; stopped at the vet’s to get Dex.

It took me 2 hours to get to Ebenezer.  Sister was a good girl on the drive except she wants to get on the console.  That is dangerous so it is a no go.

Sarge coughed a little right after I unloaded him.  Not bad but I wasn’t happy with that.  Spoke to Geri – she and Diane were going to hit the trails – I will ride with them later.  Got the horses settled in and I put the ground meat in the crock pot to make dinner and then we ran to town to get spinach.  I had spinach but it was already going bad.  OMG spinach is so delicate.  Barry stayed in the car with Sister. 

We got back and I rested a little and then we saddled up to go for a little ride.  My new saddle is the freaking bomb.  Biscuit was acting like a goober – he always does when I ride with Barry – he is always having a hissy if Sarge gets ahead of him.  James called me and he and Bev are coming!  Woot!!!!!!

We went to the washed out culvert and Barry said Mr. Short and Raymond went through it.  It was about knee deep of a sharp drop off.  Barry dismounted and said he would go through but he didn’t think I would.  I said yes I would if it was solid. 

Barry went through with no trouble so I dismounted.  He tied Sarge up and helped me down the drop off.  He led Biscuit through and we walked down the road to a log and I mounted up.  My saddle doesn’t slip in the least.  I had it fairly loose too.  Woot.  Geri, Judy and Diane were coming down the road – they had been to Double Heart  and wanted to know the way back.  We told them and said they could also follow us so off we went and we cut back through the woods.  OMG Biscuit was being such a goober he nearly fell going over a log.  He got a little tangled up because he was rushing because Sarge was getting too far ahead of us.  One log he refused so I got off and he refused to go even by leading.  Barry got off and led him and then I mounted up on a slope.  That saddle is easy to get on and off! 

Sister was very good on the trail.  She stays with us.  Diane’s horse doesn’t like dogs and Sister lagged back from me to wait on Barry.  Diane called out to call Sister up because her horse took a swipe at her.  LOL  I called her to heel and she followed right behind Biscuit.  He was good with her.

We got back and hosed them off after taking their tack off.  There was a slight rub where his girth was – I may have it too loose.  Hosed him off and Sister enjoyed the spray – leaping and jumping through it.  I got out their feed and fed them while they were out.  Sister got close to Biscuit’s feed and he gave her the serious evil eye.  Cleaned their pens and put them up.

I made hot dogs with the crock pot chili – so good – Sister got some of the chili on her food.  The ladies stopped by to visit and asked if I had nippers – one of their horses threw a shoe.  I brought mine.  We visited and Sister played with the little Wiener Dog.  She is never cranky with other dogs…she just wants to play. 

I got the nippers and loaned them out.  We put Sister in the crate and watched part of Old Yeller.  Took Sister out for a walk and let her tee tee and put her back.  She isn’t fussing but she needs a slightly larger crate now.  It works ok but I told Barry she needs room to turn around.  I put a cushion in there for her. 

Looking forward to riding tomorrow.

Tuesday ride – rode out with the 3 ladies and Barry.  We went down the front trail to the culvert and crossed that.  Across to Letney road and went around Letney Road.  Sister was a good girl!  Went quiet a ways around and picked up T trail to come across the park.  Got to the 4 way and doubled back and headed for the split; Geri had to turn around and go back to camp – her horse came up lame…we kept going and took the right and then left to go to the waterfall…noticed that the saddle pad kept slipping – it is not long enough so I said I had to go back and get another pad.  We were going to rest and then hit the trail again.  We rode 7.5 miles this morning and got back around 1:00. 

I got back to the trailer and rested.  My knee was hurting.  Diane and Judy came over and I got up and saddled up and off we went to the 4 way and then to the right to go to the waterfall.  I marked the best I could and we got to the waterfall.  We came back and hit the diagonal trail  (love that one) and we saw a deer…crossed creeks.  Great fun.  Saw a bow hunter and then a small jeep/Mitsubishi truck coming down the dirt trail road.  Ugh…hunters need to go somewhere else. 

Second ride was 9.1 miles for me….woot…no coughing for Biscuit.  Geri pulled out and left…her horse was lame.  Diane and Judy are leaving in the morning.  Barry and I will be the only people here til Thursday.  More mapping for me.  J

Wednesday – I went over to say goodbye to Diane and Judy.  I showed them the trails we had gone on yesterday.  We visited awhile and they want to start coming every month – I said that I can certainly drive up here and meet them, especially if it is on a Monday-Wednesday type of deal. Diane  said I could stay in her trailer with her.  Woot.  That has always been the biggest drawback for me – no LQ.  Maybe one of these days I will have one.  Diane has health issues with balance too.  I can so relate to her problems…she rides by herself and I think I am going to start riding by myself again too.  Just in Tyrrell Park – I can always let Ricky know I am there.  Maybe Rita will want to go with me. 

Came back and started tacking up Biscuit.  I mounted up without Barry’s assistance.  Biscuit is being a good boy.  We went down the 2 trail off the road – the “guywire” trail.  It meshes with the first trail and the trail from the front  - and there is a little trail that veers to the left – I have never gone down that trail EVER.  It is little bitty.  Barry and I followed that – it is the trail that ends up going between the two humps from the front trail and if you keep going it is the trail I ride on all the time.  Why we have never taken it I don’t know.  Every time I come up the other side – we turn and go over the little hill to go to the 4 way.  We went straight and headed to the bottom land where we stopped and let Sister play in the water and we got off and rested our butts – and loosed the girths on the saddles.  Sister was running in  and out of the water – the water certainly revived her – she had a blast.  We mounted back up and took off and crossed Letney Road.  We got over to the water tanks/transformers and there had been a fire.  A bulldozer had been used to make a fire brake.  We rode over that and down to where you turn to go to the black hole.  We crossed the black hole and Sister just joined right in.  Over to the turn to go to the little Sandy Creek.  Crossed the two creeks before it and they were dry as a bone.  We got to the Sandy Creek and thank Goodness it still had running water.  We loosened the girths on the horses and we sat down and drank a bottle of water and ate crackers and tuna.  I shared mine with Sister.  Barry went to the other side of the creek and Sister stayed with me.  Barry called her and she jumped off of a 3 foot bank and sank completely under the water.  Barry just is amazed at my Sister.  I called her and she repeated the jump.  She ran and played with Barry – barking and growling at him, digging the sand frantically.  Hahahahah…..I took off my sock and shoes and got in the creek before all of that started happening.  Felt so good. 

We mounted up and headed back.  We went around the back of the beaver pond and stopped for a second.  I went back to the black hole and mapped that.  Sister went with me.  Barry filmed me coming across the hole.  We got back to Letney road and took a right  and went down to the culvert.  I managed to cross it by myself…he led Biscuit though.  We got between the two hump hills and went right down the new to us trail. 

We rode 9 miles today.  Hosed the horses off and gave them hay.  We ran to Dollar Store and picked up a few things.  Played with Sister.   

Thursday – Lynn and Tammy came to Ebenezer – visited with Lynn here.   I wasn’t able to ride with them as I didn’t want to ride any hilly area with Biscuit.  I tacked Biscuit up – I am as slow as Christmas.  I mounted up and Barry and I rode inside trails…back and forth.  Loads of fun.  We then rode to the outside and down the gate trail and back to the 4 way, down to the center and back up the other trail that leads to the gate.  We then headed down the road to the lake trail by the road and down to the lake.  I didn’t want to ride all of the hill part but this wasn’t too back…just down the trail and that wasn’t that long. 

I got Biscuit in the water and yep…he dropped in it.  What a hoot.  Barry took pictures of me on the bluff….been riding at Ebenezer for 6 years and have never been on that bluff.  We dismounted and played with Sister in the water.  We mounted back up and went down the beach a little and went up the area we used to go up.  Biscuit powered up it…ugh…that is why I was being so careful with him not to over do – and yet up he goes.  He never coughed once…neither did Sarge. 

We rode down the road back away from the park.  Down to the trail that goes to the 4 way and back to the park.  Sister was just a going  - that little chick is amazing.  

Friday – we didn’t ride on Friday – but I did meet Dawn from Magnolia and the 2 Kim’s from Cleveland.  I had rode with them evidently that day at the Preserve.  I called Garmin Friday morning and the young man talked me through adding my tracks/adventures to one single map.  He talked me through how to print it.  When I get home I will see what I come up with.  Still have quiet a bit of tracking to do.  I may be able to pull my files from EveryTrail.  I want to complete the trails over the coming year from new tracks. 

Kellie, Randy and Kent arrived.  We all visited and later went to visit Bev and James at Double Heart. 

Saturday – Got up and fixed breakfast.  Horses fed.  I started tacking up around 8:15 because it takes me forever.  I had to brush Biscuit.  Got him tacked up and met everyone else to start our ride.  Down the trail to the 4 way, up to lake trail – back over to the gate and down the road to the lake.  We rode the lake trail backwards.  Got down to the steep part and Biscuit LEAPED JUMPED Olympic Style – up a hill after jumping a little tiny bit of water.  Dang…he nearly unseated me.  I was a little pissed at him.  We went around the trails and we lost Kent…Jericho went down on a trail – we couldn’t even see Kent but neither was hurt and we kept riding.  Got to eagles nest hill and I insisted on going first.  Biscuit doesn’t act the fool if he is first.  We went down to the water – lots of white caps.  I made Biscuit walk back up Eagle’s Nest hill.  He would have gladly powered up but I held him to a walk.  We went to the 4 way and back to the park. 

We went to lunch at the Stump and to the Dollar General.  Came back and rested.  Sister came into the trailer with me and I made her lay on the mat in front of the door.  Good girl.

We tacked back up and went down the front tiny trail and over to Letney Road.   On the way back, Bev’s new little gelding bucked twice with her and off she came – she landed on a log.  Poor thing!  I was leading and we all stopped.  Sister started barking and ran down there.  I got off of Biscuit and called her.  She came to me and was still barking.  I popped her on the rear and told her to hush.  Thank God Bev wasn’t seriously injured.  I had to walk a ways to get the right log to mount up on. 

All in all, I have road 53 miles since Sunday  when Kellie and I rode at Tyrreell Park.  Sister has been on every one of those miles. 

She came in the trailer tonight as we watched Hildalgo.  She layed on the front mat and rested.

Sunday we decided to go for a ride with Dawn, her husband Tom and her friends, Gail, Mary and Tim.    We rode to the Beaver Pond.  Biscuit and I went through the Black Hole.  Dawn was on her green mare ponying her palomino mare - she did great.  We came back on the culvert road.  It iwas a 5.5 mile ride...all in all I rode 59 miles with Sister going every mile with me.

We started packing up to go home and a couple pulled in to site #12...loved their Exiss trailer with a slideout.  Just perfect for me.  One of these days!

Sister slept all the way home.  Good girl....I will add pictures tomorrow.

Going Riding on Sunday October 11

Kellie and I made plans to FINALLY ride in Tyrrell Park the Sunday before I left for a week in Ebenezer.  Barry and I went out Saturday afternoon and loaded my trailer with tack so I was ready to go Sunday morning.

I went out to the barn at 8:00 and Biscuit looked at his watch and his calender and said "oh no...this is Sunday...she is here at 8:00 AM...hummm...it is a riding day" even though the little snot hadn't been ridden really in 9 weeks.  He REFUSED to come into the little corral.  I went and got Jaime to come down and offer him alfalfa...he refused to come in.  I was hooking up my trailer to the RAV4 when Jaime came back in the Gator.  I asked to borrow the Gator and went down to the other side of the pasture, opened that Gate - went in with the Gator with Sister riding shotgun.  She actually hopped out and was just hanging around.  I went after Biscuit and basically team penned the little snot into the little corral...back and forth he went with me hot after him with the Gator.  He gave up pretty quick and went into the little corral - I hopped off and shut him in.  I went out the other gate, came down to the little corral and put his halter on.  He was calm as a cucumber.  I walked him down to the front of the barn and tied him to the trailer while I put the Gator up.

Off to the park.  I tacked him up with my new saddle and Kellie and I rode around the woods twice and down the right of way.  So very nice to be back in the saddle.  Biscuit behaved like an absolute doll - you would never have known he hadn't been rode in so long!!

I rode 5.5 miles.

The next morning I asked Jamie to lock up my boys so I could pick them up to go to Ebenezer for the week.

So much to tell

I haven't posted in quiet a while.  I had my hands full and it was sad to post.  On August 31st.  I went out to see the horses and LeeAnn B went down there with me.  Sarge was pretty bad off - heaving with each breath.  Biscuit was ok.

I talked with Miss Jean (she had just returned from her summer home and hadn't seen my horses), LeeAnn P, LeeAnn B and Linda.  They suggested I call Vinton Equine so I did but they couldn't see the horses til tomorrow at 2:30.  I had 3 wedding cakes to make and Betty was already at my house so I went home to start baking a bazillion cakes...needed to pay those vet bills.

I got a call from Miss Jean...she and LeeAnn P had gone down to see Sarge and Biscuit and Miss Jean called Vinton and used her clout to get me in that day.  She called me and said come get 'em...you can take them now.  She was so worried and upset when she saw Sarge.

Betty said she would bake the cakes by herself so I went to the barn and picked up my horses.  Lee Ann P hooked my trailer to the ranch truck and she and LeeAnn B went with me.

It was raining a little - got over to Vinton and they were terrific.  Dr. Appleton examined them both, pulled blood panels, did ultra sounds of their lungs and scoped them.  Biscuit was still full of edema around his ribs - he has a huge varicose vein in his throat but other than that - both of their lungs were without scars, panels were ok, scoped area ok.

The difference was Dr. Appleton and Dr. Findley said to give them Dex 3cc's a day and then start backing down to 2cc's, 1.5cc's, 1cc, then a .5cc.  Some horses maintain on .5cc a day.  He also said to give it to the orally - that they have had much better results with that.

That is good news - Biscuit had a HUGE area on his right neck from the heavy shots I had to give my poor boy.  They also said they didn'est really see any benefit from Benedryl.  All in all, a $492 vet bill.  But, I appreciated the 2nd opinion and their expertise.  I had tears in my eyes talking to the doctor.  He pretty much said the same thing about how long Sarge had.  He said that moving him up north wouldn't necessarily help - he'd find something else to be allergic to.  Ugh.

So, I brought them home and put them upfront where they weren't exposed to the seedheads of the hay.  They stayed up there for a month - I gave them their medication every single day.

Barry and I went to Yellowstone in September for a week.  LeeAnn P made sure they got their meds.  The horses were better before I left and when we were gone they improved 100%.  I came home to a non heaving Sarge.  :-)  Biscuit still had a lump on his neck but it was going away.

A week and a half after coming home from Yellowstone I went to Florida.  That morning Lee Ann P helped me put them down in their own pasture.  I know they were so glad to get there...the little paddock, eating alfalfa sure put Biscuit on rocket statis.

I brought Biscuit up one day and he coughed a little on the wash rack and while taking him back...so his meds were upped again and then I worked on weaning him from it.

In the meantime, I got my Sharon Saare Saddle in the first week of September before we left for Yellowstone.  I rode Biscuit in it in the arena for about 20 minutes.  I LOVED IT!!!

Not a good week

I took the horses back to see Doc for a check up last Friday.  Biscuit got a good report.  No fluid on his lungs.  I had given him his shots and the pulmonary dialator every day.

I was thrilled that he was better.  The blood report showed an infection.  Doc said that was good news.

I went to the barn Sunday evening and he was coughing again.  I called Doc on Monday and he returned my call and said to put him on some more antibiotics.  I had some already.  I asked him if he had time to spay Sister as the other vet said they couldn't until September 5th.  He said yes and I set it up for Tuesday.

I doled out the meds for Biscuit in baggies and gave to Edgar.  Tuesday I took Sister to the small animal clinic - wow - Doc's new clinic in Hampshire-Fannett is pretty amazing.  Very nice.  She did great and was a little drugged up when we went to pick her up that evening.

Wednesday evening Barry and I went to the barn at sunset.  There were a bunch of cars down at the end of the ranch road and I said I saw Phil's car so it was them not the new boarders.  I gave Biscuit some carrots and he started coughing.  I told Barry maybe he is allergic to carrots or his throat is sore.
A truck came towards us from the back of the ranch and lo and behold, it was Doc.  He stopped and I said "just the man I wanted to see" and told him Biscuit was coughing.  He listened to him and and said he was wheezing and he knew that is not what I wanted to hear.  OMG I know I must have looked like a deer caught in the headlights.

My face started leaking on the way home.  I went on the back porch with Sister.  My heart is just hurting for my horses.

Friday evening I went out there and poor Biscuit choked on his little bit of feed I gave him with his medication of the Benedryl.  Poor baby.  He is such a sweet horse and to have this is doubly cruel.

Kellie and I went to the vet clinic today to talk to Doc.  Vickie Warner happened to be there with her horse that is roaring.  OMG that sounds bad.  Doc said he'd recover.

As for Biscuit and Sarge, Doc said to take them up to Margaret's to check to see if they improve off of the Bahaia.  If they do, I will have to move them from Plum Nearly as there is nothing but Bahaia there.  That makes me sad just thinking about moving my horses.  I love Plum Nearly.

Margaret has agreed to take the boys for a week to see if they improve.  If they do, I will have to find a place to put them at least during the hot summer months.  :-(

Doc didn't offer any good news about COPD - sounds like in 4 or 5 years I will have very sick horses - what could be sadder than that?

A Horses Prayer

I saw this on Justice for Dual Peppy.  Thank God he has recovered...so sad that someone would starve horses to death.

(Author Unknown) The Horses Prayer

Feed me, water and care for me, and when the days work is done, provide me with shelter, a clean dry bed and a stall wide enough for me to lie down in comfort.

Always be kind to me. Talk to me. Your voice often means as much to me as the reins. Pet me sometimes, that I may serve you the more gladly and learn to love you.

Do not jerk the reins, and do not whip me when going uphill. Never strike, beat or kick me when I do not understand what you want, but give me a chance to understand you.

Watch me; and if I fail to do your bidding, see if something is wrong with my harness or feet.

I cannot tell you when I am thirsty so give me clean, cool water often. I cannot tell you in words when I am sick, so watch me, that by signs you may know my condition.

Give me all possible shelter from the hot sun, and put a blanket on me, not when I am working, but when standing in the cold. Never put a frosty bit in my mouth; first warm it by holding it a moment in your hands.

I try to carry you and your burdens without a murmur, and wait patiently for you long hours of the day or night. Without the power to choose my shoes or path, I sometimes fall on the hard pavements which I have often prayed might be of such a nature as to give me a safe and sure footing.

Remember that I must be ready at any moment to lose my life in your service.

And finally, O Master, when my useful strength is gone, do not turn me out to starve or freeze, or sell me to some cruel owner to be slowly tortured or starved to death; but do thou, my Master, take my life in the kindest way. And your God will reward you here and hereafter. You will not consider me irreverent if I ask this in the name of HIM, who was born in a stable.

Amen

Sarge is better

Sarge is better - wheezing is better.

Biscuit didn't want to walk on the rocks at the front of his pen - so today I was raking them up and I will get Kayden to pick them up tomorrow.

I took Biscuit out this afternoon and walked him and let him eat grass.  I gave him his shot.  I bought them carrots today and they happily munching away on them.

Tuesday washed out the trailer

Tuesday Kayden helped me clean out my Brenderup.  He pulled the mats out for me.

I called the vet and Kassie said she'd get the results for me.  Doc called me back and said Biscuit's white blood cell count was around 1600 so it is an infection.  I am taking him back to the vet Friday for a check up.

Poor guy - he is being pretty  good about eating the feed with the dialator medication in it.

Barry tried to remove the side this evening but wasn't able to.  He said he'd need a bigger maul.

He is going to give it a go Thursday.

Rasping Biscuit's hooves - Monday

I have kept Sarge up in the arena for 2 days and out in his pasture at night.   I discussed his health with Doc and Lee Ann P and we decided to take the sides off one side  of their shelter so he will get more airflow.

Kade walked them both up to the front for me one at a time. I gave them both a bath to get the sweat off of them.  I brushed out manes and tails.  Kade brushed Sarge ;-)

I then got out my rasp and did all of Biscuit's hooves.  I almost have those carena's gone!

I gave them their meds and Kayden walked Biscuit down to his paddock.

Biscuit and Sarge to the Vet

I called Doc Friday while driving to Houma to pick up Devin.  I told him about Biscuit's coughing and the line up his side.  He said bring them in Saturday at noon.

I drove 500 miles Friday to get Devin - poor guy got sick while out of town working.  I then made an accordian cake for Saturday.  Went to the barn to see the horses.

I got up Saturday and left for the barn about 10:45.  Barry walked the horses up to the front and hosed them off and I hooked up the trailer and washed it out.   We loaded them up and hauled them to Doc's.

We had to wait an hour for Doc.  My horses were very patient and well  behaved  Doc blood from Biscuit and listened to his lungs.  He put the big glove over his nose to make him br beath deep.   Biscuit tolerated it but I could see he was a little scared, poor baby.

Doc prescribed a huge antibiotic once a day for 6 days - plus an airway dialator to help him cough it up.  No riding for a few weeks.

Sarge is wheezing so Dex 3cc every other day to get it under control.  I left the vet $453 poorer but my horses are taken care of.

Doing Sarge's feet

I went out to the barn every afternoon except for Friday.  Barry went with me a few times and I took the horses carrots and Sister went with us.

Sunday I asked him to go with me to cool the horses off.  He walked the horses up and we hoses them off.  Sarge and Biscuit  were full of sweat.  They both got scrubbed with Orvis shampoo and brushed.

I then got out my trimming tools and started on Sarge's back right where the crack is.  I used my nippers because it had been about 4 weeks since I had done his feet.  The broken area is almost gone.
He gave me trash like he did last time and yep, I ended up dumped off my chair again.  Barry helped me up and I was soaking wet.  Sarge kept giving me trash and I really got onto him.  I yanked on his halter and talked loud and cranky after popping him on the chest.  He was much better after that.  Barry was making all kinds of excuses for him.  I did manage to get all 4 feet done - top and bottom.  Woot.  He has really nice feet.

I made more bedadine cotton and stuffed in the holes in Biscuit's hooves.  OMG they are almost totally healed.  I will do his feet Wednesdays or Thursday.

I went out there today with Sister and Biscuit was the one coughing up a storm.  I am going to call the vet and haul him there tomorrow or Wednesday.  I am a little concerned.  I did give him some Benedryl.

Working on Biscuit's hooves

Went out to the barn yesterday with Sister and Barry.  :-)  she is a mess.  Barry walked her out to the water trough and made her sit and stay.  She did a great job.

I gave my boys carrots.  They are so sweet.

Today I got up and went out and got Biscuit and brought him up.  I saddled him up and rode a little bit in the arena but he started coughing.  I don't know if he got the alfalfa cross ways I gave him this morning.  I had worked on side passing and turning on the haunches.  I can't remember how to turn on the forehand.  I will have to work on that.  Anyway, he kept coughing so I got off of him.  Poor  guy!  I got out my rasp and went to work on his feet.

We stopped and I went to lunch with the Lee Ann's for Lee Ann P's birthday.

We got back and I started on his feet again.  They are looking fantastic!!  Working  on pulling those toes back!!  The stuffing of the cotton in the holes has worked like a charm.  Goodness, a few months ago three of these hooves were cut way up.  Now they are growing out and looking fantastic.  The back hooves are getting a little concavity and I was thrilled to see that!!

Riding in the woods FINALLY

Kellie and I made plans to ride out in Tyrrell Park.  I went Saturday night and put Biscuit up in the arena so I wouldn't have a problem catching him.  I got to the barn and fed him and brought the trailer around.  I then put on his hoof boots and brushed him off.  He was a toot about putting on the boots;

Jamie screwed the bar that pulled loose back.  The wires that light the license tag are pulled off so that will need to be repaired.  I notice a crack in the new backing by the tornado episode.  Going to check that out with Danny and make sure it won't cause a problem.

Loaded Biscuit with no problems and headed for the park.  I got there just a little before Kellie and started tacking him up and he was a little nervous as he generally is tacking up. Got him tacked up and mounted up and off we went into the woods!  Yes we were able to go into the woods.

Some places are dry  but still lots of mud holes and soft places.  Lots of spiders.  I was whacking spiders left and right.  Got 2 on me that Kellie said I should be glad I couldn't see them.  My crop is a tangled mass of golden orb webs.

Sometimes we had to go on the sides right ont the edges of the trees...got to the outlet the bayou and cut through the brush.  We went around to the right of ways and come up the side of those in the shade.

Lots of spiders - but we made it...down the new trails too.  Woot.

We gave them baths and loaded up and headed home.

Pulling the Brenderup out of the ditch

I took all three grandkids to McDonalds and then  home.  After we ate we loaded up with the dog to Davis's Doughnuts and got chocolate doughnuts for Jamie and Edgar.   We went out to the barn and I talked to Jamie about pulling the Brenderup out of the ditch when he had time.

We went down to the pasture and here comes Jamie.  He started working on pulling it out - he hooked on to a bar in the back but that didn't work - it pulled the bar off on one side.   Edgar showed up and they finally pulled it onto the road and then hooked onto the front and turned it around so that I could pull around in front of it and they hooked it onto my RAV and I hauled it to the front.

Sister was having hissy fits in the car - she wanted out!! She wanted to be where the action was!

Tornados at Plum Nearly

Yesterday Barry and I were heading for the hospital to see Devin and Lesly as she had been hospitalized.  We could see a line of rain out towards the barn but it looked farther away than the barn.  We got to 25th Street in PA and Lee Ann P called.

Gaaaaaa....there was a tornado at the barn.  She was caught on the wash rack with Legato and she said stuff was flying all over the place.  She said may horses were ok - thank God - but that my trailer had been pushed across the road to the other side and she wasn't sure if it had sustained damage.  She said Rogue's shelter was flattened and thrown over the road and that fences were down.

We went to visit Lesly and Devin and then headed out to the barn.  We got to West Port Arthur Road by the prisons and there was a police directing us away from Plum Nearly.  We told him we needed to go check on our horses and he let us through.  We could see a pole hanging into the road just beyond PNR so that is why they weren't letting people down there.  The Entergy trucks were there repairing it.

Rogue's pen had one side standing, one flat on the ground and the roof across the road!!  Rogue was in the mare's paddock.  I went down to my horses pasture and a tree across from them was twisted and bent over and my trailer was up against the fence.  I couldn't see any damage thank God.  We got my tack out of it.  It was all just fine.  The windows were partially blown open so Barry closed them.

My horses were just fine.  They were thrilled to get some carrots so I was glad to see they didn't seem upset in the least considering this tree is about 100' from them.  It is directly across the ranch road from their pasture.  

The last picture is the grasses in the back flattened down!!!

I went out to the barn with chocolate doughnuts today for Jamie and Edgar.  Bless their hearts - they are so sweet.  I had all three grandkids and the dog.  Lesly had to stay overnight at the hospital so I had Mazlyn.  

Jamie came down with the tractor and tried to pull the trailer out....then Edgar joined him and together they pulled the trailer out onto the road from the back of the trailer.  Then they put the rope on the front of the trailer and turned it around.  I pulled the RAV around to the front and they hitched it to my car and I pulled it up to the front.  One panel thingy was pulled off and will have to be riveted back on but it isnt that big of a deal.  

I took the kids back down to see the horses and Biscuit came galloping up from the back.  They gave them carrots and I made sure they kept their little hands flat!!  They loved it.

Barry and I went back this evening and I showed him what needs to be repaired and I am sure he can do it.  The horses were out in the back and Biscuit came running again  -  Sarge kicked up at him and they came running for carrots.  Such sweet boys!

Riding up at Ebenezer

Sara M.  had said she wanted to trail ride with me up at Ebenezer so we planned to go Saturday.  She offered to pick us up at PNR so I got everything ready and Biscuit in the Stallion Pen Friday evening.

I got up early, ran to Starbucks, got us a latte and me a bagel.  Got out to the barn and fed Biscuit and hosed him off.  Sara arrived and we put my stuff in the trailer and loaded Biscuit.  He refused until I got the lunge whip and up he went.  We shut up the trailer and off we went to Ebenezer.

Biscuit on the left, Lena on the right.

We got there and decided to stay in a campsite so I had to order/pay on line so that took a little bit while the horses chilled and had a drink in the pens.

We got it done and said hi to Stephanie and Aaron Scott that I had met previously up there.  Good to see them again!!!

We saddled up and off we went.  I decided to go down to the 3rd trail and down to the 4 Way.  I was walking Biscuit and he was going slower than molasses in January.  I kicked him with both heels and he kinda spooked up.  I think he was half asleep because he kept stumbling along.  LOL after that he was awake and moving at a nice pace.

We got to the 4 way and I made a way point.  I turned left and we went down the double wide path.  Sara was doing great with Lena.  She said it was more her than Lena and she had been a little apprehensive at Tyrrell.  Lena had been a little nervous there - high headed at times and whinnying.  She wasn't unmanageable at any time though.  But on this day, Lena was just darling.

She followed Biscuit like a champ.

I got to the first branch off and went left and made a mark of Left Turn.  Followed till the next split and went right.  Woot  Marked as Turn Right.  Got to the two little water crossing and Biscuit refused and backed up.  A few swats with my crop and off he went.  The other side had dried up so no water there.  We came out right where I wanted to come out by that log - I made a mark and called it Culvert Road.  Went across and came to Letney Road and marked that.  We kept going and marked the turn to go to Beaver Pond.  Got to the intersection and we went down to the Black Hole instead of going straight to the Beaver Pond.  It wasn't as high as last time and was pretty dang low.  About mid way up Biscuit's leg between his knee and the stirrups.  Lena followed right behind him quiet nicely!

We went down the road and stopped at the turn for me to mark.  We headed for the big tree and #10 and I marked that too.  We went down the track blessedly in the SHADE.  The first two creeks were freaking dry!!!  OMG I have never seen them dry.  When we got to the big sandy creek, thank Goodness it had water but a huge pine tree from the other side had fallen across the creek to where we used to go down to the creek.  Had to go to the left of it and there was a slight boggy place but not bad.  I got covered in pine needles but got across to the other side.  We stopped and rested.
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Sara dismounted and tried to get Lena to drink.  I ate my yogurt and put it back in the neoprene bags Kellie had given me.  I had stuffed one of my frozen gel packs in each side! 

We headed back and stopped by the big tree.  Lena actually was good with Biscuit but did tell him with some mean mugging that he was in her space.  Not ugly - just you're in my space dude, kinda way.  Lena did finally drink at the Black Hole.  Biscuit got some of the good vitamin B foliage at the edge!  He drank and off we went through the hole with no problem.  Lena just kept going and was doing such a great job.  Sara was thrilled with her.  Lena led for quit a bit of the way, crossed creeks first and was just a doll.

I told Sara I was so impressed with how they both are calm, gentle, non-spooky.  I highly recommend Skipper D as a sire - he sure threw great genes on these two horses!

It was getting a little hot by then...Biscuit didn't start sweating until we had been riding for 30 minutes or so.  It was warm but not crazy hot at first.  We got back to the park after a terrific 3 hour ride.  Stephanie came over and held Biscuit while we took their tack off.  I hosed Biscuit off and was rubbing his face.  He loves his face to be rubbed.  He was licking my jeans for some reason - what a funny boy he is.

I put him in the pen and we rested for awhile and visited with Stephanie for a few minutes.  We rested for almost 2 hours and then picked up our stuff and loaded up the horses.  Biscuit loaded nicely when I got the whip.  Don't know what this loading issue suddenly is but it has got to go.

I love Sara's truck and trailer!!!  I so would by a Dodge Ram.  The back seat folds up and a flat area folds out...perfect for my cakes or even sleeping!!!

We stopped at the little store by The Stump and we each got a hamburger to eat and I also got a Starbucks Frappachino that was cold!!!

At the barn I unloaded Biscuit and my stuff and put it in my car to take down to the trailer.  We are going to have to do this again!  So I hugged Sara and off they went.  We just had a fabulous time...can't wait to go again.

I fed Biscuit and put him in the Stallion Pen again.  I took the stuff down to put in the trailer and woot!  My trailer and Sargent were gone!!! I called Barry and he said he was hauling down West Port Arthur Road.  He had been to Tyrrell.  He had Sister with him.  I could see Biscuit when he pulled past the stallion pen.  He went bananas running all over the place.

Sarge and Barry rode across the big bridge but not down the bog.  Barry was worried about hogs with Sister.  Sarge stepped on her again - Sister is going to have to learn to get out of their way.  She hopped out of the truck and came running to me.  Such a sweetheart!!!   I got the stuff put back in the trailer for my ride the next morning.

Kellie and I were supposed to ride Sunday morning.  I got up Sunday at 6:15 and got dressed and ready to go when Kellie texted she didn't feel well.  So no riding.  I am sure Biscuit wasn't hurt!!!  Later we went to put him back in his pasture and he was trotting beside the truck and ready to get back with Sarge.  Such a pretty boy he is.