Kellie Rides in her new Steele Saddle

Kellie finally got in her new Steele saddle!!!  She was so excited and we planned to go riding today so she could give it a whirl.  We had to delay our ride for 30 minutes as it was raining at her house.

I got out to the barn and picked up Biscuit.  He was glad to get in the trailer because his breakfast was there.  I loaded up my tack, saturated my cool vest and yalmuke and took off.  I got to the park and unloaded The Biscuit.  I cleaned his hooves and brushed him...added on some fly spray.  Kellie arrived and took out Elan and I had to walk over to see the new saddle.  It looked black at first in the trailer but it is actually just dark. After she took it out I lifted it up and it has the light tree but it is still heavier than my saddle.  It is nice!!! Different than a western as it is a trail saddle so it doesn't have loads of superfluous skirting.

We tacked up and I could tell Biscuit has lost some weight - they cut back their feed by 1/2 which is good.  We took off and into the woods.  Biscuit didn't want to lead and can throw it into reverse.  We stopped to lengthen Kellie's stirrups and Elan decided the dirt was a very special chocolate type treat.  His lips and mouth were full of mud!!!

When we got back to the trailhead the first round Biscuit threw it into reverse and I circled him.  He was pretty snotty about it but we went forward.  We took a trip down the ride away and then back to the right.  I saw a snake slither into a water filled rut and it was roiling around in a very strange manner.  It was black with gold bands.  I tried to look it up and couldn't find one I thought was what I saw!

We hit a trot for a while and Biscuit did really terrific and was very forward.  A few times he gave logs a funny look and kinda spooked at one.  That is the oddest thing...logs on the trail cause he too startle more than anything else!!!

Kellie and I decided to do just 2 rounds as rain bands were on their way.  We rode back to the trail head and I made Biscuit go past it and he did without throwing it into reverse.  I took his tack off and took him over to wash him off.  He was good about spraying his face - he is a good boy.

We drank a coke and loaded up.  It started sprinkling.  Raining by the time I got home.  UGH.  I got cleaned up and by then it was sun shining.  Kellie and I met at Sol restaurant for lunch.  We are planning on riding Saturday and Sunday to get our saddles broke in.

My saddle is no longer making my feet tingle!  hahahahah  I think it was just a little stiff.   I need to bring it home and condition it again.  Kellie's new saddle squeaked quiet a bit and I think King Elan was not happy with that!!!

Barefoot Trimming on Biscuit

Kellie and I are going riding on Friday so I pulled Biscuit up on Thursday to do his feet.  I just checked how long it had been at it was 4 weeks.  OMG his feet were LONG.  I got all of my stuff out but was missing a glove.  My gloves are full of holes in all the wrong places so it really didn't matter.  I need new gloves!

I started to work on his feet and he was such a good boy.  Truly the best he has ever been having his feet done.  I rasped the first one and then switched to nippers.  His hoof walls are thick and his soles were hard so it is always surprising that Biscuit is tender footed.  It took me about 50 minutes and that included getting my stuff out.  I gave him several handfuls of alfalfa during the process so I could give my back a break.  OMG I was pouring sweat off of my face.  Anyhoo......he has that nasty crack back in his back left hoof and his front left  was frayed like old fiberglass.  I was able to smooth that one nicely.  I have decided to start doing his feet every Monday so I am not killing myself to get them done!!

This picture of Sarge and Barry was taken on Tuesday.  Could he be any cuter?  He was kissing Barry up!!!

Track is flipped over

Lee Ann B and I made arrangements to meet out at the barn at 8:00 AM to go for a ride.  We loaded up the tack and I went down and got Biscuit.  He saw the trailer and walked to the other side of the paddock!!  I loaded him up, picked up Lee Ann and Rogue and off we went.

We tacked up and mounted up.  I had to dismount because I forgot my helmet.  We went to the right and could hear a hog to our right in the woods.  We went around to the back and got to where the track was and found this

Ricky had flipped it over so the rubber side was up.  OMG it was bigger than we thought it was.  This picture cuts off part of it!

We kept going and came to a wallow and some standing water.  Biscuit refused to go through it even with a pop with the crop.  He threw it into reverse.  Rogue went through and then Biscuit followed.   Go figure!!!

We got up to the front of the trail head and he threw it into reverse when I didn't let him turn out of the trail.  I made him do very tight circles and then he finally went.  He went nicely through the wallow/water this time and again threw a little fit at the trail head.  Tight circles again.

We made three trips around the park and then went out after a little snit fit by Biscuit when he had to go past the trail head.  There were two people talking with Ricky near where we came out and they said "there was a hog in there!!"

We took their tack off and I cleaned Biscuit's hooves and washed him off at the water department.  I can spray his head now carefully - he still isn't thrilled but he doesn't have a fit.  We left the stables and hauled back to the barn.

Lee Ann P was leaving for her property in Lumberton to make ready in case the hurricane came.   Lee Ann and I said we would join her and help.  We put the horses up and Lee Ann went in her own car. We helped with tying up fence wires.  I got a big kick out of Mike and Andy the Halflingers.  They are PRECIOUS.  I went back to the car and got carrots for them...they thought that was pretty darn grand.

As it turns out, the hurricane isn't coming here - YAY but now if one does, the property where the horses go is ready.

Biscuit has Ankles - not cankles

I went out to the barn Friday morning before I headed out to New Orleans.  This is his ankles - they are ankles not cankles!!!  I was so glad to see his legs were no longer swollen!!!

Biscuit's Cankles are better

I went out to the barn to put Biscuit and Sarge back into the paddock.  I brought Biscuit up on the wash rack to look at his legs.  What an improvement.    This is before:

And this was this evening:

A much improved Cankle!!!!!!  Hoping to see a bigger improvement tomorrow morning.  I will go see him before I leave for New Orleans.

Road Trip to the Vet

Lee Ann P looked at Biscuit cankles this morning...they are still swollen.  She said Legato had got swollen legs a few months ago before they went to Mississippi - she actually had a tiny cut on her leg.

I decided to haul Sarge with me and get their shots while I was there.  I double dipped on the West Nile because I couldn't remember if they had had it or not - turns out they had but since WN is going crazy up in the Dallas area better safe than sorry.

Doc asked me to walked him down the middle of the barn and asked if he had been coughing, runny nose, off his feed, lethargic - big negative on all of those.  He listed to his heart and lungs and jugular veins.  He picked up his legs.  He thinks it is just a reaction to all the insects.  He gave his a steroid shot and an antihistamine with it.  He said if he is not better by Wednesday to let him know.

Biscuit was very worried and upset to have Doc all over him but he calmed down.  He got all of his shots, Rhino, influenza, West Nile and a Rabies shot.  Sarge got the same - but one shot hit a blood vessel and blood poured into the needle and he had to give it another go.  His side were full of lather from him leaning on the sides of the trailer being a nosy rosy.

It was $190 for everything and I got soaking wet closing doors and tail gate.

OMG that is a HUGE needle

I was brought here under false pretenses

Look at the lather on his sides.  He was rubbing up against the sides of the trailer trying to see what was going on!

Going over Willow Bayou

Cankels - my boy has Calf Cankels

I went out to the barn and was going to ride.  I got Biscuit out and noticed his back fetlocks were swollen.  He walked up to the barn with no trouble - no stiffness no lameness.  I hosed his legs and walked him around.  Didn't seem to be tender.  His legs were mildly warm.  OMG it is always something.

I went back later with Barry and he trotted him out for me and Biscuit did just fine.  I picked up his back leg and he pulled it away from me.  I did it again and he again pulled away like it was tender.  It is off to the vet for The Biscuit tomorrow.  I want to know what is wrong now!

Sarge has a bobo

I ran out to the barn today to check on the boys.  I had three little carrots and Sarge was all over that.  He is so funny.  I lifted up his lip to look at his teeth and he is always very accommodating about it.  He is full of smooches and kisses.  He gave Biscuit the evil eye a few times but Biscuit managed to get his share of carrots. 

I was looking at Sarges's head and the hair on the top left side was matted to his face.  I checked it out and bless his heart he lowered his head for me to look.  It was full of that nasty liquid that comes out of sores - that clear lymph liquid.  It was crusted into his forelock.  I pulled his forelock hair out of the crust and got a look at it.  It is a little sore no bigger than an eraser head.  I don't know if he scratched it on the fence or if it was an insect bite.  I went back to the barn and got some Clorox wipes, I only had two left, and my Furazone ointment. 

I went back to the paddock and bless his little heart, he stood there so quietly while I cleaned his head.  I was outside of the fence but he stood there.  I used a wipe to clean off all of the yuk and clean off the germs.  I put Furazone on it and he kept wanting to stick his nose in the jar.  He is a treat hound.  Poor baby...I kissed him up before leaving and give Biscuit another pat.  I will have to go out there tomorrow and make sure it is healing up.  I don't want it to get out of hand!  I took pictures but this new computer of Barry's doesn't seem to have a Bluetooth - I will have to get whatever it is to have that!!

Hogs Galore in Tyrrell Park

The Rockin' R Riders had a ride in Tyrrell Park Saturday morning.  Barry decided to go with me so we left the house at 6:50 AM to get the horses.  I stopped at the tack room and Barry went down to get the horses.  I put their feed in and got hay for their bags...loaded up saddles and bridles and off we went. 

We met Kellie out at the park around 7:30 or so.  I got Biscuit tacked up.  James and Kenny arrived and some people we didn't know.  Kellie, Barry, James and I started off and went to the right in the woods.  Barry was leading, Kellie, me and then James who was on a new little paint gelding that was as cute as could be.  We rounded the first turn and Sarge spooked to the right...it was hogs to the left.  We didn't see them but could hear them.  We later crossed the two ride aways and saw hogs to the right on the public road crossing it.  Good sized hogs too.

We went out on the bayou and the grass was saddle high but then was just stirrup high until we got down aways and then it was head high.  Biscuit was being a pill - generally he does what I ask but he was skittering a little with his back end to both side.  He just wanted to be up by Sarge.  We did some trotting.  We went to the bridge and Kellie and I headed back.  I had cake consults that afternoon...Kellie didn't want to get too hot so we headed back. 

Biscuit was giving me some grief on the ride...but I did get him to collect up properly - he was tucking his chin all the way to his chest to evade the bit - he did that when Kenny had that really harsh bit on him.  I pushed him into the bridle and he quit JUMPING into the jog and transitioned smoothly.  We got to the woods and wanted to go right.  He threw it into reverse and I swatted him and we had to go around a clump of grass but he finally went.  OMG when he doesn't want to go he throws it into reverse!  We went all around the woods and back to the barn.  It was a fun ride.

We heard an ambulance and got a call from Kenny asking if we were still there.  A lady on the ride had some problems and an ambulance was called.  Her hands went numb, then stiff, curled, etc.  I went and flagged down the ambulance and Kellie told them how to get out to the back to get to her through Cattail Marsh.  Then we heard a bunch of sirens and saw an ambulance, two supervisor trucks and a fire truck going down Frint Road by the stables.  The sirens stopped not to far down the road.  Kellie said must have been a bad accident.  A few seconds later here they come again and I flagged them down.  They flew into the stables and I asked if they were looking for the horseback rider and he said yes.  Kellie knew them and directed them to Cattail.  I called Barry and he was unaware that an ambulance had been called.  The lady had issues back by Hildebrant - the fartherest she could have been.  Kenny had told them to go ahead and so he and James had moved off and they were unaware that there was a health problem. 

A lady rode up ponying the Halflinger and I took his reins from her.  Her name is Therese and she said he was not easy to pony!!!  He is DARLING and I wanted to bring him home with me.  She said they were afraid the lady was having a stroke.  Kellie and I stayed til Barry arrived.  A life flight helicopter was called...Kellie told Kenny to tell them to stand down.  The EMS guys came back and said Acadian had got the lady out...Barry saw them going down the left side of the bog and when the second wave of EMS came Barry and James told them that the other ambulance had gone down there to get the lady and they weren't needed.

They came back to the stables and Kellie and I talked to them.  They were hilarious guys - they had had to take off the gate into Cattail Marsh.  The codes didn't work. 

Barry and the rest of the people returned.  I had already given Biscuit a bath and he was munching hay.  I took Sarge over and rinsed him off.  He was a sweaty fellow.  We loaded them up right as the weather was getting nasty.  It poured buckets on us on the way back but wasn't raining at the ranch. 

It is always an adventure to go riding.  You never know what you are going to see or run across or what is going to happen along the trail. 

Checking out new park

Kellie and I went on a park investigation trip Friday down to Quintana Park.  We went all the way through Galveston.  I had never been that far down the road!!  It was very pretty down there.  We enjoyed the ride.  We stopped at a Buc-ee's and then on to the park.  It was a very nice park but it had a drop off to the beach.  A back and forth board sidewalk led down to the beach and unless a trail was built to get down there it would be difficult to get the horses down to the beach.  The cabins were very nice.  One draw back - huge refinery across the street that is converting liquid gas.  Giant bomb!    We went through Galveston and ate at a cute little restaurant and then went to a confection shop and bought chocolate caramel apples.  We went across the ferry and saw several dolphins.  We had a great time and wish we would have found a place to ride and spend the night.  I would like to ride at the end of Galveston.  It was nice down there. 

Trimming Sarge

I got Biscuit out of the pasture and put him on the washrack.  I rinsed him off and brushed his mane and forelock.  I was supposed to take a lesson with Alison but she wasn't able to make it so I went and got Sarge and brought him up to do his feet.   His tail was matted from  him rubbing his backside.  I put a ton of Cowboy Magic on it and slowly brushed it out.  I rinsed him off and brushed his mane.  Such a sweet boy!  Lee Ann wanted to do Sadda's feet so I put Biscuit in the other side of the little arena.

She brought Sadda up and he snorted at Sarge once and then shut up.  He and Sarge had a run in when we first got Sarge and after that Sadda wouldn't charge at Sarge.  I started on Sarge's feet - he has nice feet but he will pull them away from me.  I used the nippers on his feet.  OMG it is hard work and I was sweating to beat the band.  I stopped in the middle of it so Lee Ann could use the hoof stand.  I was more than glad to take a break.  Started back and I think I did a pretty good job.  I took them back one at a time.  They are both so sweet!!!

Rest In Peace Vincent

I went out to the barn this morning and found the tack room in disarray over in one corner, phone off the hook, fur scattered around and then saw Vincent over near my saddles in the middle of the room.  I called to him but didn't think he was alive.  Poor Vincent had been attacted by something - is right leg at the hock area was missing flesh and hair down to the bone.  Poor darling.  He was such funny cat...he loved to be brushed and would remind you with a cuff on the hand to keep up the brushing.  He climbed up Rogue's tail when he was a kitten.  I told Edgar and he at first didn't think it was Vincent.  He went looking for him and asked Jamie if he'd seen him.  Jamie and I said "no that is Vincent".  Edgar thinks a neighbor's dog did it.  OMG that is horrible.  If they would attack Vincent they may attact the horses.  Vincent was a young cat so it wasn't like he was old and feeble and unable to move.  So sad.  He will be missed. 

Fairtale Ride in Tyrrell Park

I didn't have anyone to ride with Saturday and Sunday so I rested which I think I really needed.  The Lee Anns and I planned a ride for Monday morning.  I got out to the barn at 6:50 AM and pulled Biscuit up, giving him and Sarge carrots.  Sarge has a witches knot in his mane!  OMG.  I will ahve to get out there and clean my boy up.  Poor Biscuit had bloody bites from flies on his neck and shoulders.  I gave him his breakfast - Lee Ann B told me that they had cut their feed in half due to some chubby horses on the ranch - so I had to dump half of Biscuit's feed.  I set his feed in front of him while I got out my tack. 

I hosed Biscuit off to get rid of the bloody bites.  We loaded up about 7:55 AM and hauled to Tyrrell Park.  Biscuit was the first out of the trailer and I tied him to the tree and saddled him up.  He is very willing to give me his front legs to stretch them out to make sure he doesn't have any wrinkles under his girth.  What a sweet boy! 

I mounted up and we headed across the driveway and I saw some black animals - first I thought they were dogs - near the trailhead.  OMG it was little hogs about knee high.  Lee Ann P hollered at them and they took off.  I popped Biscuit on the shoulder to get him moving first.  We got up to the trail head and heard some rustling and Biscuit stopped and then whirled around.  He wasn't a happy camper and The Lee Ann's dismounted and I did too because Biscuit was going sideways.  I saw Ricky riding up to the office house on a golf cart so I hollered for him to help the Three Damsels in Distress.  Hahahahaha we told him about the pigs and asked if he would go down the trails and run them off.  Ricky was Prince Charming on a white charger - even if the charger was a golf cart!!!

Bless him, he did and came out and said he'd found their little house of straw, then sticks and bricks.  Hahahahah  I told him he was a smart ass.  We all fell for it hook line and sinker at first.  Biscuit was having a fit and nearly running over me - he was not happy to have the golf cart driving behind him.  We went over to the mounting block and remounted and took off.  Biscuit turned into Puss N' Boots...he was certain the Big Bad Wolf was behind every tree.  He threw it into reverse and backed up and Rogue and Lee Ann took the lead.  Legato gave Biscuit a few nasty faces - she is so funny and expressive.  We saw a huge owl fly up into the tree - wish I could have gotten my camera out!!!   We went around to the back side and I tried to get Biscuit to take the lead...popping his shoulder with the crop but he threw it into reverse again.  He finally took over the lead so we could clear out spiders.  Lots of animal sounds moving in the woods.  We went around and kept going and Biscuit just gave me a tiny bit of flack at the trailhead but kept on going.  By then the horses had settled down and were happy campers.  The deer flies were buzzing around and I squished several.  Biscuit shook his head several times to get rid of them. 

When we were through with our ride I took his tack off and gave him a carrot.  He was watching Lee Ann P eat a power bar...LOL  Biscuit is a treat hound.  He is always looking for a treat for The Biscuit.  We loaded up and hauled back to the ranch.  I rinsed Biscuit off and he is getting so much better about having his head sprayed.  I keep working on hit.  Later I was rinsing the washrack and all of a sudden he startled up so hard he scared me.  LOL  I think he went to sleep and Legato came up to his head.  She was loose in the arena.  I think she scared the snot out of him.  What a sissy.  I put fly spray on him and took him back to his paddock. 

My feet are still going numb in the saddle.  Lee Ann B said I was sitting crooked and when I straightened up it helped my feet immediately.  I am going to try to raise them one more notch and try that.  I hope that works.  I like this saddle - it is light weight and FITS The Biscuit.