The Heat Continues

Monday, May 28, 2012
Having made the decision to keep Suki in last night, I admit, I was happy to see that it had rained over night. The morning air was cool, but it reminded me of waking up by the beach;coolness with the slight hint of humidity and a warm day ahead. Before 7 AM I went to Suki's barn to put her and Banker out until Christine came to bring the rest of the horses in for the day. That would give them a couple of hours outside grazing before spending the rest of the day inside. Suki first, I decided to throw her fly sheet over the shell because the bugs were somewhat aggressive and the temperature was still cool. Turning her around and uncoupling the lead rope, Suki was off in a flash! Banker followed suit and the two did a short lap then settled in to graze.

I set to work cleaning the two stalls and prepared them for the horses to come in. Then it was a quick trip home to get ready to watch Isaiah march in the Memorial Day parade. He had decided to walk with Little League instead of Tai Kwon Do, which surprised me. He later changed his mind, but had already committed, and accepted that decision. Michael decided to walk with the team as did some of the other parents, so I found a place to watch them walk by. The Exeter Township firefighters walked past first, and I started to applaud. Others joined in and we began to cheer. I admit that I became a bit teary-eyed....this was the first responding fire company to the Pink Star fire and some of these brave firefighters rescued Suki.

It was starting to get hot by 11 AM, so midday I went to see Suki. She doesn't sweat properly over her back where the most severe burns were, so I am always a bit more concerned. When Christine arrived at 9:30 Suki was sweaty under the fly sheet, so both that and the shell were removed. She seemed reasonably comfortable midday but I hosed her off anyway just to be safe. At 4:00 I hosed her off again, and Christine was planning to put the shell on right before turnout. I wanted to wait until the last possible moment to dress her.

Nikki is handling the heat fairly well, but I still try to ride early in the morning to avoid the hottest part of the day.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012
MORE HEAT! Suki managed to twist the shell, and the protective, saddle-shaped armor had fallen out. That is something that has never before happened! I will make some repairs/adjustments before putting it on her for the night. Today is actually more hot and humid than it was yesterday. With thunderstorms predicted for overnight, Suki may be staying in anyway. If that should happen I think I will let her be naked over night in her stall.

My original plan was to ride Nikki at lunch today, but with temperatures close to 90 and a heat index in the 90's that was not going to happen. She was fairly comfortable in her stall but I decided to hose her off anyway. Suki was a bit sweaty so I hosed her off as well. When I took her out behind the barn she kept spooking and dancing around and I didn't know what her problem was until I saw...three glittery mylar balloons had escaped from their owner and were tangled in the trees that line one of the pastures. Definitely cause for alarm!

Storms moving through so Suki is in for the night. The temperature has already dropped by 15 degrees! Feels much better! Even with all of the excess rolling and slipping of the shell, the graft site looks fine. I was a little concerned, but maybe I just need to have a little faith!

I LOVE this picture from last weekend! I had Suki trot and canter over a ground pole and she just seemed to have so much fun. Spark in her eyes and a spring in her step. She takes my breath away...