Everyone needs a Little Help Now and Then!

Friday, 28 February 2014
I SO enjoyed Suki and Nikki today!  No, we didn't get to work, and other than brushing their legs and faces and picking their feet I really didn't do much with them.  Well, I did make them do stretches for their treats!

I just get such pleasure from their personalities.  Both girls needed new salt blocks.  I use the ring of Himalayan salt that hangs by a short rope from the front bars of the stall.  Suki has always been a big salt chewer, so the small rectangular mineral block always ended up crumbled and the wire rack mangled. And before someone suggests it, no, she doe not have any type of deficiency, as she is on a good quality feed.  This is more of a habit than anything else.  I once tried to use the large mineral block on the floor of Suki's stall, but it made her angry.  She would trash her stall and fling that VERY heavy block all over the place.  Once removed she went back to her neat stall management!  Nikki is less aggressive about her salt and licks at it with only the occasional bite.  But she does seem to enjoy the Himalayan salt a bit more.

Today as I was tying the ring in Suki's stall she started to "help" by licking my fingers and nibbling on the rope.  I can't tie the rope with my winter gloves on so I had removed them.  Temperature was about 15F, so my fingers became cold rather quickly.  I assured Suki that I really did not need her assistance, at which time she decided to look in my pockets for extra treats.  With both hands occupied tying the salt ring, Suki knew that she had free rein to dig around.  Unsuccessful, she moved to snuffling my hair, licking my cheek and licking my jacket.  I couldn't help but laugh.  Suki is such a clown at times, and yet so serious about other things.  Turnout, for example, is a very serious business!  She must be first out and first in.  Nikki has to go out ahead of her because Suki will crowd the gate, not allowing Nikki to get in.  But today I was outside talking to Christine while she was breaking ice in water tubs, and we could hear Suki banging on her door to go out.....just in case we forgot!

Finished with Suki's salt block I went to Nikki next.  Nikki immediately dove into my pockets, but then followed me with the salt ring.  As I untied the rope from the old one, she too thought that I was in need of assistance.  Licking my fingers, grabbing the rope and eventually licking the side of my face!  I think that was an accident, because she looked surprised!  Moving onto my hair, Nikki snuffled for a bit then grabbed my jacket again.  Finally finished with my task I rubbed Nikki's face then gave her a carrot.  Such funny girls!

Sunday, 02 March 2014
Finally a day warm enough to perform thorough grooming and spa treatments! At 28F I was actually overdressed and removed my coat.  Longing to ride, this winter the extreme conditions have taught me to be satisfied with spending time with Suki and Nikki, reading and watching the occasional video.  It has also given me the opportunity to plan spring, summer and fall (in a perfect world).  The plan will adapt accordingly as I am certain that there will be a need to change course for any number of reasons.  But at least I have a start!

Suki very obviously enjoyed her moisturizing massage, as she rocked back and forth and wiggled her lips as I moved my hands across the top of her back.  And although I had been brushing her face on days when I just did face/legs/mane/tail and picked feet, Suki moved her head up and down, changing angles to fund the itchiest spots while I held the exfoliation mitt in my hand!  After some carrot stretches  (and an ALMOST bow!) I dressed her in two blankets with a mid weight sheet on top.  Probably slightly overkill for the day, but temperatures are expected to plummet following another predicted 8 inches of snow tonight.  Hopefully this will be the last of the snow events!

Nikki too, enjoyed her thorough grooming and even tolerated her belly being brushed with just a slight ear flick.  I use the softest cloth or brush, but she just doesn't like it!  But boy does her mane need to be pulled....yikes!  maybe next weekend?  She absolutely LOVED having her face brushed so I wrapped it in a towel and massaged it thoroughly.  Judging by her "purring" I would say she was quite happy.

Content with the girls' shiny coats, fluffy tails and oiled feet I gave them extra treats as they waited for breakfast and turnout.

Monday, 03 March 2014
The storm that wasn't!  Yay!  we barely had a coating of snow.  Just enough for slick roads which cleared quickly.  The cold and wind were wicked so I was glad that i had bundled up the girls yesterday.

Tuesday, 04 March 2014
As promised, another arctic blast of snow.  I took this photo when I got out of the car by the barn at 7:30 this morning.  At 5F you can see how cold and barren the landscape looks as the sun tries bravely to make an appearance.

But inside the barn I was greeted by welcoming nickers and the warm breath of my beautiful horses on my face.  And suddenly I didn't feel so cold anymore....

Getting through the daily grind and trying to find inspiration

I know that I have complained about this winter on several occasions.  And yes, it's winter and I live in the northeastern United States, so what do I expect?  But having not ridden in over two months I am trying desperately to find additional inspiration.  Some days it is tough to manage the daily routine!

This has been a good test of Suki's condition though.  There have been stretches of time where I have done minimal exfoliating and moisturizing of her skin.  Some days it was so insanely cold that I just brushed Suki and Nikki's legs, face and neck, picked feet and fluffed tails.  Suki then received face and neck moisturizing.  I like to be able to check over legs and feet to be sure that everything is okay, and there are no unusual bumps, cuts, swellings, etc.  Other days road conditions were too treacherous to even make the short drive (many hills and curves roads completely covered in ice and snow).

On days where temperatures are above 20F I do full grooming and spa treatments.  I am pleased to see that even with longer periods between full moisturizing of Suki's back it has not been excessively dry, thanks to the constant wearing of blankets.  The girls are being surprisingly good about spending extended periods inside, but getting in some good passaging, bucking and rolling on days outside.  One thing that I am noticing is that their "clown" behavior is increasing.  It almost seems as though they are doing it to entertain themselves.  I am, of course, the butt of their jokes!  Not that I mind, because it is nice to see them in good spirits, happy and healthy.

Fortunately Suki has not been dribbling water on me too often in the frigid weather.  But she does love to try to snatch treats from my pockets and snuffle my hair while I brush her front legs.  If I am wearing a hat then Suki is likely to yank it from my head and throw it on the floor.  Her white socks are sparkly clean from standing in snow, which definitely makes my job easier!  Best that I do not get used to that since in another 2-3 weeks we will probably be dealing with mud!  Each winter I have had some concerns about the tips of Suki's ears which are devoid of hair, and the possibility of frost bite.  It is not a large area, but it is the surface where the tips fell off after being so badly burned.  I try to keep the area covered thickly with a petroleum based ointment so that the ears are not wet, but protected.  I have entertained covering her ears but the commercially available models of ear covers do not fit so well and are typically not a thick enough fabric.  Yes, last year I knitted a set of custom ear covers but they did not stay on so well and Suki seemed somewhat annoyed by them.  I suspect, given her diva personality that she was embarrassed by them.  But even with the arctic temperatures there was never a problem.  As everyone knows, I am a supreme worrier about my horses, so it was par for the course!

Nikki likes to steal treats from my pockets as well, but her main game is to suck the corners of my pockets to get a taste of sugar cubes.  I have not been on her back since mid December, but I am getting hopeful that all of the snow will be gone in a few weeks and we can get back to work.  Today she decided that every time I touched a leg for her to lift a foot, she would lift a different foot than the one requested.  Then she would turn around and look at me.  Was that a smirk on her face??  She also really enjoyed a full face and ear rub....it is one of her favorite things.  She hates to have her belly brushed but you could rub her ears all day!

To help keep the girls listening and supple I have been doing stretching exercises with them.  Side to side, and head through the front legs.  Suki is almost bowing at this point!  They both enjoy it, though Nikki really tries to cheat and stretch her lips out.  While working side to side with Suki I am always reminded of her early days in ICU.  Crinkled skin that had been burned but not yet sloughed off made it impossible for Suki to reach around and scratch her sides, something she has always liked to do.  It was heartbreaking to watch her try to reach her side then turn back and look at me.  From that time on I would wait for her to point to the itchy area and I would scratch it for her.  Our communication between one another had always been wonderful, but when you spend that much time together during recovery the bond and communication deepens to a level that seems almost like mind reading.  As you can see in this photo the dark hair was burned area.

Two weeks post fire

Suki ultimately lost all of the skin forward and across her back.  Much of the hair on her side did grow back.
So it is wonderful to see that she regained all of her comfort and flexibility.  Actually she was back to full scratching ability by that first fall in 2009.  It appeared that the crinkling in the skin made it less flexible and Suki seemed nervous about maintaining her balance.  Once it sloughed away and the pink healthy skin was on the surface she was good to go!

I re-read Priscilla Endicott's "Taking Up the Reins" to gather some inspiration.  For those of you who have never read it, you really must!

http://www.amazon.com/Taking-Up-Reins-Germany-Dressage-ebook/dp/B008NXEK2A/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1393192194&sr=1-1&keywords=taking+up+the+reins
It is about a woman in her 50's who takes her horse to Germany for a year to train.  The time was when US dressage was in it's infancy.  Priscilla Endicott also helped form The New England Dressage Association.  It's a great read!

I also watched some of the George Morris clinic that took place in Florida in January.  The section that I watched was the flat section, of course, but I liked how he talked about the importance of feeling the horse.  George also focused on regulating stride, stressing the importance of dressage basics for all horses.  He lengthened the riders' stirrups for the flat riding, but not quite to dressage length, which I was happy to see.  The focus was still hunt seat, but it was nice to see the appreciation.  It reminded me of how when M first jumped Nikki as a 4 year old, how impressed she was by Nikki's ability to move laterally and be balanced on the turns.  Other 4 year olds that she had introduced to jumping were apparently all over the place and unbalanced.  I think we all need to appreciate one another's disciplines...

My inspiration for the approaching spring is also coming from deep within....I see a fully workable summer with both girls, hopefully getting Nikki to some shows and ending the summer with sitting on Suki's back.  It may be premature to set a time frame since I really need to see how she holds up with long lining in a surcingle then a saddle.  But I am hopeful.

Maybe it's the promise of spring in the air this weekend, though snow is in the forecast again for the coming week.  But my biggest inspiration came today, watching Isaiah do a dressage test during his lesson.  My little boy doing his halt and salute gave me a preview of what is to come.  We will get through the rest of the winter and bounce happily into spring!

The longest winter

I love winter.  The cold weather has always inspired me, increasing my energy levels when the cold air touches my face.  But I must admit, that even this winter girl is about done!  I tried so hard to keep Nikki going in the face of Jack Frost, but frozen arena footing topped by snow and ice has brought all active thoughts about training to a screeching halt.  Reluctantly I admit defeat.  For now.  My horses' legs are far too precious to risk on the frozen tundra at more than a walk.  At this point with limited turnout due to extreme weather Neither Suki nor Nikki will walk quietly enough to work on the snow.  Although I admit defeat for physically working the girls in the arena, it has not stopped some in hand work out behind the barn when that ground allows, and some fun stretching exercises in the aisle.  I am also taking this opportunity to read, read, read and watch training videos.  And of course daydream.

Suki and Nikki are behaving reasonably well given the weeks of limited turnout.  On Friday they both received a thorough grooming, and had my fingers not started to get cold I would have pulled Nikki's mane.  But I have winter horseman's hands, cracked and dry on the fingers in spite of desperate attempts with some mighty moisturizers!  That usually translates to bloody fingers if it it is cold when I pull a mane.  Current weather predictions show temperatures above freezing later this week so I will seize any opportunity that rears its head!

Saturday was a great opportunity for the girls to be out a good portion of the day in some much needed time out in the big field.  I groomed their legs and faces and picked out their feet so that I would be able to get them back outside as quickly as possible.   We also performed some stretches and I asked both girls to do a few half steps in hand.  Nikki is really beginning to understand this command, although she really prefers to piaffe, as does Suki.

Snow is falling once again as I write this post from my window perch in front of the fire.  This little burst is only expected to produce 1-3 inches of snow, so thankfully just a nuisance which should be cleared by morning.  This morning when I went to the barn the damp air felt like snow was coming but the 22F temperature felt almost warm!  Yesterday's sun produced a slight melt but temperatures in the low teens last night gave the snow covered areas a shimmery slickness.

The snow is falling heavier now so the birds and squirrels are scurrying about eating before taking cover again.  I'm sure there will be fresh deer tracks by morning as well....

The horses were already outside when I arrived at the barn this morning so I just left them alone giving treats and head scratches.  It is rare these days that they have extended periods out in the big field.  Hopefully this new batch of snow won't affect turnout too much!
There was a bit of an incident this morning though..... Levi, a gelding who is turned out in the adjacent field tried to go through the fence to get to Suki.  She is in heat (yes, again!) and I have observed him acting a bit studly at times.  He took a chunk out of his foot prompting a visit from the vet.  He will be fine, but he and Mack will not be allowed in the field right next to Suki and Nikki.  Notice in today's photo that the girls are being kept from the paddock and a top section of the fence is down...

So as the snow continues this evening I continue to read Paul Belasik's book "Nature, Nurture and Horses and dream of good footing and riding soon.....

Wild Nikki and the search for an illustrator for Suki's children's book

Saturday, January 18, 2014
If you can predict one thing about life with horses it would be that it is predictably unpredictable.  Once again I sit writing this in front of the window watching snow fly about as the birds and squirrels brave the elements to feast at the feeders.  Having been on a nice consistent roll in my riding an arctic blast (followed by a hock injury, sprung shoe and another arctic blast!)brought it to  a screeching halt. While I have no problem riding when the temperatures dip, I will not compromise my horses' legs on hard footing.  Many people will still hop on their horse and walk, but alas, Nikki is just not that type of horse.  Most days I lunge her with side reins prior to ring allowing her to stretch and move out before I mount.  During the warmer weather I abbreviate or eliminate this step, but on cold days this is not really an option.  Especially during extended periods of limited or no turnout.  Unfortunately Suki is just doing stretches and abbreviated in hand work.  Sadly, training has been somewhat crippled by the weather.

While I was able to get in a few consecutive days of lunging it unfortunately did not lead to riding. At least Nikki had some good workouts though.  I worked a lot on transitions and focus but also let her do some trot sets to expend some energy.
 Louise lunged Nikki yesterday but a few things set her off galloping around on the lunge line forcing Louise to make the (very wise) decision not to ride.  I will not have the opportunity to work Nikki again today because of Isaiah's hockey practice and frozen arena.  I have decided to cut Nikki's grain a bit because of the lack of work and turnout.  The muddy field will hopefully get hard enough to allow turnout beyond the paddocks over the next day or so.  That will help Nikki's need to expend energy but a snow event Tuesday and sub zero temperatures may lead to less time out again.  Of course!

Sunday, January 19, 2014
The fox hunting ladies were at the barn when I arrived, ever hopeful about getting in another day in the field before the next batch of bad weather.  It was nice to be in a busy barn among friends sharing our passion.  Yes, our passions differ regarding equestrian discipline, but the main part of our passion creates a common bond.  Love of our horses.  The insanely cold temperatures have presented difficulties for all of us.  Again, we have one common obstacle: frozen ground.  But J and R had not been hunting in awhile and were looking forward to their outing.  The ground was too frozen for me to consider lunging at that hour but both girls would receive a thorough grooming, and Suki moisturizer.

We needed to utilize all three sets of cross ties, which requires a bit of ingenuity because of horse size.  Well, primarily my large horses!  I had finished with Nikki by the time R and J were ready with their boys so Suki was next.  And as much as love the big girl she can be difficult at times with other horses. Mostly she makes mean faces and loud noises at them.  The only time she really bares her teeth is when she is in her stall and I am near.  Then look out horse next door!

J put Parker on the cross ties behind Suki.  He kept stretching forward to sniff her, making me a bit nervous!  Another example of underestimating my girls.  Suki did not even make a face, and after a few sniffs Parker relaxed in the cross ties and Suki stood like a rock for her spa treatment.  I was even able to have her do stretches and her partial bow.

Monday, January 20, 2014
Another sprung shoe for Nikki?  REALLY?  uggh!  This time I was a bit concerned about her even going outside on it, but I put a bell boot on her door for turnout.  The next few days promise snow and high wind, so there may only be brief periods in the paddock.

My awesome farrier came out tonight to put a new shoe on Nikki!! He wasn't sure if he would be able to get there Tuesday or Wednesday given the weather.  Thank you Josh!!!

Tuesday, January 21, 2014
An early trip to the barn this morning before dawn.  School has been cancelled due to the approaching snow followed by yet another arctic blast.  This necessitates an additional layer of clothing.  The blanket dance continues.  This snow event is a bit entertaining.  Initial forecasts predicted snow starting at 5 PM.  Then 3PM, then 1PM, then 9 AM.  At first I expected early dismissal for Isaiah, but by 6 AM school had been cancelled.  Snow started by 7:30 once again covering the Oley Valley in silent white.

I need an illustrator!
In no hurry to get Isaiah out of bed, I decide to conduct a bit of research, as I put the finishing touches on the first children's book about Suki. The process has not been so easy because I had some conflicting ideas about the theme.  At this point I am comfortable with the text, but am in need of an illustrator.  It is crucial for the illustrator to capture Suki's personality.  Illustrations prior to the fire, shortly after and recovered.  There are dressage show scenes and playing in the field.....  So I am starting here as i do my search.  Anyone interested can email me at fwadewhittaker@yahoo.com and I will send a few sentences of text for the artist to use as inspiration for illustration.  A photo of the sample can be sent to me at that same email address.

The remainder of the week consisted of navigating the driveways and roads, grooming and treats.  Please, someone smack me the next time I declare my love of winter!

Saturday, January 2014
As the gray light of a new day begins to overtake the woods behind my I notice a herd of deer making the first of two daily trips across the hill.  More snow is expected to begin in just a few hours so I suspect the return trip will be a bit earlier than usual.  Late yesterday afternoon a large buck ventured down the hill to the bird feeder below while Isaiah and I quietly watched him.  Fortunately Ripley was sleeping or he would have barked frantically at the window!

This morning I will go to the barn to once again feed nice warm bran mashes to Suki and Nikki and groom their legs and faces and pick their feet.  I have only been removing blankets to perform thorough grooming every other day due to the extreme cold.  But for now I sit before the fire observing nature.

Habit made me take my car this morning when the more obvious choice would have been the truck.  The driveway down to the barn has been plowed but the packed snow makes the journey back up the hill questionable.  So I put on my Yaktraks and made my way down the hill.  At 19F the air felt comfortable as the highest temperature that the Oley Valley has experienced in the past week.

The front door of the barn was frozen shut and although I can usually jiggle it open today I was unsuccessful.  I simply climbed the fence and went to the back door.  Entering through that door I met Suki's gaze first.  Her nostrils rumbled silently at first, followed by a low nicker.  Nikki's greeting was much louder followed by a kick to her stall door just to be sure that I heard her.  I hate that habit, but she is quite the impatient girl at times!
The girls happily gobbled their warm mashes, to which I added some carrots and applesauce.  Yes they are spooled.  But these temperatures are crazy!

On Sunday I went out to the barn a little later than usual and the girls were out in the big field.  I decided to just feed them treats and straighten blankets.  Finally out in the big field again was a treat that they needed to enjoy!

Suki's expression makes me feel like she is looking deep into my soul, as I look into hers.  

Nikki enjoys some peaceful hay eating time while Suki is otherwise occupied!

So back to reading and videos.  I think I am going to hunker down for a bit with some SRS footage and an old Reiner Klimke video for inspiration.  Maybe I can lunge the girls next week.....

Bringing Suki back under saddle: game plan

Extreme winter weather has put me into planning mode.  And reading, and videos.  I have started a few horses under saddle, but am by no means an expert.  I believe I was taught well, by people who took their time with the process.  Suki had a brief introduction to work prior to being shipped from her birth place of Capriole Farm in Vancouver, British Columbia to me in Unionville, Pennsylvania.  She was easy and uncomplicated, with a heavenly trot.  Our greatest issue early on was 3 year old Suki figuring out where to put all of those long legs!  Steering is always a challenge initially so I only cantered if there were fewer than two other horses in the arena.  As a 17 hand 3 year old it seemed as though it only took three or four canter strides for Suki to travel down the long side of the indoor arena.  The turns were perilous at times but Suki and I took care of one another.  I shifted my weight in the saddle to be as accommodating as possible.  She would tilt her right ear back toward me waiting for my next request.  I didn't notice this at first, but after a few days in the saddle I knew when she had a question.  We were dance partners.  I remembered this detail just recently, after I dreamed that I was riding her.

Here are a couple of very early rides:

In preparation of attempting to sit on Suki again I am thinking about the basics.  The weather has held us back for now, but once it breaks we are going full force.  Light lunges 4 days a week for 3 weeks, with increasing emphasis on fitness.  Trot sets; canter sets.  Suki executes transitions brilliantly which is why my focus will initially be on fitness.  Of course transitions will be part of each session, with me throwing in rapid transitions from time to time just to keep her sharp during fitness training. Then we add a surcingle with side reins to attain more collection. Once Suki is fit and I am assured of continued soundness I will move from lunging to long lining, as it is the closest in hand work simulating riding.  This will allow full control of the bridle.

Each day it will also be necessary to monitor the skin on Suki's back.  For the most part the skin is thick and tough, with the weakest area being the site of the graft which lies directly under the middle of where a saddle would sit.  The major concern is weight and friction of the saddle, then the added weight of a rider which could cause the skin to tear.  Suki wore the surcingle only once, with the Success Equestrian saddle pad and everything seemed fine.  Regular work will be the true test.  A few weeks of consistent work in the surcingle and long lines should provide me with assurance (or not) that Suki is ready for the saddle.  Because of Suki's prior back problem and lack of hair saddle type and fit is crucial.   Laser and Thin Line have joined forces with this saddle:
http://www.laserequestrian.com/?p=11
Thin Line incorporates no heat and non slip.

In addition I will continue the in hand work that I observed during the Andreas Hausberger clinic at Waltzing Horse Farm last summer which I will continue to learn in future workshops and clinics.  One plan is to travel to Vienna in 2014 to participate in one of the workshops offered by the Spanish Riding School.  There is always more to learn and I am an eager student!  All of this work will be incorporated into Nikki's training as well.  It is interesting that so many dressage riders seek the "perfect" piaffe in their horses but never really train their horses in hand.  The Lipizzaners (the majority) display very even, correct piaffe, which to me demonstrates its importance.

My plan is to write a daily journal enabling me to evaluate progress and set backs.  I have decided to do it the old fashioned way (at least to start)....hand written.   I have purchased two very lovely books (one for Nikki as well) for this purpose.

Weather has prevented Suki and Nikki from being turned out in their large field....freezing-mud-freeze-mud.  Crazy enough to limit the horses to paddocks, much to their dismay.  I am certain that they will appreciate the beautiful fields that they will have come spring though!  The importance of pasture maintenance!  Yesterday it rained all day so after squeaking in a lunge for Nikki, the girls were in for the day.  Today I put Nikki out in the paddock first where she proceeded to passage around a few times before settling down to munch on some lovely hay.  I watched her for a moment while "her majesty" whinnied in her stall impatiently waiting for her turn.  I turned out Suki next and she too passaged around the paddock, causing Nikki to start up again before both got down to serious hay munching.  WHY DID I NOT HAVE MY PHONE!!!  What an awesome video that would have been.

I received a lovely, thoughtful Christmas gift from R at the barn.  In September I had given my Dressage at Devon Freestyle box seats to her and her mother when I was unable to attend.  Such a beautiful gift...

Re-starting Suki under saddle will not be without complications.  I know this, and am prepared for it.  But it is time.  We may or may or not be successful, but it is time to go for it!!

Stay tuned......

More winter weather and extreme cold.....I just want to ride!

Thursday, January 2, 2014

I was ever so hopeful about riding before the snow which was to start tonight.  After putting the child on the school bus at 7:25 I headed to the barn, armed with Nikki's meds.  I was a little skeptical about the possibilities of riding at that time given the previous night's low temperatures, but planned to go back perhaps midday after running errands.  Heavy snowfall with moderate accumulation (5-7") was anticipated overnight into Friday accompanied by high winds and harsh temperatures.

Frozen ground remained in the early afternoon so I elected to just adjust the girls' clothing.  Aaah the blanket dance!   They were out in the field when I arrived and of course started to walk in the opposite direction when they saw my car.  Not too pleased about the early retrieval I assured them that I would put them back out after fixing their blankets.  I grabbed Suki first as per protocol, and when we had reached the midway point Nikki begrudgingly started to follow.  That was better than yesterday when she charged down the field past us.  "Careful on that hock!" I called to her as she flew by.  That made Suki start to passage next to me.  All of a sudden she rocked back on her hocks, but thankfully settled down when I growled at her before she had the chance to leap.   Temperatures were expected to plummet to 0F the next day and I had doubts as to my ability to make it out to the barn on Friday.  Currently wearing heavy Rambos with mid weight sheets on top I pulled everything off and started with a midweight blanket topped by the heavy Rambos.  If the timing of the storm occurs as predicted I anticipate a snow day for Isaiah's school.  Because of the harsh temperatures C at the barn was going to blanket her draft horses.  She didn't have anything large enough but after much effort found sizes 90 and 98 for Abe and Daphne to wear.  Yikes!  And I complain about the 84's for Suki and Nikki!

While waiting to pick up Isaiah at the bus stop the first flakes began to fall right on schedule: between 3 and 4 PM.  The snow picked up slightly as we went up the driveway and within 5 minutes the driveway showed a thin layer, becoming immediately slick!

It may not look like much, but this makes my driveway slick!

As the snow continued I watched my DVR'd Nature episode about the Spanish Riding School, dreaming about participating in the workshop in the spring, and attending the Andreas Hausberger clinic in summer.  Isaiah was drawing on his iPad and the animals slept peacefully around us.  I am anxious to learn more in a hands on situation to help me with Nikki's work, and getting Suki back under saddle.  This winter is certainly proving to be more challenging than last, but we will do what we can.  By March I expect to have all of the necessary equipment assembled.  Perhaps during january and February I can find a clinic to audit for in hand work.  Although I am well versed in the basics and a bit beyond, it would be nice to see some upper level work, though I know it will never equal the training that I observed with Andreas.

Friday, January 3, 2014
No school.  Last night SCS declared a 2 hour delay but at 5:30 AM it was changed to a closure.  Just as well.  I did not have to have the driveway cleared by 9 to take Isaiah to the bus!  Our street is always one of the last to be plowed...

Sunday, January 5, 2014
But in spite of my current inability to ride (warmer temps later this week yay!) I am plotting and planning my spring.  Hopefully I will be able to ride Nikki again by next weekend.  Even if the winter continues to be difficult we will work as we are able carefully preparing for an intense spring.  My goal is to get her to a show in late April or early May.  Nikki has been very willing during the uncertain weather, and now that her injury has appeared to resolve we are ready to get back to work (if only the weather were as cooperative as my beautiful girl is!).

I also found a new blog on the chronicle....

http://www.chronofhorse.com/article/embarking-amish-adventure
by a recent graduate of Penn vet school as she re-trains an Amish driving horse that she rescued.
While Suki's re-starting includes baggage, it is nothing compared to this horse's fear issues.  I look forward to following his progress as I embark on my journey to sit on Suki again.  Unless we hit some unforeseen snag, or the skin on Suki's back is unable to bear the weight and friction of a saddle, I am confident that I will ride her by autumn of 2014.  The process will be slow and careful, but that's fine.  There is no hurry.

Tomorrow I look forward to going to the barn after snow, bad roads and freezing rain on top of the snow.  No, there won't be any lunging or riding, but after a couple of days the girls need some loving and grooming, and I am in desperate need of my horse therapy!  But really....I JUST WANT TO RIDE!

Meanwhile, we dream of green grass and good footing.....

Winter weather, a swollen hock and a loose shoe

Life with horses.  Some days you just can't win!  I write this while facing my beautiful Christmas tree, lights twinkling, cozy and warm by the fire as the cold rain pours outside.  We had been without internet service since Christmas, restored finally last night after a very vague "widespread outage".  Well, at least it was restored before the original target date of December 31!  I don't like to blog or really do much on Facebook from my phone, and life's obligations kept me from hitting an internet cafe.  Unfortunately that restoration was short lived, but today, Jan1, 2014 we appear to be back in business!  (Fingers crossed that it lasts this time)So today I reflect on the past two weeks....

December 19 showed some riding potential in the days to come.  Nikki had not been ridden in nearly a week so I was anxious to get back to work.  The arena was still not quite ready for anything more than walking, but the path from barn to arena remained a bit treacherous.  There's always tomorrow, I thought.  Temperatures were expected to be ridiculously high in the coming days so the ice was sure to give way to improved footing!  The girls came galloping down the paddock today, nearly giving me a heart attack as I pleaded with them to be careful.  The bad weather hindered my efforts with maintaining Suki's skin, although covered by a blanket it does fare better than one would expect.  The girls were in a happy mood having spent most of the day in the sunshine out in their field.

December 20, 2013
The footing in the arena was definitely suitable for at least some work, but I questioned the safety of the driveway between barn and ring.  Walking back and forth a few times I tried t determine my course of action.  I know that it seems like a lot of indecision but appropriate footing conditions is something that has been hammered into my brain since the start of my riding career.  Having witnessed a variety of unnecessary injuries to other people's horses from riding on hard, dry footing, frozen footing, super deep footing, etc I tend to weigh the consequences obsessively.  After a week of no riding and no show, clinic etc looming, why risk it?  Still pondering this with my desire to ride I walked through the barn to collect the girls.  They were in the paddock behind the barn so I grabbed Banker first, followed by Suki and Nikki.  Giving Suki a proper grooming and moisturizing, she once again allowed me to massage her face with the towel.  The long scrape on her right hind white sock is finally filling in with hair.  It is a very superficial scrape, but that hair is taking its time growing back!
Moving on to groom Nikki I began with her face.  As I moved hands and brush over the legs that I know so well I came to her Left hock.  "Whoa", I thought.  That is not normal.  I knotted her tail and looked at her from behind.  Left hock definitely larger than the right.  Uggh.  A little warm, but not hot.  I looked around for a wound and found a small cut.  Nothing major, and appearing superficial.  Temperature, appetite, behavior all normal.  I couldn't really jog her due to the icy conditions, either.  What happened?  A kick?  I called the vet and set up an appointment for the morning.  I quietly, in my mind hoped that in the morning I would find a normal-looking leg.

December 21, 2013
Down the driveway to the barn at 7:30 AM.  The arena was still partially snow covered, but definitely looking better.  I hoped that I would see improvement in Nikki's hock.  Jiggling the frozen door of the barn I could hear the horse inside talking to me, clearly hoping that it was John or Rob to feed.  The lights take a bit of time to warm up and come to full strength in the cold and dampness so after a quick hello t and treat for Suki I pulled Nikki out of her stall.  She snatched her first carrot out of my pocket as I slipped on her halter!  All signs in her stall exhibited normal behavior over night.  Hay and grain eaten, normal amount of manure and two nearly empty water buckets.  Nikki walked out of her stall without any evidence of discomfort, but as I turned her to attach the cross ties it was obvious that the left hock was indeed still enlarged.

The vet arrived around 8:30 as expected.  Initial exam did not show anything.  Dr X clipped the entire fetlock looking for the little cut that I had seen the night before or any other sign of a puncture wound.  Nothing.  Not even the little thing that I had seen the night before.  Body temp normal still.  Dr X really needed to see her jog so tentatively we made our way out to the arena.  The arena itself was not SO bad but the walk from the barn was a bit scary, although better than the day before.  Nikki carefully walked beside me.  I put her out on the lunge and she trotted well.  Not too forward...she was definitely being careful with the footing.  In both directions she was only very slightly off and i believe it was primarily to the swelling hindering full movement and not actual discomfort.  Back in the barn the vet looked over every inch of the are and behind, still not finding any type of wound.  She scrubbed it just in case and put Nikki on two types of antibiotics.  SMZ's for 14 days, and injectable gentocin for 3 days.  Then she applied a sweat and a wrap followed by standing wraps.  It would be my responsibility to change the sweat each day and re-wrap both hind legs with standing wraps.  Miss Nicolette does not have a good history with wearing bandages.....she tries to remove them immediately upon release into her stall.  This of course, had me a bit uneasy.  I was comforted by the fact that when we put her in her stall she did not make any attempt to chew on them!  I would be back later in the day to check her.  Off to the tack store I went to pick up additional wrapping supplies.
Suki was probably relieved that she was not the one requiring veterinary attention!  I made sure to give her a thorough spa treatment and plenty of treats.  She was only going to be out in the paddock because of the footing conditions.

I called the insurance company to report the injury.  All bases covered.

Returning to the barn at 4 PM with treats and bandage supplies I was pleasantly surprised to see that Nikki had not touched her wraps or hock bandage and was happily munching hay!

Sunday, December 22, 2013
All was well upon my arrival, much to my relief.  Nikki had kept all of wraps intact.  Perhaps the baby girl is growing up!  As per Dr. X's instructions I removed the hock bandage.  Although still enlarged, it was definitely smaller than it had been the day before.  After hand walking and cold hosing I wrapped it again...

Nikki, who is usually quite good about eating oral meds would not eat the SMZ's no matter what we did to it.  Apple sauce, molasses, sweet feed..... no go.  So now it would be oral gavage twice a day.  Delightful!

Suki, no doubt was feeling a bit out of sorts so I did a little in hand work with her.  She would likely be a bit wiggy if I walked her out to the arena to lunge (Because of course now it was all fine for footing!) given the short periods of paddock turnout only!

Monday brought still further improvement to Nikki's hock, but again not quite normal.  The routine continued.  By mid week I was no longer wrapping the hock, and Nikki was allowed in the paddock for an hour at a time.  Saturday we were ready to start back to light work so I put her on the lunge to walk and for a light jog.  BIG circles and straight lines, so I was doing a lot of walking to give her more straight than curves.  She seemed sound and happy.  I planned to ride on Sunday.

Sunday, December 29, 2013
The best laid plans....
Reasonable temperatures and good footing.  I was looking forward to getting on Nikki again.  After passing out carrots to all of the horses I gathered my equipment.  Grooming Nikki's shiny bay coat, I went on to pick her feet.  THEN I got to the right front foot.....A SPRUNG SHOE!!!! AAAAHHHH!!!  Head hanging I put the equipment away, groomed and moisturized Suki, then did a bit of in hand work.  She was very responsive and sensitive, offering a few steps of piaffe as I thought about asking her for it.  (Hmmm....obviously I am doing something with my body indicating that I will be asking for it!)

New shoes on December 30 for Nikki.  I am usually not at the barn for this.  Nikki used to be somewhat difficult, but now dozes while her feet are being done, the cross ties clearly holding up her head.  I took a photo, but for some reason it was all dark when I went to transfer it?   Suki also bad after a terrible farrier beat on her now stands quietly to have her feet done.  Okay, she tries to nibble on the farrier's but sometimes, but is no longer panicked!

Patience and kindness go a long way!  She is not even nervous when brought out of her stall for him.  In the second photo I have just reprimanded her for grabbing his shirt!

So now today, January 1, 2014.  The girls were happy to finally get back out in their pasture.  This will be short lived.  Tomorrow evening is expected to bring heavy snow again.  But both girls worked today.  Nikki was a little wild yesterday for Louise, but was declared sound by the vet.  This is good news.  I am hopeful about riding tomorrow before the snow comes.....