Back to work for Suki and Nikki

Well, I believe spring might actually have arrived.  Perhaps I should not say that aloud for fear of jinxing today's warm sunshine and hint of green in the early spring grass.  Just a couple of weeks ago we experienced, what I believe to be, our final snow of the season.  It was heavy, wet and slushy making for a miserable day.  Then of course the temperature dipped that night creating icy roads by morning.  That Saturday morning the plan was to leave at 6:15 AM to audit a dressage clinic given by Andrea Velas at Paul Belasik's farm an approximate 90 minute drive.  After a two hour delay in departure (which probably could have been earlier) we ventured out to the clinic.  Weather predictions indicated a nice warm up and sun.  Sitting in a damp indoor wrapped in a horse cooler it never really did warm up very much.  But watching the instruction of classical dressage more than made up for the minor discomfort!  I like Andrea's teaching style and the correctness of what she expects from horse and rider.  No quick fixes, just proper training.


Tuesday (31 March, 2015)
Round 1 spring vaccinations.  My very favorite thing in the world....Nikki is always fine about it.  She barely flinches, then nuzzles for treats.  Sweet girl.  Suki, as most of you know can be a bit difficult for anything involving a needle.  This started before the fire after a bad experience with a veterinarian who was intimidated by Suki's size.  Perhaps "horse doc" was not such a wise career choice!  Since this visit required a blood draw for Coggins, it is critical to do Suki first (so she doesn't work herself into a frenzy) and start with the blood draw.  Once the vaccs are given getting close enough to get blood is far more difficult!  Though tense, Suki was actually quite good.  Lauren spoke to her and scratched Suki's nose, which always helps!  Whither scratches and injections in the chest work best.  The second batch of spring vaccs will be in a few weeks.  Nikki barely flinched, and Dr. Lauren commented how she always forgets how big Nikki is!

Wednesday (1 April, 2015)
Dentist.  We don't usually schedule more than one scary thing per week, but I found out about the veterinarian date after I had already rescheduled the dentist from the week before.  Sean McCarthy has been taking care of the girls' teeth for the last 2 years, and is wonderful.  Very patient and kind.  Suki walked right up to Sean when he opened her stall door.  Clearly she remembers and trusts him!  That round went pretty well, though I could see that she was a bit nervous to start.  Nikki, for some reason really hates the whole dentist situation.  Oh, she walks right unto Sean when he goes into her stall, but after a few minutes she becomes quite nervous.  He gives her several breaks, but this time as he was trying to finish she started to get more upset.  Although Sean said that he probably got to all of it, he preferred to check her again in a few weeks just to be sure.  Pushing the issue with Nikki at that moment would not have been a good idea, and she would have only become more upset.  But typical Nikki, as soon as he stopped she nuzzled him looking for treats!  Obviously she does not hold a grudge!  Especially if a treat may be involved.

Thursday (2 April, 2015)
Of course the melting, freezing, rain, repeat did not lend to optimal turnout or horse-leg-friendly arena footing.  But finally, there was a chance to get Suki and Nikki on the lunge line in the arena.  On my way to the barn on Thursday it started to drizzle, but I remained optimistic.  As the rain came down a bit harder I briefly had second thoughts.  But it is April and we need to get this season going!  I decided that a ten minute lunge for each would be a good way to start.  The footing was still somewhat hard, but not terrible.  The rain stopped but I would have worked them in a light rain.  Both Suki and Nikki behaved beautifully.  No craziness for the first day out, which was greatly appreciated.  Just a nice light walk, trot, canter.  A nice solid start.

Nikki has a new game while stretching coming out of her stall.  She had always done a stretch of each hind leg while halfway out of her stall.  Now she looks around then stretches her hind leg while stretching her neck forward to grab treats, hay….whatever she thinks looks tasty.  So the area of the stretch varies, always relating to location of treats!

So since that time (yikes, it is already 4/17!) I have had the girls out to lunge only sporadically due to weather and work.  Suki and Nikki were even back in their Rambo heavy blankets for a day last week!  With Suki I am keeping it very basic right now.  The goal for the first two weeks of regular work is to make sure that she is sound and comfortable while building strength and stamina.  We start with stretches in the barn then light walk trot and a canter in each direction.  As always, I start and finish in the arena with leading exercises.  I find this helps them focus and really only takes a few minutes.  After lunging it can be part of the cool down instead of just having them walk around on the lunge line.  And if I am going to hand walk around the arena, I can throw in a few halts here and there.
 If all goes well this week I will add the surcingle next weekend.  I am working toward the goal of riding Suki by mid summer, and will keep a regular journal through this blog chronicling the process and the journey.  I have a target date range and a weekly plan.  Of course there are a million things that can come along and alter that plan, so it is not a rigid plan or schedule.  Progress may be slow or fast.  With horses, you sometimes just have to go with the flow!  Nikki is easier to get started.  Just a consistent week of lunging under tack and I should be ready to get on.

Yesterday (4/16) the horses in one of the upper fields were galloping around having a great time while I was lunging Nikki.  Sometimes this can get her a bit excited, but after lifting her head once to acknowledge the excitement, she kept working.  I was very pleased with her focus.   I am progressively increasing the work to avoid injury.  Some think that I am going too slow, but as a former ballet dancer and gymnast and current runner, I am well aware of what time off can do, and that going slow to start is best.  After the first two weeks Nikki's work will bump up significantly and Suki's a little more slowly.  However, that could change.  We just have to see how they do!  I did more transitions with Suki today just to see how comfortable she was with using her hind end at a quicker pace.  She seemed fine about it.

Friday 17 April, 2015
Okay, so we moved right on to humid and gnatty this morning!  I pulled out the trotting poles to add some fun to the session.  Walking to the arena with Nikki I could see a cloud of gnats at the gate.  Yuck!  I hadn't even thought to use fly spray!  It's only April.  Each time I brought Nikki back to a walk she shook her head because of the gnats in her ears.  Otherwise she worked extremely well, with the trot poles putting a nice spring in her step!  Transitions were prompt and I did some in rapid succession, as Nikki can be a little lazy sometimes.  Unfortunately I won't be able to work them tomorrow, but Nikki will be in a saddle on Sunday, for sure.  At the finish she was quite sweaty, but our cool down/leading exercises was cut short by the annoying gnat cloud following us.  Then she tried that annoying habit that I had eliminated last year….trying to rub her head on me!  Completely unacceptable.  I completely understand WHY she wants to do it, but still…no.  I actually had to sponge her off when we got back to the barn.  It was only 55F, but the humidity made it feel much warmer, and the air heavy.

Although I now knew there were gnats out, my fly spray was still at home (I had brought it home during the winter to keep it from freezing).  I don't like to start using fly spray this early anyway.  But I would have used roll-on in their ears.  Oh well, Suki, time to tough it out!
Suki voiced her displeasure pretty quickly!  Stomping her feet while I was latching the arena gate!  Other than some head shaking similar to what Nikki had been doing, Suki lunged well.  I stretched the trot poles out a little for her because her stride is naturally longer than Nikki's.  Nikki can do that same trot pole distance beautifully, but I didn't want to do that the first time through.  For Suki, that is just her regular stride.  Focus was not great to start, but not because she was worried or nervous.  Just sort of looking around.  She was not as sweaty as Nikki when she finished, but Nikki's heavy winter coat has not completely shed, and Suki has never grown a very thick winter coat.


The horses are happy to be out in the big field again, galloping with joy and rolling in the new spring grass.  Spring.  A time for beginnings.  Where will life take us this year?

Suki, I Think It's Spring!

As I got out of the car at the barn this morning A flock of Canada geese noisily announced their return. This, coupled with the reappearance of the chipmunks on Sunday signals SPRING!  Yes, the trees are bare, the ground is frozen sitting under a small layer of muck and I am looking at remnants of snow in my yard as I write this, but I am optimistic that spring will soon begin.  I am choosing to ignore the snow in Thursday evening's forecast and the heavy snow symbol on my phone for Friday....

Suki had done a great job rolling the day before, so her neck and legs were covered in a lovely layer of dried mud.  Yes, I was wearing a layer of dirt when I finished grooming! Fortunately Nikki had not rolled, though she must have been sleeping in manure....

Stretches today were entertaining.  While stretching Suki's front legs she also stretched out her neck to touch her nose to my face!  Nikki rested her head over my shoulder.  Those two are like a comedy team!

I had the barn to myself so I worked on leading exercises and lateral work.  Nikki sometimes like to look at the horse in the stall near where we halt, but after a few growls she begins to focus.  If Suki starts to take an extra step after I stop walking she will immediately bring her leg back to the correct position.  I had left my dressage whip in the tack room so I just used my finger to move them laterally.  It's so funny that after one or two times using my finger both of them move side ways if I just point my finger at their side without even touching them!

Late this afternoon I went back to the barn to change the girls from sheets to blankets again.  Tonight it will be 27F.  I guess that is in preparation for that wintry mix Thursday night.  Suki and Nikki were in the paddock just behind the barn so I started to say hello to them while I opened the latch.  The instant I opened the door Suki pushed her face through and into the barn (and my jacket!).  This was just before I went to pick up Isaiah from Chess Club at school, so of course, even though I was showered and wearing "street clothes" I would no doubt arrive smelling like horses.  Suki had rolled again, but all I had time to do was change their clothing.  When I went back to the door to get Nikki, she too pushed her nose into the door going right to my pocket in search of a ginger snap!

Spring means training!  The long, cold, snowy winter (not as bad as some folks had it) is finally making its exit, so I will accept the last hurrah on Thursday night/Friday.  This morning my fingers were not frozen while moisturizing Suki's back, and both she and Nikki are shedding their winter coats.  There was no ice to break on the water buckets and I actually took off my coat to groom the girls!  Okay, so tonight I have to change them out of sheets and into blankets because of the temperature drop.  None of this will dampen my spirit.  I may not be able to put my training plans into action just yet because of the footing in the arena but there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel.  I may actually get the girls out in the arena some time next week!  

Recent fluctuating temperatures and thick ice between the barn and the arena have made working in the arena still impossible, and most days keeping us from working in the paddock as well.  But we have continued with the stretching and barn aisle lateral work.  And of course, the planning.  The winter weather even kept me from auditing dressage clinics.  I was able to watch a few dressage shows from WEF, and while inspiring, it also left me envious....

This Saturday I am going to audit an Andrea Velas clinic at Paul Belasik's farm.  She conducts them monthly there and included is a selected topic for demonstration during the lunch break.  Last winter I audited one of her clinics at another farm and like her teaching and training philosophy.  Not surprising since I am a fan of Paul Belasik's classical dressage training methods and use of in hand work.  The farm also offers the opportunity to ride one of their school masters in a clinic which I would like to take advantage of once I start riding again.  So I am excited about that.  Ideally I would love to send Nikki and Suki there for a few weeks.....

http://www.paulbelasik.com

Last week as I watched Suki trot across the field she looked uneven behind.  I am not overly concerned yet.  Suki tends to be better when she is working regularly.  It has been a long winter and they have been turned out in paddocks a lot because of icy fields.  My plan is to have my lameness guy give her a full examination a few weeks after I start her back to work.  I want to catch any problems before we start serious training.  My plan is to start with 3 days a week for the first couple of weeks then move to 4 days then 5.  The first week will be without equipment, then start with surcingle and add side reins.  We will begin with 10 minute sessions then increase.  That should give me an idea about soundness before I have the vet out to evaluate.  Then we can plan accordingly.

Nikki will start with a week of lunging also, before I get on her for the first time this season.  I cannot wait to get back in the saddle!

It will be nice when when blankets are no longer necessary (other than Suki's fly sheet, of course), though they prevent full body coverage of mud.  Spring is often thought of as a time of new hope, as flowers and trees burst to life.  For me it is a time of hope.  I will know for sure if Suki will be able to be ridden again and get to see what Nikki can do in the show ring.  Suki has come a long way since the fire and now it is time to attempt the next big step.  Even if the dream of riding her again is never realized, Suki has come farther than anyone ever expected since that night of the fire when she was admitted to the hospital.

Spring hope is somewhat like New Year's resolutions.  Best to keep the goals realistic, while allowing oneself to dream and think big.

Winter Blues: Suki and Nikki Keep Me Smilig

Don't you just love when you step out into the cold and the surface of your parka starts to freeze and crinkle?  Then you breathe in and the mucous membranes inside your nose also freeze?  Aaahh winter! Parking up near the house I put on my scarf, hat, mittens and yak traks for the trek down to the barn.  I could see that the girls were out in their field which is adjacent to the driveway, so as I got closer to the barn I called to them.  Two heads bounced up from the hay they were nibbling on.  Suki immediately started to walk over while Nikki took the opportunity to munch on more hay.  She followed Suki shortly after that trotting through the snow toward me.  I love watching the horses trot through the snow.  The wind had blown drifts across the field, so the section she was trotting through was not very deep.  Just deep enough to encourage extra push from behind and lift in the stride.  Lovely! (Though I did not get my mittens off in time to catch it!)

With winter tightening its mighty grip I am making every attempt to draw inspiration from anywhere I can.  The roller coaster of freeze/thaw/freeze has kept us out of the arena since....December?  Uggh.  I do what I can to keep Suki and Nikki happy, and for the most part they have been getting outside for turnout, even if some days that time is limited or they are in the paddock instead of the big field.  At least they are getting out.  And we are certainly better off here than folks in Boston!

The world outside may be white and cold, but Suki and Nikki always warm my heart and bring a smile to my face.  Some days they receive an abbreviated grooming, but I speak to them the entire time and rub their faces and necks.  Of course, there are hugs too! As I jiggle the frozen barn door to coax it open on those brutal mornings, I hear the girls' voices as they nicker to me impatiently.  Once inside I turn on the lights and "feel" my way to Nikki's stall as snow blindness temporarily incapacitates me.  She naughtily bangs on her door demanding attention (and treats) so it is not too difficult to find her.  Suki calls to me from down the aisle expecting her equal time, and angry with my inability to be in two places at once.

On the coldest of days I groom what is not covered by blankets, pick feet and pluck shavings from tails.  On those days I hate to even pull off my gloves, but some tasks require it, such as moisturizing Suki's face and rubbing conditioning gel into tails.   I have found another use for Suki's moisturizer...Nikki sometimes gets a little bit of a rub mark on her shoulder when she wears multiple blankets.  When I slather a little moisturizer on that area, the blanket glides over it preventing irritation.  It has really worked well.

As I pick up writing this post (again, it has been a month since my last post) the wind is howling outside and I am sitting by the fireplace.  Earlier I went outside to put out birdseed and was nearly, literally, blown away.  30 mph wind with 55mph gusts.  Ripley, Cecil and Bentley are snoozing in sunny spots on the family room floor wearing expressions of contentment!

Stuck in the barn aisle or paddock requires creative thinking to keep the horses minds and responses sharp.  I have started to do stretches with Suki and Nikki just about every day, which they seem to enjoy.  By day 3 I just have to tap the leg that I am going to start with and they lift the others for me as I approach.  Initially Suki lifted her head while I stretched her front legs forward, so I wondered if she was experiencing discomfort somewhere.  Although she was nibbling on my hair I felt that she was not as relaxed as perhaps she should be.  Working my hands over her back, legs, shoulders, and testing with range of motion I did not find any problem areas and concluded (for the moment) that it was simply a small amount of anxiety over stretching in the cross ties.  She occasionally has issues with cross ties if someone holds them or leans on them restricting her movement.  Prior to the fire this was an issue that arose when the mean farrier worked on her and it was only with farriers that she did this.  Since then trust in farriers has improved greatly, and Josh doesn't seem to have any problems with her.  I suspect there may be an occasional tense moment though!  Now it has more to do with doing things near her head, and even that has improved substantially.  As I continue to work through the stretches Suki has relaxed about it.  As I move away from her extending the front leg she stretches her neck forward to look for training treats!

Nikki is quite the jokester during stretches.  One of the winter hats that I wear has a large pompom on top.  Nikki likes to grab it while her leg is in my hands.  There isn't anything I can do about it, and she knows it!  She also likes to try to dig around in my pockets for treats.  Hind leg stretches remind me of an arabesque, and both Suki and Nikki do them on their own either walking out of their stalls, while standing on cross ties or heading out to the arena.  Nikki also does downward dog, which sometimes makes me nervous when I see how deep she stretches!

On days where the paddock footing behind the barn is suitable I do some leading exercises, in-hand lateral work and sometimes a bit of piaffe.  Sometimes the piaffe is unplanned, but if either one comes out a little "up" and jiggly, I work a little piaffe to refocus the energy.  It forces their attention back onto me, as i only allow a few steps, followed by walk then a few steps again.  They seem to get it especially with sugar cube or training treats as reward.  I can even do a little in-hand lateral work in the aisle.  It is not very long, but I can get a few leg yield steps simply by moving over.  Just something to do.

I walked over to Nikki after I took this photo to give her treats.  SOMEONE got annoyed by that!

I had hoped to audit a few clinics, but on the days when this was supposed to occur the weather did not cooperate.  Some of the events from the Winter Equestrian Festival have been either live streamed or available later for viewing.  That helps a little.  But I really just want to ride!

With the sub zero temperatures the girls are wearing several layers of blankets and there has not been much of a blanket dance.  I was looking for a light weight water proof sheet to put over top of everything for snowy days and as protection against wind....we have days with 20+mph winds and gusts to 40 mph.  I found one type that I thought would work so they ordered big girl sizes at Oley Valley Feed.  It was really cold the day that I tried them on, Nikki first.  The sheet was quite crinkly (like my parka!) so Nikki kept making faces at it.  The 81" was not quite large enough so I tried on the 84" that was supposed to be for Suki.  Though it fit nicely through the shoulder and was long enough to her hind quarters, it did not cover well down her sides.  Not even close.  If the 84 didn't fit Nikki it was most certainly not going to fit Suki.  So back they went.  Uggh!  I have noticed that some brands simply do not fir warmbloods well.  Although, if you are going to make sizes 81+ you should suspect that the horse is tall....

Today (21 February) my plan was to attend a horse owner's workshop at Oley Valley Feed.  A talk on nutrition, followed by lameness, diagnostics, meds, etc.  I was hoping to discuss feeds with the nutrition person.  I am wondering if there is a feed that would help with Suki's skin.  She does receive a flax seed supplement and of course the moisturizer that I apply, but maybe there is a feed that is better for skin.  Also, with the plans for kicking up the training in the spring I want to be sure that Suki's nutritional needs are met.  Nikki is on Strategy, which I like and she does well on.  The snow was supposed to start at around 1 PM or so, making the 10AM session a better choice.  After briefly grooming the girls, moisturizing Suki's exposed area and breaking ice on their water buckets I was a bit cold.  My toes, any way.  Time to order new winter boots for the barn (I have been looking at my choices and will decide tomorrow morning!).  The talks were very interesting and quite well attended!  But I ended up having to leave early because the child had hockey and the snow had already begun to cover the roads.  Hilly, curvy wide open with drifting type of roads.  The owner of OVF is a nutrition specialist so I guess I will be consulting with him over the next few weeks!

And check out this burn survivor...
https://www.facebook.com/Invasor1/posts/10153071528538537?comment_id=10153072711833537&notif_t=fbpage_mention

Never say never.....

So back to the training videos and books, and lovely dressage shows from south Florida......this winter girls is counting the days until spring!

Horses and Winter Weather

As I begin this post after a bit of a long break again, the wind is howling fiercely around the corner of my house.  The weather, footing conditions and schedule continue to plague any hope of real training and progress.  I do my best to remain positive, and believe that a break for both Suki and Nikki is just fine.  In just a couple of months I will put my goal sheet into action, but for now I must be content with pampering the girls, working through some exercises with them and getting them out to the arena when possible.  During this time I am also thinking about possibly taking a few lessons on schoolmasters to hone my own skills.  I will also audit some dressage clinics and watch training videos.  It's going to be long 2 1/2 months.  saddle shopping is also on my list, and I would love to get something to work for both Suki and Nikki.  There is a Stubben that I like but I am not sure how well they fit warmbloods.  So I have some investigating to do.

One person who I would love to watch train is Paul Belasik.  He is fairly local to me and while I know that he teaches and takes horses in for training as well as training his own youngsters, etc, I don't know how he feels about people auditing.  Maybe I could try a few lessons on his school masters and see how that works.  He does classical dressage so I believe it would be a good fit.

Just before the holidays I took a few photos of Suki and Nikki in Santa hats and reindeer antlers.  The final photos were great, but we had some hilarious ones while working to that point!

Nikki was less than excited about the Santa hat:

She would then put up her ears until I stepped back to take the photo:

The antlers finally worked, but only after I held up a sugar cube!

Then there was Suki.

and again....

After 9 pictures and a crinkling of peppermint candy....

but I got it!


Another really lovely surprise was a gift sent to me from a follower of Suki's story.  Jessy is a true animal lover!  These awesome leather horses are over 30 years old.  Such a wonderful and heartfelt gift....

I will cherish them always.  So many people have sent me such thoughtful gifts in Suki's honor.  It is humbling....

We have some crazy ups and downs with the weather, all of which has been unsuitable for training.  One day I had the girls to stretches while I held treats under their bellies, making them reach between their front legs to retrieve them.  We also did the side stretches.  Suki and Nikki both seem to enjoy this work (at least the reward!).  I did take them out back one not so cold, not so muddy day to work on some in hand training.  Some lateral work in hand keeps them sharp on the aids when full work is not possible.  Since classical dressage training is based on this type of work I know that it encourages and continues correct work.  I SO need to spend some time at The Spanish Riding School!  Hopefully this year I will get to go to Vienna for the workshop with my friend Beth!  I will definitely be going to the Andreas Hausberger clinic in New York in July though!

The cold weather certainly adds a flair of drama and health concerns we have been experiencing temperatures in the single digits (Fahrenheit) which leads to frozen water buckets and worries about adequate water intake.  I try to go to the barn in the early morning to break the ice on the buckets and give water to be sure that Suki and Nikki are drinking.  Nice warm, soupy bran mashes also help.  Nikki will eat hers without extra flavors added to it and usually ends up wearing some of it on her face and ears!  Suki is more particular, so now I take the bucket of mash and and add apple sauce, bits of carrots and apples to it.  These girls are so spoiled!

Thursday was really cold, and after some snowy weather I was hesitant to drive my car all the way down the driveway at the barn (yes, I should have taken the truck!).  So I parked up top and bundled up for my walk down the driveway.  Wearing my YakTraks for grip, a scarf around my mouth (still coughing, uggh!) I carried a thermos of hot water and the rest of my supplies down to the barn.  The sun was out so I somewhat enjoyed the walk!  After preparing and serving the girls their mashes (Nikki does not come up for air until she has slurped every last bit) I set to the ice breaking.  They had each drank about half from each of their buckets, which I was happy to see, and had good amounts of manure in their stalls.  As the water splashed up from my hammering it froze as it hit my jacket.  Yikes, that's cold!

With a teleconference scheduled within the hour I decided to do an abbreviated grooming and moisturizing.  The girls are wearing multiple blankets so I straightened them and felt underneath to make sure they were warm enough.  I have been keeping moisturizer, mane and tail products and first aid ointments in my car so they don't freeze.  Aaah yes, this is why people take their horses to Florida in the winter!!!  But seriously, I do enjoy winter.  It would be better if I had an indoor though!  With the nearest suitable dressage barn with indoor more than 40 minutes away it just doesn't work right now.  While I was driving home bits of ice started to drop off my hat....guess that water splashed onto my hat as well!  Of course I was also wearing dried bits of bran after being nuzzled by my very affectionate horses!  When I got home I noticed there was also some bran stuck to my face.  I am SO glad that I didn't stop anywhere on my way home!  And grateful that the teleconference was strictly that, and not video!

Friday Jen went out to check the girls in the afternoon.  I worry a lot about frozen buckets!  Suki's skin was dry so she managed to do some moisturizing on her neck.  Some days it is really difficult to get to the barn more than once so I always appreciate the help!  Amanda and I do double duty when we can, so that helps also.  The farm owners are keeping on top of things and have managed to get the horses out most days.  Even just a few hours helps with their sanity!

This morning (Sunday) was off to a cold start (12F), but warmer than yesterday morning (7F).  I could actually feel the difference!

Beautiful morning!  I gave the girls their bran mashes and some fresh water as I set about to gather my grooming supplies.  Today is going to be over 30F so I pulled one of their 3 layers off.  Suki received a full moisturizing and though the some areas were dry, overall under the blanket was not so bad.  I even took off my jacket while grooming!






It's funny, whenever I step back to take Nikki's picture she often pins her ears.  When I put my phone down the ears go up and she makes her sweet face.  So we tried this...

Suki posed for me

I so wanted to get a video of Suki and Nikki after they were turned out today.  There are two piles of hay in the snow.  One for each.  They are separated by a good distance because, well, Suki can be a little possessive over the hay piles.  But she does this really mean thing to Nikki each time.  Nikki settles at a pile of hay then Suki chses her from t and starts eating.  So Nikki goes to the other pile.  Suki walks back over and chases her away again.  This goes on for about 5 minutes at which time Suki declares "game over" and allows Nikki to settle down and eat.  I held up my phone to capture the antics but at 14F degrees outside my phone immediately turned off.  So I missed the game.

I think people underestimate the amount of care (and worry) that accompanies horse ownership.  Each season has certain health concerns which adds to the daily needs of our friends!  But it is totally worth it and I wouldn't trade it for anything!  

Suki LOVES Passage!

So life has been a bit crazy lately.  I started a new job and for the first week or so I had to drive into Philadelphia every day.  Those of you familiar with the area know that this is not a simple task.  The weather has also not been so cooperative and between rain and frozen footing, training has not just slowed down, it has come to a screeching halt.  I try to do a bit of abbreviated work in hand in the barn, and some stretches and such.  Suki and Nikki have been able to go out at least for a couple of hours each day, and although it is primarily in the paddocks, at least they are getting out.  And they always manage to roll and get muddy.  Especially Suki!

That first week at TR was rough because of the obnoxious commute.  I managed to get to the barn each evening except one, but with the late hour and Isaiah's homework the visit was simply to straighten blankets, spoil the girls with treats and wrap my arms around their fuzzy necks.  They begged for more attention and it was difficult for me to turn off the light and walk out the door.  Thursday night when I stopped in for a quick visit Nikki pressed her face into my chest as soon as I opened her door.  For a few minutes I stood there and massaged her ears.  When I went into Suki's stall she immediately began snuffling my hair and neck, not wanting to let me leave again.  Absence apparently DOES make the heart grow fonder!  Perhaps Suki and Nikki will appreciate me just a bit more!  (Indeed!) : )

At the end of the first week I was thrilled to be able to spend time with the girls.  I was still in a crunch for time due to the rapid rate at which Christmas is descending upon us.  Our house is only partially decorated and the tree is up and wearing lights and bows but no ornaments just yet.  It does bring a festive feel in spite of the lack of ornaments!

Saturday, December 6, 2014
Frozen ground.  Arena work was not going to happen today!  When I opened the barn door Nikki called to me and I heard Suki stand up....It was late; 8 AM so I was surprised that she was still snoozing!

But I was finally able to give the girls a thorough grooming and moisturize Suki's dry skin.  In spite of being in the paddock, Suki had managed to roll, although I guess it could have been worse!

Suki's skin was not as dry as I had anticipated in spite of five days without her skincare regimen.  The good thing about winter and wearing blankets is that it actually holds the moisture in enabling me to moisturize across her back a little less frequently.  Face and neck still do best with daily care.  Today I did some stretching with Suki, pulling each leg into an extended position.  She knows the drill, so as soon as I start, I don't actually "pull".  She just stretches out with my very light guidance.  I would have loved to been able to lunge both girls, but that frozen footing is not good for the legs!

Working from home will give me more flexibility and save me 3 hours of commuting time every day.  So the second week I was able to spend more time with Suki and Nikki, although weather and arena conditions prevented me from doing more than just groom and perform minimal stretch and leading exercises.  But time with the girls has such a calming effect so I will take what I can get!

This past Sunday (14 DEC 2014) I really took my time to give the girls a thorough grooming and fuss over them.

Monday, 15 December, 2014
Suki and Nikki were in very mischievous moods today!  Fun and games.  Nikki kept trying to grab treats from my coat pocket while I was picking her feet.  This requires a good amount of flexibility given that her foot is in my hand!  She managed to get to my pocket but could not get inside to gain access to the treats though!  She was rewarded for her effort though.  Suki repeatedly grabbed the back of my jacket nearly every time I walked away from her.  That is when she was not making evil faces at the two new horses (who by the way were not doing anything except LOOKING AT HER!) Their antics always make me smile.  I have found that many people look forward to the FB page posts so they can see how Suki is doing, and hear about the tricks that she has been up to.  She makes people smile after a long day, me included, of course.

Tuesday, 16 December 2014
Foggy start to the day and the girls were muddy from yesterday's turnout.  Good to see that they are having some fun.  Suki had dried mud all over her face.  While I was putting on her halter she had those short little ears pricked all the way forward (toward the horse that she hated yesterday) making it difficult to move the crown piece over her ears.  This was almost more difficult than when she pins her ears back against her head!  Those are seriously strong muscles!  As I led Suki from her stall she walked past the new horse without a bit of stink eye or snake face.  "Oh", I thought.  "She must be coming into heat!"  Even while I was grooming her, unlike yesterday she didn't even make faces at the horses while she was on cross ties.  Then she squatted.  Not coming into heat....in heat!  Well, at least she didn't spend the entire time lunging at the new horse!!  It was a slight challenge getting the mud off of Suki's face until I had an "aha" moment and switched  to the soft mitt that I use for exfoliation.  Typically when I hold this up to Suki's face she rubs her head up and down and from side to side to get just the right spot.

Nikki wasn't quite as muddy and in spite of the fog I decided to take each of them out to the arena for some in hand work.  Starting with Nikki I walked out to the arena which was shrouded in fog. She had her ears forward, seemingly slightly anxious because she was not able to see the scary things lurking in the fog.  Overall it was a productive session.  To calm her I started with leading exercises incorporating a lot of transitions and direction changes in quick succession.  It really didn't take much to settle her.  A few movements and she stretched down her neck and blew out through her nostrils.  In the arena I worked on some turns on the forehand and haunches, primarily to make Nikki move away from a light aid.  She responded nicely so we did a bit of leg yielding as well.  I was pleased with her work and finished with a few trot half steps then a relaxed walk around the arena.  The fog was much less scary by then!

I think Suki was slightly confused to be coming out of her stall again!  She gave me a "look" grabbed a mouth full of hay and reluctantly came out.  She did try to turn right hoping that she was being turned out instead of going out the other door.  I think I was anticipating that Suki would be nervous and she felt that.  Immediately upon walking out the door she lifted her head and sort of puffed up.  I did several walk-halts on the way to the arena which relaxed both of us!  Once in the arena she was a bit "looky" because the horses in the fields looked like silhouettes in the fog.  Suki started to passage by my side in nervousness and when she does this she grows in size (at 17.3, growing is a little unnerving!).  After doing a few turns she settled back to walk, then I asked for passage and a bit of piaffe.  That actually seemed to relax her so I did a small amount of leg yielding and turns on forehand and haunches.  I asked for a bit of passage again, and Suki really doesn't need much coaxing!  I think it is her favorite thing to do!  And while she wasn't really schooling it before the fire, I did indulge her from time to time.  When she does it in hand or in the field or on the lunge I can remember how brilliant it felt to be sitting on her back and absorbing that suspension.....
Suki was pretty relaxed by the time we finished and walked with her head and neck stretched out around the arena and back to the barn.  I am desperate to ride but this bit of work helped ease the pain for now!

Reading about the goings on in Wellington, I am absolutely envious about all of the upcoming learning opportunities.  This winter I plan on attending some veterinary and training lectures, but also I think I will be taking lessons (on school horses/masters) to keep me fit and work on myself until spring.

There have been so many deadly barn fires in the past few years and the loss of so many horses.  Of those horses who survive, many have a long recovery ahead of them.  When I was approached by The Chronicle of the Horse to share my experience I was happy to do it.  We hear so much about the fires but not so much about what happens later....the care, treatment and long term commitment.  So take a look at the link below, the piece by Kimberly Loushin:
http://read.uberflip.com/i/430664/58
I hope it works!  It is in the December 15 issue of The Chronicle.

Once again I have grand plans for spring.  But this time I am really ready.  Throughout the winter Suki will wear equipment when we can get some time in the arena.  It won't be consistent for her or Nikki, but we will do what we can to keep the mind and body in gear!  I will be working on getting a new saddle which will likely take some time (and hopefully will fit BOTH girls!)  Now if I could just get those Dy'on Bridle people to answer my questions!

Suki is Amazing

The cold weather seems to have decided to stay (although a brief warm up is expected early next week).  For the most part I am okay with that since I love winter.  However, lack of indoor and frozen footing make for a non-riding situation.  Sunday and Monday are expected to be a bit warmer so I am hoping for some lunging time with the girls.  If I could get a few days (two in a row would work) then I could ride Nikki on the third day.  But right now I feel like the saddle is pinching her and making her uncomfortable under saddle.  So until I address that situation I will probably just lunge in a surcingle and side reins.  I am hoping to get a saddle that will fit both Suki and Nikki.  This was Suki's saddle from when she was a baby, and the only saddle of mine (other than my equitation saddle from my junior hunter days) that was home at the time of the fire.  Once Suki matured and muscled more this saddle did not fit her.  I had a saddle custom made for her which was lost in the fire.  Although that saddle fit her well, I didn't like it as much.  So now I am in the same situation with Nikki.  With winter expected to be similar to last I may not get much riding in anyway, so if I can lunge both girls through February I will get a new saddle in March.  This gives me time to investigate the types that I would like.  I prefer a fairly deep seat with small knee blocks under the flap.  It has to have a narrow twist for me but a medium to wide tree for the horses.  Also a long flap as I am long from knee to ankle.  I would like to investigate the Laser saddle since they have collaborated with Thin Line to produce a non friction saddle.  Close contact is also a preference for me, however, I worry that it may not work so well on Suki's back now that there is no hair.  Many things to think about.  AND I never heard from the Dy'on bridle people in Belgium after sending two requests to their customer service.  They do not have an email address, just a page to submit questions.  Maybe I should write it in French, even though there is an English option on there...... frustrating.


Sunday, November 9, 2014
After Friday's adventures with Suki I was hopeful for an event-free work out!  Nikki once again was in a happy work mode so I took advantage of that and added some in hand work to the end of her session.  Not wanted to stress her stifles, I did not include any piaffe work.  Instead we worked on turn on the forehand and turn on the haunches (since that does not require as much "sitting" as piaffe.  She was somewhat unsure of what I was asking initially but once she understood, the ears went up and she responded nicely.  At the finish of that I put her back out on the lunge for some trot and canter to allow her to move forward and stretch.  It is how I would have ended a ride when working on that type of work.  I have been taught (and fully believe in the philosophy) of allowing horses to move nicely forward after the more collected work.  Some take the horse on a walk afterwards.  Some don't think it is necessary at all.  But I always stretch after I run.....

Suki had wonderful energy that led to some lovely lunge work!  The first round of down transitions were slow to click, which is unusual for her, but then she was fine.  I spread the trot poles a little further apart after her first time through because with the amount of energy she had they were simply not far enough apart for that big extended trot!  That's okay, I'll take it any day!  For canter work I was able to get some nice shortening and lengthening of stride, better to the left.  (this is somewhat my issue).  I do love the way she owns the arena when she works.  It's as though she fills it with her presence.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Today was warm so I decided to shorten Suki's mane.  Since it is mid-November I am unsure when the opportunity will arise again.  I hate doing it when it is cold because when my fingers get cold I get cuts from the hair.  And it really hurts! (I will stop whining now)This is not an easy project because Suki has ALWAYS been bad about it.  I prefer not to be body slammed by a 1400lb+ horse, so I enlisted Jenn's assistance.

First, I worked Suki in her surcingle doing trot and canter poles.  When we were finished I yanked on the surcingle, wiggled it, etc to see how movement would affect her back.  We went back to some leading exercises with quick turns and soon she was anticipating with just a slight movement of my head as I prepared for my next move.

Nikki had a short workout but was very relaxed and focused.

The mane.....Every time I go to do Suki's mane I can hear Heather's voice: "That mane HAS GOT TO GO!" This was always said upon our arrival at her farm for training.  The next time I would go up there, some poor soul had pulled her mane and clipped her whiskers!  Now I do a combination of pulling and razoring to minimize everyone's discomfort.  Nikki falls asleep during mane pulling so it is not so challenging!  Jenn held the lead rope and fed treats while I worked on the mane.  Most difficult is when I get closer to her head.  The end result was Suki looking lovely and refined once again, Jenn with teethmarks and bruises on her hand, and me with blisters on my fingers!  But it's done!

Thursday, November 13, 2014
Farrier day.  Quick grooming since he was coming early.  Rain followed by snow, but the girls did manage to get out for a bit.  I had Nikki have her snow pads and borium studs for this shoeing.  It is probably a little early but 6-7 weeks from now might be a bit late.

Friday, November 14, 2014
I put the regular bridle on Suki today again and she seemed very uncomfortable.  Not in the mouth, but up around her poll.  I believe it is the lack of hair where the crown piece sits.  Yes, her halter sits in the same place, but I think the bridle applies more pressure.  The Dy'On Difference dressage bridle just looks like it would work.  I wish they would respond to my questions!  Ugggh!

Sunday, November 16, 2014
I put birdseed seed out early this morning and I sat near the window knitting so I could watch the activity.  Getting up at 6AM I have an hour to enjoy the quiet and solitude before I go to the barn.  It is the best time of the day.

Nikki was wonderful!  Relaxed, forward and happy.  That's when I keep the work time shorter.  She was soft in the jaw and trotted through the trot poles quietly with ears forward and a big stride.

Then there was Suki.  Walking out to the arena she snorted at a car with a horse blanket lying across its hood.  Yes, this is the horse who did not bat an eye when the hay elevator appeared outside the barn.  Isn't that always the way!  So she was slightly up when we walked into the arena, but not crazed or wild.  The work started off fine.  Nice easy trot, good transitions, forward and seemingly relaxed.  Just as I started to move the lunge circle to the other end of the arena in preparation of moving through the trot poles, Suki's tail went up.  Then came passage.  I had no idea where it came from, but I eased her circle away again to get her to relax.  Then suddenly, a capriole.  followed by another.  And another.  I urged her forward but she kept trying to turn and passage.  It IS a lovely passage and even more lovely to ride.  However, it was out of anxiety so I needed to get her mind back and move her forward again.  Rear, leap, rear leap, capriole, levade, you name it she did it.  I remained calm and spoke to her softly.  She did finally relax and trot with her head down and topline stretched (like last time).   Well, I finally saw the cause of her excitement.  Someone had taken a horse out of the field sort of behind the arena, so his friend Ty, was running up and down the hill calling to him.  Combine that with the pony Sammy, calling to his girlfriend (Suki), and Parker calling to anyone who would listen (his buddy had left to go fox hunting) and you have chaos!
Another boarder was watching while she was having a conversation with J.  When I came out of the arena I said "A little excitement for a Sunday morning!"  Her response was something about how funny it was that when Suki didm;t want to listen when I was saying "whoa" to her.   And "boy she likes to just do her own thing...." Huh?  When I was saying "Whoa" and "you're okay" in a calming tone it was simply to relax her.  A horse that is that wound up from external stimuli is not always going to respond on a dime!  Keep in mind that this person comes to the barn in flip flops, rides while wearing the flip flops with shorts and no helmet....
Suki was reasonably quiet while walking back to the barn but while we were waiting for another horse to move to the side Parker started screaming again.  Up went Suki's head (MY GOODNESS THAT GIRL IS TALL!!!) and started to piaffe.  I was relieved to get her settled back on cross ties and finish grooming!

Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Yikes!  COLD AND WINDY!  REALLY windy!  The girls have an extra layer on top of their Rambos.
Aren't they cute?

I posted a photo of Suki in a really lovely stretched trot on the lunge line.  Someone commented about how amazing she is.  I sometimes forget that and just take it for granted.  But she really is amazing!  Sure, she can be difficult, but she is a mare and sometimes you just have to accept that.  But when she gives, she gives it 100% and is absolutely stunning in her gaits and in her courage.  I hope that as I finish the book I will have conveyed that in my writing.  I want people to know her and see and feel our bond so that they can appreciate who she is and the hope and inspiration that she offers.

So we have had frozen footing for several days, limiting the work that I can do.  We can still do leading exercises and low impact in-hand work in the arena so that helps.  And at least it gets them into the arena.

Sunday, November 23, 2014
Now for the warm up.  50's today, upper 60's for tomorrow.  Blanket, sheet, naked dance.  Rain tonight, snow Wednesday.  Please Mother Nature make up your mind!

While I was grooming Suki this morning she did not care that Magic was creeping up to her on the cross ties (he was being tacked up to go fox hunting) and touching her butt.  Yes, she is very much in heat and the back two set of cross ties are a bit close together!  But she was funny because she didn't make faces at anyone and was perfectly content to just hang out in the aisle.  No sign of her usual impatience today!

I am thinking now about finding someone with a schoolmaster and take some lessons over the winter.  Keep me advancing so I am ready for spring and both girls.  I need to find a way to get my goals back in order and me back into competition.

During the winter when I am unable to lunge because of frozen footing I will still bring Suki and Nikki out into the arena for some type of modified work in hand.  This will help to keep their minds focused.  As long as they are able to go out in their fields this should work.  But we will likely encounter some unsuitable weather making even that impossible!  But I will resolve Suki's bridle issue and find the right saddle for both of them during this period.

 Winter may slows us down but it won't stop us from progressing and taking on new challenges!

Suki's BIG jump (and rear)!

Now that the clocks have been turned back to standard time I may once again enjoy early mornings with daylight.  Yes, I realize that the flip side of that is early darkness, but it is the price to pay for brighter mornings!  Another advantage is that the earlier darkness triggers me to begin dinner preparations earlier!

Friday, November 7, 2014
Does anyone else love a gray November day as much as I do?  Today started gray and ominous, with a light wind that was expected to pick up later in the morning.  Temperature was 44F, so it wasn't really cold, but the grayness and wind made it feel like a late autumn day.

Driving to Oley Valley Feed I noticed a change in the Oley Valley from just a few weeks earlier.  The look of autumn.  The colors of the leaves on the mountains are beginning to fade and many of the trees are now devoid of leaves.  Corn fields have been chopped to the ground.  Still my beautiful valley, but the transition to winter is obvious.

After picking up my supplies I asked about the price of the pumpkins (heirloom and regular) on the porch of OVF.  I love being surrounded by pumpkins and can never fully comprehend why so many people abandon them after Halloween!  They told me to just take some.  I said that I was willing to pay for them, but was then told that they appreciate my business, so happy to just have them used.  This is what I like about living in a more rural area and knowing the merchants that I deal with on a regular basis.  So very different from the crazy busy area of North Jersey where I grew up!  Here I go to the small businesses as often as possible because the slightly higher prices are accompanied by great service and appreciation.  I love that they know who I am, and enjoy the regular interaction.  I think I will take some baked goods to the OVF gang on Monday!

Driving  home I had to pass the former Pink Star Equestrian Center site of the fire), now a standardbred breeding farm.  I looked at the indoor arena where I last rode Suki (it was converted to a barn) and the space where her barn used to stand.  Sometimes I am okay when I drive by and other times, like today, I feel a heavy sadness in my heart.  But just as I choked back tears I passed the last field of the properties where a pile of yearlings or two-year olds dozed together in the almost sun that was breaking through the clouds.  It made me smile.  The sadness was gone.

Earlier this week....
Tuesday morning was not particularly cold, windy, etc.  Nothing unusual about the day.  But for some reason the girls were a bit silly!  This time of year they always work after being in all night and before they are turned out for the day.  In the summer they are worked after being out all night.  Turnout schedule has been changed for awhile, so other than some stiffness at the start of work Suki and Nikki work as they usually do.  Cold and windy days definitely add a bit of spring to their step, but they always settle nicely.  There is the occasional buck or leap, of course!

Nikki came out of her stall a bit sleepily this morning, a mane and tail full of shavings revealing a flat out snooze over night.  A little cranky in the cross ties, but she hates to have her belly brushed and it too was covered in shavings stuck in place from a bit of manure that she must have been lying on.  On the walk out to the arena she was fine, doing her arabesques along the way.  After a few times around on the lunge at the walk I asked her for a trot which was followed by a mini-squeal and some head twirlies.  That was it for her and she worked well the rest of the time.

Suki gave no real indication of being excited as we walked out to the arena but when I put her out on the lunge she walked at a brisk pace.  First few trot steps were big but she worked well at transitions within the gaits and some lovely lengthenings!  I turned her toward the four trot poles and on the approach she rocked back onto her hind end and jumped all four of them.  This, of course, was followed by a buck, squeal and canter.  I'm not really sure how I managed to not interfere with the massive jump or get dragged by her!  It would have been great to have that on video!  I kept her at a nice, controlled canter for two or three times around then back to trot.  The trot was great and I headed her toward the poles again.  She went through beautifully.  That was the end of the excitement.  Just one of those days I guess!

I noticed a new development while I was moisturizing Suki's back this week.  Little tufts of new hair on once-bare areas on her back.

Look closely for the little chestnut tufts!

I realize that this does not mean that Suki will have full hair growth on her back, but it is still exciting!

Thursday, the 6th brought rain.  It was a heavy rain with chilly temperatures so the girls didi not work.  I did not want them to be so wet that I could not but blankets back on.
Nikki's opinion of the rain:

She is not shy about expressing her opinion!

Suki likes to pretend that it is all good......

But she paces and stops after breakfast in her impatient wait for turnout!
Fortunately the rain stopped for a bit in the afternoon so they did get out for a bit!

Friday, November 7, 2014
I have done a fair amount of writing this week.  With my voice finally evident I am more confident that the Suki memoir will tell the story the way it should be told.  For awhile I kept thinking that while I had written the facts in a cohesive, narrative manner that not enough of my emotion was there.  I think I was afraid of what I was writing and holding my feelings in check.  Then I read Courtney King's book.  While it is not a great literary work, it is beautifully told and full of emotion.  The good, the bad and the ugly.  Suddenly I remembered why I was writing the book about Suki.  To share our journey.  The good, the bad and the ugly.  And to be sure, there is plenty of raw emotion.

So on this chilly morning I had a plan.  Light work for Nikki and a harder workout for Suki.  As I started this post I mentioned the gray, damp, chilly morning.  A light breeze to start followed by a steadier wind and 28MPH gusts later in the morning.

Nikki worked very nicely through a basic work out of transitions and nice forward gaits.  She was in a happy mood and the transitions were nicely uphill.  It was a little breezy but typically she is not bothered by this so there was just nice positive energy to work with.  I have been starting each session with a few leading exercises that I had learned with Suki.  Nikki can be like a large puppy at times.  Which is fine, except that she weighs north of 1400lbs.  I have, at times, been lax with her leading, allowing her to sort of drift beside me at times and walking at her own pace.  These exercises remind her that there are rules!  Then I massaged her face with the fleecy mitt and she closed her eyes to relax.  Always a great way to finish!

OOH!  I just looked up and a buck with a HUGE rack just walked through my yard.  Up on the hill just behind my house!  What a handsome boy!

Suki was very impatient from the moment I brought her out of her stall.  My original plan was to do full workout with equipment: bridle and surcingle. I started to re-think this as the wind picked up and the drizzle started.  As I finished wrapping the white polos (sometimes I am SUCH a DQ!) I decided to go for basic lunging focusing on transitions.  It is always important to be flexible in your plans when working with horses.  As riders we are nothing without our dance partners and need consider their mental status as well as physical.  Even on competition days, you work with what you have at that time.  So out we went.  Jenn came out to take some new photos of the girls, but unfortunately missed Nikki.  I started a bit earlier than anticipated and she was running a little late!

Suki walked out to the arena fine, though I sensed a little tension in my hands.  The drizzle turned into rain and rain turned into sleet.  Suki seemed unfocused in spite of there being fewer distractions than usual as she began work on the lunge.  She kept shaking her head because of the sleet, which seemed to really annoy her (apparently divas don't do sleet! it wasn't heavy and it didn't last!) After a few walk-trot transitions I asked Suki to halt.  She kept taking a few steps forward after several attempts, so I said fine....go forward!  The big girl took a few steps forward then took a leap and a squeal and up she went!

She came down and I sent her forward.  A few minutes later Suki went up again, then settled and worked fine.  I still sensed a small amount of tension but she seemed to listen and focus more.  Mares!  Gotta love them!

So I just continue to move forward.  Nikki needs to have a show season and I need to get on Suki.  Goals.  The glory of pursuit.