Cool! Well, cool that I'm getting/hearing his language~~not cool that he's still uncomfortable. There was another vet at the barn today and I was still wanting to know better what was going on cause Cash's leg is still swollen. Rookie me, I thought she'd just charge for part of the barn call but then there was a fee for the 'leg exam' so for $49 total I do feel a little better and more confident I'm doing all I can to help him along to a sound leg. This vet said it was a sore ligament and to wrap it with Ferezone (?) give him Bute until it hasn't been swollen for a couple of days. She also wanted him kept in the small pasture so he can't run around (like he loves to) and re-injure himself. I don't like doing the bute unless they are in pain but with how he's been acting, he's not comfortable. She also said that short light rides would be good for him.

Oh yes, I did do use some Epsom Salt too.
It's hard to be a rookie at this kind of stuff.
Everyone tells you something different and what one person will say another will be oppose strongly....like useing lintiment on the sore leg.
One thing that did help alot with the swelling was something called DMSO or DEMS, I don't remember the exact letters. I will likely do a treatment with that again for the night. ...unless I see no swelling.
Take care and keep riding!
We should nickname you "Encyclopedia"...you are so full of knowledge!
Shirley

Hi Jackie! Cash is doing better but not 100%. The vet said abscess- the ferrier said he'd done something to his lower leg running around in the pasture. So I was treating for both. I didn't think it was an abscess either but just in case I kept it wrapped a few days. Now, I've gone to hosing or ice packs and sometimes a massage with rubbing alcohol. He's been kept in alot but I go out and spend time with him either in the lawn grazing or letting him graze in the outdoor arena. So he's getting out and moving but not with his horse herd to re-injure. He's putting his full weight on it now and only slightly off so it's improving each day.
Thanks for thinking of us.
Shirley

Hi! I loved your comment on the "No Respect" thread... it was a great explanation of the importance of being a good leader. My boyfriend is currently learning how to earn my horse's respect, and watching the process is a good reminder of what a horse needs (and wants). My horse is a cutie and one could easily fall into letting him get away with things, but I have to remind my boyfriend (and myself) that a horse needs a good leader first and foremost. I did find that once I got more firm with my horse then he bonded with me quite quickly... now he comes to me for reassurance when something scares him. That faith in me is the best gift that my horse could ever give me... and it makes our work together so much easier! He very clearly showed me that being a strong leader was what he wanted from his partner... now that he feels that I am looking out for him (my job), he can relax and concentrate on learning to respond to my requests (his job).

Thanks for the compliment on my Cash! I LIKE him too! LOL. I bet you already had that figured out. I imagine as youi viewed this my mind immediately noticed some things...some good (hopefully) some bad.
I thought of asking you to critique it but it was done two years ago so I'll forget that idea. Now that I have him moving again.( not stopping on me alot) I'm anxious to get another short clip like this and then compare for myself and see what changes I can see....good and bad. The main things to me are that he's comfortable, that he goes where I direct and that I stay on. Okay that's maybe not the right order. First I'd like to stay on, second I'd like him to comfortable and 3rd that he'll go where I direct.

Hi from Buffalo Hill!

Just got back from a neghborhood trail ride. Cassie was great!
She's jumping 3' again but there are some stocking up issues, oh well it looks like I'm probably not going to be bringing her back to serious jumping till' late 2010 (cause she's gonna have another foal next spring/summer)

Lacy's going well but only skipping over logs & things (under 1')
I have a feeling I'm going to be riding her alot more in the coming months, especially because Cassie is perfect for Keith on trail right now that she just needs to be kept in shape through her pregnancy.

The babies arent going to show this fall because I got behind on manners. Next spring I guess I'll show them in time to get AWS inspection.

Hey Jackie! I added a video from 2 years ago with my Cash if you want to take a look at videos posted this morning. I couldn't see how to link it to my page.
Apparently Cash needed our riding break. After not riding for two weeks while I was on vacation, he is refreshed and relaxed. I was also reminded at the Parelli Celebration to 'do something" when I'm lead rope grazing him. So, I'm getting some exercise and getting used to the whole barnyard as I keep walking from place to place near new things and he just stays cool, calm and collected. Yesterday we walked up to the full size fake deer (a target) & he sniffed it and then tried to push it over with his nose. Soon we will do it under saddle...on a good day when we are both having a good day.
Keep sharing all your good advice!
Shirley

Hi Jackie, just stopping in to see whats new. I love your latest blog post on forwrd seat riding. I shared it with sme friends on FB

See ya 'round

thanks for the welcome Jackie. Riding is the best thing I've found too. I love the way I can breathe better and feel "looser" after my time at the stables.

How great that you have a compatible instructor that understands. riding can be alot of fun for me when inthe company of a seasoned pro, but I have'nt had lessons in years, around my neck of the woods theres just not that many trainers doing huntseat. (or dressage)

Maybe you and I both should hold off on jumping four to six weeks. Since I think Cass not only needs some physical conditioning, but also mental, her baby is six months now and I'm ready to let her milk dry up so we can get back to some serious work, but I dont feel this is going to be a short process.

She just doesnt have the jump she had before the foal. I think she's a little sour too. she never refuses, but her ears are down alot more, just in general she seems to be happier hacking out in the mountains.


Thinking of changing my screen name to "on the flat" LOL

HI Jackie! I fell first part of Aug. There was no time to do anything, Cash was nervous when we were riding outside so I went inside. He was still being testy but I thought it would pass. I had my feet out of the stirrups to practice for better balance. LOL!!! My first memory was sort of a swooshing as his speed increased and then a sensation that I was in mid air at Cashes side. That's cause I was! It was so fast!! I hit the dirt on my side hard. Cash stayed with me till somone led him away from me. We had a long visit at the hospital for the short term with nothing broke but I had blood in my urine and soon a huge bruise on my fanny. It covered one whole side and across my lower back. My ribs hurt alot but were not broken. The next day when I went to visit Cash he whinneyed/nickered and came running up to the gate. He usually meets me at the gate but the whinneying/nickering was new. He continued for about 10 days to whinney/nicker when he spotted me & now he is back to just coming without the whinney/nicker. I thought that was very interesting. I ended up with a emergency clinic bill and a hospital bill and then had a couple accupuncture treatments and am still seeing a chiropracter to get my hip back in place. Fortunately my insurance paid some of the hospital portion.
It took about 5 weeks before my body felt like it was safe to ride. We've grown since then and am almost back to where we were at our best. As long as we stay focused on toys in the arena and doing patterns around them we do pretty well outside. Inside is going very well. We made it about 1/2 way down the lane this week with someone walking with us and that went well but that was where my comfort level stopped me. So this is about where we were before the fall so I'm okay with that. I'm hoping for some nice fall weather to work on the lane thing before the snow and ice.

Well, a malfunction of my computer spared you reading the long-short story that I'd typed explaining who Fred was. So now for a short answer, Fred was a very large Tennessee Walker about 4-5 years old. I knew him for about four months. Fred was an abused horse that came into my life to give me a Fairy Tale of my own but it did end up very badly. We were both very scared beings that came together and helped each other in many ways. We both received love and respect from each other in a most unlikely match-up. I never owned him except in heart. He came to have a trustworty friend in me and I came to be a much braver person for him. He is my main reason for becoming more active on the horse slaughter issues and saving the mustang herds. He has been gone now for abut 2.5 years but the wounds of his disappearance are very sore to this day. His final outcome seems to have been a ride to Canada via the horrible meat market system in place at this time. I tried and tried to find him but people would not tell me the truth until it was too late to rescue him. No one can hurt or scare him any more and that is my only peace. He could have had a forever kind home but for some reason that was not his outcome.
He represents so much for me ...I treasure our experience.

The Dam is most important to me also, because I feel the foal learns most of his human/equine relationship from her. also I think in general he probably inherits more from his mom than his dad in terms of conformation and athletic ability. In Spain and many other cultures the breeding programs are based on the mares.

Thank you for your nice note, YOUR understanding is theONLY thing that kept me from de activating my Barnmice acct. 2 or 3 weeks into it after I realised how un appreciated my opinions were by the people I wanted to havediscussions with.

If not for the deeply stimulating discussions that You and I had starting t
he day I joined. I would have just moved on to a different site.
I value your online friendship, and feel Barnmice is a truly great place, I'm learning how to enjoy it and not invite confrontations, and be more open minded... Like You!

How long have you been using barnmice?

As long as you are in the saddle Jackie that is al that counts,, there are lots of adys I just walk , and this is good to it give you time to smell he roses. Take care of yourself , I am glad to have you as a friend

I need a Bay base free of Dun Factor, so even though Cassie is the "color" Buckskin, the fact that she carries dun factor means she will ONLY throw Dun Factor horses with creme possibly also present. Red Dun, Dunalino, Silver Grullo, Grullo Dunskin, and possibly if bred to a bay a simple Bay dun.

But never a simple Buckskin

Exactly my point about Lacy's possible zygosity for black. Homozygous blacks are extremely reliable grullo producers.

But now my whole program has to be re thought because I still want a Buckskin and Lacy may never throw one

Hi, I agree It's a shame not to ride him more, but I just cant get over the stallion thing, But he's not in any way studdy, he acts like an old gelding. He's a perfect gentleman even in the pasture, he gets along with geldings, and mares.

I plan on having him his whole life so I'm not in any hurry to get his training further, but I do think he should be doing more for his age.

Trail riding may just be out of the question until he's gelded, since there's no undesirable stallion behavior I dont think it matters what age I end up gelding him. (Though it will be a bit more costly and complicated a surgery than a normal gelding procedure)

I'm not ready to geld him yet. I have my two foals to keep me busy for the next 2 years, but when they're 2 and going under saddle I'm going to want atleast one more baby in the barn.

He will most likely be out of LACY, CASSIDY has alot of color to contribute but she's only 16 hh. that's a good height for me, but I want to breed great big sturdy Warmbloods that I can then refine over generations through the use of TB or AWS.

I have the most perfect colt out of Cassie, She's 3 mos pregnant again, but the next one is already sold. (to her old owner) I dont have a need to breed her again for myself. I coul'nt have asked for a better foal, he may very well be my next Stallion but this will take atleast 3 years to decide.

So definately Lacy is the one I'm gonna breed acouple more times over the years, but I'm up in the air about breeding her to a Cremello TB or Ferdinand again.

Because her Filly turned out to be a Grulla (Blk Dun) and not a BAY Dun. I fear that LACY only throws the black part of her BAY gene.

In other words she's possibly homozygous for Black, this is very valuable in the production of Grullos, But to get a Buckskin foal I need a Bay base diluted by Creme.

But If I bred her to a Cremello in two years theres a possibility she will have a "Smoky Black". I'll have to send in a hair sample to UC Davis to confirm my via progeny assumption.

If she comes back Homozygous for black, then I'll never breed her to a creme Stallion, I'll breed her to F again.in two years. and in a few more I'll have to look for another bay mare that can make me a Buckskin.

There is one more possibility, but this will take atleast 3 years to decide. Cassidy's perfedt 5 month old Colt "Silver", this would be an Ideal pairing and would produce a foal carrying all three of my foundation horses genes (remember I have a 30+ year plan to breed AWS horses, all my own homebreds).

Do I think too far in advance?

He does have great natural extensions does'nt he? I ask for those but really through just a little push from my seat and a little see saw at the bit.

His disposition is kinder than any horse I ever had, I think this is in part because I've raised him from a baby, but I just feel it's my responsibility to keep him (and fellow riders) out of trouble.

When he was younger ( 2yo - 3) I rode him on trail with starnge mares and geldings with no problem. But I had never bred him. He understood that it was off limits to approach mares period.

But I dont know now that hes been bred my only concern is that If I were in a group he might get away from me and go after a mare.

At home the mares run the whole 20 acres and the next 20, so I dont want any "accidental" breedings shpould he get away from me when I'm riding. My arena is just a 300' x 200' leveled off area with no fencing

Dear Jackie. It's me, Oliver..... my mom wanted to let you know that she bought me and Uncle Toby the Omega stuff that you recommended at the feed store. Actually, it was the new hot item... they just started carrying it...
the following is interesting to my mom and she wanted you to know this..... Since I had my first light treatment I had another one.... my ears are more forward, I am interested in working, playing, whathaveyou with a happier attitude.. but most interesting is my mane is growing back out because I guess I'm not rubbing my head on stuff as much.... thank you for referring her to the Omega to help my hoofs grow out.... oops hooves. I am just learning how to spell.. thanks, Oliver