Ember is acting like a seasoned traveler. We were slightly worried since this is his weaning. Hours to go, but so happy with him.
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Friday, October 21, 2016
Holding Out On Me
Before our trip to Florida, I wanted to try the new bit on Roscoe. Unfortunately my Dad brought home a cold bug from my cousin's wedding and shared with us. I was low on energy and Roscoe was totally lazy. I really want him cantering better and tried to use a pole to help with the transition, but it was not successful.
I looked up to see my Mom coming armed with a lunge whip. Awhile ago I asked her to ask Roscoe to canter from the ground while I was mounted. Watching Alanna and Emi work and quickly progress gave me ideas. Supported by seeing others use the same method with young horses. We used ground support when we started him, but did not go as far as canter.
Roscoe saw Mom and he knew what was expected. I literally could feel the change in him. His attention went from me to her. I kept him on a circle while Mom directed him to trot both ways. Then the moment came and she asked for canter. Holy Cow! I needed a seat belt. That was the best canter I have ever felt out of him. It was a bit frightening, especially when he headed for the mounting block. I had a hard time just being a passenger. I stopped so Mom could clear the path before changing directions. This time we went left, his harder direction. I relaxed more and could enjoy the awesome pony working below me. Roscoe kept himself on a circle around Mom and picked up left lead. If he began to look flat, Mom tapped the whip and he reanimated. I finally felt the movement we so often see in him at liberty.
I also realized he has been holding out on me. Before this, I worked really hard to only get a quarter of what he gave during this ride. We have to teach him that he is capable of that super movement. Over time we will transition from the ground support directing him to me asking. I gave small cues when Mom asked for stuff to start that process. Overall the process worked better than I expected and was eye opening. I can't wait to ride him again. Forward, real forward is the goal.
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| Fancy Boy! |
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| From when he was first backed |
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| I was missing the western saddle this ride |
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Lucky Buys
Over the last six months I have had a few lucky buys. The first had my jaw dropping.
Back in February I saw a notice about a sale on an Amigo blanket. I clicked on the link for CountryandStable.com expecting the typical $50 off or other minor discount. What I found was a mid weight Amigo Bravo 12 selling for under $60. That was over $100 off the normal price then and now the regular price is $229.95. Even though it was not a blanket I would normally buy, I clicked to order one. At that price it was worth trying. At one point I thought I lost the sale when I went to ask my Mom her opinion. They were sold out, but luckily one was still in my cart. Six weeks later I received the blanket in a size that will work on 4 of my horses.
So when I saw a sale on blankets at the same site, I looked further. This time I choose a Pessoa Light Turnout Sheet that was selling for $45. That price could not be passed up. At check out, I scored an additional 15% off. Roscoe is now wearing a really light, great purple sheet. He is so narrow I had to knot the surcingles, but otherwise the sheet fits him well. Country and Stable is one I will keep an eye on for future blanket sales.
Just the other day, Mom and I went shopping for things we will need for Ember when he arrives. We had no luck at the first store finding those items, but I found a Full Cheek three piece sweet copper bit in the markdown area. Once we verified it was dressage legal I decided to buy it for Roscoe, who has not been thrilled with the rubber mullen mouth full cheek. Regular price was $84.99 and the markdown was $59.50. When I got to the register the cashier said there was an additional discount, so the bit ended up being $47.60. Everything I bought that day was less than the original price. Definitely meant to be. Roscoe took the bit right away when I tried it on him. Pony approved.
Peggy also had a lucky buy when she purchased a Marathon Wagonette for a price that saved her nearly $1300. It needs some work, but overall is a great carriage. Plus with a purchase of a team pole, we can start the path to driving a pair. The best part is it seats six people and is great for the dogs too. It came with a not so great plastic harness that can serve as a back up to the two leather harnesses.
Back in February I saw a notice about a sale on an Amigo blanket. I clicked on the link for CountryandStable.com expecting the typical $50 off or other minor discount. What I found was a mid weight Amigo Bravo 12 selling for under $60. That was over $100 off the normal price then and now the regular price is $229.95. Even though it was not a blanket I would normally buy, I clicked to order one. At that price it was worth trying. At one point I thought I lost the sale when I went to ask my Mom her opinion. They were sold out, but luckily one was still in my cart. Six weeks later I received the blanket in a size that will work on 4 of my horses.
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| Amigo Bravo 12 plus mid weight 250gm photo from Country and Stable |
So when I saw a sale on blankets at the same site, I looked further. This time I choose a Pessoa Light Turnout Sheet that was selling for $45. That price could not be passed up. At check out, I scored an additional 15% off. Roscoe is now wearing a really light, great purple sheet. He is so narrow I had to knot the surcingles, but otherwise the sheet fits him well. Country and Stable is one I will keep an eye on for future blanket sales.
Just the other day, Mom and I went shopping for things we will need for Ember when he arrives. We had no luck at the first store finding those items, but I found a Full Cheek three piece sweet copper bit in the markdown area. Once we verified it was dressage legal I decided to buy it for Roscoe, who has not been thrilled with the rubber mullen mouth full cheek. Regular price was $84.99 and the markdown was $59.50. When I got to the register the cashier said there was an additional discount, so the bit ended up being $47.60. Everything I bought that day was less than the original price. Definitely meant to be. Roscoe took the bit right away when I tried it on him. Pony approved.
Peggy also had a lucky buy when she purchased a Marathon Wagonette for a price that saved her nearly $1300. It needs some work, but overall is a great carriage. Plus with a purchase of a team pole, we can start the path to driving a pair. The best part is it seats six people and is great for the dogs too. It came with a not so great plastic harness that can serve as a back up to the two leather harnesses.
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| Deliah said she wanted her drive |
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Foal Updates
Baby Royal has one picture of her at the National so far. I can't help but see Roscoe in her expression :)
Hopefully there will be more photos to follow since her handler is a photographer. She took an amazing shot of Mini Me that I may ask to use in Roscoe's advertisement. See the picture here.
Then the beginning of this month the oldest and youngest foals left for Canada. They look like they travelled well and are nicely settled with their yearling Sec C buddy. PC Jen Robertson for all the following pictures.
And in 16 days, Ember will be home in Virginia. I can't wait! We are prepping for that trip and our FL trip which will be back to back. Hopefully baby boy will handle the long drive.
I really hope Mini Me and Baby Royal find their way to show homes where they too can shine. Both have such great presence.
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| Castleberrys Royalty and her dam Rosina |
Hopefully there will be more photos to follow since her handler is a photographer. She took an amazing shot of Mini Me that I may ask to use in Roscoe's advertisement. See the picture here.
Then the beginning of this month the oldest and youngest foals left for Canada. They look like they travelled well and are nicely settled with their yearling Sec C buddy. PC Jen Robertson for all the following pictures.
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| Castleberrys Debonair getting air time |
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| Castleberrys Ffrewyn keeping stride |
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| Built different but can still see the relation |
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| Think they like chrome? |
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| 3 cute ponies. |
And in 16 days, Ember will be home in Virginia. I can't wait! We are prepping for that trip and our FL trip which will be back to back. Hopefully baby boy will handle the long drive.
I really hope Mini Me and Baby Royal find their way to show homes where they too can shine. Both have such great presence.
Product Review: Hands On Grooming Gloves
I tend to be very basic in what I need for daily grooming. Give me a curry and a mixed brush and I am good to go. So when Peggy pulled out these Hands On Grooming Gloves, I was not in a rush to try them. Plus unless it is winter or a horse show, I am not someone who wears gloves.
So Peggy tried them out and the horses loved them, but I was still not reaching for them.
Fast forward to the past couple of weeks when we have had rain which brought mud. Mud produces extremely dirty horses especially since we have taken off fly sheets. If I wanted to ride, I had to get through the mud to find my horses. Since mud is a hard thing to groom off certain places, I decided to give the gloves a chance.
Here is what I found:
- I only used one glove and had my brush in the other hand. When needed I could hold the brush with the glove covered hand.
- I was able to groom through the mud much quicker and more thoroughly then with a normal curry.
- The hard to reach areas, between front legs, elbows, behind ears, fetlocks, hocks, were no problem with the glove
- The horses love the "Hands On" grooming since it mimics a good scratch and massage. I sometimes had to wake them up after a session.
- My hand was not tired from using this glove.
- The glove stayed in place.
- The glove design allows for good movement, definitely not awkward.
After the first use, these gloves have become my go to tool to cut through mud and building winter coats.
Mom has used them on the dogs, corgi and german shepherd, and removed a ton of hair. Always good to be able to use on multiple animals.
I have not tried them wet, though the are advertised as wet/dry. The small fit well for me. If you have really small hands, they could feel super spacious. They also talk about saving your manicure, but since I do so much more than grooming at the barn, I can't comment to the effectiveness in that area.
Cost wise, they run about $25 for a pair. In my barn with multiple people grooming at one time, a pair lets two people have a great tool. Worth the price for the ease of grooming. And for me to say that about gloves is a big recommendation, since I am a not a glove fan and I am a penny pincher.
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| From Schneiders website |
So Peggy tried them out and the horses loved them, but I was still not reaching for them.
Fast forward to the past couple of weeks when we have had rain which brought mud. Mud produces extremely dirty horses especially since we have taken off fly sheets. If I wanted to ride, I had to get through the mud to find my horses. Since mud is a hard thing to groom off certain places, I decided to give the gloves a chance.
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| Muddy horse who is suppose to be grey |
Here is what I found:
- I only used one glove and had my brush in the other hand. When needed I could hold the brush with the glove covered hand.
- I was able to groom through the mud much quicker and more thoroughly then with a normal curry.
- The hard to reach areas, between front legs, elbows, behind ears, fetlocks, hocks, were no problem with the glove
- The horses love the "Hands On" grooming since it mimics a good scratch and massage. I sometimes had to wake them up after a session.
- My hand was not tired from using this glove. - The glove stayed in place.
- The glove design allows for good movement, definitely not awkward.
After the first use, these gloves have become my go to tool to cut through mud and building winter coats.
Mom has used them on the dogs, corgi and german shepherd, and removed a ton of hair. Always good to be able to use on multiple animals.
I have not tried them wet, though the are advertised as wet/dry. The small fit well for me. If you have really small hands, they could feel super spacious. They also talk about saving your manicure, but since I do so much more than grooming at the barn, I can't comment to the effectiveness in that area.
Cost wise, they run about $25 for a pair. In my barn with multiple people grooming at one time, a pair lets two people have a great tool. Worth the price for the ease of grooming. And for me to say that about gloves is a big recommendation, since I am a not a glove fan and I am a penny pincher.
Friday, October 7, 2016
Bring On The Diapers
I have had three great rides on the Cobs this week, but unfortunately when Mom joined me on Winston, he was lame. I think in the 10 years we have had him he has only been lame twice, once with gravel and then laminitis. He was definitely lame at the trot. Peggy checked for any stones, nope. Thought maybe he had a touch of thrush, nope. We narrowed it done to the right front and once I finished my ride I looked at his foot. I cleared the sand and looked closely. Sure enough I saw a bruise and a tap with the hoof pick brought a reaction from Winston.
Well if your a horse owner you know that means foot soaking. Our previous vet showed us how to do a longer term soak by using a plastic bag, padding, Epsom Salt and Iodine. As long as the horse does not bust through the layers it can last a couple of days.
Step 1: Clean the hoof
Step 2: Place the padding in water to soak or add water to the diaper, Prep materials
Step 3: Add Epsom Salt and Iodine to the padding once out of water
Step 4: Place padding on the hoof and place a bag over the hoof
Step 5: Vet wrap over the bag, remove as much air from bag so the horse does not bust it just putting the hoof down
Step 6: Use heavy duty tape over the whole set up, extra at the toe
Other than the fact that vets make wrapping tape around a hoof look way easier than I ever find it to be, the process is quick and easy (if your horse is as cooperative as Winston).
I added an old snow pad to protect the bottom this time, but we have also used cut up cardboard. Hopefully Winston will feel better in a couple of weeks. This is the second horse I know to get a bruise in the last few weeks. Fingers crossed no one else falls victim.
Well if your a horse owner you know that means foot soaking. Our previous vet showed us how to do a longer term soak by using a plastic bag, padding, Epsom Salt and Iodine. As long as the horse does not bust through the layers it can last a couple of days.
Step 1: Clean the hoof
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| Bruise is at the upper right |
Step 2: Place the padding in water to soak or add water to the diaper, Prep materials
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| Tape, snow pad w/tape ready, gallon bag, diaper with salt and iodine |
Step 3: Add Epsom Salt and Iodine to the padding once out of water
Step 4: Place padding on the hoof and place a bag over the hoof
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| I could even use the diaper tabs to secure |
Step 5: Vet wrap over the bag, remove as much air from bag so the horse does not bust it just putting the hoof down
Step 6: Use heavy duty tape over the whole set up, extra at the toe
Other than the fact that vets make wrapping tape around a hoof look way easier than I ever find it to be, the process is quick and easy (if your horse is as cooperative as Winston).
I added an old snow pad to protect the bottom this time, but we have also used cut up cardboard. Hopefully Winston will feel better in a couple of weeks. This is the second horse I know to get a bruise in the last few weeks. Fingers crossed no one else falls victim.
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