"To Everything There is a Season"

When Mom told me the news that Byrds song came to mind. We know the time will come for all our horses but it is still sad.

So big, but so sweet

For Dottie, she has moved into the next season of her life: Retirement. The sad fact is that these big horses age faster and gravity is much harder on them. Mom had the chiropractor out to work on her and Deliah. We worried about the fact that Dottie had not been rolling as often and was stocking up more. We know she has issues in her neck and hind end. And everyone knows that "no hips" means "no horse." Not surprising the chiropractor found arthritis in her neck. What was surprising was that the arthritis in her neck was causing ataxia in her hind end. This causes her some instability and the end ridden work. The kids can still play with her, but no more adults. Plus the ataxia has probably lead to the loss of muscle we have been seeing. My sister, who is Dottie's main rider, worried she caused it by not riding very often. Our chiropractor made sure to tell her that was not the case.
Dottie was full of acupuncture needles and they must have released some blockage because she peed in the aisle. That lead to another revelation when the pee had mucus in it. The muscle loss has caused her girly part to recede and create a shelf, so she must have some back wash. Fortunately, the vet today said there is no infection. Anyway the chiropractor said the needles stay in longer for Dottie because she is an Earth Horse. Ha, I pinned her right. Some definitely were painful at first, but Mom said she relaxed as the pathways opened up.
We don't have to make the tough decision, but it is closer than I would like. This winter will be telling. The vet today put her on Previcox to help her feel a little better. Unfortunately, the pharmaceutical companies have figured out they can get twice as much money from us by making an equine formula. Thanks a lot for making it harder to provide pain relief. I am going to try and order a bunch of Previcox before Winston's prescription expires so that the cost is lower.

So Dottie moves into the purely pampered pony category and will hopefully feel much better. She already has rolled more. I was never so happy to see a dirty horse before.

Dirty Dottie :)

On other news, the entire barn is now fighting the cold virus. As ugly as it is, we can only just keep doing the supportive care and let it run it's course. Ember was checked out by the vet today and got a thumbs up except for a wormy belly. A fecal will help us fix that problem.

Nothing cuter than a baby in a blanket

And finally Roscoe's oldest foal, Castleberrys Debonair, finished the Royal in Canada as Reserve Champion Cob. He came in second to an awesome mare who was bred in PA and used to show against Roscoe. The funny thing is, he seems to dislike baths. That is a trait he shares with Daddy. Roscoe has improved over the years but it will never be his favorite activity. PC for photos: friends of Debonair's Owner

Baby Royal Rules The Ring

This year they live streamed the Welsh National Show and I was able to watch some of the classes Castleberry Cobs competed in. Unfortunately traffic kept me from seeing Baby Royal in her own class, but I did see her during Rosina's class. She has super presence in the ring and her movement is awesome. Not too surprising since Rosina and Roscoe are both proven winners in the breed ring.
What was great was that she received Champion Filly from the UK judge. I loved seeing her in the champion position during the Grand Champion Cob class. I was glad to see Lisa's breeding program receive the accolades it deserves. She puts a lot of time and thought into each pairing and champions are born.

PC Mandy Brezina, Glad she got a picture, my phone was charging from my earlier live watching

Roscoe at his first show

Baby Royal even pulled the "I want a milk break" in the show ring like Roscoe did at his first show. Who ever is lucky enough to own this girl will get an awesome show pony.

Canadian Royal Winter Fair

I have known for about a month, but now I can finally tell. Comrade and (if you follow Jen at Cob Jockey) Connor's full brother will be showing at the Royal in Canada. Castleberrys Cadence has been in training at a driving farm in PA which actually is where Connor was trained to drive too. He will only be showing in hand though. I can't wait to see how he does tomorrow. I was fortunate enough to have met both Connor, Castleberrys Contender, and Cadence when we bought Rosemary. Cadence was a two year old, but behaved so well. We met him when we picked up a pony for his breeder from a different field to bring back to her barn. Worked for me, any excuse to meet new horses.
Now Connor, I had to drive all night to meet in PA. We helped fund our trip by bringing one of the breeder's recently sold ponies to his new home. When Manny, the other cob, was unloaded we went to look at the other horses and found Connor and Crackerjack. I admired both these boys and would have taken either if they had been in my price range, but things happen for a reason. Crackerjack is now an awesome driving pony owned by the driving farm. And some of you know Connor is now on his way to being an awesome eventer. It is great to see how the 3 full brothers are similar, yet definitely have their differences.
Anyway wish Cadence luck for his debut and safe drives both ways. Now I have to go back to work for a little while longer :)


Comrade



Cadence, 4 year old Stallion (Picture credit to Castleberrry Welsh Cobs)



Just for fun: Picture of then 4yr old Connor while he was on the east coast at the driving farm

 

 



Another picture of Connor, this time with another Castleberry pony Crackerjack.