Dancing Shoes

I am finally recovering from my downturn after Rosemary. It is amazing how weak you can feel after not being able to eat. But there are things that only I can do at the barn, including trimming feet. All the cobs were due, so I divided them between the days. First up was Roscoe.
I had two pairs of Rosemary's shoes that are too big for DaVinci. I made the decision to see if they would work for Roscoe. He has great feet, but he is a wimp about the rocks. He also has some really round feet which required me to open the shoes enough to accomodate. Bless my pony, he stood in the cross ties while I had to tweak the shoes over and over. I slipped once and hit my thumb holding the shoe. Thankfully I did not cripple myself and could finish the job. This was the first time I had done the intial shaping of the shoes all by myself. My farrier helped me start Rosemary.

Rosemary

Roscoe

Then came the fun part of nailing the shoe. I held my breath to see how Roscoe would be. I loved Rosemary dearly, but she did not appreciate her shoes and made it difficult to nail. Roscoe on the other hand acted like he had been shod his whole life. I always feel more confident once the toe nails are in and the shoe is set in place. The other nails tend to be easier. Another first for Roscoe and I, and another success. He is literally filling his mother's shoes, and rocking some new dancing shoes.
Sadly, I nearly cried as I walked him out of the barn to turn out. Dottie started calling, because the only one besides her and DaVinci to clip clop was Rosemary. She is still grieving and I really wish she had the chance to say goodbye. Mares can be so tight.

I finally managed to crawl on Roscoe this week to see how he felt with the shoes. He does not seem effected by the shoe weight and his movement is not changed. He is much more comfortable walking on the rocks, so I am happy I made the choice.

And I did get the other two trimmed. Three down, three to go. Now let's see if I can handle the vintage guys. My farrier retired and they are on my to do list. He helped by changing Dottie's shoes to the same kind everyone else wears. If we could get a break from the heat that would help a lot.

Meanwhile baby #10 is filling out really well and is really fun to watch. Here is KML Mischief Managed:

Watch this to see his opinion about wearing a halter. He also tried to roll to get it off. The wait is on to see what Tawe will have.

Resisting Using My Anvil On Rosemary's Head

St Patricks Day

I finally was able to do Rosemary's shoes the day my insurance adjuster came to look at the trailer. My anvil still needs a base to support it, but I made it work. I attempted to preshape the shoes somewhat before bringing Rosemary inside. I sorely underestimated the roundness of her feet. When I pulled her left shoe, it laughed at the new shoe.












It took me a bit to get my muscle memory back and remember how to use the anvil. That first shoe seemed like it would never widen.  Shaping steel is no joke. Persistence paid off and it began to take shape. Once I tweaked the heels it was ready to nail.

Same shoe type: left worn 16 weeks (two resets), right new

I took a deep breath because getting the toe nails in is key and freaking hard on a moving horse. Rosemary surprised me by standing still and letting me get the shoe nailed on with little leg pulling.

Half way

Half way done and I did not realize the real battle was just beginning. The right shoe ended up being too wide.  Hand to head... sigh. I had to remember how to close a shoe. While I was working, Rosemary decided to jig about the aisle. Her patience was done. She pooped in the aisle, so I put her in the stall.

She knows she is on the shit list

A million tweaks later, and at my wits end, the shoe finally shrunk and fit. I thought the hard part was done, but Rosemary decided to up her rotten pony act. The toe nails were a nightmare as she yanked her leg and pulled back in the cross ties. I was with in a half inch of getting the second toe nail in when she stomped her foot down. I cursed a blue streak and told Rosemary I would murder her. My patience was at an end too.

I took a breath and picked up her foot. I was able to save the nail despite its crunched look. Rosemary refused to cooperate for the other nails. That is a dangerous point in the process with nail points sticking out. No way to I want to be impaled by some nails. I was at the point of deciding between using my hammer or my anvil on Rosemary's head. I resisted barely.

Done, whew

She got a reprieve when Roscoe's breeder messaged me. The break was not enough. She was a pain, continuing to yank her foot while pulling back on the cross ties. Finally I broke. I made her back up, move her haunches and then back up again. I backed her butt all the way out of the barn and down to the arena. I have to say with all the drama, the shoe stayed on with only two nails.

This never ending shoeing was at the "get it done" point. The remaining four nails went in faster than I thought they would. Rosemary was more settled. I guess our discussion worked. Both of us were thrilled when I finished setting, clinching and filing. I did not even attempt to trim her back feet. We both needed to be done.
That weekend my farrier came and looked at her after shoeing the older horses. He gave me a thumbs up and said she was landing flat. I swear I felt like I passed a final exam. Now that I have a set of her shoes, I can preshape the new ones and hopefully keep her happier during the process. I save about $80, but boy do I work for it.

I am way behind with posts, so I will jump ahead and say that Roscoe is going to a jump chute clinic on Monday. Because you know that is the best way to get ready for a dressage show...

The Queen and Trace Clips

Well I have been on a bit of a rollercoster. You all know about my scam experience (thanks for the responses), and I will say after my "bug off" email she has left me alone. That is a huge relief. Then it was the wait to get Dottie's shoe put back on. I did not want to pull her other shoe until I knew when my farrier could come out. She has a huge crack from an old injury we prefer to have it supported. Since Dottie wears a size 5 shoe he does not carry them regularly and of course he did not have them when I called. Luckily, the holiday allowed for me to be available for him to work on her. She was due next Saturday anyway.
Much to my surprise my farrier was able to reuse her shoes. Yes I know resets are normal. What is not normal is being able to reset shoes...3 times. Yes that's right Dottie has be able to wear these shoes 4 shoeings. Drafty girl is the Queen of Resets. Our farrier said she could probably go through winter in them :) Advantage of riding on grass.
After the farrier visit the same friends from the mishap came over to ride again. Rosemary gave the girl a really great ride. She even cantered for her. I had to remind her to reward Rosemary with sugar often to keep the work positive. Our injured friend chatted with me on the sidelines. I am glad they both are still coming to the barn.

Nap after working, I love how tucked up she is

Watching Rosemary work made me happy that I FINALLY got to do trace clips. Once I got the blades to stay on (they kept falling off) the clips when well. All three need touch ups because I did not have someone there to pull legs forward. I only do a narrow clip up the neck and then about halfway across the belly with high sides in the girth area. I started with Rosemary because she is dark and I need the most light. She stood so well while I was fixing the body clippers. Then I tackled fuzzy Dottie. Partway through I had to go talk to the Quarter horse owner. I left Dottie standing at the doorway with the lead line tossed over the door rope. I looked over to see her happily watching and waiting. I love my horses. DaVinci was my last one as the light faded. Ever sheared a Polar Bear? Well I think he comes close. I was totally covered by the time I finished with him. Hair everywhere, Ugh.

Clip 1: Rosemary the easy one

Clip 2: Dottie the fuzzy one

Clip 3: DaVinci the polar bear

The end result of clipping

My super cute pony

So those are the ups, the downs are I am sick again. This weird weather is not helping at all. Then we received the call we all have been dreading, my grandfather passed away. Though not a surprise, it still hurts to think my favorite Greek no longer brightens the world. Plus now the worry moves to my grandmother. Her focus has been on his care and now she has to find a new outlet. Mom and Dad have driven down while we take care of things at home. Hopefully, the time off of work will help me feel better on both fronts.