All you need is a fly mask and a grazing muzzle and you’re golden! Ready for our outing to Cosco! That’s Isis in her grazing muzzle and fly mask. She had to wear a grazing muzzle any time she was in a field with any amount of grass. She had equine metabolic syndrome. Think of it like a pre-diabetic condition in horses. She couldn’t have the sugar in the grass so she either...
Continue reading...Isis
On the loss of a horse
A person I greatly respect lost one of her old mares today. My friend sat up all night in the rain and the mud with her mare until the vet could arrive. Ultimately, there was nothing that could be done except make a very difficult decision… and let the mare go. I felt my heart break when I read her Twitter feed and Facebook posts from last night through today. Saying “I”m so...
Continue reading...Canter departs
Thirteen years ago, my horse somersaulted and landed on me when we were cantering during a riding lesson. I don’t remember what happened exactly. We were cantering down the long side at the end of the lesson and she felt magnificent: strong impulsion, light in my hands, and then something. The world spun and I slammed into the dirt face down between her legs. She kicked once with her back legs and hit...
Continue reading...Horsebackwriter on Tumblr
A friend of mine from work sent me a link to a Tumblr blog written by Horsebackwriter. Like me, she has a bay Arabian. Her mare, Khyssie, reminds me a lot of Isis in her antics and markings. I saw the pictures of Khyssie and immediately had flashbacks to Isis Bint Sirdar. And then I read a post from August 5th that said this: The groundwork was coming along as scheduled. Everything was...
Continue reading...Best view in the world
First time I had these two pictures side by side, I was struck by how similar my two Bay Wonder Mares(tm) looked from the back. Same expression of the ears: listening, attentive and relaxed. The bright copper bay ears and neck belong to Isis. I took this picture when we were out on a trail ride around the farm’s perimeter. And then this picture, taken at the end of a ride on Kasane....
Continue reading...Where did October go?
Where did October go? I suddenly blinked and it was gone and November is looming large. December isn’t too far behind, judging by the Christmas crap that’s appearing in the stores. (Christmas crap = the tacky decorations that get shoved on unwilling consumers to encourage them to buy buy buy during the ever-extending holiday season.) I think I lost most of October partially due to shock. October 11 was a very hard day...
Continue reading...Horse and I by Bat for Lashes
I didn’t realize until today why I have been listening so much to a song by Bat for Lashes called “Horse and I.” It’s because it feels like a song for Isis and I — and fits in with a short story I’m writing about her. “Horse and I” by Bat for Lashes Fur and Gold album Got woken in the night By a mystic golden light My head soaked in river water...
Continue reading...The quality of autumn sunlight
The quality of the light is different as summer fades into fall. The humidity haze burns away and is replaced by a golden glow at dusk. I couldn’t wait to get out to the barn on Tuesday. It was perfect riding weather. I would only have enough time to do a little with Kasane besides treating the scratches (rain-rot like scabs) on her legs. Not enough time to ride, but enough time to...
Continue reading...Happy birthday Isis
Isis would have been 19 today. Same birthday as my little sister. Happy birthday, my dear girl. You are so missed. Related Images:
Continue reading...Finding information about insulin resistance in horses
A friend of mine emailed me this weekend about insulin resistance in horses. She has a new boarder with a horse with IR and wanted to learn more about managing this condition. One of the best sources is the Equinc Cushings and Insulin Resistance web site (http://ecirhorse.com/), which summarizes the Yahoo Group with the same name. (See information below in the next paragraph). The IR treatment page is very good. I have found...
Continue reading...Tonight, we write
The characters are playing. Specifically: one story, Ride Softly, is pounding to be written. I’m seven pages in, which doesn’t sound like a lot until you consider it’s the most fiction I’ve written in a year (much less in two sittings). It’s Isis’ story, with a twist. When I write her scenes, I have my eyes closed and the tears stream down my face. There are two scenes that were the hardest: when...
Continue reading...Patterns
Patterns can be comforting routines. You fall into them like a comfortable bed, with a few sharp pokey bits that you know to avoid. Lately, I go to the barn, love on a mare, take her for a walk to help rebuild strength, give her a hug, and turn her back out to her paddock. Which mare am I talking about? Kasane or Isis? Tuesday I took Kasane for her walk with another boarder...
Continue reading...Nominate Fudge’s EPM Blog
When Isis was diagnosed with Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis, one site provided answers and informative discussion about this disease, current treatment options, and tests: EPM Horse.org. One of the keys to successfully treating EPM successfully is early detection. The more people know about EPM, the better chance they will have of recognizing the disease and treating it sooner. Fudge’s Mom, the owner/writer of EPM Horse.org, is taking an unconventional approach to promoting awareness by...
Continue reading...One thousand posts and counting
This post is the 1000th entry on Y Ceffyl Du. It’s only taken seven years to get here. I’ve blogged the tales and tribulations of four cats, five horses, and major events in my life. Here’s to Isis, Basette, Stella, and Ambush, who have passed and are missed. Their antics and memories are chronicled here. Here’s to Rajiyyah, Logan, Kasane, and Prize, two still in my life and two with other people who...
Continue reading...Memorial for Isis at home
I have a glass book case at home in my bedroom. I cleared one of the shelves for pictures of Isis and for all of the cards I received for her. The sculpture is one Mom gave me a while ago. It always reminded me of how I felt giving Isis a hug. Related Images:
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