The chiropractor came out tonight. Isis was sore (who knows from what). Maye she had been running out in the field and pulled something. Maybe she was sore from being worked (althoug once in a week wouldn’t seem to strain her). Isis has learned a trick: if she hops her hind end up, the accupuncture needle won’t go in. These needles are long and very thin. You barely feel them when they are...
Continue reading...Isis
Worked Isis (finally)
I worked Isis in the surcingle and side reins. I need to clean her real saddle. The dressage saddle I’ve been using is too narrow now that she has regained some of her muscles. While I’ve briefly ridden her in the dressage saddle, it isn’t a good idea to do real work on her in it. It sits high on her whithers, which means my position is pushed back and puts weight on...
Continue reading...When to breed?
The question of whether to breed or not to is especially hard to me. I grew up on a breeding farm. We bred the best Crabbet and Egyptian Arabians (later only straight Egyptians) we could afford and always made sure they found homes. My primary mare, Isis, is a product of the Crabbet/Egyptian breeding. She is the granddaughter of our first Arabian mare. I have had the honor of meeting the majority of...
Continue reading...Visit with the Chiropractor
Both of my horses have a chiropractor who sees them regularly. (Most of my friends think I’m a little nuts because my horses get better medical care than I do.) The doctor came out today and had some excellent news about Isis and Rajiyyah. Isis seems to be back in the shape she was before the surgery in August! Even though she still has soreness and stiff spots, they are in the same...
Continue reading...I rode!!
Whee!!! I rode Isis for the first time sincer her surgery. Granted, it wasn’t much or for very long, but it was still sitting on her back… She moves so differently from Rajiyyah. Rajiyyah’s steps are more upright, more bounce. Isis reaches with her shoulder and strides out like a thoroughbred a full hand taller than her. So at the end of an excellent workout, I rode bareback. And found heaven =) Related...
Continue reading...Kids and Jitters
The best way to quell pre-performance jitters is to go to the barn. While horses make some people nervous, they are my sanity. If I’m upset, just touching Isis is usually enough to calm me down. I dragged my dance instructor today to the barn. She didn’t mind because she also has horses. (In fact, her mare is my mare’s aunt.) We had about two hours before we had to head back to...
Continue reading...Finally out to the barn…
It had been nearly two weeks since my last visit out to see the kids. I finally went out to see them on Sunday. Man, I had been going through withdrawal. It’s hard to explain what it is like. Visiting my horses has always been my sanity check, especially when I’m under a lot of stress. (And if I am not under stress my body seems to try to create enough stress… something...
Continue reading...Playing with the Kids
Rajiyyah was full of herself yesterday. When I lunged her, she kicked up her heels, pranced around, and was a holy terror on the lunge line. After a few minutes she settled down adn we were able to get some productive work done. What a silly girl. Poor thing has rain rot on her hips and her face. I put furacin on it, so now the green goop has turned black with dust....
Continue reading...Grey Wonder Mare, part 2
Today was a busy day. I went to the barn early to work Rajiyyah and then bathe both horses. Rajiyyah was awesome. I lunged her first with the saddle and bride. The horses in the adjacent paddock took off a few times because of a dog barking at the back of the field. Rajiyyah snorted and curled her tail over her back. She bolted half way around the lunging circle and then calmed...
Continue reading...Farrier today
The farrier came out today for Isis and Rajiyyah. The spots on Isis’ front feet are definitely looking better. Her feet are getting better and the funky fungal thing she had appears to be mostly gone. There is still a little of it in her front right hoof. I’m continuing the treatment and hopefully that will resolve everything. Rajiyyah’s feet look great. The Bay Wonder Mare has been looking a little better. She...
Continue reading...Incision Site Still Swollen
Isis still has quite a bit of swelling on the incision site. I’m going to have the vet out to check it hopefully tomorrow or on Monday. Isis is sore, which I suppose is to be expected. When I place my hand near the incision site, she lifts her back leg to threaten a “don’t do that.” She still seems to be eating the grain with the corn oil. Maybe this will work....
Continue reading...Grain Goes a Long Way
The vet said that Isis could indeed begin having grain again. She is allowed a cup of grain two to three times per day along with a quarter cup of corn oil morning and evening. I have my doubts whether Isis will actually eat the corn oil. She has objected before to things being in her grain. We will see. The corn oil is a high fat supplement that can help horses with...
Continue reading...The Bay and the Gray
This week has been a study in opposites. Isis is a more mature, mellow mare whose Egyptian and Crabbet bloodlines mean that she has the looks with a lot of common sense. Rajiyyah is a straight Egyptian, so she has lots of looks and not as much common sense. She is a sweet, intelligent horse who will listen when you say it’s all right. She is very spirited but doesn’t have a mean...
Continue reading...Bay Mare Boogies On!
Okay, have to make this fast because I’m still at work. The vet just called. Isis is doing GREAT! She’s truly the Miracle Mare(tm)! She is grazing at regular intervals and can’t get enough of it. Apparently she is knickering at every person who walks by, “Please take me out.” She will get some wet hay tomorrow and more grazing. On Sunday she will get as much hay as she wants. Monday or...
Continue reading...Tuesday update
I just talked to the vet. He said that the toxins in Isis’ system are gone (yay!). Unfortunately, her small intestines still aren’t showing any motility. It may take several days for motility to return. It’s not unusual for intestines that were as badly damaged as hers to take a few days to recover. The vet said he’s seen this before. Right now, she is static: mobility isn’t present, but at least she...
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