Merry Christmas!

Hi everyone! It's been a very cold and snowy month so far. I can't even tell you how many times I've had to plow, it seems like several days a week! All the horses, dogs, and other critters are fine. The horses like the snow because it's easy on their feet and they can run and play. Scotty went a little overboard with the snow and got it all over his face as you'll see below. He was playing in the trees and knocked the snow off onto himself! You can see in the picture of Dolly how much snow is on the roof of the run-in shed. That's not counting the snow we got on Thursday. All the horses have Christmas stockings (and so does Petrucchio), and they are starting to fill up with goodies with more to come. Carla is planning to make them all a yummy Christmas bran mash tomorrow with lots of good stuff in it. I'm not sure exactly what she has planned but I'm guessing it will include apples, carrots, molasses, and who knows what else! They will all be VERY happy with that!

A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all from: Ann, Tapper, Scooby, Ziegy, Jazzy, Scotty, Petrucchio, Sadie, Echo, Rosy, Tootsie, Sierra, & Theodore!

Playing & Sleeping in the Snow

Hi everyone. Sorry I haven't updated sooner. Let's see... we've had snow, as you'll see in the photos. The horses seem to be enjoying it, sleeping and playing in it. You'll see that Scooby fell in love with Cami and she loved all his attention. We have not been able to ride, mostly because it's been so cold. Jazz and Scotty have winter shoes so we can ride in the snow if it ever warms up... The horses are all feeling really good! Wait until you see Scooby being frisky in the snow!

Brrr....

It was much too cold to ride today! Wind chills were in the single digits. Tonight's temperature is supposed to be around 5 degrees so unless it warms up quickly tomorrow it will most likely be too cold to ride. We are expecting a winter storm tomorrow night, they are saying 8 - 14 inches of snow but I don't believe them! They are also saying it might mix with sleet and that will make the total snowfall a lot less. We'll just have to wait and see...

Last weekend Esther came to visit on Saturday and she rode with Carla and me. Esther rode Scotty, I was on Jazz, and Carla rode Dolly. We just rode the Dutton Rd loop because it was still hunting season so we didn't want to go in the woods. Hunting season is over now, we just need some decent riding weather! There was a VERY SCARY tractor trailer truck parked on the road that we rode the horses by. None of them liked it and they all gave it a very wide berth!

Petrucchio has been cold lately so I have been blanketing him. I have a couple of extra-large foal blankets that work pretty well for him. As you can see from the pics - he looks adorable! It was really funny the first time he came out of his stall with the blanket on. Jazz and Scotty weren't sure what he was! Jazz quickly figured out he was still a goat, but Scotty snorted and blew and ran up the hill. He's still not too sure when he sees Petrucchio in his blanket.

I want to thank everyone who has been here to help this past week. It's wonderful to have such great friends and I really appreciate the way you all have pitched in. I'm not sure how I would have done everything without you all. Thank you to Jean, Jim, Carla, Amy, Michael, Kate, and Gail!

Thanksgiving?

I know Thanksgiving is tomorrow, but it looks more like Christmas around here, as you can see with Dolly, Scooby, Rosy, and Tapper! These photos are all from yesterday. It wasn't the first time we'd seen snow this season, but it's the first time the snow stuck! The driveway was slippery this morning, I may have to sand it. Good thing Jim helped me get the sand ready. Even the tractor was sliding around. Guess it's time to put the chains on for winter......

Carla and I rode last Saturday (Scotty & Jazz) and Sunday (Ziegy & Dolly). The horses were all very good. We've just been riding the Dutton Rds because it's hunting season. Ken came Monday. Now Scotty and Jazz are the only horses with shoes. Both have front winter shoes & pads and are barefoot behind. Dolly can still go out on short rides but Ziegy and Tapper are tenderfoots and can't be ridden until they get shoes in the spring except here in the round pen or on the grass if the snow melts.

A Very Happy Thanksgiving to You!!!

Love, Tapper, Scooby, Ziegy, Jazzy, Scotty, Petrucchio, Rosy, Sadie, Echo, Sierra, Theodore, Tootsie, and Ann

Hi everyone. Believe it or not we have actually been getting in some riding, even though it's been cold and it's hunting season. We don't go out in the woods during hunting season, we stay on the roads and wear bright orange or red. Carla and I rode Ziegy and Jazzy last Friday around the Dutton Rds and over to Tenney (that's just a short trail through the woods and it's too close to houses to have hunters around). Saturday Carla's sister came and rode with us. She rode Dolly, it was the first time she'd seen her since Dolly lost all that weight! Carla and I rode Scotty and Jazz and we did the same route as Friday. Sunday Carla and I took Scotty and Jazz around the Massey Rd. loop. I don't think we'll be doing that again. I'm not sure exactly what the town put on that road this summer but it's not tar. It's some kind of Sure Pack type stuff that is loose on the edges and goes all the way over the shoulder. Jazz got his winter shoes last week and he had an awful time walking on it. Scotty still has summer shoes and he was fine. I think we tired them both out!

The horses have been napping a lot. I don't know if they are just trying to soak up as much sun as possible before winter, or if they are just bored because there is no grass to munch. It seems to be just the boys (Scooby, Ziegy, Jazzy and Scotty) who lie flat out and look like dead horses. The girls usually stay more upright and lie down in a Sphinx-like position. Of course this means that everyone is REALLY dirty, like Scooby in the pic below!!!

Heather came on Wednesday morning to do a chiropractic treatment on Tapper. After all her fights and getting hurt I figured she needed it and I was right. She was out in both her neck and hindquarters. Heather adjusted her and I think she felt better. Then Heather showed me some exercises to do with her to help her stay flexible. They are: Carrot Between the Legs, Head Hugs (both directions), Tummy Lifts, Butt Tuck and Roll, and Tail Pulls. I'll see if I can get some photos of the exercises being done so you can see.

Gail and I rode the Dutton Rds early Wednesday afternoon. She took Maggie and I took Jazz (of course!). The horses were very good. The cows were right up next to the road and Jazz kept an eye on them but we had no problems. The photo on the left is Gail laughing at Jazz and the cows. Below that is one of the cows who came very close to say "hello". Gail put Maggie behind Jazz when we came down through the field and Maggie was good and didn't try to run home. When we got past the round pen Maggie took the lead again and Jazz stopped to say "hi" to Scotty. Jazz is always good, so I let him canter up the hill to the barn. He knows he can't run home all the time but once in a while it's fun.

Jim came Wednesday afternoon and helped me get the sand shed recovered. The old cover had so many leaks that the sand would get soaked and then freeze. That makes it rather difficult to spread it on the driveway when it's icy! I need to get some salt to add to the sand and then I should be set for winter.

No riding today. It is pouring out and is supposed to rain all day.

Michael

My friend Michael stopped by for a visit today. I haven't seen him in a while because he broke his kneecap last month! It was nice to see him out and around. Michael used to take lessons on Sparkie, lately (before his accident) he's been taking lessons at another stable and doing really well. Michael comes to visit and volunteers to help with some of the chores once a week and I miss his help. Get better soon Michael!!!The pics are of Michael today when he visited, and him riding this summer - very cool!

Always Busy

Heather came on Monday. She gave Faith her booster shot, Deja got a Legend shot, and then it was Tapper's turn. (Tapper is on the left in this pic with Scotty and Dolly napping.) I had given Tapper a shot 6 days before to bring her into heat. Heather sedated her - just a little - and then did an internal and thought she could feel the marble. So then she did an internal ultrasound and yup.. the marble was still there! Unfortunately, when she tried to get it out she discovered that Tapper's cervix was not open enough. So the marble couldn't come out - on to plan B. At least we know that the marble is still there. Next time Tapper comes into heat I will call Heather and she will come with a drug that she'll paint right on the cervix to dilate it. I'm not sure when that will be - it's all up to Tapper and her hormones at this point.

On Wednesday, Kate and Gail and I rode. Kate rode Maggie and Gail rode Scotty. She's been wanting to ride him for a while so this seemed like a good opportunity. He was a very good boy! Kate had a few "discussions" with Maggie. Maggie has been allowed to get away with a lot and she soon learned that Kate was in charge! It was good for Maggie and Kate was able to give Gail a lot of good tips. It was a cold day, and kind of windy, but we had a nice ride.

Thursday Bruce came about 10. He put winter shoes and pads on Jazzy's front feet, trimmed Dolly and Faith, and put winter shoes, winter pads, and leather pads on Scooby's front feet. It was kind of funny, because Ken has been doing Faith's feet for Amy, but Faith has been rather difficult for Ken. So Bruce took over today, he worked with her a little bit to get her used to him, and as you can see from the pic, she stood quietly, we didn't even have to hold her! Bruce didn't have any acrylic for Scooby so he ordered some to be delivered here later today and I have to put it on! Yikes! I hope I can do it right! Scooby's feet are looking really good. The abscess is all cleared up and the shoes and pads will make him much more comfortable. Thank heavens for Bruce!

Gabby came late Thursday afternoon to pick up Faith and she has gone back home to be with Shady and Becca. She may come back in the spring for some more riding.

A dissappointed friend (an excavating contractor who shall remain nameless) wondered why I hadn't told the story of Carla's ride on Faith. Well, that was when I couldn't sign in to the blog, so I just didn't write much, but I'll tell you now. It was a couple of weekends ago. We started out, me on Jazz, Amy on Faith, and Carla on Ziegy. As soon as we got on the road Faith started acting up. Amy had been sick that weekend and didn't have the energy to deal with Faith, plus I think Faith really needed someone who could be very firm with her but stay relaxed. Carla offered to ride her. We rode back to the barn (Amy led Faith), tacked down Ziegy and tacked up Dolly. Carla got on Faith and Amy rode Dolly (I stayed on Jazzy). Faith gave Carla a little trouble on the road but soon learned that Carla wasn't going to put up with any silliness and settled right down. She did really well in the woods, she seems a lot more relaxed there. We rode the Tenney Rd. loop and it was lovely. Faith led and Dolly brought up the rear. Once we got back on the road Jazz took over the lead with Faith in the middle. We rode down the road to the chicken & egg barn and then crossed over into the field to get off the road for a bit. Now before I go any further with the story, you should know that in the pasture, Dolly is boss over Faith and chases her and sometimes bites her... Got that?

So... Jazz headed into the field with Faith right behind him. Dolly saw them disappear around the tree and thought they were leaving her and she started to run to catch up - and I mean RUN! She took Amy by surprise and Amy wasn't able to pull her back before she came right up on Faith. This is where Carla goofed... she thought she'd be nice and check on Amy so she turned around in the saddle to ask Amy if she was OK. Just then Faith decided that Dolly was going to get her so she let out a buck and kicked at Dolly with both hind legs up in the air. By the time I turned around, Carla was on the ground and Faith was calmly grazing near her! Carla was fine - stiff the next few days but otherwise fine. Faith was a good girl and didn't run away and Carla was able to remount. The moral of the story is Don't Turn Around in Your Saddle or It Doesn't Pay to Be Nice!

update

Well, I've tried to post sooner, but something has been wrong with my internet and I have not been able to sign in to my blog. Then when I could finally sign in, it would not let me upload photos, until now. So, Scooby's feeling a lot better. Tapper gets her marble out tomorrow, and here's what else has been going on.....

Thursday - Carla and I rode in the afternoon. I rode Jazz and she rode Faith - taking her out for the first time for Amy. We just did the Dutton Loop. Jazz led to start, and Faith did pretty well. She was totally fine with traffic, cars from in front or behind didn't bother her at all. When she is not sure about something, she stops and won't move. Carla had to really work to get her going. Once we got on the dirt road, Faith started calling for her horsey friends - of course we were too far away for them to hear. After we rounded the corner and headed downhill she picked up the pace a bit. It is a lot more open at that stretch of the road, with fields on both sides instead of woods/houses, and I think she was less worried about that. She ended up leading most of the way home, Jazz just took the lead a couple of times when Faith wasn't sure about something. For her first time out she did extremely well - yea!!!

Friday - A rainy day... I went to Cheshire Horse in Keene and picked up stuff for Carla, Amy, and my horses. I got a new bit and some peppermint flavored bit wipes for Jazz, a couple of new cinches, a new crop, some buckets, gloves for cold weather, and a bag of vanilla flax treats. On my way home I stopped in Westmoreland and visited Sparkie. Of course I had to open the treats to give him some! He looks wonderful! He's in great shape, his feet are the best I've seen them, and his coat is beautiful. He was in when I stopped because of the rain, he had been out during the morning. He has a little pony friend named Blackberry. She is about half his size and they get along just fine. Most of the other horses there are riding horse size, but there is one cute little newcomer. I don't know his name but he is a little buckskin mini stallion. Oh my gosh! Talk about cute!!! (No, I am not going to go buy a mini now!) No pics today, but I'll try to get some soon...

Saturday - Carla, Julie, Amy and I rode, Ziegy, Dolly, Faith and Tapper. It was Amy's first real trail ride with Faith, and it was Tapper's first time out since she was hurt. Tapper was very stiff and limped a lot when we first got on the road. I was thinking I would get off and lead her home but she started to walk out of it as her muscles loosened up. Dolly was being very poky - Julie needs to get after her more when she's like that. Ziegy was doing fine, and Faith was being great! We did the Dutton Loop so she had already been around it once and did not have to stop and look at half as many things. When we got around to the Tenney Rd. trail we split up. Tapper had been out long enough for a first ride after injury, and Faith was getting a little ouchy on the stones, so we continued around the loop and home while Carla and Julie took the Tenney trail. Faith wasn't happy about us splitting from the others and she called for them several times. Tapper was fine with it, I think she just wanted to get home! Faith settled down, and took over the lead from Tapper and led the rest of the way home. Carla said that Ziegy led through the trail and on the road home - good for him!

Sunday - Carla and I rode Scotty and Jazz. We meandered through a bunch of trails and the boys did well except when we had to go around a downed tree and they both tried to rush through the brush/trees instead of giving us time to find the best route! Scotty kept trying to rub his face on Jazz's tail and was getting a bit annoying about it. Carla had to be in his mouth a lot to hold him back but he didn't want to lead and he wanted to be right on Jazz (I think if he could have climbed in the saddle with me he would have!) I think next time she takes him out we will try Jazz's double twisted wire snaffle with him and see if he listens better. Carla has light hands and won't be in his mouth unless needed so it will be fine. Jazz tried out his new bit - a full cheek snaffle with a slow twist. He did really well with it! It's less harsh than the double twisted wire so I'm happy that it works for him. If Scotty smartens up quickly (which he probably will, he's a smart boy), he will be able to go back to his slow twist snaffle. The trails were beautiful, the foliage was lovely, and the weather was great. The pics below are a few of the things we saw along the way...

Sunday afternoon/evening - Kathi and Gail had a lesson and were concerned because Scooby was lying down and rolling. He tends to do that a lot so I wasn't too worried but I figured I'd check him anyway. By the time I got to him he was up and standing fine. I haltered him and tried to lead him back to the barn but he didn't want to cross the stream - too many rocks I think. He had been very ouchy on his feet for the past few days and I was giving him bute for that so I wasn't surprised. I was standing down in the stream and he was above me and I noticed an area on his right front, just above the hoof, that looked sore. I took a closer look - it's an abscess! So I led him back to the barn by going the long way around (through the riding ring, around by the ponds, up past the round pen). I crosstied him and filled a big rubber bucket with warm water and Epsom salts, then got him to lift his foot, dragged the bucket under him, and put his foot in the bucket - not easy to do by myself! Scooby likes soaking his feet so once he's in the water he usually just stands there. We did it a lot when he first came because he had a really bad abscess on his left front. While he was soaking I figured I would check him over - I didn't want to miss a colic because I was focused on his foot. So I listened for stomach sounds - none on either side (not good), took his temp - normal, his gums were pale, he wanted to eat, he was not dehydrated, so I just wasn't sure. I called the vet. My vet is away at a conference so I got a call back from the vet who is covering for her, it was about 5 PM. He said I was doing what he would do for the abscess. He wanted me to give Scooby 3 grams of bute and call him if the stomach sounds and gums didn't seem better by 6:30. Do you think Scooby would eat the bute??? Of course not! It was even the apple flavored kind and he wanted no part of it! I tried it in sweet feed, with molasses, in an apple - nope! He did eat a little, maybe half, before he figured it out but he needed the other half. So I took his foot out of the bucket (he'd been soaking for about 1/2 an hour) and then Carla was kind enough to come back up and bring me some of her home made applesauce. We put the bute in the sauce, put it in a dosing syringe, and squirted it right into his mouth - SUCCESS! By 6:30 it was obvious he was not colicing, so I did not call the vet back. He called me about 7:30 just to check in and make sure things were OK which I thought was really nice of him. He said to keep on with the bute, 2 grams twice a day, and continue soaking each day, and to call if I had questions or needed anything. Scooby is feeling much better this morning, the bute helps with pain and inflammation. He ate his breakfast, I dosed him with more applesauce/bute, and he is hanging out out back in his run. I blocked off the hill so he can't go up it but he still has plenty of room to move around. He'll get his foot soak later this afternoon. Hopefully the abscess will clear up quickly and he'll be back to normal soon!