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!