Gwen's been more anxious than usual for the past week. She was being extra crazy in her stall, pacing and screaming when any horse was taken out of the barn- not just her brother. I was having to hose her off every day because she was working herself into a sweaty mess. I was at a complete loss trying to figure out what was upsetting her. I finally got a clue when I turned them out Saturday night and noticed Gwen was pacing the fenceline before I had even gotten back into my car. Not wanting to leave her out where she could hurt herself on the fence, I just grabbed them and put them back in the barn for the night.
Sunday night I tried to put them out for a few hours since they didn't stay out Saturday. Only this time I hung out in the pasture for a while to see what would happen. I noticed a couple of things, 1) the weed to grass ratio was 100:1 and 2) Gwen would walk around and try to find something to eat, grab something up, chew a bit, spit it out and go back to pacing. She did this multiple times. Lightbulb!
Here's the lesson: Rotating pastures are a good idea to ensure that your horses will have grass to eat for most of the year, but it only works if you mow it and keep the weeds from killing all of the grass.
Gwen was trying to tell me that there wasn't anything left in that pasture to eat and she was ticked off that I'd put her in there to starve. When I put her out, she'd pace the fence with her head in the air, pumping adrenaline through her system all night long which would carry over into the day. It seems totally obvious now what her issue was.
But this leaves me in a tough position, I can't put them in the other pasture until Wednesday night and I can't turn them out in the pasture they're slated for right now or Gwen will freak. So now my horses have been stuck in the barn for a few days. I'm not happy. The best I can do right now is hand graze them on the lawn for an hour every night. It's not nearly enough but it will have to do.
When I get my own pasture I'm going to be a mowing fiend!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Horses are narcs
A few years ago I went on a trail ride with a friend. I was riding an arabian gelding that her daughter had taken over. He was super cute, really responsive and smart. After ducking forward to avoid a tree branch I learned two things about my friend's daughter: she likes to run and she has a nasty habit of leaning forward when she asks for it.
I'd forgotten about that experience until last Friday. For a while now I've been thinking that the quarters will need a buddy after the move- otherwise I'll never be able to ride without knowing that the horse left behind has engaged in war with the fence. I found out about a 15 year old warmblood mare that's free to a good home through a coworker. According to the back story she was kept at a dressage barn for years and just wasn't working out, her owner wanted to move on and was going to euthanize (!) her. My coworker's friend offered to take the mare just in time. Sadly this friend has too many horses, too little time, and just got screwed over by her landlord- thus the free mare. Since I can (sort of) ride now I went over Friday for a test ride.
The first thing I noticed was that the mare, Laurel, shifted away when I tried to put the saddle on her back. Later she shifted away from the mounting block, I had to ask someone to push her hindquarters over so I could get on. Once on her back I asked her to back up since the other horses going were standing right in front of us. Nope, Laurel has no reverse. We got started down the road and she rushed off, I asked her to halt from my seat and got nothing, she completely ignored it. I asked her to move off my legs and she blew right threw them. She only responded to a strong pull of the reins and then only for a split second before plowing through again. Besides that she was tense and inverted. With my ankle at only 75%, I was starting to think that this ride was a bad idea.
Laurel was telling me that her last owner rode like a clod. I could see why she wanted to get rid of Laurel, riding a horse like that is no fun, but she had created that herself! It was obvious that she had extremely hard hands, used way too much leg, and had no concept at all of the seat aids. Her bad riding had created a horse that just plain didn't like to be ridden. I'm also willing to bet she has a temper, Laurel spooked when one of the girls I was riding with smacked a bug on her horse.
There I was, feeling worried but trying hard to stay relaxed for Laurel's sake. Dreading the point when we would turn around for home because I didn't want to fight her the whole way back. But something interesting happened. All the while I had been asking her for little half halts off the bit, when she'd give me an ounce I'd give her the bit right back. She slowly started to soften, eventually she asked for more rein, stretched out her neck, relaxed and started swinging through her back. All of a sudden I was riding on the buckle and having a good time. Perhaps her last rider didn't totally sour her on riding.
Maybe I will take that horse home...
I'd forgotten about that experience until last Friday. For a while now I've been thinking that the quarters will need a buddy after the move- otherwise I'll never be able to ride without knowing that the horse left behind has engaged in war with the fence. I found out about a 15 year old warmblood mare that's free to a good home through a coworker. According to the back story she was kept at a dressage barn for years and just wasn't working out, her owner wanted to move on and was going to euthanize (!) her. My coworker's friend offered to take the mare just in time. Sadly this friend has too many horses, too little time, and just got screwed over by her landlord- thus the free mare. Since I can (sort of) ride now I went over Friday for a test ride.
The first thing I noticed was that the mare, Laurel, shifted away when I tried to put the saddle on her back. Later she shifted away from the mounting block, I had to ask someone to push her hindquarters over so I could get on. Once on her back I asked her to back up since the other horses going were standing right in front of us. Nope, Laurel has no reverse. We got started down the road and she rushed off, I asked her to halt from my seat and got nothing, she completely ignored it. I asked her to move off my legs and she blew right threw them. She only responded to a strong pull of the reins and then only for a split second before plowing through again. Besides that she was tense and inverted. With my ankle at only 75%, I was starting to think that this ride was a bad idea.
Laurel was telling me that her last owner rode like a clod. I could see why she wanted to get rid of Laurel, riding a horse like that is no fun, but she had created that herself! It was obvious that she had extremely hard hands, used way too much leg, and had no concept at all of the seat aids. Her bad riding had created a horse that just plain didn't like to be ridden. I'm also willing to bet she has a temper, Laurel spooked when one of the girls I was riding with smacked a bug on her horse.
There I was, feeling worried but trying hard to stay relaxed for Laurel's sake. Dreading the point when we would turn around for home because I didn't want to fight her the whole way back. But something interesting happened. All the while I had been asking her for little half halts off the bit, when she'd give me an ounce I'd give her the bit right back. She slowly started to soften, eventually she asked for more rein, stretched out her neck, relaxed and started swinging through her back. All of a sudden I was riding on the buckle and having a good time. Perhaps her last rider didn't totally sour her on riding.
Maybe I will take that horse home...
Thursday, June 24, 2010
I'm going western, ya'll
My Dad gave me a western saddle for Christmas two years ago (thanks Dad). Now some of you may be asking, "if you had a western saddle why didn't you put THAT on Gwen?"
Well I had a whole bunch of answers to that question, all of which seem pretty stupid now that my ankle has been busted. My most pertinent response was that I didn't know how to cinch the darn thing up. Yesterday, with the help of my Mom (thanks Mom, today is her birthday btw), I learned how to cinch up a western saddle.
Coriander was my willing victim. The first saddle he ever wore was western so I knew he wouldn't have a problem with it. Of course it helped that his human kept shoveling treats in his mouth because he's such a good boy.
It looks pretty snazzy on him, doesn't it? (Yeah, he's dropping to send me a message. Sheath cleaning is scheduled for Saturday morning.) It's a brand-spanking-new barrel saddle, never been ridden in once. Mom told me I need an actual pad to go under the saddle-not just a blanket, so I ordered a new hunter green pad for it this morning. Gwen looks fabulous in green.
While I had the saddle out I took the opportunity to introduce Gwen to it. I just placed it on her back for a minute or two. She wasn't bothered by it at all, at least I did a good job desensitizing her to wearing saddles if nothing else. I didn't get a picture because I left her loose while I did it and she was more interested in walking over to a patch of grass than standing for the camera.
Operation Start Gwen Without Getting Further Broken has begun!
Well I had a whole bunch of answers to that question, all of which seem pretty stupid now that my ankle has been busted. My most pertinent response was that I didn't know how to cinch the darn thing up. Yesterday, with the help of my Mom (thanks Mom, today is her birthday btw), I learned how to cinch up a western saddle.
Coriander was my willing victim. The first saddle he ever wore was western so I knew he wouldn't have a problem with it. Of course it helped that his human kept shoveling treats in his mouth because he's such a good boy.
While I had the saddle out I took the opportunity to introduce Gwen to it. I just placed it on her back for a minute or two. She wasn't bothered by it at all, at least I did a good job desensitizing her to wearing saddles if nothing else. I didn't get a picture because I left her loose while I did it and she was more interested in walking over to a patch of grass than standing for the camera.
Operation Start Gwen Without Getting Further Broken has begun!
Monday, June 21, 2010
I rode today!
So what was the first thing Coriander did? Walked into the center of the ring and bucked. Just once, but still bucked. I pulled his face around and asked him what that was all about. He said he just wanted me to know he could. He can be such a snot sometimes.
Other than that he was fabulous. He remembered what my leg and seat meant really quickly and gave me a few really soft halts and moved away from my leg nicely. He was stiff, but I expected that. Especially since I'm stiff. I think I may have to lengthen my left stirrup. That ankle just doesn't give enough right now to keep me even when the stirrups are the same length.
When it was time to get off, I had him walk over to the 3-step block so I could step down onto it. He very nicely moved one step at a time until I was perfectly positioned to get onto it from the right side. He then stood like a stone while I awkwardly flopped off. I am so impressed with him for that.
First ride back was a success. I hope to keep this positive momentum going!
Other than that he was fabulous. He remembered what my leg and seat meant really quickly and gave me a few really soft halts and moved away from my leg nicely. He was stiff, but I expected that. Especially since I'm stiff. I think I may have to lengthen my left stirrup. That ankle just doesn't give enough right now to keep me even when the stirrups are the same length.
When it was time to get off, I had him walk over to the 3-step block so I could step down onto it. He very nicely moved one step at a time until I was perfectly positioned to get onto it from the right side. He then stood like a stone while I awkwardly flopped off. I am so impressed with him for that.
First ride back was a success. I hope to keep this positive momentum going!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
That mare...
Just jumped the 4 foot fence of the arena and escorted herself back to the barn. She will be the death of herself one day. At least since that fence is wood she could see it and didn't hurt herself.
Lesson learned: don't leave Gwen alone in the arena and walk back to my car when I already know she's worked up. Do A LOT of head lowering first and then go get what I need out of the car. Maybe. Better yet just take her with me.
Fortunately when she gets loose I know exactly where she's going to head- to Coriander's stall. I caught her back up, took her back out on the lead line and worked on head lowering, A LOT of it.
Ugh, I was hoping she'd never learn how to jump that fence...
Lesson learned: don't leave Gwen alone in the arena and walk back to my car when I already know she's worked up. Do A LOT of head lowering first and then go get what I need out of the car. Maybe. Better yet just take her with me.
Fortunately when she gets loose I know exactly where she's going to head- to Coriander's stall. I caught her back up, took her back out on the lead line and worked on head lowering, A LOT of it.
Ugh, I was hoping she'd never learn how to jump that fence...
Finally!
Gwen let me worm her today. It only took 8 days.
She really didn't want me to put the tip of the tube in her mouth, so I had to change tactics. I put my finger in the corner of her mouth and clicked her for that. Then I held the tube in my hand while I put my finger in her mouth. Finally I moved the tip of the tube so it went into her mouth with my finger. After that, I built a little duration until I finally just pushed the plunger on the tube.
Her reaction? Completely non-remarkable. She said "hmm, that tastes funny. Can I have another treat now?" After all that work it was completely anti-climatic, but exactly what I was looking for.
In Coriander news, he got his teeth done again on Friday. Unfortunately he decided that he wasn't going to let the vet put the float tools in his mouth so he had to be sedated. That was depressing for me since he was so good about being wormed Wednesday. Part of the problem may have been that I wasn't the one holding him, the vet insisted I stay out of the stall due to my recent injury. She is pretty hopeful though that he'll eventually let her do it without any drugs at all, so after I told her that I've been clicker training him she said she'll stop back on evenings when she happens to be in town and work with me to desensitize him to the equipment. Pretty awesome, eh?
Remember when I mentioned that I'm planning on registering Gwen this month? I'm still planning that but getting decent pictures of her to send in with the paperwork has proved difficult. I asked one of the other boarders to take pictures while I held her earlier this week. Unfortunately, Gwen said "can't stand still. Going into heat." She was a complete wiggle worm and I only got two useful images. I tried again just tying her to the arena fence yesterday morning. I got a few more usable pictures but the square picture from the front is still eluding me, hopefully the third shoot will be the charm.
She really didn't want me to put the tip of the tube in her mouth, so I had to change tactics. I put my finger in the corner of her mouth and clicked her for that. Then I held the tube in my hand while I put my finger in her mouth. Finally I moved the tip of the tube so it went into her mouth with my finger. After that, I built a little duration until I finally just pushed the plunger on the tube.
Her reaction? Completely non-remarkable. She said "hmm, that tastes funny. Can I have another treat now?" After all that work it was completely anti-climatic, but exactly what I was looking for.
In Coriander news, he got his teeth done again on Friday. Unfortunately he decided that he wasn't going to let the vet put the float tools in his mouth so he had to be sedated. That was depressing for me since he was so good about being wormed Wednesday. Part of the problem may have been that I wasn't the one holding him, the vet insisted I stay out of the stall due to my recent injury. She is pretty hopeful though that he'll eventually let her do it without any drugs at all, so after I told her that I've been clicker training him she said she'll stop back on evenings when she happens to be in town and work with me to desensitize him to the equipment. Pretty awesome, eh?
Remember when I mentioned that I'm planning on registering Gwen this month? I'm still planning that but getting decent pictures of her to send in with the paperwork has proved difficult. I asked one of the other boarders to take pictures while I held her earlier this week. Unfortunately, Gwen said "can't stand still. Going into heat." She was a complete wiggle worm and I only got two useful images. I tried again just tying her to the arena fence yesterday morning. I got a few more usable pictures but the square picture from the front is still eluding me, hopefully the third shoot will be the charm.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Worming success
Yesterday Coriander got paste wormed without even having a halter on his head!
I have been very unhappy with how stressful worming my horses has been in the past: they'd throw their heads up and shake their muzzles away from me up above my head. Then, when I finally managed to get the paste in their mouths they'd either rear or jump away from me. It was horrible.
So this time I decided to do it completely different. First I threw the due date right out the door and gave myself a two week window to get them wormed in. Second I just took the tube of wormer into their stalls and played the "can I touch you" game with it. I started at the shoulder and eventually moved up their necks, to their jaws and finally next to their lips. After I got to this point I switched to the "good" treats and asked them to let me put the tip of the tube in their mouth.
Gwen is currently still stuck at this point, she's in heat right now so she's feeling more testy than usual.
My boy, with the motivation of the "good" treats (he loves his licorice), started consistently letting me put the tube in his mouth until I just took the opportunity and squeezed it in. He didn't throw his head, rear, or jump. He mouthed it for a while and then looked at me for more treats- which I gave him. He got quite the jackpot for that.
The cost? Four days and lots of treats.
The result? Completely stress free worming. Priceless!
I have been very unhappy with how stressful worming my horses has been in the past: they'd throw their heads up and shake their muzzles away from me up above my head. Then, when I finally managed to get the paste in their mouths they'd either rear or jump away from me. It was horrible.
So this time I decided to do it completely different. First I threw the due date right out the door and gave myself a two week window to get them wormed in. Second I just took the tube of wormer into their stalls and played the "can I touch you" game with it. I started at the shoulder and eventually moved up their necks, to their jaws and finally next to their lips. After I got to this point I switched to the "good" treats and asked them to let me put the tip of the tube in their mouth.
Gwen is currently still stuck at this point, she's in heat right now so she's feeling more testy than usual.
My boy, with the motivation of the "good" treats (he loves his licorice), started consistently letting me put the tube in his mouth until I just took the opportunity and squeezed it in. He didn't throw his head, rear, or jump. He mouthed it for a while and then looked at me for more treats- which I gave him. He got quite the jackpot for that.
The cost? Four days and lots of treats.
The result? Completely stress free worming. Priceless!
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