New shoes.

Max started training in his new Cavallo treks tonight.  We didn't do much .. just putzed around the arena. He looks so darn cute in them! 

 

I won!

For the first time in my life I actually WON something!! I'd like to thank Lauren from She Moved to Texas for hosting the give-away and to Noble Outfitters for the lovely gloves!

They fit really well and look really snazzy. Since I don't have a pair of show gloves, I believe these will do nicely! Thanks again!

Another Barn Hop!

Today's weather was amazing - 55 degrees, sunny and dry!

So of course we had to go riding..and what better way to maximize horse time than to do a barn hop!

We started off at A's barn. She rode her lovely paint Reo, and I hopped on the barn owner's gorgeous golden Tennessee walker named Dreams.

We played a bunch of games in the arena, from moving cones around on top of barrels, to barrel racing and weaving. Then we headed out to the trails for some fun bush-whacking, and romped around a huge field.

Oh a funny story...While dismounting I actually managed to get all (and I mean ALL) of my clothes hooked on the pommel of the saddle - I'm such a western saddle noob!Anyway..poor A had to try lift my fat butt up so I could unhook myself. It was embarrassing to say the least but we were laughing to hard while I was 'hanging' out on the saddle like a piece of laundry left to dry. LOL!

After a delicious stop at Arby's, we drove over to my barn to have some fun with Max. It's a good thing I decided to lunge him because he was leaping four feet into the air and bucking while lunging! 

He settled down after that fiasco and was very well behaved under saddle. We rode around for a bit then did some trot poles and a small baby 'jump'. Gotta love these warm spring-like winter days! Had such a blast!

DIY: Crochet horse blanket

One year ago I embarked on a quest to crochet a horse blanket featuring Cooper, a lovely QH palomino I used to lease. The pattern was purchased off ebay and it took a lot more yarn and time than I thought...

At long last it's completed! Now..to start on a Max blanket...

Lucky bucky.

Today Max gave a couple of big, violent bucks when I asked for a canter to the right. It probably was a combination of the weather being so spring-like, and that he is still a little stiff from his injury.

Whatever the case, he played bronco for a while before settling in and being a nice boy. Silly guy!

It was such a beautiful day and..gasp! We could actually ride outside!! Hopefully this will be the pattern for the rest of winter. *Fingers crossed*!

 *Hmm...Sniff Sniiiiffffffff*

Mmmmm....

Max's early Christmas Present.

I finally decided to splurge and get Max a stall guard. I even paid the extra ten bucks for some embroidery work which came out fantabulous!!!  I love it so much..and hopefully Max will have fun hanging his head out and being his nosy self while I put things away and clean up the aisle-ways in the evenings.

Our ride today was relaxing. I want to ease him back to work so we did some walk and light trot work. A couple of very short canters. He was very happy to just Go!

As for my decision on his feet, that is still in the works. I have a couple of folks I've contacted for second opinions so there will updates on that as they come along.

For now, lots of fun pics!!

He's back!

Guess who I got to ride today!  Yay! Max was a little stiff but he did very well and had no sign of a limp. Whew!

So pooped right now so more updates later!

To barefoot or not to barefoot.

These past few days I've been on the fence about taking Max off his shoes. I have never been comfortable with him on bar shoes but I gave them a chance to see if they would help. His feet have improved..but I cannot tell if it's the bar shoes, or the other care we've put towards his feet (farrier's formula, hoof hardener, hoof oil, sand footing vs mud etc. etc.)

"I get allll the bedding!"

I hear this a lot  -   "Not all horses can go barefoot".

In a sense I can understand that, but on the other hand..is Max's condition can't be so terrible that we can't even give it a shot? If anything.. can't we hit the reset button and see how much he can handle? He might surprise me.

The way I see it with bar shoes on he can't be outside when it rains or when it's wet because they'll fall off. He's stuck in the stall. His feet are always held together, never having a chance to expand or contract. Who knows where all the impact is going...into his joints? Maybe they will keep him sound now... but I am looking for long-term solutions, not quick fixes.

Max's ouchy foot.

Barefoot he could have boots on when he's turned out, and boots taken off when he's in the stall. He can go out every single day, rain or shine. His feet will learn to be strong again, and to breathe.

If I compare it in simple terms like that, I can see the right path.

All kinds of other details complicate it, and confuse me. Everyone else seems to have strong opinions on the matter but when it comes down to the nitty gritty the only person looking out for Max is me.

Today he started to show signs of getting better. I took him for a short hand-walk and he was excited and happy to be outside. He had a very very tiny limp, a 2 instead of an 8. Did another poultice wrap and tucked him away in his stall. The poor guy hasn't been outdoors in weeks... :(

The Cavallo Treks are too small for him I realize...so I will have to do an exchange and go a size up. I hope the process is quick!!

The vet will be evaluating him next week...so I will have to make my decision to re-shoe him or just pull them all off and work with a barefoot trimmer.

Decisions..decisions. And none of them easy :(

In the mean time....videos...

Salt lick goodness

Enjoying some bran mash

Perspective.

I realized I've been reacting to this whole situation the wrong way.

Yes it sucks Max hurt his foot.  Yes it's scary to think it might be worse than a stone bruise. And yes it's so easy to think... why Max.. why me?

When In reality what I've gained this week is bonding time with my horse without the demands of under saddle work.

I've also learned to poultice and wrap like a boss hehe.

And even Max knows the drill now and will stand patiently for me to fix his foot up.  Sometimes he'll even lift and hold it up for me.  What a trooper!

Oh. .I purchased a pair of Cavallo trek boots for him. Tried them on today and fit but a touch snug. Of course I forgot to take pictures. .. ah well.. tomorrow !

I heart Max.

I just do!

Vet update.

The vet came by again today to check on Max and basically he hasn't improved and that I have to continue to poultice wrap everyday for who knows how long.  This means an 80 mile drive a day 0.0 Perfect timing for snow and icy driving conditions.

He's worth it of course, but I for-see fewer blog posts till he is all healed up. I'll be posting occasional updates here and there so I can look back one day and laugh at all of this.

Things could always be worse!

Mystery solved..kinda.

The BO texted me last night and we made the decision to have the vet come see Max this morning.

I arrived super early and walked around like a frozen popsicle, fussing on Max, sweeping, organizing the lead ropes..geez...I was so nervous!

She finally arrived, removed his left shoe and did some hoof testing on him. It looks like he has a bruise in his left foot, that she says could also possibly be an abscess. So he is now on a poultice wrap and stall rest for a couple of days till she heads out again for a check-in.

The good news is nothing else on his hoof hurts so it probably isn't founder. *WHEW* Although..you never know. We will just have to see in a couple of days.

Somehow, some way, Max always finds a way to remove his shoes. Perhaps he is telling me something!

I'm ouchy, go away..

Bruised foot all wrapped up.

That camera looks delishus

Rainy day.

Max was limping this morning and in the afternoon I got a text that he was uncomfortable and warm on all four feet. The BO put him on bute, gave him lots of shavings and is monitoring him hourly. Vet will possibly come out tonight or tomorrow morning. I am trying not to freak out but one crying session has already happened.

Keeping my fingers crossed that the bute will help him feel better and that we can figure out what the heck is going on..

It's been a pretty crappy day.

Training: Getting a back lift.

Tonight we did some simple warm up before working on our canter departs. I didn't want to over do it  so after a lovely canter depart to the right I ended that session and did some small jumps. Max was pretty excited to do something other than weight lifting!

Afterwards he rewarded me by lowering his head and lifting his back in the trot. I could actually feel his back lifting me upwards. And it felt awesome! I tried it in his weaker direction and he kindly complied.

Learning to communicate with Max has been one of the most fulfilling things I've ever done. I am so thankful I took the plunge to bring him into my life!