curious george

Last night we walked into the arena to do our pre-ride check, when I realized I forgot to take Koda's hock boots off. Great. 

It takes two hands to works those bionic velcro things, so I had to set the lunge whip down, and the lead line. Lunge whip falls off the mounting block. Sigh.

After two try's, it can just lay there. It's seen plenty of sand anyways. Horse is trained to ground tie, so at least I'm hands free. 

I peeeel the velcro off the boots...three straps X two boots X stick, stick and stuck over and over again, on every possible surfaces...requires a lot of patience, and a few choice words. 

Finally, the boots are off - victory!

It's just us in the arena, and we only do a few assessment circles before we finish tacking, the boots will be safe on top of the mounting block, right? 

Wrong. As I bend down to pick up the lead line, whoosh, Koda swiftly picks up the hock boots and drops the new boots in the sand. Fantastic.

As I bend down to pick up the hock boots, whoosh, Koda swiftly opens up the top of the mounting block. He sticks his head inside, and stands there. What's a girl to do?

I proceed to laughing and fumbling for my phone. How did he know the mounting block opened?

Maybe I should have named him Curious George.

Curious George aka Koda

what is old, is new again

We closed out 2015 and welcomed 2016, in our most favorable way. Together and relaxed. It was all but perfect and included a spa stay. One of the highlights is swimming outdoors in a heated pool. The combination of cool air and mist rising, twisting mystically all around, while nestled among towering pines, with a few mounds of white pristine snow...sigh. If only I could bottle that feeling up, and open it when needed...

After eating a scrumptious breakfast, complete with all yummy food groups, we took a break from that slice of paradise for a completely different kind. The kind that involves horses. Riding our beloved horses on the last day of 2015, completed our year.

Before arriving, I had a long vet conversation that helped with plans to continue healing Koda in the new year. It's been 5 weeks since I started riding him at a walk, more gradually then recommended. I increased and adjusted variables based on my pre-ride observations, especially when new soreness showed up half way through in his right rear (going right). It appears to be hock related. The leg we are healing is the left front. On days there was no soreness visible, I began to mix in a tiny bit of trot. The soreness continues to come & go, prompting my call.

Koda has been hock sore once before. For anyone dealing with similar, there are good suggestions from readers on the linked post. Our vet thinks this time the soreness may be for different reasons and likely related to everything that has been going on with my boy, or the lack of. We are trying a bute & hock boot approach first, with continued activity to see if it works itself out. I am asking a lot less of Koda, and he is certainly not complaining/reacting like the last time he showed soreness in his hocks. He has surpassed my expectations and is being a really well behaved boy. I think he enjoys being back to a routine. Hopefully this new soreness will also get better, and we can continue moving forward. If not, we will get a vet check in-person. 

For the most part Koda is feeling pretty good lately, and so is his older pasture mate Liz. She entered training to get a tune-up, and it shows. Apparently they've been running together, playing in the pasture and having fun being horses. The increased activity hasn't set Koda back (aforementioned soreness started earlier) as of January 1st he was cleared to go back out to the big pasture with this guy...

Nemo, who kept his distance,
until I pulled his brother out of the pasture

When I went out to get Koda for our first ride this year, the boys were pretty much ignoring each other. I expect that will change. 

Koda, in the big pasture

Everything that was old, feels new again...makes me curious on how this new year will unfold...

"If you don't like something change it;

if you can't change it,
change the way you think about it." 

~ Mary Engelbreit

winter year end update

Hello, hellooo, hellooo...the lack of presence on my blog this past quarter was not intentional nor for any particular reason. It just happened. Before we close out the year, here is a winter (less) update...with mostly iphone pics. The boys are usually back inside by the time we get to the barn, and it's just too dark inside to use my good camera without a flash (won't use one with horses). Besides the lack of snow, here is what's been happening lately:

At the end of November, Koda was cleared to ride. We began slower then recommended and increased to 15-20 minutes of walking. I've just begun to add in brief trotting this past week. I'm happy to say I've been the only one riding him, and more so that he has been a really good boy throughout the process! I'm sure his testy Appy-tude will surface as more is asked of him, if so it's then that I'll seek help. We have a long long way to go during the healing process, but we are off to a good start.

My favorite view, even if just surrounded by sand

Koda is not cleared to go back in the big pasture with Nemo & Cierra (too many shenanigans) and instead hangs out during the day with a middle aged mare friend named Liz, in a smaller more level pasture. There is a small section of shared fencing between the two pastures, and our horses can see each other. We are fortunate our trainer & the two gals that work for her are so caring.

Nemo in far left pasture, Koda in right
Our panel paddock is still up inside the pasture, just incase.

Brad alternates between riding Nemo, and riding Cierra while working towards his goal of showing her in Ranch Classes. Here she is during a quick "stretch your legs" turnout in the indoor on Nemo's riding day (excuse the too big borrowed halter). 

Cierra, stretching her legs

Nemo & Brad
with Belle kitty, she was hoping to ride

It's been really quiet riding at our barn so far this winter. Most days it's us, and this spotted guy. He greets us and always makes us smile.

Happy loves to greet our truck,
 if only he could fit through the cat door!

Playing ball with Brad
Happy loves him best, second only to his owner

Speaking of happy, not only am I happy to be back in the saddle with my boy - I am actually using my new saddle! Nothing like waiting over a year for something special to arrive, and then not being able to use it for endless months... 

However it was worth the wait, absolutely love it! The roomier seat (per their recommendation) was an adjustment, but feels right now. I sit centered, and my legs hang in the right place. Of course I haven't loped in it yet, that's the real test. I may not be doing as much of that anyways. My sore left foot (yes, I match my horse) mentioned in my last blog update, turned out to be a ruptured tendon across the bottom of my arch and a split tendon up the side of my ankle. No more impact activities for me :( I have to be careful with any activity in general. It's life altering, but I'll get used to it. Don't have much choice. Surgery is not recommended. We all have our less then desirable things to deal with, as aging reveals. A saddle that fits right is even more important now. Thank goodness I have a forever one now! There are a few more saddle pics on my photo website if you are interested. 

If your eyelids haven't closed and you are still reading along, thank you so much for being part of this blog. Wishing all my blogger friends a wonderful end to the year and an even better beginning to a New Year. Best wishes for Good Health and Happy Trails in the year to come!!!

Merry Christmas from me to you

Wishing you peace, health & happiness throughout this holiday season!

My Handmade 2015 Card

The cover photo is Harmony, I took it a few years ago,
 when we actually had snow....the bottom is the inside stamped message.

I may be out of sight, but you are not out of mind.

Looking forward to catching up with everyone in the new year, if not sooner.

Be well & have a very Merry Christmas!!