horse update ~ other fall news

Onto other Fall horse news: The trio (Harmony, Hope and Koda) are enjoying their new back pasture! It is so nice to have turn out options again. Finishing the third pasture gave Brad the chance to reseed and fix up the dry lot/lower pasture. Grass is coming up nicely, despite the lack of rain. Eventually we can get back to rotating for healthier pastures, and therefore horses.

I was all ready with my camera on day one turnout in the new pasture. Not sure what I was expecting with background clutter and horses wearing fly masks. It felt kinda anti-climatic.

Memory photos it is:

Koda was let out first

9/1/24

he didn't go far

Leo decided to join me. 

Hope was turned out second


things got exciting


Hope at almost a year and a half

She FLEW past me and through the connecting path, lapped a circle in the other half of the pasture. It was then I got concerned. WHOA Hope!!! She was coming back hot! I thought Hope was going to take a digger. She was practically sideways, on her way back through!

Hope heading back to Koda
9/1/24

Last but not least, Harmony was released and all was calm

They have been happily grazing since day one. Amazing how quickly horses mow grass down. Especially with sparse sandy vegetation.

a different view

Area between the Indoor on left and Upper pasture (out of frame).
It has since been seeded.

All five horses have access and are using the newer divided shed. They can hang out next to each other when the weather is less than ideal. Although the trio is less interested. We assume it was Nemo that gave Hope a surface bite. Cierra and Nemo think it is an outrage that the other horses get the new pasture. A fair amount of calling continues between the two herds, especially when the trio goes out of sight.

first time I've seen Hope "baby mouth"

9/7/24 (41 secs)

The new pasture has a wide path between two larger area's. One is behind the indoor arena where we turn the horses out, and the other half is by the outdoor arena. You can see through the tree strip in certain spots. We will probably end up taking a few more trees out. 

Hope tends to linger by us when turned out.
9/7/24 (19 secs)

Making sure she knew how to get over by Koda and Harmony
 9/7/24 (35 secs)

The other half of the new pasture, by our outdoor arena.

Video clip starts facing the wide connecting alley.
9/1/24 (14 secs)


Harmony, Hope and Koda, time to come inside
10/4/24

(photo taken from inside arena)

Shed meeting of the minds 10/4/24

Cierra and Nemo grazing upper left & new seeding
10/5/24

horse update ~ fall vet

Our October 1st Vet appointment was a sure sign that Fall is indeed here. It coincided with our first cooler Fall early/late temps. YAY!! I am ready for the endless heat and flying pests to rest. Temps are still rising too high for me. Looking forward to even cooler weather! 

All the horses got brushed and had bridle paths clipped the night before. Koda also got his rear end washed, because he needed it. Again. 

Recommended Fall vaccines are Lyme, Influeza and Rhino. Their bi-annual Wellness Program includes vaccinations, listening to vitals, taping and getting fecals checked. 

Vet related updates in the order our horses were seen:

Nemo: taped at 1157 lbs (1137 last Spring). His Urinary track has been a non-issue and he is able to self monitor his allergies. That means, Nemo stays out full days!! No doubt growing our own hay helps both his conditions. 

Nemo continues with a daily maintenance dose of Horseshoers Secret and monthly maintenance allergy shot. 

Koda: taped at 1257 lbs (same last Spring). He remains lame off/on. Most days he barrels away during morning turn out, and walks back inside gimpy. It appears Koda will be lame the rest of his life. Our vet is "noodling" on any other possibilities that haven't already been tried and/or revisiting those that have. He mentioned some clients that have found it helpful to add a daily gram of Bute at night (with Equioxx). Not a big fan of the idea. 

Koda continues with daily Equioxx in the morning, and Cosequin ASU in the evening. He also gets Probios am/pm.

Hope: taped at 709 lbs (547 last Spring) She did really well for our vet. He really likes her. Hopes amazing personality remains intact and is such a joy to be around!

Hope continues being a seeker of human love & scratches. 

wondering what the new guy is doing

handling shots like a big girl

Cierra: taped at 1157 lbs (1197 last Spring) She had her teeth floated. We continue to monitor her breathing. She is a magnet for biting bugs, and unfortunately allergic to them. It is heartbreaking to bring her inside and see bite welts on her neck. Another reason to welcome the cooler weather. Cierra just started an Abuterol treatment. Fingers crossed it helps. If so, it will become a seasonal maintenance treatment.

Cierra continues with a monthly maintenance allergy shot and Dex as needed. 

Harmony: taped at 1137 lbs (same last Spring) She also had her teeth floated. Our daughter had dental work done on her years ago. Our vet was pleased at how her fillings are holding up. He said they don't really do them anymore, unless teeth are very bad. Apparently the fillings don't usually last. He mentioned Harmony is aging very well :)

Harmony continues with Probios am/pm.

Padame: I don't have a Fall update for her. She is on the trainers barn schedule. Brad said his weekly lessons on her are going well and they are reconnecting. 

I am so thankful all our horses (SIX!! Blows my mind.) continue doing well. Of course, past health concerns still exist but are manageable. 

Enjoy your start to a wonderful Fall season!!

september sky

After a long hiatus from photographing the night sky, the almost full moon caught my eyes. It was flanked by the top of two pines, surrounded by a hazy glow. Oh so pretty! It lured me to capture it. Fully knowing the waning moon would have traveled higher, by the time I had my camera in hand. I decided to shoot the moon anyways. No cool composition, just an orb in a sea of darkness.

9/16/24

After my brief night sky shoot, I put my jammies on and sat down next to my hubby to read. Whatever he was watching on TV chattered away in the background. Before flipping any pages, I checked my phone. My eyes grew w-i-d-e as I saw the potential Aurora Borealis geomagnetic indicator was at KP 7. Um. Yah. Just like the moon *that* got my attention. 

It quickly turned to "should I or shouldn't I chase the fickle lights"? I've been skunked locally more times than I care to admit. Mostly during low solar activity years. False hope gets old. These days my sleep takes priority over any sky event.

As I am sure you know, we are currently in a more active Solar Maximus time period. I decided to take a chance. Got dressed and grabbed my camera. It was on stand-by. Like every crazy light chaser, you preset your camera and prep your gear any time there is a real possibility. 

We headed out the door full of wonder. Shortly after 9pm. My nice hubby came along and drove us about a half an hour away. We arrived to find one car already watching for the lights. 

9/16/24 9:45pm
(lightened for scenery)

It was a beautiful unseasonable warm night. It felt weird not to be bundled up in Winter gear! I not so patiently waited. I always say, I was in the bathroom when God handed out patience. After checking my phone a hundred times, I decided to wait until 10:30pm. I always feel guilty when Brad is waiting for my photography, especially on a chance. He was content in the truck, listening to tunes and likely playing games on his phone. I popped back-n-forth from my shooting spot to the truck, giving Brad updates. I was delighted to have the safety of his company!

Much to my surprise, the lights briefly came on!! Nothing spectacular, but it was fun to practice. The last time I tried shooting the Northern Lights, was on my 2018 photographers group trip to Alaska.

9/16/24 10:46pm

It was the night before a full moon and very bright outside! No doubt the moon washed the colors out. The only visible color to the naked eye, was a faint hazy red (less pink). Straight up. Above the dang power lines. What is a girl to do, other than shoot where ever the lights are. 

10:46pm

10:46+pm

10:47pm

10:48pm

10:49pm

back by our truck 10:50pm

fading 10:51pm

In less than 10 minutes, the Northern Lights were gone. Shortly after, we headed home. I have no doubt they became visible again, at some point. If not the same night, then early the next day. I zonked out until 2:20am. I tried SO HARD to talk myself into going back outside again. With the lights shining high in the sky, there was a good chance I could have seen them from our land. Our next door neighbors have.

Maybe next time. It could happen.

first and last

This weekend is/was Padame's first and last time showing this season. Although she attended five shows spread out from March to end of August. The first was for exposure/training. She needed it. At her second show in April, Padame came up lame during practice and ended up not showing. 

An MRI revealed nothing in particular. Her course of treatment included a shot of ReNovo, followed by no training with continued partial turn out. She eventually began incremental rehab workouts.

Padame attended her third and fourth show with the trainer, to continue rehab. At least she got some kind of show exposure. Earlier this month Padame was deemed sound, and cleared to go back to full training. It took around 4 months. 

I am glad ReNovo worked for Padame. It did not work for Koda. He remains lame off/on.

Brad opted not to ride Padame during rehab. What little time was spent under saddle, was better done with the intuitive trainer she lives with. Just a few weeks ago, he started riding and connecting with his horse again.

Onto the first and last show:

Wisconsin Horse Shows continue to shrink. This season ending five day AQHA State Show was no exception. Almost all Youth classes have no one entered. How sad!! Hunter Jumper classes were also empty. Those folks chose not to attend, rumored to be because of venue/footing. The largest Ranch class I saw had 10 entries. Almost all had a lot less (4-5). It is a good thing Horse Showing is an individual sport.

Padame was only shown by the trainer. Although Brad did ride Padame in the practice rings, on no-show days. He noted a significant difference in her maturity.

Below are a few no so great cellphone shots of Brad's blondie, who turns a lot of heads.

Padame 8/31/24

For the show inclined, Padame's Ranch Riding scores ranged from a high 72.5 to an odd low 64. There was a judge that didn't like anyone she saw and scored much lower than the other two judging the same ride.

The scoring can drive a person bat shit crazy!! Everyone starts with a score of 70. You go up/down from there in .5 points increments, based on skill execution aka personal opinion...every skill, every judge opinion, two different days.

The State show was double sanctioned by both the Wisconsin Quarter Horse and Palomino Associations. On Friday, the two Palomino Judges placed Padame 1st (5 entries) in riding and 2nd in conformation (4 entries). No scoring. Saturday she got 2nd in riding and was scratched from conformation, so the two ranch horses could go home at a decent hour. They were so ready to leave the show chaos.

Padame 8/31/24

It was so fantastic and heart warming to see our long-time horse friend at the show, overcome her serious health problems. We used to all trail ride together back in the day. Most people never ride again after having a stroke, and she is even back showing. Nothing short of a miracle!! So well deserved. Brad has his show buddy back :)) Below they are getting ready to load horses.

Padame & Brad with Checkers & Peggy

web of wonder

Nature's wonder has eluded me this warm season, unless we are talking storms. The steady dose of volatile June weather we've been enjoying (?) has kept me out of our woods for the most part. I have barely used my camera. Bringing horse in/out and vegetable gardening are done in rushed swatting spurts. 

Summer is officially my least favorite season.

Consequently, more time is spent indoors appreciating cooler air. With too much time to ponder. What is my purpose? Damned if I know. 

I try not to spend too much time in my head. Letting thoughts circles, and circle AND circle.

Thank goodness there are breaks between storms. One was just long enough to enjoy a family reunion on my Mother-in-Law's side, at a park. After 18-ish years, everyone is noticeably aging. 

A few bike rides along the river have been enjoyed. Moving faster than the speed of mosquito helps avoid the blood suckers.

Dogs walks are infrequent and very short. Our older Lab is black, a flying pest magnet. I spotted a web glistening in morning light. It inspired me to make a second trip (via putt-putt) and dust off my dormant camera. 

6/24/24

I also made a quick stop at my Butterfly Garden. Glad it is being enjoyed.

closed wing Viceroy (those spots!)

open wing Viceroy
6/24/24

Our weather isn't all bad, but it sure makes a person wonder.

peaceful pastures

Hello Blogger friends! Long time no type. I hope you are all enjoying your respective Springin' into Summer. It has been quiet here at Hidden Cactus Ranch.

In April, we took a chance and introduced Koda and Hope without barriers. The first indoor meeting was so non-eventful they have been turned out together with Harmony ever since.

4/25/24

Instant love, even with a mouth full of hair
(21 secs)

Hope says "I am a big girl now!"

We are thankful to not be doing half day turn-outs. Swapping one boy out for the other is a thing of the past. Someone was always in the barn alone. Letting us know they were less than happy, although both boys were good sports in general. It wasn't fun for us either. Cleaning stalls dragged on all day and it is hard to go most anywhere.

Nemo and Koda are still not pastured together and at this point never will be. I still find it very odd after being inseparable for so many years. They are stalled next to each other, but we plan to move one of them.

Cierra continues to be possessive with Hope, so she is Nemo's pasture mate. Our horses really all want to be together. At times they operate as a herd, even with a fence between them. 

Harmony, Hope and Koda are very happy sharing a pasture. Their herd interactions are funny to watch. They do most everything together and seem to have zero issues. I couldn't tell you who rules, but I can tell you who is the fastest. Hope by a landslide. She outruns everyone. That girl is fast! She also continues being sweet and level-headed. Hope seems to have calmed Koda down. Significantly.

Peaceful pastures are pure bliss. So are rainbows.

view of our barn from the house deck
 6/5/24

wide angle

(my old phone didn't pick the second one up very well)

Be well, until next time.

Midwest Horse Fair ~ 2 of 2

If you missed it, here is the link for the first half of Midwest Horse Fair.

............................

This PRCA event was our first time attending a rodeo this decade. Two nights of rodeo at MWHF always sell out. We either get tickets early, or simply don't go. This also applies to attending music events. At this stage of my life, nose bleed seats just don't appeal to me. 

The rodeo at fair was something else this year. Freshest calves we have ever witnessed! They literally were like jumping beans. Non-stop bouncing off the ground. I wonder what they fed them to make them strong, big and fast. With a dose of crazy. One calf repeatedly tried to kick a cowboys face off. Some ended up running towards the Tie Down horses, instead of away. Expressions were priceless. The cowboys wrassled, got tangled up, fell backwards, tucked-n-rolled and tried their very best. In the end, the four legged animals won most of the time.

I tried to get a few key photos from my seat. We were sitting behind/next to part of a drill team that performed at the Friday Night rodeo. I learned a few things. Fun chatting with the spicy one sitting next to me, when she wasn't going in/out of our aisle 50X (insert eye roll).

Onto the photos! 

10 horse all gelding Belgian pyramid hitch

I not so secretly want to drive a single or pair of drafts. The lead Belgian was so proud and confident!

The Fox Hound group was fun to watch again. The red jacket rider is a distinguished experienced lead. This lady has led for decades.

calling in the hounds (with a whistle) 

The well-known award winning rodeo clown John Harrison and announcer Kelly Kenney were entertaining as always.

double trouble

Harrison's rodeo act with his horse Peanut was just as cute as the first time I saw it.

the horse was playing dead

trying to get his horse to stand up

I only took a couple shots of the cowboys, mostly because of our seating situation. We were plenty close to the arena, but most of the shoots/my shots were blocked. Totally okay. Rodeo shooting is just for fun.

I thoroughly enjoy watching the fearless talented pick up riders and mounts. They are life savers.

sadly this bull rider got hurt (stomped on)

I am a big fan of the acts. The endless hours these folks must put in to showcase their talents.

Liberty Cunningham

This young roman rider is only 13 years old. I cannot imagine the confidence it takes to trick ride in a sold out arena. At any age.

The main entertainment act was a highly award winning Roper & Trick Riding husband wife team (Rider & Bethany Kiesner). I had the most camera fun trying to catch this acts non-stop action.

Some entertainers use spotlights, which is ideal for photos. Otherwise rodeo shots have very busy backgrounds. Here is just a small fraction of the duo's snappin-n-jumping-riding act:

closing out with the stars of the rodeo, horses

............................

Well, that's a wrap. I hope your eyeballs didn't fall out. In conclusion, I really enjoyed attending fair again this year. I will go as long as I am able. There is something to be said for hanging around like minded people and watching the incredible talent presented. Not to mention the gorgeous equine!!