that time of year

Our horses had their bi-annual Wellness Spring Vet visit this week. Yes, it is that time of year. Most everything was good news, except for Koda's ongoing lameness. We are all well aware, as I mention it frequently. I have to be the voice for Koda. I will keep asking/sharing/looking for ways to make him more comfortable.

My Spring review starts with my complicated boy:

Koda: 1279 lbs (+ 22 lbs) Fecal Egg Count: Low Shedder 

It took little to no time for Koda to walk down the barn aisle for our vet to say "I don't like the way Koda is walking". I thought he was moving stiff, but fairly well compared to how Koda walks most days. 

The plan of action (all things we've tried in the past) is to take him off Equioxx (no longer seems to be effective) and try the low dose Bute method. For those who may not know, it like an aspirin. He asked us to give it 2-3 weeks. From what I saw day one, Koda looked worse. Perhaps Equioxx is somewhat helping? He doesn't like the taste of Bute. We are trying a flavored powder form.

If that doesn't help, plan B is to try padded Navicular shoeing again. Last time we tried, in less than 24 hours Koda was unable to walk - at all. Broke my heart. Shoes were instantly pulled and he was back to usual. We use a different Farrier now and are willing to try corrective shoes again. Koda did show improvement for a day and a half with a shorter toe trim = less nerve pressure. However, it was very short lived. Nice to see his brightness and spirited "not in pain" eyes.

There have been no known advancements in Navicular lameness. One thing neither of us are willing to do is "cut the nerve" treatment. I guess it works for some horses, but if it doesn't that horses life is over. 

We discussed trying a shot of Osphos again, although it didn't seem to help the first time. Also, our vet felt we would not gain anything by stalling Koda even part days. We completely agree. No clue what plan C might be. Pretty sure we will need one. 

Koda getting his teeth done
3.26.25

(Brad & our son in distance)

Nemo: 1217 lbs (+ 60 lbs) Fecal Egg Count: High Shedder

All is well with our big guy! It never ceases to amaze me how soft Nemo becomes around our vet. He stands like a rock. I swear he remembers how much relief he felt when our vet helped him with alllll those bladder flushes over the years.

He also got his toofers floated and continues with maintenance allergy shots

Cierra: 1183 lbs (+ 26 lbs) Fecal Egg Count: Moderate Shedder. 

Cierra is also doing well! Brad started Spring riding her (and Nemo). So far her allergies/breathing has been okay. She also continues with maintenance allergy shots. I think it will be a different story when bugs start biting. I would like to look into some kind of protective neck guard or more effective bug repellent for Brad's girl. Neck guards I've seen need to be attached to a full sheet. Guessing Nemo would render a sheet useless.

Harmony: 1132 (- 5 lbs) Fecal Egg Count: Low Shedder

She is holding her own for a 25 year old. I have noticed the start of visible aging changes this Winter. Harmony (and Koda) are our gassy sloppy ploppers. We discussed adding Senior feed or beet pulp for both. Pasture grass should help, of course that requires having some :))

Any thoughts on adding Beet Pulp vs Senior Feed?

Hope: 821 lbs (+ 112 lbs) Fecal Egg Count: High Shedder

Our almost two year old had a touch of "stranger danger" going on this visit. Nothing terrible, just a couple scoots when the vet approached. I am fairly certain she remembered the guy that poked her with needles last October! Interestingly, once again she did not mind the two nasal "shots" at all. Most horses do, and make funny faces afterwards. Overall, Hope was a really good girl and super interested on the vet hoof testing & floating Koda lol. It was cute!

Hope did not have any Wolf Teeth. I learned about 50% of mares do not get them. We opted to wait until Fall to float her teeth. We don't plan to introduce her to bits until then. She will be about 2.5 years old. Lots of other things to work on! Our three girls at home will get teeth done (if needed) in the Fall.

Hope

I told our vet the Barn Feeding Manager can keep his job for another season :)

springing along

I spotted my first early Spring bloom!! My favorite crocus is oddly named Ruby Giant. It is neither ruby nor giant. I've grown these lovelies for decades. This early small blooming group is growing in a southern facing "hot spot" garden bed area that borders our house.

3.24.25

3.25.25

Many other types of bulbs in this bed are cautiously poking up a little more every day. I have to be careful where I step! In other areas, my bulbs have either just started to surface or continue safely covered. Waiting for more moisture and warmth. Same with my perennials.

While taking the Labs for our daily walkee, I gave thought to the pending warm up that causes an EXPLOSION of short lived Spring blooming color. Giving way to more heat tolerant perennials & annuals. 

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

Very close to the same area a cardinal was recently singing a melody to me, a winged wonder did a curvy dip and dive fluttering past ~ right in front of me. I was stunned!! Off it went! As butterflies often do. 

I tried to keep my eye on the early Spring winged wonder. I fumbled with my phone, while trying to keep the dogs away. I cannot tell you how many nature shots the dogs ruin for me! My apologies for my wobbling bobbling videography skills. 

Mourning Cloak Butterfly
3.25.25 (35 secs)

It seems too early and cold to see butterflies. We are still dipping down into the mid 20's (F) some nights.

Most of nature is not as colorful with age. Mourning Cloak are no exception. I still find them interesting! They live 10+ months and are among the first butterflies to emerge in the Spring. Lotsa info online, including about their symbolism that revolves around transformation. 

"While named for mourning, they are a sign of renewal and hope,
as they symbolize the arrival of spring." 

~~~

"Live your life now"

Interestingly, I posted about the very same first two Spring sightings about two weeks later in the season (April 9th, 2023). Things that make you wonder and go...hmmm?

spring sunning

First Calendar Day of Spring

3.20.25

early morning view through our window

spring snow quickly melts

beads of water droplets caught my eye

I took the labs for a late afternoon walk, on the first sunny day of Spring.

Hopee

She frequently joins up with us on walks, our most photographed horse.

this will be a big year of growth

spring light is so varied and inviting

listening is important

Upon the hill I heard then saw, a bright red cardinal singing. 

The bird was perched high in the trees, looking down at me.

It sang and sang as if to say, I am still here with you today.

3.20.25

The very next day, not a sign of snow anywhere.

Harmony, Hope and Koda

3.21.25

Nemo joined the spring sunning

Padame update

Per Shirley's request, here is a Padame update: 

Not much has changed since my last update on her, other than Padame came up lame again. After more vet lameness visits, special padded shoes (a type of Navicular shoe) she was once again taken out of training to heal and then rehab. Padame recovered faster the second time.

I am happy to say as of this post Padame is sound.

Our farrier was at our place last week and I learned that Padame doesn't have much depth to her hoof. Her toe grows straight out. Koda also does not have much depth and a similar growth pattern, although he said not as severe as Padame's. Koda's lameness is likely a different unresolved issue.

Brad rode Padame for the first time in a long time last week. They are restarting their partnership. Again. Let me be clear, her lameness is not anyones fault. Especially not Padame's. As Brad always tells me with less than ideal horse situations "this is all part of it". He handles horse set backs better than I do.

I feel bad for Brad who really wants to live his dream and be actively showing again. Ideally with a horse he has bonded with. We are not getting any younger! The last year he did was in 2019 with Cierra. She was retired a year later in 2020 due to Covid causing cancelled shows. He had hoped to show Cierra one more year. It created a longer than planned break from showing.

Brad just hasn't had a chance to get back to showing, or foster the growth and accomplishment that comes with building a solid partnership. Again, no ones fault. I am hopeful he will eventually have a special bond with Padame and be able to fully show her. She is an amazing horse! It will take time and consistent showing. With a quickly approaching show season, it would be unrealistic to expect this year. Perhaps towards the end of the show season.

I truly hope lameness doesn't plague Padame off/on. Brad won't jeopardize her long term health in order to show. The horse always comes first.

Thank you for asking Shirley. Hopefully I will have a brighter update and some new photos of his very pretty chocolate palomino girl.

Padame as a two year old

 (re-sharing from 3/2021 a month after she became ours)

finding green

When light filters through the tree's in our woods, it brings shaded nature to life. Especially in March. Rusty colored pine needles mixed with brown oak leaves blanket the ground. The combination makes bright green stumps pop! It was fun finding green on our St. Patty's Day walk.

Stumps are a good place to look for leprechauns. However, I didn't find any. Probably a good thing, since they are known for being mischievous.

Not a bear, it is a Remi

Tank (between trees, far left)

Our old man Jameson

I found six four leaf clovers on our land in 2024. They were all green when found/picked.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Wishing you all the Luck O' the Irish!

coming in hot

Typically our herd is waiting around the gates to be escorted inside for stall service. When they are not, we call our horses names. When we are ignored that doesn't work, we ring a "dinner bell" that lets them know it is time to come inside. Yes, now. The bell usually works.

Brad called, no one moved. Then he rang the bell, while I hung out on the porch to take a few photos of our adventurous girl. She was way out in the pasture and always makes a dramatic entrance = photo opportunity. The bell got her attention.

Hope (3.12.25)

Hope gets bored hanging around a lame horse (Koda) and an old horse (Harmony) and at any given time can be spotted far away alone in the lower pasture. Until wild critters spook her, humans are spotted/heard or the joy of running silly takes over. 

Wait for meeeee!!

It is fun to watch Hope coming in hot! It happens multiple times a day.

Pretty sure I let out a sigh of relief each and every time Hope takes the corner at mock speed and makes it through the gate without wiping out.

Shooting into the sun unblocked, can give photos a haze. Add distance, and you get softer photos. I am a firm believer of shooting in all conditions, to reflect the story. 

Hope

It won't be long and Cierra's baby will be two years old. Time flies, just as fast as she does.

discover joy

It brings me great joy to spot early season bulbs poking through thawing ground.

A sign of things to come.

Daffodils/Tulips/Hyacinths poking their noses out
(3/10/25)

I am a huge fan of planting bulbs in the Fall! After a long Winter, they are such a welcome sight.

Brad & I naturalized more bulbs last year in the wooded path across from our house. Makes me wonder...

There is so much to discover in Spring. Just ask our dogs.

Tank & Remi

(Jameson sniffing in distance)

swing towards spring

Most of yesterday was spent inside a snow globe.

the only thing moving was the snow

3.8.25 (11 secs)

Today is completely different, a swing towards spring.

Jameson turned 12 earlier this week. He instantly drops and rolls outside. Tank is not a roller. He is all about sticks. Big sticks. Slivers of sticks. Medium sticks. He never chews them. Tanks world is all about play, all of the time! Every season. No swing here.

I wonder if Bluebirds will use either of our two nesting boxes this season?

I removed the wads of aluminum blocking the entrances.

Our horses are loving the warming pre-spring sun.

The above South West corner is alway our last to swing towards Spring.

It is okay. 

I am not eager for tick and mosquito swatting season, paired with sweating season. My least favorite time of year. In fact, I love the changing of cooler seasons. The inbetween swings, and sayings. Like this one:

Wishing you all Blue Skies and Sunny Days.

closing out february

 

Jameson (grand dog)
2/9/25

Tank

Winter Herd 2/23/25

(L-R Harmony, Cierra, Nemo and Hope, Koda)

Hope

Different Pasture View

2/25/25

Koda & Hope

Closing out February. One of my favorite months. It sure went by fast! 

the pause

Sometimes there are things you have to do that you would rather not do.

All the what-ifs create angst.

As I headed down our driveway yesterday, I paused. 

There is a lot to be said for pausing. It creates space for beautiful moments. 

I wished for more time, to linger in that space.

2/28/25

Looking through my truck window, I knew I didn't need it. 

I paused just long enough for Hope (and Brad) and my angst simply melted away.