I enjoy my horse. Long time readers will know it took me some time to come to that conclusion. However, the possibility of getting to the AECs in 2015 is about nil.

This is coming up again because a girl I know is looking to find a new home for her horse before she leaves for college next fall. I knew this horse with his previous owner and he is super solid. Jumps everything. So, in a nutshell, he'd be great for me to achieve my competitive goals. Chances are we would qualify for the AECs quite easily. And she wanted to lease him out, perfect as it would mean I wouldn't have to buy him.

Cue the AEC dreams. We could go, we probably wouldn't be last, it would be fabulous. Then I remembered: with grad school I really don't have the money to be competing at all. BN adds on a whole lot of added fees that Pre-Comp doesn't have, so it would be even more. And the AECs aren't cheap all by themselves. It also means all the expenses of an added horse at home as well. I'm really happy with just Naners and Ollie.

And, I like the horse I have. Are competitive goals more important to me than my enjoyment of spending time with her? Sometimes, yes, especially when the means to achieve those goals is falling in my lap. But, even things that fall in your lap can have hidden costs. How much would it suck if I spent the money to qualify, then they decided they didn't want me shipping him that far? I was starting to get unhappy feelings about the whole thing, then remembered similar stuff happens any time I try to supplant Naners in my life. My brain may want other stuff, but my guts let me know I'm straying by giving me stomach problems. So, I'm just going to stick with my girl. However, I do think we're ready to work on getting better again.

RIP Bean

As the subject says, I just found out Bean was euthanized last week.

I feel responsible.

When I took her to St Johns in April 2013 she felt off when we were finishing up XC. Her legs felt fine, so we thought maybe she stepped on a rock. No, she wasn't okay. It turned out to be a bowed tendon, but it presented very oddly. The Taskmaster just had us icing and hosing it for several weeks. I offered to pay for her vet bill so a vet would see her, but she didn't see a vet until after I'd left. I didn't actually know she'd bowed the tendon for six months.

I know as well as the next horse person that horses hurt themselves. She was 21, the tendons aren't quite so resilient at that age. But, she did it when she was my responsibility, so I feel responsible. I don't think there is anything I could have done to prevent it, other than to have stayed home, but it still happened.

She's only been sound for the last four months, that's 16 months of rehab. Last week she was running through the mud and slipped, tearing the tendon again. I know I'm not responsible for that exact moment, but if she hadn't bowed that tendon it would have been stronger and maybe she would be okay.

*sigh* This is probably something I should be discussing with my therapist, my guilt over this situation. There's nothing I can do to change the past. I did what I could to help. I didn't own her so I couldn't insist the vet come. I offered what help I could. But, my heart hurts for the Taskmaster and the loss of a horse that had been born in her front yard almost 23 years ago.

You turn your back for one minute...

And they're out spreading religion. Banana is proselytizing door to door, sharing the word of The Church of The Four Hooves and Equus our Savior. Lily dog is less than impressed.

First snow

Banana is under there too, to the left of Willie.

In the grand winter tradition, Ollie got to get out to frolic as I was preparing dinner. He had a fun time, but I forgot about him at one point and of course he walked right in the feed room. Must remember to shut the door.

The first step

The first step in Ollie's driving education has been achieved:

Actually, putting it on him was probably step #2, as step #1 getting a surcingle that would fit him. It's currently on its biggest holes, but that's due to the fluff, and I didn't want to put it on too tight the first time. He just sorta looked at it and then followed me around (which makes it really tough to take pictures. So, so many with his nose in the lens.)

Whether he will actually be able to pull a cart or not is sort of in question. He's on the line height wise and with his funky foot... eh, just don't know. But, I'm going to at least teach him how to ground drive because he needs to lose some weight and it's more fun than leading him. I have ground driving reins, so I won't need to get any more equipment until I need an actual harness and a bit, and I know someone that has a mini sized harness they'll let me borrow, so I won't have to buy a ton of equipment until I'm sure. We'll see how this goes.

10,000 Views

As the subject says, my blog now has 10,000 views. Not a ton of followers, but that's okay, I know you're all just here for the scenery :D

Come on lady!

My PM feeding time is more based on sunlight than clock time. As such, I currently feed at around 4:30. Tonight, at 4, Banana planted herself at the end of the walk from the house and stood there, waiting for me.

She's not the first equine to do this. Penny used to stand at the bottom of the steps in the winter, waiting. It's not like there isn't food out there for them, but I know as soon as the grass gets less appetizing because Naners is excited about coming in for dinner, when in the summer it's almost impossible to convince her. With today's cruddy weather I guess I just wasn't fast enough :D

What in heavens is wrong with me?

There's something wrong with me. I was resisting all the sales, and quite nicely. then I remembered the two things I need: a surcingle for Ollie so I can start ground driving him and, if I can find them on sale, a different herm sprenger bit for Naners. Found both, not in the same places of course. I'm wandering around, seeing if there's anything else I can convince myself I need. Guess what? There is nothing I need.

Shocked? Yeah, I am too. Actually, there are a couple of things I need (thinline seat saver, more reflective stuff for rides down the road,) but I've already asked for them for xmas. I just hope I do get them or I will lament not having gotten them during the big sale weekend.

Knot braids

I've become anti-mane pulling at some point. Perhaps it's because Penny became so vehemently opposed, and Naners is also not a big fan. In addition, the more mane hair they have the less fly spray I need to use on their necks.

As a result, I'm exploring longer mane braiding options. I did the scallops my childhood horse rocked at the dressage show, Naners' mane isn't quite long enough for them to look awesome yet. They're also a lot of work, as you really need to almost do skinny hunter braids to make it look right. For a dressage show where they stay in for two days? Probably worth the effort. However, for an event where they would only be in for a few hours? Not happening.

At Last Cruces I tried the knot braids. They turned out fabulous. Alas, I didn't take a picture, so here's a tiny crop from one of Cristy's photos:

I think they took me about half an hour and were easier than the button braids with the waxed thread (I used yarn.) You do need to pay attention that you're knotting the same way every time or they won't look uniform. I will need to pull her mane a smidgeon in the middle, as those braids were much thicker than the others, but not so badly it was awful. If I do pull, I do it minimally, frequently. So, a pull one day, another a couple of days later...

I only braided Penny for an event once then roached her. Roaches are adorable and a nice alternative to pulling and braiding. If Banana had out of control hair I'd roach her too. It would take away fly protection, but it would sure make my life easier.

I live in a horrible place.

I had to ride down the road tonight with this as the backdrop:

I should probably move.

I have so many, yet I just want more...

It could be argued I have enough pairs of breeches. But really, I don't.

Quick guide:
Furthest left: cotton Devon Aire Versailles, worn in high heat of summer
Furthest right: fleece lined and other warm breeches
Second to right: my beloved Grand Prix Hampton IIs, that are now being moved from show attire to everyday use. They were the only ones that fit me well until euroseats came about.
Second to left: the breeches I wear when it's time to take off the summer ones.
Middle: My current favorites/show breeches. Top is a pair of Ariats from awhile ago, no idea which one they are. I love their fawn color and they're my summer XC breeches. Next down the Tredstep Rosas: Love them. And then, the SmartPak Pipers: my favorite breeches. The grey pair is in my everyday wear pile, as they're comfy and not a show ring color, the anthracite with coral my colder month XC breeches. One of the PC kids saw me in them and said, "I didn't know they made breeches in Pam colors!" So, if you're wondering what Pam colors are, there they are (though actually, Pam colors are navy and pink, but it's easy to be confused as current body protector is black.)

Fence Walking

I've posted this several times on COTH and now I'm just going to put it here to direct people to. This is from an assignment for my Equine Behaviour and Welfare class last spring. We had to do a poster about an equine stereotypy. I picked fence walking as Banana does it. While this assignment was on fence walking, most of the information applies to the other stereotypies (like crib-biting) as well.

Abstract
Stereotypies are triggered by the modern stable environment. Caused by denying the horse its behavioral needs, factors such as genetics, weaning style, and riding style create a horse primed to be more bothered by the restrictive situation. Fence and stall walkers tend to be less tolerant of restrictive housing. Through neurologic changes, stereotypies can be a lifetime affliction.

Introduction
Fence walking, also known as stall or box walking when in a more enclosed space, is a locomotor stereotypy. It has not been studied as in depth as that of other stereotypies, such as crib biting. However, the basic causes of all stereotypies are from the same source: restrictions of the horse from engaging in its behavioral needs.

Epidemiology
The walking stereotypies (fence, stall, box) involve frequent movement of the horse along the perimeter of the confinement, whether in a circle in a stall, or back and forth along a fence. The horse can prefer this activity over eating or resting, resulting in loss of body condition, excessive hoof wear and orthopedic problems. It also causes untidiness of the stall, as urine and feces are mixed into the bedding, or a worn area next to a fence.

In nature horses move and forage constantly with conspecifics. When humans moved horses into the stable environment these activities were then forbidden the horse by confinement and management styles and stereotypies appeared. A box for every single horse, and meals two times a day, appeals to the owner, but not to the horse. Equine stereotypies don't seem to have a function from the human's perspective, but research suggests it is a form of coping with the stress of the unnatural captive environment they have been placed in and are not suited to (McBride and Hemmings, 2005).

Causality

Primary factors

• Restrictive housing - Normando et al. (2001) found horses in restrictive stabling were more likely to show locomotor stereotypies, like fence walking, than those in freer conditions. Horses stalled more and pastured less are at a higher risk for stall walking (Luescher et al., 1998, Bachman et al., 2003).
• Restrictive companionship - horses allowed minimal physical and visible contact with other horses have a greater amount of abnormal behavior. (Bachmann et al, 2003, McGreevy et al, 1995).
• Restrictive diet - In a stable environment the horse is fed meals. The restriction of foraging behavior (Winskill, 1995) and the addition of concentrates into the equine diet that reduced eating time (Luescher et al., 1998) conflicts with the horses' natural eating practices. McGreevy et al. (1995) found that feeding forage three times per day increased stereotypies, while feeding four or more times reduced it.

Secondary factors

• Weaning style - Foals that are separated and put into barns are more likely to develop stereotypies than those placed in pasture groups. Waters et al. (2002) found box walking was initiated in 2.3% of their study group at the median age of 64 weeks.
• Reactivity - Bachmann et al. (2003) found horses assessed to be reactive by their owners to be twice as likely towards stereotypy.
• Genetics - Vecchiotti and Galanti (1985) found that incidences of stereotypy were much higher in families with a history of the behavior. The incidence of stall walking in the greater group was 2.5%, but it was 13% in families with a history of it. However, it could be that the genetic component made a more nervous horse, more likely to engage in stereotypy than that the stereotypy itself is genetically based. They found a case of a stallion who was known to be nervous and a stall walker. In his progeny of 76 horses, 47 (62%) were also nervous and 11 (15%) also stall walked.
• Breed - Luescher et al. (1998) found Arabians were more likely to stall walk at 7.32%, as opposed to Thoroughbreds at 3.03%, and Standardbreds at .59%. Bachmann et al. (2003) found increased odds in Warmbloods (1.8) and Thoroughbreds (3.1) compared with other breeds.
• Style of riding - Horses ridden English are more inclined towards stereotypy (Normando et al., 2011), however they were also more likely to have restrictive stabling. McGreevy et al. (1995) found the rate of box walking higher in endurance horses, but many of those horses were Arabians.
• Age - Prevalence of stall walking increases with age (Luescher et al., 1998). Bachmann et al (2005) found horses under four years of age had almost four times lower odds of performing stereotypies in comparison to mature horses.

Neurologic aspects
In the beginning, a fence walker walks, trying to achieve the goal of getting to forage or companionship on the other side of the fence. This is the appetitive phase of goal seeking. Alas, the fence itself prevents the horse from ever reaching its goal, known as the consummatory phase. While in the appetive phase dopamine transmission between the VTA and neuro accumbens increases along the mesoaccumbens pathway. For some horses lack of goal attainment does not weaken the horse's desire, but increases it, turning the behavior into a repetitive loop and in the case of stall walking an actual, literal loop. More activity in the mesoaccumbens pathway makes for a more motivated horse and prolonged stereotypy from stress can alter the dopamine pathway physiology (McBride and Hemmings 2005).

Attenuation approaches
Laymen will suggest tying the horse to prevent fence or stall walking, but this does not eliminate the behavior and could result in the horse instead turning their locomotor needs to weaving. McBride and Cuddeford (2001) found that stereotypy may have a coping function and denying the horse the behavior could have welfare implications.

The owner must decrease the stress in the horse's life to decrease the stereotypy.

• Reduce the restrictions on behavioral needs - allow the horse constant forage, large spaces to move in, and companionship.
• Adapt the indoor environment - McGreevy et al. (2005) found the giving sufficient amounts of forage and hay alternatives, visual contact with conspecifics (such as with bars between stalls), and an active stable yard reduced stereotypies. McAfee et al. (2002) found that the reflection of the horse in a mirror could minimize separation stress. Adding a forage device like the modified "Edinburgh Foodball" used by Winskill et al. (1995) increased foraging time and decreased standing time.

Even with optimal living arrangements, the horse may not discontinue the activity. A fence walker turned out in a large grass pasture with companionship may still pace the fence. Once stereotypies are developed they can be difficult, if not impossible, to remove, possibly due to altered dopamine physiology in the brain (McBride and Hemmings, 2005). The best tactic is to ensure the horse is not in an environment with stereotypy producing factors present from the very beginning.

Conclusion
What many label as an activity of boredom, equine stereotypies are in actuality the horse's response to a stressful environment. Care should be taken to keep horses out of living situations in which behavioral necessities are denied, preventing the neurologic changes that come from a chronic source of stress. For fence and stall walkers removal from the restrictive housing environment may be the most important, but all of the primary factors should be considered.

References
Bachmann, I, Audigé, L, & Stauffacher, M. (2003) 'Risk factors associated with behavioural disorders of crib-biting, weaving and box-walking in Swiss horses',  Equine Veterinary Journal, 35(2), pp. 158-163.

Luescher, U, McKeown, D, & Dean, H. (1998) 'A cross-sectional study on compulsive behaviour (stable vices) in horses', Equine Veterinary Journal. Supplement, 27, pp. 14-18.

McAfee, L, Mills, D, & Cooper, J. (2002) 'The use of mirrors for the control of stereotypic weaving behaviour in the stabled horse', Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 78(2-4), p. 159.

McBride, S, & Cuddeford, D. (2001) 'The putative welfare-reducing effects of preventing equine stereotypic behaviour', Animal Welfare, 10(2), pp. 173-189.

McBride, S, & Hemmings, A. (2005) 'Altered mesoaccumbens and nigro-striatal dopamine physiology is associated with stereotypy development in a non-rodent species', Behavioural Brain Research, 159(1), pp. 113-118.

McGreevy, P, Cripps, P, French, N, Green, L, & Nicol, C. (1995) 'Management factors associated with stereotypic and redirected behaviour in the thoroughbred horse', Equine Veterinary Journal, 27(2), pp. 86-91.

Normando, S, Meers, L, Samuels, W, Faustini, M, Ödberg, F. (2011) 'Variables affecting the prevalence of behavioural problems in horses. Can riding style and other management factors be significant?', Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 133, pp. 186-198.

Vecchiotti, G, & Galanti, R. (1986) 'Evidence of heredity of cribbing, weaving and stall-walking in thoroughbred horses', Livestock Production Science, 14, pp. 91-95.

Waters, A, Nicol, C, & French, N. (2002) 'Factors influencing the development of stereotypic and redirected behaviours in young horses: findings of a four year prospective epidemiological study', Equine Veterinary Journal, 34(6), pp. 572-579.

Winskill, L, Waran, N, & Young, R. (1996) 'The effect of a foraging device (a modified 'Edinburgh foodball') on the behaviour of the stabled horse', Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 48(1-2), pp. 25-35.

Las Cruces 2014

Six months after our fabulous elimination in Stadium at Watermelon, seven months after our elimination due to similar circumstances at St Johns, Naners and I made the eight hour drive to Las Cruces to see if we could actually get around a stadium course. It was cold! And guess what? Memory foam in the cold is like a brick. So, while I was able to put enough blankets on to be warm in the gooseneck that night, sleeping on a brick kept me awake more than I would have liked to have been.

Friday's stadium schooling went well, Naners didn't even think of refusing. We were scary fast, and it wasn't pretty, but we got around. The temperature warmed up and it wasn't windy, so almost pleasant. Then I finally got to go somewhere I've wanted to for years: White Sands.

Yes, the sand is white. The sun was behind a cloud, and it's hard to photograph anyway. We swear one of these years we'll ride there, as you can.

Saturday morning: dressage. Intro B again. I love that test, but I'm so sick of it and it isn't changing. We got all 6's and 7's and a 36.3, which is about what we usually get on that test.

Stadium: We jumped all the things! Our first double clear stadium round. I was thrilled.

Between dressage and SJ the wind had picked up and it was blowing dust. So I broke out my SSG goggles. They looked a little odd, but not having dust in my eyes? Totally worth it.

I was second shooter for the photographer for XC, so sat out for Prelim and Training. Storm clouds came in and before Novice started the rain came down. I headed for the barns, being wet and cold before I needed to ride would not have helped my day. When I dressed for XC I had to put my jacket on, hiding my fabulous loud pink shirt. It was drizzling when I mounted, by the time I went out on course the clouds were gone and the sun was out.

XC was a much more difficult ride. The third jump, a tiny log, sits between two bigger jumps. She tried very hard to not jump that one. She has a thing about her tiny jump being near big jumps. I had to really ride, and fortunately she wasn't going so fast that putting my leg on felt like the last thing I should be doing.

We still had several less than attractive jumps

But we got around, double clear for XC too. So, for the first time ever Naners and I finished an event on our dressage score, placing third, which was dead in the middle. Go us!

Ride in the desert

I had three places I wanted to trail ride: mountains, foliage, and desert. I've now done all three this year. Today was the desert.

I have a friend with a property that backs up on Canyons of the Ancients, so we parked at her place and went out the back gate. Is there prettier desert? Oh yes, but this was pretty darn nice.

It was a lovely day for a ride and my friend had warm water too so I was able to give Naners her pre-Las Cruces bath. Yes, she's going to get dirty before we leave on Thursday, but at least she'll be cleaner than she was. I've now decided I really, really need warm water for baths. So much more enjoyable for us both.

Oy... not so pretty

I am generally obsessed with pictures of myself. I can't stop looking at them. I think I've found an exception: the pictures from the dressage show, which can be found here

They're not pretty.

Ollie enjoys an unconventional grooming tool

sdfnjdas eridfsdfv

That's how my brain has been for the last week.

As soon as I got back from the dressage show it was full speed ahead on the paper I had due the next Sunday. Which sounds like plenty of time, but Daniel Stewart was coming to town on the weekend, so I needed to have that paper done on Friday. I spent five solid days, nose to laptop, getting that sucker done. My prediction is I'll get a B on it. Not my best work, but it shouldn't be regarded as sucky.

Daniel Stewart was awesome, as he was last year. He was seriously pleased by how much my equitation has improved, and it has. I got through the clinic not doing a single situp. I have friends that did like 500. I was thinking so much about myself Banana wasn't looking that fabulous on the flat

Photographic evidence

Oh well.

After he left I have spent this week brain dead on the couch watching tv. The dogs have enjoyed the cuddling. Banana and I have been out for a couple of down the road trots as in two weeks we'll be in Las Cruces and it would be embarrassing if we couldn't get around the xc course with the 6" jumps.

More Shiny

Because I simply cannot get enough of the giant freaking shiny ribbon

We also won a scrim sheet

It's a bit small on her, but whatevers. I'm just amused by the thought that something like this would possibly keep dust off her when just about every time we show there's high winds and dust blowing around. Not to mention she's frequently already dusty before we show up. Hazards of desert living.

DQ land

Despite the big, shiny ribbon above, Banana and I had a rather inconsistent weekend in the land of DQ's. Our first test on Saturday, Intro B, we got a 60%. Then we got a 52% on Intro C. Then Sunday a 50% on Intro B, then we rallied and got a 65% on Intro C. It would have been much higher but our canter transitions were shit, giving us 4.5s, but there were a whole lot of 7s and an 8. I was thinking about too many other things than the smoothness of our canter transitions. The judge really nailed me on Saturday for rigid arms, something I struggle with. Intro B on Sunday I was shooting for no rigid arms, but then we had a crappier test. Talking to some friends, one of them gave me a tip that help. I also realized my reins were far too long. With those two fixes, up went the scores.

So, DQ land. Warmup was not insane. Banana was the fastest moving horse out there. Plus, because the tests are longer not as many people are warming up at the same time. Also, at least from this sample of riders they actually spent less time warming up than most eventers I've seen. Only a couple were warming up for more than half an hour. They all seemed friendly, but the barns were almost quiet. Very rarely did I see horses being hand walked, a constant activity at an event. There were some freaking gorgeous horses there though.

I finally did the scallop braids on Banana and they stayed in all weekend. She needs a little more hair for them to lay right.

dressage show prep

Naners and I are going to our first recognized dressage show next weekend. As such, I'm trying to figure out how to best give the DQs heart attacks while not breaking any rules.

For example, the rule book states "saddle pads are optional, but should be white or of conservative color." What am I pondering? black with our horsemasters logo in purple on it, my favorite navy pad with the white piping and white lattice ribbon, or black with hot pink piping. Ultimately, I will probably go with my navy pad, because we look spiffy with me in my navy coat and helmet with it. I will wear my white breeches one day because I'm hoping those things will die and then I'll never have another pair unless forced to by silly attire rules. I'm doing black gloves as 1) white gloves, like white breeches, are silly 2) why in heavens would I bring more attention to my not so fabulous hands?

(Side note, even though I have noted that white gloves will bring more attention to crappy hands some of my PCers just had to go out and buy themselves some anyway.)

We're nontraditional anyway, with me in my Volants, the brown and black jumping saddle, and the fact that Naners will be fuzzy. I'm just going with that flow.

Finally! Mountain Foliage Ride

Since I've had horses here I've wanted to ride up in the mountains while the aspens are changing. Six years later it finally happened.

All below pictures of me by my friend JG.

Yeah, really can't complain about that parking space.

It's hunting season. But, I think wearing orange in the orange aspens is rather silly, so I break out the hot pink. No one was going to miss me.

See?

Naners was her usual awesome self.

I am spoiled for real life.

The glamorous life of home horse keeping

My barn, despite its constant battering by wind, has developed a smell. It's not poop and pee, but is still a stench that permeates my clothing when I'm out doing chores. It's annoying and while it's been there a bit for awhile, it's now really quite strong.

So, where is this smell coming from? My best guess is the dirt itself has started to smell for whatever reason, but I had to investigate all possible sources. Under the mats in the one stall? Nope. Where else?

These are the interior walls of my barn

There is space between the two walls for crud to accumulate, and oh how it has accumulated. And, it can't just enter and fall all the way to the ground because the people that built the barn put a board across the bottom of the wall, basically making a three sided box at the bottom perfect for catching shit.

With a hay hook, I have slowly been getting what I can out. The crud under the wall, what crud I can get from in the wall. Some of it was a lesson in sedimentary rock formation: a semi-solid brick of dust, shavings and hay. Note I haven't used shavings since I had Fudge, so some of this stuff is from 2009 and earlier.

I've spent several days at this project now and have taken five wheelbarrow loads of crud out.

Something will need to be done about the walls, but it's not in the budget for this year. I have determined the smell has to be the dirt, specifically in the stall without mats. Fortunately, in the budget for this year is gravel and mats for it.

Also in my barn cleaning was scrubbing the shit Foster Mare left on the walls. Ugg.

Sad Landfill Trip

This morning we laid Foster Mare to rest. She really needed to go a month ago, but I couldn't get a backhoe. I still can't get a backhoe and she was suffering so for the first time I took a horse to the landfill.

Obviously, you can stop reading now if this subject bothers you, but I think it's important to share.

Very interesting it was, taking a horse to the landfill. There are two in the area that take horses, one an hour one way, the other an hour in the other. The one to the east charged $67, the one to the west $19. Way, way cheaper than getting a hole dug.

My vet lightly sedated her and we loaded her on the trailer. then she sedated her more and I left the trailer and held the rope from the outside. Then she injected the pink stuff and escaped quickly, since some horses flail. Foster mare just slid down the wall and was done. We took off halter, shut up the trailer and went on our way.

I've never actually been to a landfill before. I've seen them of course, but it's unfamiliar to me. Lucky, there were signs saying everyone has to park on the scale and talk to the attendant. I parked on the scale, went in and talked to the attendant. She asked what had been wrong with her (old age) and said she was sorry and I paid the $19. Until I actually went in I just couldn't believe how cheap it was on their webpage and was convinced it would be more. But it wasn't.

Then we pulled the trailer up next to their animal burying hole. Yes, the landfill had one, so it's not like she was buried in trash, though really, trash, dirt, what's the difference? A big tractor came over, the guy was kind and friendly, then he hooked some chains to her feet and very slowly and carefully pulled the body out of the trailer. Then we drove off, he picked her body up with the bucket, put her in the hole and buried her.

It's funny how many people are so against their animals going to the landfill. I honestly may start going this route for everyone, but we'll see how I feel when Banana goes (which better not be for a long time.) It really wasn't traumatic for me, but I've seen quite a few euths now. Could I have done it for Fudge? probably not. But, I didn't have a trailer then either so it wasn't an option.

Unless you really want the grave so you can visit it, does it matter where the body goes? I've decided no, it really doesn't. But that's me, and I've become quite pragmatic about these matters.

Hello dear readers!

Those of you who read Eventing Nation may have noticed I now have a blog on Bloggers Row over there. It's not something I planned to do. I sent them a humorous piece and they decided I needed a blog.

I have mixed feelings on the whole giving them content they're not paying for thing. If it was anyone else I would have never sent them my amusing piece, or the event reports I've sent in the past. But, I am representing two underrepresented groups: the scared shitless adult and eventers in the desert southwest. And the number of readers EN has is large. Scary large for me, as I now have people With Opinions reading things. Not that you all don't have opinions, but you seem to be more circumspect about voicing them (which I greatly appreciate.) I'm not entirely sure I have a thick enough skin for things that people can have opinions on to be up at EN.

Anyway, this won't change things over here much. This blog has a different purpose and a different audience.

Not like in the movies with cattle

Today the Danish Warmblood Inspectors were in town so I went to watch them. It was interesting. It was all local horses, saw one of my friend's horses basically get all 8's (she's a nice horse.) I also saw them brand the babies... That was super interesting. However, the worst part? It was seriously hearing the brand get heated up. It takes forever, and it's loud. The branding itself? Basically instant. The brand was off their butts before they even realized it was happening.

Brand new hot brand

I actually think the heating up traumatized the humans more than the branding traumatized the horses. Now, I'm not about to brand my horses, but it wasn't nearly as horrendous as I thought it would be. Hot brand smells like burning horns on cows though and that's not a smell I particularly wanted in my nose again (many hours as a child, I lived on a cow farm.) Out here in the west, a brand would be helpful, harder to steal.

Interesting is that hot branding is illegal in several European countries, including Denmark. So, Danish Warmbloods can't be hot branded in their own country. Why the hell are they doing it here then?

A friend has it in her head that she wants to get her mare American Warmblood Society approved so she can get dressage awards. They're one of the few sporty horse registries that allow Quarter Horses. Now we're plotting to bring AWS inspectors here.

No grey mare for me

I went and tried out the grey mare, as some friends were going to ABQ anyway so I was able to hitch a ride. She was sweet and lovely to be around. However, her back end was seriously unfortunately conformed. I've never seen a horse that dished as badly with its hind legs as she did. Due to such, I declined purchasing her. I do hope she finds a fabulous home, she deserves one. However, that home will not be with me.

I'm hoping good old Sonny will come to live with us this winter. Stops me from getting another horse.

I am not horse shopping, I am not horse shopping...

Why is it when you have the least amount of money more horses start appealing to you?

There's a grey mare about 4 hours away, there's something about her. I don't know what it is. I swore I'd never get another grey, she's only just started over fences, but yet, I keep looking at her. There's also miss B from the horse rescue that I've liked since the first time I met her several years ago when she was too young to do much. Now, she's like 6. But, she's really too small for me, in that she's Penny's size and I've gained a little weight. And I don't want to start from the beginning again. But, she needs a home and the rescue has said they'd just give her to me without adoption fees.

Really, when it comes down to it, I can't afford another horse. And I'm not talking the actual purchase price, it's the actual keeping part. But, if I did have another horse I'd probably not have to borrow companions for Naners and that would be super.

Map of Las Cruces

In case I ever need to direct someone to it.

Another busy weekend done

I am beyond tired now. Two day show: dressage and hunter/jumper. Secretating both days, though I squeezed in some classes on Naners this morning. Where we placed last. In. Every. Single. One.

Now, in many ways I'm really pleased: she was forward and jumped all the things (helps that I kept my damn eyes up) and it was our first time ever jumping in an indoor. We've jumped a grand total of twice since May (why we did pile of poles and x-rails) and she just went in and did her job. Alas, it wasn't pretty and I can't necessarily be concerned about leads when she's got her rockets on. Of course the people that are actually working on equitation and proper hunter rounds are going to beat us.

But goddamn it's discouraging. You have to sit around for hours, as you're on hunter time at a hunter show. No, a kid can't just go in the ring, the trainer has to talk to them first. If they are the only kid in the division you have to wait between the rounds where the trainer has to talk to them, go over their course again. And then when they're actually in the damn ring there's the trainer, yelling things at them as they go around.

Yes, I'm in a bit of a foul mood and I just realized it's due to this one trainer and hearing her voice all damn day. I never feel this way about the other hunter people. Generally, we all get along. But right now, most of the local eventers aren't planning on going to the local h/j shows. We're never going to place well against people that just work on being hunters. Yeah, we go in the classes for practice, but it would be nice to win.

So, now it looks like next year I get to plan a combined test for the eventers. Thank god. And I think I'm washing my hands of the h/j shows. Someone else can deal with them.

Busy = tired

I have been a very busy Pam as of late. Last weekend was our fabulous Adults in Pony Club weekend that I organized for, well, adults in pony club to have fun. We went to Cocktails and Creations, rode the train, went out to dinner and went on a trail ride with brunch (including mimosas.)

It was an awesome weekend, but holy crap was I tired at the end. When I got to the trail head with Banana I announced my brain was shut off and someone else would have to make the decisions. When I got home I was so tired I tripped over the 4" lip on the shower and banged into the toilet. My knee has an impressive bruise.

As soon as the weekend was over, despite it being my birthday, I had to somehow schedule next weekend's dressage show. 62 rides. Holy crap. It's completely unprecedented for us. I worked it out and then today was told with this many riders I need to accommodate them less and the judge's sanity more. Would have been nice if I'd been told this two days ago. Today I assigned numbers, printed the tests, put the labels on, put them in order...

Now I'm waiting for H/J entries to roll in for Sunday. Knowing people, I'll get most of them Saturday, despite there being a late fee after tomorrow.

Also, I picked up the club's new hats and the Horsemasters shirts on Friday when I went to C&C since I was downtown. The bumperstickers and magnets got here yesterday as well as our kaleidoscope (I want to use that word but I'm not sure it's really the right one) of new ribbons.

School restarts on Friday. This term I have orthopedics, or as those brits say, orthopaedics. I don't know whether I'm excited or not. I think I'm too darn tired to have an opinion at present.

Over the fences we go

As you can see from the above pictures, Naners and I jumped today for the first time since she injured herself. We didn't suck, though I'm totally rocking the colors of my high school spirit club, the Dials (pink, blue, purple.) I bought the pink helmet for better visibility on the road and didn't even think of it when I threw it in the trailer today. It's very bright. Excellent for the purpose it was purchased for, but it will give one of the trainers I work with a heart attack (she's one of those hunter types that thinks we should all be in CO helmets and white saddle pads.)

The trainer we were working with had me doing three-point. I've never done a three-point in my life. Judging by how much better my jumping was using it as opposed to a two-point I will be revisiting it frequently (top pic, two-point on approach, bottom, three-point on approach.)

Assuming Naners is still sound tomorrow we've got another lesson and I'm thinking I might get a couple of more in before she heads back to Sweden. Boot camp for us maybe wouldn't be a bad thing.

Introducing Miss Tea

Here's Tea, an older arabian mare who is visiting while her rescue finds a new home.

She isn't in horrible condition, but there's definitely some improvements I can make so she can return looking nicer than she left.

I'm nuts. Or something.

Our local horse rescue's landlords are kicking them out next week. So, guess who's getting a foster horse on Tuesday?

Me, of course. Right now I'm slated to get one of their permanent residents, a sweet little arab who is allergic to flies. Luckily, I don't have a ton of them. I haven't gone through a whole bottle of fly spray in two years. I'm a bit worried about her other problem though... she's scared of other horses. Fortunately, none of my residents are mean or nasty to other horses, so I think everything will be okay. And if anyone is going to win her over, it will be Ollie :)

Pam

Happy Banana

Banana, grazing. We're still increasing time, but she's up to about seven hours now. She's so happy to be out.

Mountain trail ride on Naners

Banana and I finally went on our first in the mountains trail ride. The ride was nice, the getting there not so much. Two people told us to look for the forest service station and to park there as that's where the trail heads are. We drove up the road, didn't see any signs for trail heads or the forest service station. Then we crossed a little bridge and the road deteriorated. We would have been able to turn around, except, of course, there were cars parked in the turn around. We had to back the trailer through an S curve, with a bridge in the middle, downhill, with rocks, trees or a steep bank on both sides of the road. It took us an hour, but even days later I'm still having anxiety about it. My friend and I switched out, when one of us was getting frustrated with backing the other would take over. The truck and trailer were almost unscathed, except I should have backed further to get into a little parking lot, except I didn't and got the plastic thingy on the front of the truck stuck on a big rock. Backed off it okay, but the plastic thingy is not as attached to the bumper as it once was.

Anyway, we rode through trees, through wildflower filled meadows and stopped when we got to a waterfall. Didn't spend much time there as the bugs were bad and back we came. Round trip it was about 8 miles.

Banana was wary of the first meadow as there were horse eating boulders in it. Then she had a mountain biker come around a corner and basically pull up under her nose and she just looked at him like, "What the hell?" She was fairly well behaved in general, but I wouldn't put a dead beginner on her, that's for sure.

We never did find the forest service station. However, there was a cabin that may have been it once upon a time and probably due to budget cuts is no longer. I have decided I will never again take the trailer anywhere that I am not absolutely positive of where I'm going, or have someone with me who knows exactly where we're going. I think I'm scared for life from having to back the trailer down the road.