The Trials and Tribulations of Founder and Laminitis

So I own a horse who is foundered and is prone to frequent bouts of acute laminitis.

In the past I have gotten bad advice from my farrier in dealing with her, and because of that she has continually gotten worse since I've owned her. It's gotten so bad recently that I've begun resigning myself that I may have to put her down soon.

But I've decided to take things into my own hands and give her one last chance.

So I have done hours of extensive research into curing founder in the last few weeks. I decided that I was just going to have to educate myself on laminitis and figure out how to deal with it myself. Sometimes, if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. At this point I can't make it any worse.We have nothing to lose.

First, I've read about a specific trim designed to take the pressure off of the coffin bone and realign it with the ground. The biggest difference with how my farrier was trimming her feet is that you file the heel down quite a bit. I am also filling her feet every week instead of every six weeks. According to my friends on the internet, this is what makes the biggest difference. No, I am not a farrier. Yes, I now trim my horse's hooves. I'll let you know how this works out... But like I said, I have nothing to lose!

Second, I have drastically adjusted her diet. And added in a lot of supplements. I've never really done supplements. But again after hours of research on founder, this is what the internet recommends. (When professional help fails you, there's is always the internet! Haha... Oh dear...) I have actually learned a ton about various supplements and its been rather fun!

I read a lot of reviews on Remission and they all had really good things to say about it.  It has a lot of Biotin in it to strengthen their hooves. But its supposedly the magnesium that works to prevent future founder episodes. I picked up a bucket of it today, and I am excited to start feeding this to Lady. I hope to see results very soon!

 
Typically MSM and Glucosamine are used in horses with arthritis. But they are targeted towards joints so I thought it could do nothing but help. I am doing my best to try to alleviate any pain that I can in her front legs. I feed my older dog glucosamine and it has helped to keep her hyper and active!

I've then cut out feed from her diet and have been feeding her alfalfa pellets and hay. I've added in this multivitamin supplement to make sure she is still getting all of the nutrients she needs. 

Finally, she wears Therapeutic EasyCare Hoof Boots. Its a great product and I really like them.

Do any of you have experience with a severely foundered horse? What are your thoughts? 

Country or Classical?

I am so looking forward to Christmas break. I want to spend all of my time with my ponies!

I bought Lady a new winter blanket and she's seriously adorable in it. I have to blanket Lou during the winter even though it really doesn't get that cold. She doesn't hardly grow and sort of coat. Its actually kind of odd. The poor girl has many problems... Scotty, on the other hand, really does not need a blanket at all. He has the thickest winter coat I have ever seen! That is going to be really fun come spring and he starts shedding... Hair is going to be everywhere.

On a random side note, I really want to put a radio in my barn. I think Scott and Lou would enjoy some good country music. (Though, Lou could very well be more of the classical type...) The problem is that I don't have electricity up there. So I need some sort of good battery power radio. Something that won't die on me in two days. Anyone have a good suggestion? 

Thankfulness

I am so thankful for my horses. I feel blessed to be able to have them in my life!

On a side note, I got on Scotty bareback the other day for a short time just to see how'd he do. He was perfect! I'd love to be able to give little kids pony rides on him later on. I think he'll be great with it. He's such a good natured little guy! The hilarious thing though was that my feet were only a few inches off the ground! He's so little! 

Fluffy Fat Pony

Look how fluffy! He is literally the fattest little fluffy horse I have ever seen in my life. Just. So. Cute. I. Can't. 

So I tried something new with Scott yesterday! I eventually want him to be able to give pony rides to little kids. So I decided to start desensitizing him to that. But I do not own a saddle small enough to fit him, so I came up with my own "saddle". I found this girth that was small enough and that worked really well. And that on his back would be a fleece shipping wrap. Hey, it worked perfectly as a saddle pad! And Then I tied baling twine to the girth to tie it. Might not look pretty, but it worked. Proud of myself for MacGyver-ing it. And it didn't bother him in the slightest. I think he'll make the perfect little kids pony.

Searching for a new horse...

I am on the hunt for a horse. I haven't had a horse that was truly mine since Mya. I think I am finally ready to once again have a horse I can call my own. So the search is on! I am looking for something young and athletic. I would love to gentle my own horse and train for english riding. Perhaps it is a little ambitious. But I really want to learn to start young horses. And. Well. How can I learn if I don't give it a try! So we shall see...

In the meantime, I have a full day planned for Scott tomorrow! He has done so well up to this point,, and I think its time to add something new. I think I'm going to start getting him used to the driving harness tomorrow, and probably work on some more ground driving at the same time. He is already pretty used to being around the cart, so I think we are getting close to being able to hook him up to it! Not quite there, but close.

The one thing I hate about this time of year is how they get burrs in their manes every single day.
Maybe they do it one purpose. The vain little thing wants me to brush his hair every day...

Checking In and Scotty Update

Long time no post!

Between work and school, lately, I have just not had the time to write anything other than papers on Greek Civilization. (You really don't want to know...) 

But I miss you guys!

So I thought I'd take a few minutes to update you all on my life.

First, Scotty is doing great! I am officially in love with the guy. He just cracks me up! The other day he was behaving so insanely hilarious because there was a new horse in the feild next to his. He galloped circles around the pasture for a solid 10 minutes! And let's admit it, those short little legs are so stinking cute. He's got the most adorable short stride ever. Like I said, it makes me laugh.

I've also taught him to free lunge in a round pen, and we've started ground driving him. He doing a great job with it! I think he's pretty smart and a fast learner. I've also started desensitizing him to the pony cart. So far it hasn't bothered him in the slightest! I can't wait until I can drive him! 

Secondly, my trainer has offered to sell me my favorite lesson horse. Do you recall the rescued OTTB that I wrote about a few months ago? That'd be the one. I love his story so much, and I strongly believe he needs to share that story with the world. Its something I am really considering. The downside is the fact that I am a poor college student, and he is solidly out of my price range. Something to think about though... But I really doubt I can make it happen.

Well, hope all of my blogging friends are doing well. Hopefully I'll have some time to check in with you again soon!

Until then!

Happy Trails.

Scotty the Pony!

Meet Scotty!

The new pony seems to be settling in well. He's so little and adorable! He is very sensitive and I think rather intelligent. We decided to get a miniature because we want to try out driving. We've even bought a pony cart! I also wanted another horse to keep Lady company. So far we really like him! I think he is a sweetheart! I am really excited about training him to pull a cart. He's only four, so he's kind of like my first training project! I am literally starting off small! 

Meet Our Newest Addition!

Meet the new addition to the farm! He's a four year old miniature horse gelding!

Hobo the Retired Rescued Racehorse

I got to ride my new favorite horse this past Tuesday! I got to ride a racehorse! Okay, his last race was 13 years ago... But still! It totally counts!

This is Hobo a 17 year old OTTB gelding that my trainer rescued from the kill pen.

The kill pen.

Look at him. Should this horse be in the kill pen?

His crime? Nada. He was used in a college equestrian program. Because of that he is extremely well trained. His canter cues are gorgeous. Yet for some unknown reason this particular college did not retire him properly. And come one guys its not like that would have been hard. Sure, he's 17. But his is beautifully trained and still completely ride able! So why didn't the college take a few extra days to re-home him (and his buddy) properly? I don't know. There are obviously some idiots running that program, because he and another older thoroughbred were auctioned off to the kill buyer. My trainer found just in time. They were about to be shipped down south when she heard of them and knew they didn't deserve that. Hobo came through the whole ordeal pretty well considering. He was only a little under weight. But the other horse Okie is extremely emaciated, and is having trouble gaining weight despite their best efforts.

Why would someone do that to these beautifully trained horses? Okie even used to be an upper level dressage horse! And they both raced back in the day. They are not lame. They weren't sick until treated badly. 

Horses like this should not be in the kill pen. 

They served people so well throughout their lives. They deserve to be treated with respect and dignity in their later years.

Please retire your golden oldies responsibly. 

Gone But Never Forgotten

Its been a little over a year since I said goodbye to Mya. I still miss her a lot. But I am happy because I know that I made her last few years the best they possibly could have been. She was always a happy horse! I've yet to meet a horse that has her gentle and sweet yet spunky spirit. She was one of a kind! I could not have asked for a better first horse.

 Even though she is now gone, she will never be forgotten. 

She has forever placed a hoof-print on my heart. 

Rescue Horse to Lesson Horse

In my two previous lessons I got to ride a new horse named Boomer. He is a rescued thoroughbred gelding. One of the things I love about my new barn is how the owner likes to bring in rescues and the typical underdog horses. And some of them, like Boomer, have turned out to be really great lesson horses!

I also got to jump for the first time on him!!

The Joy of Sharing Pony

There is something really fulfilling about being able to introduce someone to horses. Since horses are such unique animals, there is really nothing quite like watching someone experience a horse for the first time.

My new sister-in-law was up at my place a few days ago. I was about to go out and groom Lady and tend to her feet, so I asked her if she'd like to come out and help me. My sister-in-law has had next to no previous experiences with horses so it was a lot of fun to tell her about Lady.

I started out by giving her the generic safety instructions. (Don't do anything sudden, don't walk in there blind spots with them not knowing, etc.) And then since she is so artistic and enjoys that sort of thing, I showed her how to brush out Lady's mane and tail. Which she seemed to get into, and Lady looks so much more lady-like now with her hair all silky smooth.

After that I showed her how to pick out Lady's feet, and I was impressed at how quickly she picked that up! (Pun intended. haha) Lady was perfect with her and immediately let her mess around her hooves. Then I brought out the hoof oil and let my sister-in-law paint her hooves with it. I don't know about you, but I thinking painting hooves is rather fun. It could just be that the stuff smells like bacon though... (Anyone else use Rain Maker who also thinks it smells interesting?)

Then we ended with her giving Lady a treat (which the pony greatly appreciated), some fly-spray, and I showed her how to untie Lady's halter and take it off. In the end I think she really enjoyed being around my horse, and I think Lady might even have liked her a little...

There is definitely something magical about being around horses.

No one can deny that!

And then I fed pony for the evening, cause she would never let me forget that...

Heat and Horses Don't Mix

I went out to the barn for another riding lesson on Tuesday. But it turned out to be unbearably hot. I do not know if it was the heat or what, but Anna and I could not communicate with each other. Lately I've been working on improving my leg. I have a terrible habit of only using my hand to steer a horse when I ride. I believe that comes from me learning to ride on gaited horses. Needless to say I have a terrible leg when it comes to riding. So we spent pretty much the entire lesson trying to get Anna to move off my leg. Which never really happened. She kept veering off course and running into things. And the freakishly hot weather did not help. Towards the end we were both just hot and frustrated.

We both needed a major cool down by the time the lesson was over, so I ended up taking her out into the field and went on a mini trail ride. It gave us a chance to relax and just enjoy the ride a little which was super nice.

But we also decided to switch to evening lessons the rest of the summer to try and avoid the heat. One can not enjoy riding when they are afraid they are going to get heat stroke...

I've Discovered the World of Instagram

Yes, I signed up for an Instagram account devoted solely to my horsey friends. You can find me over there as myhorsenextdoor or https://www.instagram.com/myhorsenextdoor/

I'd love to follow you back! 

Riding in My First Clinic

I had a bit of an interesting experience last week.

I rode in my first clinic.

Not that that was weird or anything, on the contrary, it was quite exciting. Mostly just to be invited to ride in the clinic in the first place was exciting, since I'd only been riding at this barn for about a month.

The barn was hosting a schooling show, and the judge was sticking around to teach a clinic the next day. There were a variety of sessions. I decided to go with a group session since I never really get to ride with other people. There ended up being three of us in my session.

I rode the adorable grey pony I talked about in my last post. Apparently I get along with her really well or so I'm told. I do like her. I have a thing for ponies and mares. Weird, right? Most people avoid that category like the plague.

Anyway, the clinician had us start out my demonstrating what we knew about the rising and sitting trot and two-point. I've pretty much got my bases covered there so I did not receive a whole lot of instruction. Mostly just some stuff about learning to feel the correct diagonal instead of looking down for it. So Anna and I worked on completing some nice circles at the rising trot whole the instructor focused on the other two girls.

Then the instructor decided to work over some cavaletti next. Which I had not done with the horse I was riding. This was only my 3rd ride on her after all. But I was incredibly impressed with Anna because she took it like a pro. And honestly working over cavaletties is honestly one of my favorite things to do. It's fun. I don't know why.

But then the instructor decides to work us at the canter. Only, here's the thing, Anna doesn't canter. At least none of them had ever cantered her before. So they did not know if she could canter. But, alas, me being the willing brave soul that I am, decided to give it a go and try cantering the horse. Sometimes I think I'm crazy. But, hey! Guess what! She actually picked up a very poor but nevertheless real canter! Everyone gave a cheer for the pony. You couldn't help but be proud of the girl.

But this wasn't the end to this clinicians madness. She then decides that we ought to try cross-rails. I'm sure you already imagine my response. "This horse doesn't jump. At least I've never seen her jump...But its only like a foot off the ground, so it can't be that bad, right? Why not. We'll give it a go." Now in Anna's defense, she took the cross rail the first two times absolutely beautifully. But the third time around, well, she nearly face-plants over the thing. Said pony got a little bit clumsy. She trips over the jump, catches herself at the last minute, and it I instead who face-plant into the dirt. I'll admit. It was rather comical. She kinda just stopped and stared at me with this expression of "what happened to you?" on her face. You really can't blame her. She tries her best. So I climb back into the saddle, and we try it again. She is a good girl and remembers to pick her feet up this time. So in the end there was no harm done. Except for maybe my pride. After all I did fall of in the middle of a clinic with some wheres around fifteen people watching. Yeah, mildly embarrassing... But I reckon I'll live.

In the end, though, I learned a ton, and it was a lot of fun. Even though I fell off I'd still call the clinic a success.

Anna: New Lesson Horse

I had another lesson on Tuesday, and this time I rode a different horse that I had never ridden before. I got along a lot better with this mare than I did with the other gelding I had ridden. I think I've come to the conclusion that I just like riding mares better!

This mare's name is Anna. She's around 14.2hh I think and is in her late teens. She had the most adorable trot! Seeing as I had never ridden her before I thought our ride went really well. I was told she didn't listen to riders very well and liked to cut corners, but I thought we actually communicated pretty good together.

We mostly just did trot work, stirrup-less work, a little experimenting with two-point, and those annoying posting trot exercises...

I enjoyed riding this mare. This lesson went a lot better than the one before. So I actually felt like I accomplished something. Hoping I'll get to ride her again next week!

Back to Taking Lessons Again

Its been a good long while since I've taken riding lessons.

Actually, its been a good long while since I've even ridden.

But I figured it was time to get back in the saddle again.

I did a little internet research and decided on a new barn to try out. And after visiting and meeting the various peoples and horses, I decided I like the place! I decided to come back a week later for my first lesson.

In that first lesson it was pretty much an evaluation to see where I was. I rode a darling of a horse. A 1994 Warmblood mare named Tara. She was honestly so good she made me look good. A little too good actually. I ended up looking like I knew more about proper riding than I actually did. Woops. But an all together wonderful horse.

For my second lesson the trainer had me ride a different horse, and a little bit more of a horse than I'm used to. Ya... We actually couldn't get a trot, it was all walk to canter. That lesson was honestly a complete fail on my part. But, hey, what can you expect when I really haven't ridden in over a year?

The third lesson which was this past Tuesday, I rode the same horse. He's a quarter horse gelding named Dude. This lesson went a lot better. We actually managed a trot by the end, though we still did have several wild canters before we got there... But we did end on a good note this time.

At this point I don't really know where this is going to take me. Its been so long since I've really done anything like this. I haven't had a decent horse to work with going on close to two years. I currently feel really behind on everything, and I kind of feel like I've failed the horse world. But I've decided to give it one last shot this summer. So we'll see where that takes me.

And if anyone is wondering, Lady is happy as can be. Pretty much permanently only pasture sound. But she spends her days in the field and is a happy pony. 

The Sassy Lady Returns

Its been ages since I've written. I'm in college now so I really haven't had time to do anything worth writing about.

But Lady is doing well. She just keeps plodding away at life. She's a brave mare.

This weekend I am attending a huge Horse Expo. So maybe I'll have something interesting to report after that!

In the meantime I'll just leave you with some cute pictures of Lady Lou being as sassy and adorable as always!