Tragedy in the Eventing Community

Last Friday, as I was packing for a trip to Atlanta to visit my son Andrew and his girlfriend, Jenna, and their new home, as I walked by my computer for the last time before shutting it down, I checked facebook. And there was the news, that tragedy had struck Michael Pollard and his eventing team. His groom was driving their rig when an impatient driver pulled out in front, causing the trailer to flip on its side. Inside the trailer, were 6 horses, including 3 of Michael's four top level eventers.
In today's day of modern technology of i-pads and cell phones, the news traveled at lightning bolt speed. Michael and his wife Nathalie were out of the country on a much deserved rest and on their way home.
We learned that Michael's newest ride, VDL Ulando, was killed immediately. The other horses were extracted from the rig and the news initially was encouraging, that they would survive.
When I was able to check in again on FB and Eventing Nation (the eventers Bible), I was informed that Icarus, or Fly as he is known, was being shipped to Riddle and Rood in Lexington, to treat his injuries. The 14 year old grey Thoroughbred had suffered the most serious lacerations, with his right hind fetlock requiring surgery. Eventually, I learned that Fly had been euthanized, as his injuries were much too severe. I had watched this lovely grey galloping around Ocala only weeks earlier and watched him on tv, competing at Rolex. It was hard to believe that he would not be making a bid for London this summer.
Unbelievably, later that same day, the news came that Jude's Law had also been euthanized. Initially, his injuries appeared to be only superficial, but by Sunday, he was exhibiting internal damage and was trailered to Rood and Riddle, where the Pollards learned that the 11 year old Irish Sport Horse had ruptured his cecum, as a result of Friday's trauma.
If I am heartbroken, and the eventing world is heart broken, I cannot even begin to imagine what the Pollards and the team at Pollard Eventing are going through.
As a horse owner, we must at some point or another, come face to face with the death of our animal. Those who have horses know, that the death of a horse is not the same as one's dog or cat dying. Our bond with these magnificent creatures is on a much different plane. And lets face it, when we are presented with that time, putting down our horse is not the same as taking our beloved Fido or Boots to the vet, laying them on a table and watching them slip into an eternal slumber. The sheer size of the horse makes the dynamics of their death much more profound. They do not just lay down. We do not pick up their body, lay it in a box with their favorite blanket or toy. We do not simply dig a hole.
Even the most peaceful death of a horse, where one passes in its sleep, is not simple. Disposing of a thousand pound animal is not easy. Calls must be made, special equipment must be brought in, and decisions to be made as to whether to bury the horse or remove the body. It is not an easy task, physically or mentally.
It is difficult for me to wrap my brain around the thought of losing 3 horses within 3 days, from a preventable accident ( I do not know the details of the accident, other than that the other driver pulled out in front of the trailer, so I will not address this at this time).
For the Pollards, their grief is magnified, because these were not just 3 horses whose world was centered around a handful of people. The Pollards and their horses are in the limelight. They must share their grief with the world, or at least the eventing world. Through facebook and Eventing Nation, they have done just that.
One year ago, Memorial weekend again, eventer Boyd Martin experienced the same kind of loss, when a barn fire claimed the lives of 6 of his horses. The eventing community grieved right along Boyd and Silva and their connections. Somehow, they moved on. And somehow, Michael and Nathalie will pull themselves up by their bootstraps and move on. Eventers are a very kind and generous community. That is why I was attracted to it in the first place. Somehow, the Pollards will persevere, as we all have at some time or other, because eventers are one tough cookie.
My deepest condolences to the Pollard Eventing Team. And now, I must go hug my Tucker.

In Which We Must Still Keep Investigating....

Who doesn't love a good mystery? I know that I do, except when it comes to my horses! I posted a bit earlier about how being a horse owner does require us to investigate mysteries from time time, whether it be to discover the source of an illness or unsoundness or behavior problem.
Problems arose with Tucker a few months ago, which were quite out of the norm for him, and as days turned into weeks and weeks into months, I had a full blown mystery on my hands as I tried to uncover the source. To anyone else, nothing would have seemed amiss, but because I have been riding him for his entire life, I was unsettled that something wasn't quite right. Nothing that warranted a call to the vet, but nonetheless, something wasn't right. He wasn't lame, he wasn't sick. He wasn't being unruly or bad. Just...not quite himself.
So I started with the usual suspects....teeth were floated, the chiropractor came out and the saddle was reflocked. Initially, there was some improvement, and I thought we were good to go after the saddle came back from being reflocked, but then things started to slip again.
I debated calling the vet out, but what was he going to say? I could insist on xrays of his joints, but my gut was saying that wasn't it. So, what did my gut say?
Tucker is a draft cross, so I have always tried to feed an EPSM diet. Equine Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy is a muscle disease which is common with heavy draft breeds, as well as Quarter Horses (where it is called Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy or PSSM). Tucker is Percheron/Quarter Horse, so he is definitely at risk.
However, Tucker has allergies, and the feeds I should be feeding for EPSM usually contained either beet pulp or flax, which he is allergic to. EPSM diets should contain no more than 15% total daily calories from starch and sugar, and at least 25% of daily calories from fat. Horses with EPSM will also benefit from added Vitamin E and Selenium.
EPSM can be triggered at any time, with no reasonable explanation. Symptoms can include muscle wasting, especially in the rear quarters, muscle weakness, work intolerence, poor performance, lameness or gait abnormality, tying up, stringhalt, shivers, irritability at being touched and sore back.
There are 3 ways to diagnose EPSM. The least invasive method is to add fat to the diet for 4-6 months, and if the horse improves, then EPSM is more than likely the culprit.
For immediate results, there is a muscle biopsy, which is dependable, or an endocrine test from a blood sample after excercise, which is not reliable.
I was torn between wanting to know immediately and going the least invasive route. One of the complications of Tuckers allergies is his inability to heal from open wounds in a swift manner. With the summer heat fast approaching, I was leary about opening him up, even for a small incission.
So I added the fat to his diet. He is currently on Cavalor Endurix, which has a high sugar and starch content at 33%..this is the limit that you want to have for starch. The fat is low...8%. According to Dr. Beth Valentine, the leading expert on EPSM, horses with EPSM need at least 1 pound of fat per 1,000 pounds per day. Her approach is that horses gain no nutrition from grains, other than calories, so the approach is to replace starch and sugar calories with fat-based calories. The "added fats diet" is based upon:

• 1.2%-2.1% bodyweight in good hay
• 2 cups vegetable oil per 1,000 pounds
• 1-2 IU Vitamin E per pound
• Selenium supplement
• Plenty of fresh water
• Exercise to the horses comfort level
• Salt and minerals

I started Tucker on 1 1/2 pounds of Seminole Ultra Bloom twice a day. It contains 20% fat and is low in starch.
Amazingly, within about 2 weeks, I noticed a difference in Tuckers attitude! No longer was he pinning his ears as I tacked him up or asked for a change in pace. He felt stronger and well, he just seemed like his old self.
I was lucky, as most horses can take 4-6 months before improving on the fat diet.
There is so much more information that Dr. Valentine has put out there regarding EPSM diets, so I am not even going to attempt to cover it. Google her name or EPSM and you will get more than enough...and if you still aren't satisfied, there is even a yahoo support group which will totally overwhelm you!
I have debated adding selenium or Vitamin E to his diet. Most supplements contain a combination. Too much selenium is bad for horses, and you really should have your soil tested before adding it to the diet.
I am going to just continue to see how Tucker does and consider adding it if I feel it is warranted.
In the meantime, I am so happy to have my old Tucker back! We missed this winter and spring eventing season, but we have the summer to get ready for the fall!

Hopefully, this mystery is finally solved!

Tuckers Allergy Updates and A Miracle Solution!

My war on Tucker's allergies, has been relentless over the years, as I seek ways to relieve his misery. This has meant allergy testing, trying different products and supplements and even moving him from boarding barns where his allergies were worsened due to the location (which has opened my eyes and educated me in my quest for a farm of our own: I know which areas to avoid considering, due to heavy insect populations, either from heavily wooded areas or low lying areas which, when flooded, will lead to an increase in mosquitoes and noseeums).
My initial blog about Tuckers allergies can be accessed here:
http://www.calypsofarmeventers.blogspot.com/2010/06/itchies-habronemas-and-allergies-or.html
All the gory details of his habronema from hell, his wounds that wouldn't heal and the loss of hair are detailed in this account.
It has been 2 years since I wrote that blog, and much has changed, including where Tucker lives and new products that have come into our lives. Time for an update and to tell you about a new product that may be the answer for your itchy horse!
In the 2 years since, Tucker has had 4 different homes. I left the barn I leased in Chuluota, in my attempt to get my horse life under control...driving 30 minutes each way, 2 times a day, 7 days a week for 6 years, not to mention all the money I was sinking into someone elses property, was taking its toll. I downsized, closed my horse rescue (mainly due to lack of money and other resources) and found a barn that, while it was just as far a drive, it required me going only once a day. It worked for a while. We had no major issues with Tucker's skin at that barn and things were going well until I moved to another barn which unbeknownst to me, was a hotbed for noseeums....lesson learned, always check out a potential barn on more than one occassion, and at different times of the day. The bugs were not bad at 9:00 in the morning when I first looked at the barn. However, when we moved the horses a few weeks later, in the afternoon, we were attacked almost immediately. The owner claimed they had never been so bad, but I am sure she was just saying that. We moved a month later.
We left another barn because of the noseeums and mosquitoes. He was being tortured, refusing to leave the confines of the overhang of the barn to go join his pasture mates in the field. He prefered the annoyance of the stable flies to the noseeums and mosquitoes that appeared after a rare deluge of 10 inches in the fall, which awakened a neverending blood seeking supply of the nasty creatures. I had to move Tucker.
We are now back where I was for 5 months last year, in an area that is mostly suburbia with a few farms left over from another era. One side of the pasture is boardered by residential homes and there is a middle school at the end of the lane. Lawns are manicured and treated for pests. It has made a pretty big change in Tucker's skin, though not a 100% improvement. He is still itchy, particularly his mane and tail, and he has devolped hive like bumps along his shoulders. Also, he reopened the spot on his nose...out of the blue, I came out one day to discover a bloody spot, covered by what seemed to be every fly on the property. I have been keeping the spot covered in the Equiderma/diaper rash ointment, and I learned that if I put TWO fly masks on him, I have a 50/50 chance of returning in the evening to find that he is wearing at least one of them! This week I noticed open sores along his mid-line. I already started him on Smart Pak's Bug Off at the beginning of April, and now he wears his fly sheet at night.
Last week, I ordered a new product from Hilton Herbs, called Bye Bye Itch. I had tried Wendalls Herbs Stop Itch years ago, but stopped after I realized that not only was it not working, but Tucker's allergy test revealed that he was allergic to dandylions, which was an ingredient...no wonder it wasn't working! Just by chance, I saw an ad for the Bye Bye Itch and so I looked it up on their website.
http://www.hiltonherbsusa.com/products/bye-bye-itch/1284
I was impressed that they had included a trial video and the trial data. The results looked promising. I was worried that it contained flax, which was also on Tucker's list of allergens, but their flaxseed is cooked, something we have never tried. It also contains brewers yeast, vegetable charcoal, buckwheat, nettle,  and diatomaceous earth. I decided to give it a try, as well as ordering the recommended Bye Bye Itch lotion, which contains coconut oil, aloe oil, msm and other essential oils.
http://www.hiltonherbsusa.com/products/bye-bye-itch-lotion/1285
It arrived 5 days ago. The supplement is a white gritty powder mixed with herbs. The smell is somewhat pleasant...moreso than the Bug Off. At Tucker's size, it is recommended he get 6 scoops a day, which I have broken into 2 feedings. As with most new products, he was a bit skeptical and didn't exactly lick the bucket clean, but he did polish it all eventually.

Tuckers tail today

I applied the lotion to his tail, which has been rubbed raw at the base. DAMN! I wish I had taken a before picture. With just TWO applications, I realized this morning...HOLY CRAP...his tail has regrown in by more than 50%...after just 2 applications over 4 days. Then, I started going over his body. The welts on his shoulders? Gone by about 90%. There are just a few bumps and they are barely visible. Last night, I was a bit rushed, as I raced to get stalls done before an approaching storm....did I see him itching his mane? Defintely not as much, I realized, and the scabs at the base of his mane are gone. And his nose? Definitely looking better. The sores under his belly? Usually they volley back and forth between scabs and oozing sores. Today? They are dry, no scabs and on their way to healing!
Have I stumbled upon the miracle solution to Tucker's allergies? Well, let me just say, that after less than a week, the results are pretty staggering, and definitely impressive. I am, for the first time, excited that I have found product that will give him relief.

Tucker's nose today

In other skin updates, the habronema is still holding the same as it has for the past 2 years. It has been ages since we have seen the open, granulated, bloody mess that we dealt with for so many years. As soon as the season becomes warm, Tucker wears a fly boot on the leg to cover it. It is interesting that while I can put fly boots on all four legs, he will remove all boots except the one on his left front which covers the habronema scar! He apparently understands the importance of keeping it covered. It may never regress, but that is a chance I am not willing to take.

Tucker's habronema at its worst (above) and today (right)

I realize I can never let my guard down when it comes to Tuckers allergies. He still gets his allergy vaccine every month and in the summer, he wears his fly sheet. He is bathed weekly with Eqyss Medicated shampoo. At the first sign of any hair loss or open sore, it is treated aggressively. Through micromanaging, I have reduced his allergy season from 6-9 months of sheer hell, to about 2 months. It has been 2 years since I have had to lather him from head to toe and from chest to sheath, with ointment every day and night. Overall, this has made for not only a happier horse, but a happier horse mom!

American Invitational

With friends Stephanie Yee and Terri Koubek

Trophy table

Bike jump

The press conference

The first Saturday of April has always meant one thing for
me: the American Invitational, held in the Raymond James stadium in Tampa.
Celebrating its 40th year, the Invitational is open to only the best show jumpers in the world. One must be invited to attend, based upon set criteria. I have attended roughly 2 dozen of these events, including the inaugural event, held in the old Tampa stadium, in 1973. Back then, every
seat in the house was filled, and the horses were stabled under the stands in makeshift stalls.
I watched legendary rider Rodney Jenkens and Idle Dice win that year. You should have heard the stadium erupt in cheers! That year, it was called the $15,000 American Invitational. Over the years, the name changed from the Anheauser-Busch AI to the Michelob American Invitational, then the Budweiser American Invitational and finally, in 2010, it became known as the
Gene Mische American Inivitational. Mishe passed away later that year, but was proud of his contributions to the sport and industry, with the American Invitational as his proudest accomplishment.
I will always remember that first trip…we had just moved to Florida and my mother had sold our sporty Baracuda for a red AMC Matador station wagon, which caused great embarrassment to my brother and I. It had been in an accident (oh, darn!), so it was in the shop (where it would be stolen by joyriders, only to be found, unfortunately, safe and sound, the next day…even punks had better taste!), so we traveled to the Invitational in style…a rental Monte Carlo! Compared to the station wagon, it was so luxurious: what a way for a 10 year old to travel to the “big city” to see my first “fancy” horseshow! Back then, the seats were filled to capacity, and it saddens me today that the attendance numbers top out at less than 10,000.
Over the years, I saw memorable performances by Melanie Smith and Calypso, Lisa Jaquin and For the Moment, Greg Best and Gem Twist and Ian Miller and Big Ben, to name just a few. From the course walk and standing next to the Shamu standards, to the South Creek Fox Hounds putting on an exhibition, the Parade of Breeds and finally, the actual competition itself, it
has always been exciting, a day to mark on the calendar, with edge of the seat excitement, as it comes down to just a few tenths of a second to determine who will ride off with the big payout!
This year was no different. Thirty two horses and riders contested for the $200,000 in prize money. I don’t recall so many countries being represented: USA, Canada, Venezuela, Brazil, Ireland, England, Germany, Australia and France. There were crowd favorites, such as Michelle Michaels Beerbaum (Ger), and Katie Prudent, Margie Engle, and Beezie Madden and several
up and coming riders too, including 17 year old Reed Kessler, who is at the head of the long list of riders for the Olympics.
The Invitational started as it always does, with the Parade of Tampa Equestrian Series Champions. The riders were introduced, followed by a Parade of Breeds exhibit. I have to sidetrack here. There was an Appaloosa, which I am sure probably shows as a Quarter Horse as well. He certainly carries himself like the Quarter Horse people seem to like, which means that his head is below the withers and his hind quarters appear to be doing a slow trot while the front end attempts to canter. The horse looked absolutely miserable, the ride looked uncomfortable and it looked downright abusive. I hear that the Quarter Horse industry is trying to change this, yet this "look" still is getting rewarded in the showring. How do you even train a horse to move this way, short of making them outright crippled on purpose? And do they move like this when they are racing across a field, or are they forbidden to be turned out..or too crippled to move naturally? I don't see any difference between this and the folks in the Tennessee Walker industry who feel they must sore their horses legs. It is appalling.
Also, I must mention the Morgan and the Saddlebred horses. We thought the Saddlebred was the Morgan and vice versa until we read otherwise in the program. Really? If you want to breed a horse that looks like a Saddlebred, then why not just breed Saddlebreds? The show type Morgans look nothing like their predecessor, the Lippit line of Justin Morgan fame.
Other than that, the breeds being represented were gorgeous and obviously fine examples of their breeds. The Warmblood did lovely tempi changes across the diagonal and the Akhel-Teke was stunning with his golden coat.
Next to perform was Tommie Turvey performed his daredevil tandem riding, and the Show Jumping Hall of Fame inducted its newest members: President and CEO of the USET Foundation and former AHSA President Jane Forbes Clark, grand prix rider Hap Hansen and President and CEO of Langer Equestrian Group, Larry Langer.
Finally, it was time to get down to business. We didn’t have to wait long for the night’s first clean ride. Charlie Jayne, on Athena, were the 3rd pair to start the course, and left all rails up for the evenings first clear round. After that, it would be 11 more rides before we saw last
years winning team Kent Farrington and Uceko put in the next clear round. Kessler, riding Mika, had a disappointing 4 faults. Always a favorite, Margie Engle had a difficult ride on the stallion Royce and retired him on course, demonstrating the horsewoman that she is. The bicycle jump would prove to be the undoing of 13 teams over the course of the evening. The top rail sat shallow in the cups and horses that were rushed through it were guaranteed to knock it down. The
big oxer combination that followed on the outside line would also claim a few more victims. Steve Stephen’s demanding course also included a skinny horseshoe vertical, which caused a few problems, a colanade wall, and a vertical-oxer-vertical combination, which proved to be an issue with a few. Notably absent was the famous Shamu jump and a liverpool! Ten more rides would go by before Beezie Madden proved that she was a contender. Riding Simon, she made it look effortless. The stands went wild, as we realized we were in for an exciting jumpoff. Molly Ashe-Crawley immediately followed, and with Carissmo, she sent the crowd into another frenzie with a clear round. With just 6 riders left, one more went clean. Mario Deslauriers, formerly of Canada and now riding for the U.S., galloped Cella to the 5th clear round.
While the course was changed for the jump off, we were treated to an exhibition by world class dressage rider……huh? Tommie Turvey? While trying to figure out who they had managed to snag for this demonstration, I was completely caught off guard when Tommie came in riding his paint Poker Joe. As they halted to demonstrate the salute, the saddle slid under Poker Joe and Tommie found himself starring up at Poker Joe’s belly. Silliness ensued, with Poker Joe lying on his back, all four feet straight up in the air and Tommie sitting on his belly. The slap stick routine elicited loud applause from the audience, as many I am sure, myself included, were enormously impressed at this horse’s training. It culminated with Poker Joe chasing Tommie across the course, all in good fun. I have been to Arabian Nights and Equitana’s Mane Event. This is by
far, the best horse act I have seen, and I look forward to seeing them again!
Finally, it was time for the jump off. The course was shortened and began with an oxer, followed by a left turn to the colonnade wall. The vertical-oxer combination, which had claimed its fair share of riders in the first round, was up next, followed by a right turn to the horseshoe vertical. A turn to the right, over the American Invitational jump, which was reversed from the first round, and the horses then beared left, around several jumps to jump another vertical. Then a sharp rollback, which proved to establish the winners, to an oxer with a right turn over the final oxer.
Jacobs was first to enter, but with 17 faults, he would have to settle for 5th and a check for $12,000.
Farrington entered next, hoping to become the 3rd rider to ever win back to back Invitationals. The lovely gray Uceko (2001 KWPN g., Celano x Koriander) set a blistering speed, but a rail down at the final fence put him in first place only temporarily, but that would not last. He would have to settle for 4th place, a check for $20,000 and the award for Style Rider award, which he also won last year.
Madden was next to gallop across the start line, and set the bar with 0 faults and a time of
46.31. Simon’s (1999 KWPN g., Mr Blue x Poludox) pace was conservative. After the round, she commented that she “would have been more aggressive had there been fast trips already. I think I was pretty good until the black and white double. He jumped a little high, got a little zig-zaggy and he was a little wide to the last line, so I did one more stride.”
The pressure was on Ashe-Cawley, who proved that she was up to the challenge. Carissimo (1999 Hol. g., Calando I x Silvester) set a good pace, and shaved time off at the rollback, and a clear round put her in the lead with a time of 45.81.

Would that be good enough for Ashe-Cawley to win her 3rd Invitational?
The big gray Cella (2002 BWP mare, Cento x Chin Chin) entered the stadium and Deslauriers set the speed from the first jump. They had a sharp roll back and left a stride out on the approach to the last fence, shaving 1.31 seconds off of Ashe-Cawley’s time, for a win with 44.5 seconds!
The award ceremony was held immediately after, with presentation of the top 12 finishers and a victory gallop circle.
Deslauriers credited his tight turn after fence 6 and a good track, as well as “everything went right” to his win. He was full of praise of the Steve Stephens course, citing the bicycle jump and the 3rd element of the triple as causing the most problems. He felt the footing was super, and the atmosphere was encouraging the horses to jump up. This was the first major class for Cella in 3 weeks, who had been suffering from a tooth issue. “She’s incredible! To walk in here and do this like this, it’s such a great horse. I actually met the first fence on a good lick and the jump-off
kind of fell into place. I was turning the corners and the distance was showing up. I know she’s fast, she’s a very big horse, but she’s quick enough and leaving the stride out to the last fence was actually just nice to her, so I thought she jumped fantastic.” He credited a great indoor season, including Paris, Harrisburg and Geneva. Cella is owned by Clark-Forbes, and this gives her her first Invitational win.
Ashe-Cawley, who took time off for the birth of her daughter, said it felt good to be back, after her absence. She said it was good to know “it’s still there” and that the ride “felt good.” Asked what her next step was, she laughed as she said it would be to “try and find a way to keep him.”
With the Invitational now in the past, riders, owners and trainers will now be focusing even more for London. Who will be representing the United States? Team USA will be defending their 8 year title, having won gold in Athens in 2004 and Hong Kong in 2008. Will there be a third team win?
Equestrian eyes will be focused on London, rooting for our Olympians, whomever they will be!

Product Review: Dublin Boots

Even Hobbs, the barn cat, likes my Dublins!

I awoke to the sound of rain this morning....yeah! I thought! I can wear my Dublins to the barn! Not that I need an excuse to wear my Dublins..I wear them everywhere...not only to the barn, but to Publix, the mall and even to the Winter Park Christmas parade!

Some people may consider them knock offs of the very expensive Duburry's, but at $190, I can't really put them in the same category as the Rolex and Coach knockoffs that you purchase in some shady alleyway in New York City for $25! Dublins stand well enough on their own merit, without being called a knockoff.

The first day I wore them, we had over 10 inches of rain at the barn. Boy, talk about breaking boots in right away! I knew they were water resistant, but I was still hesitant to step into the calf high water. I held my breath, took a step and waited for my nice, dry feet to become saturated...it didn't happen! I sloshed around the barn that afternoon, my feet staying warm and dry, quite impressed with my new boots!

When I got home, I followed the instructions and let the boots dry naturally. The next day, I brushed off the dried mud. None the worse for wear!

All winter I have worn my boots every chance I get. If they were a bit more formal, I would wear them to work! But they are great teamed up with a pair of jeans, and I have worn them into the grocery store and on trendy Park Avenue. After all, equestrian style clothes are in style, and teamed with my breeches, I don't look out of place!

I also ride in them! I discovered this by accident. My left leg swells up, a residual effect of a blood clot 2 years ago. I schedule my riding time around my leg, as by the afternoon, my custom made Vogels cannot fit over my swollen calf. One day, I decided to see if I could ride in my Dublin's. I was very pleased to discover that yes, I can! I cannot fit my spur strap over the wide foot, but I have just as much contact through the calf and have the same amount of protection as my boots.

Now, I can ride any time of the day!

For the price, style and quality, I give these boots 4 hooves up.

Playing Detective

Sometimes being a horse owner means that you have to play detective.
What on earth did my horse just rip his eyelid open on?
Why is my horse limping? Is it his right hind or the right front leg?
Why is my horse not eating all her breakfast?
Why on earth is my horse suddenly spooking at the woods?
Why?
Why?
Why?
For me, the answers to the above are:
1) Don't bother looking, you will never find the source
2) Hint: look for the head bobbing
3) If it is Imp that is off her feed, that is normal, but I still want to know why, and I still have no clue, just ideas
4) Because there is an armadillo rooting around....yes, I came nose to nose with it last week, and Imp heard it the minute she stepped foot outside the barn!

My latest mystery involved Tucker. I have spent alot of time exploring the mysteries of Tucker's allergy sources, and the best way to manage them. But riding him has always been an uncomplicated breeze, until about a month ago.
Off and on for the past 8 months, he has been a bit pissy about saddling him. Not girthing him, but the act of setting the saddle on his back. It was puzzling me. Was the saddle hurting him? Was he associating the saddle with something I was doing on his back that he didn't like?
For several months, the behavior stopped. Then, it suddenly reappeared last month.
I contacted my chiropractor. He came out and was surprised that a horse of Tucker's build would be having back issues. It took a few searches, but the source of pain was located in his withers, the T4. Normally, for this area to be out of alignment, means that either he rolled on something, or was roughhousing with another horse. Since he had been exhibiting displeasure for several months, I attributed it to his playing with his buddy Tyke, when they were stablemates. (No way it could be Imp...she doesn't participate in such juvenile foolishness!)
Tucker was good for a week. No more pinning his ears back as I tacked him up. Then, one morning, he really had an attitude as I placed the saddle on him. Ears back, his tail swished and he backed up and away. Perplexed, I finished tacking him, giving him a peppermint to divert his attention away from the saddle. As I rode him, he was reluctant to move forward. As I asked him to canter, he produced a rare buck.
I immediately pulled him up. Not because I was intimidated by his bucking, but because I knew there was something seriously wrong.
In my book, there are 3 things that can cause sudden balkiness while under tack: a sore back, a poor fitting saddle (which can cause the back to hurt) and/or an issue with the teeth.
Since I had the chiropractor out, I decided to address the next two possibilities.
First, I had Bob Stockman, of Stockman's Harness Shop, come out and inspect the saddle. He had originally measured Tucker and fitted him for his extra wide Stubben Siegfried when Tucker was 6. He determined that the saddle needed some reflocking. Thankfully, there were no changes with the tree. He took the saddle with him and promised to have it back to me in less than a week. The following day, the vet came out and floated his teeth.
Tucker was sedated and the vet placed a gag in his mouth and lifted his enormous head onto the stand, which gave us a clear view into the deep reaches of his mouth. It is very educational to be able to stick your hand into a horses mouth and feel the teeth, gums and tongue!
He had some waves, and there were a few sharp hooks, which were creating an ulcer along the side of his mouth. Thankfully, that was all. Within 30 minutes, his sharp edges had been removed, the waves had been evened out, and he was on his way to waking up.
I picked up my saddle and rode him on Tuesday. The saddle felt brand new again. There was some attitude as I placed it on his back, but I attribute that more so to conditioning and preparing himself for pain. The real test would be when I rode him under saddle.
I am pleased to say, my Tucker is back! We had a pleasant, although a bit strong, ride. He was forward and right on spot with his canter departures...in fact, his departures were even better than they have been in recent months! There was no bucking, no ear pinning, as we worked on leg yields, canter departures and circles.
Was it the teeth floating or the saddle reflocking? Since both were done at the same time, I will never know. Perhaps it was a combination of both.
All I know is, I am glad to have my old Tucker back! And all it took, was a bit of detective work!

Horse News

There is so much news in the horse world lately...

First, let me offer my condolences to those who were involved with the terrible explosion at Kesmar Rehab in Ocala yesterday:

http://eventingnation.com/home/2012/02/hyperbaric-explosion-at-kesmarc-ocala.html

What an absolute tragedy.

In the good news department, Rachel Alexandra gave birth to a colt a few weeks ago. My friend, Suzanne's, son-in-law, Calvin Borel, was RA's jockey, so I have always had a special interest in this wonder horse!

Sired by super horse Curlin, it is uncanny how the yet to be named colt has a star just like his mom:

http://www.stonestreetfarms.com/info/?page_id=144

Cannot share this story enough:

http://blog.amsvans.com/6405-bettina-eistel-an-armless-hero-on-horseback/

Always picks me up!

Did you catch these hilarious videos made by SmartPak?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmoDoGLXbWQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN5TyS-KYao&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPei3J8v2O8&feature=youtu.be&cm_mmc=Social-_-EN-_-StuffRidersSayPart2-_-Jun30

And a take off for eventers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTUsXaUFR-Q&feature=share

When Suzanne and I ran Heart Land Horse Rescue, we received much needed support and donations through Special Horses.

They are running again their special auction beginning on Monday. I have donated several photographs of our first rescue, Lady, as well as an autographed photo of Calvin on Rachel Alexandra. Please check it out and consider bidding on their items:

http://www.specialhorses.org/Auction.asp