After Margaret and I had such a fun time at the fall hunter pace, we opted to go again this spring! This time, while I rode Rejoice again, Margaret rode her horse Jester and had a friend ride Ladyhawke. All Kennebec Morgans!! Jester and Rejoice have the same dam and Jester and Lady share the same sire. Unfortunately instead of a lovely late spring day, we had one of the first intensely hot and humid days of the year. It was definitely a bummer, but the ride was mostly in the shade of the woods and we had a great time! most of the fences were 3' coops but we found a small log and this hay to jump haha Until we didn't. 😑 We brought along a third friend who rode Margaret's older mare, Ladyhawke. She's a good rider but hasn't known Ladyhawke for very long and didn't realize how much of a cranky boss mare she could be at times. She kicked Jester right in the front leg just about halfway through the ride, and while the cut itself ended up not being a big deal in the
My veterinarian came out today for spring shots and Coggins. I had to take a day off from work, which is a pain, but it all works out. He was supposed to be here by 9AM, but I received a call that it would be closer to 10. No big deal. Then he called again to say he would be running closer to 11 because he had to stop and put a prolapsed vagina back into a sheep! LOL! Well, OK, then! I have heard it all now! I never have a problem if my vet or farrier is running late because of an emergency (especially when they call to let me know! :-) because I would want the same level of prompt attention if I had the emergency here!
I had planned to ride the mares after their shots. It is good to get them out and moving after a series of shots and a 20 minute walk is pretty laid back. But because my vet was running late, I opted to ride first. Not ideal, but if I wanted to fit everything in before I had to pick up my son at school by 2, then I had to ride first.
I took Dreamy out onto the road to ride today. It was a bit more exciting than endless walking circles throw the snowy field, and she bores easily. We just walked up the road and back a few times, since we are only worried about long slow distances right now. She was totally fine and it was a gorgeous sunny morning here. All was well until I spotted three very large black labs running down the road towards us, barking and growling. Dreamy is a very level headed mare, and generally can ignore a barking dog, but seeing three in a "pack" like that made a nervous for a moment. I took a deep breath and asked her to trot straight at them, as I growled back and yelled "Go! Get away! I have found that the best way to deter a dog who is chasing my horse is to make the horse go after the dog. It worked and immediately the three of them tucked their tails and ran up the road. I am hoping they were OK and got home safely. I assume they somehow got lose and the owners are at work (at least I hope so, as letting dogs loose even in my quiet neighborhood is a bad idea).
Reva had a quick 15 minute ride, as my vet showed up while I was still on her! But both mares were very, very good and seem happy to be back into work.
All three of my mares had their spring shots and Dreamy and Reva had their Coggins pulled. There were no problems and it was a good visit. We gave Sparky IV banamine beforehand just in case, as she can sometimes have weird colicky shot reactions. She is turning 30 this year and I do NOT want to deal with colic if we can prevent it. Tonight I gave her a half dose (500 lbs) of banamine paste and then I will give her another half dose tomorrow. She looks great and should be just fine.
The best part? It was FREE and my vet owed me money! Just kidding, it wasn't "free". LOL! I send my vet a check every two weeks when I get paid, so that I prepay as much of my spring shots as possible. All told, it comes out around $900 usually and that is the amount I had prepaid as of today. Prepayment is the only way I can afford my horses and instead of putting it onto a savings account, and then being tempted to dip into it, I just send it directly to him. He doesn't mind the money up front (of course) and it works out well for both spring shots and fall teeth floating (which is about the same amount of money lately, since Reva has had to have major dental work). I expected to have to write a small check for the difference; last year I think I owed $14 or thereabouts. But instead, I still have a $96 and change credit on my account! WHOOOO! So it felt as though the spring shots were "free". When I told my vet this he laughed at me. LOL! I will just leave the credit there, since I will need a health certificate in August if I decided to go to Standardbred Nationals and of course fall teeth floating. And who knows what else...obviously I will use the money and I know he is a decent, honest man so the credit won't magically "disappear".
I had planned to ride the mares after their shots. It is good to get them out and moving after a series of shots and a 20 minute walk is pretty laid back. But because my vet was running late, I opted to ride first. Not ideal, but if I wanted to fit everything in before I had to pick up my son at school by 2, then I had to ride first.
I took Dreamy out onto the road to ride today. It was a bit more exciting than endless walking circles throw the snowy field, and she bores easily. We just walked up the road and back a few times, since we are only worried about long slow distances right now. She was totally fine and it was a gorgeous sunny morning here. All was well until I spotted three very large black labs running down the road towards us, barking and growling. Dreamy is a very level headed mare, and generally can ignore a barking dog, but seeing three in a "pack" like that made a nervous for a moment. I took a deep breath and asked her to trot straight at them, as I growled back and yelled "Go! Get away! I have found that the best way to deter a dog who is chasing my horse is to make the horse go after the dog. It worked and immediately the three of them tucked their tails and ran up the road. I am hoping they were OK and got home safely. I assume they somehow got lose and the owners are at work (at least I hope so, as letting dogs loose even in my quiet neighborhood is a bad idea).
Reva had a quick 15 minute ride, as my vet showed up while I was still on her! But both mares were very, very good and seem happy to be back into work.
All three of my mares had their spring shots and Dreamy and Reva had their Coggins pulled. There were no problems and it was a good visit. We gave Sparky IV banamine beforehand just in case, as she can sometimes have weird colicky shot reactions. She is turning 30 this year and I do NOT want to deal with colic if we can prevent it. Tonight I gave her a half dose (500 lbs) of banamine paste and then I will give her another half dose tomorrow. She looks great and should be just fine.
The best part? It was FREE and my vet owed me money! Just kidding, it wasn't "free". LOL! I send my vet a check every two weeks when I get paid, so that I prepay as much of my spring shots as possible. All told, it comes out around $900 usually and that is the amount I had prepaid as of today. Prepayment is the only way I can afford my horses and instead of putting it onto a savings account, and then being tempted to dip into it, I just send it directly to him. He doesn't mind the money up front (of course) and it works out well for both spring shots and fall teeth floating (which is about the same amount of money lately, since Reva has had to have major dental work). I expected to have to write a small check for the difference; last year I think I owed $14 or thereabouts. But instead, I still have a $96 and change credit on my account! WHOOOO! So it felt as though the spring shots were "free". When I told my vet this he laughed at me. LOL! I will just leave the credit there, since I will need a health certificate in August if I decided to go to Standardbred Nationals and of course fall teeth floating. And who knows what else...obviously I will use the money and I know he is a decent, honest man so the credit won't magically "disappear".
Well, that's a cool idea! I had no idea you had the three horses. For some reason, I thought it was just the two. When did you get a third? :) I'm dying for the day when I can add a second (TB) so I can get back out and event! Hope to see you at the hunter paces and even out hunting this year! :)
ReplyDeleteHey Sarah! I have Sparky, my now 30 year old first horse, Dreamy my Standardbred that you met down at Green Acres, and then Reva my youngster who I am bringing along! :-)
ReplyDeleteI am definitely planning to come to the hunter paces and hunts with you this year!!! Just waiting to see the schedule. :-D SO EXCITED!!!