Less Than a Week

Less than a week off and I'm already itching to get back into the saddle.

Candy's left pastern area/fetlock has swollen up again, and I'm back to cold-hosing and Bute 2x a day on top of changing his standing wraps twice a day.

Sawyer is still "off", just kind of gimpy, for lack of a better word. My instructor, H, is really trying to push his owners to get a full soundness workup. I hope we get to the bottom of it and I hope it's fixable. He really will be a great ammy horse, and if we can just figure out what's up with him, he'll be a lovely 3' packer. I'll be bummed when/if he sells, but at least I'll have saddle and show time in the meantime if/when he gets sound.

Unfortunately for me, I've picked up running en lieu of riding to help keep my anxiety and depression (and my waist line) under control. I say unfortunate, because my parents are THRILLED I'm running. Our whole family runs (except me) and everyone always gets excited when I run ("You're a naturaaaalll", "You're so athletiiiiic").

I'm almost a little irrationally nervous that if I continue running, they won't help out with the horses because they're happy I've found another outlet. But that's just my paranoia and venting setting in.

After the drama of being tossed by a super fresh potential lease horse, a serious discussion with the parentals about finances (thanks, vet bills!), taking care of Candy, and Sawyer's on/off lameness, I've decided that once Sawyer sells, I will take a really good look at my riding career/hobby -decide what I want out of it, and determine if I can afford it, and proceed from there. One day at a time.

-K&C&S

Taking a Break

Burnt out and financially strained (thanks, Candy), so I think I am going on a hiatus from riding for the forseeable future.

Just doesn't bring me joy anymore; just heartbreak and arguments with parents. Time to reach out.

New Developments

It's been pouring rain, and Sawyer is still a little sore so I haven't ridden outside of a short 15 minute hack in the last week.

Candy is doing fab-u-lous! He's putting weight on his left hind, the swelling has gone almost completely down, and he's about as sound as his lil arthritic self can be. He's still loving the stall life, but I picked up a Likit refill and a Uncle Jimmy's Licky Thing (sugar-free) to keep him entertained. I think he fancies himself "King of the Barn" and always looks so proud of himself in his stall: "I've got a window, I've got a fan, I've got a Jolly Ball. This rocks." I've decided to keep him in Alabama with me rather than retiring him with his breeder; an 8 hour trailer ride would be too hard on him, and his breeder's board is more expensive than what I am paying for pasture.

I'm sure the other stalled horses think he's ridiculous.

Sawyer has officially officially been put up for sale, and the owner wants him to sell quickly. I'm still ~*toying*~ with buying him, but the funds are not there for his asking price (without parental help), and I'm not sure I want a Hunter for at least the next two years. I really do love him, and think he's a great kid, but I'm just not sure purchasing him would benefit either of us. I would more than likely sell him after graduation since I have no idea where I will be when I'm done with school, and wouldn't be able to afford to ship a horse (or two) away from the East Coast. Who knows what will happen though...

True fact: never seen this movie. I also don't know what I want.

However, I am really (guilty-ly) excited to be trying a new potential lease next week! He's a former mini-Prix jumper and looks super fun! Even if we don't get along, or the finances don't work, I still expect it to be the best hour of my life. :) And you know, school's out in 3 weeks. (4 finals, 1 surgery to go and I am half-way a veterinarian!!)

- K&C&S

Thing 1 and Thing 2

This past week did not go as planned. At all.

Finally recovered from the GI bug from hell to take a total of 1 final, 3 exams, and 6 quizzes in the past 2 weeks, and for some reason thought it was totally sane to show this previous week in an AHJA show (I'm chasing points- living my 13 year old self's dream!).

I flatted Sawyer Tuesday for the first time in a week (sick, tests, etc.) and he was BEAUTIFUL. I got a couple steps of stretchy, nose to the ground trot with his hind end really swinging. We've been working on using our hind end, and Sawyer is slowly learning that collection is his friend (because I also do really mean things like lateral work, and going in a straight line is nicer than going sideways). I also got a few solid leg yields at the trot and canter, which felt wonderful. By a few, I mean like a step or two, but that's progress.

Had an exam Thursday, so skipped riding Wednesday, and scheduled a lesson for Thursday. Bring him in for the lesson. All 4 shoes. Check. All 4 shoes tightly attached to his feet? Nope. So into a stall he went to be reshod in the morning. Can't ride Sawyer? It's ok; I'm savoring my freedom, so I go to bring in Candy. Candy- who is 3 legged lame and has a left fetlock the size of a very angry baseball. So naturally, I call the vet out, get the news that it's tendinitis, sesamoiditis, or synovitis, which all have lengthy recoveries attached. There go my lofty dreams of getting him re-X-rayed to gradually introduce work. I wrapped and sweat Candy's hind leg, gave the boys peppermints, a kiss on the nose, and called it a night. (Then proceeded to cry, and eat my feelings in Chinese food at the boyfriend's place)

It took 5 days, but he can put his weight on his left leg!

Being semi-productive during the 45 minutes Candy has freeze pops strapped to his leg

"Yes, I like this. Look at my fan. Look at my hay. The barn hand kisses my nose every time she walks by. I like this"

Get a call from my trainer the next day: Sawyer's right hind fetlock has swollen up. So now, I'm wrapping 6 feet twice a day (all 4 of Sawyer's and Candy's back feet), sweating both broken fetlocks, and icing Candy's now very hot, very painful fetlock twice a day, for 45 minutes. Obviously, for Sawyer, the show was a no go. Between gimp 1 and gimp 2, I am spending roughly 3 hours a day at the barn, not riding, just doing standing wraps.

Yesterday- Sawyer's fetlock returned to normal and he got turned out for a day of rest, and light work today. This morning (at 6:30 am), Candy got iced and wrapped; his fetlock has almost returned to normal, and he is like a little king surveying his kingdom on stall rest- he loves it.

On the bright side, my standing wrap skills have returned (I used to be able to slap on beautiful ones in fractious TB mares in under a minute a leg), and I taught the boy-frand how to do standing wraps. He was actually pretty good- I was impressed. I also got to deep clean my trunk and first aid kit, which needed to be done!

Can't wait to see what disasters this next week has in store...

-K&C&S (aka K & Gimp 1 & Gimp 2)

Crazy Times

Sorry for the long break between posts. Spring Break was a little nuts, then I got a really bad GI bug thanks to my elective that stuck around for 2 weeks through one hell week (3 quizzes, 1 final, 1 exam- all right after Spring Break). I have ridden Sawyer 3 times in 2 weeks.

Over Spring Break, my parents were down to visit, then the weather was bad. Managed to pop on Sawyer for another mini-clinc/lesson with Jason Costick (who remembers me a "K with the nose ring"). Sawyer was really good; we worked on finding distances using my leg to dictate the take off point as well as working on the "effortless" look a lot of hunters have. Being a quieter rider should help Sawyer find his lead over fences, and/or prep him for the change in the corner. I'm working on doing a simple, 1 trot step change until Sawyer is strong enough for a flying change. At the end of the day, we jumped a 3'6ish vertical! Sawyer is really starting to figure out life.

Last week, did some gallop sets with Sawyer. We never hit a full gallop, but I focused on really opening up Sawyer's stride and getting him to reach with his body while keeping organized throughout. It seemed to really help his brain. I researched his Jockey Club tattoo and found out he had about 3 starts and no finishes- so that in and of itself might be why he refuses to move faster than a hand gallop.

Finally think my illness is gone so I hopped on him last night for a pretty intense flat session. I worked on lateral work at all 3 gaits to really encourage him to be flexible and fluid through his hind. He gets leg yields at the trot and walk- it's not perfect, but it's there. There's a basic understanding of haunches-in and shoulder-in at the walk. Leg yields at the canter were lovely to the right, but sticky/not there to the left. We even got a couple steps of GORGEOUS stretchy trot (nose to the ground); it was so refreshing to feel him round through his back and swinging with his hind. I think with a little more transition work and lateral work, he'll actually become a pretty solid mover.

I might be showing this weekend- haven't decided. It all depends on how good he is for my lesson tomorrow.

-K & C & S

A Life in the Day...

Here is a little snapshot of what I go through on a weekday and during the weekend as a lower level competitive rider and veterinary student.

Weekday
6:45-7:45 - Usually hit snooze 3 times. Finally get up & get ready for school . My school has business casual attire dress code, so usually it's twill pants (occasionally breeches, but who's keeping count here...) and a semi-nice top. Pack lunch & breakfast. Make coffee.

7:50- Get to school. Check email, Facebook, Blogger, and Instagram.

8:00 am- 11:50 am- Class, class, class.

12:00 pm- Lunch ft. a microwave organic burrito, fruit, and yogurt. Stare hungrily at Reese's cups.

12:50- 4:50 pm- Class, class/lab, and/or afternoon necropsy. Usually I get out of class anywhere between 1:50 to 4:50 pm. Sometimes as late as 6 if necropsies run long. For simplicity's sake, I'll say 3:50.

4:00 pm to 6:00 pm- At the barn. Ride and groom Sawyer; groom and possibly hack Candy time permitting.

6:20 pm to 7:00 pm- Make dinner and relax for a bit.

7:00 pm to 12:00 am- Let the pigs out and study, study, study. Clean/tidy on my study breaks.

At some point in the night, Wilbur pretends to be a parrot.

12:00 am to 12:30 am- Clean the pigs' cage, give them pellets, and veggies. Shower.

12:30 am- hit the hay, set multiple alarms to get up and do it all over again.

Weekend
6:30-6:50- Get up and get dressed for work. Make breakfast and coffee.

7:00 am to 10 am- Work in the ICU/IMC of the vet school I attend. Usually just helping out techs.

11:00 am to 2:00 (or 3, 4, 5) pm- Shove protein bar in my mouth en route to the barn. Spend time with the boys, hill work with Sawyer, trail ride with Candy.

3:00 pm to (usually) 5:00 pm- Much needed nap.

5:00 pm to whenever (1 am?)- If it is Saturday: Clean the pig cage. Shower and become "attractive/presentable/rinse off the fine layer of dirt and hair I've accumulated". Dinner out with the dude. Watch Netflix and catch up with each other's lives. Study a bit. Sleep and repeat.

If it is Sunday: Grocery shop, then come home and make dinner. Watch Vine compilations while dinner cooks/eating dinner because I refuse to multi-task. Start a load of laundry. Free the pigs. Start studying. Switch out laundry, and clean on 10 minute study breaks. Get distracted. Start studying again. Deep clean the pig cage (preferably at 12 am because who needs sleep?).  Procrastinate bed time as long as possible in hopes Monday never arrives. Get tired. Give up. Go to sleep.

So as you can probably tell, I spend 99% of my life running around like a chicken with its head cut off, but it all gets done in the end. Looking at my schedule on paper, I guess I understand why I'm a major space cadet.

Now that show season has begun, I am just that much more busy.

-K & C & S

Show 2- Complete.

This weekend, Sawyer and I had our second show. This past week, I had 2 exams, 2 quizzes (I think?), the flu, and still managed to squeeze in a body clip and the grand total of 2 rides on Sawyer before this show.

This champ slept through the entire body clip.

The second ride was my lesson/schooling day before the show, and let me tell you, it was a HOT MESS. I'm a bit of a wreck in the schooling ring anyway, and Sawyer, who is usually steady-Eddy, picked up on my nerves so we were discombobulated. Adding to that were kids on ponies, ignoring me calling jump lines (I'm on a 17hh grey horse... HOW CAN YOU MISS ME?) and not following solid schooling etiquette. But that's fine, kids are excited, I get it.

 However, their TRAINER also stood in the middle of a line, ignoring me calling it multiple times, so my instructor and I just called it quits before I turned that schooling ring into Grand Theft Hunters and started running over kids and trainers alike.

Day 1: I was told to come out around 8:30-9 am and get a frantic text from trainer saying I need to get to the barn ASAP around 8:00 am. Get out, throw all the tack onto my horse in a frenzy, school, and.. proceed to sit for 2 hours. Overall, I was really happy with our courses. Sawyer was not happy about the puddle in the middle of the ring, so we did not place in any over fences classes. We got 5th out of 8 in our flat class (placing beneath a girl who's horse refused to canter and almost kicked Sawyer in the process of throwing a tantrum??). I was a little bitter about the placings; the girl rode naughty horse very well, but I'm still not sure why the judge thought kicking and bucking is better than maintaining all 3 gaits. So boo to you, judge, but excellent handling of a pissy horse, unknown girl!

I'm not gonna bore you with videos, but here are some beautiful pictures of Sawyer taken by my barnmate, E.

Obviously need to work on getting that lower leg tighter.

Day 2: They swapped judges from the "big ring" and the "small ring" (yay! Redemption!). Our over fences went alright in my opinion. A couple weird spots here and there, but overall, pretty consistent. We got a 3rd out of 7 or 8 in one over fences class (progress!). Our flat class was a disaster in my opinion; lots of head tossing in the corner because Sawyer didn't want to walk, wanted to anticipate, and canter all the things, but we somehow managed to snag a 4th out of 7.

Here's the flat class if you're into that.

The over fences class. So proud of him!

Overall, super pleased with Sawyer this weekend. I find myself getting frustrated with placings, but I have to keep telling myself this is my second show in years, and I'm riding an entirely different horse in a different discipline. It's great though to see Sawyer's progress from no ribbons, to 1 ribbon, to 2 ribbons. One of my goals is to get a division Reserve or Champion ribbon by the end of the summer, so we will see!

- K & C & S