Fly's First Ride

Last night I rode Fly Away for the first time since she's been here. She is looking much better as far as soundness goes, still has a slight gimp, but I felt comfortable enough to feel we could just walk around and get used to each other.

She does well with tacking up. Just swung her head the second time I tightened her girth. I reassured her we'd go slow and she was fine when I made the final adjustment. She was a breeze to bridle. She does chew the bit and roots on it some. My next mission will be to find a bit she likes since we have enough bridles for everyone, but not enough bits!

I didn't know how she'd stand for mounting, she was a rock. Its a long way up there, so that is a big plus! I've nicknamed her Moose, although I don't call her that to her face. She's much prettier than a moose. We practised lateral flexing to each side, which she didn't seem to be sure of, but we've done it on the ground, so she did catch on. I asked her to walk off and she did. I know she knows to give to the bit, she was offering that. When giving to the bit, she goes really slow though, when I let her have the long loose rein, she moved out better. She is still so narrow, with little muscle, it feels really weird up there to me. I used the dressage saddle and it fit her well with the regular gullet. She was not scary to ride at all, right now she's kind of lazy, although at the end when I gave her her head, she marched right out and wanted to keep moving instead of standing. We did a little backing too. I think she'll be a great ride once her feet are fixed and she gets some muscling. So far she's just been an easy-peasy girl!

One scary thing that I did, stupid, stupid me, was lead her up back to eat over a downed fence line. Of course she got her hind foot wrapped in it, got nervous and circled me so the tape was wrapped around the back of my legs too. She was dancing and getting worked up and I thought this could turn out really badly for me! I stayed calm and asked her to whoa, which she did. I stepped out of the tape and started breathing again. It took another minute to extricate her, I just moved her around so the tape fell off by itself and she stayed with me even though she was upset. This was on my birthday, and I probably gave myself a few more gray hairs! I know see something we need to work on, accepting things around her legs.

Pony Club Lesson

Yippee, after 6 years, countless hours and we don't really want to know how much money, we've finally reached the point where we have two horses and two girls able to take lessons together and participate in parades and shows. This was the first formal lesson the girls had with the Tamarack Pony Club, last week it was a game day and they did great then too. We finally got Angel and Macy to canter today, she has only cantered on the trail. It was only a few steps, but its a start. The instructor was a guest instructor and really great with the girls. We were very proud of all our girls today, they did a great job getting ready, studying all the things they need to know to advance to the next level and riding. Yesterday they rode at Malachite Farm here in Vassalboro and had so much fun. The new little filly is adorable and loved to be scratched everywhere.

Molly By Golly

Or fat bottomed girl, those are my two nicknames for Molly, aka Impressionable Milly, registered QH mare, former Hemphill's camp horse and one I brought home for the girls and got stuck with as my main ride! This girl has given me 90% of my horsey education, from bringing a starved, pregnant mare back to health, to wrapping bowed tendons, treating mastitis, hoof trimming, boot fitting, metabolic issues, allergic reactions, choke, vaccine reactions, chiropractic work and DNA testing for HYPP. There's probably a few adventures in there I've forgotten about too. She's the horse I had scanned when Dan Sumerel came and she had enough issues for me to see a difference in her that led me to really get serious about the red light therapy. She continues to improve health-wise as we scan and treat her. I've never had a full season of riding with her, something always comes up, but so far this year she's been fine. I've been riding her in the round pen at the walk and trot, and we've made some good progress. She enjoyed trail rides when she was feeling good, so I'm hoping to get back to that with her too. I've decided that she's a horse that cannot have grass, she got really cresty very quickly this year and even eating with the muzzle allows for too much grass. She's been okay with having a flake of hay within sight of the other horses grazing. With her funny personality and bold attitude, she keeps life interesting around here. She's the first horse I've had that lifts her hind leg so you can better reach to scratch her udders, and will show you exactly where she'd like to be scratched. She is a bit of a bully to the other horses, but sometimes that comes in handy! It allows River to be a benign leader when Molly keeps the rest in line. For such a chunky monkey, she can be quite athletic when the mood strikes her, and I see her instigating play more often than any of the others. She was an awesome mom too, and let anyone in with her to admire the baby. She's been easy going for most anything we've had to do, vet, teeth and stall rest with hand walking. I so hope we get to experience a riding relationship too!

Gee, I wonder why she limps!

These are Fly Away's front feet. The first is the left front, the leg that was injured. There is just a small scar on the front of her pastern. When watching her walk, it looks like a person walking in a high heel and a sneaker. I'm hoping that getting her feet straightened out will get her most of the way to sound. Using the red lights therapy should help her muscles to relax and get used to the new way of moving. She was just days away from being put down.

Smallest & Tallest

Smallest & tallest, oldest and youngest, best friends.

Our newest herd member, Fly Away, immediately bonded with the lowest member of our herd, Maya. They are connected at the hip, each gets worried if they lose sight of the other. Maya acts like Fly Away is her long-lost foal, Fly is just glad to have a friend. Maya has been protecting Fly from the other horses, squealing at them and putting herself between the others and Fly, defending her friend when she never stood up for herself. The two of them share hay piles and even their grain, if allowed. They scratch each other's necks and tails, though Maya can barely reach! I'm so glad this sweet, older mare finally has an ally and best bud.

River

Today we trimmed River's feet. We haven't had good luck getting the farrier out here and they were getting quite long, especially the backs. She did a really good job of standing for us, so that made it easier.

It was so hot today, I hosed her off in the afternoon and she actually enjoyed it.

Amber rode her on Saturday and they did a good job together. Amber remembered to circle her when she got a little fast, and River remembered what that meant. She did some nice reaching down into the bit, they looked really nice together.

River has been good with the new girl, I knew she would be. She's a great herd leader.

Everybody Loves . . . Angel

I don't know what it is about Noon Angel, (that's not even her real identity!) but everyone falls in love with that horse. Even people that don't LIKE horses!

At Pony Club this week, she behaved like a perfect Angel, many people asked where we got her, etc. Macy had a sore tush from falling off a trampoline the day before, so Amber ended up riding Angel for most of the games. There was no sign of the hissy fits, squeals, kicking out, biting at toes and nasty faces we've seen at home before. She looked like she was actually enjoying herself and had no problem trotting. I think I was on the right track in thinking this is a horse that needs to be ridden, not just sat on and rode in circles. She needs a reason to do something, that may be why she has never been a problem on a trail ride.

After the lesson, I asked the instructor if she thought the horses would be okay to bring for lessons and events. She pointed at Angel and said, "I LOVE that one, she is so laid back, and wasn't bothered by the other horses at all. Her attitude is "whatever, no problem". Her assessment of Maya was a little less enthusiastic, but I think she'll do fine with some practise at home. I was actually quite surprised because I thought Maya did great, even though she was a little wary of the flags they used for a game and liked to go. It was a race afterall!

So Angel has collected yet another fan!

Miss My The Arab Princess

The girls joined the Pony Club and our first lesson was Sunday. It just happened to be a games day and we decided to take our horses to see how they'd do and if they're going to be suitable for the girls to ride in Pony Club lessons and events. It was a very hot day and although we left at the time I wanted to, I hadn't allowed quite enough extra time for hauling the trailer. We got there at the time the games were to start, and got told we need to be there and ready when the lessons start. It only took us 5 minutes to get ready, and the games didn't start for another 15-20 minutes as the girls were warming up the horses they were riding. So we were fine. Next I was asked if we have nose bands for our bridles. I had taken them off during the winter as the buckles are harder to do in the cold and I had forgotten to put them back on. Off to a great start already! Maya was a little looky, but behaved for Amber. She likes to canter, so during the games, she would canter back to the start/finish line, but Amber could stop her. They did a bean bag game and one other, then was time for the flag game. Amber got a little nervous about that, so let another girl, Jesse, ride Maya. Maya was a little wary of the flags in the bucket they had to pick up, but Jesse did a good job and was able to do the game. Pole bending was great! Maya acted like she knew just what she was doing! I thought she did a wonderful job and Jesse had fun riding her. Amber got confidence seeing Maya able to handle all the games, now we just need to practise at home. Dana, the instructor, thought Maya would be okay for lessons and events, though she was a more "typical" Arab. Yippee, we can actually use our own horses for something, LOL!

First Days

Its been crazy around here, but I have been able to spend some time with the new girl. She decided she loved her fly mask the very first night. I noticed her bobbing her head a lot, so went and got an extra mask. She had never had one on whenever I went to visit her, so I didn't know how she'd do with it. She loves having her ears rubbed and scratched, and had no problem with me putting on the mask. Later on, I wanted to take a picture of her sweet face, so took the mask off. She didn't like that idea and followed me all over bobbing her head until I put it back on. Never did get the picture!

She loves to be scratched all over, especially her neck. She's supposed to be just 16 h, but man, is she tall! The first day, she bonded with our little Arab who is bottom of the pecking order. So now I have two herds, River, Molly and Angel then Maya and Fly Away. Maya acts like Fly is her long lost foal, they get really upset if they get seperated. Fly just minds her own business and besides some squealing and a few stomps, the introductions have gone well. Molly and Angel will chase her, but she knows enough to get out of the way. I kept her and Maya on the bottom pasture the first night and then put Fly in the stall the second. I knew Maya would stay with her outside under the overhang. Fly's skinny, so needs more food at night.

The second full day was good. They're all getting along quite well, still two herds, but that's okay. I'm glad Maya has a friend. I had some time and played around with her in the round pen. She leads wonderfully, learned quickly to stop an arm's length away, and keeps a float in the rope. She backs easily. She was concerned about being away from Maya, although she was just outside of the pen. I picked up the flag and rubbed it all over her. She didn't care about that at all. She wasn't checked out though. I directed her to go clockwise, she had a hard time going past the gate away from Maya. After a few tries, I got her to go all the way round. I was just asking her to follow me and she did quite well, no running around in panic. I actually had to get quite active with the flag to get her moving sometimes. After getting her to walk/trot a full circle both ways, I stopped and she came right into me and followed me all around. She was a little gimpy, but not as bad as the first time I saw her. Worse than when she first got here though. I hope to get some video tomorrow, and maybe get her scanned and treated. I'm really liking this horse and hope I can help her. She is just a love.

Fly Away - HOME

My third son, Dustin, injured his shoulder last winter and couldn't work. Instead of coming back home to live, he chose to stay with a friend of his, the friend's mother, sister and her family. Dustin did end up moving back home to have shoulder surgery and has been living here the last 6 months.

A few weeks ago I was hoping to get some customers for my red-light therapy and thought, horses, have your owners call me!

Have you ever seen the movie, Fly Away Home? Well, I loved that movie, but hadn't seen it in years. About 3 weeks ago, it was on TV and I watched it. Then the girls got it out and watched it again. I've been subbing at school quite a bit, and when I went in to sub for Science, we were watching a movie, "Fly Away Home"! AGAIN? I thought to myself how weird it was that that movie kept popping up.

"B" at Hemphill's doesn't usually help people that have horses they need to place as she works at a place that sells them and it is a conflict of interest. However, a couple of weeks ago, she told me about a free TB/WB mare that needed a new home. A lame mare, 8 yo, lots of training, former X-country jumper. The current owner took her after she was injured as she was not heading anywhere good. Tried for 3 years to get her sound, no real luck. "No thank you" I said.

I have to go back to Hemphill's for grain this week. "Did you go see that mare?" B asks. No, I don't need another horse. I don't want another horse. I can't afford another horse. "I think you could really help her with your red-light therapy. It would be a great opportunity to see what it could do, a great project. She's got loads of training and she'll be put down if the owner can't find a home for her by the 6th. She doesn't want to, but has run out of options." So I go see the horse. Tall, skinny, knife necked, goose rumped, and very stiff and lame. Not my cup of tea. Very sweet disposition though, and a wonderful, kind eye.

I go back two days later to ride her, and brought my treatment system with me. She's still gimping badly, but was a doll to tack up and ride after loosening up a bit on the lunge. She rides okay for a lame horse. I scan and treat her and the owner says if she's not dead lame the next day, the therapy would have worked for her.

A couple days later I'm at Hemphill's again and B said the owner had just been in and was so impressed because the horse had steadily been improving, looking better the next day instead of more lame. Great, now I'm thinking I may have the one treatment that could really make a difference for this horse that's about to be put down. What to do? I'm down cleaning stalls, asking for guidence, when the thought of someone boarding her here popped into my head. I knew a couple of kids that really wanted horses but don't have a place for them that maybe interested in saving this one.

Later I'm talking to Dustin about what I should do and he mentioned the lady he'd been staying with this winter. I knew she loved horses and just blurted, does she want a horse? He said she'd actually been talking about getting a horse for the last few weeks, since they moved into a house with some land. Call her! She was very interested and after seeing her picture and hearing the story, she wanted to meet Fly Away. It was love at first sight, and as this lady has physical issues, the soundness issue of the horse doesn't bother her at all. She is so excited to finally have her own horse! This is something that she needs, something just for her, and I'm so pleased to be able to repay her for the kindness she showed my son all those months ago.

So, tonight, Fly Away is home.

Clever Hubby

Well, its that time of year again, time to fill the pool. Alan has devised a system to fill up the pool quickly without using well water.

This is the run off from the hill behind us.

This is an old rain gutter off the house.
















This is an old garbage can sunk into the ground with a sump pump in it, with a hose attached. Once the run off water fills the can, the pump pumps the water into the pool through the hose!

















He also uses it to water his garden! Such a clever guy!

Big Ah-Ha Moment

Mark Rashid was in Campton, NH May 22-27th and I was able to audit for two days. I always learn so much, and this time was no exception. I am going to type up all my clinic notes soon, but wanted to get the biggest piece for me down before I forget it! Mark was working with a horse/rider that were interested in jumping. As Mark coached the rider on a few changes to try, one of them was to engage her center. I had thought of engaging your center as kind of throwing energy out from the your core. But Mark said engaging your center was using the muscles and the way to do that was...........to breath! Okay, but he also says for every muscle you tighten, the horse has to tighten the corresponding muscle. Hmmm. So wouldn't that make your back muscles tight too?

A few days later, I was doing the Classical Stretch with Miranda Esmonde on TV and she was explaining how when you tighten one set of muscles, the opposite muscles are relaxed. Tighten your quad in your leg, and the hamstring relaxes. Tighten the outside of your thigh, and the inside is relaxed. Tighten your bicep and the tricep is relaxed. Tighten YOUR CORE and YOUR BACK is RELAXED!!!! And how do we want the horse to travel, with engaged abs and relaxed back. Such a small thing, but it finally makes sense to me and I get it! YIPPEE! All I have to do is BREATH! Engaged center/relaxed back, how cool.

Bird in the Hand, or Shoe!

One morning in April I was headed out the door to feed the horses and happened to look out the window at my slipper and saw that a chickadee was sitting in it! I think he was taking the hay pieces and bits of "fur" for his nest. Welcome back spring!

Reiki

I signed up for a Level I Reiki course given through our Adult Ed at the local high school. It was a 4 week course taught by a psychiatric nurse. What a wonderful class with great people! I learned a lot and since my attunement have noticed that just talking or thinking about Reiki "turns on" my hands! They start to tingle and throb. I have given Reiki treatment to my husband on his knee that he had surgery on and developed a Baker's cyst, sore ribs and an aching back. He fell asleep during the rib treatment, but doesn't believe me! I never knew you could snore while awake. He also thinks he cured his back himself, by positive thinking, but I think the Reiki did it. I use it on myself almost daily and really want to get my Level II training. At our last class, we did hands on practise with other class members and the person I worked on had a sore, stiff neck which went away after my treatment. The instructor had brought up the book "The Secret" and I had a couple extra copies, so took them to class and told the ones who didn't have it (there were only 8 of us in the class) they could take them and when they were done reading them to pass them onto someone they thought would be interested in it. I really liked the instructor, she was great. I'm supposed to send her some info on Aikido, I gave her my business card for the red-light treatment, she was curious about that too. It was funny how I even decided to take the class, I had seen it on the schedule for the winter course and didn't get signed up. In April I was looking through the Blog Radio shows and saw an interview with Anna Twinney. I didn't know who she was, but decided to listen to it and she turned out to be a Master Reiki Teacher. She was so enthusiastic about it, I decided I would look into it more. The next day I got a special spring flyer and Reiki was offered again. I e-mailed my friend "L" and she had just come from a Reiki session and loved it! I knew I had to sign up after all these "coincidences".