Glad That’s Behind Us……..Until Next Year

 

Apache had her Spring Vet Visit and Vaccines last Tuesday. To save the Farm Visit Fee of $35, I decided to just trailer her to the Vet Clinic, which is only about 5 miles from our house. I must admit that I wasn’t looking forward to it at all, mostly because we hadn’t trailered Apache anywhere since last July. We had practiced trailer loading at least once each month since then, but just hadn’t driven anywhere. And I was also a little nervous because I still harbor residual trepidation and yes, even some fear, from my injuries that were caused by Apache’s kicking behavior last year.

But I pulled up my Big Girl Panties and pushed past my fears and did it anyway.

When I went up to Apache’s paddock with the halter and lead, I was surprised that she walked away and then turned her back to me. I wasn’t about to chase her down, what with her history of kicking at me, so I just turned my back to her and ignored her. I wasn’t in a hurry as I made sure to give myself and Apache enough time before her Vet appt.

She didn’t make me wait very long, though, and within about 5 minutes, she turned around to face me, licking and chewing. I was still standing with my back to her, and could just see her out of the corner of my eye. But I slowly turned and casually walked in her general direction, but not directly at her. I stopped just to the right side of her head, rubbed her neck, gave her a cookie and she lowered her head so I could place the halter on her head. And we were ready to take a stroll to the trailer where I left her some bran mash and hay.

She loaded up just fine and was busy munching her snack while we checked to make sure everything was locked up safe and secure.

(All of the photos in this post were taken by Ranchman John with his cell phone)

When we arrived at the Vet Clinic, we unloaded Apache and had to wait about 10 minutes (in the fierce gusting wind) while the Vet laid out all of his supplies on a table. Apache was very high-headed and nervous and kept stepping into me, but thankfully she quickly moved away with just a shake of the lead rope. I felt safer standing on the trailer’s ramp while waiting and the trailer helped provide a bit of a wind break, which both Apache and I appreciated.

I found it funny after we got home, that Ranchman John had taken photos of me and Apache. I had no idea that he was doing that. I did see him with his cell phone, but figured that he was just texting or reading a message. Besides I was too focused on Apache with keeping her calm and me safe.

Last Spring’s Vet Clinic visit, we had him come to our house for the first vaccines and the float, and then we hauled her to the Vet Clinic for her booster shots (we gave booster vaccines because her previous owner had never given Apache any vaccines) At that time the Vet just gave Apache her booster vaccines while she stood outside.

(Check out how tight her lips are, how drawn up her neck is, and how worried her eyes appear)

But last week it was so terribly windy and Apache was very on-edge standing outside, so the Vet suggested getting everything done inside his clinic.

It did seem to calm her down quite a bit once we went inside, although she was very concerned about the chute at first. But we just went slow and closed it on her when she was ready.

Apache was a good girl while he gave Apache the VEWT, 4 in One, Strangles, West Nile and Rabies vaccines. I found that, by gently rubbing her cheek, just above her lips, she seemed markedly calmer. She even stood still and calm while the Vet drew blood for her Coggins test. (Got the results back today and she was negative)

The Vet gave Apache a full body check up and inspected her teeth. I had planned to have her float done, too, but the Vet said that her teeth looked and felt good from last year’s float and were only just beginning to have a few points that he could feel. He recommended having her teeth rechecked later this summer and have her floated then.

When it was time to get her loaded back in the trailer, she balked for a moment at the door, but I focused on walking with purpose and didn’t pause as I led her in. Up she went and Ranchman John dumped the rest of her bran mash into the manger, and she went back to happily munching as we made sure everything was safe and secure before heading back home.

(This is what the land looks like without any rain for 7 months and only two good snowfalls all winter)

She was happy to be back home again and tried to back up a little too fast for my liking (she usually just slowly backs up) when we removed the butt chain, but I was surprised that she didn’t call out to my neighbor Val’s 4 horses or try to gallop down to them once I removed her halter. She did walk away from me and headed in their direction, but then turned around to come back to me. Silly mare.

I gave her a couple cookies, some rubs and a hug, and left her to rest from her Vet Visit.

 

 

Tom Thumb Bits and a One Year Anniversary

 

I just realized that this week is the one year anniversary of me buying my Apache mare.

I decided I wanted to take a little walk down memory lane to remember that time in our lives. It already seems so long ago.

My friend Colleen, an experienced horsewoman, helped me during the “shopping” process, so I wouldn’t make the same mistakes that I made when I bought my first horse a few years ago.

After finding out about “Sugar” aka Apache, we went down into the Rio Grande Valley, loaded her up and brought her back up to Colleen’s ranch, where we spent several weeks getting to know one another, having Colleen test her out, getting vet checks, and having everyone in my family take turns riding her.

This is Colleen riding Apache for the first time, on a very windy day in her arena. 

 

This was Apache’s first ride over at Colleen’s ranch. She had a very fun obstacle course set up on her land.  

 This was my very first ride on Apache and I was a nervous wreck. It had been a year since my first horse injury and subsequent surgery, and I had been taking lessons on several other horses for a couple months by that time, but this was a horse that was basically a stranger to me and to Colleen. Plus there was the added pressure hoping she would work out, but I was also not willing to settle. I need not have worried, though. Apache was perfectly well-behaved.

 

The deal was almost made for me when my daughter rode Apache for the first time…or should I say, was willing to ride for the first time, because before this time, Jen was too afraid to sit on most horses. She must have sensed something special and gentle about Apache, though. And she was thrilled to go for pony rides on her.

 

About a week later, we trailered her over to Cedar Hill Farm to play in the indoor arena and take some lessons during the weekend. It was my first time riding Apache bareback. I used to ride Baby Doll bareback often, but I didn’t know this horse, so I started off a little nervous, but Apache took good care of me. Her back is perfect for bareback riding, too. Very comfy!

 

 But the biggest test of all that Apache had to pass was The Trail Ride. That was the big mistake I made with buying my first horse. Baby Doll was her best when riding in an arena. Out on the trail she was barn sour, cranky and spooky. She’d do 360 spins, crow-hopped, bolted, ran backwards, and spooked big sideways.

Before I bought Baby Doll I took about 2 months of lessons on her at the boarding barn where she was being kept. But I never rode her out on the trails, which is odd because, for me, working in the arena tends to get boring. I yearned to be mosying on down a forested nature trail on my trusty steed.

So, after our day in the arena, the next two days I rode Apache all over the trails at Cedar Hill Farm with a group of friends from Walkin N Circles Ranch Horse Rescue and it was just the way I dreamed it would be.

Wonderful and fun!

This was taken just before we headed out. Apache and I are in the middle and Colleen is just to the left on her very tall paint mare, Kitty. 

 

On the last day of that weekend, I brought Apache home to Laughing Orca Ranch, where she settled in quickly, getting to know her equine neighbors, Scout, Yalla!, Annie and Nadia, my neighbor friend Val’s horses of Fantastyk Voyage Blog

 

 

Nothing fazed her, not even my three goats and two llamas. She was curious and friendly to all. 

 

That same week, I made the drive into town to meet Apache’s owner, so I could finally make her mine. I gave the lady the cash and returned all of “Sugar’s” tack, that we never even used while she was in our care.

Her previous owner warned me to never ride Apache without a tie down, because Apache had reared on this lady several times. I asked her if she had ever floated Apache’s teeth, and she said she didn’t believe in that because horses don’t have it done in the wild.

Notice the Tom Thumb Bit and the full head tie-down in this photo.  

 

A great article about Tom Thumb Bits by Mark Rashid.

And a video with a very strong message concerning Tom Thumb bits from Rick Gore.

This was Apache’s mouth just before her teeth were floated. My equine dentist was kind enough to keep my mare’s mouth open, while pointing out all her dental issues, while I took photos. Apache had some minor stepping, some waves, and many sharp points, but her most serious issue was that 2 inch long hook hanging like a stalactite on the right side there. You can imagine the pain that she must have felt when the Tom Thumb jointed bit cracked up against that tooth. And with the whole head tie down, she had nowhere to go to escape the pain, but up. 

Please get your horse's mouth checked out every year!

 

This is Apache about a week later after her float and vet visit, wearing the new 3-piece French-link D-Ring bit I bought her, along with her new saddle (minus pad). She was very relaxed in her new bit and her new saddle. I didn’t like the feel and swishy noises that the synthetic fenders made, plus my other saddle’s fenders were permanently turned, so along with the latigos, keepers, cinches and saddle strings, I switched them all out for the leather off of my other saddle, and then the new saddle was perfect for me.  This photo makes me laugh seeing my female llama’s head poking up over the saddle, and my male llama’s butt next to Apache’s cheek. They’re such busy-bodies. lol!

 This was taken right before we rode in our first ACTHA Competitive Trail Ride just a month after I bought Apache. It was a themed ride and I went as a pseudo Western Fur Trapper lady…..see my furs strung up on Apache’s back and the raccoon tail on my helmet? lol!

This was taken as we were preparing to complete our first judged obstacle: the bridge. We aced it!

 

Apache and I went on to ride and compete in several more ACTHA Competitive Trail Rides last summer, including this one in June. Man! That was fun!

And then I took Apache up to the Carson National Forest, up near the Colorado border, for a horse camping weekend with a small group of friends from Walkin N Circles Ranch Horse Rescue, where we rode along rugged ponderosa-lined mountain trails,

across beautiful meadows where huge elk came bounding across our path,

and through magical aspen glades that could have been home to fairies and elves.

 

It was a terrific weekend, but ended in a shoulder injury for Apache, which was followed by Sage Poisoning, and then some behavior issues. The first half of 2010 was amazing and wonderful. The second half……not so much.

We’re having to work hard at rebuilding trust and respect now. But there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I am hoping to have many more special times with my mare this year. And we have big plans for that to happen very soon.

Feeling Better

 

This post isn’t really about me, but yes, I’m feeling better, too. The knee is still swollen and weak and I’m still wearing my brace, but I can walk short distances without my crutch now. Thanks for all the well wishes. You all are awesome!

~~~~~~~~

So today, Apache had her vet visit and floating appointment. Everything went well and she did great. Even when she knew something was up, she was easily calmed. She’s such a good girl.

Ranchman John drove me up to the barn, but after the vet arrived, we remembered we had no electricity up there due to a gopher chewing the lines, so we had to head back down to the house for the vet visit because the Power Float requires an electric outlet.

I had forgotten that several chickens, two roosters and a hen had gotten out when I went in to feed them this morning. I was able to get the hen back into the coop, but the roosters were enjoying their freedom too much and I didn’t think it was a big deal for them to be out so I left them to their own devices.

But the coop is beside the house, so we had to deal with flapping, squawking roosters blasting out of the bushes, at least until the Power Float turned on, because the sound scared the roosters away.

Apache was so good and only startled in place anyway. Even with all the wind smacking the plastic feed bags that I zip-tied to the chicken coop wire to protect the chickens from some of the wind, Apache didn’t get her panties in a bunch. She was a very good girl with all the new sights, smells and sounds.

And she was very patient, too. Her Float took more than 30 minutes because her mouth was such a mess. In comparison, Baby Doll’s dental floats never took longer than 10 mins because they were just simple maintenance. Poor Apache she had just about everything going on with her ouchie teeth.

Apache had:

                               Ramps

   

 

                              Waves

                            Trans Ridges

                           Enamel Points

                   

                          Caudal (rear) Hooks

                          Rostral (frontal) Hooks

My vet, who is also a licensed Performance Equine Dentist invited me to reach in and feel all these abnormalities and I was surprised at how sharp and uncomfortable they felt to my hand……I could not even imagine having all that discomfort in my mouth for years, like poor Apache had to endure.

I could feel the rear hook, and it was very sharp, but it was the frontal hook that I could see as well as touch, and I was floored. That frontal hook had even caused a small ulcer in her mouth, which had toughened up with scar tissue.

Check out that frontal hook jutting down in the upper right side of this picture!

 

My vet told me that monstrosity could have easily caused Apache to rear when her previous owner bitted her in the single-jointed Tom Thumb and used force on her mouth to get her to cooperate. I think I would have reared to the moon to get away from that kind of pain myself.

Apache doesn’t have canine or wolf teeth, but this diagram shows the pressure that would have pushed against her sensitive teeth and that frontal hook by a harsh bit and rider.

 

Here’s a diagram of the frontal hook. Can you imagine what a metal bit hitting that might feel like?

 

And then try to imagine what Apache must have felt like when her previous owner ignored her display of pain and just slapped a tie-down on her instead and still rode her in the same bit in the same harsh way, except now using a crop, too.

I swear….I just don’t get people sometimes. I really truly don’t.

This is the only ‘After’ photo that turned out because my camera refused to focus. But it shows the points smoothed out and that horrible frontal hook significantly diminished.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I’m really looking forward to trying the Dr. Cook’s Bitless Bridle on her. I can only imagine how much she will appreciate it. She’ll probably be confused at first because of what she’s been used to for so long, but I think she deserves a break. She’s already shown me that she will move off seat and legs alone, and the more Jax and I rode her the less she needed any kicking to make her move forward. Our last ride, just a squeeze and she went. Maybe it’s too soon to think about, but I hope she appreciates all these new changes and becomes a true willing partner for me and my family. She has such a big heart and deserves a good life.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So after the teeth floating, my vet pulled a Coggins for me to not only check Apache’s health, but to prepare for the upcoming ACTHA CTC Trail Ride I am registered to ride in with Apache (!!!!whooohooo!!!!!!).

The vet seemed surprised when I presented him with a fresh sample of Apache’s poo so he could do a fecal exam. This way he can tell me, what type, if any, worms or pests might be infecting her system. Once I know what she might have, I can deal with the specific pests without creating resistance from blindly deworming. I’m also interested in using diatomaceous earth as a natural dewormer, as several other horse owners I know have had great success with it. (Thanks Dan & Betty!)

After turning poor Apache into an equine pin-cushion giving her all of her vaccinations: rhino virus, strangles, influenza, rabies, West Nile, Tetanus, and Encephalomyelitis, my vet presented me with the bill for his services and I had my own pin cushion moment…………with my bank account now $436.61 lighter. (eeek!)

But it’s all worth it if Apache feels 100% better.

Her Hooves and the Vet Check

 

Sounds like a simple enough title, eh? But her hooves sure don’t seem simple to me. I’ve never seen feet like these before….of yeh…in pictures, but not up close. ‘Sugar’s’ owner said they were much worse when she bought her. Her feet had basically been neglected and it took many months of trims every 5 weeks to get them ‘better’.

Colleen and the vet all agree that ‘Sugar’s’ feet are a mess and unbalanced. When I rode her yesterday I noticed that she stumbled and tripped several times. We were just walking over gravel, dirt, some short grass, a couple railroad ties and some muddy places, all flat work.

But I did notice that she is moving better, probably due to her chiro work. She really likes to step out sometimes and when she does, her Morgan Horse breeding really shows.

Several folks, including some knowledgeable blogger friends, have told me that ‘Sugar’s’ conformation reminds them of a Morgan. Even a breeder of beautiful Morgan Horses told me they wouldn’t be surprised if ‘Sugar’ was a half breed or even a full bred Morgan. The vet, upon seeing ‘Sugar’ for the first time, said, “Oh ! You’ve got a cute little Morgan there”. She said that explains ‘Sugar’s’ cresty looking neck (after finding nothing to suggest thyroid or IR issues) and ‘Sugar’s’ other Morgan-like conformation.

I was surprised because I just assumed that all Morgans only came in solid colors, but the vet said they come in many other colors, including Splash White, like the famous Morgan Stallion War Paint and the lovely Morgan Mare Shahaylee. 

‘Sugar’ has a very forward, quick, smooth, little flat walk. I took her for a walk up and down the road from Colleen’s the other day and I had trouble keeping up with her on the lead. Unlike Baby Doll’s rambling, slow, peanut-pushing slow walk, ‘Sugar’ keeps her head up, ears perked forward, and her legs stepping up high. She reminds me of some of the videos I’ve seen of the Paso Finos and Peruvian Pasos. I’ll have to get some video soon. I had no idea that Morgans could be gaited, but I did find a great website devoted to gaited Morgans that was very helpful.

Oh and other interesting news is that ‘Sugar’s also not requiring any kicking to move up into a trot or a canter now either. Colleen got her into a canter with just a kiss and a squeeze. She’s much more cooperative. 

The vet did a flex test on ‘Sugar’ and she has a slight  range-of-motion/ability-to-bend issue in her right front, but otherwise she doesn’t have any other weakness and her feet weren’t sensitive at all. She’s a good girl with her feet, too. She’ll hold them up patiently for as long as I’m holding a pastern in my hand, except that right front. After a minute or two she asks me to please put it back down, especially if I’m holding it fairly high up. ‘Sugar’s’ owner said that she is 12 years old, but the vet believes her to be closer to 9 yrs old, according to her teeth (which are desperate need of a float).

I asked Mrs. Mom of Oh Horse Feathers if she could take a look at ‘Sugar’s feetsies and let me know what she thought and give me her opinions and advice of what ‘Sugar’ requires to get her feet looking and feeling better. My own farrier did an awesome job on my mare Baby Doll’s feet in the 2 1/2 yrs I owned her, and she never had to wear shoes, never had any tenderness or lameness, and her feet were beautiful, big, strong, and hard as rock.   So I know he’ll know what to do, if I decide to keep ‘Sugar’, to improve her feet.

Mrs. Mom was awesome enough to take a quick look at the photos and let me know she didn’t see anything in her hooves that should dissuade me from purchasing her. Her feet are way overgrown, including the bars, walls and heels and she has some thrush to get control of, but nothing a few routine trims 5-6 weeks apart shouldn’t take care of. (Thanks Mrs. Mom! You Rock!)

Along with the trims and some better nutrition I think she’ll be looking and feeling much better, too. Colleen keeps her well stocked with hay 24/7 and ‘Sugar’ is getting Senior Feed every evening. And with the carrots, and apple cookies we all give her, it’s no wonder she’s got a spring in her step now.    

I took photos of her hooves to show y’all, after a quick clean up yesterday. I should have done a better job cleaning her feet, but it was windy and cold and wanted to get in some riding before dinnertime. Jenna insisted on being led around a few times, too.

I hope enough of the hooves are visible and clear enough to get a good idea of what is going on.

Here ya go:

Front left:

     

 

Front right:

Rear left:

 

Rear right:

 

Ranchman John was there and happened to take another shot of that right rear hoof from a different angle:

 

 

 

Baby Doll's Vet Visit

This has been a busy horse week. Monday Baby Doll had her hooves trimmed. Tuesday night I went riding with my neighbor under the full moon. And Yesterday was Baby Doll's Vet Visit. We got all of her vaccinations done (except for the boosters in a few more weeks), a check-up, and her teeth floated.

The Vet, from East Mountain Equine came here and I really like him. I met him the first time at Lori's Barn where I have been taking lessons and from whom I bought Baby Doll from, as well.
Dr. Bobbit was friendly, polite and willing to answer all of my questions and allow me to be hands-on. Usually he has an assistant, but it's summer and she's busy.
So, I was happy to help him take care of my horse. I actually worked as a small animal vet tech for a couple years when I was a young adult, but wished I had gotten into large animal and livestock. Defintely alot more interesting than cleaning out Fido's anal glands.

One of the things I love about my horse is how she always comes to the gate when called and is ready to be haltered and stands still. I suppose she knows that only good things happen to her if she does this.
So, I hope she won't hold it against me with the vet visit. haha

Really, though, the vet visit was a piece of cake. Baby Doll was calm and relaxed and the vet was gentle, experienced and quick.
Dr. Bobbit did give Baby Doll a low dose of the sedative, Xylazine, but except for the actual rasping of her teeth, she wasn't fazed by any of the vet's handling.

And even during the 'floating' or rasping of her teeth, she focused on me with her one half-moon blue eye with a bit of concern. But all I had to do was talk gentle and rub her neck and poll and she was calm. I'm so glad and feel honored that she trusts me that much. She's such a good mare.

During the procedure, I appreciated that the Vet invited me to feel her teeth, way back in her mouth, before and after, too. She had a few sharp points on both sides/top and bottom, but nothing serious. The vet filed them right down to a rough texture so she could still chew properly. I was also surprised at how soft and smooth her tongue is. I think I was expecting a tongue more like a cow, sort of raspy and rough.

Dr. Bobbitt also looked at Baby Doll's chest and between her legs because she's been getting some welts from the nasty gnats that like to burrow into her fur. He didn't want to put her on steroids because that would end up being a long term thing and he likes to stay away as much as possible from giving horses too many chemicals.
He suggested trying different brands of fly spray, a fly blanket, or maybe FrontLine for horses. Looks like I'm off to the feed store again...or online. haha

Baby Doll did really well and she checked out "Healthy as a Horse".

I created a little slide show from her visit. Wanna see?

Teeth Floating

After the vet left, I decided to hang out with Baby Doll and keep her company. She was still a little loopy and tipsy from the sedative, and she seemed to want me to stick around. Normally after I leave her at the gate, she grabs a drink of water from her bucket and then heads down to our fenceline and stands around with my neighbor's 3 horses.
But today, she just stood there and looked at me. And when I walked into her paddock she stayed right beside me all the way down to our favorite pinon tree which has a stump that I like to sit on while I pet Baby Doll and enjoy the weather and views.

Maybe I'm jumping off the deep end here, but Baby Doll usually seems to like having me around. Does anyone believe that horses can communicate telepathically? I'm starting to believe it myself. I stayed with her for about an hour (who really knows when one is on 'horse-time', right?) and as I stroked and petted her all over, under the shade of our pinon tree, she fell asleep. My kids were back at the house. Rancher John was taking a nap, and I was doing one of the things I love best.

You can view a slideshow I created of Baby Doll below:

Post Vet Visit