Har dee har!

Weight results are in.

Here's an update on the beast's weight.

He's a buckskin now.

Other than being pathetically sun-bleached and somewhat marked up with battle scars from his herd mates, he looks pretty good. And for some reason, he has managed to avoid the gross rain-rot, summer-itch crud that numerous other horses seem to have acquired.

Tomorrow I ride, weather be damned, and then I go on vacation. This is the first vacation in almost 10 years for me that is not 1) horse related or 2) Phish related. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with myself. Probably drink.

I have a few posts scheduled for when I am gone. I'm sure you are thrilled. :)

Have a good week. I'm off to San Francisco! (well, not yet, on Wednesday morning).

How Hampton got his name

How Hampton got his name

(part of my "it's too damn hot to ride so I'm posting on whatever random subject I feel like" series) 


In March 2009, my favorite band played in Hampton, Va., for their reunion tour after a 5-year hiatus.

It was a 3-night tour, but of course everyone wanted to get in the show on Friday - the first night. The Hampton colesium doesn't hold many people - maybe 13,000. So tickets were very, very hard to come by.

Hampton - at night.

I ended up spending a SHIT LOAD of money on 2 tickets for Friday. I spent more on those tickets than I spent on Hampton. Or my saddle. And a lot of other things. This should tell you just how unhealthy my love for this particular band is.

At the last minute, another friend decided to join us for the ride over and hoped to score a ticket when we got there. For some reason, I had an unselfish moment and decided that we couldn't just go in the show and leave him out in the lot alone.

So, we ended up trading my 2 Friday tickets for 3 Saturday tickets. The women who traded with us seemed oddly normal for a Phish fan. She ended up having to call her husband to bring us the 3 Saturday tickets. We waited with her for about 45 minutes. Finally, her hubs shows up with the tickets and we make the trade. My friend, a very jaded veteran of these shows, examines the tickets and determines they are not fake.

So here I am, Friday night - NO TICKETS - but 3 for Saturday. I really, really, wanted to be in there when the lights went off and the boys took the stage for the first time in 5 years. I started to get mopey about it. The 3 of us decided to mosey up to the venue to "see what happens." I wasn't optimistic and continued to sulk while sitting on a sidewalk.

Meanwhile, my veteran friend is chatting with a very large security guard. Great, now he's going to get us in some sort of trouble. Am I going to have to bail him out of jail? I don't even know where the jail is in Hampton, Va!

At one point, Friend comes over - grinning - and says "We're going to get in. Be patient."

Yeah, right. There is no way to sneak into this venue. There are guards everywhere. Security is tight. I go back to sulking.

Within 20 minutes, he comes over and says "I need $100." My other friend coughs it up. Now I'm half concerned, half shaking from excitement. We wait another 5-10 minutes and the big security guard waves at us.

He walks us in through the back gate. All 3 of us were doing all we could to contain ourselves. The security guard didn't sneak us in - he escorted us in like we were royalty! We strolled right in to the venue and out onto the floor of the Hampton Colesium. Once we were in there, we could no longer remain composed. All 3 of us are now in - not one ticket - and we still had 3 tickets for tomorrow! I felt like the luckiest person on earth. This kind of stuff never happens to me. Ever.

The show was of course amazing.


Phish "Fluffhead" Hampton MultiCam 3-6-09 from Paul Unger on Vimeo.


Um, so on Saturday we walk right up to the venue with our tickets - quite proud of ourselves for scoring this deal. I got in. Check. Friend #1 gets in, check. Friend #2 ... bunk ticket. WTF?! It said the ticket had already been used. I watched him walk off to try and sneak in ... but I knew it wouldn't happen. And the security guard we had bribed the night before? He was no where to be found. And the others weren't going to take the bait. The two of us stayed in the show (hey I'm not THAT selfless to leave once in) ... Friend #2 was no worse for wear.  He hung out in the lot and got drunk.


In addition, here's what else happened during my Hampton experience:

• 2 random hippies ended up coming back and sleeping in our hotel room. Nice enough guys, but they smelled like sweaty feet. And by smell, I mean the entire room stunk like their feet.

• On Friday, a couple asked if they could set up their vending business off the back of my car since they did not have a vehicle. What were they vending? Burritos. We could get as many free burritos as we wanted in exchange for them using our space. As luck would have it, they made THE. MOST. MOUTHWATERING. awesome veggie burritos I have ever tasted to this day. I also drank too much and ended up shamelessly shoveling a burrito into my mouth while sitting on the back of the car.

On the right, the makers of the heavenly burritos.

• A drunk girl nearly pukes on my feet (this would become a theme all summer)

Sooooo when I was looking for a name for Hampton, I thought 1) The name actually fits him (his original name was Smitty, ew) and 2) The weekend was that awesome to me. Why not name my new horse after the city?

And so there is the really long story about how I named my horse.

Beer and bareback

Newsflash: It's still hot.

But 3 of us were getting a little stir crazy last night and decided to ride. We jumped on bareback and within minutes decided beer was in order. Drinking and riding. Shame. My friends wanted to trot (not fair as S had Lilly, her Walker) .. but I didn't trot with my beer because I didn't want to spill it. Priorities! Hampton was calm and cooperative, although a bit cranky toward the two mares. I gave him some sips of beer after our ride and he LOVED IT. He was then starting to get pushy trying to take the can from me. Lush!

I'm going on a real vacation next week (to San Francisco!) so Hampton will have another easy week, although a few of my barn friends are going to hack him for me. Then it's back to work. I am aiming for the Sept. 10 CAF show - where we will attempt out first combined test. :)

Here's evidence of our wild and crazy evening of drinking and riding (derrr, not so crazy really). I know I KNOW about my helmet. SHAME ON ME.

Hampton: "It's hot lady, you can get off my back anytime!"

Sad news: Dough Boy dead.

Please join me in remembering YET ANOTHER great icon of the entertainment community. 


The Pillsbury Dough Boy died yesterday of a yeast infection and traumatic complications from repeated pokes to the belly. 


He was 71. 


Dough Boy is survived by his wife Play Dough, three children, John Dough, Jane Dough, and Dill Dough, plus they had one in the Oven. 


Services were held at 3:50 for about 20 - 28 minutes

So You Want to be An Eventer Part 2 [Equipment]

Here's the first post in my So You Want to Be An Eventer series:

[Fear]

If there's one thing I've learned in my limited time hanging around the eventing crowd, it is that they are 1) scrappy and 2) willing to share and help each other out.

I know in order to start our wild leap of faith journey into eventing, I won't need to buy thousands of dollars of new stuff from Dover. (I'd like too, however, so sponsors welcome. haha).

Here's what I have:

• Dressage bridle and saddle (plus saddle pad and show clothes for me)
   Dressage phase: CHECK!!

• Close contact hunter saddle ( I do need a better saddle pad)
• Figure 8 nose band bridle
• Running martingale
• Hunter show clothes for me
• Helmet (duh)
  Show jumping phase: CHECK!

Here's what I think I "need" to be able to compete cross country.

• A vest. Taking recommendations, but my mother has promised me one for my birthday at the end of August. Yay!! I am going to the local tack store to try some on and see what I like.

• A medical arm band

• Better boots for the horse. All I have are foo-foo fuzzy white dressage velcro boots as well as white polo wraps. Uh .. probably not going to hold up on cross country. Although we would look fancy prancing around in our white gear. Again, any recommendations on good solid boots? I do have the awesome sheep skin open front jumping boots for stadium jumping. But again, probably not going to cut it on CC.

• My own "colors." I've picked my CC colors. Which was incredibly fun to do and now I am able to let loose my inner child and tell the DQ in me to shut the hell up. I didn't pick anything obnoxious, but I'm amped now to be able to color coordinate when shopping for stuff. Oh it's the little things in life, eh?

• A watch. Is this needed at the very starter levels? Or can I put this off until we reach Novice?

$300+ ... *cough cough*

• A breastplate? I have a fancy hunter-ring one, but it's more for show and not really function. Is this needed at the lower levels? I see a lot of folks with the 5-point breastplate but lordy is that thing expensive. We may have to put that on a Christmas list.

oops, wrong kind of gut.

• Guts. (I was going to put BALLS but I wanted to include an art element and ... uh ... well this is mostly a family-friendly blog. Ok not really. But I didn't want testicles on my blog. Unless there is a really good reason!)

Your horse's vitals

It's friggin hot.

I have not ridden Hampton since Friday (I did ride another horse on Saturday) ... and don't plan to ride him until it cools down. We aren't training for a major event. There's no reason to make both of us suffer through that.

I did hose him off today and blasted a fan on him while he had his grain. He seems to be handling the heat well - hydrated, bright eyed and hungry (even though very sweaty out in the field). I am in good shape, too. Hydrated, bright eyed and hungry. (and sweaty ... does "swamp boobs" ring a bell?)

I made a trip to the local 4H fair today and enjoyed a lemon shake up and corn on the cob.

***

In light of the heat, here's an important reminder on how to check your horse's vitals.

This information is from this website.

1. TEMPERATURE 

Normal body temperature is 99 - 101 F. A temperature higher than that, may indicate an infection. A healthy horse's temperature can vary by 3 degrees depending on environmental factors. Horses tend to have higher temperatures in warm weather and during/after exercise, stress or excitement. A high fever doesn't always indicate a severe condition, but it is a good idea to take your horse's temperature often and if you his temperature is over 102 F, you should call your veterinarian. 

How To Take a Horse's Temperature: 

The most accurate way to take a horse's temperature is rectally. Always secure a string to the end of the thermometer, so that it doesn't get lost (some of you know what I'm talking about, or have experienced it...it's not very fun). Tack shops and pharmacies sell all types of thermometers. Plastic digital thermometers work very well and are generally easier to use, and most of them beep when they are done. Be sure that if you use an older mercury-type thermometer, that you shake down the mercury before taking the horse's temperature. 

The horse should be tied or held still by an assistant. Lubricate the tip of the thermometer with petroleum jelly, vaseline or saliva. Move the horse's tail to the side and out of the way and insert the thermometer into the horse's rectum, angled slightly towards the ground. Do not stand directly behind the horse, because some horses don't like this - but most don't mind. For the most accurate reading, leave the thermometer in position for at least 3 minutes. Many digital thermometers work well in less than 1 minute. 

Always clean the thermometer well before returning it to its case...and especially if used on an ill horse, to prevent the spreading of an illness. 

---

2. PULSE 

The pulse rate of an adult horse at rest averages 30-40 beats per minute (bpm). A pulse rate of 50 or higher in an adult horse at rest may mean the horse is in physical distress. The average pulse rates for young horses are as follows: 
Foals (70-120 bpm), Yearlings (45-60 bpm), 2yr. olds (40-50 bpm). 

The horse's pulse rate will increase if he is excited or nervous, in pain, during/after exercise, or has a disease. The higher the heart rate, the more severe the condition. 

How To Check a Horse's Pulse: 

The horse's pulse can be found near the front of the left jawbone. Under the jawbone, there is a major artery that sticks out slightly. Using your forefinger (never your thumb - because you may feel your own pulse), press against the artery firmly. Use a clock or counter to time a 15 second period. Multiply the number of beats you counted by 4. 

You may also place your hand or a stethescope behind the horse's left elbow to take his pulse. Be sure to count each lub-dub as 1 beat. 

---

3. RESPIRATION 

The average respiration rate of an adult horse at rest is 8-15 breaths per minute. A horse's respiration rate increases with hot or humid weather, exercise, fever or pain. Rapid breathing at rest should recieve veterinary attention, and keep in mind that the respiration rate should NEVER exceed the pulse rate. A horse should also spend equal time inhaling and exhaling. 

How To The Respiration Rate: 

Watch or feel your horse's ribcage/belly for one minute. Be sure to count 1 inhale and 1 exhale as one breath (not as two). Each breath is fairly slow. If you are having difficulty seeing the ribcage move, try watching the horse's nostrils or place your hand in front of the nostrils to feel the horse exhale. 

An even better method is to place a stethoscope to the horse's windpipe to listen to his breathing. This will also give you strange sounds if the horse's windpipe is blocked by mucous or if the he has allergies or heaves. 

---

4. GUT SOUNDS 

The gut sounds that come from your horse's stomach and intestines can be very important information for your vet to diagnose an illness. Gut sounds should always be present. The absence of gut sounds is more indicative of a problem than excessive gut sounds. Usually, an absence of gut sounds indicates colic. If you don't hear any sounds, contact your veterinarian. 

How To Check for Gut Sounds: 

Press your ear up againts your horse's barrel just behind his last rib. If you hear gurgling noises, he's fine. Be sure to check gut sounds from both sides. 

If you do not hear any sounds, try using a stethoscope in the same area. 

---

5. DEHYDRATION 

Healthy horses drink a minimum of 5 gallons of water per day. If your horse is dehydrated, it is very important that you urge him to drink. If he refuses to drink water, try adding flavor to it (gatorade or apple juice is ideal), and contact your veterinarian if he still won't drink. 

How To Perform a Pinch Test: 

Pinch the skin on your horse's neck. If the skin flattens back into place when you let go in less than 1 second, the horse is fine. If it doesn't, it means he isn't drinking enough water, he is dehydrated. 

The longer the skin stays pinched up before flattening, the more dehydrated he is. 

---

6. CAPILLARY REFILL TIME (CRT) 

Capillary Refill Time (CRT) is the time it takes for blood to return to blanched tissues in the gums. This is an indicator of blood circulation. Normal refill time is 1 to 2 seconds. 

How To Check CRT: 

Lift your horse's upper lip up and firmly press your thumb against his gums for 2 seconds to create a white mark. This white mark should return to the normal pink color within 1-2 seconds after releasing the pressure. 

If the CRT takes longer than 2 seconds, the horse may have shock. 

---

7. MUCOUS MEMBRANES 

The mucous membranes are the lining of a horse's eyelids, his gums and the inside of his nostrils. The color of the mucous membranes are another indicator of blood circulation. A healthy horse's gums are slightly more pale than a humans. If a horse's gums are very pale, bright red, grayish blue or bright yellow, call a veterinarian immediately. 

Color of Mucous Membranes: 

Moist Pink: Healthy normal circulation. 
Very Pale Pink: Capillaries contracted, indicates fever, blood loss or anemia. 
Bright Red: Capillaries enlarged, indicates toxicity or mild shock. 
Gray or Blue: Severe shock, depression and illness. 
Bright Yellow: Associated with liver problems.

BABY photos!

So when I went to visit Hampton's breeder this week, I asked if she had any baby photos saved on her computer. (He was born in 2007)

And she did!

And she sent them to me. I may have actually squealed with delight when I saw them.

A trip down memory lane (plus new bridles!)

On a rare day off during the week yesterday, I ventured to Come Again Farm to watch the last day of the Event Camp going on.

(For more details, see fellow blogger Amy who has some great stories to tell from the week. I also snapped a few photos of her and her horse, but didn't want to post them until I got her permission for fear of being too much of a creeper. lol)

Anyway, after watching for maybe 5 minutes I was basically frothing at the mouth wanting to be part of the experience! It looked so fun and there were some great clinicians teaching (including Leslie Law and Peter Atkins). Gosh darn it I am going next year! Come hell or high water!

After I forced myself to leave, I drove 15 minutes over to the farm where I had boarded T-Bone and also worked as a trainer in 2007. It is where Hampton was born and where his sire and dam live as well.

When I had T-Bone, I moved with the BO (both T-Bone's and Hampton's breeder) to this brand new facility. (Sidenote: We had been previously stabled at Triple Creek, where CAF is now located. Oh how everything is intertwined). We watched as this gorgeous farm was built from the ground up. A dozen or so pastures were built. An arena out front of the barn. A breeding shed followed, a roundpen ... it was so so lovely.

Eventually a second aisle was built on the right side ...

The place was always so busy and well kept. The footing was taken care of, the stallions always trimmed and clipped. I loved having T-Bone there. And I enjoyed my time as a young horse trainer, even though it didn't work out in the end.

Me riding a young horse in the arena.

So I went to visit yesterday and was heartbroken the moment I drove in. That cute arena out front - the one where I spent hours and hours riding horses - it was full of grass and weeds. The fencs was missing paint and in need of repair. Nothing was really mowed. There was crap scattered about.

I walked in the office and nearly cried.

What was once full of rich brown leather chairs and couches, now reeked of mouse and cat poop. It was filthy. Various horse items, drugs (horse kind), blankets and cat carriers were everywhere. The tack room was in the same shape. I knew that the BO had run into money problems. But I also think she and the BM stopped caring. The barn once had 175 horses on it. I think they were down to 30ish? The place is for sale (hey if anyone is interested - it can be brought back to life!).

It was just so friggin sad.

I did stay and chat for way too long and also ended up buying two bridles and a bit off the BO (she has a ton of tack, too!). I got a wonderful figure 8 noseband eventing bridle and also a Heritage dressage bridle with a crank noseband - for cheap! Yay! That purchase did cheer me up a little.

Both the BO and the BM seemed like they were done with the horse business once the farm was cleared out. Which is tragic as they  both know A CRAP TON of stuff about horses - especially the breeding and foaling side. I consider both to be mentors and I would not be the horsewoman I am today without either one of them. But I understand. Things went sour and sometimes you gotta make a change.

They were both so tickled to hear about Hampton. I guess he is the only foal out of that stallion that is really working at the moment. A few more have been started but haven't done much yet. It sounds as though they all have good minds though. It was so funny to me how the BO (Hampton's sire's owner) was able to nail his personality! I'm not sure what will happen to Fletcher (Hamp's sire). He sure does produce nice, nice babies but he'd also make a great gelding.

They mentioned to me that there is a 2 year old BAY FILLY by Fletcher and out of a TB mare ... making her bred very similar to Hampton. And she's a bay filly ....

I'll admit. The wheels in my brain are turning.

:)

2 year anniversary

Two years ago a friend called me and said she had a 2 year old gelding she needed to sell/get rid of. She she he was bay and not really handled. I had just sold my Morgan, T-Bone, but said I would "come look."

The day we met. (just turned 2)

What I found was a tall, leggy bay guy who looked at me quietly in the stall. He let me scratch him all over, despite not having much handling at all. He was sort of halter broke - leading more like a drunk sailor. When we turned him loose in the indoor, he showed off his lovely trot, snorts, bucks and awkward canter. And then he marched right up to me and let me catch him. *sigh* I told his owner I would "sleep on it" and she looked at me with a smile. She knew better. And so began our journey.

Best money I have ever spent.

My best friend. Thanks, Hampton!

Visual awesome-ness

Sadly I didn't have the money to attend the Phish festival this year. (tear, whine, stomps foot). I came across this video which is just amazing. I believe the same guy did something similar for Festy 8 in 2009. It is made of all still photos, and music from the event. I would LOVE to learn how to put something like this together. Super rad!


Phish Super Ball IX from Michael Marantz on Vimeo.

Into the Tennessee Walker World

On Saturday, S and I went to watch a Tennessee Walker show. We wanted to get a better idea of what the good and bad look like so that we knew where to go with her horse, Lilly.

The show was a lot of fun and those TWH people are a hoot! This particular organization that puts on the show is not the Walker people who do the "big lick" soring crap. The divisions at this show were:

• Country Pleasure (a division intended for novices, and horses who have little front-end action)
• Trail Pleasure
• Light Shod
• Plantation (these horses wore the most heavy shoes, and even still, they weren't all that bad. Certainly no more than an English Pleasure Morgan would wear)

A "big lick" Walker.

There were a handful of riders who rode their horses in long shanks, but in reality most of the Walkers wore very simple curb bits with short shanks. A version of the 3-ring elevator bit (seen often on eventers) was also common. I didn't see any horses even wearing chains. The atmosphere was laid back and the horses seemed happy. They sort of just wear what they have. For example, many wore saddleseat attire with a dressage saddle. Women wore fedoras (in Morgans and Saddlebreds, you will only see men wearing these). Hell, some didn't even put a hairnet on! (This made me cringe a bit, I admit.) Even hats are considered optional. :)

We were able to talk to a few pros on what Lilly should be doing - and you know what they said?

Dressage.

Lunging in side reins. Lots of stretchy work. It's ok to let her trot to build muscle. The basics for a good horse are the same across the board. It's only those trainers who are in a rush or are lazy that skip those important dressage principles and end up with a horse "broken in half" - or, hollow and disconnected.

A much more pleasant pair!

The Walkers do have a bad rap for the very small percentage of the industry who do the big lick shows. But there was none of that there - just good people, nice happy horses and good clean fun. Everyone supports one another and roots for them (loudly!) in the ring. If you get a chance to go to one of these shows, do it. The Walkers are neat and are so well behaved! I even saw a young girl leading around a stallion with no chain. *gulp*

The National Walking Horse Association

Hampton on the Henneke

Oh boy another post on my horse's weight. :)

I am happy to report that the beast is starting to look really good now. Upon further reading, especially about the Henneke scale, I'm come to realize that he might always show a little rib - even when he is a 4 or 5 on the scale.

Here's the Henneke scale and condition chart.

According to the Kentucky Horse Council, the optimal condition score for an event horse is 4-5. For a dressage horse, 5-7.

Here is my assessment of Hampton as of today (using the Henneke scale)

Neck: Really has filled out within the last 30 days.
Withers: Not obviously thin. Pretty average looking.
Shoulder: Rounded, blends well into the body.
Topline: Back is level. There is no ridge nor a "gully."
Ribs: He appears ribby in certain light, while in other lights you can't see them at all.
Tailhead: Some fat can be felt
Point of hip: Hips slightly pointy, but might be his conformation.
Twist: (this is the arena between the buttcheeks): This area looks excellent - no space, even some fat.

Rating: 4.5 (maybe even a 5 depending on who you ask)

I think we're on the right track. He could use maybe another 20-30 pounds. And you know - why is it that some people think that if you horse isn't fat, that he's underweight? Is a 7 or an 8 on the Henneke scale the new optimal weight?

April 2010

Bloopers

Happy hump day.

Enjoy these blooper photos!

How lady like.

"I wanna go home!"

I am not about to puke. Sure looks like it tho.

Squirrly bucking on 20m circle!

Grover plotting my death.

Is this thing on?

PSA: Do not wear a black, polka dotted bra under show shirts. kthanx

WTF with my legs?!?

Hooked on a feeling

I was happy to find that Hampton was not lame on his right hind today and that minor swelling on his fetlock was pretty much gone. Whew. So, I rode.

A bit nervous and tense at the May show

He felt so ... trained today. So grown up. For the past few months, I have been finding moments of true connection with Hampton. But our rides have been mostly 30% "through" and 70% "still an unbalanced baby who ping-pongs in the contact." Today, he was only a bit wiggly during the warm up. After I booted him forward and did some leg yields, our ride because 60% "through, connected." Of course we still have moments when he comes above the bit a little, or loses the bend, or trips, or whatever. But I really noticed today how if you just make a little bit of progress every day, after 30 days look where you are. Some pretty significant changes!

When we "get it" ... it's truly amazing. I feel like I am carrying his mouth like I would carry a tray of roses. His stride becomes longer, and suddenly sitting the trot becomes effortless. I get the feeling he is carrying me, instead of me just flopping around in the saddle. Our shoulder-in and leg yields were smooth and light. So easy. Nothing is forced, braced or held. Even the canter - both leads - was excellent today!

We even got a couple of good lengthenings! Yay! I feel ready to tackle another dressage show after today. We'll probably aim for CAF in August at least. And hopefully I can find something else to go to. I think trail riding and goofing off at open horse shows has really done us both some good. :)

... and I'm trying to come up with some plans for us to begin jumping lessons, too. Otherwise, things are chugging along. Have a good week everyone!

soon to be us? :)

Still waiting

No word on the job front. I figured they'd make me squirm through the holiday weekend. :)

Hampton gave me some great work last week and has had the weekend off because of the heat. Yesterday, there was a squabble in one of the run-ins and the horses actually took a wall down. I suspect Hampton may have been involved. He has a very minor scrape on his cheek and his right hind fetlock has a swollen area that looks like it may be a bruise or something. I haven't lunged him to see if he is lame on it or not, but I may do that tomorrow. He's sound at the walk and it isn't tender.

So here are a couple of photos I recently took. I call them "Throwing safety around horses out the window in the name of art." heh heh

Trail video

Here's a video I shot from our trail ride last weekend. :)

We were walking along, everything is quiet, peaceful. The birds are chirping, the wildlife is singing. So peaceful.

Then ...


fffffffffffttttt.

Lilly farts.

And we bust out laughing. So mature.

(Watch it on Yube Tube here in case it doesn't embed right in my blog)