Leg update, etc.

Random photo of sleepy Hampton.

Good news! Hampton's leg looks about 90% better today. The swelling is almost totally gone, although it is still a bit puffy directly around the wound still. It seemed less painful today. I was able to scrub it and flush it out really well with less protest from Hampton. I was able to get a closer look and it does appear to be a very shallow puncture wound/scrape combo. It was still leaking some pus today, too. Gross. I gave him bute again today but it will probably be the last dose. It seems to be healing well. He is otherwise bright, alert and obnoxious about treats. I think he is OK with this routine of me doctoring his wound, feed him a carrot. More doctoring. Another carrot. Grain. Hay. Pats.

He can have the rest of the week off since I am going to Rolex. I have not been since college and someone gave me two tickets to Friday and our barn has a tailgating spot for Saturday. I can't wait!

Of course I do have a SMALL shopping list.

Double bridle
bradoon
curb

I may grab a shirt or two for myself but I don't have much of a budget so that'll have to do.

Will of course report back with Rolex photos and trade fair porn.

No noseband and injured list.

On Sunday I decided to try something different just to see what happened. I left the noseband on Hampton's bridle undone, and just buckled the flash (loosely).

HE. WAS. AMAZING.

From Sunday's bomb diggity ride.
(Photo by Ed Van Meter)

Immediately soft and supple in the poll and neck. Light in the bridle. Uphill. In front of my leg. An absolute JOY to ride. I mean he is always a joy to ride but he was really feeling like an upper level horse! Our trot half passes were darn near show-ready. I tried canter half pass for the first time and we got some good steps. Wasn't perfect but we just need to work out our timing there. But it's in there! Got one super flying lead change! ... The only thing that went wrong was one monster buck when I asked for another change. It damn near unseated me and he thought about taking off right after because I had become so unbalanced. Ooops. He came right back though and after that I just re-enforced forward at the canter so we did not end on a bucking note. haha.

Was it just the day? Or did the lack of noseband have any ting to do with it? I don't crank it tight, but it is usually snug. I am wondering if I should try a drop noseband on him? It was an interesting experiment.

I was going to ride again today but Hamps had a very swollen, HOT hind leg. Rut ro. I promptly cold hosed the beejesus out of it. As I was cold hosing, I saw that he had scraped a little fur off the inside of that leg, and a little more up near the hock. Hmmm. It looked like just your run of the mill scrape. Weird. But maybe it was bothering him? I reached down to touch the scrape and when I did a bunch of pus started to squirt out!!! Bingo!!! A small puncture-type wound. That certainly explains his hot, swollen painful leg. I continued to "milk" the infection out while cold hosing. Hamps was an angel about it. He would hold his leg up in protest but never got mean with me. Good boy. The cold hosing helped the swelling quite a bit, thankfully. I am hoping that it has not involved any tendons or ligaments. It seems shallow but you never know with the lower leg ... It is obviously in a place where you can't put your head to look very close without the horse being sedated.

I scrubbed the area as best I could with betadine. It oozed a bit more after that. Ew. Hamps got bute and if the leg gets worse tomorrow he will probably need a round of antibiotics. Not sure if he got caught in a fence or what?!

Guess he earned himself a few days off!

More photos, more analysis

As you can probably tell from the last post, my brain was F.R.I.E.D. from the weekend.

Now that I have had a few days to digest, I think I can wrangle together a post that actually makes sense.

Plus, I've got more photos to share!




Free walk. Hampton's favorite gait.



Friendly barn kitten helps me clean tack.



The boy (on the right) and Hampton wondering why I insist
on prancing around a sandbox wearing white breeches.

Canter lengthening.

I love the effort Hampton gives me during the canter lengthenings. I need to work on bringing his poll up and his shoulders up to me. But this is fine for a 5 year old, very average, TB/Draft cross I would say. Also, can we talk about me and the world's more flexible ankle! OMG. It is literally pointing at the camera. This habit needs to stop. I will take any and all advice.

Hampton really loved his hotel for the weekend. The window
was a big hit with him.

Our homework this year is uphill uphill uphill!! This is nice, he is tracking up,
and accepting contact as well as giving me his back. But now we need more
thrust, more swing.

I have serious homework to do in the sitting trot department. I have no issues at the working trot, but the mediums throw me for a loop. It's not the sitting that bothers me, but that fact that my feet come out of the stirrups. They start flopping around and I can hear my stirrups jingle. So I am going to try and get some lunge line lessons in. Plus I think it's a matter of fitness (for both of us, really). Lots of collected trot, push into medium trot transitions. Maybe I only sit a few strides at first. Eventually I will find that balance. This is all very new to me and Hamps is very patient while I try not to flop like a sack of potatoes. In fact, when he feels me become slightly insecure, he slows down. I don't punish him for that - he's just being a good boy - but it dings our medium scores. I'm the one who needs to do the homework on that.

Not very accurate, but a good pony.

I also lost A LOT of points for simply being inaccurate. Like the above photo, I should have been starting either a shoulder-in or a lengthen here (I'm not sure which test this is ...) and I'm nearly past the letter and we're still in working trot. My right lead 10 m circle was too big both days. I cut corners. Amongst other lost points due to my bad riding. I need to school accuracy at home so it becomes habit for both of us at shows. Also, more schooling shows for us so I can get more miles.

In other news ...

Hamps and I have taken a few days to chill out and relax. Today he was standing at his door nickering at me so he's probably ready to be ridden tomorrow or Friday. He seems in good spirits. I, however, am still majorly stressed out from non-horse related events in my life at the moment. That's for another post. Basically, I am living out of my car because my living situation at the new place has become very uncomfortable. So I have to find a new place to live AGAIN. Soon. With very little money.

But the good news is that Rolex is coming up and I'm going on Saturday. Woooot!!

I can hear my checking account wail in pain.

Sometimes you're the windshield. Sometimes you're the bug.

Meadow Lake Equestrian Center. We were stabled at the farm at the top of the hill.

I hope you're comfortable for today's post. It will be a doozey. (doozie?)

Chapter 1: The Bank Incident

On Thursday I had everything packed and ready to go for Friday's departure for the show. My car was packed, Hampton ready to go. We would only need to load 2 bales of hay and shavings ... and the horse.

A few minutes after I arrived at work Thursday evening, I got a notification from my bank that my account was low (under $100). Now, I get this notification a lot but I knew this week that by my calculations I should had plenty of money for gas, hotel, food, etc etc. So this worried me. I checked my account.

I had been hacked.

And by hacked, I mean someone in North Carolina had DRAINED my account and bought themselves some groceries.

*%&^(&( !!!!!!!!

I called the bank in a panic and they canceled my debit card and said they would refund that money, but it could take 90 days. Um mmmm ... I don't get paid again until NEXT Friday so I was in a panic on how I was going to survive not just the horse show but the next week! You can imagine the cuss words flying outta my mouth.

Well some stupid debit card hackers were not going to keep me from a horse show, so I jetted out of work early Friday and followed the trailer down to just south of Lexington at the beautiful Meadow Lake Equestrian Center. Thankfully, my parents had planned on coming to the show on Saturday and promised me some cash so I would be able to eat. Gotta love good old Bank of Parental Units. The truly saved my week this time. (*note, the money did end up getting back into my account on Saturday some time).

Chapter 2: The trailer incident

As a baby, Hampton and the other colts his age were often herded onto a step-up stock trailer, brought into the barn, given shots/wormed, etc etc) and then trailered back out to the field. So when my instructor pulled up with a step up, slant load trailer I was pretty sure Hamps would load up. What I didn't think about, was unloading him. As a baby, they turned around and jumped off going forward. He would have to back out this time. But he is a smart horse, I figured he would do just fine.

*cue ominous music*

Hampton actually loaded up like a champ! He did not even hesitate. I was super proud of him. He was so good, and I was a nervous wreck. Those that have been reading this blog for a while may remember my previous horse, T-Bone almost killed himself on a slant load. He was also a very good traveller.

Hampton road along with a little Mustang mare to the show (who is pony size ... lol ... what a couple). When we arrived and tried to unload, he was very unsure of what to do. He had to back up AND turn a little bit to get out. He finally put a a foot on the ground and stepped right back up into the trailer. Hmmmm. We kept gently asking him and eventually he put both back feet down ... and then ... COLLAPSED. He literally sat down like a cat. J said both of his hocks were touching the ground (I was at his head). His front legs were shaking as he tried to stand back up. I feared his back legs would slide under the trailer. At this point I am having a heart attack. This whole incident maybe lasted 30 seconds but he did stand back up and back away. Could you be any more dramatic, horse!?

I am not sure what that was all about but I think he thought he was stepping off the edge of the earth. The look on his face was so pitiful and scared. Poor guy!

Meadow Lake is beautiful

Chapter 3: The actual show

After we unloaded, we went for a ride. Hampton was on his very best behavior and I walked him for a long time to make sure he was OK from the trailer ride and dramatic exit. He seemed fine and was extremely calm. I rode maybe 40 minutes and put him up with lots of pats.

Saturday rolled around. Our first test was Second 3. Our warm up went well. Unfortunately, this became a prime example of why I prefer to show alone or with friends and not with a trainer or instructor. Don't get me wrong, I do love my current instructor but at shows I really need to be left alone or I become obsessed with doing what the trainer says and not listening to the horse underneath me. We warmed up a bit and she said he looked locked in the poll and to work on unlocking that. She was right in saying that, but the REAL problem was that he was behind my leg. I should have fixed that instead of obsessing over his poll for the rest of the warm up. And you'll see why here in a minute.

I will say that trotting down the center line as a USDF recognized show for Second Level almost made me cry. It is such an accomplishment for me. Especially on a horse I have raised and trained myself. My family was there to watch, too, which made it even more awesome. (Although they are still really clueless about this dressage land. lol). Anyway, the test went pretty well. Until the walk-canter transition at K. I asked for the canter and it felt like Hampton thought I wanted haunches in (the aids are the same). I thought "Shit, he isn't picking up the canter" and I crammed my spur into his side. And because he was so behind my leg at this point, he BUCKED. And I mean all four feet off the ground complete with kicking out, too! There was a LOT of air between my butt and the saddle. After we landed, I asked again - nicer this time - and off we went. The rest of the test went fine. The first thing I said when leaving the ring was "please tell me you you that on video!". SADLY ... my brother, who was taking photos, missed it. And my mom, who was taking video, missed it too because my dad's head was in the way. DANG IT!!! lol. I had so wanted to share that with you all. We did get a big fat 3 on that movement. Judge's comment was "strong resistance." lols.

Next up was First-3. I found myself alone in the warm up ring and took advantage and gave Hampton I big fat SPANK on the fanny. Ah, much better! The test was alright, our only terrible bobble was leg yield from K to the centerline. He did not want to move over at all. It was pretty ugly. He also spooked at a growling flower at C, too. Eh well. I put the blame mostly on my riding, but also I think he was just tired and weak. The footing in the warm up (an indoor) was very deep. He isn't really used to that.

Sunday's tests went a lot better - but we showed under a much harsher judge so the scores didn't really change. Second 3 was really nice except one bobble when he broke from the canter. My fault really. I knew he was tired and I should have ridden a little harder there. Not a big deal. First 3 was pretty nice. No big mistakes there. Just lack of sparkle.

Overall I am really proud of Hampton. I have never had a horse be so calm and downright lazy at a show before! In the future I think he may get his grain increased a few weeks before a big show like this. Also, on Sunday he had a bit of an upset tummy. He was very gassy and his poo was ... um ... very soft serve. He was eating and drinking  A LOT, and otherwise alert and acting normal (no temp either) so I don't know what caused it. He certainly did not ACT stressed out all weekend. My parents did feed him like 4 or 5 apples but I don't think that caused it either. Anyway, he may get probiotics at future shows, too. Today (Monday) the poo in his stall was back to normal.

Chapter 4: The results

Well, I did manage to scrape by with 3 out of the 4 Bronze medal scores I had hoped to get this weekend. We got a 60.9% in Second 3, a 64% in First 3 and a 63% in First 3. BLAMO!!! Sunday's Second Level test got a 58.9%, so we missed that one. But like I said that judge was pretty harsh and the highest score for that test all day was a 62% so while I am just a bit disappointed, it's not the end of the world. We will just get that other score another time.

Chapter 5: The aftermath

Today I have major horse show hangover. I am also pretty sun burnt. I ate a nice big order of Hooters hot chicken wings last night to celebrate surviving. So, I am also hungover from THAT decision.

Here are some things I have taken away from this weekend:

• My family rocks
• My horse takes really good care of me
• I need to learn to sit the medium trot without my feet coming out of the stirrups
• I need to be more accurate in my tests
• Hampton needs to be in front of my leg always. It solves about 90% of our issues.
• The dressage crowd takes themselves too seriously
• Beer makes me ride better
• Avoid miserable, bitchy people (nothing new here)
• My horse is pretty cool.

I TOLD you this post would be a doozie! If you are still reading, well, good for you! And thank you!

Enjoy these photos from the weekend. :)

Kentucky is so ugly, isn't it?

Preparing for turn on the haunches.

Argh. I left his braids in over night and they looked sorta shitty on Sunday.

Medium canter! Haunches just a touch too far inside ...

Why is my head crooked?

Our mediums need work.

Weeee!

Bit check. Hampton being a dork.

Farm footage

The farm where I board Hampton is also home to Second Stride, a non-profit that re-homes ex-race horses. This documentary was done last year and shows how beautiful the farm - and Kentucky in general - is.

Second Stride from Kyle Loughrin on Vimeo.


Edited to add: Friday's hectic-ness has been worked out. Whew!!!! Yesterday I developed an annoying toothache, feared an asbcess, went to the dentist who adjusted my bite and gave me an antibotic. Ummm... hoping it does not actually abcess. It's always something I tell ya.

Ride times:
Saturday: 11:30 ish (Second 3); 3:48 (First 3)
Sunday: 10 am ish (second 3); 3 pm ish (First 3)

Time to pack!!

Pre-show stress.

Beak.

I'm looking forward to the show this weekend! But Friday is going to be a major PAIN IN MY ASS, however, because I could not get the day off work.

SO ... I am going to have to leave work mid-day, go to the barn, load up Hampton. (My instructor is hauling him for me). Follow them to the show (2 hours), unload, settle him, drive 2 hours back to work to finish my shift. I can only hope that I do not have a super early ride time on Saturday. Or someone won't be getting much sleep!

I was just lucky to get the weekend off and we are so short staffed that there is no way I can switch with anyone. Maybe I can work a half day ... but I sort of doubt it. I asked my instructor if I could just send Hampton with her and meet them down there in the evening, but she seemed less than thrilled about that. (It would be just loading him and 2 bales of hay .... and he's an easy loader ...)

Argh.

For now, here's the schedule:

Sunday (today) light arena work, trail ride, hills. (A good boy today, but seemed tired).
Monday: Lunge
Tuesday: Ride. Work on test elements.
Wednesday: Easy ride/hack. Bath? (already clipped! Go me!)
Thursday: Run through tests, pack my car.
Friday: Who the f*ck knows.
Saturday & Sunday: Show!

Is the SI to blame?

So the chiropractor came out today. She is someone I have not used before. She did spend a lot of time with us and seemed thorough. But also struck me as sort of quack-ish. She was also way too expensive that I won't be able to use her again unless she works some sort of miracle on my horse.

Anyway ... her diagnosis was SI pain/discomfort. That's the sacro-illiac joint, which is buried under a lot of muscle and almost impossible to really adjust. I suspected this, and it's pretty common.

He was also out in C3 of his neck.

Otherwise he showed no pain or displacement anywhere. His back was loose and pain free (yay!) as was his poll. It's just that darn hip/SI area.

Symptoms of SI pain/discomfort: I put my comments about Hampton in red.

• agitation when asked for upward transitions (nope)
• kicking out/cross cantering at the canter (will kick out sometimes if I spur him too hard ... hard to decide if this is just Hamps telling me that my aids are rude, or if he is uncomfortable)
• reluctance to go on the bit (nope)
• bucking in the canter (yes. Sometimes, when I ask him to really collect and back up my leg with the whip, he will buck. Again - being snarky or in pain?)
• Inability to hold a lead in one direction. (no)
• Looking weak in the hind end (yes)
• Horse may shift weight constantly between the two hindlimbs. (no. He actually stands in the crossties very square.)
• Reluctance to stand with one hindlimb flexed, bearing weight on the other limb, or reluctance to allow one or both hindlimbs to be picked up (I'd said yes, although mild).
• Breaking to canter rather than increase hindlimb impulsion (yes! Especially for slow trot - to BIG trot transitions. He would rather canter behind my leg than push off into a big trot).
• Lateral work (e.g., shoulder-in, half-pass) is particularly difficult. Canter is stiff and stilted, often four beat and difficult to maintain. (Lateral work is mostly fine, every once in a while he is a bit resistent to leg yield off my left leg. Canter used to be 4 beat as a 3 and 4 year old. Seems to have grown out of it?)
• Shows a loss of flexibility through the lower back. (Yes. Almost always tight.)
• Can only manage a poor bascule over fences, jumps long, refuses jumps, stops in combinations. (shows none of these. Infact he has a pretty darn good bascule)

Ignore the perching monkey on his back ...



• Has difficulty with cavaletti. (nope)
• An exaggerated sensitivity to palpation over the lower back and sacrum, which may be either a sinking away from the pressure, or tensing and quivering of the muscles (nope)

So what next?

Well, I'm going to keep trying to strengthen that hind end. Hill work, caveletti and we need to start jumping again. This hind end hitch has pretty much vanished last summer. Is it because we were jumping regularly? We haven't jumped at all since December really. Has he lost that strength? At this point I do not feel he needs a long-term break. Both the vet and chiro said it was fine - and good - to keep him in work. Motion is good for the joints. Of course if anything gets worse, I will reconsider.

At some point, I am probably going to have to get his SI joint injected. I'm not sure how much this costs but I am sure it will probably require me saving up quite a bit. Is he sound for lower level dressage? Without a doubt. But he's going to need that issue examined further in order for us to proceed up to third/fourth level. That I have no doubt. He will be 6 in June - is he growing a little bit more? There are so many possibly explanations!

So we'll see how it goes. He is otherwise happy to work, happy to come to me in the field and just a general laid back, happy guy. He shows no signs of pain when you palpate his back or hips. It's just this slight hitch in his gait. He may actually be naturally uneven in his hips (like me! I have one leg longer than the other). Who knows.

Entering horse show mode now. Cue stress, panic and massive organizing and cleaning spree.