Porkchop sees the vet

I found the shoe! In his big ass field. Oh I was pretty proud of myself.

Hot Mess Express was out in full force for Hampton's vet appointment.

Not only was he off on that left front, but the day before the appointment he ripped off his right front shoe. Also did something to his face around his eye and had a couple of small scrapes.

JFC.

Horse is malfunctioning. Danger Danger.

---

Anyway, even without the right front shoe he was still quite lame on the left front. It had gotten worse over the past few days even. I would monitor him by watching him trot up for breakfast in the morning and could tell right away. I'm really glad I had made the appointment when I did. In fact in hindsight I wish I had called sooner (then his appointment got pushed back 4 days because SOMEBODY had to have an emergency root canal. Not naming names but it's the bitch who rides Hampton)

I am SO lucky to be in an area with a world class vet. Possibly one of the best in the country. He works with Derby horses every year and is highly regarded in the sport horse world as well. (he is also an FEI vet).  I also have a top notch farrier who also knows his shit. Without them, I am not sure what I would do. Proper shoeing is so so important.

We went ahead and injected Hampton's coffin joint. And when he got the needle in, fluid squirted out like a fountain. Hampton was clearly in pain, even when drugged and twitched. He is normally a stoic guy, so I cannot imagine how much pain he was in.

After his injection, he didn't even want to put weight on his foot anymore. Yikes.

He definitely has a lovely case of distal interphalangeal joint synovitis. 
(Also called degenerative joint disease, or DJD. Aka osteoarthritis). Once the world gets back to "normal," my next plan is to take him to Lexington for updated rads and a look over from their lameness vets. It's a complicated disease and it's about protecting him from further damage at this point. According to this research, the most common DJD areas of dressage horses are the coffin joints, navicular bones, and hocks. So there we go.

So this was more than just typical navicular heel pain. And I promptly felt like a total asshole for putting off an injection in hopes a simple shoeing change would help. This also explains why Previcox was also no longer doing shit. It was so bad, that the vet could actually feel effusion in his coffin joint just by palpating it.

We also discussed giving him a treatment of Tildren. Once I get my stimulus check, I will be moving forward with this. I'll have to do a more detailed post, but my vet has a method of administering this drug that gives great results and also minimizes the chance of colic. I think it's a good idea for Hampton, and he deserves it. Did you know Tildren used to cost $12,000 for a treatment over in Europe? Fun fact of the day. 

Spotted this blue heron in Hampton's field while our searching for the shoe.

To complete Hampton's day, my awesome farrier came out and tacked on the other shoe. Hopefully my humpty dumpty horse will be put back together again.

Hampton will do 3 days of doxy (vet does this for all coffin injections), and some bute again tomorrow. He also has a massage and magnawave scheduled for Thursday. I think Friday (That'll be 4 days post injection) I might tack walk him and go from there. There is no rush on anything. I just don't like my dude being in pain.

I also have a guardian angel to thank. You know who you are. :)

And I hope everyone is doing ok. My cats are close to filing harassment charges against me.

Finally, Carole FUCKEN Baskin. :) 

Stay the path

When you are lame on the left front, but lost your shoe on the right front - you might
get excused from work but you are NOT excused from photos.

Right before the shit really hit the fan (back in March), I took a virtual lesson with an instructor who had a long and impressive list of credentials. I was really hoping to keep the momentum going from Aiken and the instruction I got there (plus my fabulous coach at home).

So my barn buddy and I took a lesson right after one another and were able to video each other.

The whole virtual lesson thing worked out great I thought. The only thing is that our indoor has crappy lighting so sometimes it was hard to see the rider, but we made it work.

Unfortunately, this instructor was not at all what I expected or hoped for. She was a huge disappointment to be honest. I won't name any names but she just did not work for me.

I think everyone is going to encounter this in their dressage journey. There are hundreds (millions?) of roads on this path up the levels.

What I have learned is that the most important thing is that you stick to one path. Yes, take tidbits and tools from various teachers and programs, but in general stick to one road. If not, you and your horse will end up confused, frustrated, lose confidence and possibly regress.

For example, one of the huge takeaways I have been working on is to GIVE my reins. Lauren really got after me about this, and that theory continued on with Jeremy and Sarah in Aiken. Since I have become more diligent about this, Hampton has developed better self carriage, is lighter in the bridle, more supple in the neck, and his back end comes through to the bit so much better than it ever has. He poll stays up much more reliably now, too.

Pretty much how I feel right now

Well. This instructor - we will call her M - right out of the gate tells me to shorten Hampton's neck at the walk and do not give with my hands. I have NEVER in my life been told to shorten Hampton's neck. FFS I have always thought that I already ride him too short in the neck. BUT, I am a good student and willing to try.

He got wiggly. He tried piaffe. He got lateral. She said he was "figuring it out." But my gut said ... ah, well this is how you make a horse's walk lateral.

Sometime during our trot work, she got rather snarly with me that I was "throwing him away" all the time and that by doing so, I am driving him down on the forehand even more. I got defensive and said, "Well, I've been told to do this so yes it is a habit." Which M answered with, "Well how's THAT workin' for ya??" ...


.... actually lady I thought it was working well for me.

Old photo

But like I said, I continued to try what she said. Eventually, he started getting irregular (rein lame) at the medium trot which he has NEVER DONE NOT ONCE IN HIS LIFE  At this point I knew this was not the instructor for me.

She did have some good pointers that DID align with my road:

Bounce with your seat like you are on a ball into and out of collected canter
Ride canter piros like a half pass
More inside leg int he half pass (someday I this will get into my brain)

But for the most part it was the complete opposite of what I had been told from my own home coach, Lauren, Jeremy, and Sarah (plus a number of other clinicians over the years).

Is she wrong?

I don't k now. I think there's different theories and ideas and programs. Her basic concept of keeping a rather firm contact at all times probably works for a lot of horses. But I can tell you that Hampton is more than happy to  lean on your hands all the live long day. He gives zero shits. He will lean on side reins FFS.

Selfie time! Sorry Hamp that is what you get.

It's the giving that makes him light and "uphill" (he's never uphill and won't ever be but you get my point). I have to give his hind end somewhere to power to and if I have a hold of his mouth, it will drive his front end down. Maybe I am wrong. She has much better credentials than I do. I'm just an average AA dressage rider with a grade horse.

But I think I'll stay the path.

___

Monday (today) Hampton sees our top lameness vet to see if we can help him be comfy again. Fingers crossed.

Build a show!

Miss jumping Mr. Hampton. He loves it!

I'll come up with some actual blog content soon but here's a shameless plug!

If you are able to ride currently, or even if you have an old video or show video there is a neat little virtual show hosted by area peeps. Anyone can enter since it is online.

(Search for Shorty's Virtual Build a Show on Facebook for additional information)

The info:

Be a good steward of social distancing all while getting valuable feedback from judges and a fun chance to stay connected with the rest of the equestrian community! Beat the flatten the curve blues and join us for a virtual horse show! Send videos of rides BEFORE April 18th at 12 noon to be judged.

Divisions:
Dressage Test of Choice - $20, $10 per additional test
ride ANY USEA/USDF test
Show Jumping Round - $15, $10 per additional test
A la cart Combined Test- 1 Dressage and SJ Round for $30
-divisions will be combined or divided as entries warrant

Awards:
Each division placed 1-6th - local ribbon pick up OR pay postage for ribbon to be mailed
If division has over 20 entries, winner receives CASH prize!!!

How It Works: DRESSAGE TEST
* Enter ONLINE via our website, flyingcrossfarm.org -note which test you are riding
*Set up a dressage arena at YOUR barn! This can be a makeshift arena using jump rails or a real dressage arena - use what you have! No need to have actual letters - use cones, flowers, a well behaved dog, etc as place holders on the sides of the arena if needed!
*Bribe a friend with tacos to video your ride! TIPS: make sure video is taken in LANDSCAPE mode; have video person stand at "C", zoom when possible while keeping entire horse and rider in the frame
*Send us your ride before April 18th via email or as a YouTube link to be judged!

How it Works: SHOW JUMPING
*Enter ONLINE via our website, flyingcrossfarm.org - note which level you will be jumping
*STAY TUNED for posting of SJ course WITH video tutorial on setting your course, proper striding, and a virtual course walk with the judge!
*Set up your course at YOUR barn using the above course and tips!
*Bribe a friend with chips and guac and have them video your round!
*SJ round will be judged on clear round AND style points 1-10 of overall impression of horse and rider during the course

ADDITIONAL RULES:
*Helmets must be worn AT ALL TIMES
*Videos must be of one seamless ride - no crazy editing so you get that perfect distance or transition!
*Jumping video must be of your first attempt of the course - honor system here!!
*All USEF tack rules apply - ie no martingale or boots in dressage, illegal bits or bridles etc ; jump saddles are a-ok for dressage :)

Dumpster Fires Everywhere

My toilet smoking.

Well, shit.

What are you all doin'?

Let's see what's been going on here.

A) Well, we've got a pandemic. Everyone is dealing with this the best they can. I keep reminding myself that during times like this, the only way to the other side is through it.

B) Then, I got furloughed from work. One week for each month of April, May and June. The good news is that the days will be scattered (ie 2 days on one paycheck, 3 days the next paycheck). So the hit won't be quite as awful as an entire week of no pay at a time. The bad news is that disqualifies me from any unemployment, and means I will be on a spending freeze. At first I was like, Oh that'll be fine there's no horse shows or anything. But then ..

C) Hampton's soundness has been on and off for the past few weeks. It's the left front again. Likely his navicular acting up and/or progressing. He ranges from sound to head bobbing at the trot. After talking with my farrier, we decided on pour-in pads with his usual bar shoe. $$$$$ He was sound today (Monday), but was pretty lame yesterday. I made an appointment with the vet for a week and a half from now (he is still in Florida this week), which I can of course cancel if he does continue to improve with these shoes. I can probably do another injection if that's what the vet thinks, but we are getting close to my financial limit on treatments I can handle for his navicular. (Yep he's already on previcox). I hope this hasn't deteriorated to that point, but it does cross my mind every time he has these lameness periods. I'd like to take him to one of the big hospitals in Lexington (Rood n Riddle or Hagyard) but you know ... current state of affairs really makes that impossible at the moment. And also furloughs. Keeping my fingers crossed that these shoes keep him comfortable.

I don't even own a pair of shoes as expensive as these.

x

Otherwise Hampton is happy and healthy and fit. And of course still handsome.

D) My cats are getting real tired of me bothering them and making tiktoks with them.

E) TIGER KING is the best thing to happen to us this spring and I am watching it for the third time now because I keep missing weird moments. (Where is Carole's first husband??? She has TWO missing husbands??? And let's speed past that little moment where that one guy burns up and chops up an ATF informant on his property!)

F) Everyone hang in there!

Look to your horse

You are riding along on a trail ride without a care in the world. Your horse is walking calmly with his ears up and at a relaxed pace. Your reins may even be on the buckle.

Then suddenly.

A plastic bag blows into your path.

Your horse ducks, and before you know it you are galloping in the other direction with no control.
Over a damn plastic bag.

----

America right now, is that horse.

via GIPHY

----

We all have spent hours and hours teaching our horses to use the thinking parts of their brain. We want them to think first, instead of immediately fight or flight.

When the fight or flight part of your brain is activated, the thinking/logic part of your brain shuts down. It cannot work. This is science. Same for us, same for horses. Which is why we try not to let them get into that fight or flight mode. It can be difficult to get them to come "back to earth."

This pandemic is a real public health emergency.

The masses see this as a real threat to their safety for a couple of reasons.
1. It is new. What we don't know much about, we are scared of.
2. We can't see it
3. We can't control it ourselves.

via GIPHY

The reason people are hoarding and acting like goddamn idiots is the same reason people seek out religion. They need answers to things there are no answers for.

They are trying to gain control over a situation they have no control over. 
See #3: Lack of control =  Fight or flight. (hello fellow anxiety/panic attack sufferers AM I RIGHT)

---

People need to stop and use the thinking part of their brain. The virus isn't a direct threat to their lives. (For most. The idea is to protect those who might get really sick from this)

 The point of these pandemic procedures is to prevent our health care systems from being overwhelmed. Kind of like the groceries stores were when people decided to hoard TP.

Yes, let's all flock to the store and get our nasty germs all over every product. Oh the irony.

The public simply isn't thinking. They are in fight or flight. They perceive the plastic bag as a real threat to their safety. And without thinking, they turn and run.

---

No, it's not the media.

In fact, as a journalist, this is our finest hour.

Arm yourself with facts, use your thinking brain, quit hoarding and wash your hands.

AIKEN DAY 5: Into the woods

AIKEN DAY 5: FRIDAY

One of the big reasons I decided to make this trip was because I wanted to go to Hitchcock Woods. While our plans changed and evolved over the week, this was one activity I made sure was going to happen.

Stolen from Liz. .... NERDS.

While the eventers stayed behind to school some more XC, Hampton, Royale, Liz and myself made the short trip to Hitchcock Woods for a lovely morning of trail riding.

It's just as beautiful and perfect as everyone says it is.

Lovely sand footing. No bugs. No trees hitting me in the face. Pretty much the perfect place to trail ride. (I'm sure the bugs probably return in the summer tho)

We rode for about 2.5 hours and really only covered maybe an 8th of the property. The trails were really well marked, so while we did accidentally trespass on someone's driveway at one point, we did not get lost and that is impressive for us. haha.

We did come up on the kennels for the hunt hounds. And saw one lady dressed to the NINES in her fox hunting gear (Barbour coat and all). It was so neat! they let the hounds out int he woods a couple days a week and have plenty of signs warning you and what times they will be out. I bet the hunting through the woods is just f-ing fantastic. There are so many jumps - 3, 4, 5 horses could jump together over some of them.

Memorial gate

The boys were really well behaved of course. My ONLY regret is that I wish we had a second day to explore more of the woods. Next time!

Horse show grounds

It was just so peaceful and horse friendly and everything you dream of for ideal trail riding.

Photo by Liz

We headed back to meet up with the other gals for an afternoon watching the Grand Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce's Field. What a cool venue! We unfortunately missed the dressage, but got there in time for the show jumping. For the first time all week the temperature was FREEEEZING. Even though it was still supposedly 50 degrees I was COLD and had to sit in the truck during the break to warm up. hahaha. But still a fun time and so cool to watch some of the country's top eventers!

Bruce's Field

I assume this was probably the last jump on the XC course

Boyd

It was an early night for us since we had the long drive back home in the morning. I was both exhausted and totally in love with Aiken. I thought we were spoiled in KY as far as horse country, but Aiken is rider's country. It is infested with horse people.

Our drive back was thankfully uneventful and all the horses and people are home safe and sound which is the most important. I'll be back for sure. In what capacity I don't know. Maybe permanently some day. I loved it THAT much.

But for now, we do our homework! Show season is creeping up on us.

Saturday sunrise at Jumping Branch before we left

AIKEN DAY 4: Threading the hind legs

AIKEN DAY 3: THURSDAY


We had a lesson scheduled for the afternoon so Liz and I hit up downtown Aiken again in the morning. We hit up New Moon cafe which was DELIGHTFUL and is a total hippie joint which made my heart sing.

We also spent a little time in the Antique mall which had some super cool shit. But also, some things that reminded us we were indeed in the deep south.

---------

Another barn friend with her OTTB joined Hampton and I on the short trip over to an ADORABLE farm owned by trainer SD. She came recommended to us through a friend and I have to say, it was our best ride of the week.

Her teaching reminded me so much of JJ Tate. Very methodical, purposeful and easy to understand for the horse. She was a very classical teacher. Plus she had GGT footing which is basically HEAVEN to ride on. Hampton LOVED it. Best footing ever it is amazing.

When can I go back???

I went in with the same request as I did with Jeremy. I don't care about the tricks or movements, I need help with the engagement and lowering the coup overall. 

After an easy warmup, she started working with us on threading the hind legs. This exercise is very similar to what JJ had us do several years ago, but on a less dramatic level.

Threading the hindlegs is what is sounds like. Put the inside hind leg under the body. Then the outside hing leg under the body. It's all about positioning. (If you want more clarity for your horse, you can do haunches in to shoulder in)

Hampton lowering his croup. :)

Any time he tipped down, he got a transition and a turn on the haunches with sometimes a reinback thrown in within the TOH. Any time he popped his croup in the air he got a down transition as well.

At first we were doing A LOT of transitions. It's also OK for me to ride him up off the bit for a while.

 There was never any rough-ness, just methodical explaining to the horse that no, we keep our croup down now mister. And because he is built croup-high, both of us are going to have to work  harder than other pairs at lowering the croup. Just how it is!

Hampton just kept getting better and better! We worked in the trot toward the end of the lesson and he was swinging through his body and lifting his shoulders. I know he didn't look like Valegro but he felt like it! After he becomes lighter and up in the shoulders, then you start to add power. My abs were BURNING.  

Also, I need to shorten my reins. SHORTEN THEM KAREN.

We also experimented with tapping him behind my leg, or on the shoulder as well. He responded best to a tap on the shoulder and that was less likely to make his croup bounce. He worked so hard and I had a different horse at the end of that lesson. Even though it's nothing "new" per se, sometimes it just takes a fresh set of eyes and different words.

I really enjoyed her instruction and next time I make an Aiken trip I plan on spending at least a week training with her. It was just what I needed to leave inspired with excellent homework.

.... annnnd the day ended with more great food and booze.