Virus

Well show season is over for 2017.

Good news, bad news today.

Which do you guys want first?

The bad news? Ok!

Well, Saturday I fed the horses as is usual, and went to grab Hampton from his field. I tacked him up and hopped on to ride, as is our usual. He seemed quieter than normal, but I blamed it on the warm temps that day.

Once I started riding, I knew he felt odd. I figured I must have made him muscle sore from our hill day a few days earlier. I spent some time at the walk, did a few transitions called the ride a day.

After I untack him, I always feed him breakfast in one of the stalls before I toss him back out.

I gave him his food, and stopped cold.

If you know Hampton, you know that he is not your typical food-loving gelding. He is actually way worse. He eats like the Tasmanian devil. Like throws food everywhere in jubilation. He never wastes food, and will chase everyone else off their food if they don't eat fast enough.

Except that day, he merely took a nibble. Then ... just stood around.

At this point I was REALLY alarmed. I watched him for a few minutes.

He looked like this:

One sick Porkchop

Didn't seem like a colic. So, I took his temp.

105.5

That's not a typo.

Now I went from alarmed to FREAKING THE FUCK OUT, mostly in thanks to the fatal case of EHV1 that occurred at a neighboring farm. Even though the chances of him getting that virus were very very slim. I took his temp with a brand new thermometer. Still, 105. I need a vet.

My usual vet did not answer, so I called the next one on my list. And he was out in 30 minutes.

After a thorough exam, Hampton got a good dose of banamine, and he was isolated immediately. Well, as best as one can isolate a horse on a FARM. It's pretty silly if you ask me. About the only thing you can guarantee is no nose-to-nose contact. But the rest of our biohazard procedures seem futile to me - as the barn cats literally walk all up in his hay, and then walk all over the rest of the barn so ...

Um why is I in a stall???

But anyway. Hampton's fever broke about an hour later, resulting in a rather scary episode of profuse sweating and heavy breathing. Not really normal, but his fever was really high. His breathing did return to normal in about 15 minutes. I did call the vet back, but he said hang tight. Probably just the fever breaking, and it was.

The vet sent off multiple blood samples to UK and Cornell to try and isolate the virus. It could be a tick-borne thing, but his CBC report indicated it was almost certainly a virus. But, the others are being tested anyway.

Interesting fact: If a virus like Flu or Herpes is suspected, the vaccine company may actually pay for the testing to be done on your horse's blood. I was lucky and the vaccine company is paying for Hampton's testing. Otherwise, it would be $1,000+.

So that's a good reason to 1) vaccinate your horses and 2) maybe keep on hand the brand name vaccine you or your vet use.

Some GOOD NEWS is that his tests came back NEGATIVE for Influenza, EHV1, EHV4 and Strangles. It could still be another virus in the herpes family, but not the bad one. Still waiting on other test results.

Oh this is bullshit, human.

So meanwhile he remains in isolation. He spends the day in a stall, and thankfully gets our drylot to hang out in at night. He is displeased with the situation as 1) he has no friends to bother and 2) there is no grass in the drylot. So he is doing a lot of pacing the fence and hollering for someone to save him. I've been trying to spoil him, but there isn't much else I can do. I can't explain to him why all of a sudden he is all alone.

In even better news, his fever seems to have finally left as of Wednesday morning. It was up and down since Saturday, but today it's normal AND he has been off bute.

Depending on what the vet says, he may be able to resume normal life Friday or Saturday. Man I hope so because he is destroying the dry lot.

... and in not so great news, I did withdraw from USDF Nationals. It's a total bummer, but I have NOT regretted the decision - even though he seems to be better. Not worth risking his health, or the health of other horses for a horse show. And while it is Nationals, it's still just a horse show.

It's not fair to take him to a show where he needs to be full throttle, after he ran a tamp for 4 days. He acts just fine - never showed any other symptoms whatsoever - but why risk it? Not worth it to me. If it has been 2 weeks out - sure I would have played the waiting game. But a week out? No. Bad timing.

Them's the breaks with horses.

So meanwhile he continues to recover, and I'll update if I get more results in!

Thank you for all of your support! :)

The Constipated Cat

It seems Hampton has been hogging the spotlight and all my money this year.

That fact has not gone un-noticed from the "other creature," namely Buckley. The cat.

Some blog readers may remember two years ago my previous cat had a battle with a nasty form of cancer and FIV. I spent thousands of dollars and cared for him until he told me he was tired.

When I got a replacement kitty, I shopped for a middle age HEALTHY cat with no previous health issues. This is how I ended up with Buckley. Who up until now has been a dream kitty.

Tuesday morning I was brushing my teeth and heard a very strange growling noise. But because I use an electric toothbrush, I couldn't quite make out what the noise was. I thought it was maybe a loud motorcycle outside.

A few hours later I saw Buckley go to use the litterbox. He was ... uhh ... in there a while. And then suddenly LEPT OUT like his ass was on fire. Then stopped. And started growling and yowling in pain. I took a look in his litterbox. There was nothing there. SHIT. (but not really, ha)

I was at the vet 15 minutes later.

I feared a UTI or blockage which is BAD NEWS. While being examined, he threw up white foam twice. In a weird twist, the room they were examining him in was the same room I had to euthanize Grover in. My stomach was in knots.

The vet took him back for XRays, where it was determined he has a mild bowel impaction. In other words: he is very constipated. Ok! Well, this I think I can deal with.

He had pain meds, subQ fluids and 2 enemas and they handed me back a very pissed off 20-lb cat and a $300 bill.

FUN FACT: The Majority of cats will vomit immediately after an enema!

Home from the vet and rather pissed at me.

I am happy I caught this quick before it turned into anything worse. And that a diet change and a supplement should help his problem and make it manageable.

He seemed better this morning. He has been eating and drinking, but no poop yet. He did poo at the vet's though. His little bottom is very sore and he looks at me as if he has been seriously violated, but I think he will be just fine.

I explained to him that he has now maxed out his fund so NO MORE STUNTS.

... back to poop monitoring.

Bite your tongue

Photo by Paul Wood

Hamps and I have been busy preparing for Nationals. He is bodyclipped (YAY!!) and my entries are done, breed award nomination done and I have somehow gotten both Saturday and Sunday off work. (not an easy task this time of year). I'll have to work late Friday night (1 am!) so if I ride early on Saturday it may make things interesting, but I'll cross that road when I come to it.

Also I am super excited to meet blogger Jen J and Toran!!!! They are stabling with us!!!!!!!!

It is my understanding that Nationals does not tell you your times until quite late because there is a draw for championship classes.

But, as you all are aware, Hampton and I are no strangers to winging it so we will take things as they come! Oh - the link is still live to help us with Nationals if you so choose:

CLICK HERE

canter half pass

Our Friday lesson was certainly an "off day" though and I try to be very open on this blog, so that everyone knows that this training process is not sunshine and rainbows all the time. Although this show season has certainly seemed like it!

We started off asking for passage and he ... just wouldn't offer it. I tried some transitions and it made it a little better, but quickly moved on because for whatever reason (tired? sore? just not into it?) he was not as animated as he can be.

So we left that alone (why pick a fight?), and worked on pirouettes. Well things didn't go much better there either. I ended up really struggling with him to maintain bend, keep his haunches under himself, turn, and stay on the same lead. Just last week our piros were so good my coach said it was time to play with whole piros (instead of just half like we have been doing).

from Regionals

There was some leaping, propping, grunting, ugly moments but I did end up getting better steps. I was a bit perplexed because we just haven't had a day like this in a while.

So we moved on again to the changes. I tried to do a line of 4s but old habits came back -  bracing in the neck, propping, throwing himself sideways. He was quite obstinate about the bridle and in the middle of the line I just stopped and said "What the HELL." and leaned over thinking maybe he had his tongue over the bit.

Not quite, but there was blood. Checked his mouth and he had bitten his tongue a pretty good one.

Ah yes, well that would explain things. He spooked really badly at the very beginning of the ride and I'm wondering if he did it then?

Ended on a stretchy circle just to end on a good note and put him up.

Nope, not all sunshine and rainbows.

Back at it again tomorrow (in the snaffle for a few days to give him a break).

----

In other news: No other horses tested positive for EHV. Everybody off quarantine in the area and I no longer have to deal with buttholes in the morning for temps!

Cats out of the bag!

Have some SUPER EXCITING NEWS!!!!!!

Cats out of the bag! I've known for a little while but wanted to wait until Dressage Today made their announcement.

Looks like the clinic will be in April, which is also when I will order my new saddle!

Feeling pretty fortunate right now. Wow.

The shame behind herpes

... so I'm curious to see what kind of web traffic I am going to get from THAT title! HA

But on a more serious note, our area once again has a fatal case of EHV1 - the neurological strain of the equine herpes virus.

Our equine community is very tight knit - we all know each other, and this farm is one that is frequently traveled to by not only Kentucky peeps, but those in surrounding states. It hosts multiple mini trials a year, derbies, a recognized event and people school there all the time. Those who are familiar with the area where I live will easily figure out what farm it is by that description.

Photo by Paul Wood

It is so sad because the girl who lost her horse is a much-loved instructor in the area, and like all of us truly loved her mare. It's such a horrible end - to have them go down like that and not be able to get back up.

But my concern today is ... why the shame over this?

Why do people keep incidents like this hush-hush? Is it shame? Fear of losing business?

If you have a case of EHV1 in your barn, that doesn't mean you are a bad owner. Who knows how this horse acquired the virus. The horse was an eventer, and was no doubtly properly vaccinated and spoiled. There's really no telling how she got the virus. It's nobody's fault.

I really feel that people should be open and blunt about situations like this. "Look, we had a case and this is what we are doing. This is what others should do, etc etc."

The farm where I keep Hamp and Royale is, so far, not under quarantine. We are taking temps twice a day however, and being extra cautious. Many horses on our farm have been to the other farm recently. People travel over there to school a lot - they are our neighbors.

It's pretty scary that this is so close to home now. Although, it has been going around for about a year.

The good news is that no other horses are sick at this time. So my plan is to stay alert, and stay home for the time being of course. Nationals isn't until Nov. 11 so that should be plenty of time for things to hopefully settle. But I will be bringing bleach with me to the show. Incubation for EHV1 is about 4-6 days, however it can vary.

More information on the virus can be found HERE.

Mostly I just hope no other horses fall sick.

And thankfully both boys are OK with me sticking a thermometer up their butt.

Royale officially up for sale

Well the day has come - we are starting to officially list Chicken Nugget up for sale. He was intended to be a sales horse, and there were periods where I thought we would just keep him but neither one of us is made of money and truthfully it has been pretty difficult for me to support 2 horses, even while splitting the cost on one.

(Doesn't mean there won't be another "stepbrother" in the future though ...)

Royale has his own website that has details and videos.

https://royaleiamforsale.wordpress.com

I thought I would post his link here in case anyone wants a sporty little gelding who is already developing lateral work that is MIND BLOWING. Seriously he has shoulder freedom that is so cool.

Yes he is the sensitive, forward type but he is not dangerous. He will need someone who will bond with him and be a good leader. This gives him confidence.

I hope we can find him a person. They will be very lucky. :)

DQ Gone Rogue

lol Hampton posing as an eventer. Complete with 5-point breastplate and wonder bit, plus
an amazing saddle. All borrowed from awesome friends! 

When a 2-time Olympian is at your farm for a clinic, you don't turn down a last-minute spot.

Which is how I ended up riding with Hawley Bennett on Saturday. Gotta say, she was fun. And it was immediately clear to me WHY she was am Olympian, and why I ... am not.

via GIPHY

We started out trotting and cantering through 3 simple poles on the ground. If you took the middle line at the trot, there were two strides in between. If you took the outside edge, you could fit 3 strides at the collected trot. Should be easy for a PSG horse right?!

bahaha.

The thing about jumping (for me anyway) is that it exposes all my flaws and holes in my riding. It is a major tattle tale. Hawley busted me for not using my outside aids on the circle - resulting in Hampton falling out or missing our distance.

Tip 1: How about not pulling on the inside rein? If you pull on the left rein, your horse's shoulders will go right. Use your outside aids!

The problem was - I was more than capable of riding this exercise quite well. I did it several times. Then Hawley asked, "If you can ride it this well once- why don't you do it every time?"

LOVED how this simple exercise brought his front end up though!

I had no answer at the time. But it's because I am SLOPPY AND UNDISCIPLINED. She is not. Which is why she rides at the Olympics. And Rolex. If you are sloppy at that level, you could die.

We moved on to real jumps. But she wasn't going to make it easy. It was ALL bending lines and the jumps were not wimpy. I was in the BN group but it was no cake walk. The jumps were bigger than I am used to popping over, that's for sure.

I did have two stops because I didn't quite get Hampton's eye on the jump, or I just plain rode like shit and he tries to protect me. But once I got my #meantrainerpants on, and some confidence, he was AMAZING. 5 stride to 5 stride bending lines, a line of bounces, big oxers, roll backs.

Tip 2: Use your HIPS to land on the lead you want after a jump. If you want to land on the left lead, move your hips RIGHT in the air. This opens up that left front leg.

He should have been a hunter I think.

I also need MORE CANTER. Hawley told me, "You like that pretty slow canter. If it feels pretty you need more canter!"

Once I got Hampton's engine rolling, he was amazingly in front of my leg. My posture improved and the jumps came easy. I tend to get a little flustered when I don't feel organized, so it took me a few rounds to get my sea legs back. As things come up quick and when jumping sometimes you have to be OK with being a little disorganized at times.

Tip 3: Don't change the rhythm. Wait. 

I was a little guilty of this, especially after the line of bounces. I had a SUPER rhythm going through the 5 bounces, then GUNNED it to the oxer 5 strides after. I should have just waited. This caused Hamp to jump the oxer over his shoulder.

Overall a super fun lesson. Had to skip the XC day because of work. Dumb.

I really liked her teaching - firm and demanding, but positive.

Certainly a nice change of pace, and a challenge! Hampton got a gram of bute for lunch, too. And I need a hot bath. haha.