MY FIRST HORSE AT SIXTY: OUR THIRD ANNIVERSARY (2015)

Our Third Anniversary

April 12, 2015

I promised myself I would keep this blog going but like all good ideas the lack of time has a way of getting in the way.

So here I am with so many things to do, patch ceiling leaks, cut back rose bushes, 

work on taxes, pay bills, take a shower and make the bed but I wanted to work

on my blog about Scout and me.

The vet was out last week to give Scout his vaccinations.  He gets three in the spring and three in the fall.  There are five hundred horses at the facility and the vet

that started the vaccination clinics was smart.  No we don't line up with our horses rather the vet comes to the stall.  Usually there is something else going on with a horse at least Scout that the vet takes time to go over it.

Scout has a bad knee.  After two and half years of sometimes having very bad riding days I had his left and right knees x-rayed.  You might think it is a big deal but it is actually very cool.  I meet the vet at the  "cross ties" this is a small area half the size of a parking space and it has metal chains on each side with clips that attach to the horses halter.  This helps to keep the horse confined with out any concern for his well being or yours.  When I was interning I would take the horses from their stalls by halter and lead rope to the cross ties.  There they are groomed, tacked up (means all their gear is put on, saddle pad, correct fitting saddle, bridle (many different types), sometimes muzzle to prevent them from stopping and eating on the trail, and some times rubber boots that go over their hoofs (if a horse is not shoed).  One might also add some fly spray to make the horse comfortable during the trail ride.

Okay, so I took Scout over to the cross ties where we met the vet and his assistant.

The assistant put a 3 foot by 3 foot black board behind Scout's leg.  The vet started snapping pics that came up on his computer.  Almost instantly I could see Scout's left knee.  It was not good.  Scout does not have any pad or cartilage between his knee joint.  So going down hills seems impossible for him at this time if ever.  He could fall and if I am on him I would go down too.  He also has arthritis and bone spurs.

The right knee wasn't as bad but does have arthritis and bone spurs.

It was a sad moment......

Scout loves to run up and down hills and his running days except for a brief moment are over.  This is hard because somedays he probably feels fine because of the medicine I give him but if he runs across a turnout (a fenced in area of  varying sizes for a horse to get out and stretch his legs, walk around, run around, etc) the next day he will probably be still.

Since September I have probably ridden Scout once a month.  Mostly with a bare back pad.  I use a bit but the saddle pad although lighter and more comfortable for the both of us sometimes gives Scout the wrong message.  Liked "oh boy, she doesn't have

stirrups and can't control like she might....."  But I immediately quash that thinking

digging my things into his sides.  He gets the message eventually.

Scout has a big personality and loves horses and people.

He was owned by a man that fell on hard times and sold him to the couple I purchased him from.  He was fast like the wind and very little frightens him.  So he was a good extreme adventure cowboy race horse.  He was a great trail hors and a good lesson horse.  He was the "go to horse" for several years for a trial and lesson business.  But the wear and tear on his legs, not getting the supplements and food and personal attention a private owner would give their horse broke down Scout's legs. I try to get Scout good supplements, medications and good hay but it's hard and expensive.

I have been using chinese herb oil that a friend shared with me when my knee hurt.

I have been putting it on Scout for about four months every day and it seems to be making a difference.  So I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Exercise:  So I can't ride Scout we walk.  He gets walked in the morning and in the late afternoon.  A friend walks him for 20 minutes in the morning and I walk him in the late afternoon.  We walk and walk and walk.  I am always thinking of different routes that we can take without going down a hill.  I have figured out a couple.  He loves to be out on the trail.  He is very bright when he wants to be so it's important I get him out of his stall.  So at 63 I am walking this 1111 lb...... horse for at least twenty to thirty minutes or more in the evening.  He loves to eat the fresh grass on the trail or different flowers and plants.  It's like a feeding "frenzy...." He gets so excited.

Like me at an ice cream store.....

Besides walking Scout, I walk with my neighbor early in the morning, swim, walk my doggies and walk Scout.  Sometimes I walk alone.  In California the weather is

beautiful so it's fun to be outside.

Next bathing Scout.  This is not a job for the lazy or sloths. It's like bathing an elephant.  And Scout's favorite thing to do after his bath looking beautiful?

Roll in his shavings in his stall.  Ouch!!!!!

THE COWGIRL CREED

(I made up two months ago for my grandniece, Indy).

I see my horse everyday.
We are partners.
He lives in a comfortable place where he is safe.
Every day I muck his stall, clean his water buckets and give him
fresh food.
I groom and bathe my own horse.

I tack up my horse.

I travel my own trail.

No one comes between me and my horse.

I am a cowgirl.