Update on things

It's been a long while since I posted anything about our eventing adventures, so there's a lot to catch up on. First things first........WE'RE OFFICIALLY EVENTERS NOW!!!!! He's a big bad show horse!

Whoop whoop, 3rd place in elementary!

Back peddle to the beginning of June. We tried the totally barefoot thing, didn't work out. Apollo's just not quite tough enough in his soles and heels particularly to go without shoes, so I had his fronts put back on. His hinds are still barefoot and are looking fantastic. We went XC schooling at Plantation on June 9th. We arrived to be downpoured on, and Apollo was HOT. Balled up, kicking out, wanted to go go GO. Once I pointed him at a jump, however, that little booger was ON. Ears pricked, gung ho LETS GO! Didn't have one refusal or even a hesitation. Jumped down hills, up hills, into the woods, out of the woods into the open field, did every intro level jump except the black plastic pipe at the end. We were both tired at that point, and I couldn't give him a good ride for another fence. 

Through June I take several lessons with my trainer, his jumping greatly improves. Not nearly as much "hollow out and rush" to the jumps. We still have more to improve on, but he was going better. We entered the starter trial at Fair Hill on June 28th. We get there Friday night, and he's wide eyed and ready to be a crazy man. I got him in his stall, and after a while he settled. We also discovered he loves straw. He couldn't stop rolling in it and playing in it. 

We get back Saturday morning very early, and I'm nervous. New facility, hasn't been turned out, he was hot hot hot last time we went somewhere (strangely at Plantation I didn't have a single nervous moment or case of butterflies, I was feeling as gung ho as he was.) We get the boys out and warm up in the grass ring near the barns. He's good. Looking around, a bit quick footed, a little speedy to canter but he went alright. We rode to the dressage rings and parked--he relaxed, almost dozing. We go through the wooded trail to get to the XC/stadium area just for them to see the sights. We crossed the stream with some encouragement and trotted on a loose rein around the warm up areas. Things are looking up, not so nervous now!

Our ride times were late--I didn't have dressage until 2:06. Naturally I got ready way too early because I did NOT want to miss my ride time. Turns out they could take me early, so in I went with no hesitation. My trainer was still up at the barn, my riding buddy was warming up somewhere, it was just me, him...and mom with camera in hand, READY. We went in, and he was SO GOOD. I didn't bother with framing him up, asking for him to bend or use his back. Our goal was to go in, remember the test (which was only W/T), not have any antics. We got a lot of 5/6s because he was above the bit, but I didn't care. We got a 7 for his gaits, which was surprising because he isn't a super duper mover. We got an 8 on our halt, I was pumped. 

They got a chance to rest while we helped our trainer get her two horses ready for stadium/XC. They were more experienced than our boys, so she was doing novice/BN with her two. They rocked it, of course! A few hours pass....it's time to tack up for stadium and XC. We had walked the course twice and the stadium course a zillion times. I knew them both very well and wasn't worried about that at all. Thankfully we had jumped an oxer a few days prior at home because there were three in our course. The jumps were so small I didn't worry about distances or anything. We just had to do it. He warmed up great, a tad squirrely but nothing bad at all. We get into the ring (early again) and he knew. He KNEW. I was probably a little tense, so he knew "something is going on, mom is tense...." Not one stop, not one run out, not even a hairy eyeball. He was a bit hot, and my reins were too long so at times I felt like I was steering from my hips (my fault, worst feeling ever!!!) We overrode a lot of our turns, but at that jump height it didn't matter. To most horses they were little speedbumps, but to him, "this is serious business! We're jumping mom!" We only had 1-2 headshakes/scoots on course. I finish my go, then my riding buddy finishes hers (her horse is much more experienced over fences, so they had a lot more exactness and consistency in their round.) 

Time for XC. The big moment. 

We check in with the steward crew. I told them I was going to warm up over a few of the XC fences they had set up for us before going in. They said fine, so I popped him over a little wooden bench. He jumped it like a champ, super quiet, loped away from it like an old pro. I wanted to try another, but they called me on deck, so ready or not here we came. The man running the start box area was SO nice, I walked Apollo around the start box, through it, etc. while chatting with him. My plan was to walk out of the start box, pick up a trot and trot the first fence. We walked out, picked up a trot...then he broke into a canter. I decided instead of fighting, we were just going to do it. I had to stop overthinking and worrying and just DO IT. First jump was great. It was a nice log with some mulch in front and some yellow flowers. Our second jump was a small red barn. It was our only bad fence, I thought I was going to eat dirt. He screeches to a halt sideways, I lose my stirrup and almost come off. I thought to myself, "I spent a small fortune to be here. We drove four hours just to get here. WE ARE NOT GOING TO BLOW IT ON XC." We jumped it from a standstill with no stirrup and galloped on. He had one more "stop then jump" fence, but it wasn't nearly as bad as the red barn. He didn't balk or shy at a thing. Jumping by shadowy trees, downhill, uphill, areas where we couldn't see other horses, into trees, out of trees, he didn't care. Once again my reins were too long (bad habit of mine) so I didn't have as quick of control as I wanted, so I just talked to him and sat, "whoa" every other stride. We cruised to the last jump (the train), he popped right over and we galloped home. It's by far our favorite phase. HE WAS SO GOOD. He was a changed man after that day. He puffed out his chest and knew he was a big shot, he's one of the "adults" now, no longer a baby horse. He's been riding like a much more mature horse ever since that day. My riding buddy went on course as I was finishing, and they did awesome. Her horse motored around, didn't bat an eyelash, galloped on home. He's a very fluid horse to watch gallop. 

We walked them back along the riding path in the woods, all smiles. We had passed other riders on our way to XC, and they were smiling ear to ear and seemed so happy with their rides. We chatted with total strangers (including a very nice girl named Scarlett) and it was OTTB city! Very different from the hunter world where the spectators all seem so serious and fixed on competition instead of going out there, doing your best and having fun. Not a negative word was said, everyone was so encouraging and friendly. I ended up with third (out of 8.) I originally had 24 people in my division, but they split it into three groups of 8. I was pretty pumped to place at all, wasn't expecting that! My buddy got 7th in open elementary (against a big group!) and my trainer got 2nd on her horse and 5th on her client's/our friend's horse. Overall it was such a good day, major confidence boost for all horses and riders. I was so proud I had taken this scraggly scrawny bald little horse and got him to our first event. We're planning on going to Rolling Rock on August 10th in the starter division (18"-2'.) I toyed with the idea of moving up to BN, but I just don't think either of us are ready for that yet. I think that will be a goal for next year. We haven't jumped more than 2'3" at home, and while he's more than physically capable, we need to get his brain ready first. We have all winter to work on it and especially to improve our dressage (turns out to be our second favorite phase, I'm indifferent to stadium because I've jumped ring courses a million and one times.)

You didn't think I'd make you read all that and not provide photos, did you? Enjoy :)!! They're a little out of order

Favorite photo of the day

We got dem dressage skillz

Not on the bit at all, that's okay--we completed our test!

Dressage

An "8" halt

Stadium

Kasproing!

Last fence, COMPLETE!

Cantering away, a tiny victory circle

First XC jump, unfortunately we don't have photos of the "evil" red barn jump :(

Landing off our last stadium fence

Galloping home

Start box 

Final XC jump, the train. WE DID IT!

Sunny Saturday Photoshoot

Apollo hasn't had a bath since September. 

Just a little update: after a few rides, I decided that Apollo needs front shoes to be sound and comfortable to ride. He does okay in the deep grass, but he just has too much heel sensitivity to be happy barefoot while working. The farrier is coming out Thursday to put the shoes back on, so no riding until then :( It's a shame, it's BEAUTIFUL out today (as shown in the photos.) He needs to go back to work--he turns into a little booger when he's out of work for too long.

Updates updates updates!

It's been a while.

Apollo officially turned six and after his major tantrum day, he's really starting to grow up and accept his new work load. I still have to remind myself that "When I want to trot, we're going to TROT, and we're not going to go sideways or canter or go like a giraffe." He's better as a result. I'm riding him better--sitting up and back better, W/T/C on a loose rein with no issues, dead quiet. I wish I had video of it! We're jumping a little more now, and at the moment diagonal jumps are our new demon. That just means we have to do them a thousand more times until they're boring. We're also back to behaving on trail rides and hacking out alone. W/T/C with or without a buddy, he behaves himself quite well. Riding in a large group would still be challenging if the others wanted to carry any kind of speed, but we'll get there eventually. We're planning on XC schooling at Plantation soon--I'm taking an XC lesson with my trainer at home before we go though!

A BIG change we've made is we are now 100% barefoot. My farrier pulled the front shoes last Thursday, and he's had some expected tenderness. He's gotten leaps and bounds better every day, and I've been Durasoling him every day to help him along. He's 100% sound on grass, flat packed dirt, barn aisle, etc. He's still a bit sensitive over gravel and rocks, and he's just a little iffy on the rubber arena footing while trotting (walking was fine.) We had our first ride in a week today, and you could DEFINITELY tell it had been a while. He was as distracted as can be, gawking out the windows. Would you believe that other horses LIVE OUTSIDE???? AND WALK AROUND OUT THERE??? I'm as shocked as you are. He really needed a hard work today, but because his feet weren't ready I couldn't really give him the ride he needed. I did trot around the ring a few times, and he was much better behaved at the trot than the walk. Oh well, we did half an hour of walking and we'll be back to regular work in no time.

Enjoy our #transformationtuesday!

Taken a year apart, same pose.

Steady driving seat with a soft hand goes a long way

Just some fun photos from our ride today. He's learning to use his back and at times objects but is mostly willing to try. It's getting easier for him to lift and reach continuously instead of hold drop hold drop. Enjoy!

You know we're fancy because my pinkies are out.

Sixth birthday right around the corner

And it's time to start learning the big boy stuff! Apollo has had a very up and down time the last two weeks. Our left lead became a major struggle for us, so I had his chiropractor do an adjustment. Turns out his pelvis was like 100 kinds of crooked, and his atlas was jammed against the left side of his skull (um OUCH, no wonder he doesn't want to bend left!) Well ever since the adjustment, his leads have been fine...when he isn't bucking. Little mister has started crow hopping and kicking out BOTH leads, BOTH directions. I took him on a trail to see what would happen, and he didn't buck ONCE during either of our canters out there. Now later on during the ride he had a major meltdown tantrum over being told to trot when he wanted to canter. It was the kind of ride where I wanted to sell him by the time I got back to the barn. We're in the process of ruling out physical pain vs bad boy behavior. Does his body feel sore now that his alignment is correct because he's used to being incorrect? Is he now able to object to working because his body is correct? Is something pinched? Is there SI pain? I did find a muscle knot along his right bum cheek (right next to the top of his tail, maybe a few inches above it.) I have a magnetic ball massager mit I've been using on it every evening, and he seemed less reactive to me pushing on the area tonight. The first time he clamped his tail down and bunched his entire hiney up because it hurt. The next day he did the same, and today he only showed slight discomfort. I'm thinking he just needed some days off with massages on the offending cheek.

Well the next day he got his feet reset (he has shoes in front, barefoot behind.) My farrier has always been very good with him, but this time he must've gotten him a little short because he's ouchy, particularly in the right front. He isn't three-legged lame, not acting sickly, etc. He's just a bit short strided and "pitter patting" with his front feet. I gave him a day to see how it would progress, and the next day it was worse so I called the vet in a panic. She doesn't think he's abscessing (no crazy stray nails, no heat, no swelling, no increased pulse or any of that abscessy stuff.) She agreed she thinks it was the reset making him sore as he hoof tested positive in both fronts. He's getting Durasoled every evening with a toothbrush to help toughen up his soles, and he's gotten a few days off to just hang out and feel better.

I jogged him tonight, and he's improving but still isn't 100%. I'm hoping by tomorrow he will be okay to go on a W/T trail ride. In the meantime, we're practicing tying. He cross tied when I bought him, and he SEEMED to tie just fine when I tied him in the barn. Well we went XC schooling last fall, and within 30 seconds he sat back and broke away from the trailer (did not bolt, just walked a few steps away and stood.) I figured perhaps he doesn't tie as well as I thought. Of course I did nothing about it all winter because it was so cold, and I was miserable. Now that it's warm, it's time to tie!

We made progress today. He stood quietly while I was "very far away." Heck I was almost out of sight! He watched me walk away and went back to half dozing. We're going to work on this every day so we don't have any incidents when we start traveling. Tomorrow is our biggest test though--standing quietly while tied....for bath time. This horse's biggest ground manner fault is his attitude about bathing. Like any mud-loving young boy, he objects to the idea of cleanliness. Get sprayed with a hose? He's pretty sure it's acid coming out of that hose. He stands pretty still after the initial soaking, but there is a good amount of walking sideways and grimacing for that first splish splash. Tomorrow will be a big learning day....and I will feel much better getting the winter dirt out of his coat. I think it'll help him shed out better too--this booger just started shedding a few days ago!

He seems to be gaining weight too. He lost a bit in February with the horrible cold, so we've stepped it up with his diet to get the weight back on him. 

Last weekend

I just want a little more fat over his ribs, and I'll be happy! He will never look like a big chunky WB with a broodie belly, but I want him to get to a nice healthy weight for his body type. 

That's pretty much all we've been doing, working hard to improve our riding and all that jazz. As a bonus, enjoy my dog wearing a custom-knit birthday outfit. 

Happiness is my baby horse

Just a regular update I suppose. I've been working really hard on riding better, and I'm pleased so far. Sitting up better, using my "dressage seat" (belly button to knees) more effectively, starting to get Apollo to lift his back and drop his head. He can't do it consistently for the entire ride yet, but he's doing it easier and easier with each ride. He does get pretty tired toward the end of our rides though, so we practice neck reining and backing up.

Kissing his friend Benny

We're practicing setting up

Wow. WOW!!!!

Why couldn't I be born a hard keeper?

So in the last few weeks, Apollo dropped some weight. Nothing catastrophic, nothing Animal Cops-esque, but enough to make his already worrisome mother well....worry. We figured "it's bitter cold, lets up his TC Senior and see how he does." Then the feed store was out of alfalfa pellets, so he was missing his tummy-soothing third meal for nearly a week and a half. Then about a week ago, he stopped eating all of his hay. He would eat some, but for a horse his size and condition he wasn't eating nearly enough. He wasn't cleaning up his grain too well either (he's now up to 12lbs of TC senior per day plus 4 lbs of alfalfa pellets with one cup of canola oil.)

His weight on Sunday 3/16/14

View from the top with a random back bump that's going away (doesn't seem to cause him any problems)

I had a fecal run, and it came back great (it came back with the lowest reading possible that isn't 0.) The dreaded word came up.

Ulcers.

I treated him in January for them, but I used Gastromax3 for the last two weeks of treatment, and I'm not 100% sold on whether or not it works. I ordered a 6lb container of Rite Trac to see if it helped sooth his tummy--it would help hind gut ulcers as well (although he doesn't show any symptoms of that except for the weight loss.) It was taking forever and a half to arrive, and I almost had a meltdown last Sunday about his weight. I drove to Walmart and bought six bottles of generic human omeprazole. I had to do something. SOMETHING. Even if it didn't work. I had to do something right there right that second. I was too upset to even wait until the next day. Each bottle has 14 pills, and six days of treatment cost about $33 (as opposed to about $30/day with Ulcergard.) I also talked to my mother about what parasites might not show up in a fecal test, and it turns out tapeworms and pinworms don't show up? So I bought a tube of Equimax. For $13 I made myself feel better.

Wednesday rolls around, and I head to the barn, dewormer in hand. Our barn manager and trainer comes into the barn shortly after I deworm Apollo. She says to me, "He cleaned up all his hay last night! ALL of it!" She didn't have to take ANY out the next morning when she cleaned stalls. He had also inhaled his breakfast that morning. I was over the moon excited! He had been getting the omep. pills for three days, and he hadn't been dewormed until after he vacuumed his stall clean. Somehow these cheap-o general omep. pills from Walmart, which are at a much lower dose than a tube of Ulcergard, are working. I don't know how. I really don't. There is less medication in what I'm giving him. It's not designed for horses. It's totally affordable to treat him for as long as he needs it. He eats the pills in his "first dinner" with no issue. HOW IS IT WORKING???

I'm not sure, but I'm just going with it right now. He's oinking down all his meals and his hay, and he seems to be in good spirits (although he's always in a good mood.) Things are looking up, and the brutal winter finally broke. It's by no means warm out, but hey....it's above freezing.....