Mud & Ice
Well, I did it AGAIN
Or rather, it happened again…..
When you fall off your horse it’s one thing. You’ve got an excuse. After all you’re dealing with a thousand-plus pound animal with a mind of its own, and misunderstandings happen. When you fall while just walking around the grounds that’s quite another matter. To be clear, I don’t just randomly fall down – there’s always extenuating circumstances. Like a mud patch, on the slope that leads down to the arena, with just a little bit of invisible ice. Yep, that’ll do it. I do have those grippie things that clip on the bottom of my boots, and they’re great on the ice, but was I wearing them? Of course not….because ‘it was only muddy.’
I’m blessed that I’ve never been seriously hurt in one of these incidents, other than my pride. Seriously hurt, no. Painfully hurt, yes….very bruised and battered.
I find it amazing the bizarre colors a bruise goes through during its life cycle. And of course, the larger the bruise (say from above the elbow down to the wrist and most of the way around the arm) the more spectacular the ‘artwork.’ An ever-changing display of colors and hues, from very dark purple to sickly shades of yellow-green as the days progress.
Quite the sight to share with friends
if they’re not too squeamish.
But I digress…. You’re flat on your back so you pull yourself up and assess the situation: nothing’s broken, you’re not feeling too bad, so you continue your day at the barn. But there’s a Bonus down the road. In the following days every muscle in your body lets you know it did NOT appreciate the impact, abruptly coming to a stop, splayed on the ground. Now you’re dealing not only with a large, painful, swollen bruise but body ache, soreness, and stiffness. You don’t get much sympathy for those injuries which are unseen, only reflected in your zombie-like movements, occasional moans, and your seaming overdose on ibuprofen.
At least the ice season will be over soon….
Do Elderly Horses Need Grass?
Of Dry Lots or Grass
Birthdays….. funny as our outlook on birthdays changes as we age, from excited anticipation to dread, denial then just accepting the inevitable as one has to comes to terms with the ticking clock and the ravages old age can bring, no matter how slow. I can attest to this – I hit a significant birthday last year.
So we make the best of it, taking the best care of ourselves as we can – what else can we do?
And likewise, as our horses age we try to give them the best quality of life. We seek the best veterinary care but sometimes there’s just not much help. Take deteriorating teeth. As teeth wear down and wear out their chewing ability is comprised, often causing older horses to regularly spit out ‘quids’ -wads hay/grass they can’t chew fine enough to swallow, and unlike the ‘doggie dentures’ TV commercial from aways back, there are no ‘horsey dentures.’
It appears to be a sentiment among some horsemen that these horses do not need to be turned out in a grass pasture. “Logical” (business) thinking would seem to say ‘why give an old horse a spot in premium pasture space if they can’t actually eat the grass? Better to put a younger horse there who can benefit more.’
Isn’t it all about Quality of Life?
So the old horse is relegated to a barren ‘dry lot’ with a pile of hay and no opportunity for fresh grass. But something is being overlooked here: as well as the physical needs of an older horse, shouldn’t we provide for his psychological needs? We can supplement their nutritional needs, compensating for un eaten grass/hay, but horses confined to a dry lot are deprived of one of the key elements of being a horse: grazing. Nose down, slowly walking around, sniffing out those sweet stalks of grass. I believe there’s significant emotional satisfaction in smelling, chewing, and tasting the fresh grass, even if it’s not all swallowed.
That’s what I want for my horse.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday Pins!
34 years ago I could never have pictured my life as it is now. Yes, I’d always loved horses but growing up with few opportunities to ride, the thought of owing a horse was not on my radar. But still I never give up The Dream – I never sold the saddle I’d bought while taking riding lessons during college.
I can’t remember exactly what I was doing on Saturday Feb 4* 1989, but being a Saturday, with two little kids (2 & 3), I’m sure I was busy. As I went about my day I had no way of knowing that a little bay filly, just being born that day, would become my Forever Horse.
It took 10 years but she was worth the wait.
Playing off her family tree they named her ‘Pins.’ Her mother was ‘Florida Needles,’ grandmother ‘Needlette’ and her great grandfather was the famous ‘Needles,’ one win shy of the 1956 Triple Crown with 2 wins and a second place.
Pins, being well-bred, won races for a few years, but for most equines, being a ‘Race Horse’ is not such a great career. She was one of the fortunate ones, figuring out how to get herself out of the racing life. She’d noticed horses who didn’t win didn’t stay at the track for long…she knew her way out and was off the track at age 5. After being introduced to ‘normal life’ she dabbled in showing, served as a brood mare for a time (she loved taking care of babies) and spent a year as a ‘backyard’ riding horse.
We found each other on a cold, windy March night and the rest, as they say, is history. We’ve been together for an amazing 24 years.
Happy Birthday Pins,
Thoroughbred Extraordinaire!
*Of course the OFFICIAL birth date for ALL Thoroughbreds in the Northern Hemisphere is January 1 (August 1 in the Southern Hemisphere). This system was devised for convenience: when every horse born in a given year has the same birthdate they are easily identified as they enter various age restricted races.
Image: istockphoto-948072996-612×612.jpg
Serendipity
The ABCs
of Keeping a Horse
Always Be Change-able:
Have a Plan B… Plan C… Plan…
As I drove to the barn, Plan A was to take Pins for a walk outside in the crisp, fresh winter air then in for a quick groom and a ride. That was the Plan anyway.
BUT the ground was choppy, frozen and slippery, so we nixed that Plan. No problem, we’ll just switch to Plan B. We’ll take our walk in the arena, not as scenic but it’ll still limber us up before grooming and riding. Nearing the end of our walk a rider entered the arena. No problem usually as Pins is very good being around other horses and we’d been in the arena with them before.
BUT this time her horse was more than a little feisty and she remarked on controlling him.
Humm….. knowing she usually schools her horses for a fair amount of time, our quick grooming would put us back in the arena while she was still riding. Unsure if she’d still be having a difficult ride we opted to err on the side of being considerate and let her have the arena without the distraction of another rider. We moved on to Plan C.
Aah… a relaxed grooming session. Yes, Plans fell apart but the day was not disappointing. On the contrary. Being leisurely pampered, Pins was so affectionate it was an amazing experience. Couldn’t have planned it if I’d tried.
And what’s that they say about ‘good deeds”? More often than not I see good deeds pay off.
Plans & Serendipity. Yeah, ya just never know!
Photo: istockphoto
The City Horsewoman (aka The Old Grey Mare) shares her thoughts and queries on life far from the barn. Your feedback and insights are welcome!
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