Another good day

Today was more of the same for Ruby and me.  We tacked up and went to the small arena.  After warming up, we trotted a pole a few times.  She still gets close to chickening out but when I keep posting, she will actually trot over it, funny girl.  At one point I asked her to trot a straight line in between a row of barrels and some poles...poor Ruby kept asking, 'Around the barrel?  No?  Then over the pole?  No?  Maybe around the next barrel?'  She really tries so hard.  And she's starting to respond to my seat when it comes to trot rhythm, yay! She has started collapsing her inside shoulder during sharper turns, so no more baby steering for her - I'm going to have to start supporting her through the turns with the outside rein and inside leg.  I haven't had any luck so far in finding a local dressage trainer for lessons so I might have to *shudder* haul Ruby.  I don't mind hauling other than the time it takes to hook up the trailer, pack all the stuff, load the horse, and repeat in reverse.  To do all of that for an hour-long lesson seems so wasteful.

After our time in the arena, we went for a walk down the road.  She was great, no spooking even when a truck and a four-wheeler drove by us. Mind you, I was on foot but I decided to swing up when we got back to our street.  She was rushy so I decided to keep going passed the gate back into the barnyard - she looked at the gate (on our left)  but kept going straight with just a tiny squeeze of my right hand.  No fussing, no drifting, awesome. 

On another note, Ruby is being bitten by something that is leaving huge welts and holes in her skin.  It caused the knot Ruby's face a month ago or so.  It also caused the welt that made Heather and I cancel our last trail ride before her vacation.  I've never seen anything like it, so bizarre.

And, I ordered Integri-Hoof supplement for Ruby.  I finally figured out that she hates her vitamin supplement (doh!) so it's time to figure something else out.  This is supposed to be a great vitamin and hoof supplement, so fingers crossed that she likes it!

Purchases

Our little jaunt off-property brought into sharp relief some of the items that I still have not purchased because I haven't needed them.  So, I've been doing some shopping in the last two days.

Fly/tick spray - I just haven't needed it - until I did when those little buggers were crawling all over her neck and chest after our ride *shudder*
Fly mask - again, haven't needed it.  Because it's so warm here, most people have open trailers and hay/road/etc. can blow into their eyes.  Heather had an extra that she let me borrow for the trailer ride.
Shampoo - her body stays clean, but her lower legs are always dirty - no more!
Fanny pack - I haven't done enough research to feel comfortable buying a pommel or cantle pack, so we picked up a $10 fanny pack yesterday. It comes with two water bottles and the belt is very soft/stretchy - should be great on rides until I get real saddle bags.
Reflective vest - for riding along the road. 

Earlier in the week, I went shopping for supplements.
Pure MSM - didn't know that you could get straight MSM until I saw it at the tack shop.  I have since read online that it causes some horses to get jumpy so I'll keep an eye on Ruby.  It is a banned substance in the AERC, but I want to protect her joints.  The current plan is to feed everyday until a week or so before a ride, and pick up again afterwards.
Wormer - she was wormed right before coming out but vet said the fecal came back positive.
Multi-vitamin
More psyllium - I've been feeding her a bran mash every Wednesday and did a round of sand-clear and she STILL had sand in her poo when the vet came out.  Vet suggested a week double-dosing, so I'll re-check her poo tomorrow.