Rash of horse thefts

These are frightening times for Florida horse owners.  I see several new stolen/missing horse posts come across my FB feed every week.  And some of them are ending like this:

Three-year-old QH removed from stall, slaughtered nearby

Show horse slaughtered

This is the latest one that I've seen.  Thunder has been missing for a few days and was recently discovered slaughtered: 23-year old STB, Thunder

Horse theft is nothing new, but for Florida horse owners it now means wondering if your friend was incapacitated and butchered while he/she was still alive.  Keep us in your thoughts.  These people are very bold, and I don't believe they will stop until they're in custody.

Sometimes it's the small things

She looks so good with her mane roached.  P.S. The spot in her right ear has been checked by the vet - it's a wart.  I was having heart palpitations for a while thinking it might be melanoma. 

Ruby has been ever so slightly cranky regarding her role change from pasture ornament back into riding horse.  It is to be expected, I suppose, considering her general hate for all things arena.  Still, other than the 'walk of sulk' when we are heading to the arena and an occasional lean towards the gate afterwards, she's been doing well.  Her trot has undergone a transformation for the better - it's rhythmic, much more rateable, and (omg) really balanced.  In the past, her trot (much of the time) has been extremely fast, unbalanced, and on the forehand. Not scary, but definitely not fun.  I thought what she needed was to figure out how to carry us both around but now I'm thinking maybe it had something to do with some of our tack.

Saddle pad: change to Skito with shoulder shims and laminated inserts.  The Skito inserts do not compress nearly as much as the Equipedic inserts do.  And the shoulder shims, though thin and nearly unnoticeable to me, seem to be helping me to keep my balance back a bit more - I have a tendency to lean too far forward, no matter the horse.  Last year, having my stirrups short enough to post properly also meant that at the end of a ride, my knees would be screaming.  Having them one hole longer, and no knee pain, meant that posting was really more like 'bouncing with rhythm'.  I did a lot of two-point last year.

I also recently changed her girth to a new Montana Cincha.  I mention 'new' because the design of the buckle guards is slightly different than the old one I have.  First, the buckle guard material is much thicker - on the old one, you can easily feel the buckles through the neoprene.  Second, the girth has velcro over the buckles; fastening the velcro pulls the neoprene around the buckles so that the neoprene edges aren't in contact with the wrinkles behind her front legs.  Warning: grainier-than-normal iPhone pics ahead.

Notice the front edge of the buckle guard.

And now, with the velcro fastened, the neoprene wraps around the buckles a bit.

Her trot is still fast, but just so much better. It may have nothing to do with our recent tack changes, but I'm thinking this is all a little too coincidental to just write off.  It's amazing how seemingly small these changes were to me, but may be having a big effect on Ruby.  Duly noted, Ruby. 

We're moving slowly and I'm realizing that I really don't mind.  We are mostly walking and installing/refining certain buttons.  No trail rides on the horizon for now but I'm crossing fingers that the hubby will able to work on the truck over the coming holiday weekend.

Slightly stretched out because of the water hose.  Notice the belly shrinkage!

Barn Drama

But first, a pic of The Mare, approaching me in the pasture Saturday morning <3

The worst part about boarding, besides the expense and the drive, is barn drama.  I have been lucky at this barn - there is very little drama, and what there has been in the past has been extinguished quickly.  *Warning: rant post ahead*

Last night, I went out to the barn to clean Ruby's stall, reset her feed, and just in general hang out with my horse for a while.  I wasn't the only one there, and could hear laughter on the other side of the barn so I went to see who was there.

As I walked around the corner of the barn, I saw three ladies sitting at the picnic table and two dogs running towards me.  A lot of people bring their dogs out, and there is always a sprint to see who the new person is and get some pets, so I didn't do more than glance at them.

Mistake.  Both dogs ran at me as the folks at the table yelled greetings to me, one on my left, one on the right.  The one on my right kept running full speed and bit me on the leg HARD.  It didn't feel like a bite so much as like I'd been kicked by a horse or hit by something equally solid.  I stood there, shocked for a second, then told them the dog bit me as he ran off.

I tried not to make a big deal about it for several reasons.  First, I was still a little bewildered that it even happened: I wasn't being aggressive with my body language, I didn't yell a greeting at them, etc.  Second, I was wearing jeans and the dog was fairly small (40 pounds or so?).  The owner told me that he didn't have many teeth and I checked my leg, which wasn't bleeding.  And, in general, I don't try to instigate drama.  The dogs came over to smell me while I helped these ladies pack up their stuff, and it was no big deal.  I wasn't worried about these dogs because due to their size and my background, I could have handled it if they decided to be aggressive again.  I could have handled it if I'd recognized the situation for what it was before I was bitten, but I digress.  It happened fast and I wasn't prepared.

Heather (barn owner and a very good friend of mine), pulled in as they were leaving.  I went into the tack room to check my leg in the light, and told her what happened.  I had two almost puncture wounds and big welt forming near my shin.  Heather was pissed and switched to barn owner mode.  I realized my mistake as this was happening.  But, as she was telling me that she'd let the owner know the dog wasn't allowed on the property anymore, I realized that was probably best.  People bring kids out there, and a child would have been hurt much more seriously. 

Fast forward to this morning, I get a message from Heather stating that the dog belongs to a breed rescue and is going to be put down.  I felt horrible.  Yes, the owner needs to learn about dog training and behavior (and horse training and behavior, for that matter!), but the situation could have been completely avoided if the owner had kept the dog on a leash.  I messaged the owner to express my condolences for everything and received a nasty text in return.  She called me a liar and accused me of 'running to Heather.'  HA!  OMG...I'm honestly still pissed about this (obviously, or I wouldn't be ranting on the internet!).  I think I handled the situation with as much class as I was able to muster, while still telling her not to call me a liar and informing her that I don't need anyone to fight my battles.  If I had been pissed last night, she would have known it.

Anyways, fast forward a bit.  I called the rescue that was supposedly going to put the dog down to plead his case a bit...and they didn't know what I was talking about.  Nice.  It was obvious that the lady I talked to was trying not to say that I'd been the one lied to, while still saying that they have no record of the phone call that the owner made - and she is the coordinator for this county.  She said she would call the owner and they would work closely with a dog behaviorist to see if the dog was, essentially, savable.  The rescue coordinator thanked me several times for calling them and promised to keep me informed on the dog's situation.

So, I've done my good deed but I'm not looking forward to the escalating drama.  I have a hellacious temper that I've had to work hard to control, but a person can only take so much.  That being said, this person is considering selling her horse, whom she also cannot control, so maybe the drama will be short-lived.

Yes, yes, I do need a tan.

UGH, I'm still so pissed about her nasty texts.  I would not have handled this situation by blaming the person who was bitten by my dog.  I understand, kind of, that she's probably just lashing out because she's upset about the dog but GROW UP ALREADY.  We'll see what happens. I'm not one of those sue-happy people and it shouldn't get infected since the skin isn't really broken and I was wearing jeans - those two spots are almost like blood blisters.  Hopefully by the time it heals the drama will be over.   

New 'dos

One for Ruby.  I finally bit the bullet and roached her mane.  She grows a rather scraggly mane anyway, and she HATES when I have to brush through tangles.  Tail tangles are no big deal, but working through mane tangles, even very carefully, aggravates this redheaded mare. 

I'm a bad blogger - this is the best pic I have of Ruby's roached mane. 

And one for me.

I think I'll let it get a little longer, then maintain.  Long enough to cover the ears maybe?

My hair has never been this short...ever. 

Last Saturday.  Notice the lather - it was HOT!

In other news, the picture above shows mine and Ruby's first time back on the trails.  My hubby arranged to take me horse camping for my birthday, Candy as his steed, but truck problems caused a change of plans.  Instead we went to Tenoroc, and rode the short 3.5 mile loop.  It worked out for the best though, because neither Candy nor Ruby have been off-property in months and both were in raging heat and my hubby is an inexperienced rider - riding them on trails both they and I knew made me feel better about the situation.  After an exciting first half-mile, the girls found their stride.  Ruby was much slower than she used to be - could be because she's out of shape, she was walking slower for Candy, or she just wasn't feeling it?  On this loop there are a few small hills - to me, these hills were a test, of sorts.  When Ruby got hurt last year, on this same loop, she had a very hard time walking up the hills.  Down was fine, while going up was obviously painful.  On Saturday she powered right up the hills, which was a huge relief. 

Unfortunately, getting back on the trails regularly will have to wait until we get the truck fixed.  I hope to have more trail stories soon. 

Two Rides

Yesterday afternoon

Two short rides this week, one on Sunday afternoon, one yesterday afternoon.  Ruby seems happy to be 'working' again - she has been amazing. We have trotted a few times for 2-3 minutes each time.  She must be feeling good, because she has been rather competitive with the other horses during these short trot stretches.  These rides have been very short: 2-3 laps around the pasture, maybe 30 minutes each.  I am watching her fetlock/lower leg closely and linimenting it after rides.  As we increase time in the saddle, she will start wearing her Equisleeves overnight.  I have her on MSM to help with inflammation; nothing stronger because I want her to feel it (and tell me) if we start doing too much.  I'm feeling hopeful, terrified,...and slightly obsessed. 

New Skito

After incessantly checking my email for the last week and a half, I got a shipping notification from Skito on Thursday.  The pad wasn't supposed to arrive until Tuesday, so I put it out of my head.  However, it was waiting for me this afternoon when I returned home from a quick errand - woohoo!

I headed out to the barn as soon as I was finished with some things around the house.  Within 15 minutes of my arrival, when I was still cleaning Ruby's stall, this happened.

Total downpour

One good thing about Florida weather is that it can go from downpour to sunny in just a few minutes.

By the time I was done with Ruby's stall, it had stopped raining.  However, now that the grass was soaked (and slick), no trotting for us.  That's okay, there will be other rides.

I was a terrible blogger and didn't get pics of Ruby all tacked up in her new pad.  Suffice to say that I really like how much more wither clearance this pad has compared to the Equipedic.  I also like that the inserts are beveled, are thinner than the Equipedic's, and are firmer.  The workmanship on it is beautiful, and the color really pops.  I used a longer girth and really slathered on the Chamois Butt'r in her 'armpits', then mounted up.  Ruby seemed to be very comfortable during our 15 minute ride around the barnyard.  In fact, and I feel horrible about this, a few times it seemed she was expecting something (a pinch from the girth?) but when it didn't happen, she hesitated for a fraction of a second, then lengthened her stride.  A few weeks of building her up in the pasture and arena with some road riding, then I hope we'll be able to hit the trails again. 

Other hobbies

Well, since I'm in between horse stories for the moment (waiting on my Skito!), I thought I'd write about something else.  Hobbies.  I have many.  There are just so many things that I'm interested in, so many things that I like to do or would like to do...I always have something going on.  Part of my problem is that I hate sitting still.  Even watching TV in the evenings, winding down, I like to be doing something.  That's just me.  Horses are #1 (easily!), but here are a few other things I enjoy. 

Archery: my husband took me to a Sportsman's Warehouse about five years ago and asked me to pick out a compound bow for myself.  He'd had one for a year or so and thought I'd like it...I was skeptical.  Turns out that I really do enjoy it.  And I'm pretty good at it.  I have lots of bulls-eye pics, but I like this one best, although it is blurry.

My husband and I were at the shooting range.  Tired of shooting at flat targets, we came up with a game.  First, we shot at kitty's paw (notice it's sticking out), but that was too easy as well.  We decided to turn the cat and aim for the nose.  My husband is a good shot, but I totally whipped him that day.  I can shoot a gun as well, but much prefer my bow - it's quiet, it requires a slightly different skill set, and you can re-use your ammo - I am a bit of a cheapskate, yes, lol.  I haven't hunted yet, but plan to at some point in the future.  No trophy hunting for me, I won't shoot what I don't plan to eat.  My bow ranks up in the top three inanimate objects that I would hate to live without, the other two being my fugly, but still fabulous, truck and my saddle. 

Knitting/crochet - I taught myself to do both; knitting probably seven years ago, crochet one year ago.  It keeps me busy when I have to be inside and quiet (late in the evening when the kids are asleep, waiting for an appointment, etc.), and I truly enjoy making things for my kids that can't be bought in stores.

Mario mushroom and one of the cutest kids ever.

A red one, currently in-progress for my nephew.

Sewing: another thing that I am trying to learn on my own (thank God for Youtube!).  I do this when I have to be inside, but I don't have to be quiet, lol.  This is a hand bag that my daughter and I are making together.  She picked out the colors and the pattern, and it looks beautiful in person.

Not perfect, but that makes it better imo.

Cross-stitch (is your head spinning yet?): No pictures of finished works, but I'm trying desperately to finish two beautiful stockings for my kids before Christmas. 

If we had a yard, I would have a garden.  And chickens.  I miss my chickens and goats.  Instead, I have a small patio garden.

Bertha and two of her chicks.

Sweet Pea (came with the name but it fit, so...)

Sweet Pea and Sierra - they know I'm hiding.

ETA: Fishing!  I love fishing...well, at least when the fish are biting.  I'm terrible at it, though.  This is one of those things that I should have learned from my grandfather when he was still alive, but I was a teenager with better things to do at the time *sigh*.  I can catch little fish all day long, but decent-sized fish elude me....

Case in point, this tiny little bream.  The smile is because this particular trip was the first time I'd fished in over a decade (how old does it make me feel to say 'in over a decade' - geez!).

With my beautiful daughter in the background <3

My final hobby is trying to keep this guy out of trouble.

So handsome, so accident-prone. 

This happened late last month.  He actually had to have surgery to re-attach a tendon to one of his thumb joints.  He and Ruby both love to keep me on my toes.

Well, I think that's about it.  Even when I'm not riding, I have a ton going on but I like it that way :)