Down Center Line

For anyone that historically followed my blog before the Great Disappearance of 2015, there are a few established things.

1.  The horse that I am currently riding and showing is one I bred.  Subsequently, our riding and training can be iffy.  ;)

2.  I am a chicken shit when it comes to trailering my own horse.  Makes me nervous and I am new to the whole driving large vehicles things. 

3.  I can't hear worth two dead fig newtons.  OK, maybe better than one fig newton.  However, this sometimes presents some interesting scenarios in the show ring.

4.  My sense of humor is a little distorted.  Sorry.  I kind of do things in my typical semi feral way.

Now I decided I wanted to do a local dressage schooling show.  This isn't a major event as it is less than 20 minutes from barn to barn.  It's a schooling show.  It's a benefit show.

Except, it involves you know, hooking up the trailer, stuffing said horse in trailer, and then showing without an appropriate number of friends hand holding. 

The good thing about showing on my breed circuit is that I know quite a few people.  Some people make my skin crawl, but the vast majority are good.  There is a large group of people in my area that are amateur-owner-and-trainers, ie showing self trained horse, so I fit in perfectly.  It provides a good amount of people to provide moral support, help braid, and make sure my half deaf and half show stupid self ends up in the right ring at the right time.

Well, I signed up for this schooling show without too much thought.  My main friends of support were working.  Fortunately, I found a fantastic friend that gave up her Sunday to be an awesome pillar of support.

Bonus is that she also can help hook up and navigate a truck and trailer.  Girl power, everyone.

So enough of my problems.  Who wants to hear about problems?

The long and short is that we survived.  Chili was good.  I have navigator problems.  I also have geometry problems.  Minus two for going a little off pattern.  Oh dear.

Chestnut mares in flaming heat also sometimes strongly object to too much leg for canter departures.  The judge kindly noted "exploded into canter".  Well, you know.. :)

However, our second test which was Training level was much better.  I still have geometry issues, but we did get some nice "7s" and a good square halt.  I always love it when my horses stop well. 

Perhaps more details on the show another day.  But if you are like me and have irrational fears that have held you back, then consider this.  It's never too late to keep pushing the comfort zone.  Progress will be made, slowly, and in increments if done correctly.

Ribbon!  We actually finished 3rd & 4th.  Middle of the pack for both tests.

What fears are you working on?  Have you made steps to move past them this year?

Running in Circles

I don't particularly ascribe to any one mode of training. 

I do my own things.  This usually means I read, ruminate on things for a while, then do something completely different in my Semi Feral Equestrian kind of way.

One thing I have been pondering lately is lunging.  Or longing if you prefer that spelling.  I'm more of a lunging kind of girl.

If you have read or noticed any one aspect of my blog, it that is features predominantly Arabians.  I mostly handle and deal with Arabians.

I show on the Arabian breed circuit.

However, I don't keep my horses in a training barn.  I don't particularly appreciate a lot of the dark side of the breed shows and trainers.  I do appreciate the natural beauty and joy of the breed.

What does this have to do with lunging?

I was recently at a show volunteering.  I overheard one gal speaking to another about how her horse misbehaved in the class.  A comment about how he would be too exhausted to even pick up his head was made, as the gal had spent a good part of an hour lunging.

At what point is lunging meaningless?

I lunge horses at shows as I can't turn them out to stretch their legs.  My horses are used to being out 24/7 and I like them to be able to move as they would like for at least a few minutes.

I used to lunge a lot before riding.  Upon reflection, I think it was more habit and a desire to "take the edge off". 

But as I continue to ride, there are plenty of times that I can just ride the horse.  Aimlessly running in circles doesn't seem that beneficial to the horse.

I have tried to change how I lunge.  While lunging, I have incorporated more changes of direction, changes in gait, and obstacles.  What I have found is that lunging has become more meaningful while doing it.  The horses take less time to pay attention.

This is just my soapbox.  Not necessarily the right way.

But I challenge anyone that is just lunging their horse for an hour to "get the edge off" to try examining what else can be done with the horse.  Try varying the gaits, path of travel, or anything else to make the time spent on the circle meaningful. 

Stop using lunging as a punishment tool for a horse that is not equipped to handle a class.  I have had less than stellar classes, however, I have never felt compelled to lunge my horse for an hour to push my horse to the point of exhaustion.

So here I am on my soapbox and I'll step off now.

But why do we always spend so much of our time running in circles?

Lymphoma

I work in a hospital.  I have seen lymphoma in a blood smear quite a few times.

But horses is different.  Colic I understand.  Lameness I understand.  Lymphoma?

Lymphoma took another friend from me a few weeks ago.  I also didn't call this beautiful, majestic boy my own, but I was fortunate that he permitted me to be within his space.

He had some rough moments in his past.  He guarded his affections.  He was a very polite stallion, but constantly worried about the actions of the people within his vicinity.

I made it a point each time I saw him to try and say hello.  Give him a cookie.  Have him try and approach me for it instead of having him gingerly eye me from the corner of the stall or paddock. 

I listened to him.  My last visit was trying to find where he wanted to be scratched. Nacho was perplexed.  I was scratching, but he was worried about having a response.  I could see his lip wiggle.  An ear flicked.  I found the small tuft of mane at the the top of his wither and he was more effusive in his delight.

 His illness was quick.  I don't think he suffered.  He had originally presented with ambiguous colic like symptoms on Sunday.  Veterinary treatment didn't resolve his lack of appetite or desire to drink.  

His owner is an incredible horsewoman who works tirelessly to ensure the comfort of her horses.  I think she made the right choice.  By Friday, he had lost his spark.  Euthanasia is a "good death".

After working in the veterinary field, I have always thought it was always better a minute too early than a day too late.  I hated seeing the look of despair on pets that were so far gone that there was no resemblance of who they once were. 

I am grateful that his owner knows this. 

So I will carry these memories of Nacho.  My dancer, my little Andalusian. 

Thank you Nacho for letting me into your trust.  I learned a lot and for that I am grateful. 

Of Love and Loss

This month has been a tough month for my friends.

I am blessed to be so involved with wonderful horses in my life.  I have occasionally discussed the rescued mare Love and how an incredible group of people banded together to give her another chance.

Love, January 2015

Love was beautiful.  Love was kind.

She took care of me.  My first blue ribbon under saddle

Thursday was a rough day.  Love had been battling a significant tendon injury in a front leg.  She ended up injuring the other tendon, resulting in a high bow.

She had been a marvelous show horse.  I think she had been to more states than I had.  But, those miles had caught up to her.

The Cushings caught up to her.

And it sucked.

When horses no longer have a leg to stand on, what is the logical choice?  She wasn't comfortable.  Her owner and I fed her so many cookies and tried to be brave.

Friday was a rough day at work.  I didn't sleep well Thursday night as I failed to deal with my emotions.  I typically work second shift, but had switched for a 7 AM shift on Friday. 

How do you explain the loss of such a good friend?  She was no longer mine, but still owned a piece of my heart.

Those that have never been truly owned by a pet don't understand I think.



Finally now, I am moving on.  I am not sure how long it will take before my heart stops aching.  It hurts. 

Maybe it will always hurt, but I am grateful that I met Love.  I am grateful for the incredible group of friends that helped save her.  It was worth this heartache.

The last photo I took of her last month

Hello Again

Life goes so quickly sometimes.  It's hard to keep up with everything that I want to blog, the house, life in general, and work. 

I apologize for my absence.  I've had so many things I've wanted to share and discuss.  Useful information, general discussions about the equine community, and some very sad moments in my life.

So if you are finding your way back, thank you for my faith to come back and read the blog.  I am hoping to be able to write up blog posts as I have time at work and then transfer them to blogspot the following morning.

I am a late night creative person, unfortunately, I now work second shift. I have these incredible strokes of brilliant at approximately 8:30PM and then it's gone in a flash.

Does anyone else have a preferred blogging time?  How do you keep track of ideas for blogging when you don't blog at your preferred time?

Kindly,
The Semi Feral Equestrian and all of the Semi Ferals

Horses are Powerful Medicine

I am an introvert.

Surprising to some, as I don't mind speaking in front of groups, teaching or being involved with some activities.

But still, truly an introvert.  This has kept me from expending the extra energy to be involved with many equestrian clubs, meetings, and the such.  

I also have this irrational fear that individuals will continue to pass judgement for my disability.  I have a bilateral hearing loss.  Certainly not a crushing issue, but one that many have done their best to infer that I am an inferior human being.

But over the past few years, I have been steadily involved in a friend's therapeutic program.  I enjoy riding and showing horses.  I enjoy grooming and lunging and generally hanging out with my horses.

But I've found I have truly enjoyed giving back in a different way. 

Horses are certainly powerful medicine.  I have seen the changes in the students.  The veteran's quietly working with the honest horse.  Horses cannot lie and to this, I see reflected in the interactions between student and horse.

 

So, I am excited that I was asked to be on the board of directors for the therapeutic organization.  As a disabled equestrian, in addition to being married to a veteran, I am hoping to bring some insight to the organization.

Introvert, aside, I am looking forward to being more involved in the equine community.

After all, shouldn't everyone be able to be involved and have a taste of equine therapy, if they need it too?

Happy Holidays

Whatever you celebrate or don't celebrate, happy holidays from the semi ferals and I