Worst day ever! The day that I was going back to work, today, my barn owner, Mel called at told me that Andy was showing symptoms of colic- not finishing his grain and laying down. Holy crap! So I rushed my crippled self out to the barn, and by the time I got there he was happy-go-lucky pooping, drinking and eating. So I calmed down and went to work.
When I was at work, Mel called again and said he found him lying down in his paddock, and when she went to walk him he kicked at his gut twice. I was at work, in the middle of urgent projects, and couldn't do anything except get mildly hysterical. By the time I got to the barn a second time, he was up, had pooped, drank, and wanted hay. He had gut sounds, normal respiration and heart rate, pink gums, and good capillary refill. And he wanted his dinner grain badly. Sign. Way to put me through the ringer, Andrew. So he is fine as of now. BO's daughter (Launa, who's kind of the barn manager, and also a vet tech) checked him before bed time, and he was his normal goofy self, so I'm not worried.
I'm just grateful that I have my horses in such a great, caring barn, where they get looked after so closely. I've never actually had a horse colic on me before, so I was incredibly panicky having it happen, even though he was fine both times I checked on him. I'm glad I had Mel and Launa, who have seen many horses through colic and know what is an emergency and what is a watch and wait situation. Not that I would ever hesitate to call the vet when needed, but the vet isn't always needed, and sometimes I get over anxious.
Horses have caused me so much trouble this week! Sheesh!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Sometimes Ponies are Jerks
Seriously. Not my two ponies, because I give them Sleezies and Jolly-Balls and Show-Sheen and they love me. But other jerk ponies. Namely the silly mare I ride during my jumping lessons. She gets points for being a bay thoroughbred (my favorite!), but loses points for making evil snake faces when she gets brushed. Today, Snake-Face decided to throw a hissy fit as a cantered her over two trot polls. As we were going over the second, I released her head with my hands, and before I could even half-halt she exploded into a gallop. I wasn't really scared, because I've been run away with before. Out of control galloping doesn't scare me too much. I was just surprised, because earlier in my lesson the horse was being sluggish, lazy, and completely dead to my leg, and we'd done the gymnastics course a few times before with no huge issues.
So I was furiously trying to check her up, while my trainer was yelling "PULL BACK! PULL BACK!" when she started bucking. I lasted about .5 bucks until I went flying off. If there's one thing I consistently think as I fall, it's "KICK YOUR FEET OUT OF THE STIRRUPS NOW!" Every time I fall it's the one thought that blares through my head. I remember thinking it, and trying frantically to make sure my left foot came out as I rotated around, cause my toe was still in. Fortunately, my foot did not get caught. I would've been pissed if it had, because my knee is finally better from the last time I got caught in the stirrups (thanks to another cranky-pant thoroughbred mare). I fell off to the left, and rotated completely around, so I landed flat on my back.
I hit hard. Because I have a ghetto booty, my ass broke my fall. Holy crap, it hurt so bad! My tailbone felt like it was on fire. This is gross, but I was afraid for a little while that blood was going to start leaking out of my butt. That painful. It was the first fall where I couldn't immediately spring up after hitting the dirt. Usually I just pop up and grab my horse. I couldn't even sit up for a few seconds. I laughed at the absurdity of falling off, smack dab in front of my trainer (we were like 10 feet away from her) and another boarder, and having my first real fall in almost two years. My last "fall" was July, off of Andy, and I landed on my feet, so it was really more of an unscheduled dismount. The time before that was January of 2009, when Love Bug tripped at the canter and I fell over her shoulder, in an epic-ly lame fall. I just couldn't believe that that had happened, and that Andy wasn't the cause of it!
So I felt things out, and determined that I wasn't too badly hurt, and finally sat up and assured my trainer that I was ok (I had to tell her several times, as she didn't believe me, heck I didn't even believe me at first). After a minute or two I could get it. My tailbone hurt like a mother, and I was completely shook up. Of course, I HAD to get back on. I was sufficiently freaked out that I really needed to get back of Callie, the mare, and canter her again over poles, or I might never be able to do it again without having serious fear issues. And I think I was so pumped full of adrenaline from the fall that I wasn't in too much pain. So I got back on, and she was still being a jacked-up butt head but I got her to listen to me, got her brakes working again, then cantered successfully over some more poles. Score 1 me.
Of course, then I went home and the pain started kicking in. My tailbone was radiated pain, and my back was starting to stiffen up and become unbearably painful, so I went to the doctor, got some X-rays (I didn't fracture my tailbone! yay!), some vicodin, and some muscle relaxers. Thank goodness, because I can't really walk (I do this awkward shuffling crab walk), or sit, or do anything except lie down. But the drugs make me at least comfortable, which is good, because ibuprofen does nothing.
Sadly, I can't ride for a while. According to my doctor, I need to take a "long time" off and take recovery slowly. heheh, to me, a long time is a week. I honestly have no idea how long it will take to feel better, or how long it will take for my tailbone to be okay. I've bruised it before, and it took about two months to get completely better. And it hurt a lot when I was riding after I feel. Right now there is no way I can sit a canter on it. So I'm taking things slow. My goal is to be able to ride on my lesson a week from today. Suck. I hate not being able to ride. I probably need to be able to walk before I can ride.
In conclusion, some horses are assholes. Fortunately, I have nerves of steel and have dealt with a lot of jerk ponies. My trainer actually told me she was surprised I stayed on for as long as I did, and I did it because I had my heels down. Go me! I am going to go to the barn to see Andy and LB soon, and give them a hug and a kiss, because they are nice ponies who don't buck me off. Although I did forgive Callie, because she's a TB, and I like crazy TBs.
So I was furiously trying to check her up, while my trainer was yelling "PULL BACK! PULL BACK!" when she started bucking. I lasted about .5 bucks until I went flying off. If there's one thing I consistently think as I fall, it's "KICK YOUR FEET OUT OF THE STIRRUPS NOW!" Every time I fall it's the one thought that blares through my head. I remember thinking it, and trying frantically to make sure my left foot came out as I rotated around, cause my toe was still in. Fortunately, my foot did not get caught. I would've been pissed if it had, because my knee is finally better from the last time I got caught in the stirrups (thanks to another cranky-pant thoroughbred mare). I fell off to the left, and rotated completely around, so I landed flat on my back.
I hit hard. Because I have a ghetto booty, my ass broke my fall. Holy crap, it hurt so bad! My tailbone felt like it was on fire. This is gross, but I was afraid for a little while that blood was going to start leaking out of my butt. That painful. It was the first fall where I couldn't immediately spring up after hitting the dirt. Usually I just pop up and grab my horse. I couldn't even sit up for a few seconds. I laughed at the absurdity of falling off, smack dab in front of my trainer (we were like 10 feet away from her) and another boarder, and having my first real fall in almost two years. My last "fall" was July, off of Andy, and I landed on my feet, so it was really more of an unscheduled dismount. The time before that was January of 2009, when Love Bug tripped at the canter and I fell over her shoulder, in an epic-ly lame fall. I just couldn't believe that that had happened, and that Andy wasn't the cause of it!
So I felt things out, and determined that I wasn't too badly hurt, and finally sat up and assured my trainer that I was ok (I had to tell her several times, as she didn't believe me, heck I didn't even believe me at first). After a minute or two I could get it. My tailbone hurt like a mother, and I was completely shook up. Of course, I HAD to get back on. I was sufficiently freaked out that I really needed to get back of Callie, the mare, and canter her again over poles, or I might never be able to do it again without having serious fear issues. And I think I was so pumped full of adrenaline from the fall that I wasn't in too much pain. So I got back on, and she was still being a jacked-up butt head but I got her to listen to me, got her brakes working again, then cantered successfully over some more poles. Score 1 me.
Of course, then I went home and the pain started kicking in. My tailbone was radiated pain, and my back was starting to stiffen up and become unbearably painful, so I went to the doctor, got some X-rays (I didn't fracture my tailbone! yay!), some vicodin, and some muscle relaxers. Thank goodness, because I can't really walk (I do this awkward shuffling crab walk), or sit, or do anything except lie down. But the drugs make me at least comfortable, which is good, because ibuprofen does nothing.
Sadly, I can't ride for a while. According to my doctor, I need to take a "long time" off and take recovery slowly. heheh, to me, a long time is a week. I honestly have no idea how long it will take to feel better, or how long it will take for my tailbone to be okay. I've bruised it before, and it took about two months to get completely better. And it hurt a lot when I was riding after I feel. Right now there is no way I can sit a canter on it. So I'm taking things slow. My goal is to be able to ride on my lesson a week from today. Suck. I hate not being able to ride. I probably need to be able to walk before I can ride.
In conclusion, some horses are assholes. Fortunately, I have nerves of steel and have dealt with a lot of jerk ponies. My trainer actually told me she was surprised I stayed on for as long as I did, and I did it because I had my heels down. Go me! I am going to go to the barn to see Andy and LB soon, and give them a hug and a kiss, because they are nice ponies who don't buck me off. Although I did forgive Callie, because she's a TB, and I like crazy TBs.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Riding Success
My goal, as a rider, is to be able to make every horse that I ride better. My philosophy is that ever ride (heck, every interaction with a horse) is a training situation. You are either training them to do well, or untraining the previous good that has been accomplished.
For a long time, especially when I was doing polo, I was just a passenger rider. I exercised horses, I played polo, I got them to at least listen to basic commands (stop, go, turn, etc) but that was about it.
Finally now I feel like I'm finally learning how to improve each horse I ride. I'm learning things like getting my horse collected, with proper head carriage, versus being hollow with a jacked-up head. I'm learning the basics of lateral, and how to introduce it to my horses to work on flexibility and suppleness. Recently I've been focusing on transitions, and how to get correct transitions that aren't heavy on the forehand.
I feel like I could be learning how to ride for the rest of my life, and I still would not be able to learn all there is to know. That's what I love about riding. There is always something to learn; always new disciplines to explore, and you find a lot of really successful riders are quite a bit older than what many other professional athletes (Ie, in their 40s and 50s). This gives me a lot of hope. I don't ever plan on being a professional rider, but if I want to get really good then I have a lot of time to do so!
For a long time, especially when I was doing polo, I was just a passenger rider. I exercised horses, I played polo, I got them to at least listen to basic commands (stop, go, turn, etc) but that was about it.
Finally now I feel like I'm finally learning how to improve each horse I ride. I'm learning things like getting my horse collected, with proper head carriage, versus being hollow with a jacked-up head. I'm learning the basics of lateral, and how to introduce it to my horses to work on flexibility and suppleness. Recently I've been focusing on transitions, and how to get correct transitions that aren't heavy on the forehand.
I feel like I could be learning how to ride for the rest of my life, and I still would not be able to learn all there is to know. That's what I love about riding. There is always something to learn; always new disciplines to explore, and you find a lot of really successful riders are quite a bit older than what many other professional athletes (Ie, in their 40s and 50s). This gives me a lot of hope. I don't ever plan on being a professional rider, but if I want to get really good then I have a lot of time to do so!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Trail Riding
I went on a trail ride today, and my horses were absolute angels! It was also the first time we hauled them in the new trailer, and everything went fine. I was sooo stressed out and nervous though.
The horses loaded fairly easily. I put Love Bug in first, and she got upset when I shut her in, trying to see Andy. I really think she thought that she was leaving to go back to the polo team. But she calmed down as soon as Andy got in with her. Then Andy got pissed because he couldn't get the hay from his hay net easily, so he was throwing a small hissy fit trying to get his head in the top of the bag. Love Bug pooped within thirty seconds of putting her in the trailer. We latched the door and were off!
We made one small wrong turn, which resulted in going 7 miles out of our way, then doubling back. Whoopsie. Then we made it to Stubbs Stewart State Park. What a great place to ride! They have a huge horse staging area, not to mention it's free to us because my dad gets free access and camping in state parka. So we tacked up, and then headed out. My friend Katie, who taught me everything about horses, came with. She and I took off by ourselves while my mom and dad relaxed and destressed sitting in the shade of the trailer.
The trail system at Stubbs Stewart is gorgeous! It was like riding through the forest described in Twilight (nerdy, I know). Not to mention that there were some gorgeous viewpoints of the coast range. The footing was also really good too. Lots of hills, but nothing too steep.
Most importantly, the horses were absolute angels! Andy did not try to break into a trot by himself once! We were even able to canter for a little bit, with no running away! I am so happy that he is safe to take on the trails now. Love Bug was a steady eddy, as was expected. After Katie and I rode awhile, I got off Andy and let Katie ride him, while my mom rode LB. We got her to go on a trail loop no problem. I am so proud of both of them, and really happy with Andy's behavior as well, although I think he was a bit distracted by all the yummy looking foliage that was on both sides of the trail. He snuck several mouthfuls, despite my best efforts.
We untacked, and loaded without any problems, then made it back to the barn safely. Then it was time to clean the poop-filled trailer out. It was such a fun trip! I've wanted to trail ride at Stubbs since I bought Andy. Now that I have a trailer I'm going to be up there all the time in the summer.
This is Katie and I ready to hit the trails!
The horses loaded fairly easily. I put Love Bug in first, and she got upset when I shut her in, trying to see Andy. I really think she thought that she was leaving to go back to the polo team. But she calmed down as soon as Andy got in with her. Then Andy got pissed because he couldn't get the hay from his hay net easily, so he was throwing a small hissy fit trying to get his head in the top of the bag. Love Bug pooped within thirty seconds of putting her in the trailer. We latched the door and were off!
We made one small wrong turn, which resulted in going 7 miles out of our way, then doubling back. Whoopsie. Then we made it to Stubbs Stewart State Park. What a great place to ride! They have a huge horse staging area, not to mention it's free to us because my dad gets free access and camping in state parka. So we tacked up, and then headed out. My friend Katie, who taught me everything about horses, came with. She and I took off by ourselves while my mom and dad relaxed and destressed sitting in the shade of the trailer.
The trail system at Stubbs Stewart is gorgeous! It was like riding through the forest described in Twilight (nerdy, I know). Not to mention that there were some gorgeous viewpoints of the coast range. The footing was also really good too. Lots of hills, but nothing too steep.
Most importantly, the horses were absolute angels! Andy did not try to break into a trot by himself once! We were even able to canter for a little bit, with no running away! I am so happy that he is safe to take on the trails now. Love Bug was a steady eddy, as was expected. After Katie and I rode awhile, I got off Andy and let Katie ride him, while my mom rode LB. We got her to go on a trail loop no problem. I am so proud of both of them, and really happy with Andy's behavior as well, although I think he was a bit distracted by all the yummy looking foliage that was on both sides of the trail. He snuck several mouthfuls, despite my best efforts.
We untacked, and loaded without any problems, then made it back to the barn safely. Then it was time to clean the poop-filled trailer out. It was such a fun trip! I've wanted to trail ride at Stubbs since I bought Andy. Now that I have a trailer I'm going to be up there all the time in the summer.
This is Katie and I ready to hit the trails!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Setting Goals
Since I've bought Andy, I've been pretty much just riding aimlessly. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but I think it's high time that I set some goals and begin to ride with a purpose. I have the entry form for a nearby dressage schooling show in November that I am about to send it. That gives me a pretty good goal- being ready to ride a training level test by mid-November. So now, instead of just 1 hour of walk/trot/canter when I ride, it's an hour of w/t/c AND schooling- halts, transitions, bending, straightness, collection, being on frame, etc. This is hard work! But I'm really committed to riding this test well.
I've been taking hunt seat lessons with a new trainer for the past month, which is helping me tremendously with my own riding and eventual goal of eventing, but it hasn't helped me so much in my Andy issues- mainly rushing through the bit in a choppy, fast gate. I've decided to start training with the dressage trainer that comes to my barn twice a week. Which means that I will be spending a lot of money on lessons this year, but I feel that it is such a good investment in the rest of my life and riding, that I will gladly pay $300 a month for lessons. Ack, writing it out makes is sound like so much!
In other news, I GOT A TRAILER! Hallelujah! Now I never have to depend on anyone to move my horses. What a load off my shoulders. Not to mention, hello beach rides, trail rides, and lots of shows!
I've been taking hunt seat lessons with a new trainer for the past month, which is helping me tremendously with my own riding and eventual goal of eventing, but it hasn't helped me so much in my Andy issues- mainly rushing through the bit in a choppy, fast gate. I've decided to start training with the dressage trainer that comes to my barn twice a week. Which means that I will be spending a lot of money on lessons this year, but I feel that it is such a good investment in the rest of my life and riding, that I will gladly pay $300 a month for lessons. Ack, writing it out makes is sound like so much!
In other news, I GOT A TRAILER! Hallelujah! Now I never have to depend on anyone to move my horses. What a load off my shoulders. Not to mention, hello beach rides, trail rides, and lots of shows!
Monday, August 23, 2010
Andy is a Little Shit
Andy bucked for the first time under saddle yesterday! Hahaha, naughty pony. Although, in his defense, I think it was because he was mad at me for making too sharp of a turn going too fast. I usually try very hard to collect and balance him around the end of the arena, but I was being lazy and mom was slugging around directly in my way on LB, so I had to divide the end from a 20 meter circle into a 10 meter circle, and as we straightened up he totally bucked. Of course, it was a tiny buck, and I much prefer bucks to rearing and bolting, so I just laughed and called him an asshole. Silly Pony.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Hunt Seat
I had a lesson today, and it was a blast! I'm starting out with a new trainer, at a new barn, on a school horse for a while. Eventually, when I get a trailer and a clue what I am doing, I will haul Andy in for lessons. Drew and the Bug will definitely be staying at their current barn, because I love it there.
Today was my evaluation lesson, and from here on out I will learning hunt seat, leading up to jumping eventually! I have always wanted to jump, and figured that now was as good of a time as any. So today we worked on hunt seat equitation, and fixing the little things that I do wrong, like collapsing my ankles instead of squeezing with my calves, pushing my feet forward when I post, and riding with my hands in the right position for jumping (not in my crotch!). I really liked the new trainer, who gave me good advice on what I was doing wrong and how to fix it, as well as keeping my self esteem up by telling me good things I was doing, like looking ahead and giving clear, consistent commands while still being gentle.
I rode this cute little Morgan named Celia. New Trainer warned me that she rushes down the length of the arena in the trot, and told me I could pull her back to the walk if I needed to/got nervous. Bwahaha, I ride Prince Toyota of the Unintended Acceleration almost every day- it takes a heck of a lot of rushing to intimidate me. A few quick, gentle checks was all I needed to convince Ms. Morgan that I have regulated the speed of crazier horses than her, much to the surprise of New Trainer. Point 1, Megan.
So, by the end of the lesson I have a few things that I think I can correct easily, with just some time in the saddle with Andy. I also was declared a good enough rider to ride New Trainer's Thoroughbred jumper in the next lesson. Heck yes! So maybe I will focus on hunt seat now for a while, instead of dressage. Or maybe do both? Oh lordy! But seriously, no more polo, cause polo is lame.
Today was my evaluation lesson, and from here on out I will learning hunt seat, leading up to jumping eventually! I have always wanted to jump, and figured that now was as good of a time as any. So today we worked on hunt seat equitation, and fixing the little things that I do wrong, like collapsing my ankles instead of squeezing with my calves, pushing my feet forward when I post, and riding with my hands in the right position for jumping (not in my crotch!). I really liked the new trainer, who gave me good advice on what I was doing wrong and how to fix it, as well as keeping my self esteem up by telling me good things I was doing, like looking ahead and giving clear, consistent commands while still being gentle.
I rode this cute little Morgan named Celia. New Trainer warned me that she rushes down the length of the arena in the trot, and told me I could pull her back to the walk if I needed to/got nervous. Bwahaha, I ride Prince Toyota of the Unintended Acceleration almost every day- it takes a heck of a lot of rushing to intimidate me. A few quick, gentle checks was all I needed to convince Ms. Morgan that I have regulated the speed of crazier horses than her, much to the surprise of New Trainer. Point 1, Megan.
So, by the end of the lesson I have a few things that I think I can correct easily, with just some time in the saddle with Andy. I also was declared a good enough rider to ride New Trainer's Thoroughbred jumper in the next lesson. Heck yes! So maybe I will focus on hunt seat now for a while, instead of dressage. Or maybe do both? Oh lordy! But seriously, no more polo, cause polo is lame.
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