Headlight's 2008 Training Journal
I thought I would make a new training journal for 2008 since the other one was getting long.
Jan. 8, 2008
Today the farrier came and pulled Headlight's show shoes. He said there is a little trush that I need to treat that had come from having pads on for so long. Headlight's feet are small and cute now :-P
I have been wanting to teach him to pony off of another horse for some time now. Ponying is better on joints then lunging and also helps by working two horses at one time. Sunday was our best bet for a pony horse since he is very laid back and doesn't get upset when horses freak out by him. Surprisingly Headlight actually liked being ponyed and even when Sunday would bump into him he didn't seem to mind much.
Jan. 29th, 2008
Headlight has been lame since Friday (today is tuesday). I had the farrier come out and look for an abcess but he didn't see one.
Here is a video from last night: Headlight Lame
Vet came out today at 12:30 to check out Headlight. She preformed a flextion test and checked his hooves for heat and tenderness...neither showed signs that would cause him to be lame. She seems to think its in the shoulder and I have to rub Surpass on it twice a day for a week and give him bute. He is to be kept in the stall and only hand walked for 10 mins at night. Fun stuff.
Feb. 1, 2008
Wow February 1st! That means there is only about 2 months of winter left and then spring is here! YIPPEEE I can't wait.
Headlight seemed to be doing good last night. I rubbed the surpass on his shoulder and made sure his blanket was snug and tight since his newest form of entertainment is to take it off in the middle of the night and pee on it.
I did about 5 mins of hand walking and then left Headlight loose to walk around the farm. He got bored with that after about 10 mins and went in his stall for dinner.
I've added a calming suppliment to his grain so that he doesn't jump for joy when its time for his hand walking and hurt himself more. The stuff seems to be helping keep him calm.
Feb. 6, 2008
The weather in MD the past couple days has been encredible. Yesterday I was at the barn in short sleeves and today at 6:30 a.m. it was already 65! I went ahead and took the chance to scrub Headlight's blanket last night since it was so warm he didn't need it. His shoulder seems to be inproving and tonight is the last day of surpass and bute.
Its going to be nice to get him back to work.
Feb. 11th, 2008
I got the coolest message today about Headlight and it really got me insipired to start gearing up for horse show season. So on the way home I picked up a 50 pound bad of Black Sun Flower Seeds to start adding in his feed (this will help get a nice shine to his coat).
Once I got home I went down to the barn and jumped on Headlight bareback and walked him around the ring about 6 times. We worked on leg yeilds, reverse on the hunches and jogged once before I called it a night.
Feb. 12th, 2008
I know that I personally always like to hear what other riders give their show horses to keep them in top shape. So I thought that I would share what I do:
As of right now Headlight is getting the following twice a day:
1 cup Black Oil Sun Flower Seeds -gives the coat a nice shine and adds fat to their diet
2 pounds of Blue Seal Sport Pellets
1/2 cup corn oil
Starting March 1st (about 2 months before our first show) I will start putting Black as Night in his feed. Its very important that I point out that Black as Knight WILL test positive at a horse show unless you take your horse off of it a week or so before.
About a week before the show Headlight will get the following:
1 cup Black Oil Sun Flower Seeds
1 pound of Blue Seal Sport Pellets
1/2 cup corn oil
*I cut back the amount of feed for a couple of reasons the first being that while at a show I feed free choice hay and the other reason is to cut back any extra energy that the grain might give my horse.
Feb. 13th, 2008
I'm known not to be much of a groomer. I've never been one to take an hour to brush and curry my horse. With that said here are some of the things I use to help make my horse look as if he has a groom working on him everyday.
I put MTG in the top of his tail once a week and message it in. Every other day I put a conditioner (infusium 23, love that tail, healthy hair care) in as well. He gets oil on his feet twice a week in the winter and three times a week during the summer.
Feb. 14th, 2008
Here is a picture of Headlight's new blanket! I'd been searching for a while for a bellyband blanket with a tail flap and finally found one on ebay!
Feb. 15th, 2008
I need to call and make an appointment to get Headlight his spring shots and coggins. I also need to figure out what vet I'm going to use to do his hock injections and x-rays.
I just called and left messages for two different leg vets. One of the vets owns a clinic about an hour away from my farm that I could trailer to in order to get the injections done. Hopefully they have alot of experence because I won't use a vet that doesn't.
I rode Headlight bareback again last night...did alot of walking and just a little jogging. He behaved and seemed to be happy to have some attention. Today is suppose to be really nice so I might sneak out of work early and drag the ring and then ride him!
Sat. Feb-16th, 2008
I rode Headlight again today. His backend still does not feel right to me. I'm thinking he needs hock injections, maybe just a shot of joint fluid, or a chiro to adjust his back. I have a vet coming on Thursday to take x-rays so we can see what's going on.
Wed. Feb. 20th 2008
I'm excited about the vet coming out tomorrow...not so much about the bill though :-/
Right now Headlight is wearing two neck sweats all day everyday that look like this:
When I work him he wears a necksweat like this:
Fun stuff huh?
Feb. 27th, 2008
Well I'm not as broke as I thought I would be. The leg vet was a really nice guy and after Headlight got lose and ran around the farm for 10 mins while I tried to catch him he asked me to lunge him. So I had Headlight do a series of troting to canter and so on both ways of the circle. The vet said that besides being overweight (oooops) Headlight looks fine. I got an RX for Adaquen and will start giving Headlight a shot of that every two weeks through the show season.
I came down with the flu after the vet left and was laid up for a week. My horse has been put on a diet but thats about it.
Feb. 29th, 2008
Happy leap year day!
I got the prize book for both Mason Dixion and Southern States last week. I told Derek about the Western horse in hand class and how Mason Dixion has Adult walk trot this year. According to Derek he is going to now show in these classes but I told him he needs alot of practice if he plans on showing Headlight in those walk trot classes. We are going to pick two days a week for Derek to ride and once we get closer to the show I'll see if I think he is doing good enough to take Headlight in the ring.
Saturday March 1st 2008
March 1st!!!!!!!!!! YIPEEEEEE Spring is almost here!
Today Headlight got worked for about 20 mins by me and then Derek got on and worked on his walk jog stuff. I worked Headlight in his mylar western bit and really messed with his mouth and pushed him into the bridle. If I let up Headlight would go around with his head hanging like a QH...lazy boy
Once Derek was finished riding (after about 8 mins.) We had our first in hand lesson with he and Headlight. They actually really looked good together and if Derek keeps it up I think they should do well in their in hand classes.
Monday March 3rd, 2008
What a day! 68 and sunny! Derek took advantage of the weather and rode Headlight:
Saturday March 8th, 2008
I had a crappy, crappy ride on Headlight today. He was balking like you wouldn't believe and even bucked so hard I had to catch myself on his neck....bad Headlight! He was okay after I spanked him with the whip but gosh why is this horse so bull headed?
Monday, March 10th 2008
Had a great ride on Headlight tonight....so odd how this horse gets PMS on some days...I'd swear he was a mare if I didn't have to actually clean his sheath out :-P I've been working him in a balance training system and also with light weight fleece bands on his front legs to start building muscle and make him move more like a morgan rather then a QH.
Tuesday, March 11th 2008
Thought I'd share some pictures of my arena so everyone could see where all the "magic" takes place LOL
Monday, March 17th, 2008
Headlight is homeless! We had a new horse move in and take his stall...sorry Headlight money comes before you :-( Derek and I are now going to build a stall in the little metal run-in shed in the above picture. I think it will work out just fine to keep Headlight out of the sun this summer.
The injections of Adequan will start April 1st. I'm sure Headlight will attempt to kick my head off.
Bungee work on the lunge-line has started and Headlight is thrilled (NOT!). He looked so much better moving the other day though.
Monday, March 24th 2008
Rode in a full check twisted wire snaffle tonight...Headlight was PISSED. I didn't like the bit much so the ride was pretty short. Weighted bell boots are on the front legs and light straps are on the back. I need to get some shoes put on him ASAP.
Tuesday, March 25th 2008
We have been working on building Headlight a stall in the corner of the arena so when I was riding and Headlight saw the tools he thought it would be a good day to be an ass and spook....needless to say after a couple good spurs in his sides it was no big deal. This horse has got to learn that he needs to work through scary stuff and that he must pay attention to me. I think I'm going to take him to the local horse park on Sunday to ride around and get more exposure before Mason Dixon.
Wednesday, March 26 2008
Rode tonight in a smooth full cheek snaffle and Headlight loved the bit...as did I because I could pull his but where I wanted him. We worked alot on side passing and leg yeilds. Riding on and off the path and doing tight turns around the jumps.
Sunday, March 30
Why does my horse like being an ass? Today Derek and I loaded up Sunday and Headlight to head to Oak Ridge Park. The last time Headlight had been anywhere was December and I wanted to get him out before Mason Dixion. When we arrived there was a lesson going on in the far ring so I told Derek we could ride in the close ring.
I swung my leg up and Headlight lost his mind....wouldn't stand....wouldn't move forward....just kept backing up like a maniac and spinning...WTF is wrong with this horse!!!!
I got off and hooked the lunge line to him and made him trot around about 5 times then got on again. He was a little looky at the judges stand and spooked when the dirt his feet flung up hit it but in all he felt good (the adequan is awesome).
After a few trips around the ring Derek and I headed out to the trail. Headlight is not a trail horse....let me tell you! YIKES, Sunday can not get further then 5 feet from Headlight or all hell brakes loose :-/
We came back to the arena after a 10 min ride and I went to work Headlight more and he thought that it would be cute to balk about leaving Sunday. I just don't get this horse!
In this pic I'm the headless horseman LOL You can see that Headlight will lean on the bit and as soon as he knows he's behind it he will get heavy on his front end and either 1- slam on the brakes OR 2- go where he wants....ASS
Monday, March 31
Headlight being a pig:
Up close and personal!
Saturday, April 5th
I had a great ride on Headlight in his show bit today. His lope was like butter and he seemed to be in a good mood (odd I know!). I wonder if the injections made the difference or if he is just starting to get back in his show shape and mind frame. I do know for a fact that he was lost a lot of the weight that he put on during the winter (his belly band actually fits around him now LOL). I started something odd (well odd to me) with Headlight that I read about on the internet. Someone said that lavender has a calming effect on people and humans so when I groom Headlight I rub a little lavender baby oil on his nose.
I'll be gone all weekend so before I leave I will switch him to start living in a sheet rather then a blanket.
Wednesday, April 30th
Back from the show and Headlight hurt himself during the chapionship class :-(
Read about it HERE
He appeared to still be "off" in his back leg last night while on the lunge line. When he came down from the lope he took a really funky step on it. I'm praying this is something minor that he works out of . I will be completely devistated if this is something major...I feel like I just figured this horse out.
Thursday, May 1st
I put Headlight on the lunge tonight and I think he looked about 99% I didn't work him long but I stared at that leg and didn't see any off movement. I'm still not going to breathe easy untill he's off the bute and moving good.
Monday, May 5th
I'm not sure what the hell is going on with my horse. He's not lame at the trot on the lunge line but at the lope I swear I see something small. When I brought him in yesterday he had a "sack" inbetween his front legs and it looks like he got bit by something. I'm waiting on the vet to call me back.....looks like I'm going to be paying out more money on this horse. Southern States might not happen :-(
Wednesday, May 7th
STILL waiting for this stupid vet to call me back! If I don't get a call by 12:00 today I'm calling again.
Last night I actually got on Headlight and walked him around and worked on bending. I still don't trust my eye that he is 100% so I don't want to do anything untill I get an OK from a vet. After our "ride" I hosed his leg down really good (hey it can't hurt right?) and doctored his cuts. He got his fly sheet and mask put on to help protect him from the critters in the fields.
Thursday, May 8th
The vet is coming on Tuesday to look at Headlight's leg! I video taped my ride tonight and when I watched it I could tell he was still off on that back leg. He's not lame at all....just not reaching as nice as he normally does.
Friday, May 9th
Its been raining now for 2 days off and on....its off while I'm at work and on when I'm at home...grrrrrrrr
Sunday, May 11th
STILL raining.....everything is flooded and Headlight is living in the stalls we built in the run-in sheds....what a pain!
Monday, May 12th
Maryland is flooded...YUCK everything is under water :-(
Tuesday, May 13th
THE SUN !!!!!THE SUN!!!!!! I almost forgot how to act today when I walked outside and it was sunny and 70!
Besides being 2 hours late the vet was awesome! She had me put Headlight on the lunge and noticed right away that he wasn't lame but just not reaching with that hind leg. She did some flexton tests and reccomended hock injections and a shot of Ledgend. Since Headlight was already knocked out we went ahead and had his teeth done....poor guy looked miserable :-(
He's on 2 days stall rest and then light work on the 3rd day....I can't wait to see him move!
Wednesday, May 14th
Another awesome day and I can't ride. I let headlight lose for about an hour to graze near our trailer parking (lots of good grass)...boring.....
Saturday, May 17th
Rode Headlight today....He's still lame :*( Its not in the hocks....I'm so pissed at the vet! I feel like she jumped to conclusions and it cost me and my horse. I put a call into another well known leg vet to hopefully get to the bottom of this leg issue. I feel like its in the stifle....just by the way he moves.
I'm crushed.
Monday, May 19th
Still waiting on a call from the vet. Today is such a pretty day and it just makes me more sad that I'm going to miss my fav. show of the year. Guess I'll unpack the horse trailer next weekend...what a waste of time that was.
Tuesday, May 20th
"Just A Horse"
From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a horse," or,"that's a lot of money for just a horse". They don't understand the distance travelled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a horse." Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a horse." Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a horse," but I did not once feel slighted. Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a horse," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a horse" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day. If you, too, think it's "just a horse," then you will probably understand phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise." "Just a horse" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a horse" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person. Because of "just a horse" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a horse" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. "Just a horse" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day. I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a horse" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a woman." So the next time you hear the phrase "just a horse" just smile, because they "just" don't understand.
Wed, May 28th
I finally had the good leg vet out today to look at Headlight. He felt that the back shoes could have contrubuted to Headlight's stifle problem. For some reason the farrier put on shoes that make the horse place and pick up its foot straight (they are made for horses that interfere when moving). Headlight doesn't need them so I wasn't sure why they were put on. I was told to put equi-block on his stifle twice a day and ride the snot out of him. Hill work, troting poles, gallops and lots of collection and impulsion is my new form of riding. If Headlight doesn't improve in a month I will have the vet do an internal blister to tighten the ligiment back up.
Thursday, May 29th
The farrier came out and pulled Headlight's back shoes today. I rode at a walk for 10 mins, then did small busts of troting in 5 mins at a time. We also walked over some ground poles.
Friday, May 30th
Today I did more troting poles and took Headlight on the hills in my geldings field. I made about two trips around the field and called it a night. I've been making sure to rub liniment really well into Headlight's lower legs and muscles so that they stay tight.
Sat., May 31 , 2008
More hill work and pole troting today. I put some lightweight leather straps on Headlight's back legs to make him use them a little more. The whole point is that we want him to use that stifle even though it hurts. The only way to make him better is to build it back up and make it stronger. Headlight was sore today and didn't want to use any impulsion at all. I did a lot of walking and let him stretch out a bit. Then I cold hosed him for a good while and put him in the round pen so he could keep moving all day. When I looked back outside an hour later he was just standing in one spot. I took him and put him out with my other geldings since I knew that would keep him moving. poor guy
