Summer Camp!

Farah & the view~

Tuesday found Farah & I on the road to Snohomish.  We'd been visiting with Scott & Karen about once a week to do some arena riding.  Scott acts as our coach & I really enjoy the weekly social time, as does Farah.  This week, when I arrived & Scott asked me my plans for the week, I thought he was being conversational, but I was wrong :-)  Instead - he asked if I would consider leaving Farah at the farm for a few days so that he could spend some time with her?   What a generous offer!

Scott's horsemanship skills are far advanced from my own.  He's spent several weeks of intense study with Dennis Reis & is a graduate of his Universal Horsemanship program.  Scott judges Colt Starting Challenges & as such, he's had the advantage of watching some of the best trainers at work.  I've been impressed with the level of training both Scott's senior horse & his young mare demonstrate.  Leaving Farah there would save me hauling the trailer back & forth - I was happy to accept!

Scott with Farah~

Our weekly visits have given Farah the opportunity to interact with other horses on a social level - something she doesn't have at home.  From when I left her in a stall Tue. afternoon, to when I arrived on Wed. - Scott & Karen had turned her out - then watched as the interaction with the other horses ensued - across a fence!  :-)  Gem, Scott's young mare - herd boss & Farah - who thinks she's the boss of everything - had a go at each other.  It didn't last long & by the time the horses were stalled for the evening - I got a text from Karen saying all was quiet & well in the barn.  I felt like a first time Mom sending my youngest off to camp!

Wednesday morning when I arrived, Farah was grazing & Scott was watching.  Soon - she was haltered & all Scott's work with her was done in-hand.  He found out in short order, that she'd had some Parnelli type work somewhere in her first years.  She knew some tricks - he recognized from that particular program.  She has been more reactive for a while now - Scott's goal was to remove the re-activeness & replace it with calm response.  It was amazing how just small movements of his body were enough to set Farah off.  She would not just walk on the lounge line & it took a while for Scott to desensitize her to the stick.

I too - needed a lot of coaching on my lack of technique with the lounge line.  I have a habit of backing up.  When Rico took over as my coach - he let me know instantly he would take advantage of that hole in my training!  :-)   I also rode Rico - Wow!  What fun!  He's big & he's so well trained!  He soon adjusted himself to me & we did a very nice trot!

Justin & Farah

We had a short break - while Justin shod Farah.  Yes, we'd worn them out in just over five weeks :-)  After that, a load of hay was coming in & going by conveyor to the overhead hay loft!  Scott kept Farah with him as all the commotion was going on - using it as a training tool.  Her demeanor had changed just in the 24-hours she'd been here.  She was walking on the lounge line!  Changing direction perfectly at just a slight cue.  Both Scott & Karen were impressed with her smarts & willingness to learn. 

Today, Scott told me he had worked both Farah & Rico at liberty in the arena!  I was open mouthed!  Their horses are not shod, just booted for trail.  Farah on the other hand - had four new steel shoes!  Scott said that she actually followed Rico's lead & only once did Rico have to remind her to stay back!  :-)  We rode as a group today with Arlene on Rico, Scott & Gem & Karen on Sherman - Farah's least favorite. :-)  Sherman did try to make friendly advances & finally Farah accepted them without pinned ears!  She was as low-key as I've ever ridden her.  Karen even loped Sherman past as we were walking the perimeter & Farah did not react!

I'd scheduled a ride for tomorrow, so brought her home today - it's been quiet without her!  Not since Khari left for Saudi Arabia in June of 2012, Post~ has the Homestead been without a horse!   Now, my ride has been cancelled - so we may go up tomorrow - to see if anything is left of our trails~

Making Changes~

What can I say about a good team?!  I am so lucky to have the best farrier around - one who's open to listening to my concerns.  Now, I've found that second person, Cassandra - with her experience on the track & various performance disciplines - who rounds out our team approach.  Willing to work toward my goal of keeping Farah sound & fit as the years go by.

I've had a feeling for a while that there were some things that could be changed with Farah's shoeing.  After riding with Cassandra on Wed., she mentioned that she had some ideas for Farah's hind feet that might improve the efficiency of her movement.  Her approach of physiological problem-solving rang a bell with me.  She also incorporates a holistic method that includes the latest research, tools & techniques that apply to performance horses.  Someone who looks for the origin of the behavioral characteristics that I've found challenging as Farah & I have continued to rack up the miles. 

The rear view~

Going with what's been working is always the smart thing to do, but I've never liked the way Farah will drag her toes on a steep downhill.  I thought it had something to do with her conformation, breeding, etc.  When Justin arrived today - I introduced him to Cassandra, who was kind enough to come over & explain first hand what changes she wanted to make.  The most noticeable you can see in the above photo.

Farah yawns :-)

 Justin pulled shoes, did the trim, then dropped the inside of the rear hooves - this moved the angle of the rear feet out about 7 degrees.  The difference in Farah was obvious - we could see her relax before our eyes.  After all the miles we've traveled,  Cassandra was impressed with how clean & tight Farah's legs are.

After the trim~

There's more to do with the front too, but with a ride hopefully coming up - none of us wanted to make too many changes yet.  The small ones that were made - looked great.  Cassandra explained that over time, the hooves will change shape, not necessarily toward pretty - but more in the direction of the natural way the hoof capsule wants to grow.  These changes will take several shoeing cycles to implement.  Over that time, it will be interesting to see if this improves Farah's attitude under saddle as Cassandra expects - since it will make it easier for her to use herself efficiently. 

We finished the afternoon with some body work - Farah yawned & enjoyed all the attention :-)  Please check out Cassandra's web site for more information on the services she provides.  Cassandra Snyder~

Should have been Ridin!

Hot!

Instead, Farah has her new shoes!  We'd gone six-weeks this time & the shoes were worn!  Time for new Eventers.  We might have squeaked in a ride this morning - but Rascal decided to dig out between the time Butch left for work & I went out & noticed him gone.  I grabbed a leash & went looking for him.  He wasn't far - just across the road checking out the neighbors barn.  He never takes off, but wasn't in any hurry to come to me either!  The invisible fence is out - so that means walking all the way around to find the break & make the repair.  Rascal spent what was left of the morning on his cable - barking...

Farah watching Justin work :-)

Both dogs get put in their kennel while Justin is here - makes it much easier for Justin to get the job done.  Once he leaves - I open the kennel door - it's a race to see who can get to the trimmings first!  Justin hardened the shoes a little more than usual - so we'll see if they hold up any better.  As usual we're wearing through them quicker than either of us would like.  There was hoof to cut off - soon we should see the spring growth burst.

New front shoes!

Farah was really good - so nice for us all to be out in the magnificent sunshine!  Even a breeze keeping any flies away!  Justin would still like Farah's heels a little higher - she likes the toes off in the rear - but there's enough shoe there to protect her toes. 

Hinds too~

Our next shoeing will be for Mt. Adams.   I've done the ride five times on three different horses.  Yes - I'm one of the many who love this ride - especially on a good year - when the course incorporates all the incredible trail that's there - rather than logging road.   Jasrada has the speed record for my 50's - at 7 hrs. flat for a 14th place finish in 2002.  Khari - the slowest - 8:34 for 24th place in 2010. 

I'm going to try Equi-Pak instead of traditional pads.  Since we'll be putting shoes on the week before & they'll stay on for several weeks - I don't want to have the pads on for that long.  I've always felt that they hold in too much moisture in our climate - which is wet enough most of the year.  With this - I'll be able to cut them out once the ride is over.  Farah isn't bothered by the hard rock roads - but I like having protection when we're heading for a ride.  Here's an interesting video on the technique.

Next - hoping for riding weather during the upcoming week of forecast rain!

Spring Shoes!

Shoes pulled

It didn't feel like I'd ridden the miles to be ready for shoes again...  Can you tell the incessant rain is getting to me?   The farrier was scheduled & I've got to stay positive when regarding the weather - best to err on the side of positive thoughts - this time of year!   When Justin took a look, the barium nail heads were well below the inside edge of the eventers.

Right front

Left front

Amazingly - we've made it almost through the worst of the winter months with all four feet looking good!  Lots of cup to Farah's feet, thick hoof walls & healthy frogs.  Between bouts of torrential downpours - Justin got the job done!

Left rear

Right rear

Farah's hind feet are somewhat narrow & she tends to wear her shoes slightly to the outside, but otherwise all four stayed well balanced over the almost six-weeks since her first shoes of the year.   When I looked at my mileage - we did have 100-miles on these shoes.  I'm ahead of where I was last year - due to getting in some longer rides in January.  February though - has been kind of a bust.    After checking back over a couple years - it's become obvious that it's February that seems to be the least favorable month weather-wise for riding!

All done!

I ran out of cookies when Justin drove in the last nail!  Good timing all-round!  This time of year, with Farah feeling fresh & the ground too saturated for any play - cookies work.  Yesterday when I turned her out, Nika decided that it was time to start barking - puffed herself up & threatened Farah - from a safe distance of course!  This - Farah took as an excellent excuse for some big time running, bucking, sliding, spinning & tearing up of what's left of her pasture!    Today - I tossed her a fresh pile of hay to occupy her time.

My replacement Garmin 310 did Not come as promised yesterday.  When UPS left without stopping, I went in to call.  They had dropped the proverbial ball & it had not had shipped.  Long conversation - too late for it to go out yesterday.  It did go out today - overnight.  With any luck at all - I'll have it tomorrow, time to play with the settings & have it ready when I do ride again!

Then - there's my saddle...  The old tree is in UT, but Randy has a convention this week...  So - no work on the new tree so far.  There's always Next week right?

Happy Feet!

Before~

I'd scheduled 8 weeks since Khari's last shoeing.  Trying to get closer to HOTR before setting new shoes.  Toes were long, though the angles hadn't slipped much.  Art mentioned that her shoes had been worn any thinner, he could have shaved with them :-)  Don't think we'll schedule this far out next time!

Small hole on the left heel

Under the shoes, feet looked Great!  Just one tiny hole on the left, toward the heel.  There was more than enough hoof to trim off, walls are thick!  I use Durasole on a regular basis, it flows into any holes & really keeps the soles tough.  I also put Dean's "Blue Cream" into the hole.  I've been doing that for months now & by the next shoeing, usually all sign is removed by the trim.

All done!

No, her right front isn't crooked, just the way she's standing!  The feet look good, toes are back where they belong, plenty of heel support & we're on the road again!