Remy's Florida home and playground - and channeling my two "Inner Ingrids"

Aerial picture of WFEC

This aerial picture shows the WFEC (White Fences Equestrian Center). What it doesn't depict is that it is also an arboretum with beautiful flora, blooming trees, orchids, etc. 

I've marked the courtyard where Remy is stabled with the thick red line, and within it there is a dot for his stall and a line around his adjacent paddock. I leave the outside door open, and  it seems Remy spends most of the night outside - evidenced by the copious manure piles I get to pick up in the morning. 

I do have to channel my two "Inner Ingrids" in the next days. My living situation will get more interesting tomorrow: In addition to Paulette, Jota, Madeleine (their daughter), three dogs and three cats, there will be the two college-aged sons, one girlfriend, plus a talking bird staying at the house.

Usually I think of Ingrid Klimke as a role model for riding and horsemanship. This time I think I do need more of the other Ingrid.  She is my very good friend in Stuttgart, and my role model for tolerance when it comes to people. Ingrid has a knack for adapting to and getting along with all kinds of characters, even my super critical mother is smitten with her. Ingrid used to take Rotel*-tours through very remote areas like Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, China, to name a few. For those of you that are not familiar with Rotel: It's a trailer pulled by a bus  "Rolling Hotel = Rotel" that has sleeping compartments akin to caskets (my description). It is traveling in VERY close quarters with strangers. It requires way more tolerance than I could ever muster. Being a true friend Ingrid made it clear: "I would never take you on such a trip". She knows how tightly wound I can get when I don't have my space - let alone the huge issues I would have with "the smell of unwashed fellow travelers" (see below), even if I were one of them!

Rotel: Rolling Hotel, sleeping capsules in the trailer

*From the Rotel description:
Capsule hotels are in vogue right now. German tour company, Rotel was always ahead of the game by providing capsule hotels on wheels since 1945. No matter how much you might enjoy staying in a five star hotel, you will always be stationary, trapped in one district. So, to feed your sense of novelty and adventure, you decide to book yourself on a Rotel bus. What next? Well, first you choose your tour from hundreds of options all around the world. If the wilds of Africa are not your thing, perhaps the vast planes of central Russia are. Or maybe the frozen wilderness of the Arctic will appeal or what about exotic Ecuador? On the bus, you ride in passenger seats during the day and sleep in 6x6x3ft capsules at night. There is a large kitchen on board for food but you may have to go a few days until you reach a shower as there is not one on the bus. But who could complain about the smell of unwashed passengers when you are waking up in a new and exciting location every day.

Farrier Day - and we are getting the Top Man

Good news: Farriers in the Wellington area are excellent. Other news: They are very expensive (some go above $500 for a set of shoes). I didn't write: "Bad news" because not all are exorbitant, and if you get top notch work and service then forking over the money doesn't hurt (as much).

I had made an appointment with Roz' farrier James Gilchrist, and -having been exposed to quite a few farriers of the Prima Donna kind (i.e. at one barn in Germany we had to wine and dine the guy and sent him home with lots of bottles in order to entice him to show up again)- I was thrilled to speak with a very professional and nice guy on the other end of the line. Not only that, he was the first person I met in in Florida that thought having a Morgan was great!

The appointment was at 9:30 a.m., by 9 a.m. James and his farriers had rolled up and set up shop. JP would have been thrilled to see the meticulously arranged tools in the trailer.. Remy's feet got thoroughly examined, then James conferred with one of his farriers, and this very nice young professional got to work. It was the first time that Remy got hot shoes, and he stood patiently through it, just trying to lick the farrier's shirt from time to time. He was a good sport and quipped "No problem, I need a back massage anyway". Remy's feet looked awesome afterwards: He got a size bigger shoes with rolled toes and copper nails. I got explanations and questions answered (without having to prod and poke!), as well as comments on Remy's great feet and condition - and they even thanked me for having a well-behaved horse. I think I'm in love!

In talking with James it turned out we really got the Top Man: Most recently he was in charge of the WEG horses in Tryon, and I found the following on HorsesDaily:

The Official Farrier for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, the 1998 World Equestrian Games in Rome and the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, James Gilchrist AAPF works hard in Wellington, Florida shoeing dressage horses and jumpers for top riders and up and coming riders. It’s important to work with a good farrier with accreditation from the American Association of Professional Farriers. Gilchrist shared with us what he has seen change in the Dressage World during the last twenty years. “Those events were very stressful, you can only imagine, especially the dressage horses because it takes so many years to train one of them and most of the riders only have one Grand Prix horse at that international level. All their hopes and dreams are on that one particular horse and that one particular event. If something goes wrong, it’s not good for anybody.” A farrier for over 30 years, Gilchrist continues to shoe high performance horses. He said, “I started shoeing horses in 1980, full-time in Atlanta, and started coming to Wellington for the winters in 1981. I moved permanently in 1999. Mainly, I shoe jumpers and dressage horses, but I also do therapeutic shoeing. I’ve shod horses for client during every Olympics since 1988, dressage horses and jumping horses, once or twice a 3-Day client.” In talking about what changes he’s seen in the last twenty years, he said, “What has changed in the farrier industry in the 20 years is the technology and the footing. It’s unbelievable. We all use different types of shoes than we did back then because of the new footing that everybody uses in these dressage rings.  It really affects the way we shoe these horses. We can use the technology to make the shoeing better." "Still, a lot of people don’t understand the importance of the footing yet, but it’s coming when everyone will understand. We are going with lighter shoes, and taking weight out of the heavier shoes on dressage horses. We hardly ever use bar shoes anymore. Twenty years ago, every horse had bar shoes at the Grand Prix level and lots of Small Tour horses. Everybody wanted them. Now, no one is doing that anymore. The footing makes all the difference. All the top dressage riders know. The dressage horses more than any other discipline work best on this new footing,” he stated. Gilchrist likes to keep things simple and basic, he said, “As far as what I’m doing on dressage horses, I try to keep it as simple as possible, do what’s best for the horse, and maintain a biomechanical, functional hoof. The horses stay sounder longer. When we alternate and change things on these horses, that’s when we get into trouble.” “My best advice to any rider from a show horse farrier is to just take your time with these young horses. Save them, don’t push them too hard. Bring them up the ranks as slow as you can, take good care of their bodies, their feet, and their minds. I’ve seen it both ways, the push hard and the taking time method. Take your time,” he advised. 

All set up for the horse pedicure in the court yard

There were other farriers working today in the different barns at WFEC. One drove up in a converted Freightliner truck. Wow! I just had to ask if I could take a photo, and the guys were very nice about it, the owner even offered to take the picture:

Freightliner farrier truck with living quarters

Salute to the coaches at the shows - and what can I borrow next time??

After the WFEC show I came across this post on FB, and thought it was just so right on:

Not only that, but Roz actually pulled her own belt off her breeches and handed it to me because mine didn't work! 

Like part of the wedding saying* … something borrowed (her belt)… something blue (my socks). It worked well, so I'm wondering: What can I borrow next time??

*The full saying is "Something Olde, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, a Silver Sixpence in Her Shoe," and it first appeared in print in 1883. American brides often leave off the last part of the saying, gathering only the first four items. Ideas for Something Old Something old symbolizes the bride's family, her past, and tradition.

Shopping, "Durchhaenger", Panel Discussion - and what size socks does Remy wear??

Yesterday we all had a day off, and Roz invited me to come with her to the Sawgrass Mills Outlet Mall in Sunrise to visit the Ariat Store. Wow, talk about an Outlet Mall! I am no expert, but this must be one of the largest malls around. We were quite good at locating the store, not an easy feat in this maze. As luck would have it I found a perfect pair of Jeans (and no, JP, a girl can NEVER have too many Jeans), and a shirt. Unfortunately -or fortunately for my CC- most of the sizes were either XS or XL. Roz found some things, too, and we fortified ourselves with lunch afterwards. It was a truly enjoyable outing.

After getting back from taking care of Remy that night I had a bit of a "Durchhaenger" - also known as "Having The Blues" (to be off form). No specific reason, but I think the change of climate, added physical exertion, and primarily not being used to living with strangers caught up with me. I guess I'm a bit homesick. I do miss JP, all the critters, and having my space.  There were houseguests in the last couple of days, I didn't want to get in the way, and it felt a bit awkward. A Tylenol PM took care of it and today was a new day.

Roz had me start Remy with long lining, and we are getting the hang of it. It is really cool! I no longer (OK, most of the time) make spaghetti balls out of the lines and I am positioning myself better (towards his hindquarters). This carried over into our riding session, we focused on the half-passes where Remy has a way of 'tricking' me out - meaning going for "yeah, yeah, it's good enough!" Gotcha, buddy!

Lunch time brought another interesting panel discussion and a delicious lunch, "Key Factors for Developing the Equine Athlete - More Than Just Good Riding". I'll post my notes tonight or tomorrow. It was held at the PIEC (Palm Beach Equestrian Center, also known as "WEG). That is where the Hunter/Jumper action takes place.

Cool artwork at the PBIEC entrance

Horses of all colors

Now I'm off to buy socks for Remy. Yep, he needs socks. I've been warned that pesky little skin wounds can develop into something serious and scary in no time. Sure enough, Remy has one spot on his fetlock that just won't heal, despite all kinds of different potions and lotions, and making sure the flies don't get on it. I noted that K., Vivian's horse, was wearing what looked like stockings, and the reason is to keep ointment on and the flies off. Roz recommended buying socks, and putting them on. The advantage is that there is no worry about bandages being too tight or coming off during the night.

So, the question is: What size socks does Remy wear??

After a very long hiatus - we get in and ride through it

I didn't tell anyone - not even JP - that I had entered a class at the White Fences show. With our combined show phobia chances were that I would scratch, and I didn't want to have to explain it to anyone. Roz was cool with it, which gave me more confidence. Schooling Thursday and Friday went really well, and so I decided to go for it on Saturday.

Remy kept his wits about him, despite the very busy warm up arena. And surprisingly, so did I. Perhaps Sally's CBD drops helped. Note to self: Place an order! We took a deep breath and in the arena we went. Obviously, we were rusty, I hadn't ridden the Third Level test in years, not even in practice (somehow we never got to riding through it). I rode with "gebremsten Schaum" (lit. "reduced foam", i.e. like having very little foam in the bubble bath) and we got through carefully and without any major hiccups. Actually, the flying changes went really well, and the rest we can fix, i.e. "need more clear extensions" (I know, I know, thanks, Mrs. Judge).

Roz holding Remy while he wonders what takes me so long

Getting started with the warm up under a sunny sky

The goal was to just go in there, doing our thing without any "unasked additional movements", stay for the entire test (not always a given for us), breathe and if possible have fun. A tall order, but we made it!

Best compliment from Roz: "You looked like you belonged there!" Goal achieved: Bananas and Carrots for Remy - and water and a power bar for me.

BTW, I am still checking if I can feel Remy's ribs better - a sign that he has the right weight.  I should be able to feel his ribs by a bit of poking, but they should not be visible. The consistent work plus at least an hour each day of brisk hand walking has to do the trick - or so I think.  Well, it works for one of us: While I still have to do quite some poking to get to Remy's ribs there is no poking required to find mine.

Alex in the hammock - plus Mouse and Gecko

White Fences Equestrian has two super sweet resident cats, Alex and Mouse:

Alex snoozing in his 'hammock' (which is actually our hay wagon)

Mouse brought the Gecko to the stables but then decided that was enough work for the day

Last but not least - beautiful roosters, chickens, and chicks roaming around

There is a snake in Remy's stall - and a reminder that not all is rich in Welly-World

While cleaning Remy's stall I noticed something long and black slithering around. That came just after Paulette had warned me in the morning about poisonous snakes. Great. I tried to pick it up with the pitch fork but of course it wanted to have nothing to do with it. Finally I was able to coaxed it out of the stall, all the while Remy was ignoring both the snake's and my antics being busy with his hay. Sarah, with several years of Florida under her belt, took a look at the snake and pronounced it safe, actually she said we should encourage it to invite its friends over for a party, as this kind of snake ("we simply call in Black Snake") eats bugs. OK, then. Learned something new again.

It's a very busy weekend at White Fences, they are running a National show over three days. Tents, trailers, LOTS of horses (some well mannered, some not so much), tractors, dogs, etc. Huge classes, even the Grand Prix tests have 10+ entries (in comparison, at Waterloo it's in the low single digits). Perfect for Remy and me to get a whiff of the show life again, and dip our big toes/hooves into it. Roz was the brave one, she got on Remy first in the warm up arena. Of course, as luck would have it, it was not very busy. Once I climbed on, of course, the people and horses showed up. I was so happy, Remy stayed focused and didn't get bothered by the other horses, which is HUGE for us. And, equally important, I kept my wits about me, too. Another positive deposit in our bank account!

Tonight I got a reminder of Florida reality - as we say in German "Es ist nicht alles Gold, was glaenzt" (Literally: Not everything that shines is Gold). With all the wealth on display it's easy to forget the other side of the coin. On the way back from the barn I stopped at a 7 Eleven as I had a craving for a Corona. It was like stepping into a different world: I was the only white women in there, and all the other customers clearly had a hard day's work behind them. Mainly day laborers it seemed. I saw a young couple with their small daughter, clearly very poor people. They bought the child a treat and the three of them looked so happy that they were able to do this.

When I got to my car a working girl was talking to the guys in a beat up car parked next to me. I was happy that I looked tired and dirty - and that I am a working girl at a barn!