When it rains, it pours - and now it's a weird swelling

Saumur is back to his old self, happily wolfing down any food that's put in front of him. Whew! Nous avons échappé belle ("we escaped beautifully", in our case: it was a narrow escape). 

Remy had been working really well in our lessons, but sometimes he gets ahead of us. Roz quipped the other day "next time, try to get a less smart horse". So, I thought we were just cruising along, and happily drove to my lesson on Friday. While in the car I got a text from Roz with a picture "your boy has a weird swelling". Uh, uh: When it reins, it pours. Weird swelling was right: Remy had a huge swelling in his left groin area. Soft, but he wasn't ouchy. I put Remy on the longe line to see how he would move, and to my relief he was sound. Roz and I decided movement would be good and Remy cheerfully went through his lesson (probably also because he noted the arrival of his school bus driver).

At home I palpated the area and noted a hard lump within the swelling. That was just too dubious, so I called the vets office for advice. By now I should have them on speed dial. I texted the photo, and Dr. Ryker called me back, joking that recently we've been talking way too much. He thought it's a hematoma with a blood clot inside, and just to watch it over the weekend. I put Surpass on it in the hopes the swelling would go down.

As of today the swelling is almost all gone, but the hard lump remains (it is smaller). I've been applying hot compresses to the area, and that seems to have helped. Hopefully -fingers and toes crossed- it will be gone in a few days.  

I've been really busy with work, and added new clients also. It is amazing, as I don't advertise, the business growth is entirely organic - through word of mouth. I am very lucky to be able to do what I love (OK, the love might perhaps 'cool' a bit in the coming winter months, but we'll see, I've been stocking up on clothes to combat the Arctic Winter). As long as we stay healthy, all will be fine! 

I should get one of those!

Nail biting times - and who would have thought??

 Yesterday morning when I got to the barn to feed I noticed right away that Saumur hadn't finished his night hay and he didn't want to eat his breakfast. He was lethargic, and hay was hanging out of his mouth. I took his temp, but at 98.7 it was normal. A vet call was needed. Dr. Ryker suspected choke (something lodged in the esophagus, and thus blocking it). So he sedated Saumur and pushed a tube and then liquid down. It went too easy - meaning no substantial blockage. 

Remy watches over a sedated Saumur

Once Saumur had slept off the sedation I tried to feed him his favorite 'Slobber Mash' - no dice. Outside he'd nibble at grass but then didn't swallow. He also didn't drink. It didn't bode well, and after conferring we realized that it might be time to make final arrangements, just in case. At 26 I didn't want to subject Saumur to a trailer ride (which he still hates) and all the prodding and probing at Michigan State, and then perhaps have him put down there. JP and I agreed that when the time comes our animals will pass on in their familiar surroundings.

 When Dr. Ryker came back he said he had conferred with the lead surgeons at MSU, and one thing came up was SPM, caused by toxic plants. He wanted to inspect the trees in our pastures. And wouldn't you know it: There is a box elder bush. It produces seeds in the fall that are highly toxic to horses, with a mortality rate of over 75% (gasp!). Usually horses don't eat those seeds, but Saumur must have ingested some, and it caused SPM: Seasonal Pasture Myopathy. 

The Banamine injection helped, and later that night Saumur was able to eat some mash and soaked hay. He also drank. When I checked on him later he had also eaten all his soaked hay cubes. A boulder rolled off my chest.

Whew! Saumur has lived in these pastures for 20 years and we never had an issue. BTW, Saumur and I are having our 20th anniversary this month!! 

So, for those of you that have horses on pastures: Check the trees and brushes (Acorn for example is also highly toxic). There are Apps that let you identify plants, such as INaturalist. Believe me, it is worth it!

Saumur resting after his ordeal

Has it really been nine years? - and trying to stay upbeat

 While I'm not a devoted fan of FB, I do like the reminders that come up. Case in point: Today is the ninth anniversary of Remy's arrival in Michigan. He sure was a cute kid, then a difficult teenager, and luckily he is now at 12 becoming a responsible adult. Still cute, though. His latest trick is that he walks out of his stall during night check (while we pick the stall and put hay bags in for the night). Remy meanders around, and when I tell him "go to your room" he marches right back into his stall. It's become our nightly game. 

Remy fresh off the trailer from Montana 

We sure enjoy the glorious fall colors. Kensington Park is stunning and lots of people are posting awesome photos, not just of the colors, but also of the wild life, like eagles, minks, and -everyone's favorite- the white doe. 

We cast our absentee ballots today, the drop box is right next to our police station, so I guess it's safe. When I talked with Mutti today she reminded me several times "waehlt ja richtig" (vote for the right person). Europeans are watching the upcoming election closely. Stephanie offered not only her open arms, plus Schnucki-Apartment, but also the garage for the horses as well - in case we decide to get on the (yet to be build) ark and sail towards Europe. It's good to have a "Plan B" :-)!

Michael's contribution to the topic 'Arc' :-)

The weather forecast calls for an unusual cold and snowy winter in Michigan. No Plan A or B yet on how to go about Remy's training through the winter months (boarding? home?). He's been working so well lately, it would be a shame to let him 'sit' in the snow for four or five months. "As long as there's enough hay and good company, I don't mind at all", Remy says. I've been checking into hoof boots with grip/spikes, for rides in the snow. The boys are barefoot in the winter, so those boots would give them more traction on the trails. But to be honest - I'm not hardy enough for rides in ice and snow. Oh, Florida, how I'll miss ya!

At least the 'last hurrah' of fall is beautiful! 

A colorful entrance to our property

Arena - Potomac - 3-plus-1 - and love being "stuck" here

 Some of my friends become worried when I haven't posted in a while. What can I say - it's been just too darn busy and in some instances also nerve-wracking.

So, recap in -almost- chronological order:

1) Arena is completed - Yay! JP even installed lights, this will be the closest I get this season to "Dressage Under The Stars" (a Friday night event at Global Dressage in Wellington). And who needs a sandy beach when you have a sand box at home?

Finally - Good Footing

2) When JP was feeding breakfast to the boys last week he noted Saumur was not eating, and seemed completely listless and depressed. I took his temp and it was 103F: Emergency call to the vet. Luckily Dr. Sheldon came quickly, armed with a tube, charcoal, Antibiotics, and Banamine. She suspected Potomac Horse Fever (even though Saumur is vaccinated, there are various strains). The scary part with Saumur is that he is 26, IR (insulin resistant), and therefore at high risk for founder. Luckily, after some nail-biting days and nights, and daily vet visits, he pulled through. It was a big bill but as JP so eloquently says: "Quand on aime on ne compte pas" - When you love you don't count!

3) Ziggy ran off after a squirrel, didn't find his way home, but thanks to a lovely young couple watching over him  (he wouldn't come to them), and then seeing my post on Nextdoor we were able to pick him up. He was safe and sound - and very tired. Blame the Eichhoernchen, he said. 

4) Great riding week, yay, Remy! And of course, Yay, Roz! Remy and I have a tendency to 'die' in the half-passes. They start out well, but then we just fade - the bend goes and so do the haunches. So Roz had the great idea to use 3 plus 1. It means I have the snaffle rein in one hand and the two curb reins plus the snaffle in the other. For example, half-pass to the left I have the snaffle rein in the left hand, and both curb reins plus the other snaffle rein in the right hand. Wouldn't you know it, it worked like a charm. I have to admit that I actually squealed for joy (hmm, do I really want do admit this?) during a canter half-pass to the left (our more difficult side). 

5) Lots of client appointments - lovely horses and owners. I am so grateful that I am able to do something I love. Yay! to second careers :-) 

"Princess Allie" enjoying a scapula release

6) Beautiful fall weather! While I sorely miss traveling -especially visiting Germany- I do love where I am "stuck" (as long as the TV is off!)

Our cozy barn, 4 stalls, tack room, storage,
Porch (run-in shelter) for the equines
Upstairs "Play room" for the humans

"Home with a view" (from kitchen window):
Morning mist over Kensington Park

Ziggy's nemesis on the top rail

Changing the bend, work in progress - and "that's not me"

 Remy and I had a very good 'school week' - he is more and more consistent. We had one day where he came out a bit stiff and feeling stuck (it was an early lesson and he hadn't been turned out yet). Roz pulled a really good exercise (one of so many) out from under her mask: Half-pass, change the bend to leg yield, then change the bend again to half-pass - and voila: a nice and supple Remy!

We also found that changing the bridles help a lot with getting him more 'up' and 'through'. One day he goes in his snaffle, the next in the double. Then he has a day of long lining, and then back to being ridden each day in a different combination. The goal is to improve his carriage while keeping a very soft feel in the reins.

As I type this there is lots of activity outside the window: Trucks and heavy machinery making a ruckus. What we thought would never happen is actually happening - Our outdoor arena is getting redone! Yay! Today it's the grading, then laser leveling, drainage, and finally the footing. We are going with 2NS medium, sub-angular sand. JP is on the way to the gravel pit right now to get sand samples. Depth of  footing 1.5 to 1.75 inches. Roz had a super point (as always): The sand that gets delivered is usually wet, so once it dries it fluffs up and gets deeper. Footing too deep is a recipe for tendon injuries. 

Finally: Work in progress!

On a 'family note'- we adopted Bella, a 12 year old Vizla mix. The poor old girl had been abandoned twice. She and Ziggy are getting along very well and Bella is a very good girl. Unfortunately, though, Bella has a 'leaky problem'. Our job today: trying to get a urine sample for the vet. Never a dull moment...

Bella smiles as Ziggy looks a bit suspicious at the lady from the rescue
 (she had a very loud voice)

This cartoon is too funny and cute - and Michael thought it fits me to a 'T':

Nope, that's not me: I kept them both :-)

Sitting in the right spot again - and keeping the focus

 Today it was saddle adjustment day for both Remy and Chambord. Last time Luanne worked on the saddles was in the winter, before we left for Florida. So in the meantime, both boys' bodies have changed: Remy needed the tree widened, Chambord narrowed. It instantly made a difference to my seat, I no longer had to scoot around to find the 'sweet spot' to sit in. Before the adjustment I felt the saddle was placing me behind the movement, and thus also impeding Remy's range of motion. Luanne worked her magic - and we were in the right spot again. Yay! 

While these saddle adjustments seems expensive to a lot of people, it is just as important as regular veterinary care (vaccinations, etc) IMO. With an ill fitting saddle at best you mess up your position, at worst you hurt or even damage the horse. And the only other option then is to buy a new saddle. While people say "oh well, we re-did the flocking, so now it fits" - most of the time this is just a band aid. The most important part is the fit of the tree. 

So now Remy and Chambord have more bounce in their steps - and JP and I need to keep up with that. We should get our adjustments also, and in JP's case, he does: he has an appointment with his chiropractor. 

It was a very busy day at the barn, which challenged our respective attention spans quite a bit. First the saddle fitting, then Remy saw his school bus (trailer) showing up, and he probably thought it was already weekend. And then of course he had to make sure his best bud Chambord noticed him. Plus people and horses were walking in and out of the arena, a horse cantering around us... all things that are major distractions for us. So while we might not have worked on the more challenging movements, we met a challenge nevertheless in that we both kept our focus. Sometimes, training is done without any training!

I love this - und
Stephanie, das ist fuer Dich :-) 

Finally Fun with Changes - and I'll take that compliment!

 Remy has been a very good student recently. We finally can play with flying changes and have fun! Both he and I had some 'legacy issues' to overcome, but with the help of Roz it's become a different ballgame. Changes (luckily!) are easy for Remy, but we had to go way back to the drawing board for a while to get the correct canter with enough 'spring' to get on the right path. 

Today we've been trying a new weymouth bit, a "Neue Schule Thoroughbred". It's thinner and lighter than the Herm. Sprenger I've been using, and straight. Also, we know that Remy has sensitivity on his bars, and this bit promises to alleviate bar pressure. I felt Remy taking a much better connection, so hopefully that continues. The bit is a rental, so we have two weeks to see if it's a keeper (at those prices, rentals first a the way to go). 

Chambord has been a bit troublesome, in that he expressed his opinion about being uncomfortable by unseating JP. That is highly unusual for him, and we noted that Chambord was dragging his left hind toe through the sand, not using the leg and stepping under. I suspected arthritis in his hock (Chambord is 16), and the vet exam yesterday confirmed it with the x-rays. Not super serious, luckily, but enough to decide to get his hocks injected. First time in all my years of horse owning! I always prefer the non-invasive route first, and I'm no fan of "he's not going well, let's inject him", but in this case, it was warranted. 

Next steps for both Remy and Chambord: Saddle fitting session tomorrow. No wonder I get my clothes from the bargain bin :-). 

With all the scary news and negativity I felt we needed something uplifting - and when I saw this poster I knew I had to have it for the bathroom:

I take a compliment anyway I'll get it :-)