Friday, July 16, 2010

Everything But Riding

My apologies, once again, that this is not those promised barrel patterning pics.

It got H.O.T. here! Not Phoenix, AZ hot...but over a 100 everyday this week.

My 'sleeping in' til 7-7:30am came to an abrupt halt and I had to start getting up at the butt-crack of dawn if I wanted to get anything done. And I had tons and TONS of stuff to get done.

The big and the little of it around my place...

No, that's not an optical illusion...the bay horse really is that much bigger than anything else around here...and Mighty Mouse really is that little.

The black horse, Spooks was supposed to get his teeth done on Tuesday, but the dentist did not show up. G.R.E.A.T!!! The horse is looooonnngggg overdue for a float. I thought he had ruptured an abcess out the side of his jaw. It got huge and was draining (that is a particularly difficult place to cold soak with a hose-ugghh). So needless to say, I was pretty ticked off this highly recommended dentist was a no show, no call. He did call...that night and explained he had to take his sister in for chemo. Okay, legitimate excuse...but isn't that the reason we all carry cell phones?

I refuse to use the vet that did Frosty this spring. I was not impressed with his work and he was very expensive. But after this guy did not show up, I was forced to make an appointment with the husband of my vet/chiro, who I have an appointment with today. He is also VERY expensive, but I know he is extremely good, so I'm just going to have to bite the bullet and pay for his services. I did finally realize that 'the abscess' was not from a bad tooth, but rather that he had been scratching his face on one of the steel posts and gave himself a nice little puncture. I swear, horses are the biggest pains in the butt. Yes, I have put caps on the posts along that side of the fence now. May have to resort to bubble wrap for some of these guys...Well that or a bullet. Some days I am not sure which option would be better. ;-)

Megan's blue roan, Rip...
Has a big knee...
Well, technically it is not his knee, but rather above his knee. I don't know if he hurt that tendon or ruptured something in there. I have been alternating between cold hosing and sweating it. It's not coming down. So he will also have to see the vet. He's not lame and there is no heat or soreness, but it looks awful and I hope like hell that lump is not permanent.

Rip and the sorrel horse (who has become suddenly and violently headshy) will have an appointment with another vet (who is my next door neighbor) next week. Probably looking at X-rays for Rip. So much for my long streak of avoiding veterinarian bills. Uggghhhh!!!

I busted my butt and got this built for Gunner... I still have to add a couple of pieces of siding and I have absolutely no idea why I built it so high, but it's a chunk of shade and thanks to proper positioning, gives the other pen some shade as well. Once I get the last bit of siding on, I can hang misters on it and cool both pens. Spoiled freaking horses!

When it got too hot outside, I worked inside. Not that it is much cooler in the house as the swamp cooler is not on, but I got the master bath painted...

Now I just have to get it put back together...
Got started on the 'leather look' faux finish on the master bedroom...
Not sure if I like it yet or not, so I'm 'studying' it until I decide.

Got the extra-bedroom walls 'stucco' finished....

Now it just needs primed and painted.

Got this shed finished...

Well, except that it needs re-shingled, but that is going to have to wait until this fall. I've had to do enough stripping and shingling in the heat in my life. This can wait until I don't fear heat-stroke.

I've started working on this area...

Getting rid of this bio-diesel stuff is one of the last big projects on my list. About 1/2 of this stuff is barrels filled with iron pipe and fittings though, so my goal is to get all of the scrap iron I have gathered up onto the utility trailer and get it hauled to recycling. That will make a big dent in what still has to go.

And I really, really want to get this fixed...
The wind did a number on my little barn huh? My plan was to tear the rest of the roof off and replace the whole thing, but then I got to looking at it. I need to get a contractor out for an estimate because the may be able to replace the ripped out trusses and put new tin on for less than a complete make-over. I really want to be able to use my little barn.

Okay, so that's my excuses for not getting any riding done this week. I'm pretty excited that today Turk is scheduled with the Chiro and Farrier. We have assembled a team for him-LOL. Keep your fingers crossed that they will be able to fix him up.

Oh, and Moon's back is healing well. I don't know if I will bother trying to get to a barrel racing this weekend because I have not rode (and that has not worked out well in the past), but he is at least healed up enough that I can start riding him again and getting ready for next weekend.

9 comments:

Sherry Sikstrom said...

Girl! you are a going concern! and that is one tall shelter! lolProbable better though if you have a horse that doesn't like goining into a shed ,it will be easier to get used to.Good luck with the vet/chiro/dental stuff

Andrea said...

Man you have been busy!!! I think I am tired just from reading all that you have been doing!!! At least you have a nice dry heat...not this 103 and 80 percent humidity!! uhg!! Poor Big Blue....Maybe he needs to come down here and let me take care of his sore knee....I will make him all better....Just send him down here..okay?!!! I can hope huh?

The painting looks good!!! You are a paint a holic!! It will all look great when you are finished!!

Nuzzling Muzzles said...

You have a lot going on. You did a wonderful job with those painting projects. I wish you lived closer, because I'd hire you to paint over my pink bedroom and master bath! And I'd pay well to help you cover the cost of all those vet / chiro bills.

Mrs. Mom said...

Does this mean you're going to make ME get a damn cell phone *if* we get out there? ;)


OMG Mouse is SO freaking CUTE!!!!!!! Smooch him from me!!!!

BrownEyed Cowgirl said...

I was getting a little frustrated because there is a lot of projects to work on and I didn't seem to be getting anything done, but they are all coming together now.

It was a glorious day with the farrier and chiro...can't wait to do this post.

MM-No need..."I" have one-LOL.

Fantastyk Voyager said...

And here I was studying that photo to decide if Mouse really was that small. lol! Nice job painting!

My Annie ripped her ear and it's been so long since I've had to do doctoring, I had to go out and buy product. I've still got the blue powder Wound Kote in my medicine chest.

Mrs. Mom said...

LOL Yeah but that won't help if you're trying to call ME when I'm somewhere away from the landline! ;)

Mikey said...

Dang girl, you HAVE been busy!!! Holy socks! Great job on all the painting, building, cleaning, etc. That grass looks so beautiful. Right now when it's 115 outside, CO is looking SO NICE!!

Harriet said...

Wow! So busy and that shelter looks like it'll be a whopper! I recently gave my horse a float using some great new Carbide Saw Blades too. I love reading about your projects and Frosty. Keep posting!