Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Where Does The Time Go?

WOW!!!

Not sure how 2 weeks passed since I last posted...

Well...maybe I do...

Things were going along fairly smoothly here and then whammo!

Without going into the gory details...the kid is no longer coming out to ride, so I am stuck with nine head of horses. I can actually get nine head of horses worked in a day...but it leaves no time AT ALL for anything else. To be completely honest...I really only have to work 8 because there is no sense of me wasting time riding Megan's blue roan. He will be going back to SD as soon as I can get Gunner riding and get those two out of here. I may HAVE to take more back as well, but haven't made any firm decisions on that. I am running low on hay, what's available is morbidly expensive and I just really feel the need to focus on just the few horses I can actually use. It's tough because there is not a single horse on the place that doesn't have a great deal of potential if the right amount of time is invested into them. Such is the way with horses. In spite of all the stuff that people worry about...bloodlines, conformation, disposition, etc, etc...In the end...The true value of a horse is based on the time someone bothered to invest into them. Winners aren't born...they are made!

Beings that the kid copped out (AGAIN!) and the hubby has started his new job in North Dakota...I am very much alone here. I wasn't sure how I was going to get the first few rides on the youngsters, beings that I am not real keen on stepping on for the first few times with no one around. I kinda like to have someone here who can dig me out of the dirt if necessary, ya know? Luckily, my friend L said she could come over and be my pony rider when I need one. That will make it easier for sure. I was thinking I was going to have to haul to someone else's place for those first few rides on everyone. Problem solved though.

Since I have been so sporadic at posting for so long, the thought has crossed my mind that maybe BrownEyedCowgirls had run it's course. But, I'm not quite ready to throw in the towel just yet. Blogging allows for a much more complete train of thought than many of the other forums and since I am habitually long-winded...it suits my style. LOL My posts may be sporadic, but I'm gonna hang in here.

I have to say...I actually have been working on that Colonic Ulcers post I promised a long time ago. Holy Hell! It's been incredibly difficult to kind of compact the info and still have it make sense. I can feel Ranch Girl drumming her fingers waiting for it. ;-)

Competition season is upon me...have already missed a couple of barrel races due to timing of other stuff going on. On a good note...Moon has returned to his normal self...belly issues gone and respiratory issues under control. It's time to get a run on him and see where we are. Frosty was doing absolutely fabulous and I am really excited to get him to some runs. However, I had his shoes pulled about a month ago...didn't figure he would need them with the soft ground this time of year. Wow! Will be getting those put back on ASAP.

I have always known that Frosty was a bit thin-soled but had never gotten shoes on him until last fall. He was a long 9y/o before he got his first set of shoes...ever. I've never really ridden him in an environment that I though would (or should) cause a problem due to tender feet. At first I didn't notice too much difference. It was still a lot of work to get him to move out and lift his shoulders and all the stuff I was working with him on. After he was reset, there was a noticeable difference and he came on like gang-busters. All of his silly behavior went out the window and he settled into being the kind of horse I always knew he should be. Three weeks after having his shoes pulled...he started getting silly again and has been steadily easing back into not wanting to move out, or lift his shoulders or move his feet. It's like...Are you kidding me? The sensitivity of this big, brute of a horse just floors me. Sooo... the shoes go back on. It's a small price to pay considering the difference in his attitude.

And with that...I've got to get rolling here. Between the horses, the yard work and giving the house a deep spring cleaning...there is always something to do and when I sit down to write...I am actually thinking that there is at least one other project I could (should) be working on.

19 comments:

WishIHadAHorsey said...

I don't comment but really enjoy your blog. Even if you decide to dial it down a bit, I will still be enviously reading about your adventures! Thanks for the ride :)

Crystal said...

Wow sounds like it will be a busy summer for you out there. Amazing such a small thing can make such a big difference with Frosty, sore feet would make me not want to move much either.

Anonymous said...

Oh, no, please don't stop! I love the insight gained from reading your posts.

Although right now all ours are barefoot I'm not above shoeing one if it is really needed. Sometimes barefoot just doesn't work no matter what you are (or aren't) doing. Many years ago I had quite a bit of success with a horse that had given many trainers grief and injured several people. My secret? Pads and shoes. Totally different horse!

Anonymous said...

Um, that was spotz58 above...who is going to be forced by this new WV to get new glasses!

cdncowgirl said...

I'm so glad you're not throwing in the blog towel! Even if you only post once a month its always worth the read :)

Gotta ask something... is it just me, in my limited experience, or do you find mares tend to be more stoic than geldings?

Paint Girl said...

Frosty sounds like my Paint Fritzy. I pull her shoes in the winter because of the mud, but she has to have them the rest of the year.
Glad to hear that your gonna stick around the blog world. Even though I am no longer working, I have still been super busy and am not finding that much time to blog!
I couldn't imagine riding 8 horses in a day. I will be riding 3 soon and that seems to take me all day!

Sherry Sikstrom said...

Glad you are going to keep the blog, sorry the help thing has been a challenge, someday we will all have enough time, enough energy and enough help right?

Funder said...

BEC, you should definitely quit blogging if you want to quit blogging. But if you just think you don't blog "often enough" - fuck that, post when you want to or when you can. You like to write, fill us in on "the last episode" and don't worry about recapping every day as it happens. I think of it like horses - is this a hobby? YES. Should it be fun? YES. If it's fun, do it! If not, let it drag. Unlike horses, nobody suffers if you let it drag for a month at a time. None of us are going to unsubscribe.

Re: the kiddo: teens/20s can't help it. They're inherently unreliable. Wish I could come ride some of your (started! not unbroke!) horses for you!

Hugs. Facebook more, willya? We miss you!

SunnySD said...

"The true value of a horse is based on the time someone bothered to invest into them." So true!

And I for one am also glad to know you'll continue to post at least for now!

Laura said...

Time flies by whether you want it to or not! Too bad about Meg backing out again - teens/young adults are a tough crowd.

I agree with the others - post when you can and when you feel like it. Although, I just posted on my blog that I'm stopping writing...lol I'm sure I'll come back eventually - I can't seem to stay away.

I'd like to read more on your take with ulcers and such - I'm going through a bit of that with my mare right now...

sheesh said...

I hope you find time eventually to finish your thoughts on ulcers. You really helped me out with the list of ulcer symtoms. When I rode my gelding, he would stop 10 times an hour and act like he had to pee. He actually would pee 4 times during a 2 hour ride. It was so distracting that I took him to the vet and had his urinary system totally checked out. Of course, there was nothing wrong. Then I read your blog entry and immediately got some UlcerGard. I gave him 1/4 tube 2 hours before I rode him and it was like magic! ALL of those behaviors were gone! So thank you, thank you from a complete stranger for posting that, it was a huge help for us.

Danielle Michelle said...

Ditto on what so many said above...just cause you don't always get a post out there doesn't mean we won't be looking for one later on! So many of my friend's don't bother anymore, but I still feel like posting. Its like an online journal and I can go back and see what was going on when. And a chance to reflect a little. SO, if you want to quit, do it, but if you were thinking of quitting due to a a lapse every now and then, nobody minds!

BrownEyed Cowgirl said...

sheesh-That's awesome. Very happy to hear it helped.

Cdn-I can't say that I have noticed mares being more stoic, but that very well may be due to the kind of mare I am attracted to...i am drawn to the fire-breathing, dragon kinds and they don't ever seem to hold anything back. ;-) (If the shoe fits right? LOL)

The tender-foot thing seems to be a direct correlation to IR or at least horses that seem to have some IR tendencies...which oddly enough also correlates to colonic acidosis in the hind-gut.

I'm starting to feel like the squirrel on his wheel with this colonic thing. So many issues that can be traced back to hind-gut health...or lack thereof.

Anonymous said...

I love and read your blog every chance I get, your infomation and insight helps more horse people than you are probably aware of. Keep it up!
Thank you so much!

Kristen said...

feel free and send that big blue roan over here to KS and I'll love on him for awhile! I LOVE the looks of that guy! :)

Rockin Heart Jewelry and Vintage Finds said...

Don't stop blogging!! We'd miss ya too much!!! Just take the breaks. I am just getting caught up and trying to blog more than once every other week myself!
Thanks again for all of your recent help....I'm looking forward to your colonic ulcer post, of course! ;-)
~Ranch Girl

Anonymous said...

Hey, BEC, I just read your comment on DC's blog and I want you to know I went through the same thing with my son, but a few years later he was back in spades. Now I (and my back) rejoice when he says "Let's go trim some horses" or whatever needs doing. Hang in there and she'll be back in into it.
~spotz58

Prairie Ridge Performance Horses said...

Hey there girl, I am in agreement with most everyone else on here, don't stop the blogging thing, I lead a very busy life as well, working full time, doing yardwork, housework etc, on my own, as well as trying to raise and find time for 20 horses!!
I love reading your blog, and find a lot of info here, so, from someone you have never met, keep up the good work, and stay with us, even if only once in a blue moon, we still love to hear from Ya!!!!
Keep on doing, what you're doing!!!

Cut-N-Jump said...

I know what you mean. Last year it was all about getting Kat going. This year is the WB mare's turn and Mondo will likely again be 'shelfed'. Lucky gelding doing nothing and he is now 7... there are only so many hours in a day.