The numbers.

The Numbers.

 

The events with my horses health over the last 8 months is still a topic of discussion for some.  I've avoided posting stats because I wanted to move past it.  However, I feel the need to for the record.

After 2 months on my own and seeing no progress in weight gain for either of my horses, I brought in my Vet in March.  My Vet and I discussed bumping up their supplements. In April my horses had their shots and the Vet saw no difference, so we added in more feed and made a date in May for their teeth. After consulting with my Vet and Equine Dentist when I had their teeth done in early May, both agreed the teeth was not the cause of so much weight loss and that both horses were in good health aside from weight.  I took their professional advice, which resulted in me moving my mares to a place better suited for my horses needs.

My horses have been under my Vet's care since March and are still being monitored closely by me and informing my Vet as needed.  There is no issue with my horses’ health now.  They are energetic, they have healthy coats, and they are gaining weight nicely.  In fact one of them is now a bit chunky and is having her diet cut back, the other still has some weight to gain, but is gaining at a steady healthy pace.


I tape the girls every 3-4 weeks or right before I got out of town for a while so I can have a number to work with when I return.  They receive 30 pounds of good quality hay a day for their meals and supplemental feed has been eliminated as of June 20.  Between the two they have gained 20-50 pounds a month since their relocation.  I don't have standing shots at all the measurement dates unfortunately, however, these will show some of their progress.

June 3 weight (3 days after moving)

Ehawee 750

Opal 970

June 20

Ehawee 800 – gain of 50lbs

Opal 1003 – gain of 33lbs

July 10

Ehawee 863 - gain of 63lbs

Opal 1023 - gain of 20lbs

August 5

Ehawee 878 - gain of 16lbs

Opal 1049 - gain of 25lbs

August 22

Ehawee 893 - gain of 15lbs

Some crest on neck and a little hay belly. 

I cut out am 5lbs alfalfa as a start and will adjust more as needed.  

 Work load  is also increasing.

Opal 1065- gain of 15lbs

I noticed Ehawee was starting to look filled in at the beginning of the month, but I didn't want to cut her diet while I wasn't there for a few weeks to watch her.  Her weight should be around 875.  I know since she was a smaller horse she would not need the large quantity of feed long term, however, the Professionals I consult with on their health didn’t want to cut back too early until she got back into a consistent work load.  Adjustments have now been made to her diet.

Opal lost the most being the bottom of the pecking order, she is also a much larger built horse and is getting closer to 35 pounds of good quality hay a day.  She has her own stall and can eat at her own pace, but she still gets focused in on her food at lunch or dinnertime because she was so hungry for so long.  It will take time for her to get over this, but that's ok.  Opal should be between 1,100 and 1,150 pounds.

The bottom line is this; I did what was in the best interest of my horses based on the advisement of the Professionals.

If any one has any questions or concerns regarding statements being made by others regarding this situation please feel free to contact me directly so you can get accurate information - I'd be happy to discuss it with anyone.
  

 

Emerald 

 

Emmy and Ehawee gossiping about barn happenings.

 

Emerald (Emmy) has been doing great.  Before I left for my family vacation at the begining of the month, Cypress Stables had a just for fun play day in the evening.  I took Emmy in a few of the in-hand classes.  It was the first time she had been in the arena with other horses.  She did her two classes very calmly and listened well.  After her classes I had her stand in the arena with me while I ran the rest of the classes with riders so she got exposed to the sounds and noises.  She didn't seem to mind much at all.  

 

While I was away, our Barn Manager was kind enough to turn Emmy out for a few hours every other day so she wouldn't be locked in her stall the whole time I was gone.  When I returned we noticed she was getting a bit chunky, so we adjusted her diet by removing her morning alfalfa flake.  She has plenty of energy these days and I'm considering cutting out her evening alfalfa as well.  

 

This week we've been working on walking over the tarp again and respecting space.  Emmy likes to creep up on you and be a pocket pony sometimes, which I don't totally mind, I love when my horses want to be near me, however they also need to respect my space when I ask them for it.  My next task will be working to desensitize her sides in preparation for taking a rider in the future.

 

Tarps, the not so scary tool.     

Things are taking off

Things are taking off 

Opal soaking up the sun.

Time has really gotten away form me the last week and a half.  Between lessons and training, I was lending a hand as best I could helping prepare the Stables for several new horses moving in as well as helping cover stall cleaning while our wonderful hard working Jose took his family on a well deserved vacation.   

While all this madness was going on the last several days, the girls crossed the line from needing to 'get fat' to conditioning.  We are now at the point where they can be ridden and start building up on their lounging time as well.  We increased Opal's dinner feeding a bit to help continue her gain, while Ehawee is near her goal weight (and has a little belly currently) and will continued to be monitored to find exactly the right feed amount combination to maintain her weight.  Both are gaining at a good, steady rate.

Savanna, one of the younger boarders at Cypress and a good rider, rode Ehawee one day while I rode Opal.  Both mares were happy to be back riding in the arena, Ehawee so much that she gave 3 jumps of joy when she first walked forward.  Opal was only interested in following her friend around, and wasn't too thrilled I wouldn't let her.  

 Mustangs hard at work.

Opportunity presented itself for a trail ride with Amigo and his owner Greg, so we jumped at the opportunity.  We loaded up early and headed for Round Valley.   Opal didn't like going across the bridge first so Amigo lead the charge.  The trail started out level and slowly began to rise.  We hit some spots where there were big rocks in the trail you either had to go around or they were low to the ground and you had to walk over them.  We arrived at a set of 3 that almost made stairs, that's when Opal said "no Mom".  I asked again, same answer, so I dismounted and she followed me as I lead her along the trail a bit further.  It was hot out, so we stopped several time to water the horses and ourselves.  Opal worked up a good sweat and we decided to head back for the trailer on foot over the rocks since we were now going downhill.  

Both horses moved along like champs.  Once we hit flat ground again we remounted and continued to the trailer.  I've never practiced with a real gate with Opal, but decided to give it a try with the cattle gate.  It took her a few minutes to understand where I wanted her to go and what we were doing, but we were able to hold the gate open for Amigo to walk through and get through ourselves.

 Out on the trail both riding and walking in hand.

Once home both horses got a nice cool bath and lots of goodies and loves.

Emerald

Emmy leading on the left. 

Emmy finally got leading on the left earlier this week.  Previously she would trot/canter past me when she got to me.  Once she got this we worked on the squeeze game and passing between narrow places. (Like the trails Opal and I were on today)  I like to have the option to lead from both sides because you may find yourself on a narrow trail and not be able to lead from the correct side.  (Hey, that happened on the trail today to come to think of it...)  

Track left. 

 

 Track right.

Since I had another trailer hooked up, Emmy also practiced loading in a different trailer, she wasn't on board at first but after a brief discussion she went in twice.  Emmy likes to exit the trailer a bit fast, so for now I will only be letting her back out slowly.  

I continue to work with Emmy on ground work and desensitizing to everything.  Ropes being tossed around, tarps, noodles, you name it.  We take it one thing at a time. 

Emmy LOVES water....as you can tell by the videos below.  She has a smaller rubber water tub because she cracked and broke her larger plastic one a few weeks ago.  I will fill it no more than twice for her since she just plays in it mostly and I don't want to waste water.  This is usually how I find her water tub everyday.  (Don't worry, she also has an automatic waterer that she uses all the time)

Poor water tub, happy Emmy.

Water on my teeth makes me a happy mustang.

I help fill up my water tub......

...so I can have a few sips and do this to it.

Marching on

Marching on

Why hello there, how are you?

 

It has been a busy week of training and working the girls.  Opal and Ehawee are looking and feeling great.  Ehawee was lounged over a small fence this week in the jump course.  Once she focused on her task, she sailed over easily.  Opal and Ehawee are still being a little food oriented at lunch time, but this will pass in time.  It's time to dust off my tack and get ready to ride again.  

 

Opal was re-introduced to the tarp this week.  While she walked over it easily, having it touch her was a little different.  Once I convinced her it wouldn't eat her, she let me put it right over her back and walk her with it on her.  It was also a windy day, so that hindered and helped me at the same time.

 

 Tarps are not horse eating monsters.

 

Emerald

 

Emmy has had a full week of training.  Working with mounting blocks, ropes, and tarps.  Scary, horse eating tarps.  Emmy was very curious at first, she even picked it up with her teeth, then it crinkled, she backed up, it followed her, she snorted, finally dropping it and cantered away from it.  Eventually with a guiding line and letting her explore at her own pace, she went over the tarp.  

Tarp work with Emmy.

 

Emmy was also given a licking toy in her stall and a big water tub in her stall.  Unfortunately Emmy LOVES water....and after 3 days, her tub suffered a fatality.  Future note: rubber tubs for Emmy.  She is a very sweet, water loving, and playful mare.

 

 RIP water tub.  Carrot flavored lick after 2 days.

 

When working with the mounting blocks, I line her up to the block, lean over and give her lots of rubs and scratches on both sides of her belly while leaning on her a little more each time.  She really enjoys her belly rubs.

 Belly rubs for Emmy.

Play time?

Play Time?

My Daughter giving her horse, Ehawee, a kiss on the shoulder.

The mares continue to be playful in ways I've not seen before.  Especially Opal, its a side of her I have not seem before.  Its kind of fun.  Ehawee has once again become her loving self, but both mares are still focused on food.  They know when lunch has been served and they aren't in their homes eating it yet.  I've begun walking them past their stall at the slightest hint of them turning in without me turning first.  It took Opal 4 trips back and forth to get it, Ehawee took 2. 

Both mares are enjoying their home made toys.  I don't mind store bought ones, but I hate buying them and then having them not get played with.  This simple toy allows me to watch them play for a while and decide if buying them toys would be a good idea.  Before it gets asked, no, they are not bored and yes, they get out for at lease a hour daily if not more.  They are just simply feeling frisky and full of life.

Ehawee playing with her toy.

 

"What are you doing Mom?  Here, let me 'Help' you."

Emerald

Emmy has had a productive last few sessions.  We worked on loading up in the trailer and unloading out of it.  She tends to rush unloading a bit, but that will come in time.  During the loading phase Emmy gave a little spook at some tin roof making noise and came well within my personal space.  She didn't run me over, but we had to have a chat about it.  I am pleased she sees me as a safe place, but no one jumps on this Alpha Mare....or any in the wild for that matter.  I walked with intent towards her and made her move out of my space for 10 feet or so, just far enough to let her know that she crossed a line.  

 Checking the trailer out.

Emmy was also introduced to my Daughter's wagon and my Daughter was happy to give her some loves.

 Loves for Emmy.

Emmy also got introduced to our new trail obstacles. the pit and hill.  Well she didn't walk the hill yet, just went by it.  The pit and mound went in over night so when we walked out the next day, she snorted at them.  Perfect excuse to go see them.  It took her a few moments to figure it all out, but then she was walking in the pit like a pro.

 Exploring the scary pit.

Today Emmy was taken into the round pen for some ground work.  I've been working with her reversing and moving off a soft feel in the lead.  She gets it well 75% of the time, does ok 20% of the time, and the last 5% I think she gets distracted by her boyfriends or herd mates.  Still, not bad for a young horse.

After the ground work, I brought in the mounting block.  I let her check it out first before climbing on it myself with her in the pen.  Since she didn't seem to mind that I moved on to asking her to move up to the block, giving her lots of scratches and loves.  If she moved away, I just asked that she move forward.  Pretty soon she was right next to the block.  Then I began to move the block next to her in mounting position and continued the scratches and loves.  She stood quiet for several moments with the block next to her and getting touched on both sides.  After several attempts and her reacting so positively I took her home, fly sprayed her and called it a day.

Emmy enjoying her day out.

Dramatic 4 year Olds.

Dramatic 4 year olds

 

Opal, High Rock Mustang, 4 1/2 years old. 

What do my mustang and my daughter have in common?  They are both in their 4 year old year....and have a tendency to be a little dramatic sometimes.  My Daughter is usually dramatic because I've told her no for some reason....like "no, you can't go climbing over the pasture fence to see the donkey."

Yesterday I stopped by to give the 3 mares psyllium before my lessons started, just a quick 'hello girls, enjoy your yummies' sort of drop by.  Came back after my lessons were over and got a call from my vet saying she was home if I wanted to bring Opals paperwork by for her to fill out, so I jumped back into my car for the second time without taking Opal out.  I guess you Opal found this completely unacceptable as once I returned, she did this to Ehawee's halter and lead rope.  Opal could not reach hers, but I think she was trying to make a point.

  

I think she wants out....just a hunch.

After the girls time out, Opal did this with her bucket.

Ok, Ms. Drama Queen, I hear you.

Today I brought Opal a toy/treat in one.  She enjoyed the treat part, time will tell if she decided to play with it or not.   

 

MMMMMMM, Carrots, my favorite.

While they are in their own stalls now, they have no shortage of time out.  They get lounged and/or turned out daily.  In another month we should be ready to start riding again.

Emerald

Emerald is getting great at putting her fly mask on.....and taking it off.  I don't know if she has help taking it off, or shes just clever.  I put it on each afternoon, and each morning its in her stall, on the floor....I'm going to have to watch her the next time I'm at the barn all day....clever girl.

Each day I take Emmy for a little walk, venturing further around the barn.  She's been in each arena now, including the covered arena, as well as through the trail course.  Emmy really likes bathes and with it being warm that's fine with me.  

 Drink up!

She (and my girls for that matter) have become very attached to Ranger, Tami's mustang gelding.  Emmy gets upset when he walks away from her in his pasture, but shes getting over it.  Ehawee and Emmy have now worked out who's calling the shots in the barn....its Ehawee...and Emmy seems to be ok with that.

Today I lounged Emmy over some pool noodles.  Noodles are a fun tool to have for training.  They can make a 'car wash' for a trail course, be used for poles, work with a horse on being touched while keeping a safe distance, the list goes on.  Emmy nosed them around for a bit before I set up and 'L' for her to step over.  She jumped the first time and looked at the noodle, but after that she worked over them with ease.  Another warm day ended with her getting rinsed off and water play.  

 Working on the Friendly game and 'follow the leader'.

My big helper assisting in cleaning up after my training session with Emmy.