So I was pretty royally bummed about standing Nicole up (I'm so sorry, even though I couldn't help it...I feel horrible). So we just had to suck it up, pull our big girl panties on and ride out here. We paced as best we could, did a lot of hill intervals, took some time to eat grass, stopped for a drink of water three times at her favorite little drinking spot and she drank really good twice. I was test riding her Abetta splint boots, and my new chaps that I'd never had on. Thought if I was using those on a ride I may as well see how they work for us. Somewhere out there, we lost one of my bottles of water. I drink copious amounts of water when I'm riding, so that left me with only the one bottle today and I had to ration it. Was dry as the desert when we got back. There were people camping on the property where I ride, and I'm grateful for having that riding privilege, so we had to alter our route today to accomodate the folks having some privacy, so I lost one of my longer stretches of flat to trot on. We went a little farther back and did our trotting on a dirt road that circles a field, we cantered parts of it once she quit boogering at her shadow, and we trotted hill, after hill, after hill. I have her HRM set to go off if her pulse exceeds 150, and we were going off on almost every hill, but she came back to a good working rate quickly, so I think we were okay. We even cantered a short way today with a pulse in the aerobic range and THAT WAS A FIRST! So some of those hill intervals are beginning to slowly pay off. I usually walk Phebes in the last 1/2 mile, but today we trotted in and cantered the last little bit since it was home and not ride camp. I was curious if this would blow her pulse, but with some sponging she was down to 55 in 5 minutes. No interest what so ever in her hay or horse chow, but when I turned her out she rolled and got stinky dirty and then cantered herself to the back field and started stuffing grass like no tomorrow. She just wants grass, period.
Concerns:
I have issues with trotting my horse through mud. Injury isn't worth it to me and I'm not sure at our rate we'll finish in time. It wouldn't be a total tragedy, but nor would it make my weekend particularly a "happy place" either. Our time today for ten miles was 2:15 and we did dawdle around eating grass at various times. Had the footing been better, I could definitely have kicked it up another notch.
She has been getting electrolytes and it has helped significantly with her urge to drink. Noticed today though that her droppings were a little loose, so wondering if I should split her doses? Maybe a half dose in the morning, and a half dose at the break if she drinks something? Loose stools are not good, as that would further dehydrate your horse. So my thinking is that a full dose at once may not be just right for her. She loves getting her e-lytes though. She always gets a two syringe chaser of Gatorade and let me tell you she savors every single drop!
For the rest of this week I'm not going to work her too hard. Just take her out and loosen things up and bring her back, or do a half hour of schooling. Mostly I want her to recover from today, rehydrate and relax until we leave for Henryville.
Then there is the issue with the truck. Must have brakes to pull and STOP trailer. I'm wondering if Mel's truck had a virus? Did we catch it by blogging? *wink* ~E.G.
You had better not pass that virus onto my truck!!!
ReplyDeleteI commented to Nichole that my woods trails weren't bad at all. I even went up that killer steep hill of my neighbors.
Ran up the mile long gravel drive way. One boot came off and I started to slow her down and then the other. One wire completely snapped. (can be fixed if I buy the $6.50 wire again). Last weekend they both came off at the same time at a hand gallop behind my property. Earlier that day Shazam completely destroyed his brand new boots. I have adjusted these boots and they fit, just like they are supposed to, I know it. I just cannot keep any boots on my horses when I do any speed work. (haven't really done any mud with them lately)I know Stormy over reaches and catches them with her hinds. (Laura and Allen have seen her do it). I am ashamed to admit I have a farrier coming out Monday to shoe those two. I I have owned horses since I was 7 and never shod any of them. But I have just too many gravel roads around here to go barefoot. The horses will do it but then are foot sore for a week. The farrier is aware of their forging. And says they will stay on. If they dont' he'll come out and put them on again at no charge. And a $3 shoe is a lot cheaper to replace and an $80 boot. I just hope and pray these actually stay on!!!
Michelle
I started conditioning in mud at home, so if we get mud at rides, I'll feel the horse is ready. Also, it has been so muddy in the pasture, and they fly across at a high rate of speed with me saying "don't hurt yourself, don't hurt yourself........" that I figure he is more prepared than ever for mud. Just condition for it like any thing. Sand, hills etc.
ReplyDeleteAnd for those who use them, smaller doses of e'lytes more frequent is prefered by many instead of full doses
Michelle,
ReplyDeleteEasycare is coming out with an updated version of the Glove. It will have a more obvious breakover, which will move those front hooves out the way a little faster which might help with the forging issue. I know you aren't fond of the Easycare products, but the GLOVE is superior to anything out there IMO. Even when the fit isn't perfect they are better than the Epics. I've yet to have one come off, and that includes uphill cantering, steep uphill climbs, and boot sucking mud. I do ride pretty conservatively, but there are folks out there who are front runners using the Glove with very good result. For competition you can remove the gaitor and Goober Glue them on. They weigh practically nothing, and go on and off in seconds. So far I've never had a rub (knockin' on wood), but the Gloves are coming out with a new free sliding gaiter in July that should eliminate that problem for those who have had issue with it. The inner lining will be a silky slippy material.
TX: yes, I'm thinking half doses are the way to go with her. Half dose in the morning, and half dose at the vet check, and if she seems like she needs it....maybe that evening. I'm pretty sure that is what made her stools loose.