Easyboots, a mixed blessing

I turned Riley out the other morning. He walked through a pasture of decent footing and grass to stand in a remote corner of fetlock-deep mud. Bye, bye, one-week-old left front shoe and pad. We hardly knew yee. Dammit Ri!

The one positive of this situation is that the Easyboot I've had for oh, six months, can finally be put to the test. I wrapped Ri's foot in duct tape, lined the boot with a roll of that disposable leg wrap stuff, and put on the boot. Then I took him out to lunge.

He looked great. Fantastic in fact, striding out as much as I've ever seen him. I got on him and rode him, lightly, for about 15 minutes. Could this be a Viable Solution to shoes? I wonder....

I turned him out in the same boot, and made him canter a bit in the pasture. The boot stayed on.

Pinch me.

A few hours later I bring him in, and remove the boot, envisioning a future where Ri's heels can expand and the barefoot aficianados are giving my blog a high-five. Maybe, maybe not. The back of the boot had rubbed his pastern, right along the line of a seam -- not ugly, but not acceptable either. I think Easyboot sells Gaitors. Must look into that.

Scene from a window-sill

For so long, RK was afraid. Now, he's  resigned. Here is a mini-stalk session.

Can we be friends? Huh? Huh? Huh?

Between photo 1 and 2, RK hissed quietly. Newman backed off.

I love RK's eyes here. The look is "Make this dude go away."

Newman and Red Kitka: Budding Friendship?

Close but no cigar, Guy.

Newman is trying to make friends, in his clumsy, semi-agressive, I-was-socialized-at-a-shelter kind of way. A typical scenario:

-Newman and Red Kitka (RK) will be in a room, at opposite ends,  unaware of each other.
-Newman stares at RK like he is seeing him for the first time.
-He starts to slink toward RK, belly to the ground, in hunting mode.
-From about 10 feet away, Newman charges RK.
-RK stands his ground, hissing, ears pinned.
-Newman takes a seat inches from RK. For about a minute they stare at one another.
-Newman lays down.
-He lies on his side
-He exposes his belly.
-RK looks down for a moment, then walks away in disdain.
-The cycle starts again about an hour later

For so long, RK was afraid. Now, he's  resigned. Here is a mini-stalk session. I love RK's expression.

Can we be friends? Huh? Huh? Huh?

Between photo 1 and 2, RK hissed quietly. Newman backed off.

I love RK's eyes here. The look is "Make this dude go away."

Declawing: Why is this even a discussion?

Softclaws--I'll let ya know how it goes...

When we got Newman, I had to listen to one lecture after another about the evils of declawing. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I GET it already. Then the other night Bob reported that Newman is scratching the furniture. I wasn't too concerned, but Bob cared -- a lot. We have to deal with this, and of course declawing is out of the question.

For me. But not for folks I ran into. A surprising number said "Oh, are you going to declaw?"

I don't like to make people uncomfortable, but the look on my face had to have shown my shock at the very suggestion. People do it. Even today.

Someone at work told me about Softclaws, little claw covers that are applied with adhesive and last six weeks. Naturally, it's for indoor only cats. He told me they work, but he had these neat tips...

• 40 claws are $20 at pet stores, but they can be reused (soak in water to remove adhesive.
• They come in several sizes, from Kitten to "Maine Coon" (XL).
• Some cats try to shake them or bite them off. Try to play with them or feed them right after they're applied.

So I'm gonna try them. If you have a similar problem, you may want to consider it. Wish us luck...

Animals and risk: Cats and horses

Don't tell me indoor cats aren't missing out...

When I was little, the notion of an indoor-only cat was pretty foreign. I seem to remember a lot of declawed cats and reminders that THOSE cats should not go outdoors. But now? The folks who are true cat experts say no-no to outdoor cats. Why the emphasis now on indoor cats?

•  First and foremost, I think pets matter more to us now. Families and marriages split up, people migrate around and jobs make them mobile. Pets may be  the single most consistent thing in our lives. I've known Harvey longer than my husband, and we've been associated longer than any of my PA friends.
• The world is more dangerous. There are more cars, more kids with a lot of anger to vent on animals, there is less room for animals to roam without impacting a neighbor. There is disease, and we're more aware of the diseases. And we're less tolerant of risk to our animals.
• We're so protected these days! Warning labels keep us from hot coffee and other obvious safety threats. Bullying is treated like it's something new instead of a behavior that has existed probably before we had language. Kids are homeschooled to make sure they're not exposed to the great unwashed (don't get me wrong, I'm not against homeschooling). 

Keeping cats indoors is a good idea, but I feel there needs to be moderation and balance in all things.  Letting cats under some circumstances -- supervision, away from the road or known predators, etc -- a nice change for the animal. Some homes are situated in outdoor environments that are (mostly) safe for cats. It's all about tolerable risk. And I think keeping an outdoor cat has to be a choice we can make without scolding or reproach, in all but the most risky situations (highways, dogs, mean kids).

And then I ask myself, how is this different for horses and turnout? Certainly houses are larger and accommodate more natural behaviors than stalls -- and a horse stuck in a stall has health risks like colic, stereotypic behaviors, etc. Horses that are out 24/7, and especially in the natural herd situation, are going to have their injuries. Whether those injuries are more serious than the ones they get working off steam on the lunge line is anyone's guess. Every owner has to decide where they want to fall on the continuum of risk and health and happiness with regard to their horse. It's always hard.

Transitions with Laura Bechtolsheimer

Laura Bechtolsheimer gives good advice on riding transitions. She's such a phenomenon -- larger than life in the dressage community -- yet she is so down to earth here!

There is something to fit everyone -- and that's a good thing!

I have a few "big-headed" friends, and by that I don't mean conceited. I mean, it's hard to find hats to fit, and helmets to fit. Now at last there is an answer...

Hello Newman...

The first day or so our big red cat Russell was home, he seemed elated, and  -- well, grateful. He was a big, sweet, tentative-moving cat.

It didn't stay that way.

Russ got more and more confident, and braver, and he explored the house as if he was claiming it for Spain. At the end of Day 2, he was strutting around, surveying the kingdom that was now his. Day 3 was the start of a distinct sense of kitty entitlement. Frankly, he'd gotten a little smug--scratching the furniture, leaping onto counters where kittens aren't allowed, howling for food, etc. 

"Hello, Newman."

And what about Red Kitty?
Red Kitty was of some interest intially, but he's now a minor player in Russ' world. Maybe RK was a little too fearful, and Russ lost respect.  Now Russ bullies his way in Red Kitty's space. Red Kitty hisses, but he is the Neville Chamberlain of the feline world. He doesn't seem to want to take it further.  They stare at each other balefully.

At one point Bob watched that scenario played out, and noted Red Kitty's narrow-eyed demeanor. He quipped, 'Helloooo, Newman.'

Perhaps now you'll see why we changed Russ' name to Newman. In reality he's much more charming than  Newman, but he chubby, and funny, and he does have a hint of he essence of Newman :-}.

Saddlebred mare does some nice dressage

Sometimes Saddlebreds in dressage can look a bit hollow or tight-backed. Not this one. This may not be the most engaged/collected footage you'll ever see, but it is relaxed and pleasant and the mare looks completely comfortable in her job. And she has nice, nice gaits.

Do you think they'll get along?

New horse, paired off with a mare that has been solo for years. This is the second night of turnout together. Do I think they'll get along? Call it intuition -- I'm thinking yeah, they will...

Red cats and burning bridges. A life's lesson.

By Robbins Richardson

Life teaches us lessons on a regular basis. This week's lesson is about parting shots-- burning bridges, or revenge, or sucker punches. It's so easy to slam the door on your way out, to blast an email, cuss someone out and hang up the phone -- it's safe, and satisfying, just spew and exit. Every so often I relearn why this is a loser way to act. Directly or indirectly,  I was reminded again,  through animals, why there is such a thing as manners.

My red cat
I was really ticked off when I was on the phone with the cat rescue interviewer. I thought things had gone south irreparably--the lady seemed unreasonable and nothing I said helped. I wanted to lash out, and to give this lady a piece of my mind about her standards, and her closed-mindedness, and her rudeness, and her willingness to put her own views above the cat's welfare. But I didn't. I restated my interest in the cat, and in working with her, and I expressed a optimism I didn't feel. I was polite, but felt righteous anger that ate at me for days.

This past Saturday I met the rescue lady -- "dragon lady" in my imagination--in person. The rescue lady was physically handicapped, slight, and birdlike in her movements. Her hair was badly dyed black, and partly because of that she looked pale. It was written in her eyes -- this woman had not had an easy life.

As we sat down, I noticed she had a stack of single-spaced, double-sided instructions for cat care. All that information was for us. She patiently told us about her cat care regimen, complete with anecdotes to illustrate her points, and for two hours we listened while she covered every topic. This woman loves cats beyond all reason, and every story, every anecdote about cats she had placed, and the cats that had been hurt or injured as a result of poor care, she kept close to her heart. She has fifteen cats, and she is devoted to them. What I thought was, this woman is alarmingly like me -- but she's about cats, I'm about horses. I was so thankful I had held my tongue.

I thought Bob would bristle at having to sit through her soliloquy -- believe me she was not telling us anything we didn't know. But when I looked at him he was nodding and absorbed in her words. When she left, he said "I'm glad we support that group. They really care." One thing about Bob, he is a good judge of people and their motivations. He saw what I saw.


The lesson
Again and again, I learn that when you want to be impulsive you should wait it out. You have to give people a chance, and at least try to understand their view.  An email flame, the putdown, the going-behind-the back, is just a sign of someone who wants to make their point without having to expose themselves to alternative views. It's a giant middle finger that says I'm the only perspective that matters here. It's ego.

This was a special lady, and I was so wrong about her, and I'm so happy to be wrong. And now, because of her, I have an orange cat that I'll appreciate even more because she reminded me of how precious these animals are. Thanks rescue lady.

Red cat Russell makes himself at home

As I shot this video (about an hour after we put him in the cage), I considered naming him Regal instead of Russell. Bob was dead-set against Regal (ease of pronunciation is a consideration). Oh well. Russell will be regal whether that's his name or not.

He's been out of the cage since Sunday am. He's comfy upstairs and makes adventurous forays into other parts of the house, and he'll follow us anywhere if we take the time to entice him. A brave boy! He and Red Kitty are in a bit of an impasse -- no theatrics but caution, caution, caution, esp. on Red Kitty's part. Russell, who's witnessed the comings and goings of many cats at the shelter, initially made every effort to get along. When Red Kitty hissed or growled, he'd roll  on the carpet and expose his belly -- I'm a lover, not a fighter. Now, he is a little more on the alert, but definitely more for defense than offense.

Overall it's going in the right direction. They'll sit within a few feet of one another, maybe three times a day, neither looking too comfortable. I make a point of sitting near them and petting both, and it's reassuring to see them both relax. Russell is getting more and more confident, and Red Kitty is more accepting, with each passing day. I can't wait to see them become friends. I know it'll happen.

Russell comes home

We picked Russell up this afternoon. Bob was nervous and concerned about how Red Kitty would react. On the drive over he kept saying "I hope we're doing the right thing." I kept my mouth shut but man, was that irritating.

He had not met Russell at the shelter. We had an exchange in front of the shelter volunteer that I'm not proud of.

Bob:           Which one is he?
Me:             One of the two red ones on the sink.
Bob:           You don't KNOW?
Me:             I think he's the one looking at us.
Volunteer:  Yes, that's right!
[She inspects to make sure his claws are clipped. He looks scruffier than I remembered. There is a long silence, then..]
Bob:          That one? That's the one you picked?" 
Me:           Bob--Shut up.

Russell yowls all the way home while I talk to him in soothing tones.  Bob notes that he smells. I'm ready to clock my husband.  We get home in about 20 minutes. I bring him into the guest room where the cat cage is, while Bob handles Red Cat. Red Cat seems pretty calm.

Russell walks into the cage. He is wide-eyed for a few minutes, but then he assumes the classic bread loaf position that indicates he feels okay. I let him out for a bit and hold him, and after a spell he goes back into the cage. He starts kneading the many layers of blankets, and he curls up against the armrest. I made Bob come and spend time with him, and we laugh at how quickly he's acclimated.

"He thinks he's having a spa day," Bob said.

For just a few moments, we let Red Kitty in. They touch noses, and while Red Kitty has a fat tail, there is no hissing. Russell looks completely undefensive.

I think it's going to be okay. But we have to give that cat a bath!

Foxton Farm: Where I learned to ride in Indiana

In 7th grade I talked my parents into letting me take riding lessons. They agreed, in part because one of my church friends (Wilene are you reading this?) also took lessons and boarded a horse there. Board was $140 a month I think? Could that be right? The farm was on a dirt road between numerous very small towns. A lovely, but very midwestern, farm. Here is a picture. I don't believe the farm is for sale any more.

The owners, Bob and Dacia Funkhouser, were good folks, and Bob was also the Master of Hounds of the Romwell Foxhunt. Because of Bob I learned that it's okay when other adults yell at you. I remember being a whiny kid, and not the hardest worker. I learned a lot of lessons of adulthood there, and it was one of the few places where I functioned without the protection and oversight of my parents. What are your kid memories of riding and horses?

Quaterback colt with "unusual movement" :-)

I totally love this video, but if I were the owner, I'd leave the ball out of the next sales video! Unless you're selling your colt on cuteness alone, or want to show off his spectacular leaps, put it at the end.  He's clearly an athlete but it's a little hard to judge his movement.

Heck,  it's an unusual and charming video -- maybe he'll sell faster!

A Horse astray in Stockholm

I don't remember much about the plot of this book, but I remember the pictures showing the pony in various locales around the city. It was so charming, I read it over and over again.

Just looking at this cover takes me back to long afternoons I spent at the library, assisted by a grumpy but competent librarian. She must have dreaded my visits, where I asked for peculiar things like books on wolves, jumping horses, and sharks (this was in the sixties, pre-Jaws).  I wonder why a little public library in Lafayette, Indiana would have A Horse Astray in Stockholm on its shelves.

Big movin'

I love the knee action and that big steep. Lovely video.

More tidbits on lameness evaluations

In some respects, diagnosing lameness can be a numbers game. While you have to go with what you see, keep these stats in mind. I guess it's like the old med school adage, don't look for zebras when it's probably a horse...

• 3/4 of lamenesses are in the forelimb, because 60% of the horse's weight is carried on the forehand. Hind limbs propel, front limbs absorb shock.
• 95% of front leg lamnesses occur in the knee down.
• In the hind limb, 80% of the lamenesses are in the hock and stifle.
• Lameness of duration of a month or more is considered chronic, and the prognosis is more guarded.
• Working the horse on a hard surface, the sound leg will make more noise (as it carries more weight for greater concussion) than the unsound leg.
• Dressage, reining, and pulling horses may actually exhibit more hind leg lameness, since their "job" involves more weight carrying on the hind limbs...

 I know one psychological tendency that many of us have is to look for more hopeful diagnoses, however much more unlikely, to get a better prognosis. Hey, I'm all for that. :-)

Prix St. Georges Quarter Horse, whattagoodboy!

I'm liking this footage -- he isn't built for the sport, but doesn't he have a ton of try? Makes a pretty picture, and he looks fun to ride. Congrats and good luck to the new owners, whoever they turn out to be...

Spurs that jingle jangle jingle

Swan Neck spurs

The spurs I have on loan are these -- they look amazingly harsh but I'm told that they are for tall people whose legs hang too far down to use spurs effectively (waves hand wildly, that's me!).

That said, they could quite possibly will give Riley a heart attack. One of Riley's "guest riders," the LVDA Adult team coach, rode him with big-ass, roweled spurs that she uses on her Friesian. Talk about a tuneup. Ri was totally yes, ma'am.

Really? For Riley?
At my level, and at Ri's level, I'm not really a fan of wearing spurs. I'm going to have to really focus on using them in an educated way. The thing is, he really needs to use that hind end to lighten the front feet and keep them in good shape.

Harvey resented spurs so much when you applied them he shut down like an engine seizing up. Riley reacts right now, but eventually, if they're not used right, he'll tune them out. I have done a little research on the Web (lazy me) and here are some tidbits of advice...

• The spur is used to lift the horse up to give elevation to the steps, so it really shouldn't be used to make the horse go forward. 
• Spurs are designed to be used in a smooth upward manner.
• Bumping, poking, jabbing, or spurring down instead of up will cause the horse to wring or switch its tail. 
• This Simply Strapping article gives a ton of detail on the fit of the spur and placement of the strap.
• The Regarding horses blog has reviewed the Spursuaders.

My biggest challenge is based on the advice that the Adult Team coach gave me -- use'em, mean it, make your point, and leave it behind. Meaning, don't nag. I'm a nagger by nature, so this will test my mettle for sure. 

Want more? ME TOO! Carl Hester "funny preview"

So, is Horse and Country TV exclusively for the Brits? Are we not truly a global marketplace? Someone tell me how we can watch this series!!! Meanwhile, here is a "funny preview" that ends with the best footage and makes me want to train with Carl...

At home with Carl Hester

Since that ride on Uthopia a few weeks ago, Carl Hester seems to be THE MAN! Here is a nice video on his "yard" (as they say in the UK) -- pretty good digs, yes? I also love the outdoor feel, but especially how the cats and dogs are part of every shot. And of course, the dutch doors.

Fire up for Devon

I'm one of those people that does not win contests or raffles, so this was a refreshing change. I entered a drawing and won two tix to Devon from PA Equestrian. Thanks guys! This is my cue to get all fired up for Devon :-)

Gaga over horses -- when did it all begin?

My pretty pony, circa 1965

When I try to examine why I'm so gaga about horses, I look back to my childhood to remember when this obsession started.  Being a librarian, is it any surprise that it started with books? My earliest memory related to horses was a Golden Book called  The Colt in the China Shop.  It was a variation on the theme of the bull in the china shop but with appealing pictures of a young colt.

Oh how I loved that book.

It was hardly the kind of book that you keep -- cardboardy and cheap, and I can't find references to it online anywhere. Another book I adored was  Whatever happens to baby horses? -- also a Golden book. I still own this book, and what awesome illustrations! The premise is that you see pix of  a fuzzy, cute foal, and then a picture the horse all grown up and doing a job like pulling a plow, doing police work, working with cattle, or jumping.  Great for kids.

This may have started my childhood obsession with palaminos -- or it may have been Marguerite Henry...

Golden Books generally rock it with horse-themed books, and I think the pictures are just wonderful. Black Beauty was another one of my favorites, which I've blogged about. Check out the link to see the cover of the book -- doesn't BB just glow?

So what are your first memories of loving horses? What do you think inspired your obsession?

CATching up

Mia

I'm not a patient person, and impulse control is not my forté. But when I have a chance to think, I get a grip on reality. Yes, I've waited a bit long to hear from the cat rescue -- but there was a hurricane, and I learned that my interviewer has not had power since Sunday of the hurricane. She did call me  over Labor Day weekend, which was nice.

Deep, cleansing breaths...
I called her back today, and got her in person, and I got a better feeling about the situation. We have an interview scheduled for Saturday, with both Bob and I, at home. We at least have a chance.

So it's hopeful, but I need to face the possibility that I might not get the cat we're trying to adopt.  And let's face it:  THERE ARE MANY NEEDY CATS.  I started searching other pet sites, and now I have a call in about this cat Mia -- in case things fall through with my big orange cat. 

Oh, the orange boy. I don't even want to think about him until we know it's a "go"...

Cat-astrophe

 Update 6pm 9/6/11: Take this with a grain of salt guys. There is an update, and the news is hopeful. I was pretty upset when I wrote this.

---

Waiting, waiting, on a call from the cat shelter interviewer.  You'll get a call in a few days, I'm told on Saturday.  I call Wednesday. I call Friday. Nope, no one has called, and the volunteer on the phone offers to make an inquiry. Saturday morning, I finish riding, mucking, cleanup, and get to the car to find a voice message from Rachel, the interviewer, telling me she'd call me back. I return her call. She answers, but doesn't sound happy to hear from me.

R: "Oh -- I said I'd call you back. I'm with someone now."

Me: "No problem, I can call later."

R: "No, no, I'll just make time. I didn't call you back because I've been a week without power, and my mom has been in and out of the ER."

Me: "Oh, I'm sorry. Are you sure you can talk now?"

[silence, and the sound of her fumbling with paperwork.]

R: "Okay, I have your paperwork in front of me now."

Me: Anyway, thanks! I've been anxious to get things under way."

R: "Here's the issue -- your husband lets his cat outside." 

Me: "This cat will be inside. Our last cat died of renal failure in the spring, but he never went outside."

[The interviewer begins a practiced soliloquy I learn that being outside is dangerous for cats, but not for the reasons I would expect, like cars and disease. I guess in this area hawks are an issue. Rachel sounds world-weary, and not-at-all encouraging. She is preaching to the choir. How can I let her know?]

Me: "Yes, I've talked to Bob, he's willing to convert our cat to an indoor cat, we put that in the applic--"

Phone goes dead. I wait for her to call, since I'm driving and it's hard to get to her phone number, but she doesn't. Knowing she is with someone, and that her mood is not great, I pick up the phone and dial anyway.

She picks up, and tells me to call back when I have a better connection. I sort of insist we continue talking, because I know in my heart she is not going to be easy to reach. Our call is dropped two more times, and I'm almost home anyway. I call her from our land line, and the phone goes directly to voice mail. I leave a chirpy message restating our interest in adopting, and tell her I'm hope for another two hours. Two days later, she has not called me back.  Now it is Monday, Labor Day, and it's not really fair to expect a call over the Labor Day weekend. I'm lucky she called me Saturday, I guess. Now what to do?

To be continued

Hawley Bennet helmet-cam at Burghley

Wow, that's a lotta galloping! She had one stop, but a great ride on her mare Gin'nJuice...

Sinead Halpin: Dressage at Burghley

Sinead Halpin is the top U.S. rider after the dressage phase, Her test is pretty exemplary, and a good look at how to ride a horse Manoir de Carneville -- a Selle Francais not bred for dressage -- and make him look great.

Fire and Ice: Top Oldenburg mare

A friend of mine suggested I check out this mare, Fire and Ice. She is the 2011 Champion of the Brilliant Ring at the Oldenburg Elite Mare Show in Rasteded Germany. She is by DeNiro, Ri's grandfather, who was performing Grand Prix tests at the age of 8 and was known for his good temperament. She sure sits down when she trots...

You can read more about her at Eurodressage.com's article on the Championships.

Black Beauty: Inspiring generations of animal lovers

Who doesn't remember the first time they read Black Beauty? Ginger, Merrylegs, the kid that made Black Beauty sick, the mean lady who used the check rein.

I had this Golden Book of course, but i also read the full book, saw the movie (baaaad), and adopted the thesis hook, line, and sinker.

Horses are people too.

May all horses have BB's happy ending.

Riley rebounds -- looking pretty good I think

Riley is feeling 100% better after some rest and his new shoes. I had a friend pop up on him the other day so I could see how he looked. He's a bit unsteady in the contact toward the end of this very short clip -- he tends to shake his head in that particular corner of the arena, maybe because there is no wall there, maybe for another reason, but when you just look at his legs they're moving evenly to me.

I had a chiropractor/accupuncturist/vet out today -- a real leap of faith for me, as I'm a devotee of modern medicine with all its lovely chemicals and quick fixes. What the chiro told me does jibe with my experience, though, so hopefully it is (lots and lots of) money well spent. She felt his right front fetlock joint was tight, and that there might be something askew with the sesamoid area. She felt his left front may be showing up as the lamer side (when he is off) because he is carrying more weight on it to relieve the right front. Normally clubby foots carry less weight, all other things being equal. As to the accupuncture -- Riley wasn't sure what to make of it, but at least he wasn't oblivious.