Survival!

Yesterday, for the first time in 2016, four things lined up: it wasn't raining (or snowing), it had not done either of those things in the last few days and the footing was good, I got out of work before dark, and the temperature was above 45.

So, we headed up to the outdoor arena for our first outdoor schooling of the season.

My goal for this one was primarily "don't die." Tristan tends to be a total ass for our first few rides outside in the season. He's both excited to be outside and angry to be working so far away from the barn and his stall. There are plenty of distractions.

this view never gets old

He feels a little bit like riding a wonky bottle rocket, honestly. All that fizz but no clear focus or direction. And since he's so rarely like this, I always struggle to manage it in the way that's best for him.

We ended up walking for the first 15 minutes, until he started to relax, blow out, and hold less tension along his back. Then we picked up a trot with the same goal, gradually adding in circles and diagonals. I picked up the bit, but only enough to feel it and let him know I was here and ready to start to steer.

We picked up a canter for a little bit, which was really more straight up and down than actually workmanlike. Plus, it had that edge of potential bolt at any moment, especially directed toward the barn. But I picked it up and put it down a few times to confirm that I did, in fact, have control of him with my core and my seat and the reins, and then we were done.

I was riding way more defensively than I would have liked, but I got the job done nonetheless.

Tristan was less than pleased with the whole endeavour, of course.

Wordless Wednesday

None of the words I have are good, so here, have some picspam of my last week or so.

(the cat would not let her share the water bowl, with much hissing for emphasis)

(i am a pro at conformation shots that make my horse look absolutely awful)

Spring 2016 Vaccinations

Previously, in 2014, I did a quick table of the vaccines that Tristan usually gets. It's changed a lot over the years.

So what did he get this year?

Some things are standard: rabies, flu/rhino, and Eastern/Western/Tetanus, West Nile.

In the past, I noted that he got strangles at the discretion of the vet and the barn. This year, we passed on the strangles vaccine because there's a pregnant mare in the barn, and there were concerns about the live virus vaccination. My barn takes biosecurity very seriously, which is a thing that I appreciate and support, so no strangles until after the foal arrives - and maybe not even then. We won't be traveling much.

Tris will get Potomac and a flu/rhino booster in the fall as usual.

One new development this year is that my vet noted that she now has a Lyme vaccine available, but did not recommend it for Tris this year. We haven't had many ticks in this part of Vermont, and in fact I've never pulled one off Tris at this barn. I have definitely done so at previous barns! I've emailed her and asked for more information, since I didn't realize it was available for horses yet.

Last year, Tris had some mild reactions to his vaccines, and this year the vet gave him some banamine alongside his vaccines. He was still quite sluggish for our ride the next night. An interesting new development for him, as he'd never previously been a horse to react in any way - even having all his vaccines on the same day with zero stiffness in his neck. Age, I guess!

Are you opting for anything different in terms of vaccination this year?

House Post: Front Entryway

A few weeks ago, I found myself in the front entryway. Some of the wallpaper was peeling, so I tugged it. I truly had no intention of making it a project for the day, but - I started and it came off so easily that I couldn't stop. 

Because this is what was underneath the wallpaper.

It's damaged and faded, but SO beautiful. I cannot fathom the decision to cover it up with floral wallpaper. I just can't.

We'll see if it survives. I emailed pictures to a paintings conservator. I have only the bare bones of the education and skill it would take to restore it, but perhaps with some guidance we can bring it back. Here's the worst part of it - the paint came off with the wallpaper. I was so over eager I just pulled. But on the flip side - if I had steamed it, the paint probably would have been more badly damaged.

So: the house holds surprises still!

Coggins Forms Online!

O, what a fascinating modern world we live in.

I got this email the evening after Tristan's first round of spring shots.

Here's what the link got me.

My previous Coggins is in there as well, but I have zero memory of having access to it, and had to set up a new account this year, so I think I just got emailed a PDF before.

This is freaking awesome. I always scanned my Coggins certificates so I would have them in the cloud in case I lost or forgot it. We've come a long way from those carbon copies in triplicate!

Does your vet do something like this, or are you still getting handwritten copies?