It's too darn hot

The dog days of summer seem to have arrived bringing tropical weather and stormy skies. Harley and the girls stomp and swish away the flies, dropping weight in the process. Thunderstorms stalk us, leaving little room for riding. But the urge to throw a leg over Harley and ride off into the steamy woods, hounded by deer flies holds little appeal. This is the time of year when I can't wait for September.

Last week, before the monsoon season hit, we went for a very brief, fast morning ride. In an attempt to stay ahead of the bugs, we trotted and cantered wherever footing allowed. Harley pushed into a higher gear, not quite a gallop, in his zeal to stay caught up with Rolex.

When they get into "racing mode" in the woods, things can get dicey, especially when we're headed home. A couple of hemlock branches skimmed my helmet as Harley surged forward, reminding me why a lacrosse helmet might be a better choice for trail riding!

Rolex, feeling full of herself, decided to throw in a couple of little bucks. Poor John, riding Rolex in a halter with perlon (climbing rope) reins, said the rope just slid through his hands. I think it might be time to get his Dr.Cook's bridle repaired! It's bad enough to have no brakes in the bitless bridle, but even worse with a halter and rope burns!

I think Harley and Rolex had a good time--a chance to stretch their legs and escape the monotony of fighting off biting flies. But once we bathed the horses, the horse flies descended like Apache helicopters, closing in on their targets. And boy, are those guys resilient! They need a stunning smack followed by a crushing boot heel! It seems they appear out of nowhere as soon as the hose starts to run. After their baths, the horses enjoyed a good nosh on some exceptionally tender clover, followed by a snooze in the cool, dark of their stalls with blowing fans. Ahhh----now that feels good!

Harley sneaks in some bites from a fresh hay bale

We're on the hunt for some alfalfa or alfalfa blend hay. John is trying to wean them off feed and keep the horses on a forage diet, supplemented by a balancer, rice bran, flax seed, and beet pulp. They seem to be doing well on this plan. The hardest part is finding really, really good hay. We have a couple of leads and hopefully, we can track down a steady supplier.

I read a number of blogs, and follow a number of OTTB groups. Many of my fellow bloggers are recreational horse people like myself. Some are much more intense in their desire to compete, and to attain a certain level. And though I may have mental images of riding Harley in a show (someday), chances are slim that we'll ever enter a show ring. I know I don't work hard enough in that direction--either with myself or Harley--but I'm having so much fun with him, it really doesn't matter. I accept his shortcomings as I hope he accepts mine, although I try to improve my horsemanship each time I ride.

I recently read a piece on the Retired Racehorse Project website about a woman and her OTTB Schmoopy. She's happy at the level she's reached with her horse, and happy just to have him in her life. Her love for her horse shines through in the self-deprecating descriptions of her riding, his shortcomings, and his shining strengths. Kudos to Malinda Lawrence!

It's too darn hot

I don't feel like I'm missing out on any stupendous riding right now. The temperature keeps soaring up around 90 and the hazy skies hold little appeal. Horse flies, deer flies, and greenheads abound, buzzing in annoying circles around the horses and me. While my shoulder heals, we're all taking a break.

Snoozing Ruffy

Yesterday was "spa day" at the barn complete with baths, total grooming from nose to tail and down to their toes. They got some respite from the heat and high noon sun by spending the better part of the day in their stalls, away from the flies, with fans ruffling their manes.

Rolex getting her "treatment" after a roll in her shavings

By the time the sun was behind the trees, we put the horses back out for dinner. The barn felt warmer than outdoors, and since a breeze kicked up, it wasn't too bad. I think Harley was getting bored and needed a new place to crib. His stall guard can only take so much pressure--he's popped it out once this week!

The cribmeister killing time

It's weather like this that makes me long for September when the days are still long, but with a crisper tang in the air. And by then, my shoulder should definitely be back in shape!
Stay cool, fellow riders!

Back on track

Back to work for Harley

The vet came out last Friday and gave poor Harley a shot for his hives. He's on a regimen of dosing, twice a day with "apple-flavored" dexamethasone mixed into my homemade cardamom apple butter (a great masking agent). The hives dissipated rapidly, and only small bumps on his neck remain. Without doing an expensive allergy test, I really won't know what caused it. But should they return, I may have to go that route to eliminate the problem.

As for the saddle issue--I realize my relic doesn't fit him perfectly, but I think the heat bump on his back was actually a hive reacting to the heat and pressure on the ride. Given that there was no weeping or rawness, it's healing up rapidly. So I tried using a clean pad, topped with a Cavallo wool-backed/foam combo half pad under John's Tekna saddle.

Rebekah on Ruffy

Harley was feeling good, having had the last 2 weeks off. John and Rebekah were working the fillies in the ring and I attempted to join them, but 'ole Snarley Harley was being naughty, so I headed out to the woods for a little trotting work where he wouldn't be distracted by his girlfriends. As he snorted and pranced, the trot quickly became a sideways canter up the hill. By now, John and Rebekah were ready to take the girls out on the trail for an easy cool-down. Not so for Harley....

Not one to be left last, he maintained his position in the field, first or second. Being in third position, or last, when there's more than two horses makes for an interesting ride. He is actually a good influence most of the time as the leader. He keeps Rolex, and especially Ruffy, from rushing up hills and charging over brooks, although Ruffy still would prefer to jump ditches rather than muddy up her feet!

As we neared the top of the steep incline on the Lollipop Loop, Rolex began favoring a hind foot. John dismounted and checked her foot and leg. Nothing was apparent, but we decided to turn back. I jumped down too, then walked a little further up where there was more room to turn around. Harley suddenly realized Ruffy was heading back down the trail, and Rolex was out of sight! Yikes, we gotta go ma!  Of course, there was no way to get back on him as he pranced sideways like it was post time,  and I struggled to stay afoot. I had neglected to put on my halter/lead combo (hence the lack of noseband in the photo) and regretted it now. After clambering back down the slope I caught up to John and Rebekah, remounted and we jogged/fast walked our way home.

Rolex appeared sound. We think she may have whacked her fetlock on something. And Harley's back appeared fine--no welts, no rubbing. That pleased me and may allow a postponement on saddle hunting if we play musical saddles on the horses.

Our fine cool weather is leaving today--sultry summer heat is upon us. Here come the deer flies,  horse flies, and thunderstorms. I'm already thinking about cool fall riding!