Just a quick update, because wow, time is flying. It's almost Christmas! Apparently the time is not passing as quickly for Nox. He's a little more than halfway through his stall rest and he's not very happy about it. He's bored and antsy and the weather is cold and he wants to move! The second week he rubbed his forehead on the side of his stall and made a huge bald patch there. He's given that up thank goodness, but he's reviving some of his old bad habits, like chewing on the lead rope and nipping at my hand. He just doesn't like being cooped up, poor guy. I have started bring him out of his stall to groom him, so at least he can enjoy a change of scenery (even if it is technically just the other side of his stall door) and he's mellowed a little. The vet comes back in the beginning of January and hopefully he's healed up enough that I can at least start walking him around.
We're preparing for an ice storm here in the great frozen north. I'm glad that Nox is safe in a cozy barn with the stable owners onsite. Best Husband Ever, Moose, and I are walking like penguins so we don't slip on the ice outside. Happy Holidays to all and I'll be seeing some of you in a few days! Yay!
Friday, December 20, 2013
Sunday, November 24, 2013
The eyes never lie...
How horses look at me:
How dogs look at me:
How babies look at me:
How dogs look at me:
How babies look at me:
 |
| (My friend's two week old daughter in my arms) |
I rest my case - I've made the right choices.
Nox's new shoes
Nox got new shoes this past Friday. Dr. Meg, the lameness specialist, prescribed 2 degree lift pads and shoes on his hind hooves, and "eventer" style shoes on the front. The lift pads will ease the strain on his injured ligament (if a lift pad is on one hind hoof, a lift pad has to be on the other hind hoof) and the eventer shoes are slightly rounded on the edges to help Nox's stride. Bill, the farrier, spent a little more than 2 hours trimming Nox's hooves, shaping and pounding the steel shoes, and fitting them perfectly to Nox.
Nox was very antsy after only a week of stall rest, and he was even less pleased at having his hooves messed with for hours, but I managed to take a picture of Bill filing the edge of a hoof. Hooves are like very thick fingernails, and so trimming and nailing a shoe into them doesn't hurt. It's like clipping and filing your own nails - as long as you don't hit the nail bed, it's fine.
Nox still has several weeks of stall rest to go. His next appointment for an ultrasound isn't until the first week in January, and I have to keep him in cooped up in his stall until then! He nudges my arm while I groom him in his stall, trying to convince me to open his stall door and let him out. I feel terrible that I can't, but it's for his own good! Last night was the first really cold night we've had, with a low of 10 degrees and snow, and so I put his winter blanket on before I left the barn. He's warm and cozy in his stall, and hopefully healing well.
Nox was very antsy after only a week of stall rest, and he was even less pleased at having his hooves messed with for hours, but I managed to take a picture of Bill filing the edge of a hoof. Hooves are like very thick fingernails, and so trimming and nailing a shoe into them doesn't hurt. It's like clipping and filing your own nails - as long as you don't hit the nail bed, it's fine.
Nox still has several weeks of stall rest to go. His next appointment for an ultrasound isn't until the first week in January, and I have to keep him in cooped up in his stall until then! He nudges my arm while I groom him in his stall, trying to convince me to open his stall door and let him out. I feel terrible that I can't, but it's for his own good! Last night was the first really cold night we've had, with a low of 10 degrees and snow, and so I put his winter blanket on before I left the barn. He's warm and cozy in his stall, and hopefully healing well.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
I've been so wrong
Remember a few posts ago, when I was worried about what I was going to do? Nox was still lame (horse speak for limping or an abnormal gait, not the modern "he's so lame" sense) and seemed worse than before. I had him evaluated again by the sports therapist who told me not to worry, that he just needed to be pushed through the stiffness in his front left leg, and to work him harder. I decided that if I didn't see improvement in a few months, I would schedule a visit with a lameness specialist vet. In the meantime, I would work him harder.
The lameness is worse. I haven't ridden him in a month, because I just couldn't bear to continue to make him work when he was hurting. I made an appointment with a lameness specialist who makes barn visits. Nox's appointment was yesterday. It was a three step process:
Step One - Flexion Tests and Lunging
Dr. Meg watched Nox walk, trot, and canter in a circle in both directions. Then she performed flexion tests on each leg. She bent a joint in his leg and held it for 30 seconds, and then asked me to trot him away from her in a straight line. She looked for pronounced lameness after each flexion test. Finding: Nox is lame in his right hind leg, around the hock area. My shock: out of all four of his legs, I thought the right hind leg was the only one that was fine. Stupid me.
Step Two - Nerve Block
Dr. Meg blocked the nerve in his right hind leg just above where she suspected the injury was. We waited a few minutes, and then she asked her technician to lunge Nox again. Nox, unable to feel the pain in his right hind leg anymore, floated and bounced around the ring. He extended his front legs and trotted like I've never seen before, and Dr. Meg said, "80% improvement, and by the way, he is a lovely mover." Finding: Nox has a tear in the origin of the suspensory ligament in his right hind leg. My shock: the pain in his right hind leg is causing all of the problems, including the short strides in the front legs.
Step Three: Ultrasound
Dr. Meg did an ultrasound on the injured hind leg to see how much damage there was to the suspensory ligament. In order to do the ultrasound, Nox had to be sedated. She gave him just enough drugs to make his head hang down almost to the ground, but he was still barely able to stand. His eyelids drooped, his lower lip flopped, and he swayed back and forth on wobbly legs. I stood by his head and held the lead rope, but he was practically paralyzed and obviously not going anywhere. One of the other boarders, Julie, came over and offered to hold the lead rope so I could see the ultrasound screen better, but as I moved away, Nox noticed. In his drugged state, he couldn't move anything except his tail, which he swished frantically as he tried to lift his head. Julie called me back and I patted Nox's shoulder and talked to him, and he calmed back down. Dr. Meg said it was very sweet, how much he loved me. Findings: Nox's suspensory ligament has a moderate tear, several weeks to months old. The good news is that it has already started healing, despite the fact that he has been working. My shock: he's had a torn ligament and I have been working him harder, instead of treating this painful injury. I should have done this lameness evaluation months ago.
Treatment: 45 days of as much rest as possible and special shoes
Dr. Meg recommended stall rest for 45 days. Nox can only be let out in the indoor ring for a few minutes while his stall is cleaned, as long as he doesn't walk around too much, and he NEVER trots or canters. The fewer steps he takes over the next 6 weeks, the better. He needs wedge shoes on the hind hooves for 5-7 months, at least, and shoes on the front. She will ultrasound him again in 6 weeks and we'll see how he is healing and when he can start easy work again.
Prognosis: he will heal completely and he should be able to return to full work again in a few months. His front legs are fine. I should continue to trim the left front heel down, but the lameness is not coming from the front. Dr. Meg thinks he has a great future and by the looks of his trot during the nerve block, she thinks he'll be "amazing" to ride, once we fix this ligament tear.
Last night, I felt so relieved to have a diagnosis and a plan to fix Nox's lameness. I have been guessing and worrying for so long that I just felt relief to have answers. This morning, the full weight of those answers hit me, and it is devastating. A few months ago, I knew something was different in Nox's gait and I should have scheduled the lameness evaluation right then. Instead, I waited and listened to advice that was wrong. My heart is broken. I pushed my horse to work harder through real pain from a torn ligament when I should have let him rest and heal. He resisted picking up the left lead at the canter and I made him do it anyway. He has to push off with the right hind leg when cantering to the left, and that must have been really painful for him - and I made him do it. He was trying to tell me that he was hurting, and I was hearing him completely wrong. The fact that he did pick up the left lead, that he did trot around the ring and jump over small crossrail jumps, is a testament to how much a good horse will do for his rider, and that breaks my heart even more. I wish he had bucked me off instead and refused to do anything. I went to the barn every day and caused my horse pain. He should be cowering in the back of his stall when he hears me come in, not nickering happily to see me.
Guilt and regret are useless emotions, but I feel so guilty. Best Husband Ever tried to sooth me this morning, as I sobbed and cried on his shoulder. He said all the placating things, like "you were doing what you thought was right", "you weren't intentionally hurting him", "now we know what's wrong and we'll do everything we can to fix him", etc. I just can't believe that I did this to Nox. I'm lucky that despite my mistakes, he will recover fully and I didn't break him forever. I went to the barn today and just hugged him and cried into his neck. I feel so awful and terrible. He wants me to stand by his side when he's drugged and confused, despite the fact that I ignored the signs of his pain and made him work for months. Horses are the most forgiving creatures on earth. He deserves better than what I've done to him. I'm going to do better. Right now, he gets 45 days of rest, lots of carrots, apples, and love, and a promise to listen to him better.
P.S. I've been crying all day and sobbed my way through this blog post, so if there are more spelling/grammar mistakes than usual, please forgive me. (I'll be fine in a few days, but for now, I'm sad and guilt-ridden.)
The lameness is worse. I haven't ridden him in a month, because I just couldn't bear to continue to make him work when he was hurting. I made an appointment with a lameness specialist who makes barn visits. Nox's appointment was yesterday. It was a three step process:
Step One - Flexion Tests and Lunging
Dr. Meg watched Nox walk, trot, and canter in a circle in both directions. Then she performed flexion tests on each leg. She bent a joint in his leg and held it for 30 seconds, and then asked me to trot him away from her in a straight line. She looked for pronounced lameness after each flexion test. Finding: Nox is lame in his right hind leg, around the hock area. My shock: out of all four of his legs, I thought the right hind leg was the only one that was fine. Stupid me.
Step Two - Nerve Block
Dr. Meg blocked the nerve in his right hind leg just above where she suspected the injury was. We waited a few minutes, and then she asked her technician to lunge Nox again. Nox, unable to feel the pain in his right hind leg anymore, floated and bounced around the ring. He extended his front legs and trotted like I've never seen before, and Dr. Meg said, "80% improvement, and by the way, he is a lovely mover." Finding: Nox has a tear in the origin of the suspensory ligament in his right hind leg. My shock: the pain in his right hind leg is causing all of the problems, including the short strides in the front legs.
Step Three: Ultrasound
Dr. Meg did an ultrasound on the injured hind leg to see how much damage there was to the suspensory ligament. In order to do the ultrasound, Nox had to be sedated. She gave him just enough drugs to make his head hang down almost to the ground, but he was still barely able to stand. His eyelids drooped, his lower lip flopped, and he swayed back and forth on wobbly legs. I stood by his head and held the lead rope, but he was practically paralyzed and obviously not going anywhere. One of the other boarders, Julie, came over and offered to hold the lead rope so I could see the ultrasound screen better, but as I moved away, Nox noticed. In his drugged state, he couldn't move anything except his tail, which he swished frantically as he tried to lift his head. Julie called me back and I patted Nox's shoulder and talked to him, and he calmed back down. Dr. Meg said it was very sweet, how much he loved me. Findings: Nox's suspensory ligament has a moderate tear, several weeks to months old. The good news is that it has already started healing, despite the fact that he has been working. My shock: he's had a torn ligament and I have been working him harder, instead of treating this painful injury. I should have done this lameness evaluation months ago.
Treatment: 45 days of as much rest as possible and special shoes
Dr. Meg recommended stall rest for 45 days. Nox can only be let out in the indoor ring for a few minutes while his stall is cleaned, as long as he doesn't walk around too much, and he NEVER trots or canters. The fewer steps he takes over the next 6 weeks, the better. He needs wedge shoes on the hind hooves for 5-7 months, at least, and shoes on the front. She will ultrasound him again in 6 weeks and we'll see how he is healing and when he can start easy work again.
Prognosis: he will heal completely and he should be able to return to full work again in a few months. His front legs are fine. I should continue to trim the left front heel down, but the lameness is not coming from the front. Dr. Meg thinks he has a great future and by the looks of his trot during the nerve block, she thinks he'll be "amazing" to ride, once we fix this ligament tear.
Last night, I felt so relieved to have a diagnosis and a plan to fix Nox's lameness. I have been guessing and worrying for so long that I just felt relief to have answers. This morning, the full weight of those answers hit me, and it is devastating. A few months ago, I knew something was different in Nox's gait and I should have scheduled the lameness evaluation right then. Instead, I waited and listened to advice that was wrong. My heart is broken. I pushed my horse to work harder through real pain from a torn ligament when I should have let him rest and heal. He resisted picking up the left lead at the canter and I made him do it anyway. He has to push off with the right hind leg when cantering to the left, and that must have been really painful for him - and I made him do it. He was trying to tell me that he was hurting, and I was hearing him completely wrong. The fact that he did pick up the left lead, that he did trot around the ring and jump over small crossrail jumps, is a testament to how much a good horse will do for his rider, and that breaks my heart even more. I wish he had bucked me off instead and refused to do anything. I went to the barn every day and caused my horse pain. He should be cowering in the back of his stall when he hears me come in, not nickering happily to see me.
Guilt and regret are useless emotions, but I feel so guilty. Best Husband Ever tried to sooth me this morning, as I sobbed and cried on his shoulder. He said all the placating things, like "you were doing what you thought was right", "you weren't intentionally hurting him", "now we know what's wrong and we'll do everything we can to fix him", etc. I just can't believe that I did this to Nox. I'm lucky that despite my mistakes, he will recover fully and I didn't break him forever. I went to the barn today and just hugged him and cried into his neck. I feel so awful and terrible. He wants me to stand by his side when he's drugged and confused, despite the fact that I ignored the signs of his pain and made him work for months. Horses are the most forgiving creatures on earth. He deserves better than what I've done to him. I'm going to do better. Right now, he gets 45 days of rest, lots of carrots, apples, and love, and a promise to listen to him better.
P.S. I've been crying all day and sobbed my way through this blog post, so if there are more spelling/grammar mistakes than usual, please forgive me. (I'll be fine in a few days, but for now, I'm sad and guilt-ridden.)
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Thoughts on being Special...
There is a really nice woman at the barn who has been helping me with Nox. Julie taught me how to ground drive and she's currently helping me with exercises for Nox to get him to bend and be more supple. She specializes in buying young horses, training them, showing them for a few years, and then selling them. She's very talented and she cares very much for her horses, but she does not get overly attached to them.
Julie has been hinting that I should get a second horse. "We won't give up on Nox", she says, "but you could be showing next summer if you got another horse that wasn't injured." She sent me a video of a horse that she thought would be perfect for me. His name is String Bean, he is 3 years old, very tall, jet black, perfectly sound, and is already jumping and doing dressage. I watched the video and he is amazing! But here's the thing - two things, actually:
1. I can't afford to board a second horse. Best Husband Ever and I budget carefully to make sure that Nox, Moose, and the two of us have a roof over our heads, food to eat, and a few little extras like lead ropes, chew toys, and dinner dates.
2. String Bean doesn't need me.
Somebody will buy String Bean. He is a beautiful horse who has lived an easy life so far, and he has tons of potential for blue show ribbons. Nox needed an adopter who would give him plenty of time to recover physically and mentally from a hard life. Julie must think that I'm disappointed that I can't show Nox yet, and that I have to take it easy when I ride him, but I don't feel that way at all. Riding Nox in a show and winning a ribbon is one of my goals, but mostly because it will be proof that he has healed completely from a career ending injury that could have cost him his life. (I also look forward to blatantly flaunting his gorgeousness around a show ring once or twice.)
I enjoy riding Nox. Today was an especially good ride. He moved nicely and was receptive to my cues to bend and collect himself. He picked up a canter on the left lead the second time I asked and didn't seem as sore as usual. I was very proud of him and I had a great time, but wanting to ride is not the reason that I adopted him. Our relationship is more than just rider and horse. My favorite moments with Nox happen when we are side by side:
~ Every one in a while, I need to clean Nox's stall while he is still standing in it. He's big, so he takes up much of the space in there. I'll push him to one side of the stall so I can clean the other end. He'll slowly inch his way back toward me so that he can rest his muzzle on my shoulder, play with my jacket pocket, or nibble at the pitchfork handle. We play more than we scoop poop. On those days, the stall may not be as clean as usual, but that's ok.
~ Our grooming routine hasn't changed since the first day Nox came to me. He loves to be fussed over and I relish the time I spend sweeping dust from his glossy coat and combing his long tail. Nox always stands quietly and watches with interest to see what brush I'm picking up next. He leans into my hand when I curry his itchy spots and keeps his eyes closed a little longer than necessary when I clean his face with the soft brush.
I will never sell Nox. I plan to have him until one of us no longer walks on this earth, so I'm free to get as attached to him as I possibly can. I would love to have a second horse some day, and I will most likely adopt another rescue horse. There is something special about a horse who knows that he is secure and loved, when he has lived the alternative. Nox is special, and right now, no other horse can even turn my head.
Julie has been hinting that I should get a second horse. "We won't give up on Nox", she says, "but you could be showing next summer if you got another horse that wasn't injured." She sent me a video of a horse that she thought would be perfect for me. His name is String Bean, he is 3 years old, very tall, jet black, perfectly sound, and is already jumping and doing dressage. I watched the video and he is amazing! But here's the thing - two things, actually:
1. I can't afford to board a second horse. Best Husband Ever and I budget carefully to make sure that Nox, Moose, and the two of us have a roof over our heads, food to eat, and a few little extras like lead ropes, chew toys, and dinner dates.
2. String Bean doesn't need me.
Somebody will buy String Bean. He is a beautiful horse who has lived an easy life so far, and he has tons of potential for blue show ribbons. Nox needed an adopter who would give him plenty of time to recover physically and mentally from a hard life. Julie must think that I'm disappointed that I can't show Nox yet, and that I have to take it easy when I ride him, but I don't feel that way at all. Riding Nox in a show and winning a ribbon is one of my goals, but mostly because it will be proof that he has healed completely from a career ending injury that could have cost him his life. (I also look forward to blatantly flaunting his gorgeousness around a show ring once or twice.)
I enjoy riding Nox. Today was an especially good ride. He moved nicely and was receptive to my cues to bend and collect himself. He picked up a canter on the left lead the second time I asked and didn't seem as sore as usual. I was very proud of him and I had a great time, but wanting to ride is not the reason that I adopted him. Our relationship is more than just rider and horse. My favorite moments with Nox happen when we are side by side:
~ Every one in a while, I need to clean Nox's stall while he is still standing in it. He's big, so he takes up much of the space in there. I'll push him to one side of the stall so I can clean the other end. He'll slowly inch his way back toward me so that he can rest his muzzle on my shoulder, play with my jacket pocket, or nibble at the pitchfork handle. We play more than we scoop poop. On those days, the stall may not be as clean as usual, but that's ok.
~ Our grooming routine hasn't changed since the first day Nox came to me. He loves to be fussed over and I relish the time I spend sweeping dust from his glossy coat and combing his long tail. Nox always stands quietly and watches with interest to see what brush I'm picking up next. He leans into my hand when I curry his itchy spots and keeps his eyes closed a little longer than necessary when I clean his face with the soft brush.
I will never sell Nox. I plan to have him until one of us no longer walks on this earth, so I'm free to get as attached to him as I possibly can. I would love to have a second horse some day, and I will most likely adopt another rescue horse. There is something special about a horse who knows that he is secure and loved, when he has lived the alternative. Nox is special, and right now, no other horse can even turn my head.
Learning to drive...
As part of his training, I'm teaching Nox how to drive from the ground. Eventually, it will help me when I'm lunging him on a lunge line. If I try to lunge him on a line now, he cuts into the circle and I have a hard time keeping him under control. With two lines on either side of his halter or bridle, I will be able to use the outside line to keep him on the circle. It's kind of hard to explain, so here are some pictures:
I was amazed by how well Nox tolerated this new experience. He only threw one 5 minute tantrum where he raced around the ring dragging both lines behind him (after he bucked and got the lines tangled between his legs and I had to let go of them). Once he got that out of his system, he was fine!
 |
| I'm driving Nox with two lines attached to either side of his halter and walking behind him as I steer him around cones. |
 |
| Lunging with two lines: Nox travels in a circle around me while I stand in the center holding both lines. The outside line wraps around his body and behind his hind legs. At first, he didn't like the feeling of the line on his back legs, but he got used to it. |
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Fall is here!
It's been almost a month since I last posted! So much has happened! I flew to San Diego for my sister's baby shower. We had such a nice time and she looks gorgeous, glowy, and happy. The shower was a success - she cried several times (good tears) and we revealed the baby's gender with adorable cupcakes. Pink filling = baby girl! Very exciting!!
Aunt Debi, Daniel, and Andy came to visit the following weekend. We ate lots of food, took a 1000 Islands boat tour, and I introduced them to Nox. Sadly, I didn't take any photos of them with Nox, but they helped me groom him and watched me ride. I was just starting to take Nox over very low cross rails and he was a little hesitant about it, until he heard the applause from his fan club. He pricked his ears up and pranced around the ring and was very willing to jump again if he could get more applause. He's such a ham. The good news is that he is an enthusiastic jumper and focuses right on the jump as soon as I point him towards it. His form will improve with practice but I'm very pleased with his attitude.
I've also introduced trot poles and he likes to bounce over those. The first few times he crashed through them, not quite understanding what I wanted him to do. It's tough for a racehorse who has been taught to run straight, fast, and steady to understand what to do with ground poles and jumps. I'm happy that Nox is willing to try new things and trusts me enough to just give it a shot, right or wrong. I'm sure it get boring just riding around in circles in the ring and he seems to enjoy the new challenges I'm setting for him.
The leaves are just starting to change on a few of the trees, the temperatures have dropped, and the days are noticeably shorter. Fall is here! One of the best side effects of Fall arriving is that the flies are mostly gone! This makes both Nox and I happy. Happy Fall everyone!
 |
| Hayley was delighted with the "nigh-night" from our parents. Every kid in the extended Carter family had one of these. |
 |
| One of his first jumps. Best Husband Ever took the photo. |
The leaves are just starting to change on a few of the trees, the temperatures have dropped, and the days are noticeably shorter. Fall is here! One of the best side effects of Fall arriving is that the flies are mostly gone! This makes both Nox and I happy. Happy Fall everyone!
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Working hard...
I rode Nox every day before I left town to help my cousin Stef throw my sister a baby shower in California. We worked hard and I even set up a tiny cross rail jump to take him over. Remember how afraid of the poles he used to be? Nox will now walk over any pole, even when it is set up as a jump, as lazily as he possibly can. He barely picks his feet up and will hit every leg on the way over. I don't mind at this point. As long as he gets over the pole, I'm happy. As he gets better, I'll push for less clumsiness.
Nox used to be upset with me if I left him alone for more than one day. He'd pretend that he didn't know who I was when I returned and misbehave terribly. I really think that it hurt his feelings when I left him. He's much better these days. It helps that he's out in the pasture during the day and not cooped up in his stall, and Best Husband Ever takes excellent care of him while I'm gone. When I came back this time after being away for three days, we didn't miss a beat. I tacked him up and we rode with Amanda and Georgia today and he was very well behaved and moved with energy. Now that I'm riding him and pushing him, he is actually feeling better lameness-wise. He's still short-stepping a little, but there is noticeable improvement. Allison was right.
Here are a few pictures from today taken by Best Husband Ever:
Nox used to be upset with me if I left him alone for more than one day. He'd pretend that he didn't know who I was when I returned and misbehave terribly. I really think that it hurt his feelings when I left him. He's much better these days. It helps that he's out in the pasture during the day and not cooped up in his stall, and Best Husband Ever takes excellent care of him while I'm gone. When I came back this time after being away for three days, we didn't miss a beat. I tacked him up and we rode with Amanda and Georgia today and he was very well behaved and moved with energy. Now that I'm riding him and pushing him, he is actually feeling better lameness-wise. He's still short-stepping a little, but there is noticeable improvement. Allison was right.
Here are a few pictures from today taken by Best Husband Ever:
 |
| I just love him to pieces. |
 |
| Doesn't he look nice all tacked up? |
Sunday, August 11, 2013
The Verdict: He's sore and I'm a wimp
Allison, the equine sports therapist, come out to see Nox on Thursday. I rode him for a few minutes while she watched so she could see how he was moving. After a few laps, she told me to hop off and untack him.
Allison told me that Nox's hoof looked much better than she expected at this point - Good News!
She told me that there is definitely something going on with his left leg, but not in the hoof - Bad News!
Allison ran her hands over Nox's left knee. She noticed as I was riding that he did not put all of his weight down on his left leg and it looked like he wasn't extending or flexing his knee all the way. I have been seeing and feeling this uneven movement, but I couldn't isolate it to his knee.
She explained that his tendons were stretching and sore from all the changes to his hoof. This is causing some pain and there is just a slight bit of swelling around the back of his left knee. She had me massage around his knee and I could feel the tightness in the tendons compared to the right knee. To avoid the discomfort, Nox is not extending his leg all the way as he moves.
"So," I asked, "what can I do?" I explained that I've been only walking him gently for 20 minutes the past few weeks because I was afraid to hurt him.
Allison looked at me sternly. "Stop being a wimp. You're not doing him any favors. You need to ride him. You need to push him and make him use his legs. After you ride, you need to ice his knee for 20 minutes."
She thinks that in three more hoof trims, about six months, Nox's left hoof will be normal and matching his right hoof. After that happens, his tendons will not be stressed and they will heal. Nox cannot be lazy for the next six months, however. I have to work him and build his strength.
After Allison left, I saddled Nox back up. I led him out to the outdoor ring and swung up into the saddle. I asked him to trot. He stopped dead in his tracks and refused to move. I was like a little kid on a stubborn pony. I was kicking his ribs and smacking his rear end with my hand and he wouldn't budge. I finally reached forward and grabbed the ring of his bit and pulled his head around to throw him off balance so he was forced to take a step forward. He walked for a few steps and then stopped again. We continued this cycle for 20 minutes, and I was so frustrated by the end that I was in tears. When I get frustrated, Nox shuts down. So I got off and vowed to try again the next day.
The next day, I picked up a riding crop (short whip) as I led Nox to the ring. He saw me holding it and I could read his expression: yeah right, she's not going to use that. I mounted up and asked Nox for a brisk walk. He complied. I asked for a trot and he hesitated. I gave him a moderate smack on the shoulder with the crop and he jumped in surprise! That was all it took. He was glad to move forward with energy and listened much better. He was moving a little off still, but the forward energy actually helped him smooth out after a while. Today, I carried the crop but I didn't have to use it. Nox transitioned into the trot and canter at the squeeze of my leg and voice command.
So, I'm going to be tougher and I'm going to push him. I've borrowed an ice leg wrap to use after we work and he seems to like it.
Nox's Aunt Hayley sent him some extremely yummy treats. They are soft, chewy, molasses-y and he LOVES them. This was his face after I gave him the first one:
Now I give him a piece of a treat when he is being exceptionally good (standing quietly while being groomed, picking his feet up nicely, not chewing the lead rope, etc). He is being exceptionally good more often now.
Thanks Aunt Hayley!!
Allison told me that Nox's hoof looked much better than she expected at this point - Good News!
She told me that there is definitely something going on with his left leg, but not in the hoof - Bad News!
Allison ran her hands over Nox's left knee. She noticed as I was riding that he did not put all of his weight down on his left leg and it looked like he wasn't extending or flexing his knee all the way. I have been seeing and feeling this uneven movement, but I couldn't isolate it to his knee.
She explained that his tendons were stretching and sore from all the changes to his hoof. This is causing some pain and there is just a slight bit of swelling around the back of his left knee. She had me massage around his knee and I could feel the tightness in the tendons compared to the right knee. To avoid the discomfort, Nox is not extending his leg all the way as he moves.
"So," I asked, "what can I do?" I explained that I've been only walking him gently for 20 minutes the past few weeks because I was afraid to hurt him.
Allison looked at me sternly. "Stop being a wimp. You're not doing him any favors. You need to ride him. You need to push him and make him use his legs. After you ride, you need to ice his knee for 20 minutes."
She thinks that in three more hoof trims, about six months, Nox's left hoof will be normal and matching his right hoof. After that happens, his tendons will not be stressed and they will heal. Nox cannot be lazy for the next six months, however. I have to work him and build his strength.
After Allison left, I saddled Nox back up. I led him out to the outdoor ring and swung up into the saddle. I asked him to trot. He stopped dead in his tracks and refused to move. I was like a little kid on a stubborn pony. I was kicking his ribs and smacking his rear end with my hand and he wouldn't budge. I finally reached forward and grabbed the ring of his bit and pulled his head around to throw him off balance so he was forced to take a step forward. He walked for a few steps and then stopped again. We continued this cycle for 20 minutes, and I was so frustrated by the end that I was in tears. When I get frustrated, Nox shuts down. So I got off and vowed to try again the next day.
The next day, I picked up a riding crop (short whip) as I led Nox to the ring. He saw me holding it and I could read his expression: yeah right, she's not going to use that. I mounted up and asked Nox for a brisk walk. He complied. I asked for a trot and he hesitated. I gave him a moderate smack on the shoulder with the crop and he jumped in surprise! That was all it took. He was glad to move forward with energy and listened much better. He was moving a little off still, but the forward energy actually helped him smooth out after a while. Today, I carried the crop but I didn't have to use it. Nox transitioned into the trot and canter at the squeeze of my leg and voice command.
So, I'm going to be tougher and I'm going to push him. I've borrowed an ice leg wrap to use after we work and he seems to like it.
 |
| Ice wrap |
 |
| Yum!! What was THAT?!? |
Thanks Aunt Hayley!!
 |
| The best treats ever! |
 |
| Horsie Selfie |
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Golden Summer Evenings
One of my favorite things to do these days is sit in the pasture with Nox and watch him in the light from the setting sun. In photography and film making, I think they call the time before sunset the "magic hour", and I can see why. Everything looks beautiful in that golden light.
Here are some recent pictures from those Magic Hours.
Here are some recent pictures from those Magic Hours.
 |
| This was taken by Best Husband Ever. A thunder storm was coming as I was bringing Nox in, and a gust of wind suddenly kicked up dust. I like this picture because it reminds me of every misty dream I've had about owning my own horse. |
What can I do?
I feel like we've taken a big step back. After Allison (the equine sports therapist) worked on Nox, he was moving so much better. He still had a short stride on the front left leg, but the rest of him felt good. To fix that short stride, we decided to trim his hoof a little differently so it can spread out and stretch his tendons out. Allison warned me that he would be sore and it would take time for him to be sound.
I heard that warning and I tried to keep it in mind as I watched Nox move. He is still striding short on the front left, and although it's only been two trims, I was hoping to see improvement. After each trim, his feet are so sore and it hurts me to see him hurting. I try to ride him but he seems so uncomfortable that I just walk him around for while and take it easy with him. I feel like I need to DO something! What can I do?
I brought out a different farrier for a second opinion on Nox's feet. She tested his hooves for sore spots, looked over the hoof balance and trim, and watched him trot around the ring. She couldn't make him flinch while she pinched his hooves with the hoof tester, even on the old fracture site, and announced that she wouldn't do anything differently. That is good news, because it means that his hooves aren't the problem. It's bad news to me, because I don't have an answer to the "what can I do" question. I'm afraid that if I wait to long to see improvement, I might be missing something that can lead to permanent damage. I want to help Nox, not hurt him. I'm responsible for his well-being.
The next step would be a trip to Syracuse to see a lameness specialist vet. There is a specialist who works on the Thoroughbred racehorses at the Finger Lakes track. He comes highly recommended by every horse person I've talked to about Nox. It would be costly and I may not get an answer. Or I may get recommendations that I'm not comfortable with - like injections, surgeries, etc.
My friend and expert horse person Penny has told me to relax. Allison said this would take time. Nox is happy and healthy is every other way than his stride, and I need to RELAX. Penny has a trailer that is tall enough to transport Nox and is willing to take us to see the specialist, but she thinks I might be panicking too soon. After talking things through with her, I think this is what I'm going to do:
I'm going to call Allison and ask her to come back and evaluate Nox again. I want her to watch me ride him. If she thinks that he is moving as expected and that he needs more time before I start freaking out and trailering him all over NY to see specialists, then I will wait. I will make an appointment with the specialist for the end of October (he goes to Florida in November for 6 months every year) and if I don't see any improvement by the time his appointment comes, I will take him.
That is what I can do.
I heard that warning and I tried to keep it in mind as I watched Nox move. He is still striding short on the front left, and although it's only been two trims, I was hoping to see improvement. After each trim, his feet are so sore and it hurts me to see him hurting. I try to ride him but he seems so uncomfortable that I just walk him around for while and take it easy with him. I feel like I need to DO something! What can I do?
I brought out a different farrier for a second opinion on Nox's feet. She tested his hooves for sore spots, looked over the hoof balance and trim, and watched him trot around the ring. She couldn't make him flinch while she pinched his hooves with the hoof tester, even on the old fracture site, and announced that she wouldn't do anything differently. That is good news, because it means that his hooves aren't the problem. It's bad news to me, because I don't have an answer to the "what can I do" question. I'm afraid that if I wait to long to see improvement, I might be missing something that can lead to permanent damage. I want to help Nox, not hurt him. I'm responsible for his well-being.
The next step would be a trip to Syracuse to see a lameness specialist vet. There is a specialist who works on the Thoroughbred racehorses at the Finger Lakes track. He comes highly recommended by every horse person I've talked to about Nox. It would be costly and I may not get an answer. Or I may get recommendations that I'm not comfortable with - like injections, surgeries, etc.
My friend and expert horse person Penny has told me to relax. Allison said this would take time. Nox is happy and healthy is every other way than his stride, and I need to RELAX. Penny has a trailer that is tall enough to transport Nox and is willing to take us to see the specialist, but she thinks I might be panicking too soon. After talking things through with her, I think this is what I'm going to do:
I'm going to call Allison and ask her to come back and evaluate Nox again. I want her to watch me ride him. If she thinks that he is moving as expected and that he needs more time before I start freaking out and trailering him all over NY to see specialists, then I will wait. I will make an appointment with the specialist for the end of October (he goes to Florida in November for 6 months every year) and if I don't see any improvement by the time his appointment comes, I will take him.
That is what I can do.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Lazy summer days
Sorry about the long break from posting, folks. It's been so hot and humid, and I've been staying a little longer at the barn to give Nox the benefit of grazing in his pasture in the cooler evening temperatures. By the time I get home to feed Moose and myself, I'm ready for a shower and the air-conditioned bedroom.
Nox is so much happier now that he's outside during the day. He's mellow, relaxed, and easy to handle. Thankfully, he is also still happy to see me. It occurred to me that he nickers excitedly when I whistle to him in the barn every day because he knows I'll take him out of his stall. I wondered how he would react to my arrival whistle when he was out in the grassy pasture - would he run away from me, not wanting to work? Nope. My whistle elicits the same joyous nicker from him as he trots over to the gate to meet me. That makes me very happy.
The sunshine has flecked his chocolate brown coat with gold dapples that I find absolutely mesmerizing. I could look at him all day. On the weekends, I do just that. I love summer.
Nox is so much happier now that he's outside during the day. He's mellow, relaxed, and easy to handle. Thankfully, he is also still happy to see me. It occurred to me that he nickers excitedly when I whistle to him in the barn every day because he knows I'll take him out of his stall. I wondered how he would react to my arrival whistle when he was out in the grassy pasture - would he run away from me, not wanting to work? Nope. My whistle elicits the same joyous nicker from him as he trots over to the gate to meet me. That makes me very happy.
The sunshine has flecked his chocolate brown coat with gold dapples that I find absolutely mesmerizing. I could look at him all day. On the weekends, I do just that. I love summer.
 |
| Nox enjoys his summer days outside. |
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Outside at last!
The stable owners have been working to convert one of their pastures so that the fencing is tall enough to contain Nox. They use electric fencing in their pastures and last year Nox leaned against the wire fence, was shocked, and ran straight through it and broke it. It was pretty scary. He hasn't had any exposure to electric fencing that I know of (race barns usually have board fencing) and his first experience with it was awful. I could only turn Nox out it in the outdoor ring where he could nibble on the grass at the edges, but I really wanted him to be out in the grass pastures during the day.
The stable owners let him out in the indoor ring for 30 minutes while they clean his stall in the morning, but most of the other horses get to go out all day in pastures. I felt bad that he had to stand in his stall until I arrived at the barn to let him out. As a racehorse, Nox would spend 23 hours in his stall, so I knew he was used to hanging out in the barn. But horses should be outside grazing - especially when they are retired racehorses, and it's warm and sunny, and the birds are singing, and the grass is swaying in the cool breeze!
The past few weeks, as the stable owners have been constructing the fence, I've been taking Nox into the pasture and grazing him on a lead. We walked the perimeter a few times and he got used to the area. Two days ago, Nox's pasture was complete. They used a different type of electric fencing that is a thicker web material and they placed two rows of the fencing higher on the posts so that Nox can easily see it. We turned him out in the pasture and hoped for the best.
Free at last, he wandered around a little bit before settling in to graze. It was very anticlimactic, but exactly how I hoped it would go. I wanted him to touch the fence - not because I'm mean - but because I wanted to see how he reacted. If he ran through it again, I wanted to be around to catch him! After about an hour, he wandered a little too close to the fence and backed into it. Nox's butt was shocked by the fence and he jumped forward in surprise, shooting across the pasture like a rocket! He stopped well before he reached the other side's fencing and turned around. I laughed out loud and was so pleased that he had received the shock on his rear end instead of his chest. I wonder if he had hit it with his chest if he would have run through it again. This way was perfect, since it made him run away from the shock. He hasn't come within five feet of the fencing since!
Nox is now being turned out in his pasture in the morning where he enjoys the grass and sunshine (theoretically - it's been cloudy and rainy lately) until I get to the barn in afternoon. I'll put him in the barn after we ride and play and he'll spend the nights in his stall. I'm so relieved and happy that he finally gets to live like a normal horse.
Yay!
The stable owners let him out in the indoor ring for 30 minutes while they clean his stall in the morning, but most of the other horses get to go out all day in pastures. I felt bad that he had to stand in his stall until I arrived at the barn to let him out. As a racehorse, Nox would spend 23 hours in his stall, so I knew he was used to hanging out in the barn. But horses should be outside grazing - especially when they are retired racehorses, and it's warm and sunny, and the birds are singing, and the grass is swaying in the cool breeze!
The past few weeks, as the stable owners have been constructing the fence, I've been taking Nox into the pasture and grazing him on a lead. We walked the perimeter a few times and he got used to the area. Two days ago, Nox's pasture was complete. They used a different type of electric fencing that is a thicker web material and they placed two rows of the fencing higher on the posts so that Nox can easily see it. We turned him out in the pasture and hoped for the best.
Free at last, he wandered around a little bit before settling in to graze. It was very anticlimactic, but exactly how I hoped it would go. I wanted him to touch the fence - not because I'm mean - but because I wanted to see how he reacted. If he ran through it again, I wanted to be around to catch him! After about an hour, he wandered a little too close to the fence and backed into it. Nox's butt was shocked by the fence and he jumped forward in surprise, shooting across the pasture like a rocket! He stopped well before he reached the other side's fencing and turned around. I laughed out loud and was so pleased that he had received the shock on his rear end instead of his chest. I wonder if he had hit it with his chest if he would have run through it again. This way was perfect, since it made him run away from the shock. He hasn't come within five feet of the fencing since!
Nox is now being turned out in his pasture in the morning where he enjoys the grass and sunshine (theoretically - it's been cloudy and rainy lately) until I get to the barn in afternoon. I'll put him in the barn after we ride and play and he'll spend the nights in his stall. I'm so relieved and happy that he finally gets to live like a normal horse.
Yay!
 |
| Nox, King of the pasture. |
 |
| Nom nom. |
 |
| A few more pictures from Nana and Aunt Deneece's visit. Best Husband Ever introduces a barn cat to Nana. |
 |
| Nox and I doing the two-step. |
 |
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Nox has visitors
Last week, I had some family visit! Nana and Aunt Deneece began their east coast tour in my town before continuing on to New York City and then Washington, DC. How do I compete with the excitement of Broadway and the National Mall? A Thousand Islands boat tour and a visit to the barn to meet Nox! Despite the near constant drizzly rain, we had a wonderful time laughing, sight-seeing, and eating.
Nox enjoys people and especially those who dote and fawn all over him. Aunt Deneece and Nana helped me brush him until his coat glistened and then watched as I did a short free lunge session with him in the indoor ring. Remember how afraid he used to be of the poles? When I lunge him I want him to run around the outside of them, but this time he cantered over every one of them. He was a little peeved that I didn't take him outside to work (he moves more comfortably in the larger outdoor ring), but the outdoor ring was flooded from all the rain. He threw a few little temper tantrums - animals and kids always show off when they have an audience. Aunt Deneece recorded his antics, but I'm having trouble uploading the video - technical difficulties. I'll post the video when I can.
Thanks for visiting Nana and Aunt Deneece! We all loved seeing you!
 |
| Nana, Aunt Deneece, Nox, and I. |
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Saddle up!
It fits! The extra wide saddle sits beautifully on Nox's back with plenty of room for his shoulders to move freely. I'm so relieved (so is Best Husband Ever - the custom saddle route is crazy $$$$) and Nox seems to feel more comfortable. I also purchased a different saddle pad called a half pad with a wither cut out - this pad will give him a little more cushion around the wither area without adding bulk on the shoulder area.
Nox's hooves were trimmed last week and he was a little tender-footed for a few days. I asked the farrier to trim a little more off the left front hoof (the one he fractured) than he's been doing in the past. The sports therapist thought the toe was a little too long and making it difficult for Nox to move naturally. I agreed with her assessment and the farrier was happy to try something a little different. The results have been promising. The combination of sports therapy, hoof trimming, and a saddle that fits have Nox moving better than ever under saddle. I'm very pleased!
Now, if it would stop raining long enough for the outdoor ring to dry out so we could ride in it, I'd be ecstatic! Do I ask for too much?
Nox's hooves were trimmed last week and he was a little tender-footed for a few days. I asked the farrier to trim a little more off the left front hoof (the one he fractured) than he's been doing in the past. The sports therapist thought the toe was a little too long and making it difficult for Nox to move naturally. I agreed with her assessment and the farrier was happy to try something a little different. The results have been promising. The combination of sports therapy, hoof trimming, and a saddle that fits have Nox moving better than ever under saddle. I'm very pleased!
Now, if it would stop raining long enough for the outdoor ring to dry out so we could ride in it, I'd be ecstatic! Do I ask for too much?
 |
| Nox, tacked up and ready to go. |
Sunday, June 2, 2013
He gets his broad shoulders from me...
My beautiful saddle, the one that was lovingly given to me by my family, does not fit Nox. I've suspected that the tree was too narrow, but since I haven't been riding, I didn't worry about it. After the sports therapist fixed Nox's back and legs, I knew I couldn't put my medium tree saddle on him anymore. I've been riding in one of the lesson saddles that has a wider tree. It still didn't sit quite right on him and I could feel that it was too tight on his shoulders.
A little lesson about saddle sizes. The "tree" is the solid base and frame of the saddle. It distributes the rider's weight and the pressure of the saddle evenly across the horse's back - if it is the correct size for the horse. A tree that is too narrow or too wide can cause soreness and permanent damage, which then leads to a horse that doesn't like to be ridden. It would be like making a person run around every day in shoes that are too small or too big. You'd get a little sore and sour, too. Saddles also come in seat sizes for the rider's butt. Most adults fall somewhere between a 16 1/2" to 18" size saddle.
Nox is a big horse. I knew that, but I didn't realize how very, very big he is in the shoulder. Most Thoroughbreds are sleek and fairly narrow in build. Even OTTB (off track Thoroughbred) racehorses usually aren't as bulky as Nox is. When I told the tack shops I was saddle shopping for an OTTB, they pointed me to the medium tree saddles. I explained that he was very muscular and big boned. They pointed me to wide trees, skeptically. I have driven to Syracuse and beyond three times, tried out four different saddles, and returned them all. None of them were big enough. It turns out that Nox is so big in the shoulder that he requires a saddle that is sized for draft horses. Yesterday I drove an hour and half to a tack shop that carries extra wide saddles, and I brought a tracing of Nox's wither and shoulder. The sweet and knowledgeable owner showed me two saddles that might be wide enough. One was used, in my price range, and very wide. The other was new, more expensive, and even wider. I took a gamble and selected the used saddle to take home and try out.
It pinches his shoulders. It's too narrow.
So, I'm going back on Monday to pick up the extra, extra wide, all purpose English saddle for my freakish mutant of a Thoroughbred. If this one doesn't fit, I guess I'm riding bareback from now on!
A little lesson about saddle sizes. The "tree" is the solid base and frame of the saddle. It distributes the rider's weight and the pressure of the saddle evenly across the horse's back - if it is the correct size for the horse. A tree that is too narrow or too wide can cause soreness and permanent damage, which then leads to a horse that doesn't like to be ridden. It would be like making a person run around every day in shoes that are too small or too big. You'd get a little sore and sour, too. Saddles also come in seat sizes for the rider's butt. Most adults fall somewhere between a 16 1/2" to 18" size saddle.
Nox is a big horse. I knew that, but I didn't realize how very, very big he is in the shoulder. Most Thoroughbreds are sleek and fairly narrow in build. Even OTTB (off track Thoroughbred) racehorses usually aren't as bulky as Nox is. When I told the tack shops I was saddle shopping for an OTTB, they pointed me to the medium tree saddles. I explained that he was very muscular and big boned. They pointed me to wide trees, skeptically. I have driven to Syracuse and beyond three times, tried out four different saddles, and returned them all. None of them were big enough. It turns out that Nox is so big in the shoulder that he requires a saddle that is sized for draft horses. Yesterday I drove an hour and half to a tack shop that carries extra wide saddles, and I brought a tracing of Nox's wither and shoulder. The sweet and knowledgeable owner showed me two saddles that might be wide enough. One was used, in my price range, and very wide. The other was new, more expensive, and even wider. I took a gamble and selected the used saddle to take home and try out.
It pinches his shoulders. It's too narrow.
So, I'm going back on Monday to pick up the extra, extra wide, all purpose English saddle for my freakish mutant of a Thoroughbred. If this one doesn't fit, I guess I'm riding bareback from now on!
 |
| Does this saddle make my butt look big? (Saddle #4) |
 |
| A pretty rainbow appeared after a thunderstorm rolled through yesterday. |
Monday, May 27, 2013
One Year Anniversary
On May 27, 2012, I met the horse-love-of-my-life. My friend Lindsay volunteered to spend one of her precious days off driving 13 hours round trip to south New Jersey with me to meet Evenings End. I'd been waiting a month to meet him and the director at the South Jersey Thoroughbred Rescue was holding him for me. Normally, horse rescues don't hold horses - if you are interested, you better visit quick, before someone else scoops the horse up. Erin must have known that Evenings End and I were meant to be together, because after reading my application story and answering all of my questions about the beautiful injured ex-racer, she gave me "dibs", if I could get down to New Jersey in a reasonable amount of time.
Memorial Day Sunday, Lindsay and I set off to New Jersey. She endured my nervous chatter and reassured me that this "blind date" with Evenings End would go well. She reminded me that just because we were driving so far to meet him, I didn't have to commit if we didn't hit it off.
As soon as I saw Evenings End, he was mine and I was his. He was standing in the center aisle of the stable and he turned his head to look at me when I walked in. It was like I already knew him. I spent a few hours with him at the barn before giddily telling Erin that I would like to adopt him. Paperwork was signed, the adoption fee was paid, and on this day one year ago, I adopted Nox.
We've come a long way in a year. Nox is sweet, mischievous, smart, and a complete joy. When I walk into the barn every day I do the "Carter whistle" and he responds with his low, rumbling nicker. That happy greeting is my favorite sound.
I want to say a very big "Thank You" to my family and friends for their support. I still have all of the wonderful gifts that you gave me - brushes, tack, saddle pads, breaches, boots, toys, and so much more. I use them every day and they remind me how lucky I am to have so many wonderful people in my life.
Moose, thanks for agreeing to eat dinner an hour later on week nights. You are such a good dog.
Best Husband Ever - your pseudonym is not a joke. When you married me, you knew that someday you would have to share me with a horse. That day came and you have never complained about my long hours at the barn, my dusty boots by the door, the horse hair in the car, or the money trotting out of the bank. You are supportive and involved. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Here's to many more years with my handsome Nox!
Memorial Day Sunday, Lindsay and I set off to New Jersey. She endured my nervous chatter and reassured me that this "blind date" with Evenings End would go well. She reminded me that just because we were driving so far to meet him, I didn't have to commit if we didn't hit it off.
As soon as I saw Evenings End, he was mine and I was his. He was standing in the center aisle of the stable and he turned his head to look at me when I walked in. It was like I already knew him. I spent a few hours with him at the barn before giddily telling Erin that I would like to adopt him. Paperwork was signed, the adoption fee was paid, and on this day one year ago, I adopted Nox.
We've come a long way in a year. Nox is sweet, mischievous, smart, and a complete joy. When I walk into the barn every day I do the "Carter whistle" and he responds with his low, rumbling nicker. That happy greeting is my favorite sound.
I want to say a very big "Thank You" to my family and friends for their support. I still have all of the wonderful gifts that you gave me - brushes, tack, saddle pads, breaches, boots, toys, and so much more. I use them every day and they remind me how lucky I am to have so many wonderful people in my life.
Moose, thanks for agreeing to eat dinner an hour later on week nights. You are such a good dog.
Best Husband Ever - your pseudonym is not a joke. When you married me, you knew that someday you would have to share me with a horse. That day came and you have never complained about my long hours at the barn, my dusty boots by the door, the horse hair in the car, or the money trotting out of the bank. You are supportive and involved. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Here's to many more years with my handsome Nox!
 |
| The first day we met - adoption day! |
 |
| Lindsay almost took this friendly horse, Starship, home with her. |
 |
| The first time Best Husband Ever and Nox met. |
 |
| The face I fell in love with, about 4 months after I adopted him. |
 |
| Just a cool picture from the summer. |
 |
| Nox, enjoying spring 2013. |
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Nox's Biggest Little Fans
Nox is surprisingly good around little kids. I can't imagine he's had much exposure to kids during his racing days. I have a four year old niece who calls him "Nox Unicorn" and brings him apples, and a few friends who have young kids that like to visit and bring treats. Any animal can be unpredictable around children, so I always keep a close eye on both child and horse, as I don't fully trust either to behave appropriately. I'll hold the kids up to brush his mane and body, and Nox responds by standing still, sniffing their hair, and moving very slowly and carefully. It's very sweet! He has also learned that when kids are around, his bucket fills up with all sorts of yummy treats.
Today my friend Lindsay stopped by the barn with her two little boys and her mother to visit Nox. They brought him a box of peppermint candies that he eagerly snarfed out of his bucket between pats and brushes from the boys. I'm glad that I get to be the "horse auntie" to these kids and pass along my love of horses and barn life.
Today my friend Lindsay stopped by the barn with her two little boys and her mother to visit Nox. They brought him a box of peppermint candies that he eagerly snarfed out of his bucket between pats and brushes from the boys. I'm glad that I get to be the "horse auntie" to these kids and pass along my love of horses and barn life.
 |
| Lauren helps me pick up poles in the arena. |
 |
| Chase, Lindsay, and Jack visit Nox. I love the look that Nox and Jack are sharing. |
 |
| Nox loves being brushed. Good job, Chase! |
 |
| Jack found the perfect spot to curry comb. |
Monday, May 20, 2013
The Sports Therapist comes...
Nox has been sore and clearly uncomfortable for a few weeks. I couldn't quite tell what was wrong, but I could see that his back end wasn't looking or moving right. The muscles just looked... weird. When I tried to ride, Nox tossed his head and hollowed his back as soon as I settled in the saddle - a clear sign that he was hurting. I spent a few weeks with him on light duty and only doing ground work, but I still thought his back end was off.
Finally, I made an appointment with Allison, an equine sports therapist. She does a combination of massage therapy, chiropractic work, and stretches - and I've been told that she can work miracles. Allison started out working on the racetracks, so she is very familiar with racehorses, and she was delighted with Nox when she met him last Friday. He was equally delighted with her, which set me at ease right away. For two hours, Allison worked on Nox, stretching and massaging spasmed muscles, popping bones and joints back into place, and aligning his spine. She is my size, but she bent and twisted Nox around like he wasn't a giant 1200 lb Thoroughbred. At one point, she stood behind him, grabbed his tail, and leaned back with all her weight, and I could hear and feel the pops up his spine.
After two hours, Allison asked me to free lunge him and trot him in a circle so she could watch him move. He practically floated around the ring! The muscles in his back legs looked normal and his joints were moving correctly. Satisfied, Allison told me that I needed to ride Nox every day for at least half an hour for a week. She explained that he will still think that he's in pain, and I need to convince him otherwise by riding everyday and pushing him through his hesitation. Well, you don't have to tell me twice!
I rode that day and he didn't toss his head or hollow his back. He did hesitate a little as I pushed him into a trot, but we kept at it and his gaits started to smooth out as he relaxed. He felt like a different horse. He was clearly feeling better the next day, because he was a bit more frisky - bucking and dancing around the ring. Today, I rode in the outdoor ring with another boarder and Nox was pretty good. He still had a little hesitation, but we worked through it. Best Husband Ever came out to watch and he took a few photos. I'm so relieved that Nox is feeling better! We are on our way to the next phase of training and work!
Finally, I made an appointment with Allison, an equine sports therapist. She does a combination of massage therapy, chiropractic work, and stretches - and I've been told that she can work miracles. Allison started out working on the racetracks, so she is very familiar with racehorses, and she was delighted with Nox when she met him last Friday. He was equally delighted with her, which set me at ease right away. For two hours, Allison worked on Nox, stretching and massaging spasmed muscles, popping bones and joints back into place, and aligning his spine. She is my size, but she bent and twisted Nox around like he wasn't a giant 1200 lb Thoroughbred. At one point, she stood behind him, grabbed his tail, and leaned back with all her weight, and I could hear and feel the pops up his spine.
After two hours, Allison asked me to free lunge him and trot him in a circle so she could watch him move. He practically floated around the ring! The muscles in his back legs looked normal and his joints were moving correctly. Satisfied, Allison told me that I needed to ride Nox every day for at least half an hour for a week. She explained that he will still think that he's in pain, and I need to convince him otherwise by riding everyday and pushing him through his hesitation. Well, you don't have to tell me twice!
I rode that day and he didn't toss his head or hollow his back. He did hesitate a little as I pushed him into a trot, but we kept at it and his gaits started to smooth out as he relaxed. He felt like a different horse. He was clearly feeling better the next day, because he was a bit more frisky - bucking and dancing around the ring. Today, I rode in the outdoor ring with another boarder and Nox was pretty good. He still had a little hesitation, but we worked through it. Best Husband Ever came out to watch and he took a few photos. I'm so relieved that Nox is feeling better! We are on our way to the next phase of training and work!
 |
| Best Husband Ever calls this photo "Kicking Up Dust". |
 |
| Note the tongue hanging out his mouth. |
 |
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Yard Work
Today was a light day for Nox, so I walked him around the ring for a bit and then I took him out into the grassy area to graze. The stable owners had just mowed the grass and there were fresh grass clippings everywhere. Nox loves grass clippings. It's less work for him to sweep the loose grass into his mouth with his lips than it is to tear the grass out with his teeth and tongue. I think it's funny to watch him graze on grass clippings and it makes me think how nice it would be to have him clean up all the clippings at our house - my pet peeve is when grass gets tracked into the house after Best Husband Ever mows. Nox could solve that issue every week if I could keep him at home. Below is a video of him grazing:
I took a picture of him in the sunshine because his coat looks so shiny and healthy! I love his color. If anyone is wondering, the thing he is wearing on his face is a fly mask. It keeps the bugs out of his eyes.
.JPG) |
| Nox's color is called "bay" - brown body with black legs, mane, and tail. |
When I arrived at home, Best Husband Ever was finishing up yard work of his own. He had mowed the lawn and was about to burn the pile of branches and sticks that fell off our trees over the winter and spring. Burning sticks in a burn barrel is the next best thing to a campfire, so...
 |
| S'mores, anyone? |
If I had a motto, it might be: "Never pass up an opportunity to make s'mores."
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Rub a Dub Dub!
The weather is warm, it feels like summer, and I finally get to give Nox a bath! Best Husband Ever (BHE) had a rare Sunday off, so he was available to help me. We arrived at the barn at noon and I worked Nox out in the ring and let him roll in the dust and dirt to his heart's content. It's been about 6 months since he had a bath and despite daily grooming sessions, he was pretty dirty. His mane in particular was a little grimy at the base, and I really wanted to shampoo and condition his mane and tail.
BHE held the lead rope as Nox grazed on the green grass, while I sprayed, soaped, scrubbed, and rinsed. Nox likes the water and he loves being scrubbed and scratched, so bath time is an enjoyable experience for all. He likes to nibble on the hose and play with the spray, and he'll even drink from the hose!
After the final rinse, BHE let Nox graze and dry off in the sunshine. Nox and BHE get along well and I like watching them together - my handsome husband and beautiful horse. I am a VERY lucky girl.
BHE held the lead rope as Nox grazed on the green grass, while I sprayed, soaped, scrubbed, and rinsed. Nox likes the water and he loves being scrubbed and scratched, so bath time is an enjoyable experience for all. He likes to nibble on the hose and play with the spray, and he'll even drink from the hose!
After the final rinse, BHE let Nox graze and dry off in the sunshine. Nox and BHE get along well and I like watching them together - my handsome husband and beautiful horse. I am a VERY lucky girl.
 |
| Nox enjoying the soapy scrub. |
 |
| Refreshing! |
 |
| Why does water always taste so good straight out of the hose? |
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Spring has sprung FINALLY!
The past few days have been near 70 degrees and it feels so good to be outside! The outdoor ring has dried out and it is safe to put the horses out to play. I turned Nox out in the outdoor ring on Sunday and he was so excited that he galloped around wildly and rolled at least 10 times - getting all sweaty and wet and then caking himself in the dirt. He had a wonderful time, and I had to spend the next hour trying to curry and sponge the sweaty mud off of him. I would have given him a bath, but I was the only person at the barn that day and, well, if you read the old post about the last time I bathed him alone, you'll understand why I like to have someone else around when I do that!
Ok, ok, now lets do a silly one!
Today was another beautiful day and I let Nox out in the outdoor ring again. He was calmer this time and grazed in between short spurts of running, bucking, and rolling. He looked so happy to be outside after months of being in the barn and the indoor ring. After about an hour and half of watching him graze and enjoy the sunshine, I walked back toward the barn to check and see if the indoor ring was empty (I'm still ground tying him in the arena while grooming him) and Nox came running over to the fence as I walked away, nickering at me. I stopped and turned towards him and he nickered again, as if he didn't want me to leave him. I walked back to him and held up the lead rope, and he met me at the gate - if I was going somewhere, he wanted to come too. We've really become good buddies.
Below is a video from today:
And a pretty picture:
Ok, ok, now lets do a silly one!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)