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, tacked up and ready to go.

 

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! 

Does this saddle make my butt look big?
(Saddle #4)

A pretty rainbow appeared after a thunderstorm rolled through yesterday.

     

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!



Best Husband Ever calls this photo "Kicking Up Dust".



Note the tongue hanging out his mouth.



         

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.

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."

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.



Nox enjoying the soapy scrub.
 



Refreshing!





Why does water always taste so good straight out of the hose?