Check out horsetalkNZ for Shaun's most recent write up!

Pappa's got a new pair of shoes!

We tried bare foot, hoof hardner, and I could tell that Shaun wasn't doing well. Limping, head bobbing bad. I got in touch with a friend that is a rep for easy boot to see what we might be able to do for him. He cannot take any more nails in his feet. She was leaving for a mounted shooting clinic in Missouri, I had a doctors appointment, but if I rocketed up and traced his foot image on a piece of cardboard, then broke land speed records (sorry how sweaty and smelly I am doc) I could just make it to her house in time to pick up two pair of easy boot Trails. Two sizes because we didn't quite know what would fit and what wouldn't.

I cut out the cardboard images and fit them in the boots. Not so good on the size three, but he fours were looking promising. I inserted the comfy pads, sprayed them with athlete's foot powder, grabbed the pastern wraps and headed for the shelter. It's 103 out, and I wanted to fit these shoes in the shade, plus I have the mister system going so I wouldn't just melt into a puddle. It was getting Shaun's dinner time, so it was working out just perfect. Funny how all this has worked out just perfect.

Shaun is a horse that has horrendous ground manners. Picking up one of his feet is like trying to pick up a truck. Today I asked, and up comes the foot. That's weird, but I'll take it. I wrestled the pastern wrap on, which is a bit like trying to put on tight, wet jeans. Pastern wraps are like a neoprene 1/2 sock that keeps the boot from rubbing. He just stood there patiently while I sweated, grunted and got it on. Next I slipped on the boot, and viola! Same thing the other side. It's like he knew I was trying to help.

Then...he walked. Clumsy at first, but then he started doing some serious walking. Came over to me four times and thanked me. If you've ever been thanked by a horse, from the bottom of his heart, you know what I'm talking about. Bent his head around and hugged me to his shoulder. Rub, rub, big eyes, and then more walking. He got better at it, too. The clunky shoes and he were starting to get along, and he was moving even better. I think it's the first time in years that he's walked without pain.

I hear that when a horse walks, and there is pressure on that thin hoof wall at the toe, it's like pulling your nail away from your finger. His hoof wall is so thin, any pressure is painful. Now, that weight is evenly distributed. He has a pad that is encouraging his frog to pump blood with every step. More blood, better hoof growth, better hoof. He's a different horse. You can see it in his eyes, too. I thought he was just sad. Nope, he was in pain.

I'll go out and throw on the gold bond foot powder (Pete Remey trick) and make sure he's not rubbing anywhere. I'll give his feet a break for about an hour a day. We'll gradually build up the time, once his foot starts to get healthier.

No more pain. What a concept.

A happier time

Yes, I think Shaun was much happier in NZ as a race horse. You can see it in his picture, he's alive and exuberant! The folks that bred him figured out how he ran and let him do it his way. He won. A lot. When he reached this country, no one listened to how he liked to run. No one considered the horse. I watched some of his races here and in Canada, and he had no heart for it. Why would he? From Nz to a kill pen, and it was a continious down hill trek. If I had to be a race horse, I'd want to be in NZ. Never here. Never here.

Got some rain this morning, so dragged a steel panel up behind the three wheeler to smooth out the tractor tire marks in front of the shelter. It was the only place Shaun was having trouble with his feet. He's new to bare foot, and I'm hoping he will adjust. I'd rather he be comfortable, so if this doesn't work out for him, I'll keep him in shoes. His hoof wall is so thin the farrier was afraid to put nails into his foot. Just not enough there to hold a shoe. I'm going to introduce the farrier to Epona shoes. They are plastic, move with the foot, and the winter ones have carbide tips. Oh and mesh under the foot so snow doesn't ball up. If he has trouble with bf, these can be glue on, and we'll just do this.

He doesn't seem so sad, and happy to say he's a bit herd sour. He's building a relationship with the herd, especially Gunner. The mares don't hate him. Hawk is not as bossy, so life in the pasture has taken on a more lazy, graze kind of feeling. I've got the mister going in the shelter because it's still so hot. 106 by Thursday with humidity! Nice fine sand in the shelter makes for some cozy footing. He's gained good weight and only lacking in his one hip, probably from his trying to compensate for pin in his leg. Maybe nerve damage, according to vet.

I think he's going to be ok. It's like he's waking up. That's different that living in the past, like we do. I think he shut down, and went inside a long time ago. He's starting to trust. I'm not sure how much a horse loves, ya know? We love, but horses? I think it goes so deep, that connection and love is just a part of it. He's becoming a part of the whole, there's consistancy in his life, he's never hungry or thirsty, and I listen to him. His opinion matters. Like in NZ when his opinion was considered when he raced? I'm beginning to see glimpses of that horse in the picture, taken so long ago. Look at those eyes where he's in the racing bridle, an open heart, and a willing spirit. Now look at the picture at the top of the page. Can you see his pain? Is it worth it? Horse racing, I mean?

barefoot

The farrier was out today. My old farrier emailed me from Bagdad when asked why he missed our appointment. He just left, no call, no nothing. Nope, not in the military, just took a job over there. Musta been hurting for money. I've had a couple of farriers out, but as with any relationship, "we" didn't like them. I knew we had a winner when Hawk, my arabian stood there ground tied. Hawk usually uses the trimmer for target practice. Swipes their hankerchief, or steals their hat. Vince was fast, good, horses liked him and they all five stood there with him while he worked.

When he got to Shaun he was concerned about the terribly thin hoof walls. He said that they throw on shoes for a race, then pull them right after. The horses hoof is put through hell with all the nail holes they endure. Shaun's back feet are looking ok, but the fronts are pretty bad. Instead of making even more nail holes, we decided to try Shaun barefoot. My pasture is like wearing slippers, and that's not necessarily a good thing. Soft footing does not toughen up a foot, and we'll be seeing frozen ground soon. Going to see how he does. Expect him to be a bit ouchy. Hoping he doesn't chip and break off a lot of hoof. Hoping these hoof supplements help him.

starting to blossom

I'm not sure how much any horse is free to express his or her opinion. Most people approach riding like rape. You are gonna, and I don't care how you feel about it. Sometimes it comes to blows. I learned a different way through Carolyn Resnick, and I tell ya, horses have opinions. No, they aren't lazy. Some would prefer you not ride them. I have two like that, and they both have back issues. My paint loves to work. Loves it. My arabian loves ground play, but he's like (as Brent Graef said) "a person that's been on welfare and never had to work, and now he has a job". Then there's Shaun. I don't have an invite from him to ride. I'm just getting an invite to say "hello". For a long time he'd turn away. Did you know if the horse turns away, you don't have his permission to touch? It's hard not to throw your arms around the neck of a horse and take what you want. That being love. It took me a while to understand, if I touch a horse, I have to have permission and I better be giving, not taking.

So Mr. Shaun is touching his nose to my outstretched hand. I'm not touching him, he's touching me. That's important. His choice to say hello, not mine. I'm just offering the opportunity. He can say "no", and that's real important to a horse. Today he wanted to be let out of the 10 acres I have fenced in where I feed, to the other 30 acres we have for the herd. I needed to doctor Gunner's legs. He has something called scratches, and I had to lead him away from where Shaun wanted to go. He tried to herd me like a border collie, lol! Now I'm nice to my horses, I'm kind, but that was overstepping mama, so I twirled my rope at him. His head came up, but he was still trying to get me to turn around. I finally tapped him with the popper on the end of the rope, and he took off like I beat him. Very sensitive boy. I also stopped and told him I'd be right back after I took care of Gunner. He relaxed after that and waited for us to come back by the gate. I made sure I headed right for the gate and let him out when I got back. You need to keep your word with a horse.

I'm blessed to have five horses in my pasture. Chances are, I'll find a horse that wants to play. He or she may not want to ride, but they will want to play. I can usually talk em into a ride after a while. If not, I don't worry about it too much. If you ask a friend to go out, and they don't want to dance, do you make them? Or do you find something that you both want to do? My horses are my friends, and I treat them like they are friends. Good friends. They are generous to treat me with kindness, too. I don't know if they love me. What we have is so special, so deep, I don't know if love covers it. Shaun is starting to experience what might be possible for him here. With the herd, and with me. He's finding out that I won't force him to do anything, unless it's to save his live. He's discovering what it is to be a horse. He's experiencing life as a herd, and that's bigger than just himself. The herd is one unit, and it thrives because everyone works together to be better than they could be alone. He's starting to blossom into more than he has ever been.

Doin' ok!

I must say, Shaun is doing ok. He stopped by the three wheeler today when I turned everyone out to the big pasture, because I had some baby carrots. Funny how herd sour is no longer an issue when carrots are involved. I think he loves this life. Here, I'll post some pics.

Pez despensor and head scratcher

That would be me. Right now, that's all I am to Shaun. We are at the beginning of this relationship, and to be fair, it is probably the closest he's been to a human. I did protect him tonight from the harrassing arabian and paint. He doesn't often choose my company, but I believe he trusts me. He knows I really try to help him.

Once Tony heads back to Montana to work, and Amanda hits school next week, my time will be my own and I can spend all day with them. I think it has worked out for the best this way. He's bonded with the herd, and he will be spending more time with them, than me. that bond should be strong.

Will download new pics tomorrow. He's looking pretty good. Now, about him finding his happy place? Still working on that one.

He likes me! He really likes me!

On most days, it's a herd. Ok, Bit is attached to Eclipse by the hip, but otherwise, everyone hangs out, with Shaun maintaining the proper distance to keep himself with, but not too close to the herd. When Shaun got choke, the herd was with him. Did not leave him, and Gunner refused to let more than five feet separate them. He stayed with Shaun throughout the entire ordeal. After, you'd find them both grazing nose to nose. Sometimes a crises will bond two souls, when they might not have connected, before. Shaun's near death experience has made us all a bit closer.

Breakfast went well, and not hearing his swallow reflex anymore. Once or twice yesterday, but the vet said he'd have a sore throat. Between antibiotics and a little time, he seems to be doing well.

I know a lot of folks go out and get a horse without a clue how to take care of them, what they might need to thrive, or what to look for if they get sick. I'd heard of colic but never had experienced it with a horse I knew. Once you do, you live in fear of it happening to your horse. You not only have to know how to recognize it right away, but also what to do. Do you? Choke. How many horse owners would even know what it looks like? How many just throw that grain and walk back into the house, or their horses are boarded and someone else throws the grain and walks away? Did you know that feeding your horses only twice a day can create severe digestive problems? That you need to have your hay analyzed because it probably lacks certain nutrients and you need to add supplements? Did you know that if your water contains iron, you need to add copper and zinc to the diet or the feet and coat will not be healthy? And you can't offer those red mineral blocks? Did you know you have to float your horses teeth? HAVE TO? Do you know what to do if your horse gets an abscess on his hoof?

There is a lot to know before you own a horse. Most folks figure, feed em some hay (many feed alfalfa which is not horse food. It's ok in small amounts but horses need to be on grass hay. They are not cows.) Did you know that alfalfa in some parts of the country contain blister beetles which will kill your horses? Just feeding them hay is more complicated than you can imagine. Lets not even get into supplements, hoof care, to shoe or not to shoe, and sunburn in the summer.

This is with a "normal" healthy horse. Shaun is not a normal healthy horse. He needs chiro tx's, his food practically liqified, and very good supplements. I don't know what will happen in the winter with the cold. He has a heavy duty blanket on the way. Cold makes any old injury hurt. It can be very hard on older horses. Lots of folks rescue horses and then face the many challenges these horse may face. Ignorance is no excuse! I can't say this enough, educate yourself. Ask questions and when your gut says that vet is wrong, get a second opinion! Use an equine vet, not a vet that does equines. Know your horse well enough so that NOT NORMAL is a red flag. Just like your car. You know the minute something isn't right. You owe your horse that much of a relationship.

A better deal for the horse

I frequent a great horse forum, It's About the Horse forum. It consists of a lot of old Parelli folks, some who still do Parelli, a lot who have moved on. As Pat said, Parelli is the cake, and it is a great foundation. Most of the people on the forum have moved on to "the icing" and have a good foundation in place. We study Tom Dorrance, Ray Hunt, Buck, Brent, Carolyn Resnick, and some other really great horse people. I've learned tons from this forum, and when Shaun choked, it was the first place I went to find out what to do so it never happened again. Chances are, someone has a horse like you, and is going through or has gone through exactly what your are going through. Lots of wisdom and a great place to find what you need.

Not just one, but a few people had horses that choked, and they also had some good suggestions for why it happened (I like to know why) and what to do so it hopefully doesn't happen again. The why? Shaun gets fed twice what my other horses get, and so my other horses finish up and want his. Even though I gaurd him so no one gets his food, the pressure is there. They stare, they try, a relaxed meal time it is not. So Shaun bolts his food because he is fearful it will be taken away. The solution? Make him feel safe, give him more time to feel it.

I already decided to add water to everyones feed so that no one chokes, EVER. The more water you add, the more the alfalfa pellets there are. It takes longer to eat more, so the other horses get the feeling they are getting more, they take longer. Plus, I put Shaun's big bowl down in his favorite corner of the shelter and wrapped a one inch wide electric fence tape around him to make a safe corral. It was like a wall to the other horses. No staring, no pressure and Shaun ate slowly, eyes half closed and enjoyed his dinner.

It was suggested that Shaun may have scar tissue in his throat from previous choke episodes. He may always have issues with it. But it's manageable right now. I'm hoping he'll be ok with the hay this winter. Green grass is easier to eat than dry hay. Winter is 5 months away.

After dinner, the horses and I headed out to go hedge apple hunting. Google it. Hedge apples grow on hedge trees, and horses love em! We have a lot of hedge trees, but it's more fun when we all head out together. Hawk knows, as soon as I go "let's go hedge apple hunting!" He throws a snakey neck and off we all go, into the secret paths in the trees. It was great training for trail riding. Ya can't be a woosie horse when you go into the scarey tree path. Everyone came but Shaun.

I found him hiding in his little corner of the shelter. I whispered to him, reassured him and tried to get him to come out with me. I walked out, took down the offending fence, came back and got him. I was so unconfident, but he walked out with me and we joined the herd. Eclipse had waited for him. When he showed up, she headed out. It's like she puts out this silent signal and all the horses heads snap up. They all lock onto her, but Shaun. He locked onto me. "GO Shaun! Go!" Hawk took off running after Eclipse, followed by Bit and then Gunner. Shan started towards me. "SHAUN, GO!" He turned and took of running like I know those humans that used to own him wish he would have. He ran for the sheer joy of going. He ran with the herd. He's finally beginning to understand. He's part of it. He's part of something bigger than himself. He's wanted. He's loved. He's a horse.

Another scare

Last night I fed Shaun when suddenly, he stopped eating. It wasn't just a stop, he froze. Then he started coughing, his neck got rock hard and he began to choke. I ran down to the house, called the vet and he said to massage his throat, and it sometimes breaks it up. My daughter, Amanda and I ran back up and by then, great gobs of fluid were pouring out of his nose and mouth. He was dripping in sweat, and struggling to breath between swallowing. Amanda ran back down to the house, called the vet and we waited while Shaun went down hill very quickly. By the time the vet arrived, he was in very bad shape. The doctor gave a sedative, and we tried to tube him to move whatever was blocking his throat. The sedative hadn't taken ehim ffect, and Shaun fought us, slug ugly, thick green gobs in my hair, in my eye, down my shirt...the vet was trying to hold him but he couldn't and hole the hose. He ordered Amanda over to hold the hose in his nose, while we both held an ear and I bit one. Pressure on the ear helps calm a horse, did you know that? It was not long until the sedative suddenly hit, and the vet pumped at least three gallons of water into Shaun. Soon, he was breathing, his head hung low, and it got very quiet. We were all covered in green goo and standing in stunned silence, waiting to see if Shaun would be ok, or not. The vet hosed Shaun off while I moved him around.

I'm starting to realize just how Shaun ended up in a kill pen...I think. He has always done this swallowing thing, and I've told vets about it. He didn't do it while they were there, so they didn't know what it was. I think this boy just may tend to choke. It's ok, I'll just give him a nice, green slurry and never give him dry grain again. We will see how he does on hay this winter. So far he seems ok with it, but he's mostly on pasture grass right now. Just have to see how we work this out. He may have scar tissue from multiple choke episodes, he may not be able to just eat hay. That makes him a hard keeper, and that makes him a non desireable horse to have around for most folks. We'll just have to see what I need to do, as things come up.

Big doesn't mean bad

Just because Shaun is the biggest horse in the pasture, doesn't mean he's the baddest. Even Eclipse was willing to give this big horse a chance, but not Bit. Bit was consumed with keeping Shaun away from her mare. She still doesn't like him, to this day. Eclipse had her moments, like when she is in heat. When you are in love, size matters. Eclipse loves Shaunie when Eclipse is in heat.

It worked out well, having Shuan and the mares have some time before Hawk and Gunner came home from summer camp. It was them coming home, new to the herd. Shaun is such a gentle spirit, Hawk and Gunner quickly assumed a higher position in the herd. Thankfully, Gunner has found Shaun's company a bit more pleasant than the other horse's. He was like Shaun, not too long ago. No one liked him, accepted him, or would graze with him. He was the outsider. Now, he's accepted by the herd a bit more because Shaun is that bottom horse. Just having Shaun be the one that is the outsider, makes it easier for Gunner. I think he knows that.

Today I opened up the big pasture. Tony bush hogged paths through the 30 acres so I could retrieve horses to the home 10 during the day. Sugar levels go down in the grass, and the temps are cooler at night. I bring them in come morning, and they spend the heat of the day in the shade of the trees or shelter. Not that there aren't plenty of trees in the big pasture. There's everything out there, including a running creek, except this year. It's so dry and it's been so hot, the creek has dried up and there is no water for them. Tony says they'll come in when they get thirsty, but they don't. I let them out this morning, because it was cool (only 75) and it had just rained. By the afternoon, it was 88 and I got worried. Took the three wheeler out to the herd, put a halter and lead on Eclipse and brought in the herd. They drank and drank.

Now, did Shuan like his 30 acre run? Why yes he did! He was the first one out, and the whole herd ran like their tails were on fire! It was a beautiful thing to watch. By the time they got to the other fence line where my horses like to hang out, (by the next door stallion) Shaun had no idea where he was. He ususally leaves the herd and goes hangs out in his shelter. Where was it? He ran, he worried, and finally settled with the herd in the shade. It was Shaun's big adventure, today. He was one relieved tb when I brought him in. He nuzzled, licked, snuggled and touched me when we got back. If our horse is our mirrior, then Shuan is my horse. We are both home bodies, and it takes an act of God to get us away from the house. Something to consider...home is not about geography. You carry home within yourself. I'm not saying some place like wore torn Iraq is a good place. I am saying, where ever you are is home, as long as you know that peace within. I'm hoping Shuan will know that peace within himself, so it won't matter where he finds himself. Whether it's in the back pasture, on the trail with me, or in his shelter, he'll be a peace because he carries it with him, always.

present day

Have been practicing Carolyn Resnic's, water hole rituals with my horses for a couple of years now. One of the first rituals is called sharing territory. It's probably the most important, and enjoyable things I do with the herd. You sit in a chair (read a book until you can sit there with your mind in the present moment) and spend time with your horse. No touching him, but he can touch you. It gives the horse, choice. Choice to be with you, choose your company and explore you. He can do anything he wants, as long as you feel safe. This morning Shaun and I kept company. He stood as close as he could with his head right next to me, and fell asleep. At one point Hawk, my arabian, decided to try and chase him off. Yep, I protected Shuan, and made Hawk go wait by the mares. We sat under the mister system, soft, cooling mist falling on us, as we dozed and relaxed.

Shaun likes the barn cats quite a bit, but the cats aren't inclined to trust the horses. Hawk has tried to play "wack a mole" way too many times for those cats to trust a horse. Still, this gentle giant regards the barn cats with interest and kindness. They will wound their bodies around his legs and lie next to him and sleep. It gives you an idea of this ottb's heart. It must have been so stressful for him to run as he did, and he still will not let me near him with anything resembling a whip. T touch uses a white dressage-like whip to guide a horse. No hitting, but some tapping for body awareness. Some rubbing too. The only thing he will let me near him with is the reed that I use for the waterhole rituals.

I can't imagine the life he must have endured before hitting that kill pen. I tell him everyday, "you are home. You are safe. Please be happy."

The drive home

It was hot, and we still had an hour before we'd be pulling into the driveway. I did take it slow over the railroad tracks on the way out of town. Suddenly, my daughter was urging me to "just go!", and I thought she was concerned about the guy tail gaiting me. No, she was concerned about the rail road crossing gaurds lowering, the lights flashing and the train that was making it's way down the track. It became apparant that speed was more important than keeping the ride smooth, and I floored it! It got our hearts beating! Thankfully, a non eventful ride home and Shaun seemed no worse for the wear.

He backed out of the trailer just fine, took a look around, and led right into the pasture. Eclipse and Bit were about an acre away, so after checking out the fence line, we headed up to meet the mares after a nice roll in the shelter. Now Eclipse really liked Shaun, but Bitty was not happy with the new guy. She was sure he was going to take his mare! Please keep in mind, Bit is about 13.5 hh, and Shaun is 16.2 hh. Bit tried to terrorize him, to the point that I stayed with him until 11:00 p.m. It was a great time to bond, and by the time I staggered on down to the house, peace reigned in the pasture.