Nice afternoon gallop

I rode Eclipse out in the pasture so that the herd could get some exercise too. Where the lead mare goes, the herd follows. Hawk, my arabian and Shaun were racing each other across the pasture, tails flying. They have become "fast friends" and love competing to see who gets there first. It's so nice to see Shaun running again. He loves to run, I can tell. Not because some human is on his back urging him faster. It's a joyful thing, only a 1/4 mile or so, with lots of snakey necking and crow hopping. He's still running a bit like a new pup with his back end a little sideways. I think because of that pin in his left leg.

His winter blanket arrived and it should keep him nice and warm on those cold Kansas nights. I'm concerned about the cold and the pin in his leg. I want to keep him as comfortable as possible. Maybe we will have a mild, snowless winter and by next year we can pull his shoes for the winter. Now wouldn't that be wonderful?

The supplement I'm feeding everyone has the manes and tails growing like crazy. I hope the feet are experiencing that same growth spurt. Lots of wall and sole!

Shaun eats all the time. He looks up sometimes, and I think he still is so overwhelmed by the all you can eat buffet. He's putting on good weight, he's shiney and his coat feels like velvet. Have to take some pics tomorrow. He's turning into a beautiful horse.

I think he's ok

The farrier came out and made custom shoes for Shaun. The nail holes were close to the outer edge of the shoe, so he could attach them to the foot. Shaun took one, shakey test step, weighted it, took another, and then he started walking. He's not 100 per cent. Not galloping. But he's walking. He had a tough time trusting that it wouldn't hurt, but he's walking.

He was by himself in the shelter after I fed him dinner. The herd had moved down to the well pasture, about 2 acres away. I asked him to come with me, and he just stood there. I walked a little ways and asked again, he took a step. Good boy! Eventually, he started following me down. Two acres later, he was with his herd, grazing, and happy. Finally.

new shoes

The farrier is on the way out this morning. May be selling Shaun's friend, Gunner. My back is not allowing me to ride everyone, and Gunner is a horse that likes to work. He enjoys a job, and there is a "job opening" up in Nebraska. Shaun is going to miss his friend, but he is also joining up real nice with my mare, Eclipse. He seems real happy to graze and just be a horse. I am going to try something called Perfect Hoof Wear Poly-/Wrap. It's a rubber shoe that flexes with the hoof, and it's attached by a strong wrap that stays on for about 8 weeks, the same as a shoe. This will give Shaun some comfort, minus any nails. Then he can get back to racing Hawk around the pasture. I can also open things up and the horses can have the whole 40 acres.

Have been gone for five days doing a Buck Brannaman clinic up in Iowa. He's not for the faint of heart, or the person that likes to blame their horse for horsemanship issues. As Buck said, "There are no lazy horses." If you are calling your horse lazy, your horsemanship is lacking and needs to be addressed. I've pretty much found that to be true. Horse do get dull to our legs and hands, but we make them that way. They go internal and some folks call that lazy. Boy, once you get light, and they wake up? Watch out! That horse becomes full of life and can scare a "lazy human" that killed that horses spirit with spurs or jerking their horses heads around. Horsemanship takes time, dedication and commitment. I found that I'm just not giving it the time I need to have the horse I want. I spend a lot of time with my horses, but my riding has been pretty sporatic. Triple digit temps will put a damper on your enthusiasm. I should have gotten up earlier. I will now.

Once Shaun's feet are comfortable, I can start him with some ground work and help him build up some muscle. His weight is looking good, could be better. He's not ribby, but his butt looks like a little old lady's. Ha, it looks like mine, I guess. We both need to work more.

Still off on that left front

Had Shaun in his boots all day. Took them off and he had a tough time, even in the soft grass. I'm worried about him. What will happen when the ground freezes? I love this horse to death, but I'm wondering if this is the best place for him. He needs something I'm not giving him. I'm just at a loss, and I don't know what to do. Only three more months to get him sound. sigh.

It's cooling off!

Today is the last day of ugly hot weather. We have rain about two counties away, so hoping that hits us to soften the ground up a bit. I've got green pastures, with long grass so this isn't like a rock lot here. Still, I'd like Shaun to have some soft footing and gradually ease into firm ground. Boots are working out well for him, and you should see his eyes!!!!!! If someone is in pain, their face changes. If you are a mom, you know what I mean. You can just look at your kid and you KNOW! Yesterday Mr. Bright Eyes had the most beautiful, big eyes! He's really looking like his old self! His eyes are even bigger than my arabains! Will take the camera out and get some pictures. I know I keep saying that, but it's so hard to deal with pictures when the heat index is past 108. Your brain just shuts off, and all you want to do is crawl into the shade and wait for fall.

Speaking of which, fall arrives tomorrow! Glad to say, it arrives all the way down into old Mexico, according to the weather channel. I'm ready to move to Colorado for the summers, and I can see why rich folk have two homes. Hard to find perfect weather all the time. Everyone in hurricaines path, stay safe!

Regarding shoeing, thanks for posting about possible alternative shoeing. My farrier is very open to whatever works for the horse. He works closely with a vet and is always trying to figure out how to make a horse comfortable, treat the problem not the symptom, and has no issues with a horse going barefoot. I'll pass that information on to him. I may be looking at Epona's for the winter. Their winter shoe has carbide tips, and a mesh covering over the frog, so it's a perfect snow shoe. Trying to get my farrier to look into them and shoe three of my tenderfoots this winter in them.

Off to feed before the t storm hits!

A little thrushy

I took off Shaun's boots and he smelled a little thrusy this morning, so left boots off, treated him with thrush buster and giving him a little more time for his feet to dry out. Shaun is getting a lot better at picking up his feet. Maybe because I'm working with them so much, or maybe because he knows I'm trying to help him. Probably a bit of both.

It's been hard to make myself go out and spend time with everyone because it so hot. 100 degrees with humidity right now, but Sunday is another story! Maybe we can get back to some riding! If I can't ask myself to get out there and play, why would I ask my horses? Yes, there is a point where it's too hot to ride.

This morning I spent "nappy time" with the herd in the shelter under the mister. We all had a nice nap, and I made sure no one picked on Shuan and took his spot under the mister. He placed himself close enough for me to feel his breath on the top of my head. Everyone needs a nappy buddy.

His eyes are changing, and I HAVE to take a picture to share. His eyes looked like they did when he was racing in NZ! Big, bright and pain free. No worry lines around his eyes! He is really getting into hugging too. Lots of him placing his face right against mine. He is such a gentle soul.

No word from easy care about sponsoring him with boots. Also contacted another company that makes a great product for hoof recovery, E3liveforhorses. Boots treat the symptoms, but I'm more interested in treating the problem.