Glamour Shots

Yes, I braved the COLD and snow and drive (slowly and carefully) to check on my boy.

I over worry (shocker!!!) that he's cold.  He was fine and as snug as a bug in his winter rug.

Out at pasture, playing and digging for grass nibs, but still comes to me..........aw!

 Iceballs on his whiskers and chin hairs but he was warm!

 "Sniff..PawPawPawPaw...Oh, a blade of grass. YUM!"

 Soon, Laz will be able to be turned out with the other geldings...I'm sure he'll be so excited to be able to naw and play with others.  He's been home schooled for so long, and longs to be with the others and finally he's at that stage where he can safely. (knock on wood of course)

 Ice balls on his feet, yet when I put my bare hand on his leg it was warm (not hot)...so I need not worry about him being cold.

I was so inspired by this photo, that I HAD to try out our own Holiday Glamour Shots....lol!

Not an easy task!!!

First we had to walk to line of horse eating trees...

 Laz was a little concerned a had two BIG spooks where he jumped back, but I just told him "Beauty is Pain" and we worked it out until he was calm. It was more of a fake spook really...he was just feeling GOOD!

So, for $1 at Target, you too can have a Seussical Santa hat!

Just cram one big furry ear in there... and Snap away

 

This was the best shot of the day...cute but not cover material

 Darn that beautiful sunshine!

 Laz was going to town wanting to EAT this horse eating pine tree

 Black Stallion??

 "Mom..I'm over this"

 "Mmmm, maybe one more bite...can I get a lemon twist with this?"

 I love this one too!  

Despite the COLD, it was a beautiful winter day with tons of white snow

 **SPOOK**

"RUUUUUN...Pine tree came alive!!!!!"

 "what happened??"

 Mason wanted to show his modeling skill..

"Like this Mom?"

 "How about I do the 'give me your steak' gaze while I casually look over my right shoulder, Mom"

Paparazzi beware!

Had one of our best rides on Saturday.

Laz was a calm, super star. 

I started out with some Parelli games to see where his mind was. He was IN TUNE and wanting to listen. Good Boy!  The weather was a balmy 37 degrees so in my new WARM awesome coat, I decided to ride and enjoy the day.  We did some schooling of walking, trotting, stopping, leg aids, figure 8's, etc. Laz was such a good listener. Sometimes it freaks me out how in tuned he is and leaves little room for me to mess up.  He's very forgiving actually because I know I send mixed signals all the time. Sweet Bay.

Anyway, since our ride in the round pen was going so nice, I decided to test the water and walk around the property.  The last two times I hand walked him out there, he had some major meltdowns and we worked on our Parelli games to give him some confidence and focus.

Well, I'm happy to report we rode around the outside of arena, the front lawn, the road (no lame steps on gravel road!!!), the driveway, etc with NO SPOOKS. He was attentive but even kept his head low(ish) and sighed a lot and licked a lot. Brave boy! I was so proud.

These are the little things that can sometimes go missed, but 2 yrs ago, I couldn't even lunge this boy without him having a panic attack.  Big steps in the right direction of a happy horse!!!

I hope to go trail riding this spring and want him to enjoy it too!

Come spring, I'll have to start using a saddle again, lol.

 I made his Slurpee and boy is he quickly learning that after our ride, his grooming, when I open the grain room door to grab my pre soaked beet pulp...he is practically drooling!!! I had to remind him of some manners when he dove into the bucket while I was walking him back outside to eat it. 

 Not acceptable Laz ;)

NommmmNommmsMMmmmm

 Soon, Laz will be able to be part of a herd again.  The BO's are taking in a new boarder and her Senior Arab, so that means some re-shuffling will happen.  We hope Laz can go with the BO's herd of the geldings, which should work out fine since they play over the gate. 

It will also encourage Laz to keep moving over the winter and play again.  I know he'll love it.

Laz with his too young girlfriend, 2 yr old Ellie

Inappropriate!

 I'm also thinking I need to bring out the cavelletis and work off that belly and strengthen his back a bit.  He's starting to sag...any other suggestions for that? Rounding up too I know helps but it's still a bit hard for him to push off with his hind end.  In time. I just don't want his back to weaken

 And in dog news...Mason apparently is a Husky MAGNET

This is our behind our house neighbor's dog who is an escape artist.

 They played for about an hour when I decided to take her home being no one was out looking for her.  This is the 5th time we've returned her.  Kind of annoying.  If either of my dogs were missing, I would be hysterical that the town over would hear me.  

 For for those who live in Michigan, do you know we have some amazing dog parks?!

This one was SO great and only 10 minutes from my house and I just stumbled on it Friday afternoon while out for work.

 Of course, I had to pick up Mason after work and go check it out.

It was hysterical!  There were about 15 dogs and the park was HUGE

 What a great way to burn some energy off.  

Mason was the oldest dog there being 6-1/2, the others were all around 18 months so he had some energy to contend with but held his own.

Lately, I've been really appreciative of what Michigan has to offer.....it's actually A LOT!!!

Growing up in a North Shore suburb of Chicago, I took a lot for granted and moving to Michigan for College and life thereafter was an adjustment, but actually, there is more here than I realized.

And it's growing.  More culture (love that), great ethnic restaurants, shopping and outdoor activities.

And beautiful snow falls...

The furried ones LOVE winter

Thank goodness for those with fur.  I worry about Laz that he's cold all the time.

Jeez. I need to drop that worry.  Today, I bundled up in my new barn jacket (more about that later) and headed out to face the C.O.L.D.  As I pulled up, I saw Laz rolling around, then springing up and bucking around.  Yea, he's really cold and miserable.  What a sweet face.  I still have his turnout sheet on as a wind breaker, no insulation.  Winter weight turnout is still on hanging on hook waiting for cooler temps.

And Mason.  I check his ears ALL the time to make sure he's warm enough because this little chocolate jock would go without complaints in the Artic.  He loves winter! I do actually worry more about him out at the farm in the summer but I'm able to cold hose him down several times on the hot hot days.  Winter, he just gallops around happy and warm.

After our workout, it was slurpee time. I'm getting the water to beet pulp shreds ratio better so it was more slurpee vs broth.  Laz yum yum yummed it up!

 After a little Masterson bladder meridan massage via me, I took Laz to tack room for a carrot or two.  His eyes are FREAKY but rest assured, he's not a robot or laser shooting horse.

 Back at home, Mason and Pudge play their favorite game of "Mason stole Pudgie's favorite ball but will hold it in his front teeth to tease Pudge and to leer him into game"

 The cuteness hurts sometimes :)

And since if you own a horse, you also own an empty wallet, or close to it.

I thought I would share THIS exciting news.

Ok, maybe not so exciting but money saving!

I bought a new down coat for the barn (MUCH needed). Got it on MEGA sale from Land's End (had never shopped there before)-got it for 40% off and Free shipping AND via EBATES which in turn, got me back 6% cash back.

If you don't know about EBATES, check it out and sign up. 

If you are an internet shopper like I am, you get percentage points back on your purchases, so basically........FREE money for horse stuff! ;)

And..best of all, the jacket kept me toasty warm today in 20 windy weather. 

Laz was OBSESSED with the fur trim (which btw can come off) and kept nuzzling it.

I got the jacket in brown which is so dark, basically black, and love love love it because it kept me warm  AND has a double/two way zipper so you can ride in it.

Picking your horse

Isn't it interesting to think about how you and your horse met?

It can be such a chance, gamble and yet most of us throw our entire hearts into the joining and run with that risk.

Well, I for sure, am so glad that I did.

I feel like Laz chose me and I, in return, heard his asking. I don't know why, how, etc...it just happened that way.

Below, is summer/fall of 08 when I decided that I had been gone from the horse world long enough and needed to get back in somehow.  I looked at Craig's list for some horse lease options and found a girl that was my age which a slew of horses.  She and I are still friends though we don't hardly see each other. We both left the farm below.  Me to take Laz home (to my current barn) and her to open a horse rescue.

This was one of her future rescues. A girl brought this adorable wicked untrained pony to trade for a saddle. Yikes. A saddle for a live animal?! I don't get it.

 We loved her.  See the arena fence behind me...the one top rail fence...yea, wicked, fun JoonBug here tried to run me off by ducking under it at full pony gallop and almost decapitating me.  

Ooops. Such fun. LOVE a pony. Always have. Always will.

(Sorry no helmet here...I dont ride now without one)

Below is my friend who I speak about who runs a great horse rescue now.

She is on Titan, the TB I was super super super close to buying.

17 hh+ giant, 4 yrs old, all mighty TB, never raced and super duper GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!

This is my 'dream' colored horse.  Die for a dapple. DIE!  

But it was so strange. 

I had zero connection with him.  He was sweet, but not much personality. Almost a little "DUHHHHHH" but would be an awesome horse no doubt.

He was like that handsome, dumb jock in school that everyone drools over that asks you out on a date but you are soooo bored with him, you start chewing your gum in a musical method to drown out his voice. lol!

So, I ended up saying "I'm just not that into you"  Another girl starting riding him and she loved him.  I have no idea what happened to Titan...I hope he found a good home and a loving rider.

I still think of him and had I had tons of money, I would have taken him too because he would have been a great horse....just not full of personality like sweet Laz.  More introverted perhaps.

Sometimes when you are THAT pretty, you don't have to be that intriguing ;)

And I found my dream boat...or as I said, he found me.  When the truck full of OTTB's was dropped off at this farm, us girls all walked in the field to start playing with the new TB's.  A couple days into it, a sweet little Bay kept coming up to me with the sweetest Arab eyes...so I just said "OK. I'll ride you today." 

And never stopped...

The minute I paid for him, my current BO and I, loaded him up one evening and took him to her farm where we still are.  I just knew, although a fun place to ride at, I couldn't keep him at that facility.  No way.  Way too many reasons to list.

(Again..I wear helmets now...don't know why that summer I was being stupid)

Back to now.
On Saturday, Laz looked/seemed like 100% so I decided to ride him.
It was cold but not too windy so bearable.
We had a nice ride and he even gave me some attitude when the BO was feeding everyone their afternoon hay, he was like "I'm done with homework, I want a snack!!!" but we got thru it. ;)

 Sweet fuzzy boy

 I ended up buying Beet Pulp shreds at our local Tractor Supply.
All other pellets or hay cubes were Alfalfa crazy and he can't have it.
He slopped it up but made a mess. I need to feed this outside to him.

 Mason made a new friend with the neighbor's husky

 She's beautiful with the most captivating eyes but would not sit still for me to get that.

 And here is an hour old brand new toy....

Decorating for Xmas...I have quite the collection of horse themed ornaments from childhood and up.  This is one of my faves.  Ride 'em Santa!

Stay warm!!! 

Colic Cocktail anyone?

So, of course I know the BO's know Laz and know when he's fine and when he's not.  But you know when you just need to put your eyes on your baby to make yourself feel better? 

Yes, of course you all do!

So...after my appointments, I raced to the farm.

Whew

Angel face was face first in his hay with a good, wet mouth

"Mmmmm, nnmoommm, Hey Mom...mmmmmmmMMM'

 Can you see the cutest little pink tongue and tooth!?

Ignore the mud 

Ignore the mane

Too many years in Hunter/Jumper as a kid....what can I say, it bothers me that Laz looks like a mess, but OH WELL, he's happy! :)

 I chose to not ride and just hand walk him.  I decided after how I mowed over Thanksgiving, I needed to walk too.  Laz had a nice pep in his step and was acting 100% normal, but who doesn't benefit from a nice walk?

Thanks to Karla for this cooking inspiration of a witch brew slurpee!

She makes a custom one for her sweet girl, Honey.  

I used what I could, due to Laz being intolerant of sugars.

I first called my vet and talked to Cliff about their thoughts and put this together:

Warm water, a scoop (tablespoon?) of salt, 1/2 cup of his Triple Crown L/S, some hay fines-about a fistfull, and two mouth-chopped up carrots.  Stirred and let sit for about 35 minutes to soak and cool down while we took a walk.

When we came back inside-Laz loved it and made a mess!

He slurped, gulped, chewed and then DOVE into the bucket (nostrils under which of course I thought...great, now I'm drowning my baby) and picked out the carrots!

It felt so satisfying to get that water in him!!! Of course it required a good nose cleaning afterwards because he look like a mess.  I plan on buying him some 50/50 hay cubes or Orchard grass pellets to soak instead of using his grain.  This should be fun! I hope it proves to do him good in hydrating him and not causes any GUT issues.  Vet felt it was OK to do daily or every other as I'm there to encourage the liquids primarily.

Vet wants no bran mashes for him because of the fact of any drastic change in feed, could change the micro-organisms in the GUT and may cause an endotoxin release.  BAD for laminitic horses...like really bad.  He stated too that even though bran mash is mostly fiber, there is also carbs in it, that as we know-turn to sugar.  Especially NO Molasses, sugar, apples, bananas, etc for him.  Makes sense.  I just hope that even though the vet/farrier agreed to do hay cubes, that is Ok for Laz.  The Vet was actually OK with the Aloe Vera although he stated to make sure NO sugars in it and start slowly.  I may wait on this....  

I do LOVE when my notes between the Vet and the trimmer seem to work together, makes it so less stressful for me!  Why I didn't stick with my childhood plan of "When I grow up, I want to be a vet for horsies" is beyond me.  I could have saved myself major stress and money.

Thoughts on Colic

Weather change.

It was warm, rainy and balmy this week which lead to Laz needing his turnout sheet off and being able to enjoy the weather as a free horse! He obviously enjoyed it.

Reasons I think he likes to roll in mud:

A. He wants to look like a PIG instead of a handsome TB

B.  Wants people to think he's neglected so they feed him carrots and apples

C.  Thinks his Mom needs to buff up her grooming arms

Kissable crescent moon shaped star!

"What Mom, I'm not that dirty!"

So being it was freeeeezing yesterday, I knew I had to get him groomed and re-blanketed.  We just did some light lunging/Parelli work.  He did great and was really enjoying to trot and walk around.  Lots of snorting, stretching and some nice happy bucks (not feisty I-don't-want-to-turn bucks).  I took him inside the barn after about 30 minutes of working and playing , to start the grooming session.  Side note about the blanket I'm using during this weather; it's a no fill turnout sheet, which is basically a wind breaker in vivid orange. I also secretly like it because during Hunting season, no one can mistake him for a deer.  

So, here's where my title of "Thoughts on Colic" come into play.

After grooming off his muddy coat, I noticed that he was very tail swishy when I groomed his belly and sides. He then did the classic, turn and look at belly.

Oh shit.

He then did a couple of belly kicks with his leg.

**Pass out**

I sighed and said "Please Laz.........do.not.colic.on.me."

I filled up a bucket with warm water, like bath warm, which he likes (trial and error last winter I figured that out) and he drank two big nice "see I'm OK Mom" gulps of it.  

Whew, ok....

I grabbed a couple of carrots.  He mowed on them. 

Whew, ok...

The BO's came in and I told them my concern.  They listened to his gut.  We checked his poops (normal 6 piles outside), we checked his water intake (normal-and why I LOVE not having an auto-waterer).

Laz did poop in the crossties and of course, like everyone crazy horsemom, I picked it up and pulled apart.  A little dry. 

 Hmmmmm.

The weather change???  It can cause horses to not drink like normal.

On my way home, I called my vet.  Now, don't get me wrong, if I saw anything else (not eating/drinking, etc) I would have called Vet immediately to come view him.

He promptly had his office call me back with things to do and not to do;

1.  Blanket him-Check

2.  Increase Salt to encourage drinking-Check 

(detail of that is 1 oz of Table Salt, and 1 oz of Light Salt which has Potassium in it)

3.  Heated Bucket-Not Check but he has two buckets in insulated tubs in stall

Vet said to count manure piles, monitor water intake and no bran mash because of his laminitis (I had asked about that).

Are there any tricks you all do to prevent if you see small signs of a possible Colic?  

-I've heard of Beet Pulp, heavily soaked (but that worries me to plug him up more)

-Aloe Vera juice? (sometimes colic can be caused by ulcers......I'm thinking of adding this)

-Soaked hay cubes??

-Coconut water (crazy I know, but high in Potassium and great for dehydration) just have never heard it used for horses but for people, I know it works wonders.  

I wish there was a horse nutritionist that existed!!!