The summer days of March

This is what I saw pulling up to the barn.

Seriously...I love that Laz loves this place

I had to go two days without seeing my brown babe...work got so crazy!

He was happy to see me because he was hot and itchy

 

Poor sticky shedding babe. 80's came way too early, he is literally molting.

So, we started with our favorite Harrod's soft rubber curry.  

Yes, Laz got something from Harrod's last time I was in London...I did not.

He deserves it

Followed by our shedding blade that really did a great job...

His armpit, belly area fur can literally be plucked off.

Anyone want a Laz sweater?

De-pouffff

 Looking a bit better, and definitely more comfortable

 I thought I would do a running braid...

Laz felt otherwise...

He gleefully shook it out of his silken thick mane

So, I kindergarten chopped his mane!

I had a moment of "do I do this or keep it long? 

I like the short

I think it shows off his ewe neck better ;)

**side note; after viewing this picture, I worked on his RF hoof, bringing his heel down a bit more, as well as his LH

Maybe I can make Mason a baby Laz stuffed animal??

Some bird is going to have a soft nest...

 Look at this choco faced angel in the sunshine!

He loves going to the barn and I'm so happy I can take him every time

After our grooming session, we hand walked down the dirt road

I'm trying to pretend Laz is at Rockley and provide him with varied terrain for his hoof health

 Little snacking along the way...

 I'm liking the way Laz is looking!

Compare above from this week, to below, April 2009 before he got ill.

  Doesn't look so much different anymore :)

Body weight/shape over the last 7 months

I wouldn't say Laz is a hard keeper, but he isn't an easy keeper.
He can gain weight, yet he can loose it quickly if I don't watch it.

He requires a LOT of hay to keep him going

If I watch his intake, bump it up on colder days and balance with his BP during winter, I can maintain a pretty even weight (visually) on him.

Let's take a look...

AUGUST 2011

Looking great, but still ribby/bony/thin top line. 

Maybe due to nutrition/diet/lack of 'real' exercise

I know typically OTTBS are a ribbier horse but I do want some fat layer along his rib cage...slight not padding

 Our first day at new barn-SEPT 2011

 Middle of SEPT 2011

tummy goes POUF

Beginning of OCT 2011

Looking perfect in my eyes..I think this is the best he's ever looked.
He was on full pasture with additional hay

End of OCT 2011

Looking a bit lean..lost weight in neck, base of tail, behind shoulders

We were riding A LOT, grass was changing, and I had yet to up his hay

Beginning of NOVEMEBER 2011

upped his hay and upped his BP amount to 3 cups (dry)

 End of NOV 2011

Looking better, whew...gained it back quickly

 DECEMBER 2011

Looked good in my eyes..yes, I see he has a bigger fiber belly...

JAN 2012

Little thicker, but also FUZZ HAIR BALL so it can be deceiving

I was OK with some extra fat layering being I left him naked

 FEB 2012

Depending on how he is holding himself, he will have a belly...

 Or tucks it up..

Both above photos were taken on the same day

I've been very happy with his weight and hope to start to tighten him up as he feet can tolerate it!

What do you look for in your horse to make you comfortable with their weight?

Sunset strolls and Hoof comparison photos

Laz standing with his other OTTB friend, Red Zepplin.

It's amazing how much Laz has fallen in love with his herd.

Friday evening...does it get better than a quiet walk at sunset?

This marks out first official snow ride this winter...

Temps were great, no wind, sun was out and in low 40's

 Mason enjoying the snow

 Walking and working alongside Justin, Laz did great maintaining listening to me

Just amblin' around, we worked on circles, serpentine's, figure 8's, yielding towards fence, and away and just played for about 35 minutes

 In the far corner, Laz kept glancing over to the woods...

He never misbehaved or spooked but there was something..

And indeed there was!
A HUGE 10 point BUCK rubbing his antlers against a young tree

scrape..scrape..scrape....

I used my MEGA zoom so it's unclear but this guy was BIG.

Can you see him?

And today, no riding, but we did some ground work. 

Working on our Parelli games so Laz remembers his manners, etc. 

With not riding as much (I'm allowing sole to repair) he can get a little pushy/bratty when I arrive as in "FEED ME AND GO so I can go plays again with my bro's" 

Sooo...um nooooo....we will still work.

He did great, but for a literally a couple of minutes, he tried to evade my requests and blew up cantering around until he realized it was easier to listen. 

Cantered for about a minute and literally stopped, sighed and then was tuned into me.

Good boy

 Maintaining good weight and is a super FUZZ ball

 Alien Mason says "TROW FRizzBEE!"

 New delivery of 150 bales of hay! Boo ya.

Some alfalfa and our Grass hay!

Can you believe, delivered each bale is under $5!!

They are HUGE bales too, about 14-16 flakes in them

 A quick WL soak to clean ..I know my Vet advised no more soaking, however this is more of a gas soak vs liquid and I plan to do this once every couple of weeks

 Below, is from Laz's trim this past Thursday. We are leaving sole totally alone but removing some bar so it doesn't spill over onto sole again. Some slight heel toe and wall rasping as well as you can see below in blurry pictures

 NOW..for some hoof comparison pics.

Can I just say, how glad I am that I take monthly photos..it just helps SO much to see where we are going.

Below is from Jan 2011, so almost a year ago..

 Ugh..that medial side shows DAMAGE and I see how high his heels are here below..as well as the false sole build up

 And this seedy toe, stretched laminae is from a year ago as well

Below is from Oct 2011, just a couple of months ago..

To compare with TODAY, below...

I can see some positive change; tightening of that hoof wall and toe holes have almost all but sealed up. It's slight but again, being from just a couple months ago, I think that is great progress.

Below shows why it's so important to shoot from all angles..you can't even see the hoof wall issues from photo below 

Still dealing with bruising but the sole FEELS harder.

I've been using Keratax Hoof hardener as well as making sure his diet is up to par to help with all  hoof growth, blood circulation, etc.

I JUST started adding to his BP, J-herb as well as MSM this past Thursday.

And Mason and Pudgie napping below ...does it get sweeter?