Early December ...

Did you ever care about the weather before owning your horse? I swear, I'm like a make shift obsessed weather girl now. 

"What's the precipitation today?!!?" 

"Is it freezing rain or just rain??!!!"

"Snow..when? HOW MUCH WIND, I NEED TO KNOW--HOW MANY MPH??!!!"

It's all for the good of my ponyboy

At any rate, it's been relatively mild so far, I think. High to mid 30's

Hell, I'll take anything above 20 with a SMILE!!!

Yesterday afternoon I was able to sneak in time for a fun schooling session.

I haven't done much of this lately do to some hoof re-sectioning that we've been working on (more of that to come as I get more length of time in between for our dramatic results!! All great so far though!)

Laz was definitely wanting/needing some play/mind work

This is when I asked him for a canter on the line...uphill much? 

Major zoomies but he was funny and great. He needed a release.

***

I also had my baby shower at 36 wks..the time is near.

Holy. Shit.

Lucky to have these friends...not a one a horse girl, can you believe it?! Don't worry...I try to bribe all their children to ask for ponies, mwaa haaa haaaa!

Lots of temporary changes coming up.

Winter. Baby. Work. Easing into changes, etc.

I have no idea of how to really plan for it....all I know is no matter what, I hope my animal kids stay safe while I may be busy (and on the days I can't see Laz--ugh boarding an hour away can really be hard), and will be loved by us for life.

I look so forward to riding again. I dream of it often but nuzzling his sweet fuzzy face is a great source of happiness too.

SundaySunshine

Sunny Sunday. I went for a typical visit/groom session and wouldn't you know it but the warm sun, the Fall colors and my snoozy puppy dog of a pony lured me into a quick ride.

I.just.had.to.

It was like "Uh, OK stars are aligned...I'm doing this"

I had promised to not ride when alone but I just couldn't pass it up. With Fall in Michigan, it goes from glorious to wet/cold in a day, so I carpe diem'ed that shit and did it!

I just told Laz, "Pony...take care of us" and thought good thoughts. But more so, he gave me the vibes that all was going to be well. 

 I threw on his bitless and his bareback pad and hopped on.

At 29 weeks, (7 mths) my hop is a little heftier but my stoic pony just STOOD there....love this fraggle rocked maned of  a horse. Damn.

I'll tell you the dismount is MUCH harder to slide off when there is a hard belly in the way. Sorry baby that I smushed your face, but I think you enjoyed the ride too.

 We just walked around. Ambled really, it was lovely.

It felt good for me, and he seemed to enjoy his little job as well.

Jump, one day...in our future...one day....

 It was so quiet and peaceful during our ride. You can hear the squirrels running about, and the leaves gently falling, and Laz's big happy exhales

 #yesifilteredthecrapoutofthis #so

 I swear, I am the pregnant one....

Focus on the pretty leaves in his fat shadow instead

 Pokertown pony. My favorite....

 It's amazing how a ride, no matter if an amble or a trail ride, can just lighten my soul up

This may be my last ride until birth (early Jan??)....I don't know, but I thoroughly enjoyed it

 My sweets waiting after untacking for his cookies for his Rolex performance

I'm smitten for him. 

The obsession just doesn't quit...Le Sigh

***

On Monday, Laz got floated

He goes along so well, doesn't hardly move and all without sedation.

Thanks for Miles's Mom for giving us this Equine Dentist's name years ago! He's the best

During his jaw breaks, Laz was walk towards me like "uh saves me....??" it was quite funny.

More positive hoof changes took place but I'm going to allow a bit of time to pass before posting so I can hopefully show some dramatic growth changes

Keep your fingers crossed for us

September-Hoof update

An update, we casted Laz's RH hoof weeks ago and I'm not happy at all with how it grew out.

I feel the whole hoof capsule grew out forward and incorrect. Especially in heel/toe area.

 I also felt from the beginning that the cast was too tight/close to his medial heel bulb

Here is his hoof after cast was removed (I tried removing it on my own and could NOT do it)

Terrible angles...poor Laz.

 The heel bulb, ugh. Look at those heels too--so high and under run

 A day later, after hoof cast removal, his medial wall started to crack at quarters.

I can see the lateral side hoof wall is higher too...look at hairline

It's been months/years since I felt so let down

We usually have great results from the casting. Not this time.

 I decided to let his hoof be for a few days before I did any alterations.

I'll have update photos soon and since I rasped those heels/toe back he started walking SO much better. I did a little at a time, every other day to give him time to settle into it.

Here is his hoof back in 2011

 Better angle to me although quite diseased or full of laminar wedge..

This hoof...boy this hoof...!!!

I hope to get some better results soon by using my eye and not casting for a while....

I'm just really miffed to have gone backwards with his growth/angle/shape.

I'm not sure why? 

By no means is this a slam on my farrier. I know he truly TRULY cares and tries very hard. This is a very tricky hoof. My feeling is to take that toe back but that could lead to more soreness...slow attempts are my best bet. We talk a lot during his trims about angles and what to try, not try, etc.

I just wish I had a clear vision of how to best help his hoof. It's not in soakings (I've done how many hundreds of soaks/thrush treatments, etc--tried it ALL)

For now...I'm taking those heels back/toe back and he's liking it and walking/weighting it nicely.

***
Apple picking time

MI apples are the best. They crack when you bite into them. DEE freakin lic

My instagram pony pic..Sunday snuggles with this most handsome stink face!

 Billy rubbing down Laz who was telling him "Iz vury itcheeee"

 Doing a little hoof work

Why, why haven't I bought a hoof jack yet? I don't know. Stupido.

 Riding home (I'm the passenger for those that are judging) and Mason's velvety ears are happily flapping in the breeze. 

A damn good ride

This boy.

He has been worth all the struggle in the past. He is just a damn great horse.

There was something in his eyes, years ago, that told me how sweet he was/is. More so, IS.

He has turned to be very loyal, trusting and loves to seek loving affection.

A far cry from the antsy, nervous, dancing pony I had even just a few years ago.

Patience is key. And turnout ;)

Tacking up for a much needed ride in the pasture

Laz just ground ties like a champ. I never use cross ties with him. Not that I can't, but he doesn't need it and it's great to not be limited to one section of the barn area.

Him just being curious and turning around to smell/touch things. Love him

Standing still as a statue for him as I mount up, lazy ears

Our sun bleached hair matches...what can I say?

Just loving on this guy

He has been so sound and fluid lately, it's great!

Stretching/snorting during a trot

This is why I ride with crazy long reins, I love to allow him to stretch down and release his back muscles

Opening up his trotting stride 

I love how Laz doesn't care if the other two are out grazing while we ride. In fact, he's focused and happy

Working on our canter a bit. I love his neck below. I hate how I curled up like a perched frog lol

My forever bad habit below, leaning forward, pulling knees up. UGH.

Good boys get good pats!

Definitely need to lower my stirrups a hole...

but look at my beautiful chunky boy

It was a lovely, relaxed ride for us both. Just what I needed and I think, him too

Not bad for an OTTB who took his momma and his future brother (I'm 5 months pregnant) on a fun little ride

I'm so lucky to have this ponyface boy and so is our future baby.

I can't wait to have him give pony rides as well as trail ride again (next year).

I've got some girls (that I trust immensely) lined up to ride Laz this Fall for when I get too big so he can still go out and enjoy trail rides.