End of a Great Season

Two weeks ago was the last horse show of the 2009 season. We had back-to-back shows, one show was an open show and the other all Arabians. At the first show, MEHA September 4-6 Armani showed in eight classes. The judge really seemed to like him, as he was pinned first in every class except two. In one of those two, he missed a lead and the judge saw it. In the other, he switched leads while loping. So if he hadn't of done those two mistakes, he would have had a flawless show! But those little mistakes happen, and he is still only five, so I wasn't too upset about it.

At the All-Arabian show for NWPAHA the following weekend, Armani had six classes. Of the those, he took four firsts and two seconds. Again, the judge liked Armani and even verbalized it! She said "he is a good thinker." And referred to him as 'sweatheart' when she checked our bosal in the line up. She was a good judge; she checked bits, curbs, and bosals to make sure everything was legal. The final class of the show was Purebred Western Pleasure Open Championship there were only 2 horses and the other was a seasoned show horse. But Armani was great in that class, not a single issue and he gave it his all. We won the class, and the memorial trophy for my horse trainer. I was really happy about that.



I gave Armani a little over a week off to just be a horse. Next step is learning to work in a curb since he can no longer show as a Junior Horse next season. He is a willing horse, so I don't think he'll have a huge problem with the transition. It'll just take some time to get used to the different bit.

Back at home at my little barn, I started lunging my retired show horse Fanny. She seems to be really enjoying it! I keep it very easy on her since its been a while since she was worked. I just want to work on conditioning and keeping her fit and healthy. I have also started her back on Equinyl. :)

Summer is nearing its end...

Hard to imagine it is already gearing down into the last few days of the month of August. I feel like summer has gone by so quick this year!

I had started this blog with the intention of recording training progression with my older equines at home. Unfortunately, I have not really been able to spend much time "training" my two old buddies. Dale, the pony, has a chronic sore left hind leg that when he plays hard in the pasture, he tends to favor this leg and even limp a little if he plays really hard. He also has heaves that flare up when the humidity is high or the air quality poor. Aside from a little wheezes here and there, and the occasional cough after rolling or chasing Fanny around the pasture, Dale is happy and healthy. He might get a little light exercise along with Fanny come September as I describe in the next paragraph.

Fanny doesn't seem to show any physical problems, aside from the arthritis she has had for many years now. She appears to be healthy and extremely content with her easy-going lifestyle. I do intend to start some light lunging and light riding just to keep her healthy and happy. But the summer has decided to let its temperatures climb into the 90s with high humidity the past two weeks. I don't think it would be fair to start her light retired training during some of the hottest days of the year. Perhaps in September when the weather tends to be more forgiving.

Something I haven't mentioned in previous posts is about the five-year-old Arabian gelding I ride for a friend. He is a wonderful horse with a temperament which is a real rare treasure to find. Its a real pleasure to work this horse. This will be his last season as a "junior horse" at the shows. I purchased a nice Myler bit from Schneider's Saddlery a few weeks ago and have been working him with it. He has been very responsive and it has helped him develop more muscle tone in his neck and help his head set, as well as flexing at the poll better. He is a joy to ride and it is fun to watch him grow and mature! Since my old girl has been retired from the show ring, its nice to get back into the circuit and have fun with this young gelding.

Wonderful 'Horsey' Book

Monday I had jury selection all day. I grabbed a book last minute as I ran out the door. The book I chose is called Chosen by a Horse by Susan Richards. I had picked this book up at Books A Million a few months earlier when I lived in Jacksonville, NC. Since I was reading the rest of Harry Potter collection and the Twilight Saga, I hadn't had a chance to start it yet. Monday was my chance.

This book is great. The equine version of Marley and Me and Dewey. I highly recommend it to anyone, but especially to the horse people! It is a memoir about a woman in her 40s who adopts a starved and sick Standardbred mare. She nurses her back to health, and the mare also heals Ms. Richards. Lay Me Down teaches Susan to love and live again, dealing with her horrible past. She learns to trust again.

There is now also a sequel called Chosen Forever that was just released in May. I will be buying it as soon as I get a chance!

Further Update on Supplement

Today I checked the answering machine for our home line telephone. There was a message from a bubbly representative for SmartPak. She was calling in regard to the review I left for the SmartPak Senior supplement my horses would not eat. I called her back today and explained how my mare wouldn't even get close to it from the strong smell, just snorting at it. She laughed and said she would be happy to credit my account so I can try another product. I told her I had used Equinyl CM in the past (now Equinyl Combo) and she offered to send me samples to make sure they'll eat it. I was pleasantly surprised by their wonderful customer service skills. I thought I would have to send back the other supplement, but she said to give it to someone or donate it to a local Equine rescue organization. So, 5 gold stars to SmartPak! I highly recommend them for your supplement purchasing!

They let you Try It Before You Buy It! :)

Breakdown on Sweet and Pellet Feeds

I get a newsletter weekly from TheHorse.com. This week had some interesting topics, particularly the one that explains Sweet Feet and Pellet Feed 'Barney-style' for horse owners. Most of this I knew already, some of it I did not! Its pretty interesting and worth the read!


http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=6573

Love the Underdog Stories!

I'm sure millions tuned in on Saturday afternoon to watch the much-talked-about Kentucky Derby. After a morning scratch for the favorite, I Want Revenge, eyes were turned to some of the prestigious horses, such as Westside Bernie, Hold Me Back, Regal Ransom, and Desert Party, who already had millions of earnings under their belt (or girth!) New favorites were Dunkirk and Fresian Fire. I pulled up the Derby site to read Bios on the trainers and horses. I really couldn't try to guess who I thought it would be. Although I did enjoy the sentimental story about the 75-year-old man who's dream it was to have a horse run in the Derby. It took him around 50 years but he got there with his beautiful horse General Quarters. Also a heart-tugging story about the owner of the late Eight Belles who tragically was fatally injured in last year's race and his Derby contender Fresian Fire. He announced his retirement and vowed this to be his last race.

But then, out of nowhere comes Mine That Bird, shooting up between the group. This gelding was purchased as a yearling for only $9,500. To some that may seem like a lot, but I know of many equestrians who pay much more than that for Arabians to show for hobby alone. I'd say that horse has more than earned that back!

News article by the BBC Sport:
Long-odds win in Kentucky Derby

Borel celebrates his second Derby win in three years
Mine That Bird pulled off the second-biggest upset in Kentucky Derby history with a 50-1 triumph at Churchill Downs.
Calvin Borel, who won on Street Sense in 2007, drove the outsider to victory by six-and-three-quarter lengths ahead of Pioneer of the Nile.
It was the biggest winning margin since Assault won in 1946, and the longest-odds winner since Donerail in 1913.
"It was like he was born to run here in the dry - in the wet he looked even better," said trainer Chip Woolley.
Mine That Bird flew past 12 horses in a late surge up the rail, the same tactics Borel used to win two years ago.
"I learnt by Street Sense, being so patient with these three-year-olds," he said.
"They can only go so fast and so far. So I sat back and had a good trip and when I hollered at him he just went on."
Pre-race favourite Friesan Fire, finished 18th in the 19-horse field, with second-favourite Dunkirk coming 11th.

So congratulations to the good old underdog Mine That Bird and his whole crew!!

Update on Supplement

This supplement has fantastic ingrediants but the flavor is "cherry" for some odd reason. My two won't eat it at all. The first day I tried it, I burried my mare's then mixed it around in her grain. She just snorted at it and wouldn't eat it. The second day I burried it in a pile not mixing it around, she ate everything around the pile...sigh. The pony, on the other hand, hogs into his grain. The first day he ate it, I think accidentally. The second day, he wisened up and only ate the grain...carefully picking as many pieces as he could off thepile of supplement and left the white powder in his feed bucket. Talented little guy! So I think due to the odd choice of flavoring, this supplement will sit and collect dust. Unless I can find someone else who wants it!

I'll probably go back to old faithful--Equinyl Combo. At least I know they'll eat that one. Might need to get the liquid for the stinker pony.

Supplement

Yesterday my SmartPak supplement arrived. I got the Senior combination. I like that one because it has digestive additives to help with older horses' digestion. The smell is pretty strong and it makes me wonder if they'll eat it or not? My instructor use to taste everything before he fed it to the horses, maybe I will taste this and see for myself.

I'll admit I am a little nervous since those Polo Ponies all tragically died in Florida and they think it could have been from improper mix of supplements. But I am sure they were on a huge combination of things.

They'll start their supplements either tomorrow or Monday. I like to make sure I am around just incase they have any odd reactions to it.

Welcome!

I have been blogging with my personal blog Nikki's Noodles for about two years. I decided to start up an Equestrian blog. Hope you enjoy! Feel free to subscribe, and to check out my other blog.


Let me introduce myself and my equines:

I am Nikki. I am a college grad and a wife to a great guy named Tony. He just finished his 4 years of active duty in the Marine Corps and will soon go off to the State Police Academy. I have been riding horses for 16 years. I was hooked after my first lesson. My instructor was a wonderful person and became a great friend to myself and my family. He passed away suddenly in 2006, it was tragic and really hard. I still miss him greatly and always will.

I got Dale for my 9th birthday in August 1994. He was a surprise gift and everyone at the barn chipped in to make my surprise party special. Its always going to be one of my favorite memories! Dale was standing in a stall with a little pony door. He had glitter all over his coat, glitter hoof polish, and a giant pink bow hanging around his neck. He has always been a stubborn little guy and he taught me everything I know.

Dale isn't a purebred, as far as we know. I've been trying to figure out what could be in his bloodlines. Its really a guessing game. He has typical 'pony-like' personality. I think he is some sort of a Welsh mix. Since we don't know what he is, we also don't really know how old he is. The farrier examined his teeth and we had an idea on his age. Today that makes him about 28 years old. He sure doesn't act like it though!

I have never shown Dale. It used to be a miracle if I got him around the ring at the canter once. So collection and head sets were not in the agenda. However, this spring I have decided to try conditioning the little guy and see what sort of showing he could do. He has fabulous conformation, so perhaps some halter classes? Since he is only 13 hands, maybe a tad taller, he is just a little too small for me, so not sure about riding classes. But we'll see how it goes!

Fanny is my purebred Arabian show horse. She is a 1981 grand-daughter of Khemosabi. I got Fanny in March 1998. She was 17 at the time we bought her, the only downside she had was her older age. But her disposition and personality made up for it. She is gentle and wants to please. Fanny and I bonded immediately. It was on Fanny that I won my first blue ribbon in a 1999 Purebred Arabian Hunter Pleasure Junior to Ride class. We had some great summers together. She is my friend and equestrian partner. I unofficially retired Fanny in 2006. This March, Fanny turned 28.

I brought Fanny home to my barn to live with Dale this past autumn. And in just a few months she has had a complete turn-around. Her energy levels have risen and she has this look on her face saying "come on buddy! lets show at least once this summer, just for fun, just a few classes." So I have decided to condition her at a slow pace and see how she does. She might just make a brief return to the show ring out of retirement this summer!

Stay tuned for more about the 20-something pair and their training schedules!