Far from dead

Everyone seems to get a bit nervous about the black mare when I mention her age (24). They get even more nervous when I tell them our plans for her. I keep saying that 24 is far from dead. I had a Chickasaw (look that one up, the breed no longer exist) gelding that died at the ripe old age of 32. We would run him in the pasture because we didn’t know how old he was until after he died and we found his papers.

Well last night was a beautiful night (for Iowa). We had a light dusting of snow and it was around 12* out with no wind so I decided to let Chase try to go sledding in the pasture. When we got there we got the horses in and then the kids headed off to the small hill.

I decided while the kids were playing to throw the bareback pad on Black and go for a ride. I remembered her saddling issues and was prepared but she seems to have gotten a bit worse. She was biting at the radio on the wall and turned to nail me a few times but my elbow was ready and waiting.

I grabbed my bridle and she took it very well and then we headed outside to mount up. I remembered she didn’t like things jumping on her and when I tried to do it she reminded me that she still didn’t like it so I pulled her over to the fence so I could slide on. As I was climbing the fence I let go of the reins for a split second thinking she’d stand still. NOPE! She took the opportunity and ran (literally).

She went into the barn where the other horses were at so I was hopeful she would stop. NOPE! She saw the open door on the back and was off again. She was all over the pasture and you could tell she felt good. Finally she landed herself at the big bale and I was able to catch her. I walked her back up to the lot and finally got on.

She still had plenty of energy and kept trying to trot with me to the big bale. It wasn’t anything serious (she wasn’t dragging me that way or anything) but it was funny. I told DH I hoped he didn’t expect an old dead horse because if this is what she feels like after one trim wait to see how she feels in the spring after she’s been under routine care.

I did check out her “whoa” and it still seems to be working and she also seems to be neck reining well too so I am hopeful that she will work out.

The trimmer was out on Monday and said that her heels were high and uneven and that could have been causing some of her pain. He also told me to treat her back frogs. I didn’t get out Tues. night because Ty was sick so when I checked her back frogs last night “blah” they were nasty. I decided to go ahead and put thrush buster in all of her frogs just to be on the safe side.

I was hoping to take her and Lu to Mona’s tonight but I don’t think that is going to happen. Ty still isn’t feeling well and DH will be home with him all day so I guess it will be my turn when I get home. The temps are supposed to be in the high 30’s low 40’s on Saturday so hopefully I can get them out then.