tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80220984366115542722024-03-05T00:19:37.380-05:00Dig My SizeBecky + Digbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788041309826669742noreply@blogger.comBlogger126125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022098436611554272.post-27088294030684824922016-10-27T13:10:00.000-04:002016-10-27T13:10:25.794-04:00May?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So apparently I haven't posted since May. It makes sense because it felt like forever. A lot happened and yet not much has happened. Digby remained/remains various degrees of lame. We've tried different shoeing, giving him some NSAIDs for a few days, all with varying degrees of success or failure. In early August, I received word that the barn Digby is at was closing. Digby is hard to keep happy within my budget in this area. Cue panic.</div>
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I searched around for new homes, both boarding boards and getting him free leased out to a long term home, didn't find a whole lot. As luck would have it, I've been on a waiting list for a retirement home down south for him for a bit. I contacted them and they would have a spot opening up in September. It happened super quickly for me but Digby was prepped and ready to go in October. He has been settling in nicely at his new home. Sending that board check every month is going to be *thrilling* considering I can't go see him often due to my work schedule but I know that he's happy and will be taken care of. The photo I've included in this blog is the night before he left. His new home <a href="http://www.retiredhorses.com/newsblog/">does have a blog, so check it out!</a> I'm wildly sad that he isn't around for me to see anymore, but I know in my heart it was the right choice for both of us. I won't have to worry about a new owner taking good care of him or that he could end up in a bad place. He is still lame down there (no surprise) but hopefully he will enjoy the warmer weather and keep weight on better in the "cold" months.</div>
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In other horse related news, I still work with horses so I wasn't dying without seeing Digby regularly but I did miss riding. I was in the midst of making plans to visit a friends trainer to take a lesson when I can afford since it's been since… oh… 2011 possibly, possibly getting some free catch rides from a local trainer (on some ponies, to boost my confidence!), and I promptly broke my arm at work. Last Friday, according to the hospital write up I was "assaulted by a horse and her pony." HAHA! Ok, so basically I was feeding the broodmares and foals just like we always do and one spooked (or something…? It is unclear.) and legitimately ran me over. I didn't see it coming and rolled a few times in the dirt. There was a large pile of dirt in the hospital when I took off my clothes so they could examine my brush burns/bruises. Either way, my humoral head is broken and I am out of commission for up to 8 weeks. I'm not sure if I'll keep updating the blog now that Digby isn't around but I'm still active on Instagram (my name is rutabecka!) so check me out there.</div>
Becky + Digbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788041309826669742noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022098436611554272.post-2877536854049651612016-05-11T09:19:00.001-04:002016-05-11T09:19:12.920-04:002 year difference<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Facebook has this charming/annoying "on this day" feature that I've come to love/hate. However, yesterday it reminded me of a time 2 years ago when my friend and coworker rode Digby. I saw him and thought, "huh. Well he looks oookk weight wise, but his neck is thin and funky. What kind of muscling is that??" So, Digby's been off (I don't think I wrote about that?) but last Friday the farrier was out and we tried a bit of a different shoeing situation. He is doing better but still not 100%. I'm hoping for an abscess. Because of this I decided to just hop on bareback and have some fun. We ended up having a nice ride! I do love the hony. :)</div>
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The bottom photo is from Monday. Yeah. I'd say he looks different.</div>
Becky + Digbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788041309826669742noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022098436611554272.post-66572615748331520742016-04-18T04:42:00.000-04:002016-04-18T04:49:43.461-04:00What we've been up to<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I haven't been posting too much as of late. Honestly, not a whole lot to say on the Digby front. We moved barns since my last update. I moved in the middle of February. Digby is doing SO MUCH better and I (so far!) love the barn and barn manager. She's been great about his care and my horse no longer looks 30 years old who's ribby with a poor coat and topline. The conformation photo below is from last week I believe. Not bad for Digby coming out of winter with no riding! I post often/daily in Instagram so that's probably best if you're looking for more regular updates. I can't promise that 75% of the feed isn't sunrises and baby photos though. Digby's real cute but even he's not newborn foal cute! :)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;">Best confo shot we got that day... Ignore the dirt. He rolled the <span style="color: #0000ee;">second</span> we got into the ring to<span style="color: #0000ee;"> take photos.</span></span></td></tr>
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The hony and I have been hanging out mostly. I've been riding once a week. Generally, it goes well. Occasionally I get grumpy and angry that we can't really play. I'm trying very, very hard to just stay focused on NOT having an end goal riding wise.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild mane makes Digby look like he has a bigger neck. I'll take it!</td></tr>
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In other news, I rode my childhood friends wonderful, most perfect QH ever on a 2ish (possibly closer to 2 and a half hours, we didn't exactly know when we left) hour trail ride at a local park over the weekend. We rode together as kids so I've known her for a long time. I actually had ridden her gelding before she owned him when we were in high school but it had been years. It's also the longest I've ridden in one stretch in possibly forever. I'm not really the long trail ride type typically.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nerd alert.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1OaVKVAkB9MgUr1IJSQIuXsPIkgEVovKwdcfsgCVDHufbMk7y8s_rFSnC0o52_T3DCW1qL8E7SRzJDt3yYCLsPn1lJojNyZjmXzRJdHN4UN7DUCsBgA7Zvot1EX6fP_23lmavJeJ4lc/s1600/12998704_10103250490018831_4982207119510573941_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1OaVKVAkB9MgUr1IJSQIuXsPIkgEVovKwdcfsgCVDHufbMk7y8s_rFSnC0o52_T3DCW1qL8E7SRzJDt3yYCLsPn1lJojNyZjmXzRJdHN4UN7DUCsBgA7Zvot1EX6fP_23lmavJeJ4lc/s400/12998704_10103250490018831_4982207119510573941_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LITERALLY THE MOST PERFECT HORSE EVER. #saintsimon</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'd like to note that her mare is shorter than her gelding and she is still taller than me...</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0000ee;">Although my cho<span style="color: #0000ee;">ice of green <span style="color: #0000ee;">bree<span style="color: #0000ee;">ches did <span style="color: #0000ee;">little</span> for <span style="color: #0000ee;">his chestnut coat or the navy pad, I <span style="color: #0000ee;">had a ton of fun<span style="color: #0000ee;">!</span> I started off <span style="color: #0000ee;">quite nervous (um, Digby would kill me...<span style="color: #0000ee;"> For sure....) since we were going through covered bridges, up and down some <span style="color: #0000ee;">serious<span style="color: #0000ee;"> to me inclines, and otherwise ON A TRAI<span style="color: #0000ee;">L. In case you didn't know, I am a bit of <span style="color: #0000ee;">a weeny on trails. <span style="color: #0000ee;">Possibly because I rarely <span style="color: #0000ee;">go on them and I <span style="color: #0000ee;">even<span style="color: #0000ee;"> more rarely <span style="color: #0000ee;">have such an unflappable beast to ride. By the end, I was more co<span style="color: #0000ee;">nf<span style="color: #0000ee;">ident and I must of assured m<span style="color: #0000ee;">y friend ab<span style="color: #0000ee;">out 400 times that her horse was worth every dollar she's ever put into him. We handled some bridges, <span style="color: #0000ee;">rode past a da<span style="color: #0000ee;">m, went through a creek, <span style="color: #0000ee;">over some logs including a few that were "you should probably jump this<span style="color: #0000ee;"> but may be able to walk over it" height, </span></span>tons of <span style="color: #0000ee;">people/kids</span>/dog<span style="color: #0000ee;">s (in<span style="color: #0000ee;">cluding a yellow lab who was dying to run with us<span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"> and ended up run<span style="color: #0000ee;">ning with his owner behind us for a <span style="color: #0000ee;">bit.</span></span></span> I was <span style="color: #0000ee;">panicking</span> inside and thought FO<span style="color: #0000ee;">R SURE WE WERE GOING TO DIE. Friend<span style="color: #0000ee;"> and two horses were 100% the eye rolling emoji at me.<span style="color: #0000ee;"> Spoil<span style="color: #0000ee;">er alert: we were fine.) most of whom wanted to pet the horse<span style="color: #0000ee;">s and take photos</span>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">All and all, <span style="color: #0000ee;">it was super fun and I think wonderful ex<span style="color: #0000ee;">perience for me to have <span style="color: #0000ee;">a ride on something who didn't blink at anything. Hopefully we can do it again <span style="color: #0000ee;">in the future! I expected to be super sore the next day but<span style="color: #0000ee;"> it wasn't bad. <span style="color: #0000ee;">Whoo</span>!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Becky + Digbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788041309826669742noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022098436611554272.post-76038673677419050562016-01-28T01:25:00.000-05:002016-01-28T01:25:06.633-05:00Roll in ze snow<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">40 degrees today but Digby says "bleh!" to the snow.</td></tr>
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Digby's temperature was fine, in case anyone was worried. I chalked his lack of finishing breakfast up to the fact that he had been in and I was there. Digby has been absolutely foot perfect as of late. I'm suspicious that someone is drugging him before I get there, hahaha. Absolutely ZERO sass, attitude or snarkiness. I haven't ridden because emotionally, do I really want to go there again? I'm itching to get on and ride him but, also, snow. Lots of it. Regardless, he's been great on the ground! Yay. The farrier is coming this morning so we'll get some snow appropriate shoes put on the hony. He's currently rocking his usual aluminum wedge bar shoes, sans borium or pads, so they aren't exactly snow friendly. You can tell in the photos of him rolling that snow tends to ball up pretty quickly in there. <br />
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Not a whole lot on the Digby front these days... I'll post something other than boring eventually. :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roll, roll, roll in ze snow.</td></tr>
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Becky + Digbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788041309826669742noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022098436611554272.post-6731759545943909452016-01-26T00:44:00.002-05:002016-01-26T00:44:32.386-05:00Turnout!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I know, soooo many posts in one week for me! Haha. Night shift does that to a person! I'm almost (so close) caught up on my blog reading so hopefully in the near future, I'll get back to commenting on yours! Either way, I went to the barn Monday morning with the full intent of TURN OUT. The horses had been in since Friday afternoon and it was high time that Digby (and the rest of the barn) went out. I got to the barn around 9 AM and the barn owner was not there yet. I wasn't sure what the newest horse eats so I didn't feed. Instead I threw Digby some hay and got to digging his door open. I had to climb over his door yesterday to give him water so I figured might as well dig him out ASAP. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trapped inside his very dirty stall that we couldn't get a wheelbarrow to due to 3' foot drifts.</td></tr>
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After Digby was dug out, the barn owner showed up to feed. Digby picked at his breakfast... and then left half of it. Panic. I asked if he has been doing that and she said no but that he does tend to eat slowly. He pooped while I was there so I knew he wasn't colicking. Perhaps his ulcers are back? Perhaps he was just miffed about being in for 2 days? Ahhh, Digby! Some guys came in a Bobcat to dig out the house on the property and luckily we coaxed them into helping us clear out an area so we could get Digby and his turnout buddies to the barn. Once they're in the barn, it's a fairly straight shot (and less to shovel) to the close turnout paddocks. No one goes out in them unless it's bad weather basically. After an hour and a half of tractor usage, two trucks with plows and hand shoveling, we were ready to get Digby out. I wanted to turn him out first because they were afraid he was going to be bad and wanted me to take him. Honestly, since he had been in for 2 days straight, I totally understood their concern. Like I've said, Digby can be a real jerk when he wants to be and after days of inside his stall only, that's prime "I'm gonna be a jerk" time.<br />
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Digby was a perfect gentleman walking out. He didn't put one foot wrong. Color me shocked! Once outside, both him and his buddy had a good roll then trotted around a bit. Digby had a couple of good leaps and then they settled down, had a big drink, and settled in to eat the hay we had put out of them. Strange... and yet, good. I hung out for a bit, just enjoying the view and then headed off. I'll help put him out tomorrow (errr, today) in a small paddock and then hopefully by Wednesday they'll have all the paddocks up and running so he can go out all day again. <br />
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Of course, in writing this, I am worried that there's something wrong with my horse since he was not super enthused about eating and then was so good going out.... I will be sure to check his temperature tomorrow! :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Follow the leader</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That face.</td></tr>
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Becky + Digbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788041309826669742noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022098436611554272.post-73718147606129249782016-01-25T04:22:00.001-05:002016-01-25T04:22:33.846-05:00Blizzard Jonas, aka "ok winter this has been fun, bye now"<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
The northeast had a particularly fun weekend, being bombed with around 2 feet of snow. I haven't even heard an actual number yet for my area because the drifts were a bit, uh, excessive so I think it's hard to decide on what the amount was. Some of the drifts were above my head.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild black dog on Sunday!</td></tr>
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The dog didn't seem to mind but it made me working a bit difficult. It turns out trying to get to work at 11 pm during a blizzard can be challenging, even if you work a mile from where you live. Regardless, it was fine. I didn't get to see Digby on Saturday because I was helping at my job to shovel and re-shovel key areas. I got some texts from the barn owner and one of my fellow boarders who had made it. The horses were tucked in happily and had plenty of hay and water which was awesome. Unfortunately, in the solid "con" category, the barn owner has moved off the property as I mentioned before. They didn't get to the horses on Saturday evening, which while I'm a little nervous about, the roads were very, very bad. I can hardly blame them?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The farm's two tease mares. Also on Sunday.</td></tr>
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I was set on seeing Digby on Sunday since I knew there was no way they made it out Saturday night. I waited around until about 11:30. I figured this would be enough time to plow the barn out, the barn owners would be there, I could hang out with Digby for a bit, maybe help get some of the horses outside. The snow had stopped by late Saturday evening and while still a bit windy, it was mostly over. I had seen several plows going so I suspected that the roads would be fine. The roads weren't too bad and I made it to the barn fine. Yay only being 2 miles away! However when I arrived at the barn, it was not plowed. At all. There was about 3' of snow in the driveway... There were also no footsteps to be seen, as in perhaps the barn owners hadn't been there? Needless to say, my paranoid brain kicked into high gear and I panicked. Had my horse been left alone from Saturday morning around 10 AM until right now at 11:30 AM on Sunday??? There was also no where to park, since the barn wasn't plowed out. I was determined to check on the horses since I was worried no one had checked on them. I parked my car, probably illegally, on a nearby side street, left my hazard lights on, and hopped my way to the barn. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from inside Digby's stall.</td></tr>
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Yeah. Walking/trudging/hopping through snow that is well past your knees is quite a work out. I couldn't stop laughing either because the dog was rather miffed about the whole situation and was busy hopping along herself, occasionally almost disappearing in the snow. Luckily, the barn owner was there! Yay. She had come in another way, thus the lack of footprints. She had just gotten there a little bit ago herself because she had been plowed in at her house and was equally pissed that the barn had not been plowed as their usual guy promised it would be done 2 hours ago. The adventure continued as we realized Digby's door was frozen shut and completely blocked by snow. I had to climb over his door to give him hay and water. It was eventful. His two turnout buddies stalls didn't have nearly as much snow/ice so they were ok. I set him up for the rest of the afternoon and she promised to take care of him in the evening. Hopefully by then it will be shoveled/plowed a bit and she can get the hose out. The horses didn't go out, because absolutely nothing was plowed and she hadn't shoveled anything except for right in front of the shed row horses stalls. The horses in the barn were fine, obviously. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"This is dumb" - little black dog.</td></tr>
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All in all, an actually fun snow filled day. Plus, thankfully my car did not get towed while I was tending to my wild hony. :)Becky + Digbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788041309826669742noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022098436611554272.post-29694394762740011102016-01-22T09:30:00.000-05:002016-01-22T09:30:08.030-05:00What's a girl to do? (Part 2)(Before you read this post: if you haven't read the first installment, if not read it <a href="http://thestoryofdigs.blogspot.com/2016/01/whats-girl-to-do-part-1.html">here</a>.)<br />
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The Reader's Digest version of the previous post is this. I work at a breeding farm. The horses here are not pets, they are here as part of a business to make money. If they cannot make us money or benefit us in some other way, we get rid of them by selling them or donating them. We are not mean people, we care about the horses we raise, but that is the truth of the matter. It is a business at the end of the day. Do I necessarily agree with my boss and the farm owner on this matter? No, but I'm not the boss. This is reality for us, as a business, specifically in the racing industry. I left off by explaining that most of the property is for sale. We've downsized over several years from over 200 horses to 39. The farm owner is getting older and wants to retire from the business in the near future. So I was discussing the matter of the "unwanted" horse, specifically regarding a yearling filly we have in the barn right now. <br />
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We have this filly who we've spent thousands of dollars on trying to make racehorse sound. She isn't. Looking at her x-rays, she will likely never be sound enough to race. She just started getting turnout again, after being inside the barn for her entire life to date, so perhaps she won't even stay pasture sound. Foals that grow up inside a stall tend to be different out of necessity. She will likely be very small (running around with friends help foals grow into bigger, stronger horses) with limited social skills (she's never met another horse other than her mother) and potentially, although not definitely, some serious sass from being so used to being poked and prodded by humans. Time will tell. I've got my fingers crossed for the little girl. The truth is that we have relatives of hers though. We still own, and breed, her mother. We have her full sister in training as a two year old. We have her half brother in training as a three year old. We have had other foals from this mare previously. We had/have foals out of her mothers sisters. She is well bred, no doubt, but it is not a bloodline that we lack.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not the filly in question, just a darn cute one we raised!</td></tr>
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So let's move on from that filly for a little bit. As you know, I own Digby. I have for 6 years in February. I knew him for a few years before I bought him and he was sound up until about 6 months after I bought him. We've had on and off lameness issues for years (with all kinds of saddle fitting, chiro/massage work, saddler fitters, different opinions from several farriers, and vet bills) but it's been mostly resolved with the lack of jumping. Corrective shoeing, supplements and Adequan help. He CAN be one of the coolest horses I have ever flatted and has a ton of buttons. I CAN finish a ride and think "I can't wait to ride tomorrow." He CAN go w/t/c on the buckle. He CAN be basically bombproof. Does he 100% of the time? Nope. When he is bad, he is BAD. He is not a horse who is subtle about his feelings. This is great because I know if he's uncomfortable or unhappy. This is not so great when you realize that you're spending a ton of money on corrective shoeing, supplements, Adequan, board at a very specific type of barn because god forbid it doesn't meet Digby's requirements, other vet bills (hi Lyme disease and multiple occurrences of ulcers, what up!) on a horse who only wants to play riding pony part of the time. This is my life and has been for 6 years. <br />
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After much, much thought and looking at my personal, non-horse life, I decided, "ok, this isn't fair to me, financially or emotionally." He just turned 17, he's absolutely stellar in a barn and with other horses. Let's try to find him a new home. I'm sure someone out in the world wants an adorable, well behaved companion who can go barefoot, isn't ancient, requires no maintenance, and is an easy(ish) keeper. Turns out, not so much. I will keep looking and have faith that the right person and situation will turn up eventually. <br />
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My point is, I've wondered over the years how not a single owner managed to know about his congenital bipartite navicular? Technically, if it had broke when he was a foal for example, it should of healed differently than what it looks on an x-ray. But what if, just for kicks, someone knew there was something wrong with his hoof as a foal? Maybe he came up lame as a foal or he broke it and was lame instead of being born with it. Let's say, they kept him in the barn for most of his young life for it to heal or to give him the best shot as an adult horse at a performance career. He had a good life so far. I'm his longest owner, but he's been taken care of. But I now have a small horse who hates being in a stall with a passion, has lameness issues from time to time, and is basically unwanted. I love him, I really do. If you've met me in real life or read the blog long enough, hopefully this is clear to you. But, I mean, in all reality, he just spends my money and I've gotten little use out of him. It's not like I rode him for years as a child and he's my heart horse. He's just a little horse who I'm attached to. I probably got 1 full year of riding out of him with minimal attitude or lameness issues. Not a whole lot out of 6.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The infamous Digby himself.</td></tr>
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If you go on Facebook, COTH Forums, or other social media, you'll see people who preach that if your horse is not useable or rideable, you need to keep them forever or put them down because no one else will want them. (Spoiler alert: if you're trying to get rid of your own horse, don't read those because you'll feel like a total ass.) I see their point. I have accepted that I may very well own Digby until he dies. If I cannot find him a good home, he will stay with me. If I cannot afford him and still can't find a home, I will put him down. I've heard too many horror stories about horses going to "good homes" who end up selling the horse who ends up in a slaughter house or some other tragedy. No horse deserves that. I do think you need to be careful in the horse world. I would HATE to do that to Digby. I can't imagine putting him down because I couldn't afford him but I am realistic. I am young, not married, in a career that will likely not be my life time career. Things change financially. I can't say never, as much as I would love to. That said, I got unlikely I suppose by having a horse who has lameness and behavioral issues. Is it fair to me to have to keep him because I essentially got unlucky? It wouldn't have made sense to take x-rays of his hoof in a PPE. His previous owners didn't know. Luck of the draw essentially that now, according to the internet, I should pay board, farrier bills, vet bills for without looking for a new home until he dies. He's 17. It could (and hopefully will!) be a while. As for putting him down, that's wildly hard to even think about because it is NOT. His. Fault. He is healthy otherwise. He isn't a bad horse, just a little unlucky and quirky.<br />
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My point is, had his breeder known about his hoof issue, like we know about that little filly's, would I want them to have done what we're doing? I'm not sure. He's had a good life and will continue to have a good life, but there are horses out there in the world who are nicer, sounder, more athletic, better bred, etc. Emotions aside, as a realist, from the outside looking in, was it the right thing to do? As a responsible breeder, should we keep semi lame horses alive knowing that we will not be there to keep them safe, fed and taken care of until they die? I don't think so. But Becky, this means potentially your own horse would of been put down?! Yes. It does. Remember I said I had an interesting stand on this topic, right?<br />
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My coworkers often say "well, at least she's alive" in response to her being stuck in a stall. I cringe every time. What happens if she's 10 years old, dead lame (because trust me, her x-rays are worse than Digby's), hasn't produced any good foals as a broodmare, and doesn't have an owner who loves her? What of her fate then? She's not alone either. This isn't racehorse exclusive. We can't guarantee someone will make sure a horse goes to a good home.<br />
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So, readers, I ask of you: does buying a horse mean you promise to take care of a horse forever? Do breeder's have a responsibility to "take back" horses they've bred? Any personal stories of your own to share?Becky + Digbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788041309826669742noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022098436611554272.post-47998881779303743492016-01-21T06:04:00.002-05:002016-01-21T06:04:28.900-05:00What's a girl to do? (Part 1)(I ended up splitting the post because I'm a bit wordy and as usual, my words are scattered and jumbled so bear with me.) I think I have a unique position as a horse person. Why? I work at a breeding farm and I own an "unwanted" horse. Ok, dafuq? Don't shit talk Digby! I know. Settle down and let me explain.<br />
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I've worked in the horse industry for a long time. I started working off lessons almost as soon as I started taking them. I remember being a young kidlette, dropped off at a barn for a days work of whatever my trainer wanted to throw at me that day. I mostly did it for the extra riding. I forever am grateful and I wrote a post about <a href="http://thestoryofdigs.blogspot.com/2015/06/things-ive-learned.html">my time spent in the barn as a child here</a>. I ended up going to college for an equine degree. I worked as a barn manager for a woman who was legitimately undiagnosed bipolar. It was eventful. I ended up at a breeding farm that I had worked a few sales for when I was in college. I left for a couple of years to try the whole "office job" thing out. I came back.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the foals from last year</td></tr>
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Regardless of where my life has lead me, I now have an interesting position of being a long time worker at a breeding farm. I do a little bit of everything here, from staining wood, to fixing steps with cement, to seal coating and asphalt patching, to weed whacking, to unloading hay and, oh yeah, actual work with horses. I find this interesting because of how I stand on several issues. Specifically, the issue of the "unwanted" horse. The farm I work at used to have over 200 horses when I started. We stood 3 stallions, all of whom produced several winners. One stallion still has an average earnings out of all his foals combined of over $100,000. Not bad. One of the others who we no longer have had produced several big, big winners, some of whom went on to be stood at stud themselves, and is still consistently sought out as a breeding stallion. Not too shabby either. We had quality broodmares, several making over a million dollars at the track. Several producers of foals who made over six figures or over a million at the track. This is not a shabby operation we have here. The man who owns it is getting older (he's in his late 80s) and is slowly getting out of the business. We've downsized over the years and this year, I believe, the horse count is at 39. Total. Including our tease stud, our now 2 stallions, our 2 tease mares, then the youngsters and the broodmares. Of course, it's foaling season so that number will go up some over the past few months. At least until we sell the yearlings in November. We sold one of the properties, we no longer lease the fields we used to, two of the other properties are for sale. Such is life. The employees often talk about what they'll do when it closes. No one is 100% sure and we're mostly just riding it out until the end. Many people have been let go already so it's just the 7 of us left. It sounds like a lot for 39(ish) horses but we still have about 300 acres so it's actually pretty busy during breeding season and during the summer. Not so much during the winter months but we do a lot of cleaning and do our best to stay busy until foaling starts. <br />
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I've seen many foals born. I've raised youngsters and prepped them for sales. I've followed them as racehorses, or desperately tried to find out information on them when I don't see them racing. Are they doing ok? Where are they? Who owns them? Most of the time, to be totally honest, once they leave that sale as a yearling or as a racehorse, I don't know what happens to them. I stalk some rescues of off the track horses and always see if it's anything we've bred. Not because the owner of the farm would ever help but because I'd like to help if I could. If nothing else, I could give background info on the horse that could possibly get them placed into a home. I've never found any of ours in a rescue, although I've seen a few from our stallions that we didn't breed. I do occasionally contact trainers who I know have horses I raised. Sometimes they email me back, sometimes they don't. I check sales to see if any yearlings, racehorses or mares we've sold are in the sale. Regardless, I do care about the horses we breed. I want them to be good racehorses and have good homes when they're done. Does it always work that way? No. I'm not naive. That doesn't mean I don't wish it would.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of our yearlings, from several years ago.</td></tr>
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The point of this is, there are a lot of horses in the world. There are horses with near perfect conformation who still flunk as a racehorse. There are horses with not so perfect conformation who excel as a racehorse. There are horses with not so perfect conformation who do not excel as a racehorse. What happens when they're done racing? They could stand as a stallion or be a broodmare. What happens to the geldings? What happens to the ones who aren't good enough to stand stud or be a broodmare? Hell, what happens when a broodmare is older and can't get pregnant any more? Or when she produces several foals and the foals flunk as racehorses? Horses get shuffled around. Big time farms sell those less than stellar broodmares. Maybe they go to farms who aren't looking to produce as high a quality racehorse and are happy with average? Maybe they go somewhere else. Hard to guess. <br />
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We have a yearling in the barn currently. She is never going to be a racehorse. We have her full sister in training as a two year old this year. The yearling has a hoof injury that kept her in her stall every day of her life (minus one!) up until yesterday. She got turned out yesterday for a few minutes, with the help of some sedatives, for the first time since she was a very small foal by her mothers side. She is not 100% sound. She never has been. Will she be broodmare sound? Yeah, probably. Will she race? Hell no. We, as a farm, spent thousand of dollars trying to make her serviceable as a performance horse. It is not going to happen. We know that by this point, given her x-rays and her being basically unsound for the whole 8 months of her life so far. I hate to see any horses put down, I really do. My inner animal lover just hates it. I've seen it, as unfortunately with 200 some horses, it's bound to happen. Colic happens. Foals with get kicked and break a limb. It happens, though thankfully not often. While I'm glad she's alive, I have given much thought to the fact that we, as a business, will likely not be around in a few years at the most. This yearling has siblings. Many siblings, actually, though most of them aren't full siblings. We still have her mother. We had her mothers mother up until a few years ago when we had to put her down due to thyroid cancer. (I know, what horse gets thyroid cancer? Weird, right?) We have had several of her mothers half or full siblings over the years, who have also produced foals for us. Her mother will hopefully produce another lovely foal this year. She is well bred, with half/full brothers and sisters and other close relatives who have done well on the track, and aside from her hoof issue, she is a nice looking filly. Does she have potential as a broodmare? Yeah, probably. So, assuming the turnout goes well and she maintains her level of soundness, is it the RIGHT thing to do? To keep this filly who will likely NEVER be sound, aside from pasture sound, alive, when we know fully that as an operation we will not be able to keep her for close to her entire life? It's a complex issue.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another yearling, from several years ago.</td></tr>
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Becky + Digbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788041309826669742noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022098436611554272.post-15509390657090767052016-01-16T12:36:00.001-05:002016-01-16T12:36:15.870-05:00The post in which I think I need to move my horse.This title leaves nothing to the imagination, does it?<div>
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I've been meaning to write some posts but have so far failed at doing so. To be honest, nottt a whole ton of Digby stuff going on. I'm about to start working night shift again so that's usually the time of year my blog reading and posting ramps up. </div>
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Back to the point of this post. My barn owner/manager has moved off the property a few months ago. She still runs the barn but someone else is living on the property. This doesn't upset me too much, as she promised she would be around and still checking on them. I enjoyed the care in the summer when I was helping turnout and she still lived there. It has decreased ten fold since then. Ok Becky, settle down. Not everyone is perfect and his basic needs are still being met. He has a clean stall, has water, has some hay, and gets turned out. That being said, in case you haven't ever read my blog, my horse is not subtle when he is unhappy. This is fine because I expect this from him and I'm not subtle. It is not fine in the fact that he's being an absolute *insert allllll the profanity here*. Probably because he's miserable.</div>
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I had written a post about an month ago and then deleted it because it was whiny as all hell. The basis was I went to the barn, they were bringing in. I helped bring in Digby and his turnout buddy, Ghost. Ghost has a fun trick where he slams his head to the ground to eat grass. It's pretty annoying and one of my horse pet peeves. Ghost, in true form, tried to do this. He almost succeeded. In my semi battle with Ghost, Digby had started grazing. I thought nothing of this other than, again, my pet peeve but he is well trained, and asked them to keep walking. Digby decided he didn't want to and planted his feet. I clucked and pulled on the lead rope and he pulled back. He then backed up when I didn't give in on asking him to move forward. We proceeded to back the entire length of their field until he realized it was probably easier to just do what I asked. They both walked in perfectly after that. The barn owner told me afterwards that she was glad Digby did that with me. I asked her what she meant and she told me that he does that all the time now. I apologized as I didn't know he had been being bad with her and told her to bring a crop. The next time he refuses to go forward, tap him and he'll go. My horse is quite clever and will take advantage of people if he thinks he can get something good out of the deal. She laughed at me and said she wouldn't do that because then he'd get away from her…</div>
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I'm not sure if I wrote about that incident but she had left the horses in (rightfully so) one day due to unusually cold temps and it was pouring all day. I had told her husband who helps with the horses that Digby can be bad when going out if he's been in for a while so be careful tomorrow. I stressed this heavily and made sure that he knew I was leaving Digby's rope halter out or they could use a chain if they wanted. Digby tends to hate chains and fight them harder. I like his rope halter because it adds extra brakes without making him fight you but honestly, whatever they were more comfortable with and thought they'd be safe with. They are both older, in their late 60s, and we didn't need Digby injuring either of them. They turnout around 9 AM and I'm at work, otherwise I'd help put him out. He said thanks for the heads up. Apparently the message didn't get passed along or they poo-pooed my story thinking it was an exaggeration. Digby got loose and was running around the property for about 10 minutes before they caught him. He didn't get hurt and they didn't get hurt which was good. Since then, she's been a bit afraid of him. They now use a chain daily over his nose for turnout. In case you met my horse, this reaaaally isn't necessary for daily turnout. Whatever.</div>
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Basically my horse lacks all manners. I have to install them into him almost every time I see him. Super. So they're afraid of him, he's smart and knows he can get away with almost anything. Among other things, they will no longer change his blanket. I work nights so I sleep in the afternoon. I will not be able to do blanket changes at 4 PM when they come in. I will not be able to check on him around 8 PM to make sure he has tons of hay to last until 8-9 AM when she comes in to feed. We're in the middle of an EHV-1 crisis (<a href="http://ponytude.blogspot.com/2015/12/a-word-on-ehv-1.html">read Alli's post on it here</a>) and they allowed a new boarder to come onto the property, with zero quarantine, put him within 20 feet of my horse and then lied to me about where the horse is being turned out. I drove past the barn yesterday (I was working but luckily got to drive right past the barn!) and this new horse was OUT WITH MY HORSE. I almost crashed the farm truck. I had specifically asked where it was going out and they said alone for the first few weeks. I didn't bother to check because I believed them. Well, ok then. I guess I shouldn't have?</div>
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As one horse professional to another, it is not acceptable to say you'll do blanket changes, it's included in board, I ask for a blanket to be taken off (it was below 20 at night and 45 and sunny during the day) and then when I come to the barn, my horse is turned out wearing his blanket. More than once. It is not acceptable to turn a new horse out with my horse, after I specifically mentioned the EHV news and that 4 horses have died. It is not acceptable to regularly feed at 5 PM, leave the barn by 5:15 PM and not return until 8-9 AM. It is not acceptable to not open a stall door all the way and have another boarders horse slice open her entire side and then pretend it isn't a big deal and get sassy at me, a client who is paying you, when I asked how it happened and why you used all my betadine to clean it. It is not acceptable to not respond to my texts 95% of the time. It is not acceptable to shit talk (no other way to word that) other boarders if they leave. It's not reasonable for me to pay for full board and then still have to go make sure he has enough hay to get through the night, make sure he has enough water because a few times he didn't, give him his electrolytes in the extreme weather changes because you can't remember to, and do all blanket changes myself. All this after a board increase? Nah, I'm good.</div>
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Moral of the story, I have had zero luck finding Digby a new home and I very much did not want to move him. I believe I'm going to have to anyway. Damnit. So, wish me luck?</div>
Becky + Digbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788041309826669742noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022098436611554272.post-54059437662831928082015-12-22T17:48:00.002-05:002015-12-22T17:48:48.112-05:00I rode!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzU4wJVNON0CMvuKJYVEPblGs98VsYYLHZVAy1LR_gM0KkcQXTFQkWCa-ShtSHowG9InyzUUHpbhnVJNHenspmnn8LuoTx-wHflfRm32CQNIYoM-DeldB3xiZ0_54FtQP_276-LiIsVpQ/s640/blogger-image--1242736481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzU4wJVNON0CMvuKJYVEPblGs98VsYYLHZVAy1LR_gM0KkcQXTFQkWCa-ShtSHowG9InyzUUHpbhnVJNHenspmnn8LuoTx-wHflfRm32CQNIYoM-DeldB3xiZ0_54FtQP_276-LiIsVpQ/s640/blogger-image--1242736481.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luigi!</td></tr>
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I visited a friend in Pittsburgh (aka my favorite city) over the weekend and had the pleasure of sitting on this little nugget. Luigi is an adorable Haflinger who was possibly wider than he was tall. He has apparently schooled some pretty serious dressage movements in his younger, fitter life. Spoiler alert: none of those occurred during my ride. I have to admit I was pretty pleased to be sitting on a fun, sane, solid citizen. We only rode for a bit because I failed to bring actual riding apparel and it was COLD. The temps went from 70 on Sunday to a high of 35 with wind the next Saturday. Brrr. I had a blast though and thoroughly enjoyed having a good brain under saddle. It reinforced my decision with Digby. </div>
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Digby is doing fine, for the record. I haven't been seeing him every day because I don't have the enthusiasm to fight with him under saddle or on the lunge, I no longer help with turnout at the barn (I haven't since they went to day turnout), and he simply tolerates grooming so I don't really want to go groom every day. I'm both pleased and saddened by the fact that my decision to find him a new home was reinforced. So many mixed emotions. As for the new home front, I haven't found anything yet but I'm still looking. I put several ads out on Facebook, both in groups and on my personal page. I also printed a few flyers to hang at my local tack shops, although I have yet to make it to them. Hopefully someone will be looking for a companion! He's a great guy to have in the barn. I think he'll be happier being a pasture puff.</div>
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I think I'll be happier without a horse for a bit. I need some fun, no pressure rides.</div>
Becky + Digbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788041309826669742noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022098436611554272.post-74367507281680709012015-12-06T12:57:00.000-05:002015-12-06T12:57:00.220-05:00Whine. Whine. Wine.I've been struggling on how to find words for this post. It's been a long time coming. I really can't find a way without sounding so terribly spoiled with first world problems. I am not looking for someone to pat me on the back and tell me I'm doing the right thing. So..... I apologize in advance for my behavior.<br />
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I think my horse and I are in an abusive relationship. I know, crazy talk and insulting to anyone in an actual abusive relationship, but hear me out, alright? In case you haven't gotten the overall feeling from my blog as of late (possibly as of forever), I'm pretty burnt out. Not from work or my life, but from my horse. I spend a significant portion of my free time worrying about paying those bills, if he'll be sound, if he is sound if he'll just fight me the entire time. For almost 6 years. I'll have owned Digby for 6 years in February and I have spent about 90% of that worrying over my not sound horse. Have I had good rides? Absolutely. Do I love him? Of course. When he's good, he's awesome and one of the coolest horses I've ever flatted. When he's bad, he is straight up dangerous. He is. This is not an exaggeration. There is no way around saying that. He knows all of tricks/evasions/kill my rider moves and while I'm pretty damn good (in my opinion) at saying "oh you wanna tell me to go eff myself? Ok, game on then." and putting my foot down. It's exhausting though. I get exhausted just thinking about it sometimes. Is he bad just to be bad? No, probably not. There's usually a reason. I usually figure out the reason after money and trial and error. He goes back to being sound/good/whatever I was aiming at for a bit.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2011 Digby. Exhausted like me. Must nap.</td></tr>
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I read blog posts, go to local shows/events, watch live feeds on USEF, check my horse friends Facebooks and Instagrams. I still generally enjoy horses. Heck, I work at a horse farm and I like my job. There's a TB hony gelding that my friend owns who I adore and actively stalk on social media/day dream about/wish so badly I could own. The desire to actually ride, minus in my day dreams, is gone though. I don't even care. I've always wanted to ride. It should bother me that I don't. When it comes to actually putting on my breeches, I'm like "...... do I have to?" So, what about my mental health? What about my empty bank account for a reason that doesn't even make me all that happy?<br />
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This is a problem. I've been reading COTH, all your blog posts of similar nature and chatting with some friends in real life and I've pretty much decided that I need to move on. It feels like quitting on so many levels. It is technically. It makes me consume all sorts of adult beverages. I may or may not cry about it on occasion. It's a constant internal battle of "but he's your horse and he didn't do anything wrong and who else is going to take care of him if not you and you're a total asshole for even thinking about giving him away" to "seriously, this is not healthy, you've lost any and all passion, you only like the horse maybe half the time, he's usually a jerk." It's an every day thought process. I think I need the closure. I need to get out of this emotionally abusive relationship. I want to sit on a horse who I don't expect in the back of my head to be bad. I want to sit on a horse that I can have fun with more than once every few rides. I want to do things, like lesson and go on trail rides and jump all the sweet jumps and show and DO ALL THE THINGS. Make no mistake, I will cry and cry and cry if I find him another home. I will cry and wonder if I did the right thing.<br />
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The worst part about this is how many people LOVE my horse. He is adorable. I mean, look at that face! He has enough personality for the entire barn and more. He loves Pop Tarts and makes ridiculous faces for all snacks. He knows tricks, which amuses children of all ages. He's great with kids, although I never fully trust him. He's just a cool horse. I know and love all of these things. My grumpy, grumbling "my horse is a pain" always prompts a "Aww! But he's so cute!" or "he's so cool!" or "I love him!" Yeah. I love him too. But, at what cost?<br />
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One day, I'll write a post that isn't "I hate my horse." One day, folks.Becky + Digbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788041309826669742noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022098436611554272.post-80553417125629847922015-12-04T17:42:00.000-05:002015-12-04T17:42:25.331-05:00My figured out has never been more confused, I'm having mixed drinks about feelings and you<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"AHHHH! RUNNING!"</td></tr>
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So all's been ok in the world of Digby. He's pretty chunky, which I love considering we're coming into winter. He was a holy terror for the farrier this week. I'm not sure what to make of that. Is he feeling better and just being a jerk? Is he in some sort of pain and trying to tell us? Hard to tell. The farrier and I discussed it a bit and he seems to think he's just being a jerk because he feet look great. They really do. Does this mean they're comfortable just because they look good? No. Regardless, he is sound and seems to be doing well. Since he has been an absolute ASSHAT (for real...) for the past few months when riding/lunging, I've been giving him some time off. I discussed his antics in my last real post. I'm still not sure if he's just being a jerk or if there's something more going on.<br />
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To be honest, I'm sure the hony doesn't care that he's not being worked. He gets to be a horse without much expectations. Who wouldn't like that? He might just been done being a riding pony. I've looked on Facebook and spoken to horse friends with no luck as to finding Digby a companion home. I've offered even to pay to ship him to his new home and would be willing to keep paying for some expenses. I got a few bites but nothing serious. He's a tricky little guy after all...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLC_MMm5cF0zGEmjZl0Pf-lIKsUlfeaDIa-zH-dPjDti2sVGOI8nGdOyq0niXUgc8GtAEN9v6PV8eUfIbchNDs9pjfa2_A5fePOScT_OhY4kKZtE1_YJdr0ZOSyChIWagE1SFfKdILoj4/s640/blogger-image--514337675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLC_MMm5cF0zGEmjZl0Pf-lIKsUlfeaDIa-zH-dPjDti2sVGOI8nGdOyq0niXUgc8GtAEN9v6PV8eUfIbchNDs9pjfa2_A5fePOScT_OhY4kKZtE1_YJdr0ZOSyChIWagE1SFfKdILoj4/s400/blogger-image--514337675.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hony and his turnout buddy, Ghost</td></tr>
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Becky + Digbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788041309826669742noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022098436611554272.post-33100813758527463242015-11-25T07:40:00.001-05:002015-11-25T07:40:16.145-05:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOmylIXfUWz_sm6ZWZ8ImmTyzfW54_dfZqEkYgL8TlT-O6X9lwztN8m5Fd-hJNfoOnjV1Qs7c-gHXPDO_zcjdlnHwTopJKOmAcVAPDlE7ax9GQwsq-e8oD_p9ZOB9ENbaQmTFDBQWZ78/s640/blogger-image-706171269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOmylIXfUWz_sm6ZWZ8ImmTyzfW54_dfZqEkYgL8TlT-O6X9lwztN8m5Fd-hJNfoOnjV1Qs7c-gHXPDO_zcjdlnHwTopJKOmAcVAPDlE7ax9GQwsq-e8oD_p9ZOB9ENbaQmTFDBQWZ78/s640/blogger-image-706171269.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSJRpn38n7sznBp3FPcramwUAQFtVl71b46S-9pL8KLNCfSyWuOswyf_L7UNUmzwXtEB75mK6HJNrQ9XNLVd0GwbIWVyiHDv9-nruW2zFh56MNKrArKdTYPMUNQZdUjkndT40RTr4vPc/s640/blogger-image-1587910407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSJRpn38n7sznBp3FPcramwUAQFtVl71b46S-9pL8KLNCfSyWuOswyf_L7UNUmzwXtEB75mK6HJNrQ9XNLVd0GwbIWVyiHDv9-nruW2zFh56MNKrArKdTYPMUNQZdUjkndT40RTr4vPc/s640/blogger-image-1587910407.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div>Becky + Digbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788041309826669742noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022098436611554272.post-51225055559527803742015-10-20T19:41:00.000-04:002015-10-20T19:41:04.436-04:00I tell ya...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hony, this evening... He's cute.</td></tr>
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The hony has been, um, expressively bad as of late. Both under saddle and the handful of times I've lunged to see if it was me or saddle fit. Sigh. Typically this means he's uncomfortable. That could be saddle fit, in need of a chiro/massage, needs his feet tweaked with, whatever. It occasionally also means he's not getting enough turnout, the weather's been crazy, or his feed is making him hot. So let's go down the list:</div>
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<li>Saddle fit - Yup, could be. He's lost a lot of topline (due to losing TONS of weight last winter, ulcers, no work, lyme and some more no work) and we're building it back now. I'm using a shimmable pad so I'm doing the best I can. Can't afford a saddle fitter at this time for a more professional opinion. Also, he's been bad when I lunge without a saddle so while I think the saddle fit isn't the best, it's probably not the only problem.</li>
<li>In need of a chiro/massage - Yup, could be. One of the lovely ladies at Digby's barn actually took a look at him tonight. She does some "energy work" but it was free and I figured no harm, no foul. It was fairly interesting when I convinced my science based self to be open minded. I'm going to see how he goes tomorrow.</li>
<li>Needs his feet tweaked - I mean, maybe? Probably not? His feet have looked the best they've looked since I've been back in PA. Does this mean it's working for him? No, but they look awful good. I'll chat with my farrier the next time he's out.</li>
<li>Turnout - Seriously doubt it. They go out for 7-8 hours a day. In the area I live, that's a lot of turnout.</li>
<li>Weather - Ehhh. It's fall and I get it. It's cooler, they're feeling better. His bad isn't "whoo it's cool! I'm feeling good!" though. It's more "I don't want to so SCREW YOU LADY."</li>
<li>Feed - Seriously doubt it. He gets almost unlimited grass hay plus about 6 lbs of Tribute Maturity which isn't particularly high in sugar/starches. In an ideal world, I'd keep him on TC Senior but that's not included in my horses board and again, money.</li>
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Not a whole lot else to say about that topic. I've done a lot of thinking, not a whole lot of whining, and too much adulting.</div>
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I'm trying to not think of the doom (AHH MY HORSE IS GOING TO GO LAME AND I'LL BE STUCK WITH HIM FOREVERRRR AND FOREVER BE BROKE OVER A HORSE I CAN'T RIDE AND IT'S GOING TO SUCK) and just continue on with my life. Full disclosure: I have asked around a bit lately to see if anyone wants a companion horse. It's not 100% what I want but.... Ya know. Digby and I do this shit. Every. Single. Year. Every damn year. Usually more than once a year. He tells me not so nicely that I can fluff off. I tell him not so nicely that I do everything I can to make sure he's comfortable and happy and FOR THE LOVE OF GOD HORSE WILL YOU JUST BEHAVE?!? So then I fuss and worry and sometimes we come to an agreement and sometimes I get so frustrated that I give him some time off and he comes back fine at a later point. I'm not sure what to do about it now or in the future. Maybe he's made to be a pasture puff. Maybe I just need to learn how to ride. Hahahah.</div>
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Being an adult sucks.</div>
Becky + Digbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788041309826669742noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022098436611554272.post-79732444631930923972015-10-11T07:00:00.000-04:002015-10-11T07:00:00.594-04:00New vetYou may recall <a href="http://thestoryofdigs.blogspot.com/2015/07/feeling-better.html">here</a> where I lamented that I needed to find a new vet because my current one has deemed my new barn was too far away. Boo because I love my current vet! Anyway, the barn I'm at uses two vets mostly. One, who we will call Dr S, will never touch my horse with a ten foot pole. I've had too many friends/friends of friends use Dr S's services with bad results. "Bad results" could be a severe reaction to a vaccine to total misdiagnosis of an illness with drastic consequences. Either way, I'm not a fan. The other vet the barn uses we will call Dr D. This seemed like a better option and I've heard some good things about the practice. I called and got Digby set up for fall shots.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old photooooo, always old photos!</td></tr>
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I am actually quite pleased! I was kind of grumpy about the whole thing because, well, they aren't my old vet and I wish I didn't need a new one and blah blah whine whine. The vet that came out isn't the main vet but she was nice, knowledgeable and genuinely interested in Digby and I. Digby is pretty interesting given his history (you know, chronic colic, ulcers, blind in one eye, has been treated for lyme, has a navicular bone in two pieces, way too much chronic lameness...) but I love getting new opinions on his issues. She had a few suggestions. At one point she said, "if you want, you can ride more than you do. There are several options that won't break the bank to help with his issues that you haven't tried yet. Go ride."<br />
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WHEE! Love hearing that! I tried to keep my excitement under control since, those options may not work but that would be awesome. I miss having goals and riding my horse regularly!<br />
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In other news, Digby and I switched farriers in May when I moved to the new barn. He shoes some of the racehorses that my full time job farm owns. I was always impressed with him and decided to just give him a shot on my own personal (not racehorse) horse. I'm pleased to say that Digby's feet look the best since he's been back in PA. His heels are better than they were and his angles are finally even. Way to go Digby.Becky + Digbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788041309826669742noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022098436611554272.post-38952089585618885722015-10-02T17:36:00.003-04:002015-10-02T17:36:41.032-04:00My favorite month!Ah yes, life has settled down a bit for me. October is my favorite month so this is perfect timing. :) Since the horses are back on day turnout and I work 7-4 at my full time job, I'm not helping turnout at Digby's barn. I'm also not pet sitting at the moment. I went from working legitimately every hour of the day, minus my hour lunch break, to having almost every night off. It's a magical thing. I've been wildly productive since I'm not used to having down time.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Digby photo, maybe 2012?</td></tr>
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It's been great to get some stuff done! I've been trying to ride more and I've been catching up on some of my blog reading. I've got some posts to write about, well, what's been happening, some stuff I've bought lately (and not so lately), and how the rides have been going. Stay tuned, Digby lovers! News is on the way!Becky + Digbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788041309826669742noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022098436611554272.post-46986677665121502482015-09-14T20:54:00.000-04:002015-09-14T20:54:00.020-04:00Picking your battles.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVz3NzHPKeHY7WE6SbfBr-b-mGpGEz3t1QM_zudw0BkEHV52oVs7PxHXaYzMVc0mDfQDiha-bm5MXK3gD9-j4jfe8lZxuabITro_CoPCdYbU6q3GLPRoD4g8rdrcW47JeSN72_QZvMz0/s640/blogger-image-1611865303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwI-LQdQ2kRa8z0ar9biEkovinDUT-nirNNhjZwg9PsFwXfMPSka2hrl2l5_8-dCXbhw0cNK8HOAciCY-VaKOEOmpFKmoT8t3BYAJ8fjcvBlZ0EvO6H2BpWtdMcD1rop5TFxHE_NshA5Q/s640/blogger-image--1736089943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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Yes, I'm alive. I currently work 48 hours at my full time job, help turnout horses 6 days a week at Digby's barn and pick up pet sitting jobs occasionally. I eat, sleep and work. Oh and there's been some beer drinking and TV watching cause football is back! Whoo!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the yearlings I groom. Doesn't actually stand this close up front hahhaha!</td></tr>
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Yearling season is in full swing. This means I'm personally prepping 6 yearlings for the sale in November. We have almost 30 in total but I'm only in charge of 6. I have 3 fillies and 3 colts this year. We get the yearlings in at the middle or end of August and they are basically never worked with before. They can't lead and definitely can't be groomed. We've really only messed with them to give them shots, dewormer and get their feet done. This does not mean they can pick up their feet though. They definitely can't.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not my yearling but she's a witch. I promise, she only looks sweet.</td></tr>
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I've been avoiding being kicked, run over, struck, stepped on, otherwise injured and I'm trying to break my yearlings. So far I've been successful! I try to take it day by day with the horses, especially the fillies. The females, I'm sure no one will be surprised, are a bit more sensitive and moody. Even as yearlings, they can come into heat. Even if they aren't in heat, they can be a bit touch and go. Anyway, I was working with one of my colts the other day and for whatever reason, he was all kinds of wound up. He was spooky coming out of his stall, didn't want to walk into the grooming stall, fussed on the cross ties. The yearlings have been in for several weeks so they're pretty good about most of the things I ask of them. I get to focus on really GROOMING now instead of trying to make things simple and make sure the yearlings are calm and understand what I'm asking. He was fussing and just being kind of a dick. I was a bit flustered. It was SO hot out, I was frustrated, it was my last horse and I was pretty mentally done. I very much wanted to yell at him. I needed to pick his feet and he was convinced I had never brushed his legs and definitely never cleaned his face and how dare I ask him stand still on the cross ties because I've never asked him to do that before! I took a step back and realized, you should really pick your battles here. He's obviously having a rough day so don't even try to pick his feet. It would just start a fight and you're tired, he's tired, it wouldn't be worth it. I decided I'd work on brushing, to hell with feet picking. To hell with standing stock still on the cross ties.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Should I get up? I'm not sure. What do I do?! OMG"</td></tr>
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So I didn't pick his feet. I settled on standing sort of still on the cross ties and that his legs were brushed. The next day he was much better. He stood still. I brushed him all over. He picked up all 4 feet, zero drama. Success. I could of refused to leave until he had done everything I asked. I really could of. I'm glad I didn't. This really applies to life, on a whole. I've been thinking a lot lately and realized that it's just not possible to win every battle. Make sure the ones you pick are worth fighting.</div>
Becky + Digbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788041309826669742noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022098436611554272.post-55541688720044611902015-08-20T18:09:00.002-04:002015-08-20T18:09:57.513-04:00Things that go missing.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I kid you not, this is actually July 2015. YES A SEMI RECENT PHOTO! THAT I TOTALLY FORGOT MY FRIEND TOOK... because it was during this ride I realized Digby was lame so I didn't ride. Ha.</td></tr>
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I went to the barn to help with turnout, as I almost always do. I help turnout the 10 horses on the property for reduced board, with 2 nights off a week. It's hard now that I'm full time but I'll stop once the horses go back to day turnout sometime in September. I was running late (SHOCK. Haha.) and didn't say hi to Digby before starting to turn out. I grabbed two of the senior geldings and started putting them out in their field. The barn owner came over and asked what I did with Digby's halter. Now mind you, she had watched me pull in and immediately start turning out. I said something along the lines of "uh...?" and she said it wasn't on his door. He's a bit of a player, in that he'll grab his halter/fly mask/blankets/whatever he can reach and play with them and fling them around. The habit is somewhere between funny and irritating. I turned the older guys out and then went to look for Digby's halter. It was MIA. I checked his stall. I checked in front of his stall. I asked if she was sure he came in with it on. She was. I checked the bushes by his stall. Nada.</div>
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Hmm. I looked and saw that his turnout buddy, Ghost, had Digby's lead rope attached to his halter. I've been at this barn for around two months now and that has never happened. So that's odd. I also noticed that Ghost's lead, which is longer and thicker, was snapped to itself.... as if someone made a make shift halter out of it. I chuckled and realized the barn owner just probably didn't realize he, in fact, hadn't come in with it and she didn't notice because the guy who does stalls in the morning brought them in. While I have yet to track down Digby's halter in his field, I can safely assume it's out there somewhere. Luckily, I had a spare (two actually, plus a rope halter) so crisis averted. Digby and friend went out and all was well.</div>
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That made me start thinking about all the things that have disappeared at barns over the years. I've lost all sorts of things like a crop and a dressage whip, a saddle pad, a feed scoop, halters lost in fields or just MIA, bell boots (and not even in the traditional "in the field" sense, a person wandered off with my awesome Italian gum pull on bell boots which I have yet to replace) and a whole lot of fly spray and treats. I'm not sure what it is about barns that make other boarders think "well, this is here so I'll use it" and then NOT RETURN THE ITEM? I would not do that in a barn and I certainly wouldn't do it outside the barn either. I don't mind the occasional use of my fly spray or treats. I do however mind when someone uses my tack or equipment. I mind this even more when it gets returned dirty or doesn't get returned at all. Someone please explain this to me.</div>
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Becky + Digbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788041309826669742noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022098436611554272.post-10463165988128313362015-08-19T18:24:00.000-04:002015-08-19T18:24:00.052-04:00Blogs, by the numbers.Sometimes, I don't feel like blogging. Other times, I'm too busy to blog.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qIAfsrG-7RAn5XB22-QV51rxfiadikVjIFzx33uD2D7CUUIy8D_qWVLXbI0zDPAYqCFJO4WFScGm33R22ZR1vLhs6cyQ5qqdctthlSttcZerDtp32HvY7GImGzIOeqwnskbmJJYBMn4/s1600/Becky+%2526+Digby+4-25-10+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qIAfsrG-7RAn5XB22-QV51rxfiadikVjIFzx33uD2D7CUUIy8D_qWVLXbI0zDPAYqCFJO4WFScGm33R22ZR1vLhs6cyQ5qqdctthlSttcZerDtp32HvY7GImGzIOeqwnskbmJJYBMn4/s400/Becky+%2526+Digby+4-25-10+053.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Digby, 2010. He knows several tricks :)</td></tr>
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Since I have been the latter as of late and I have time now, I thought it would be fun to list all the blogs I read regularly and how many blog posts I've missed since I haven't read any since the second to last week or the last week of July... Yeah. Admittedly, I MAY have read some posts on specific blogs and forgotten and my computer isn't the best for accurate posts (sometimes counts 2 posts on the same day as 1 post) sooo it might not be 100% correct. I didn't list anyone who's blog I follow if they didn't post since then. I don't want to make anyone feel bad because, you know, I've been there myself busy bloggers!!<br />
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26 - '<a href="http://fraidycateventing.blogspot.com/">Fraidy Cat Eventing</a><br />
26 - <a href="http://baywithchrome.com/">Bay with Chrome</a><br />
26 - <a href="http://www.behindthebitblog.com/">Behind the Bit</a><br />
19 - <a href="http://www.shemovedtotexas.com/">She Moved to Texas</a><br />
18 - <a href="http://suenostomanvuelo.blogspot.com/">Viva Carlos</a><br />
16 - <a href="http://aenterspooking.blogspot.com/">A Enter Spooking</a><br />
16 - <a href="http://www.hand-gallop.com/">Hand Gallop</a><br />
14 - <a href="http://www.cobjockey.com/">Cob Jockey</a><br />
14 - <a href="http://iamthesprinklerbandit.blogspot.com/">Sprinkler Bandits</a><br />
12 - <a href="http://harnessphoto.blogspot.com/">A Collection of Madcap Escapades </a><br />
12 - <a href="http://paradigmfarms.blogspot.com/">Paradigm Farms</a><br />
12 - <a href="http://twistedfame1624smoothstrides.blogspot.com/">Smooth Strides</a><br />
11 - <a href="https://mydandylonglegs.wordpress.com/">Dandyism</a><br />
11 - <a href="http://jessandprinceofthieves.blogspot.com/">Hopeful Jumpers</a><br />
11 - <a href="http://ponytude.blogspot.com/">Ponytude</a><br />
11 - <a href="http://postsecret.com/">Post Secret</a> (not horsey, love it anyway)<br />
11 - <a href="https://zenbabyhorse.wordpress.com/">Zen and the Art of Baby Horse Management</a><br />
10 - <a href="https://backinthetack.wordpress.com/">Back in The Tack</a><br />
10 - <a href="http://storiesfromsaddle.blogspot.com/">Stories from the Saddle</a><br />
10 - <a href="http://www.wilburisagem.com/">Wilbur, Ellie and Emily</a><br />
9 - <a href="http://projectgingersnap.blogspot.com/">Oh Gingersnap</a><br />
8 - <a href="https://draftmare.wordpress.com/">Draft Mare</a><br />
8 - <a href="http://flyonovereq.com/">Fly on Over</a><br />
7 - <a href="http://wapzhotdan.blogspot.com/">Bringing Up Baby</a><br />
7 - <a href="http://fourmaresnomoney.blogspot.com/">Four Mares No Money</a><br />
7 - <a href="http://guineaforaguinness.blogspot.com/">Guinness on Tap</a><br />
7 - <a href="http://poorwomanshowing.blogspot.com/">Poor Woman Showing</a><br />
6 - <a href="http://dotstreamming.blogspot.com/">Dotstream</a><br />
6 - <a href="http://eventingincolor.blogspot.com/">Eventing in Color</a><br />
6 - <a href="http://pony3express.blogspot.com/">Pony Express</a><br />
5 - <a href="https://baysoverbaes.wordpress.com/">Bays over Baes</a><br />
5 - <a href="http://kataipony.blogspot.com/">Stubborn Together</a><br />
5 - <a href="http://thatredmare.blogspot.com/">That Red Mare</a><br />
5 - <a href="http://jumpingpercheron.blogspot.com/">Jumping Percheron</a><br />
5 - <a href="http://weanieeventer.blogspot.com/">Weanie Eventer</a><br />
4 - <a href="https://agifthorse.wordpress.com/">A Gift Horse</a><br />
4 - <a href="http://dondeestahenry.blogspot.com/">All In</a><br />
4 - <a href="https://equinovice.wordpress.com/">EquiNovice</a><br />
4 - <a href="http://liz-stout.blogspot.com/">In Omnia Paratus</a><br />
4 - <a href="http://incidentsofguidance.blogspot.com/">Incidents of Guidance </a><br />
4 - <a href="http://kisforkiki.blogspot.com/">Life of Riley</a><br />
4 - <a href="https://jumppretty.wordpress.com/">Me Jump Pretty One Day</a><br />
4 - <a href="http://nohourwasted.blogspot.com/">No Hour Wasted</a><br />
4 - <a href="http://uncatchablenumber257.blogspot.com/">The Reeling</a><br />
4 - <a href="http://www.theowlsapprove.com/">The Owls Approve </a><br />
3 - <a href="http://goldenponyadventures.blogspot.com/">A blonde, brunette and a Redhead</a><br />
3 - <a href="http://finalchapter-karen.blogspot.com/">Contact</a><br />
3 - <a href="http://jumpthestars.blogspot.com/">Flying Free</a><br />
3 - <a href="http://www.ifthesaddlefits.com/">If the Saddle Fits</a><br />
3 - <a href="http://peaceandcarrotshorse.blogspot.com/">Peace and Carrots</a><br />
3 - <a href="http://www.stampyandthebrain.com/">Stampy and the Brain</a><br />
3 - <a href="http://eyeonthehorse.blogspot.com/">The Polka Dot Periodical </a><br />
3 - <a href="http://tuckerthewunderkind.blogspot.com/">Tucker the Wunderkind</a><br />
2 - <a href="https://ayankeeinparis.wordpress.com/">A Yankee in Paris</a><br />
2 - <a href="http://krseq.blogspot.com/">Candyland</a><br />
2 - <a href="http://piasparade.blogspot.com/">Pia's Parade</a><br />
2 - <a href="http://www.themoodymare.com/">The Moody Mare</a><br />
2 - <a href="https://pooramateursalmanac.wordpress.com/">The Poor Amateur's Almanac </a><br />
2 - <a href="http://the-forgotten-crisp.blogspot.com/">The Young Horse Experience</a><br />
2 - <a href="http://waitingforthejump.blogspot.com/">Wait for the Jump</a><br />
2 - <a href="http://xsunnysideupx.blogspot.com/">Walk, Trot, Canter, Banter</a><br />
2 - <a href="http://www.teamflyingsolo.com/">We are Flying Solo</a><br />
2 - <a href="http://pieceofheaven1951.blogspot.com/">Wyvern Oaks</a><br />
1 -<a href="http://marecalledlily.blogspot.com/"> A Mare Called Lilly</a><br />
1 - <a href="http://galsandhorses.blogspot.com/">A Work in Progress</a><br />
1- <a href="https://alchemyeventing.wordpress.com/">Alchemy Eventing</a><br />
1- <a href="https://breechesandboatshoes.wordpress.com/">Breeches and Boat Shoes</a><br />
1 - <a href="http://confessionsofanaaer.blogspot.com/">Confessions of an AA Event Rider</a><br />
1 - <a href="http://dressagepony.blogspot.com/">Dressage Pony</a><br />
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Guess I've got some reading to do! I was done work at 4 and since it's raining, I find myself with NOTHING TO DO for once in what seems to be a very long time. This calls for some adult beverages, Netflix binging and blog reading. :) (Side note: if I missed your blog, spelled something wrong, or entered a hyperlink wrong, let me know! The adult beverages maaay have already started.)Becky + Digbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788041309826669742noreply@blogger.com450tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022098436611554272.post-80459205317351825182015-08-13T18:54:00.000-04:002015-08-13T18:54:16.267-04:00Not dead.Ah yes, I am alive. If you know me in real life, you know I regularly post on Instagram and fairly often on FB but I try to keep Digby related things here on the blog.<br />
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So, what's been happening?<br />
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Hmm. Ok. Digby's lyme test came back positive. We've started treating with Doxy. I give him a probiotic daily in the midday. He finished his course of Previcox but is still getting Adequan. He's also finally almost done his ulcer meds. We tapered them super slowly because of his move and that whole "acid rebound effect" that I've written about before but am too lazy to make a link for. I got him switched over to the barns grain, instead of buying my own. He's lost some weight as of lately which is a bummer considering how hard to worked to get that weight ON him. I'll keep tinkering with his feeding regimen. In a perfect world, I'd keep buying him the TC Senior but honestly, it's $22 a bag. This barn is nicer than my last barn and thus more expensive. I just don't have $22 a bag, when he eats several bags a month, in the budget when I dropped almost a grand in the past 2 weeks on him between the vet bills and meds.<br />
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Oh, and I blew a tire on my car last week. A tire that I had bought in July. It was just over a month old. This did not please me. More money spent.<br />
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Otherwise, I'm back to full time at my job (48 hours/week) buttt I wasn't supposed to be so I had previously made plans and got some pet sitting, dog walking, on the side jobs. So those plus my regular full time job? I'm busy. Like really busy. The hony has not been ridden since August 2nd. I feel guilty. On the positive side, I'm making some serious cash! That vet bill will be paid off quickly. :)<br />
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I'm also super behind (haha weeks) in my blog reading. Sorry guys! I will catch up eventually.Becky + Digbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788041309826669742noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022098436611554272.post-79700927942830622402015-08-02T11:55:00.001-04:002015-08-02T11:55:13.871-04:00Guess what?!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36aAI0rXQMjHfSEXGArox5nYDNcBa7rIP719sBcxU_lIQ_oo2fkalYX_OzElyb8iTAqOk2T5N8etB2-aRTTTpXNp0N9Tn8kj_yieZgcz2Y7DT87VTl4RyP9HXWNw4SnV4IbP_dszNWfs/s640/blogger-image--1165441891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36aAI0rXQMjHfSEXGArox5nYDNcBa7rIP719sBcxU_lIQ_oo2fkalYX_OzElyb8iTAqOk2T5N8etB2-aRTTTpXNp0N9Tn8kj_yieZgcz2Y7DT87VTl4RyP9HXWNw4SnV4IbP_dszNWfs/s400/blogger-image--1165441891.jpg" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Begging face!</td></tr>
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The hony went back to work today! I decided to do some hand walking up and down the hill that's next to the pond on the property and then sit on him. I'm not going to say he's 100% sound but he's improved since before his Previcox/Adequan. All in all, I was pretty pleased with him. There was no sass and he was happy to work. There's another heat wave but I'm going to take you guys' advice from the last post on how to deal with the wild temps. Annnnd, I will have a July recap/August goals for you guys soon. My apologizes for the quick, poorly written post! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Hbf-wU1F7wVl4BbZJa_c0Gp-BybPcq1fOaiMY6jpbljkv_5jPrXr-Y-JFc_eaIKoxOYh9hI4_owFal7w1NjO34kEFrE6qU2nqlALOByrlSNi3DQbgOjbtKcxfZxD7A4bj4MkrkwxJ8o/s640/blogger-image-645519924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Hbf-wU1F7wVl4BbZJa_c0Gp-BybPcq1fOaiMY6jpbljkv_5jPrXr-Y-JFc_eaIKoxOYh9hI4_owFal7w1NjO34kEFrE6qU2nqlALOByrlSNi3DQbgOjbtKcxfZxD7A4bj4MkrkwxJ8o/s400/blogger-image-645519924.jpg" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adorable eating hony</td></tr>
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<br />Becky + Digbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788041309826669742noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022098436611554272.post-91527277208477227522015-07-30T15:37:00.001-04:002015-07-30T15:37:17.674-04:00Ideas. (Aka the post in which I decide it's too hot)Ok fellow bloggers!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4JY_gunbS4ynWzI7xid4ruVcENXTqzNtRzqtXiZBDZCKnxkd2PejEE3DVKb3Z7GJnYONxYtOO5f2LU85cecoyvwGVOG8JWVWI6BTy35BexokDyGYsqUhDlw0FhrJfIGIjCbxnbY90UA/s1600/IMG_3167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4JY_gunbS4ynWzI7xid4ruVcENXTqzNtRzqtXiZBDZCKnxkd2PejEE3DVKb3Z7GJnYONxYtOO5f2LU85cecoyvwGVOG8JWVWI6BTy35BexokDyGYsqUhDlw0FhrJfIGIjCbxnbY90UA/s400/IMG_3167.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How Digby's topline used to look... (FYI - not me holding him)</td></tr>
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I need some help. I'm a giant baby in the heat (I chalk some of this up to the fact that I work outside and I literally sweat all. day. long.) and PA is warm in the summer. Not 100+ degrees all the time Texas hot, but it's toasty. And humid. Ugh, the humidity! Anyway, no use in complaining because it's a fact of life in this state. That being said, the vet told me to give it a few days for the Previcox/Adequan combo to start working and then get back to work, especially in building his topline. I have been working on building it previously but I'm wondering if anyone had a good idea for how to build topline when it's roughly 1029 degrees out. Doing a lot of trot/canter work is out of the question. I know pole work can help but honestly, Digby doesn't tend to lift his back when going over poles. This defeats the purpose. We do have a few hills but they are out on the trails, which I'm not comfortable going on unless I have a friend. Lunging (with or without a chambon, or vienna reins, or whatever gadget you'd like) on a regular basis is out given his lameness issues. I really can only lunge once a week maximum and for a short period of time. This leaves us with transitions and correct work. I feel like transitions in the walk only, maybe with snippets of trot, isn't going to be super helpful. Maybe I'm wrong?<br />
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I could ride in the morning when it's cooler but I need to be at work by 7 am so I'd need to arrive at the barn around... 5:30? AM. Not ideal since no one will be at the barn until 7-7:30, leaving an awful long time period if I fall off and get hurt. Gah! So what do you do in the "extreme" heat to keep your horses fit? Deal with it? Try lighter work loads? Drink cold beers instead?Becky + Digbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788041309826669742noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022098436611554272.post-35797749712043465892015-07-29T15:33:00.001-04:002015-07-29T15:33:07.099-04:00The vet news<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJds0U2L8GTCbzuYr4_hAWOqaNXNjbuan6W61CnyI0HS0N19jGslVXiN27WECNwSsrj0r2BzXDM1CMUH1wwOkuWvu-nZsR9wa1pi64rifKzi_UVmSp_p7U__5lJNlrjFGlFSXXMJRu44/s640/blogger-image--1346668381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJds0U2L8GTCbzuYr4_hAWOqaNXNjbuan6W61CnyI0HS0N19jGslVXiN27WECNwSsrj0r2BzXDM1CMUH1wwOkuWvu-nZsR9wa1pi64rifKzi_UVmSp_p7U__5lJNlrjFGlFSXXMJRu44/s640/blogger-image--1346668381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjris2sdzSBc-3VIzfWhy08u6X_cv-JPY7PI65VPAq2obxRZa5ERrsy8IVYuncv0S5ypEirCJ0x4yMjfyW8JeRLqjBHYPbKoohhg8AqgZKx2p61InFFJoI0wFlheo4zLuNF-luwl0InYnY/s640/blogger-image-764526165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
This is what happens when I try to take photos of my horse:<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijw_W70cBFEd72OCIcyYBVL4FKVkGWPFIA_mr7DU0MLwPmHvh_y5z5L3GQBHN_ku_2_2aGexkgFW_xS1wqsgjVCH7hyrHdULNwwpU3pqY84o4yaWc_5nY32bmvbzW-VvlEt9raFL896Jg/s640/blogger-image--464565918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijw_W70cBFEd72OCIcyYBVL4FKVkGWPFIA_mr7DU0MLwPmHvh_y5z5L3GQBHN_ku_2_2aGexkgFW_xS1wqsgjVCH7hyrHdULNwwpU3pqY84o4yaWc_5nY32bmvbzW-VvlEt9raFL896Jg/s400/blogger-image--464565918.jpg" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjris2sdzSBc-3VIzfWhy08u6X_cv-JPY7PI65VPAq2obxRZa5ERrsy8IVYuncv0S5ypEirCJ0x4yMjfyW8JeRLqjBHYPbKoohhg8AqgZKx2p61InFFJoI0wFlheo4zLuNF-luwl0InYnY/s400/blogger-image-764526165.jpg" width="299" /></span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJds0U2L8GTCbzuYr4_hAWOqaNXNjbuan6W61CnyI0HS0N19jGslVXiN27WECNwSsrj0r2BzXDM1CMUH1wwOkuWvu-nZsR9wa1pi64rifKzi_UVmSp_p7U__5lJNlrjFGlFSXXMJRu44/s400/blogger-image--1346668381.jpg" width="299" /></div>
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Yeah. So that's why there are rarely any new photos of Digby on the blog. He's photography challenged. As you may remember, the vet came out on Monday. Basically, she just thinks it's his usual navicular issue acting up.</div>
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We are testing for Lyme and for metabolic issues, as he's been drinking a TON of water lately. We're talking like 3 buckets in 12 hours. We also started him on Previcox for 10 days just to help with inflammation and another round of Adequan. Spending alllllll the monies. He's looking a bit better after his time off and he's probably a .5 on the lameness scale so she told me to ride him if I want to. Unfortunately, we are having a heat wave this week so my schedule of being able to ride in the early afternoons is not working well when the temps are all 90 degrees or up. </div>
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I should get the test results back in a week so fingers crossed there's no lyme or metabolic issues and it's just his usual lameness!</div>
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Becky + Digbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788041309826669742noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022098436611554272.post-33953079515448821012015-07-24T18:33:00.001-04:002015-07-24T18:33:24.099-04:00Feeling better?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2010. Do I even have new photos of the hony?! (Answer: no.)</td></tr>
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After texts, comments on FB and on here, and some in person conversations, I'm feeling a bit more positive than I was yesterday and earlier in the week. I think I just needed to get the whining out of my system! The vet will be coming out on Monday. We're planning on checking out the hony, getting some flexion tests, probably pulling blood for Lyme, and most likely starting another course of Adequan. That always seems to help. I'm sure she'll come out and we'll figure out what else we should do.<br />
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In other vet related news, I am CRUSHED to find out that my vet practice said my new barn is too far away to regularly work with Digby!!! (Cue panic.) The vet is located pretty far away in all honesty, I can't fault them there, and the vet I typically use was super polite when telling me. She is mostly worried about emergencies. They are based out of the county next to mine so it is quite a drive to do shots for one horse, although they service large barns within 15 minutes of mine. In a dire emergency, they might not be able to get there in time and I totally get it. I appreciate being told that they won't just take my money and then not be able to get there when I really need them. She did say she'd come out on Monday but that I need to plan to use someone else for vaccinations and emergencies in the future.<br />
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That being said, what in the ever loving heck do I do now? The barn I'm at does not require any one vet so there are two vets (besides mine) that are used. One vet is, how can I put this, an idiot. I will not use him for anything. I suppose I'd be ok with him giving shots but that's where the buck ends. So he's out of the question, especially given Digby's opinionated nature and lameness issues. The other vet practice is much more reputable. I was planning on giving them a call today but life happened and now here we are, after normal business hours. I will call tomorrow just to feel them out and let them know I might be using them in the future. Ideally, someone in the barn will be having them out (not for an emergency, I hope!) so I can meet them before Digby has something else wrong. I thought about calling them out for this lameness but I love my current/soon to be old vet and she was the one who took the images of Digby's feet originally so she knows years of history.<br />
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Thanks again everyone for the lovely comments. I really appreciate them! I'm a bit more optimistic now that the vet is coming out. I figure it's either going to be ok or it's not and there's peace in knowing that.Becky + Digbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788041309826669742noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022098436611554272.post-66849071528083708062015-07-23T14:06:00.001-04:002015-07-23T14:06:32.038-04:00Woe is me.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Be warned, this post gets <strike>a little bit</strike> a lot whiney but it ends up ok in the end. Maybe.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dig My Size, 2012</td></tr>
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Do you ever have one of those days when nothing, and I do mean nothing, seems to go right?<br />
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The kind where no matter what, you're grumpy. The kind where stereotypical, sad country music songs all seem to fit. The kind that make you wonder if you need to drink several adult beverages or just sleep for 3 days. The kind where even (multiple) chocolate cupcakes and hugs don't help.<br />
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Yeah, we've all been there once or twice.<br />
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In all actuality, there are plenty of things that go right, or at least things that don't go wrong. The day could be worse and you know it. Nevertheless, there's a giant ball of "EVERYTHING SUCKS" that you can't seem to deflate, or a heavy weight on your shoulders, or a giant monster sucking out all the joy in life stuck to you, whichever metaphor you prefer. You punch, kick, scratch and claw your way into a better frame of mind. You fall down, you get back up. Wash, rinse, repeat.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I am a wild steed!" (2010)</td></tr>
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I'm a goal oriented person. I thrive on continuous process analysis and improvement. I struggle with people who say things like "well, we do it this way because we always have" and "no we can't do that because I said so." I feel like most (can I make that generalization?) riders, especially bloggers and ones who compete, have similar feelings. We are consistently analyzing, trying new things, trying old things, seeking feedback. While we can lack patience, we know it's necessary. We are willing to sit chilly and wait it out. "It" could be the distance to a jump, the days of stall rest, the time it takes to build up fitness, or anything in between.<br />
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Sitting chilly and waiting "it" out has its limits though. There are situations that will bring that "EVERYTHING SUCKS" ball/weight/monster around like kryptonite. You fight it and try to stay buoyant. You have to, for your own sake and the sake of those around you.<br />
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I can't really pretend that Digby is sound anymore. His lameness is my kryptonite. It's just happened too many times, for too long, for me to ever be ok with it. My first reaction has become "fuck this." I immediately get irrationally angry. I'm angry because I spend all the monies on board bills, feed bills, vet bills, farrier bills so I can't do other things I'd like to and I can't even ride. I'm angry because I had my hopes up that maybe we'd start lessoning in the fall with a local trainer. I'm angry because I can't enjoy my horse like I'd like to. I'm angry because I'm not asking him to jump or do Grand Prix dressage and he still won't stay sound. I'm angry because I've owned him for 5 years who has been lame for at least half of it. I'm angry that EVERYONE IN THE ENTIRE WORLD (lolz) gets to ride <i>their</i> horse. I'm just angry in the "it-doesn't-matter-how-many-cupcakes-you-eat-you're-still-mad" way.<br />
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Digby's been on/off sore/borderline lame for a while now. There's always a progression to his lameness. He gets not quite right behind, sore in the back, and then lame up front. We <a href="http://thestoryofdigs.blogspot.com/2015/07/a-photo-update-well-and-some-words.html">tried a different set of shoes</a> but those have not helped curb this progression. He was back sore earlier in the week. He didn't look bad but didn't look great on the lunge line on Monday. I rode on Tuesday and he was definitely more ouchy, enough for me to not work him, sigh heavily, admit that he wasn't reaaaally sound and brace myself for my impending mood drop. He was about a 1.5 out of 5 lame trotting in the field yesterday. Although he's been sound for several years, in similar workload, whatever we're currently doing is causing him to be lame. Again. The worst part of Digby's lamenesses is that there's never any heat. There's no swelling. There's no physical "thing" that I can look at and say "oh, that's worse than it was yesterday" or "yay it's gone down!" He's just either sound or he's on the lameness scale of 1-5.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOFZqX-ECNA6PydQRwcNV0xgzuRS1Qkl2aLovrkUuYHI4xqVcXwcoxY4zoUSA_7VaQI41yFSyF_C1niMCgfvKmb9Cwop38IWTM7TgCHODXKdecBfywp2J3z82L2L-lY0tpTgHuw76uNs/s1600/IMG_0936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOFZqX-ECNA6PydQRwcNV0xgzuRS1Qkl2aLovrkUuYHI4xqVcXwcoxY4zoUSA_7VaQI41yFSyF_C1niMCgfvKmb9Cwop38IWTM7TgCHODXKdecBfywp2J3z82L2L-lY0tpTgHuw76uNs/s400/IMG_0936.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2014</td></tr>
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I may be melodramatic. This is certainly a first world problem to be this bummed about a horse's lameness. He's just a horse, right? I wrote a post the other week about how <a href="http://thestoryofdigs.blogspot.com/2015/07/sfts-blog-hop-heart-horse.html">he's not my heart horse</a>. If he is, I don't know it yet. Why do I care so much that it ruins my whole day, week, month? I suppose it's because I'm emotionally and financially invested. Relationships, even of the equine/human nature, are hard. You stay with something long enough, you end up having hopes and dreams and goals. Digby, in his own charming way, keeps crushing them. I need to remind myself that life is not over, you're fine, you'll figure it out, he'll get sound again, he always does.<br />
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If you'd like, cross your fingers, throw in a little prayer, give advice, make a wish for me. Digby needs to tell me what in the hell I'm supposed to do with him.<br />
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And I need to find a few cupcakes. They may not help my mood, or my waistline, but they sure are tasty.Becky + Digbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788041309826669742noreply@blogger.com6