Mare Walking~ A Rehab

Every step my mare took upon entering the stables, left a trail of bloody hoof prints. About  6 or 7 of them. The stable hired help left them for me to see. Once my man took the photos, he started to get blood off the concrete ! I went to looking at the injuries and he set himself to covering the blood with fresh shavings, from my mare's stall. I figured that since the blood flowed so strongly, that it probably carried any debris OUT with it too.

I brushed the hoof off, and pushed and prodded a little, looking for anything wedged up in the wound. Wa did  not tolerate much, as she weaved and yawned in pain. She also had an unusual edema on her right chest. Imagine 2 penny rolls, end to end under the skin and hanging. I looked for a kick or abrasion. There was just a  round score mark. I could only imagine that she ran into something.

 And the Hoof wound(s), I found a severely cracked heal bulb wound a few days later, as I soaked her in Hot Epsom Salts. (NOW I KNOW- it was an abscess that blew becasue of the insult of the injury)

Farriers view 1 week later.

Last fall the my PBO's got loads and loads of gravel, to make sure the pasture turnout entry area did not mushify into muddy mess. They are very conscientious about the horses and turnout conditions.

  As per normal, base rock was laid firstly, then the smaller gravel. Unfortunately, and this is not anyone's fault, the bigger stones always work themselves up to the surface. It happens everywhere I have ever been. With thousands of pounds of horses traveling and dispersing weight, and putting pressure on the grounds..it always happens over time. So some sharper stones have begun to jut up and are on the sidelines as well. Last Summer, when the stone was laid, my mare was shod in front and they did not bother her summer hardened hinds.

This winter, as per normal in Oregon, it has been totally soggy- doggy -wet. Over the months of horses standing in wetter grounds, the hooves get softer. So couple soft hooves and soles with speed.....my mare needs not an excuse to go fast, she loves to move! So almost 3 weeks ago at dusk, something scared the horses and they ran and ran , so the hired help told me.

Now put all that together- mud/rain , softened hooves and- Wala...injury.

This slice doesn't look that bad in photo's, but it is deep and with the bottom part of the frog skimmed off as well. She only would walk on her toe for 4 or 5 days.

With the slightest pressure I put on it with my hoof pick, it will part like the tides for Moses.

Soaking, soaking we have done...and my mare has been a model patient...she has never taken her hoof from the Hot Epsom Soak. She loves her "Bath" as much as I do in Epsoms, when I get home from my rides!

 I think the -Full dropper squirt-( for "~" C's question) of "Rescue Remedy" ( animal version)and TTouching I've done, really gave her a calmness. GRACE was given to me  too, as right before the accident, I decided to Cut her Rice Bran -OUT- of her feed altogether, along with minimizing the second cutting Orchard grass hay, and using the first cutting more.  She was getting crusty necked and had some fat pockets. I also had started her on a  Magnesium supplement. This has GREATLY improved her disposition and her NERVES have really calmed...even to her aversion to being brushed!!!

The routine SOAK in Hot Epsom Salts. After either a Nolvassan surgical scrub or Soapy 7% Iodine- IF the hoof is soiled.

I have to say...I adore my mare...she has been so happy to see me each time I arrive. I have had to go out every day for the Soaks, sometimes twice a day,  to make sure she moves and gets her circulation going.

Sometimes, she'll nicker to me, as I walk into the stall...I MELT!

I was advised, by my barefoot specialist, to not allow debris to enter the wound. So, I have used this cool boot I found through "ACTION RIDER TACK". It's the classic Duct tape design, with out having to cut the duct tape out every day. -Plus+ it breathes better, not being STUCK directly on the hoof wall and sole. I poulticed the wound as well with " CALM COAT" Wonder Wrap for the first 2 days.

The SOFT ARENA was a  friend and we would  go in there to run around...not running at first, as she favored the hoof. She sometimes played her "touch the object" games.

Then, after the first week of stall/run boundless, we played other games in the soft footed arena. We trotted together on foot, making nice seamless turns, in a rhythm together and going the other direction with hand arm actions only. She finally side stepped and backed for me, by the wave of an arm...and she has it down now...I raise my hands, and she will rear on command, coming down and looking cute, waiting for the cue to get  her treat!

 Our down time has been rather enjoyable..and a phase of horse ownership I that can't be avoided, as they always do seem to get hurt sometimes. But with the TTouches and these other  creative diversions...I feel like we've actually moved forward with our partnership.

The other thing we've done is what I call :  "MARE WALKING". I have done this from the first time we discovered trails and woods together, 5 years ago. I walk with her and we either" rehab" like this time, or we scale treacherous territories or we just go for an outing on foot,  for the fun of it...looking for green grasses and sunshine to take in while we spend time together.

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THE SUN SHONE THE ENTIRE FIRST WEEK INTO THE SECOND week  of February ..how's that for making you feel like things will get better!!!

SO, we prepared for our MARE WALK....I booted the mare up, with a "frog relief system" on her injured hoof and made it water proof...just in case...but, the dry weather made a huge differance, and the footing was not muddy! I also tacked her up-though I would be not riding her, I would sit upon her, as she grazed.

It was so nice, Sunny, warm and beautiful!

We strode down the road together...she heard some riders coming back to the stable here.

Once at the Sunny, grassed strewn location...I mounted up from a nearby log and she ate happily with me relaxed aboard her.

We were very near the "farmers field" that has a very nice-soft sawdust track around the parimeter...I decided to stay on her and walk the soft footed track. THAT was great!! She and I truly enjoyed the sunny time out.

What a blessing to have the sunny and dry weather for a week or so!

After my routines with my mare, I'd fly off to my sisters mare.My sis was now recovering from her knee surgery and not to be tempted to do more(while on DRUGS) as she had at first, feeling no pain and coming down from the stronger anesthesia stuffs. That story may come later...woo...she does not remember a thing and almost does not trust me when I say the things that occurred,as she came off the surgery drugs!

Often, it would be dark when I arrived to see Pantz mare. She minded not, as she longed to get herself moving in the arena- rolling, running and playing!!

Sometimes...we'd see each other in the day times for a graze session. Her pasture is closed off to spare it for a couple months, during our rainy season.

Then all over again the next day...my mare and soaking....walking....

AND,once in a great while, grazing the small paddock nearest the stable...as long as she remains calm and does not rip around!! I keep a "trail boot" on her hoof as the frog is so soft and forming still.

I'd hate to Wreck all this rehab by allowing her to rip it open again, stepping on something hard!

So, that's how it  goes for us the last 3 weeks. It was great while the sunshine lasted...now we've returned to a spot of hail, snow and colder temps again.

The  mud still has not dried up enough , not will it for sometime to allow the mare in her full run...she stands and pines for the other half.

Onward and forward we go. It is what it is and like I mentioned, I have enjoyed our  different times together. I have learned a thing or two about hoof and  abscess recovery.

 One of these days, when normalcy returns...I will maybe sit down and read and visit with you all...like CATCH UP!!   Miss you guys!

It's all good.... I know there is a season for all. So while I must be a stables more often and not ride-

we are working on our show...I'm calling it

"KaWallia"!

Rain and Shine

         While January was WET-WET-WET, this newly arrived February, looks rather nice.

The mare and me rode out during those very- soggy- days of last month and also, some of the prettiest sun spot ones. Sometimes  we  barely stayed dry long,  for the next front would roll in as we returned to the comforts of stable-cover!

I got to try out my new -Water proof quarter sheet- my sissy got for us at Christmastime. She intended on making the bottom piping ribbon RED, for us ALL AMERICAN RIDERS...but her machine broke as she stitched it, so we remain green till another time ( hope I won't need it till fall ) and that is so fine with us!

The sheet was fabulous in the downpours we strode through, keeping my leg covered to my mid boot and- the mare's rumpus too!

Wa mare was some what SHOCKED that we were going out in rain sometimes. There was actually a  person walking somewhere behind us, she was keeping track of  them with her ears here~

 She was very pleased  to go even with rains falling;  walking nicely out, as we left the stable most those sogged rides. The totally flooded and muddied turnouts kept the horses in their own runs for a week or so.
 
When the snow finally melted out in the country, it was replaced by these warmer, heavy- heavy rains.

 All the horses hooves were getting so soft! I began to ride out with Hoof boots, every time, for my mare  began wincing upon any rocks at all.
I was so toally pleased with my mare all these rides, she was willing and able, though we mostly HAD TO WALK, for the grounds were slick and sometimes deep with moisture. When we could find a place to trot or canter, she was meeted and measured in balance and calm. I  love her more and more, and riding  on bareback saddle has been glorious...my core has never been better...I have stayed totally fit this winter with riding the softsaddle.

After my rides, I would jet on over to Pantz's stable. My sister injured her kneeVERY badly during a work physical training, in late December. So BUSY -BUSY- with 2 horses and 2 stables!
It ususally was dark by the time I arrived to see Pantz. But, the snow shadow of her mare, made a neat photo for my sister . She had surgery scheduled and while she managed to keep working light duty at her job, I made sure her mare was alright, up here in Portland.

It began to sunshine a wee bit, just before February came along, and I was able to ride with one of my stable freinds!

OH! The glimmers of warmer times ahead, made these rides perfect- even if we were all decked out from head to toe now -with insulation!

The air being so very crisp on these gorgeous "Looking" cold, dry days...the mare's breath hung in the air, like fog!

A really funny thing occurred to us on one wet ride out. It's only funny for me,  because my mare is well spook proofed. We had the quarter sheet on and while it is rain proof it is NOT wind proof!

Some wind came up fast, from another storm coming in before we could get back.  We had just come out of the woods to a clearing, where the clear cut area  slash was being burned away in huge piles. A far off pile of slash was smouldering...the whitish smoke would appear thickly,almost animal like, then get blown off. It would appear, and then disappear. The mare was fascinated, and high headed, holding her breath watching this. We could NOT smell the smoke, for the wind was coming from behind us.

All of a sudden, as asked her to move forward and closer to the billowing white forms, the wind caught the quarter sheet! It billowed too, above our heads, as it came off her back end- almost over and off ! I had a flash of thoughts quickly enter my head about if she'd react but- no problem, she hardly noticed. She was way more intrigued by the smoke
. WHEW! I knew right then, I would have something sewn upon the mid section of the quarter sheet, to the front of my legs, for keeping it RIGHT-WHERE-IT-NEEDED TO BE!

Excuse my photos..they are ALL from the Phone these days. My antiquated computer has totally shut me out of loading any more images from my camera. I really must  go forth and trade it in soon. So for now...the smart phone comes in handy. I found a neat case that allows me to take photos even in the rain, though it does add a sleight "blurry softening effect" to all the photos, through the plastic.

Our water world trails, at every turn we made a couple weeks in a row

It brought many a new mud bog

Tried to turn down this trail, nope, tis a new creek now!

How about this way?

This road was okay, by the ponds. The waters were contained and stayed inside the set boundary.

All these are from 2 weeks ago.

Then, the last Saturday in January, I got "THAT CALL" again from the stable. My mare had gotten injured running around when some fireworks or machine gun (sounding )shots had spooked her and Theo at dusk, when the stable hired help arrived. My B-man went out as soon as we got the call.

It appeared to be a terribly deep cut  through my mare's frog, a bad heal wound on the same Lf rear, and a mysterious edema- on her right chest, the size of a quarter roll...it just hung there. She definately was in pain and bleeding badly from the frog. She was weaving and yawning to try to calm herself.

I have this cool can I found at the second hand store, it has Greek looking people and horses...and this dude, he is doing a TTouch!!

I have Ledum Homeopathy (puncture wounds) -Anrica  and Rescue remedy. I gave them all to her in some oats.  I "TTouched her" then  Nolvasan scrubbed the hoof thoroughly, before an Epsom salt soak for her  Hoof that was injured. The good thing was, it bled SO MUCH...if anyting was in there, it got fluched on out. It did appear to be a very clean cut. But boy, what a bruise...she would not let me touch it hardly!

She seemed to appreciate all and calmed down very quickly.  I also gave her 2 grams of Bute, put standing wraps on her hind legs, before we finally left for the night.

WHEWY!

I'm wiped...double horsey duty, mine and sissy's and double duty with my own, making sure to clean, soak, wrap and also cold hose legs and chest each day last week.

So, next post will be the outcomes... Sisters Surgery and my mare's health overall.

It's all pretty good!

Loving the furries

~Pond view on a soggy ride out on the mare~

Since our "Snow by design" happened, it quickly (nice) melted off, we've had nothing but liquid skies falling upon our Pacific NW parts. Sadly, this has brought some flooding and casualties.

Where we live is HIGH on a hill...my man and I are "Perchers",  the reality agent said of us, as he took us around looking for houses almost 20 years ago. Every time we went downward, into a valley or somewhere below the main road system, we were unsettled and never liked the homes. We were NOT "Nesters", which is the opposite of those who would rather be high on the landscapes.

Anywho....

We got to pick up our 2 rescue kitties last week! While this rain is terrible for riding my mare outdoors, like we love (though I have)- it is "Purrectly" great loving on these new to us cats.

Glory B's first look, after she rode home without a peep, purr or yowl.

The little ball of movement tabby girl, was very nervous...we could barely get her to stay put for more than a few seconds!

The first evening with us, she hid under the couch, only coming out for small amounts of time. She yowled frequently, throughout the night.

At 8 wks old, she was living in a feral colony of cats . She was rounded up, taken to the vet's. She was spay, micro chipped, got her first set of vaccine's, then fostered to be tamed- with kids and a dog.  Then, she went to the shelter and living with 30 or so cats- in a very small space for a week or two.

Now...she was looking for any friendly cat face she could find! She looked in the mirror, she looked in the reflection of our fireplce screen, and in our antique secretary's glass front door, each time only to see herself.

As For Uncle Norm Thompson, he rode home well too. Upon release,

he went straight for the smallest room in the house, our bath. It was nice not to have to separate them, since they had been living together already at the shelter.

I had set up the animal print, micro fiber "Cushy Bed" on top of the chair for him...though he was not inclined to be "up" yet, I discovered.

I moved it down to the floor and he quickly took me up on the offer. He settled into the "Cushy Bed" I had purchased -just-for-him- kneading, purring and maybe a little slobbering too!

He appeared to  L*OV*E  his bed!

Norm Thompson's records have his age at 18. He lived in Vernonia, Oregon with an older lady that rescued him, he was homeless. At one time, I know he was an indoor kitty for someone, as he is declawed (shudder).

 He adores being brushed and sitting in our laps. He has been eating on the hour, it seems. We weighed only 5 pounds last Weds. I have decided to give him whatever he'll eat, since he is all skin and bones. I have purchased a nice assortment of natural cat foods that are grain free and also a RAW meat feed.

Norm was rescued from a euthanasia's fate 4 years ago, after the

  older woman in Vernonia, Oregon  he lived with, died. She had found him and took him in, with MANY other strays.

 Her family intended on taking all the cats and having them put down, after she died. A neighbor rescued Norm. He came to "PAWS shelter" in Willamette, with 6 others from that home. I do think while having shelter and a bed...he did not thrive very well in the 20-30-40 cat environment. It's stressful.

He has gained a pound since he came to live with us last week!  6 pounds of  bony but soft, furry Norm~

First morning- on his level-

So, since the second day with us, in the Heinrich Household, these two kitties have settled in well. Norm, going from not wanting to be touched, to seeking us out!

 He got up on the couch with me, the second evening, while we reclined before bedtime.

The girl, GloryB, sought B-man's lap that second eve. She is such an exotic tigress~

Mostly she plays hard, being a 10 mo. old, then crashes hard too!

We are very happy that we got these two. They are very compatible. Norm, needing his space, and glory being totally respectful of  him. She doesn't even eat his food, she thinks the "Rad Cat" Raw cat food is ick. And  he doesn't eat her dry kibble either.

When she wishes to play, she signals us with a meow. She leaves the old boy alone, though she is cordial to him.

 At night, we still have not allowed them into our bedroom, I am VERY MUCH enjoying my uninterrupted sleep!

While we miss Freyda big cat, I totally don't t miss her waking me up all hours of the night!!!

As we begin to have the  rituals of our every day lifestyle permeate into the cats, they also begin to have some habits. Glory settles into" Her Royal Chair", each night. It is So cute!!

 While Norm is either in his soft "Cushy cat-bed" or oft times- in this chair here~ Just like my first cat -"Mike Madison Cat" used to. I've never blogged about him , but he was a massive Grey Tabby boy, that truly stole my heart. He lived one year shy of Norm at 17. He loved to sit here too.

Good Night sweet kittys, see ya in the morning~

                             

A Spot of Snow

Totally delightful it was, to recently get out to the stable to see the trees and trails blanketed with puffy, white SNOW!

Of course it was delightful for me, because I did not have to drive in town in the stuff, or even far in it while in the country. It was mostly centralised around the stable-  perfect!

The mare has been very uppity of late...because of new things. She is a sensitive soul and reacts to any new changes. This time, a new horse (and human) Boarder had come 2 days earlier.  She is by far-not nearly as weirded out about the cute "Sam" gelding, as she was about the RED HORSE OF DOOM- last fall. But she and Theo, her turnout buddy, were definitely looking like they didn't sleep much, the night before!

Sam is a 15 yr old Missouri Fox Ttrotter/ Arabian mix. Interesting. He has a fine head and bigger boned legs. He looks to be about 15.1

 He enjoyed some grass and the deep cover of his turnout, as he kept an eye on me~

So, this snowy day the mare had a rare attitude of "LET'S GET OUT AND GO"!

I have only experienced  her like this when something at the stable is bothering her..she wants to leave it..and maybe not return. She is so easily read. It is truly strange when she chooses every route that takes us farther and farther away, and not the usual- quickest way homeward.

I bundled her up and me too..and off we went for a dusk ride at 4 pm. Since the bright white stuff was present, it made it seem not as late as it was, and kept us visually able to ride longer.

A cute little squirrel ran across our trail. he had a hold of a large cone to eat for a cold winter's night's dinner. See him, off the left ear?

I have been riding with a  polo wrap on my mare's  hindquarter. It's called the "Promise-wrap". It has seemed to help her with balance. It is a "TTouch " method to encourage hind end engagement.

It can be used with horses that spook, giving them a feeling of containment; and  also reassures horses that spin or bolt.

I had none of those things...just a very free flowing walk, as we took our tour of  local nature, in it's wintry veiled self.

Love this shot about dusk time, the mare walking and bobbing in an engaged walk.  Somehow, I got her black covered ears in focus -and all the rest of the world, was a wintry white blur!

Just a quickie ride for us girls this day..."out and back" is what I call this kind of ride. Only about 2 miles...of total blisful stuff!

Home again we came and all was looking so different and new...even the paddock seemed intriguing to Wa. She stared hard, down the treed run... snow ( even though there was not much under the trees) always has a way of making the world look NEW and BRIGHT.

Thanks Wa mare...hope to sneak another OUT and BACK tomorrow sometime....and....

....Tomorrow...we pick up our 2 rescue kitties from the local shelter. The shelter owner had all the volunteers say goodbye to Grandpa Norm T. kitty. Today,  I got him a special cat bed that is so ultra padded and soft..even my husband approved. He just actually thanked me for thinking of Norman, and making sure he was able to have it cushy!

Viewing New Furries

This regal cat was overseeing our departure the other day, as we headed out to meet some  furry felines,  potentially to adopt as our own. We have never seen his white majesty before; peering out from his hillside manor, "Purrfectly" centered in the picture window! We actually turned the car around and made a second pass by to smile,laugh and take his photo.

We did not have a succesful go of adopting that day. The Oregon Humane Society is having specials on adoptions- 2 for 1 and now, only $12

. Recently, we viewed a rather HUGE kity named "Walter".

This was his second time through the O.H.S. He had been adopted several years ago, ere now. The older person simply allowed him to free feed...OH MY! Weighing in at 28 pounds...he could NOT walk on the slick floors.

SEE VIDEO HERE

Since he had been in the Local OREGIONIAN News paper, and on  the local news also- as one of the largest cats the Humane Society had ever had on premise, he brought in MANY people that wanted to adopt him. Lines of folks were waiting outside the next day, after the news spot. We had called to put him on hold...but he was just too popular. I'm glad he got adopted and the new owners are being councelled on how to care for him and give him a safer way to diet to health! We had some experience with this , so that's one of the reasons why he attracted us.

Meanwhile...all the folks that came into the Human Socienty that day also had a love craving for a feline friend. Out of the 4 kitties we had viewed that morning to see - ALL were Adopted that day, just  before we arrived. The remaing cats are all very OLD or very Sick . There was a recent -95- cat horder rescue- and most of them landed at O.H.S. They are just too needy for us and so, we keep on looking.

Other Cat Adoption facilities are very exspensive...$85 a cat. Since we want 2, that is out of our budget for now.

We got a tip on a neat Salem rescue from another blogger friend...and went online to see the cats and kittens there. A great place it was  and nice looking, better adjusted animals. So- we may drive the hour or so to look. 

 But yesterday, we went local again, to a place called "PAWS" animal shelter in Willamette. It keeps difficult hours for us to arrange for both of us to go at once. Once there ,we were thrilled with the health of the animals, though -way too many- for a small space.

 I was drawn to several and my man was being drawn to another OLDER kitty. There is one at O.H.S. called "Patches" he yearned to take too. For some reason his heart wants to give an older kitty it's final home..this one, at" PAWS"-" Norm Thompson", looked like it could go to meet Freyda, Elsie and my Mike Madison cat, sooner than most.

The heart wants what the heart wants. They have a service there that helps you pay for the Elder kitty's needs- all the way through . I am not sure I want heart ache so soon, as it's still raw now, but that said,

 I'm inquiring today about him  for my man....AND......

I think,

I found my girl..

We played for like 15 minutes and I petted her, over and over again in the hour and 1/2 we spend there, looking at all 40 or so cats. She only has a number on the band around her collar -2604B. I was trying to come up with a name..they are all named after Hollywood stars or famous people. I thought of Gloria Estefan, with her unusual beauty and lovely talents. Her nick name would be "Glory B" ...though..don't ask me, it just rolls off my toungue!

OH GOODIE...it's finally noon..I can go see the cats again, and talk about the future of two of them!!

Travel the road

happy mare, on the road homeward

Firstly, I wish to thank all my friends here that have kindly supported us with sentiments of healing and mails of encouragement. We are doing much better after our shocking loss. We've been on the hunt for a furry companion and also, been open to one "Finding us". The whole heart rendering event has caused our eyes to open to  others needs- that is a real blessing.

Focusing upon others is very healing in itself... it is proven to be "an instant reward",  giving of time and monetary resources .

 We all travel the road of life and must navigate twists, turns and endure unexpected "Pot Holes" that cause damage/loss sometimes.

 Strange but, it truly wasn't just the loss of our pet, it became a BIGGER -generalised loss- that kinda overwhelmed us. It is making us face down many areas in our marriage and life that NEED ATTENTION. It has become the forced change- that is motivating chosen change!

Traveling this road of "LIFE"..is much easier and sweeter, because of the company along the way. Those that come alongside in kindnesses and encouragements are the road crew, if you will, marking the turns ahead clearly, and helping fill in the pot holes of roads traveled frequently.

Wa mare and other horses of the stable have been interested beyond the fence line of thier stall runs

I have had some neat, new learning processes helping me- to help my mare these days as well. I love the Jane Savoie "Motivation  from Moshi".  I get the free e-mails from her every month and sometimes, that includes VIDEOS! I am a hands on learner...you can  try to tell me something 3 times or,  you can show me once!

This New Years greeting from her and Moshi was exceptional!! It confirmed my new motto...that was inspired by my HOPE radio station's quote-of needing to MOVE AWAY from where you  curently are, to  make successful change.

See Jane's  inspiring rendition by going to her site and signing up for 'Motivation by Moshi".

Last month Jane had helped me learn the sensitive art of flexations. It is a much smaller a motion asked of the horse than I realised. The rewards of a loose, flexible poll in your horse -are great! A gateway to the rest of the body.

My mare has had such a different response to learning and me asking certain things- that caused her to freeze up or become rigid before.

The other discovery was when My sister sent me "The Intentional Horse" link that had the " TTouch" method of using the "Body Wrap" for ground work.

I've since borrowed a book by Linda Tellington-Jones that I hope to be a major source of change for both my mare and me.
 Funny thing is: I use so much of her ways,  already - unknowingly!!
Some I've gleaned from body workers I have hired, some from my sister..and the rest from my mare directly, as I touch her and she responds. It will be GREAT to now apply the training directly/correctly with the intention of learning, healing and trust.

With not having much energy to ride the past 2 weeks, I have resorted to groundwork and massage-taking short rides out, only on nicer days. The massage, I have found has truly energised the mare. It released any tensions she may have had. As I skim this "TTouch  behaviour training book", I now see how much I have improved her, by all the massage. I mean I KNEW IT WAS HELPING..but now I know why I have had breakthroughs.

Like  a day ago, our last ride out, we took our time...though I tested her resolve by thinking trot, right after I got on. NOTE: I had let her buck and roll in the arena before I tacked up...and boy did she ever buck and roll!!
So after jumped on my bareback softsaddle- Not only did she trot willingly off..she  offered a brisk canter as well, once we turned the corner to the straighter trail. The mare also high blew her air out and I knew- she was with me all the way! She then ascended the slippery slope down to the other trails. There was no balking, no hesitation, just my mare picking and choosing her own way down a muddy trail with me resting my hands upon her withers in agreement,  that she could choose the right steps without intervention from me. She had begun to "Fubble" immediately back in the stable, after I put the bridle on. She has only ever lip sticked her right side...blowing foam and bubbles out there. She over bends to that side. Recently, I have concentrated upon massaging that side, for her to be able to bend away from it. I also have been concentrating on poll release to the left more...this day>>> she foamed both sides!!! A first, and another first..she Foamed the ENTIRE time we were out riding the 7 mile loop! All the way back to the stable, her jaw (attitude too) remained loose! We had only 2 areas of stress and rushing on our ride. They are the places she usually does an inverted action and hollows and tries to bolt forward...a wooded, slippery trail. I concentrated upon lowered , balanced hands while asking for halt  every 5 or 6 steps by closing my upper thighs and breathing out. I only resumed on our path after she blows air out- in a clam snort. It is rather cute...her resolve to comply!
I love this...we are seemingly traveling A NEW ROAD!

 If I have one NEW YEARS GOAL to be had in my horse life with my TB Wa mare this year...it is to gain the respect (which I perceive as qualified and earned trust)  in the arena, as well. Not a forced respect from methods taught to me in the past, in a manner of dominance or through boring repetition's that have caused my mare to have a sour attitude and much body soreness.


        A recent photo shoot, the mare was ground tied and relaxed~ keeping her eye and ear upon me

I am going to read this "Horse Behavior and Training Book" by Linda T.J. cover to cover, as I learn the techniques, and how to apply them.

 As I mentioned, I use so many already...Like the "Half Walk"  we recently discovered through the
"Balance rein".
 It is a rope or leather around the horses neck,  that can be used while riding in different percentages along with the bit or bridle reins.

I discovered it while trying to calm my mare's "rushing through" things she dislikes. Instead of using a direct rein to the bridle or bit- connected to her face, I use the breast collar  and a smooth squeeze of my upper thigh to ask for a half walk, slower pace. She is not offended and the sort of "half halt" action allows her to keep her head low- and creates a connection to her feet in concentration. The book shows Linda T.J. riding different horses with the rope alone, over Cavellettis and jumps. While my mare has responded to the breast collar..I will need to make one of the  "Balance Rein" ropes for us, out of climbing rope material. I need to be able to hold it off her neck and use it higher on her neck, as well.

Good things are happening... Once I got  rid of our recent saddle pain, the mare has begun to become more attentive to me again, as someone who cares and can be trusted. ( of course checked in with  feed, feet, teeth, environment too- as one always should)
I have so much hope for much more improovement. I truly wish to partner with my mare and achieve many calm and relaxed rides outside, and inside of the arena.