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Posted 12/24/2012 4:25 AM (GMT 0)
Yesterday and today were my first days back riding horses since this whole UC thing started. My horse is laid up (she'll be back in Feb., she did messed up her feet being stupid in her stall and will be find) but some of the barn kids are on vacation so I got to ride their horses.

I'm so sore I can barely walk, but after riding this weekend I feel SO much better. I'll bet it is a combination of the endorphins and stress relief of the riding and getting some exercise.

My face was still a little puffed up from the prednisone too, and after the first day that was completely gone. The majority of my stomach bloating is also gone, and I haven't had any heartburn either day even though I ate more from the exercise.

I guess that's a sport I won't be giving up!
Posted 12/24/2012 6:51 AM (GMT 0)
cool you get to ride others' horses while yours is on the mend. Even better that you feel better today.

Looked up CWB breed...didn't realise it was a breed. What lines is in your mare? I take it she's registered.
They're gorgeous (as is every horse in my mind..lol).

Are you in Canada?

What the heck cost is board now-a-days? I stopped riding in the mid 70s..couldn't afford it.

q
Posted 12/24/2012 7:28 AM (GMT 0)
so glad for you -

nothing better than a four legged full body massage -

the smell, the feel, the sound - awesome theapy for the soul = one of God's better inventions -

guess maybe you got what you wanted for Christmas !
Posted 12/24/2012 7:29 AM (GMT 0)
oh, and sorry for the whuppin our guys gave your guys -
Posted 12/24/2012 1:16 PM (GMT 0)
Horsies. Nothing better than doing what you love. Thats therapy!
Posted 12/24/2012 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
Glad to hear you're riding again. Riding my horse has helped me so much to get through being diagnosed with a chronic illness. Riding has never helped my symptoms but UC has never stopped me from riding. Luckily, I've never had urgency or any other symptoms while on my horse. I'd be really bummed if this stupid disease stopped me from riding. I don't know what I'd do without my horse, she's an amazing animal. I too can ride other horses at my barn but me and my horse have a special bond and like any other relationship, that doesn't happen with just any horse. Hope your horse is back in action soon. Keep riding, it's great for your soul!
Posted 12/24/2012 9:09 PM (GMT 0)

soystud said...
oh, and sorry for the whuppin our guys gave your guys -

 

 

What whuppin exactly?q

Posted 12/25/2012 2:34 AM (GMT 0)
Soystud...yeah...that's ok, it happens :)

Our horse show system is a little weird right now but I'm hoping some of these young riders coming up through the ranks get us some redemption!

Quincy - I'm in southern CA, but my trainer started buying CWBs a few years ago and everyone has just loved them. I think she may be from the Viva line? Not sure, I haven't had her that long and we haven't been in a hurry to get the registration current since I'm not showing right now.

Board where I am is about $700/month, but that's a nicer place with timothy hay fed 3x per day. Then training and care on top which can vary. We don't have kids yet, and I've figured out it is exactly the same cost as day care, so we'll see how long that lasts after we have kids.

It's not like riding my own horse, and I don't get to jump with other people's horses which is a bummer, but I think if I had a jump lesson I'd REALLY be crippled! Lots of arnica and hot showers for me this week :)
Posted 12/25/2012 3:11 AM (GMT 0)
Ah yes...I can see the $700/mo considering the feed/training availability, etc.
Box stall? Pasture grazing as well daily?

q
Posted 12/25/2012 4:24 AM (GMT 0)
14 x 14 box stall with big turnouts with arena footing. No pasture (southern California) which is why they get the 3x timothy daily, but hand watering (which I like instead of auto-water because the first question the vet always asks is "how much water have they had?") and 2x daily cleaning of the box stall.

We also have a great arena that is "ours" meaning only my trainer's clients use it, and then access to several larger arenas we can go gallop around in.

Where they are right now, which is up near Solvang / Santa Barbara, it is only $375 / month for full pasture (1 horse to a 1/2 acre or 3-4 to 2+ acres) and 2x day hay feed supplement. The 1 horse pastures have access to a run-in/box stall, and those horses are the ones that are coming back to work rather than just retired. My retired guy lives out full time and they get a full groom once a week, and the owner sees/checks them every day at feedings.
Posted 12/25/2012 5:04 AM (GMT 0)
Wow...sounds like an awesome place...hence the price! Maybe you can post a pic of your horse ??? hint! ;-)

Have a feeling good day tomorrow.
q
Posted 12/25/2012 5:21 AM (GMT 0)
soystud said...
oh, and sorry for the whuppin our guys gave your guys -


What whuppin exactly?q

that would be the seahawks pounding on the niners -
Posted 12/26/2012 2:07 AM (GMT 0)
So here is a really terrible picture of Polly and I jumping -
VIEW IMAGE

...and here is us just messing around...
VIEW IMAGE

Here is Max, my retired gelding...
VIEW IMAGE

And Max at the last big show we did...
VIEW IMAGE
Posted 12/26/2012 4:28 AM (GMT 0)
OOO, they're both so beautiful!!!!
Is Polly a dun? or Bay? No white markings...what a gorgeous face!

Max is very handsome...how old is he now?
Love, love the tongue sticking out during the jump...both you and he have a most determined look..lol.
He has a unique blaze.

I don't know much about jumping...but you/all look in great form.

What's the height on both of them?

Wow, thanks so much for sharing...(HUGE smile!).
H
Posted 12/26/2012 8:09 AM (GMT 0)
I also show, I mostly do jumpers, sometimes hunters too but I prefer jumpers. I'd post pictures but I prefer not to identify myself with this disease on a public forum. But there isnt much horse discussion on this board and since that is what I do, I thought I'd post too, even though the op doesn't seem interested that I'm also a horse person.
Posted 12/26/2012 2:55 PM (GMT 0)
hooh boy -
Posted 12/26/2012 7:25 PM (GMT 0)

Luv2Jump said...
I also show, I mostly do jumpers, sometimes hunters too but I prefer jumpers. I'd post pictures but I prefer not to identify myself with this disease on a public forum. But there isnt much horse discussion on this board and since that is what I do, I thought I'd post too, even though the op doesn't seem interested that I'm also a horse person.

 

 

maybe ask some questions....seems a good way to get interaction.   q

Posted 12/26/2012 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Quincy! She's a bay, with no white markings anywhere and that darker mane/tail - she's different from the standard bay / white blaze / white socks we always see in the ring, and tiny (15.2 at the most) with a huge stride which is great for my 5' tall self.

Max's face is the greatest with those freckles. I've only ever seen one other horse around with similar markings, and they may even have been related. He is just a hair over 15.3, but has always been...round :) He's 18 now, and was someone 3'6" horse before I had him so he's not THAT old but he had a big showing career and has really earned his retirement.

The form is getting much better after lots and lots of work with no stirrups! It's hard, but we're getting there.

Luv2Jump - wasn't trying to leave anyone out or anything, sorry. I generally just read these quickly and respond, and I'm boring and not creative at all so unless there is a direct question I'm not one to come up with something interesting to say on my own.

As far as outing myself - I'm pretty up front about everything at home and at work (being an attorney I basically have to throw any medical issues out there because if you have to run for the hills in the middle of oral argument the court better have advance notice!) :)
Posted 12/27/2012 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
Great pics! Thanks for posting them.

There was someone else who was a horse person - now who was it? Susiebuddy?
Posted 12/27/2012 1:47 AM (GMT 0)
^^ yes, Susiebuddy is another horse person.

q
Posted 12/27/2012 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
myerlemony...practicing form without stirrups..as in jumping? difficult, no?

yes, Polly's huge stride is noticable in the first pic....I didn't imagine her to be only 15.2...or Max to only be 15.3. I was wondering if Polly had the tell-tale dorsal stripe considering her colouring in the first pic. That's why I asked.

Now that Max is retired...do you just ride him for pleasure? 18 for a horse isn't old...

q
Posted 12/27/2012 5:24 AM (GMT 0)
Yep, jumping, flatting, everything - we do a bareback day now and then too and practice everything (very tiny jumps) too! Polly has a very faint stripe when you really body clip her, but you can't see it normally. She's got the big stride, but Max was almost pony strided unless I really really worked at it. It gave me really strong legs :)

It is very difficult! They started me with just one stirrup, then dropping both stirrups and picking them up, then we moved up to taking them off the saddle entirely. I like to try and "help" the horse to jump which makes me anticipate / lean forward right before the jump, and no stirrups or bareback stops that! I've had lots of falls but I seem to finally be learning to wait for the horse to jump instead of trying to jump for it :)

I could ride him around on the trail, but the place he is at is a "no riding" place, her insurance only covers her for lay-up and retirement.

If I had more $$ I could move him down closer to So Cal, but then that would be me paying for board and training just to be able to trail ride him around. I figure he's earned his retirement and really loves his field :)

Your welcome for posting them! I'm always happy to share the ponies. I can't believe what a difference getting out and a little exercise helped my UC symptoms. You know I've had NO blood since Sunday? Weird.
Posted 12/27/2012 7:21 AM (GMT 0)
Hi...body clip? never heard of that on the hind quarters...why would it be done?
Is that how they get that checkerboard pattern that I've seen on show jumping/dressage?

Sounds as though the rigors of training would have you in great shape. Interesting about the "stopping to help the horse to jump"...do you not have to cue the horse when you want to start a jump? Clearly I know very little about it..lol.

Ah, I now understand regarding the retirement of Max...I'm sure he's loving it regardless. Has no one ever approached you to purchase him for a novice jumper?

Good to hear you're feeling much better!
q
Posted 12/27/2012 8:54 PM (GMT 0)
that's so touching, it made me cry. I just love animals and I do believe they are theraputic. BlessingS!
Posted 12/28/2012 1:08 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks therearemiracles :) I can't believe how great they are!

Quincy - when we clip, we clip the whoooole body so they are basically naked. Here is a good pic of one of my junior buddies at a final, and her horse is freshly clipped. VIEW IMAGE See how short?

Max wouldn't really stay sound even jumping small jumps, he is just getting too arthritic so rather than risk him getting sold and then ending up at auction, I just elect to let him enjoy the field.

It used to keep me in shape when I was doing it 4x a week, but now I'm just on weekends and I've gained like 6 pounds. Time to get back on the spin bike...

So the thing about jumping is that you get them to the right "distance," and then they jump on their own. Think about when you are stepping over something - if you try and step over from too far away or from too close it doesn't work, but mostly it is automatic if that makes sense. If you count a horse's steps 1 -2 - 1 - 2, counting with when the inside hind hits the ground when cantering, the horse can only physically jump on a 1 or 2 so theoretically it shouldn't surprise you. It still does though!

So jumping is all about controlling the length of the horse's step. A good normal canter has a 12' stride, and that is the "distance" most jumps are set at. You can also have 2 jumps set "short" where you would have to compress the stride down to maybe 10', or open it to 14' or even 16' for a big gallop over a field to a jump.

Ok - most of them jump on their own. Some need a little "encouragement" which is just a little leg squeeze or cluck, and some are just pigs and you have to wear spurs or carry a stick because sometimes they decide they don't want to go over. There's a saying..."over under or through" ... because you don't want to teach a horse it is ok to stop. (It's ok to stop at big heights when you get them to an impossible distance, but that's far beyond my level)

I'm so lucky that all of the facilities I ride with are "UC Friendly" - have flushing bathrooms! I'd hate to think what would have happened if this started when I was showing at the smaller shows that just had the port o potties that would get GROSS after a 100 degree day. With my sensitive nose I would just hold it for hours until I got home...kind of not possible with UC!
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