Great Day with Duke! He trotted in the outside ring, I was able to get in the saddle with him 2 times - level ground

What a day.
Thats almost all there is I care about today.
Im feeling like a cowboy, and he was my faithful trail friend.

I got to the farm and jumped out of my car.  Barb was there already and Laurie and Cathy were talking at their cars.  I flew up to get Duke and get his saddle going.  For some reason there were tons of people for the 9am.  I let the girls know that I was going out on the 9am ride.  Im not sure if there are disappointed.  I have to get Dukes back legs in synch again.  He needs to be in trotting on time.

I was able to get duke all saddled and jump on the ride.  Barb was there and I caught up.  She turned after I caught up as they were heading up the hill in the back before the gate.  Duke loves to trot to catch up.

Barb turned around and got behind Duke and I.  I really didn't think we would split up today but again there were enough guides to split the ride, trots and walks. 

There was a lady in the front of me with her boyfriend.  She was on Duchess.  She had on half chaps so I had a feeling by her tight reins on Duchess that she was new to western.  So many times Duchess was slowing down or backing up because she kept the friends so fast.

At one point we were stopped and she was back backing up Duchess into Duke and Duchess let her know that she didn't like it.  Poor girl she backed right ito Duke and she made out a loud complaint.

Socializing Duke with Jim, he may be going to the Boarder Barn this week

I saw that Jarred Rafferety was worried about his horse Jim's health especially his weight.  He was asking for advice on Draft Horse Facebook. I was surprised by the conversation. When ever I have seen Jim he looked great.  The pics look kinda like Jim was looking thinner but not when I saw him at the ranch.  Many were giving Jarred advice on supplements.  One lady said that Jarred should think about more exercise and that is what he decided would help.
Jarred said that he did not know that the Dentist appt was finalized and was last Monday.
I felt that it was unfortunate that Jim didn't get a Horse Dentist like Cheryl to help him out.
Today I went over to the ranch about 1230.  This was completely different than what I had planned. I wasn't going to come at all only going to be on Sunday.  The ride today was a bonus.  I went out on the 3pm.  That meant that from about 1pm to 3pm I was able to give Duke lots of attention and have him hang out with Jim.

When I got to the ranch I saw Jarred at the Boarder Barn with Jim.  I asked him to come hang out with me and Duke and we can brush out our horses and I was going to condition Duke's hoofs.
So we went into the little outside ring laced Duke and Jim to the edge and did their hoofs.  It was nice to see them together.
The girls were going out at about just after 130pm and I was brushing out Duke with Jim and just talking.  It was very nice.
We both decided to get tacked up and go out on the 3pm.  We were tacked and ready at 2:30 but it was really busy on the lake and IM very glad that we were with the larger group.  Their were special needs kids and also adults on the walk ride so when the split came and there was going to be a trot ride.
Jarred wasn't sure how Jim would do with the trotting.  2 times Duke tripped out on the trails. This concerns me.  Also before taking him out, I had him in with the other horses like Hershey and Domino.  He was scratching the heck out of this back legs. Im worried that he has mites or something strange.

Here are some nice pictures.

Drove by pulled into the little Billerica Barn for a quick visit

The neighbors from across the street from the barn have a little girl, Sophia

Pearl with me while she is eating grass

Red and Sophia

Sandy Shenandoah and Sophia

Sharissa and Red

Wednesdays with Michelle

I stayed home and then went over to the barn about 9am to get Duke ready.  Michelle was actually early and helped me with Duke.  She really likes him.  Again she gave him so much love.

 She told me that there were kids on the ride and she wished that it was just her, Hershey, Duke, and I.
I didn't have my good camera.  Michelle took off right after the ride but I hung out enough so that Duke could have some delicious grass and then we could take our run back to the herd.

Dentist for Duke - Aug 2015

This post is because tomorrow, Monday 24 August, Duke will be visited by the Dentist and get his teeth "floated".  Which means they go into her mouth and make sure that his teeth are balanced and have no sharp points that have worn down because of his grain eating habits.   I gave him an apple to help clean his teeth. Also Im hoping that his improved diet will help with his health, joint health and hoof health.
The Denist's name is Cheryl and she is coming from Conn a two hour ride she said.  There are 6 horses scheduled, Jim (Jareds) Taffy (Debbys) Finn (Lil Anjas), Duke, Apache (Laurie), Taboo (Cathys). Cheryl thinks that Jared's Jim has the biggest challenge because of his age and what Jared said the Vet had said.  She said she was going to look at him first.  The sedative goes under his tongue and is used only if there needs to be.  It takes 45 to 60 min for sedative to take effect.
I am getting the meds from Nashoba Valley Vet on Rt 110 Monday morning.
Cheryl said it takes about 60 min a horse unless it is extensive.  It costs 145 for the work.

Dukes new best friend has got to be Cheryl. She did a great job with Duke. She asked me to keep his head at a certain level so she could work.  I had the lead line on him and because he is 16.2 it was important.  I was fascinated by her work. She had so many different tools. She started out sort of EZ doing the first phase in front.    Each swipe with the blade seemed to get him used to  being in the ring with a lead line So he knew he could get away if he needed.
Then she asked me to switch sides and she was going to work in the back. The next set of tools were dramatically different. She fitted him with the spectrum. It was shaped like a bridles with leather around his head and a metal mounth piece with a few parts.  She could and now open his mouth by moving quickly the adjustments on the sides. The back teeth took longer. Right away she found a gigantic point. She said enthusiastically it was the largest by far she had ever. Seem. Wow I picked it up off tne ground.

During his procedure she worked up a sweat working. She took plenty if breaks and he could recover from each if the procedures to remove tne hooks and points. The point in this picture is on an upper and was pointed into his mouth. She said it was the largest point she has ever had. I'm going to cut and paste this into the blog. Cheryl said this was growing out of Dukes tooth into his tongue area. At the end I went to get a crunchy snack tjat Cheryl said would help see if he could chew. Cheryl gave Duke several snacks and he hung out with us As we went over his paperwork. I gave Cheryl a hug and paid her cash w a little extra. What an amazing horse and lady . I'm so happy the Cathy recommended her to us