Chiroprator Dr Katz April visit

 Dr Katz comes every couple of months to Greenwood and he does saddle fitting, general hands on exam and also back adjustments. Beau has benefited from these visits with Dr Katz and I enjoy them too.

Yesterday Beau (Monday) had his feet done with Dave. I know he's still feeling sensitive on his feet/hoofs. Dr Katz said that he worked with someone who did a study on horses picking up their feet. She said that on average it takes a horse about 7 seconds to respond to te ask.

I told Katz about how I am having issues picking up Beaus feet. He thinks that Beau has pain because he said with his personality and my relationship with him. He would not do that unless it was uncomfortable.

Looking for some tips on getting a smoother experience for picking up his feet. I have this video where the man describes that running your hand down the back and over the rump of the horse and then down the leg to grab the hoof, Then he talks about getting the other hand and pointing hte toe of the hoof and then positioning yourself in a farrier's position.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW1PvMRo2PU

This other video is more direct about picking up right at the hock. I like the movement to come from down the leg and give a bit of a nudge to communicate that you need the horse to pat attention to what is being asked.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWIZKsxo3HU

Ill try the long the butt for the back but Im pretty sure that its just going to take time.

Beau still did not feel comfortable about me putting the sauve o his hoofs. I may try soemthing more comfortable for him.

Saturday my Beau us chatty

 Day before Easter it so hard to get too much time.  have been thinking so much about riding, on my own. We got a new table from Andover bought it off Facebook ad.  by the time we got it all set up, cleared away it was after 2pm. I headed over to the barn. 

All the horses were out. Patti had just rode Sienna and they were happily on the cross ties. When I got to the barn, Patti was on the right side with Sienna.  The lady Marjorie and the man Larry Franco were very nice they were on our side with Joliet and Spicey. There dog was tied up, they asked me if I wanted them to move the dog. I said, no problem, I will not need to be near the dog.  I went out into the back arena door, looked out to Beau, he saw me he thought.  started to come to the edge and look into the barn. I stepped out, into the doorway out to the grass. He sees me and speaks. the lower like a horse whisper type.  I walked up again and asked him to talk to me. then he did speak more. I walked more and he spoke more. I got to the edge of the fence, then I ran along with him and he ran back. 

I have new Flax Snax, Beau didnt like it. He ate them and wanted more but they get caught in his throat. Im going to stick with the snacks from Market Basket. I they are good enough for Wes than its good enough for Beau.

Muke didnt like the Flax Snax either but Scotties horse and Tucker really liked them. 
Ill be using the oatmeal bars from now on. 

When I got to the barn it was Jolie's and Spices owners. They had just finished up a walk in the field. They seems like they were doing pretty good. I know the man had broken his back last fall, I never expected to see them, like ever again.

What’s next for Beau and Me

 I was talking to June, we talked about how Duke and Africa were buriend next to each other. So beautiful to think of them. June said that they are all jumping together . . .  pain free. It was really great talking to her. She "gets it" that we are partners and also we need to show respect to our horses. Some show disrespect by speaking down to heir horse or having a jerky tone in their conversations.  June said that she was so happy that Beau was in a herd, that he was loved and that other horses could be put together. I think she may have been considering Beau to be with Cisco in the same paddock. I was thinking it could work. Im not sure.

Also, June said that she was so happy that Beau was getting so good at being my horse. Now he didnt have the reputation of being a dangerous horse.

I asked her, what do you mean? she said that Krystyn said he was dangerous.

Im a about what going to happen next. Honestly I told June before I go to bed, to relax I picture myself tacking up Beau, going through each step visually. June said that it sounds greta because thats exactly what you should do. It will get positive walking through it.

I am going to give that to myself as a birthday gift. Riding Beau. Patty suggested that I go to the barn when I can feel comfortable, no watchers. Just go after the stalls were finished because no one wants to be there during the stall cleaning. I think good idea. I want to ride Beau before I turn 60. It makes sense.

For instipration I am going to post a pick of him tacked up.

Sunday home from waterpark - couple hours w/Beau

 

All alone at the barn got home from the water park. Hung out at home then drove to the barn at 5pm.  The horses were in but it made no sense, why were they in? Sunny day, slightly windy. There were no peope arond and the doors were closed. The sun was out it was about 45 degrees. I was looking at the empty paddocks, the deep water in Beaus paddock, I just hate it. 

Well I opened the barn doors and pigieons jumped from each of the stalls, kinda funny. The fields were beatufiul today. The grass is starting to change from dead brown to a tinge of green. 

I walked to Beau's stall, he poked his head out, he knows Im here for him. Its nice. I decide that he would prob like to run around after being in the stall all day.  Instead of grooming him like i would have done with Duke, I groom him after.  I brought him out to the arena. We got the crop whip, I tried to get him to run. He only walked around, then he went over to the corner and jus stood. I asked him to come over and he stood and loooked at me.

After a few minutes maybe 3 or 4, he pooped. I noticed that that he had pooped again on amother horses poopl I am not sure who it is but I cleaned it up at the end of the work out. 

Bandana trick, 

Come to the mounting block, as I called him over he had some ideas, he wanted to have me get the crop and he wasnted to run. He touched his nose to the crop and started to chew or lick it. I asked him if he wasnted to run? As soon as I puicked it up, he faced his favorite direction and I "pushed him out" well all I have to do is say, Dont make me push you out.

I brushed him out with the curry comb, tried to do his hoofs but they were not able to really pick them up. He was not picking them up today I had brushed him out, we did butt tucks and then I tried to brush the bottom of each hoof. No luck this day. After putting him into his stall, I then did the mousturizing of his hoof. It went pretty well for a short visit.

3 times running in the round pen. The beginning and then we did our exerciess with the snacks and bandanas and then he wanted to run more. Im so proud of him.

I stood on the mounting block and called him over a few times. He came over pefectly a few times then sort of came in crocked but that was just fine. I had 2 apple sauces and 1 apple plus the oatmean snacks. I spoke when June as she came in later in the day. She was going to work out with Cisco, I was in the arena when I heard her voice, when I heard her voice I ran Beau back into the arena so he could run around or just goof off for like 10 minutes. we round penned, both directions and then just walking around relaxing. 

Pictures From spring shots 20

 

Grabbed these pictues out of the form from the rabies shots done in March, I am really bummed at the horrible chain on his nose. Hes a very nice boy.  Hate  how the clip and chain go across his nose. I remember the terrible marks on Duke's face, deep marks that left terrible scars.

Thursday Night with Beau

I know that I wasn't going to see Beau on Saturday. It is Still light out as I drove over, brought lots of oatmeal snacks 2 apples. Only 3 people were at the barn. 3 girls and Kristin. They moved Kinsey next to Cisco to help him settle. On Tuesday Africa was laid to rest. June did a lovely tribute to her. Just beautiful.

As I drove to the driveway there was a small herd of deer in the twighlight I could see their forms and their eyes glowed. So beautiful, there was light in the sky behind the paddocks behind the barn but the field where Duke was buried is the dark area. I like to think of it as Bonnie's field.

We worked out in the arena, first with my lead crop with the small rope. He did both sides, and ran very nicely. We also worked out with some back ups steps and turns too. He followed me around the arena.  Then I called him over while I waited at the top step of the mounting block. He came over and walked stood but then he moved. I was so happy that he understood that I wanted him to come over to the mounting block. It was so cool, I am very proud of him.

Bandana pick up with snacks - We walked around and I am starting to get him to touch his nose to the bandana and then pick it up and bring it to me. Its going good. I tuck the bandana in his halter, then call him to get the snack to walk over to me.

I think that I am going to soak the bandana in apple juice for the next session. I think then he will put it in his mouth.

Brushed him out did his tail, mane, fur, brushed him in the cross ties. he was watching me the whole time. 

Picked up his feet, He did ok and put on the hoof moisturizer. I think that his feet still hurt. Hes trying and every time he gets better at lifting his hoofs.

Brushed off his blanket after the work out, put the blanket back on him. The blanket was absolutely filthy. Kristin said he was running around in the paddock, "full of himself".  I love it.

After I brushed his blanket off and put it on him we went back into the arena and he ran like a mad man. 

I think I want to learn how to get him to do a crazy with figure. I know that he tries to do it but I don't know how he knows to do that.

Beau in the round pen with me