Saddle Update & Jimmy's Still Fat

This week has been utter chaos for me, and it's not over yet! Monday I had a migraine so I couldn't make it out to the farm, and Tuesday I was up in Lake Geneva for a sales meeting for work. This brings us to Wednesday, the first day of the work-week I could make it out to see the Choo & I had Lucy to teach. She's officially off the lunge line 100% (until we canter!) and doing an absolutely phenomenal job. She knows just how to push Smiley's buttons and when he gets quick she knows how to slow her body to "yellow-light" or "baby trot" and she knows to full halt him using her whole seat and body. Last night I taught her that I know he's finished the halt when she puts her bottom in the saddle, because he comes all the way back and tucks his nose into his chest. Every halt after that she plopped her bottom in the saddle and the second he tucked his nose in she smiled and giggled. I love teaching :-)

After Lucy's lesson I grabbed Jim to see how he was feeling on the lunge line. Two things: 1.) He's still fat. 2.) He's really lazy. I was surprised because he hasn't been out yet this week other than in his "back yard" (which Bill graciously cleaned last night! Thanks Babe!!) and typically he's got a little more gas in the tank. I'll chalk it up to "he wanted to go back to his dinner" and leave it at that. I can't wait to start him on the new feed and start get him in a more regular program. Someday maybe my schedule will calm down...then again when I start teaching more at the other barn, it has to so I can be there to TEACH!!! I can't wait - I'm practically counting the days.

Tonight we have a venue visit and if it's still early enough when we're done I will head up to lunge JC in the dark again or turn him loose in the arena to let him stretch his legs one last time before Bill and I leave for Augie this weekend. Bill is an Augustana alumni & this weekend is Homecoming, so we are Quad Cities-bound!!

On another note: yesterday I brought my lovely Nona & Jimmy's tracings over to Saddlers Row on my lunch break and met with Michael, their master saddle fitter/adjuster. He used his own tools first to measure the width of my tracings and compared it to my saddle, then took out the 'official' Prestige tool and bent it into place, compared it to my saddle, went over and took out a ruler, started measuring the centimeters, scribbled a few things....all silently. My heart raced and I was petrified to what he was going to say. He looked up and smiled and said "Yep. We can do it." I was thinking, "That's it?!" because I had been told previously that a formal fitting would need to be scheduled, more tracings needed to be made, etc. Lots of steps in the process = someday I'll have my saddle back...maybe. Instead Michael explained to me exactly what would REALLY happen: First, Jimmy measured slightly over 34cm, which is considered "wide" in Prestige lingo (and everything, from what I've researched) and since my saddle is a 32cm, they can widen it just barely over the 2cm it needs, making the adjustment he needs. I then showed Michael the photos I had and he said that confirmed what he thought was happening. This saddle perches up on top of his shoulder/wither, it doesn't lay the way that it should. However, the back panels lay as they should and he said no adjustment needs to take place in the flocking.

The work was to begin on my saddle immediately and they hope to have it back to me by tomorrow or Monday :-) He explained how the Prestige saddles are made with a polymer tree and they have all the certified, official equipment to be able to work on them properly (he showed me the machinery to prove it). Basically the tree is plastic and they heat it up to the proper temperature and stretch it (in the nifty machine-gadget) up to 2cm (and then a little...for fat Jim). He said no matter what, they will make this saddle fit Jimmy. He said once I pay the initial fee, it's not just a one-time adjustment. He will continue to mold and shape the saddle to make sure it fits Jimmy, no matter what. I had my typical, over-excited and near-tears reaction...and of course wanted to leap over the counter and hug him. He also said that he will be keeping Jimmy's measurements and tracings on file in case future work for him needs to be done.

Oh - and just before I left he said himself that "The Prestige saddles are the best saddles in the world." which confirmed my belief in them and made me feel like a million bucks, because he's not a Prestige dealer, he just loves that they can be molded and shaped to fit anyone and anything. He's got a ton of experience and I feel very comfortable with my saddle in his hands!!!! This adjustment will be totally worth it and I can't wait to have my saddle back so I can RIDE AGAIN! (The Crosby was returned last night to it's rightful - and extremely generous - owner. THANK YOU A MILLION TIMES, "MONIZZLE"!!!!)

Killian's Closet

Just recently someone I know started this website called Killian's Closet. Here you can browse, buy, and sell new & used tack and horse/rider supplies! Since I am selling my Prestige Nona Garson, I jumped on the opportunity for an ad on this site, and for only $1, how could I not?

I recommend for all of you to take a tour through the site and check out all the great stuff it has already! It's new, but it's growing, so I strongly suggest utilizing it's awesome features!

And just for reference:

"Used 17" Prestige Nona Garson Saddle. Does not fit my horse so looking to sell it so I can buy a new saddle. Not sure on the specifications, purchased it new, had it custom made for my old TB. Fits TB type body VERY well. Please e-mail if you have any questions or are interested in trying it. Thanks!

The Good Life

Even though Jimmy hasn't had the best improvement this week I thought tonight while I'm at my parents house watching the dogs, I would do some good Mom deeds. So, I made a new batch of fly spray and a batch of horsey cookies. Here's the recipe:

Carrot Cookies (for horses)

1 cup dry oatmeal
1 cup flour
1 cup shredded carrots
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup molasses

Mix ingredients in bowl as listed. Make little balls and place on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350º for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Also, his new SmartPak's came today AND I found hoof sealer in the magic horse cabinet in my parent's garage. All of this = Jimmy lives the good life. Cosequin ASU, Farriers Formula, hoof sealer, carrot cookies, fresh soaked flax seed, new home made organic fly spray....YOU GO, JIM!!! Oh, and Lucy helped with all of it. MY Lucy ;-) She's a 4 y/o Jack Russel Terrier.


Note: the ever-wagging tail. Can't get a picture of this dog without her tail wagging - because it never stops. Even when she's mad. Always waggin'. I think we should all take a lesson from our animals & appreciate the little things :-) Wag More, Bark Less.

EcoMitt Trial & Rehab Continues

Today I continued Jimmy's rehab. I rode bareback, as usual, and walked a few times around the ring before picking up the trot. Same as yesterday, he started off VERY lame down the first long side, but by the second he was better, and got better a little bit on each long side. I did 3 times around each direction (long sides trotting only) today, since he didn't feel quite as well as he did yesterday (I did 5 yesterday each way). He seemed happy enough, though. And didn't mind to have me on him one bit. I figure as long as he's happy we'll just keep plugging along. I love him no matter what. Someday he'll be a sound, fun riding horse again.

All dressed up with nowhere to go :-)

Hi Mom. Hi. Hi Mom. HI!!!!I love his beautiful face.

After our ride I gave him a bath to try out our new EcoMitt. It's only the first time I've used it, I'd like to use it a few more times before I fill out the survey they gave me. Here it is:
It's an all-natural woven mitt for grooming and bathing. It's similar to a loofa for a human and did a great job scrubbing him. I have an allergy to hemp products that causes my skin to scale and peel and crack (it's horribly painful as well) so I was a little nervous that even though this isn't made of hemp, my skin would have the same reaction. Luckily, I'm in the clear as of yet - but immersing my hand into the mitt the first time was a little daunting for me :-P

It was tight at first, but loosened up when it got wet and stretched out a little too much then. I scrub pretty hard, so I just used my normal technique to see how it'd hold up. It did a nice job on his socks, which I normally have to use my fingernails on to get white enough. However, it did unravel in one spot right about where my fingertips are in the mitt. All in all, it did a great job washing him, I just wish it held up a little better. I'm going to use it a few more times for baths and see how it holds up. It got Jimmy nice and clean today :-)


Once he had his suds rinsed I gave him a GreenCool sponge bath. Nothing like a little TLC to make him feel good :-) Love that little horse to the ends of the Earth.

Lucy Lessons & Jimmy Rehabs

Yesterday we got a LOT of rain in the early morning hours and the farm got 5 inches! It actually worked out in our favor though because the rocks kind of sunk down into the sand and the arena was squishy enough I could teach in it.

Lucy rode Smiley & the temperature was wonderful. He is such a good teaching horse, he's very forgiving and understanding, but puts up enough of a fight that Lucy learns what to do and how to really RIDE. We practiced forward motion and steering at the same time on the lunge line, so she got comfortable squeezing/kicking while steering with her eyes and hands. He definitely put up a good fight about this in her weaker direction and then she got so tough and determined she straightened him right out :-)

She also has learned the terminology "working" when I want her to kick the pace up a notch and "half halt" when it's time to step it down. We continued to practice "Sit Down, Lean Back, & Pull Back" for asking Smiley to halt also. He loves to pull through this one, which I appreciate because it keeps her determined and riding through the whole halt. The theme of our lesson yesterday was "You don't stop riding until you get off the horse." By the end of the ride she was off the line, in the big ring, walking and trotting all on her own, steering all the way. It was a very proud moment for both of us I think :-) Here are some photos:

I love that Smiley has his tongue out in this one :-P

After Lucy's lesson we got Jimmy and brushed him up (Lucy brushed, I tidied up my stuff) and got him ready. I went for a ride in the outdoor with him as well and tried to see how the soundness was. I let him pick up the trot in a corner - terrible idea. He was lame...lamer....and lamest while I let him trot all the way around the arena...just getting worse and worse. So I stopped, let him walk for a while...and thought. Why was he sound Thursday and lame today. What can I do? So I decided to try the old "Straight sides only" rehabilitation trotting. Worked! He trotted MUCH more sound when I only let him trot on the straight sides. I plan on doing this as long as it takes for him to build back up. I will also be trial riding him across the street at a walk just to let him stretch his legs with some different scenery. I'm going to trail ride him in his fly sheet and fly mask so it's not SO buggy on him :-) I just ride him bareback anyway.
Before the barn I stopped at Barrington Saddlery for their tent sale & picked up two new pairs of bell boots for $5 each :-) Gotta love a horse with tiny feet. Always stuff on the cheap!! Enjoy your Sunday, I'll update again later with how Jimmy does today!

Schneider's Saddlery – SSTACK.COM

Thursday morning I was Google Shopping to find the best price on vet wrap and stumbled across sstack.com. First of all - they had vet wrap for $0.93 per roll (if you bought a case of 18, which is what I always do anyway-can never have enough of the stuff!!!) and wormer for $4.95 (pretty standard for that brand of wormer, but I figured I'd do it since I was paying for the shipping anyway). So I was sold that I'd be trying out this "new" website - I'd never heard of it and was a little sketchy on it, but cheap vet wrap is worth the shot, even if I ended up waiting a week or two to get it.

I placed my order Thursday mid-morning. Thursday evening I got an email notification that my products had shipped. FRIDAY AFTERNOON the box arrived on my doorstep. UNBELIEVABLE!! I have never gotten that kind of turnaround! I'm so thrilled I can hardly stand it.

I just wanted to spread the good word that sstack.com is definitely reliable with great prices and FAST shipping! Bummer that it's a flat $8.95 for the shipping, but with the speed, I can't complain for a second!!! Thought you'd all like to know