Wizard Rides 407 & 408: Stormbringer
Wednesday, 9/5/11
Gina Keesling and I are very, very busy with the 2013 Horses and Hope calendar pre-production (order yours here!). Between the calendar and the upcoming Keeneland September Yearling Sale, I have not gotten to the barn nearly as much as I’d like.
I’m also contending with my annual battle with diminishing daylight. It’s that time of year again, when I can’t ride in the daylight after work. This means I need to get out more often in the mornings. Before work on Wednesday, I went out for a ride. The forecast was dead-on, and as I swung a leg over Wizard’s back, the rain began, sprinkles for the first minute or two, and then a torrential downpour. We scurried from the outdoor arena to the safety of the indoor arena, and finished our ride. The indoor is not very large, maybe the size of a 20 meter circle, but we made do. I worked on transitions, walking in the corners and trotting the sides. I was feeling pretty good about my riding, so we did a little canter work. Cantering is not an easy task for Wizard in the ring, but he was pretty good. I did, unfortunately, notice him getting tight and bouncy to the right. I also noticed that he was a little growly when I groomed his right side. And we JUST had the chiropractor work on him, so I’m going to have to figure something else out. Wait and see for now. He’s sound, and continues to put on weight.
Saturday, 9/8/11
Kris and I spent a nice, relaxing afternoon at the barn. We were a little too relaxed. There was a line of really wicked-looking storms that were crossing from PA into NJ, and they got closer and closer on the radar. By the time we tacked up for a trail ride, we only had about half an hour of riding time. The change in weather was dramatic- I did not even see the dark line of clouds until Kris turned around and saw it creeping up behind us. We quickly did an about-face and briskly made our way back to the barn. During the quickie ride, Wizard was good. A tiny bit tense, but that could have been the changing weather.
Wizard Rides 405 & 406: One More
Wed, 8/29/12
One more day of the naughty horse. I rode Wizard in the arena, and he was hot, antsy, and unfocused. I did my best to roll with it. We rode for about half an hour. He was so unfocused that he was not paying attention to where he was going, and tripped once.
Thurs, 8/30/12
And just like that, the Good Wizard returned. No ants in the pants, no tripping, and he was focused. We rode in the outdoor arena, and Mom took some pictures. We did a little shoulder in and leg yield at the walk and trot. We even hopped over a few cross rails. He was relaxed and listening. He stood like a pro when I hosed his face off, too. So we could have a few things going on: the sugars in the grass changed, and he’s now on Triple Crown Senior and rice bran only. Whatever it is, I’ll keep it!
Product rave: Durasole. I’ve only used it for a few days, but I really like how Wizard’s feet look when I use it. I’m hoping that with continued use, his feet will get toughter, and will handle the wet/dry cycles better.
Wizard Rides 400, 401, 402, 403, & 404 (and Chiropractic Report): Perfect From Now On
Tuesday, 8/28/12
I asked the barn owner to feed Wizard senior feed only for two weeks. I want to experiment with his carb levels. The Triple Crown Senior has 11.7% NSC, which is very low. Since the nights are cooler and the sugars in the grass are higher than they were in the summer, I’m wondering if the sugars are making him wacky. In good news, his weight is finally starting to get good. Finally!
After work, Kris and I took a ride in the Assunpink. We kept it short since it was getting dark, and rode up the hill and down the road down the hill. Before we got to the corner, I dismounted and hand walked Wizard. I wanted to see if he would settle at all. He was a little quieter than Saturday, but still not himself. Usually, he motors along at a big, swingy walk, but this week, it’s a creep with great trepidation. Hopefully, the feed change will yield good results.
Monday, 8/27/12
CHIROPRACTIC REPORT: Despite Wizard’s odd behavior under saddle for the last week, he was mellow and compliant for the chiropractor. She said his atlas was out, and he was much tighter on the right than he was on the left. On the right, his back was tight, his shoulder was stiff, as well as his sacrum. She checked his saddle fit, and was very pleased with how it sat on him. She also really liked the balance of his feet. I put him in the indoor arena and gaited him for her. She saw the inconsistency in his right front when he traveled left, and said it was SO subtle that she would not worry about it. She said it could simply be mechanical, rather than any sort of soreness. It was great to hear a vet say it. She suspected his knee, since it creaks when I pick his feet and it carries slightly more fluid than the left knee. Her advice was to bump up his workload. She also mentioned looking into colonic ulcers if he continues to be difficult to put weight on.
Saturday, 8/25/12
Before I got Wizard tacked up, I turned him out in one of the lush side pastures next to his pasture. He happily grazed until he saw his “herd” was on the move in the neighboring field. One horse was brought out for a ride and another had a farrier appointment. Without hesitation, Wizard JUMPED the temporary gate, which was about 3 feet in height. He cleared it by a good foot, and thundered across the pasture to watch his buddies. Once I picked my jaw up off the floor, I got him ready for our ride.
He was looky and spooky again. This marks a full week of odd behavior. He’s sometimes a hot horse to ride, but he’s not usually spooky. Something is not right.
We met up with Rachel and rode through the trails for about an hour. Wizard never settled into his swinging, ground-covering walk. He felt tight and ready to pounce at any moment.
When we reached a clearing before the road, Wizard did a very uncharacteristic spook, flying backward. He almost unseated me. I clung to his neck and got back into the saddle. Rachel walked us back to the road to the barn. What has gotten into this horse?
Friday, 8/24/12
Before I even got a saddle on him, Wizard spooked at my tack box and tack in the grooming area. He was snorty and looky from the very beginning. I gave him a pass, since the farm across the street was hosting a team penning event. Once in the saddle, I headed out on the trails to meet Rachel and Lily. Wizard was very spooky for the entire ride. We were not out very long, since the sun was setting.
Wednesday, 8/22/12
Before work, I rode Wizard in the outdoor arena. It was pretty warm out, and he was rather “fizzy”. His trot work was tight and short-strided, and he was cantering sideways and hauling on my hands. I ended the ride on a decently good note, asking for a stretchy trot. He gave me one, reluctantly.
Tuesday, 8/21/12
Our 400th ride, and it was a beautiful night. Cathy and I rode out in the Assunpink. We rode through the big field, trotted a little on the dirt road, and went down to the lake. Wizard and Tuesday played in the water for a little while before we headed back. On the trail leaving the lake, there was a blue and yellow jacket, or maybe a blanket. Whatever it was, Wizard was HORRIFIED by it. It was not supposed to be there. He snorted, pranced, and danced past it. I asked for a shoulder-in past it, facing him away from the blanket. It worked. Whew.
I’m gonna be perfect from now on
I’m gonna be perfect starting now
Wizard Rides 397, 398, & 399: I am the Least of Your Problems
Wizard on the trail
Wednesday, 8/15/12
After work, I hit the trails with Christie and Brigid. We did more riding at the trot and canter, and Wizard got a little amped up. He leapt into a canter whenever Brigid jigged a little. I need to do some serious work on long trotting and let Wizard find his pace on the trails. We rode out to the “roller coaster” field, but did not have a lot of time to ride in the trails nearby since it was getting late and the trails were a little slick from the rain. We got back as it was getting dark. We dodged raindrops on the way out and hit a nice patch of weather.
Friday, 8/17/12
After work, I met up with Cathy and Miss Tuesday for a trail ride. Wizard was awesome- calm and forward. We trotted down the dirt road toward the Horse Park entrance and walked the rest of the ride, through the fields by the Hunt Club. We arrived back at the barn at dusk, with chirping crickets and a few fireflies.
Saturday, 8/18/12
The overnight rain cooled things off for a really nice riding day. A little before noon, I headed out on the trails with Kris/Sunny and Christie/Brigid. At the beginning of the ride, I was delighted with Wizard’s mood. He was perfectly content to be the last horse in the group, walking happily behind his girlfriend, Sunny. He was relaxed and loose, and I rode him on the buckle. A little less then an hour into the ride, Christie parted company to ride Brigid further out on the trails. Kris and I headed back toward the barn. We came across our barn buddies Lisa and Cathy on the way back, and we all rode together. When we got near the barn, Kris and Lisa left us and headed home. Cathy and I turned back around and continued our ride.
Wizard got a little worked up when we joined into a group of 4 horses. He was manageable, but antsy. He responded well to me when we split up the group, but got a little jiggy again when Cathy and I headed back out. We did a little bit of trotting in hopes of letting him settle and stretch his legs. But he stayed tense. We met up with Christie when we were headed out to the stream, and the three of us rode around the edge of the “bowling pin” field to the side fields. Wizard did not get any less anxious, and by the time we were heading into familiar fields, he was cantering in place, snorting and dancing. Both mares (and riders) did a really nice job of keeping their cool while I sat quietly on Wizard during his antics.
We zig-zagged through the fields and made our way back to the barn. I’m not sure if it was the length of the ride, or the splitting up of the trail riding group that got Wizard so wound up. When we returned to the barn, I did some ring work and he FINALLY settled. He was still pretty energetic, but was able to put that energy into some nice trot and canter work.
I cooled him out after our ride and went to the tack shop and bought more rice bran. He gained a little bit of weight, but still needs more.
Wizard Rides 394, 395, & 396: Staring At The Wall
Saturday, 8/11/12
Kris and I took a ride in the Assunpink, starting out in the field behind the barn and then crossing the street to the Hunt Club side. We did just a little trotting down the long lanes, and rode straight out past the lake to some wooded trails. Due to the recent rain, the footing was a little sticky. Sunny and Wizard both handled the logs and inclines very well. Wizard was a little bottled up because Sunny walks at a more leisurely pace than he does, but he behaved himself. I was able to ride him behind her for parts of the ride, which shows great improvement over the old Wizard, who always wanted to be the leader. We rode for about an hour and fifteen minutes.
Wizard’s weight is holding steady at 966 lbs (weight taped), so we increased his grain. He’s getting a little over 8 lbs per day now, plus 24/7 pasture and hay. Even though he’s relaxed in his pasture, he is still a very active horse, and I think he just burns more calories in this lifestyle. Thankfully, the barn owner is very willing to work with us until he gets back to his ideal weight.
Sunday, 8/12/12
Kris and I went out on the trails again, this time heading through the little creek (pictured above) and out to the old sheep farm. We rode through the soybean field and out to the road where there is a little cross rail (thank goodness for landmarks!) and then we turned back home. We headed back through the Bowling Pin field. We were out for about an hour and a half, walking for most of the ride with a little trotting in the beginning.
Monday, 8/13/12
For the first time in months, I rode Wizard in the outdoor arena. I did not feel any hint of unsoundness (HOORAY!!!!). With all the hours we’ve logged on the trail lately, I learned a few things when we returned to the arena:
– Wizard is fitter than he looks. Even though we mostly walk on the trails, it has put him in very nice condition, and he did not break a sweat in the arena.
– The trail work developed Wizard’s confidence. He did less of his nervous chewing on the bit than he usually does.
– At the moment, I am fairly fit as a rider, but RUSTY. I need to practice my equitation on the trails more.
– I sure do enjoy the scenery on trails- I’m becoming less of an arena-lover now that we’re at the new barn.
In order to avoid him hitting himself, I booted Wizard in his front and hind EquiFit T-Boots. So far, I’m really happy with them. We just did a little walk-trot-canter work since the sun was setting. By 8:30, it was pretty much too dark to keep riding. I gave him a senior feed snack after our ride, and put him to bed in his pasture.
Thewifedoesntknow Training Blog, Part 9: I got to RIDE HER! It was a blast. Photos of her jumping and photos of me riding in this week’s update: http://thetdnblog.blogspot.com/2012/08/thewifedoesntknow-training-blog-week-8.html
Wizard Ride 392, Session 393: Splash 1
Saturday, 8/4/12
Huge congratulations are in order for Kris and her mare Sunny (Helping Hearts Equine Rescue alum and BLM Mustang). They did a fantastic job at their dressage show, scoring a 64% and a 63% in their Intro tests!
After the show, Wizard and I went out for about an hour and a half with Christie and Brigid. We mostly walked since it was pretty muggy out, but we did a little trotting, and I even let Wizard break into a canter at one point. It was our first canter in MONTHS- it felt sooo nice. We rode out through a creek, past the sheep farm, and down part of Roosevelt St. Wizard got a little amped up when we were trotting behind Brigid, but he was perfect for the rest of the ride. We need to keep working on it. He used to be insistent upon being in the front at all times. He’s a million times better at the walk, so now we need to work on other gaits.
Wizard and Brigid continue to be a nice trail riding pair. She was very amused by his antics in the creek. He was pawing like a dog, and then she put her snout in the water and started blowing bubbles.
Tuesday, 8/7/12
Jon and I took Wizard for a hand walk in the Assunpink. We were out for our regular loop, up the Bowling Pin hill, past the Hunt Club, and across the street to the dirt road, and back to the barn. Before our walk, I turned Wizard out in the outdoor arena to see how he was moving. He looked totally sound. Fingers crossed…
From the TDN Blog: Thewifedoesntknow Training Blog, Week 7
Part 8 of training with Thewifedoesntknow… She’s cantering poles, she did her first flying lead changes, and she looks very confident with each new step. Please click here for photos and a full update: http://thetdnblog.blogspot.com/2012/08/thewifedoesntknow-training-blog-week-7.html
Wizard Session 390, Ride 391: Dogs
Tuesday, 7/31/12
The hounds of the Monmouth County Hunt Club bayed ominously when Cathy and I embarked on our trail ride, but whatever set them off had come and gone by the time we rode past the hunt club. Wizard and Miss Tuesday both set off at a good pace, and we rode across the street from the Hunt Club and down a path back toward the barn. We discovered a wooded trail that takes people from barns on the same road as ours out to the Assunpink.
Once we hit the end of the trail, we turned around and rode back down the path, across the street, and out to the fields that connect us to the main “bowling pin” field. The flies were worst in the woods by the barn, and were not as bad once we were out in the fields. We were out for nearly an hour and a half… a great pre-workday ride.
Monday, 7/30/12
After work, I chased daylight and made it out to the barn for a quick evening walk with Wizard. We did the short loop up the hill and down the trail near the cinder road. Up the hill, I did a little bit of jogging. It was amusing to watch Wizard try to decide if he should walk or trot with me. He gained a bit of weight. Here’s hoping he keeps gaining.
Please click here to read my TDN interview with breeder Meg Buckley. She shares her background with horses, details about how she raises her Thoroughbreds, and reveals how Thewifedoesntknow got her unique name.
Rock and Racehorses: The Blog 