A Word from the Halloween Harvey Alarmist

What we see at night...

What Harv sees...

Sorry to keep posting high-drama, scary posts about the Harvster. Despite odd symptoms and behavior, he is apparently, thankfully, not a sick horse -- just a slightly daffy one, apparently afraid of the dark at times. One of the blog readers suggested he might have a bit of dementia. I can't rule that out.

I will admit to being a bit sensitized to his health and attitude. I only see him once a day, his caretakers are not on premises, and he is alone with his buddies most of the time. I feel I need to be especially watchful for any signs of problems so that I can catch them early.

And however alarmist I may be, something is getting his knickers in a twist at night - full moon, deer season, weather change, zombie apolcalypes, whatever.

Maybe he sees deer, maybe he sees dead people. I just hope this night-time fearfest will stop soon...

Animal print boot bag.

I love microfiber and animal print -- and I need a boot bag! So maybe this Hansen Equestrian bag should be on my Christmas list...

Leading lead ropes from Etsy.com

Aren't these lovely? All cotton, hand-dyed, rom Etsy's Horse and Hound, around $25.

Harvey confounding me

I went to see Harv tonight -- I snapped this photo of him and his little buddy Autumn when I first got to the barn  -- he seemed calm and alert, not at all ill.

I brought him into his stall, and he did not settle in. He was anxiously staring out the Dutch door and pacing -- not too surprising in that moment, as  his buddy was still outside. His buddy came in a bit later.

Harv didn't really seem much more settled, and he didn't eat his food when I set it down.

Hmmm.

I took off his blanket to find patchy sweat. It was not hot out by any means, around mid-fifties, and the blanket was light-weight. His nostrils were flaring, his breathing shallow. Pulse about 50. I wondered if being out 24/7 in this long stretch of nice weather had made him intolerant of the stall. Or maybe there were deer outside? It was now dark. I shut the Dutch door since looking outside seemed to alarm him. I tried to give him some banamine, but saliva is his superpower. Prodigious amounts the instant the syringe is squirted. He got at least some of it, but I can't say how much. An awful lot got spit out.

I watched Harv for about an hour. The sweat patches were larger now. He periodically was calling/bellowing, which is not what I'd expect in a colic. He pooped, which is good. He peed a bit, which made it seem unlikely that he was having a bladder issue -- given his peeing issue, I wondered if he had a blockage.

I called the vet -- she had me check his temp (normal), asked about his vitals. We discussed her coming out but by the time we spoke Harv was starting to calm down a bit. The banamine? We decided to give him a few hours. I just now got a report from the barn manager that "all is well."

So, for now, he is okay. Harvey, man of mystery, is scaring me.

Online forums and bullying

I love the Chronicle of the Horse online forums and have gotten wonderful advice and encouragement on those forums. It is well-moderated, and for an online forum its pretty civil for the most part. But things do get out of control at times.

A recent forum discussion about a dressage trainer in PA went a bit wild -- I do a lot online, and have seen a lot of bad behavior. Still, it was astonishing the way a group of adults used the anonymity and ease of the net to to rip apart this local trainer. He admittedly had shaky credentials, but that ain't unusual! For some reason the guy hit a nerve with people. They stalked him, berated him, they went on a jihad to undermine some events he was planning. If he had been making a living professionally, he is probably not now. People unearthed all kinds of dirt (finances, litigation) It was awful. COTH closed down several threads, but the damage was done.

I recently read an article in the New Yorker, "How the Internet has changed bullying." So this New Yorker article made an interesting point about bullys. The author writes...

Ask people why they bully, and they rarely say, “Because I can.” They say, “Because I need to.” Bullies believe they are teaching someone a lesson; they claim that their victims are, through their own actions or faults, asking for it, and that they need to be called out and corrected. They build narratives of their behaviors. Many of the bullies Swearer has dealt with don’t seem to have realized that what they did was bullying: they demonstrate “a lack of insight and self-awareness.” Instead, they see themselves as righteous crusaders.

 I read this passage to Bob. He replied, "I just think they're a$$holes."

I'm reminded of the Will Ferrell quote, "Stay classy." Not bad advice.

John Denver -- a horse girl's crush

When I was a teen in the seventies, part of the MO for horse girls was having a crush on John Denver. We didn't say "awesome" then. We said "farm out!" which was a play on John's "far out!" signature exclamation.

 On the anniversary of his death a week or so ago, I went to Youtube to listen to one of my favorite JD songs, Rhymes and Reasons. Back in the seventies, we listened and really believed in the lyrics. We aren't nearly so innocent now, even young kids are so much more cynical. Watch the video, and try to place this music in the 21st century. It's incredible. I mean, the lyrics would seem incredible to young adults and teens now...

Lasting influence
I still wear a variation of John Denver (and John Lennon, I suppose) round wire glasses, and have since I stopped wearing contact lenses in 1982. He is at the root of my love for folk music and the whole idea of a guy with a guitar. I loved his sense of humor and his laugh. One of my favorite albums growing up was his live album, An Evening with John Denver.  I remember being thrilled when one of my Intro to Biology profs, at Purdue Al Chiscon, used John Denver lyrics in talking about genetics, and the connectedness in all of nature:

And oh I love the life within me
I feel part of everything I see
And oh I love the life around me
A part of everything is here in me

John I wish you'd stayed with us longer. We need your message.

Equifit Gel Socks: They LAST

I don't know if I have ever posted about the Equifit Gel Socks (got mine from Smartpakequine.com).  I just ordered my third pair as I have misplaced my originals, and like to keep a backup -- that is how much I rely on them.

My old Petrie boots never really "broke in" - maybe they were too small in the foot -- but they tear up my ankles every ride. It pained me to spend $28 (at the time) for these gelsocks, but they are a Godsend and by the way, they are now slightly reduced in price at $26.

Bakersfield Dressage reviewed these too but the reviewer lamented they may not last.

I've had two pair for about a year -- One pair sat in a drawer for months, but I pulled out this pair when I lost the old ones recently. The old ones, which I'm sure will turn up, were working fine after many months. They were a bit pocked up, due to extreme pressure points, but the gel seems to just remold and I can use them just fine. They have eradicated the blisters from riding, which is wonderful.

If I have gripes, they are a few minor ones.

• They are worn under socks, and when I put my sock on I have to be careful that the gel sits smoothly and doesn't wrinke. Ditto with putting boots on. This is not hard to do. 
• It is one more pre-ride prep, and while it does not take long, really, it is another thing to do.
• I like to take them off right after I ride. My feet don't feel hot but you do sweat in them (my whole leg sweats whether I wear them or not!).  They'll need to be rinsed.

Overall, big thumbs up. They do what they say they do, and they are lasting well.

Image from Bakersfield Dressage -- they a review too.

November-Auction 2015-No. 32 Belisar by Belissimo M -Con Amore

A nice one, yes? Liver chestnut!

On to the next (old) treatment...

So Bob has been on an experimental treatment since August. While it initially seemed promising, the effects have declined to a point where the doctors at UPenn have decided to take him out of the trial (he'll show up in the research results among those who were not helped by the drug).

Apparently the next step is to go back to treatments that did not work in the past, but in different combinations. I'm not thrilled with this. This year we have cranked through four treatments (TSEB, Interferon, Vorinostat, the experimental drug).

Honestly it has not been a great year -- here is one more chit in the "baaaad news" bucket. 

Harvey at night, full moon

Goofy Harvey, scared me to death Tuesday night. I went to see him after 8pm. When I pulled into the drive and parked, I could actually hear him making a moose bellow. It was too dark to see. That bellow was his usual bellow -- it sounded like he was threatened or afraid.

I ran into the barn, grabbed some grain and his leg salve, and made my way to the pasture. He came storming into the paddock like The Island Stallions Fury, emerging from the blackness into my car's headlights. His tail was in the air and his nose was tipped up, like he was checking for predators.

Not knowing what else to do, and wanting to look him over, I dumped the feed. He came right over and stood quietly while I cleaned and medicated his legs. I went to put the meds into the empty feed bucket, turning away for just a moment. He took off like a streak, galloping back to the pasture. He'd only taken a few bites of his feed. A very, very scary sign.

Within moments, Harv was doing laps around the pasture, which I could hear but not see. Was one of the other horses loose? Was he colicking? Were there deer? A bear? I moved my car to train the headlights into each pasture, but the other horses were quietly grazing. No sign of deer. I turned the car to face Harv's pasture, hoping to see what was happening. It didn't help much. I called the barn manager in a panic.

"It's deer," she said. "He's fine."

I walked into the pasture, looking for a dim outline of my horse, and wondering if he could see me. He was quieter now, and had come to a stop in a corner. I walked over to him, with the barn manager still on the phone. "Check under his blanket, is he dry?" Yes, he was. He was animated, but not really frightened.  He actually looked pretty pleased with himself.

What the hay? Harv has been so mellow, almost too mellow, of late.  But those thundering hooves sounded more like early morning at the track than a cool night on a farm.

The next morning, the manager texted me, Harv is fine. Who knows what got into him the night before? I assume he was alarmed by deer, but don't really know. Sometimes at the barn we comment that it looks like our horse had a party in his stall. After last night, I have to wonder what our boys do when we're not around.

Hanoverian Stallion licensing and sales 2015

Watching the Hanoverian Stallion licensing and  sales videos are always a treat and I suppose it helps you develop your eye. Would love to be "in the pocket" while someone knowledgable evaluates these young stallions.

They are all beautiful, but I was tickled by #11. Most of the horses have very big, controlled gaits, but this one seems not quite to know how to channel all of that power.

Two Horse Tack: It's raining reins!

My THT reins on my Horze bridle
BTW, this is not a paid testimonial.

When I got my new Horze bridle (which I still love), I did not use the reins that came with them, First of all, Riley needs extra long reins. Secondly, I love my reins from Two Horse Tack. Two Horse Tack makes tack from Beta Biothane, which is a wonderful material, especially for tack.

1. It looks like leather. I would show with these reins in a heartbeat.
2. Beta Biothane wears like iron.
3. It cleans up easily with soap and water.
4. Two horse Tack reins are economical, starting at $18, and come in a variety of colors as well camo, high reflectivity,  and rhinestone-studded!
5. The reins come in many different styles, for different disciplines.
6. A high-grip option is available.

Reins tend to take a beating, and I love my Twho Horse Tack reins.  They look new and I can just hose them off.


Go to their site and take a look at the many styles of bridlework  -- western, English, medieval, Australian, mule, hunting, endurance, you name it! Oh, by the way, they are great folks to work with if you have a custom request AND, they support equine rescues. Most of their "models" are rescue horses.

The hunter bridle on a handsome horse!

Riddle me this: Common medication price diffs

30 grams is $282.83

Ivermectin -- horse wormer -- is not just used to worm horses. It has been around forever,  developed in the 1970's in Japan. As a medication, it has had a dramatic impact on human lives globally, as this *medical journal article on Ivermectin describes.

Ivermectin is an awesome drug, but it ain't exactly new.  Recall from a previoius post that I have rosacea. I finally got in to see a dermatologist, and she told me about potential treatments.

Turns out one treatment is Ivermectin! I know the drug, so I was a bit shocked when my dermatologist quoted me the price for the Ivermectin-based Soolantra she is recommending. Without insurance, I would need to pay over $250 for 30 grams!

So compare the horse wormer to the high-end-skin-doctor stuff...

• $9.43 per gram of Ivermectin 1% solution for Rosacea treatment ($282 for a 1% 30-gram tube)
• 50 cents/gram for ivermectin 2% for horses (double the strength), or  $3 a 2%  6-gram tube

I feel lucky that this is not a drug I must-have, and that I have insurance to off-set costs. Have I tried the tube wormer? Not tellin'.

References:

*Proc Jpn Acad Ser B Phys Biol Sci. 2011 Feb 10; 87(2): 13–28.

doi:  10.2183/pjab.87.13

Harvster: How'm I supposed to know?

"What are you doing back there? Let go of my leg!"

So every day now I'm taking Harv's pulse. In one sense it's a good exercise, and I am at a point now where I know his beat so well I don't need to use a stopwatch. Harv prefers I take his pulse at his knee rather than at the jaw -- too constraining.

  Why the pulse obsession? 
When Harv had laminitis over Labor Day weekend, he appeared perfectly calm, quiet, and content. He ate his feed, he munched hay; he was bright, alert, responsive, but mellow.  Because he seemed to be comfortable, I thought his odd stance and refusal to walk was neurological. The vet, however, was smarter. She took his pulse, and finding it was 55 bpm rather than the 30-40 bpm that is normal. He was in pain.

Take home message

Those of you with cats, dogs, and horses, do not put too much stock in a calm demeanor when they have an illness.  Animals are exceptional at hiding their pain. Harvey was, and I think our cats are too. By the time they are showing clear signs of pain, it is more than likely CODE RED. 

I'm kind of a one-trick-pony now with my new take-the-pulse tool. Do you all have other methods for assessing your pets' pain?

Trigger does a passage/piaffe

Always loved Roy Rogers and Trigger, but who knew they were dressagey? 

See the 2.5 minute point...

Stretching: It looks so fun if you're a cat

  I hate stretching.

So easy and satisfying for my cats.

So wretched for me.

I have new exercises to help my hips and inner thighs to stretch. Unfortunately the degree to which I loathe these exercises is exceeded only by the degree that I need to do them.

The payoff, or the potential payoff, is getting to a "good place" with Riley faster in our rides, because my legs will hopefully relax and "release" faster.

But it hurts!!!!! The pain is weird, it is almost like nausea. I feel stretching in my gut, and it ain't a good feeling.

And even if it didn't hurt... It's boring. 

Embracing Picasso -- kicka$$ photo

Wanted to share this kickass photo of an area rider, Patty Weston, who  has a knack for training thoroughbreds in dressage. You may have seen Pablo in a certain Dressage at Devon photo that went viral a few years ago. Here she is at the BLM Championships with her OTTB Embracing Picasso -- pretty sure this is a Second Level test. Don'tcha love it?

Harv: Blood results

S So Harv got his second set of blood results for Cushings (ACTH) and insulin. We was tested before breakfast but after a night on "fairly sparse" grass. His insulin level was normal and his ACTH was high, but only by 20 points compared to 55 points three weeks ago. Of course the pergolide might be helping.

His body condition was assessed at a 4 out of 9. I asked if that was bad for a horse his age, and the vet said, "For him to be alive at 28,  at any weight, is wonderful." Okay, I get it.

The vet also said to feed him normally, but without the sweet boiled apple and carrot dessert I had been feeding him daily.

We've ramped up the TC Senior and have added forage extender and Dehy timothy cubes to boost his feed program.

Put on that weight, Harv!

Blue Roan in Dressage: Another droolworthy blue roan for sale

Someday, someday. This one looks like a good egg, and his canter is nice! 

This year at Devon: The word is harmony

Two of the Grand Prix Freestyle competitors at Devon really gave a moving performance-- Jacqueline Brooks was one, and I have blogged about her in the past. A chestnut mare, Elfenfeur, and her rider Alice Tarjan, also had a memorable ride. In my own mind D-Niro and Elfenfeur would have placed at the top. I love to watch powerful horses moving balls-to-the-walls as much as the next person ;-), but the overall picture is not just energy, but tension. I don't always get a sense that the horse is loving it. The most special rides show a harmonious partnership, with both horse and rider bringing a sense of joy and sympatico. Jacqueline and De-Niro actually made me tear up. 

I found this footage of AT and Elfenfeur at the U.S. dressage finals. Do you see what I mean? There is power, but also lightness, softness, balance, fluidity in equal parts. 

My Trainer: Kristin Corcoran Part 3

The last few posts are just an example of how Kristin has worked with me. While people say you can't really "teach feel," Kristin does, somehow.

More about Kristin
A former eventer (through Prelim) and B-rated pony club, Kristin is a USDF silver medalist and is currently schooling Grand Prix movements on her TB/Andalusian cross Quince.

I have been at Graystone for three years and have personally seen how horses (including my own horse Riley), bloom and develop under their care and training.  She has a finesse and subtlety in her riding and a talent for working with young horses. In my observation she brings integrity and character into her training -- standards are high but she breaks things down and makes it easy for her horses to succeed.

Riley
Graystone has changed Riley, and he has enjoyed both physical good health/soundness and development as a riding horse. His daily care program centers around keeping his feet in good shape, and his shoes on, and vive la difference! He's been in steady work with no issues for years (did I say that out loud?).

Riley was in full training for several years. When Kristin rides him he is truly a "wow!" horse -- he's learned to sit and lift at the canter, his trot is loftier and his hind leg quicker, his body more supple. Riley adores her. Equally important Kristin is helping me to rise to the challenge of riding this big, goofy, sweet, but somewhat unmotivated boy. I'm not yet achieving what Kristin has achieved but we are on the learning curve.

Kristin and her sister Kendra run Graystone Equestrian Center, a 28-acre barn near Lake Nockamixon in Quakertown. The farm is family-operated, and riders and boarders enjoy the small-is-beautiful environment and individualized care. They have a stall or two open, and I highly recommend them!

 Thanks to Kristin, who is gifted at finding new ways to help me learn.

Morgan dressage prospect: If I had an extra stall...

She looks really balanced and she seems to want to go round -- at 14.2 she could be a dressage pony.

Leg on, leg off

Charlotte Dujardin did a masterclass in Oregon last week, I think, and the Chronicle of the Horse covered it -- Kick says Charlotte Dujardin. What a lot of great sound bytes!

Between the video that I posted the other day and this article, she has some juicy tidbits:

• "Short reins win gold medals"
• "Put you leg on a hot horse, take your leg off a dull horse."
• No Whips! Dujardin allows a whip to be used when needed (e.g., schooling flying changes), but other than that, riders were taught to have a horse that jumped forward off the leg

She also said that Valegro, a horse that has won numerous world championships, was purchased for 5,000 pounds, she said (about $5,600) and Hester’s Nip Tuck was 2,500 euros. They were purchased as foals/youngsters...

Harvey update: weighty matters

Harvey is doing okay on his Jenny Craig-like diet. He's moving well, he is off all bute, and we have been letting him have some grass with no ill effect. He has lost weight and it is now a barn initiative to see he does not lose more. Harv's caretakers are weight-taping and squinting at him, and working with me to slowing increase his feed.

The barn manager and our other boarder are  of the opinion that he does not have Cushings or IR. He may have just gotten too fat from an overzealous mother hell-bent on spoiling him.

Maybe. Not sure about the Cushings, as I don't know if over-feeding can affect that lab test. But maybe, just maybe, the IR had more to do with the timing (after a big meal, blood vial sitting for four days over the holiday weekend).

We're proceeding cautiously, gradually increasing his feed, and I have another vet appointment scheduled in early Oct. More labwork, in a more controlled situation, may present a clearer picture.

My Trainer: Kristin Corcoran Part II

 Recall that I'm having a struggle in my lesson with crookedness. Here's what happens...

Not Kristin, and not me, but this is "the demo"

The demo and regroup
My trainer Kristin and I are in the center of the ring, and Kristin stands next to us. She gets in a "riding position" and illustrates the key weaknesses in my position that are allowing or causing crookedness.  It's a body tendency I instantly recognize -- collapsing and uneven hips, over-rotating my upper body. Then she demonstrates how to correct each flaw, repositioning her own hips/torso, and guides me in making the same corrections. I do. She nods, but it's not yet 100%. She says, "move your hips and torso even more to the right." I do, and when I feel like I am close to toppling off the other side, she says, "now you are straight."

We walk on a circle and Kristin keeps a near the reins, monitoring my contact and position. Ri starts to fall, but instead of impulsively grabbing the right rein in a punishing way, I follow Kristin's instructions to "tuck in" the outside shoulder and gently pulse and release the outside rein, releasing instead of holding.  I add a little inside leg, and Ri responds by standing up more in his shoulder and stepping under. Yeah!

 Back on a circle
Kristin has me move on a circle around her.  Now, though I again feel like I'm practically falling over the outside,  I can't help but notice that that Riley is easily bending around my inside leg. And when his inside hind leg "threads" slightly between his two front feet, I feel his back lift and something clicks. His neck, which was stiff as a board, feels round and rubbery and he is moving more into the outside rein. I can't help but feel that he has been waiting for this all along. It's now easy to keep a light, quiet contact. The gears are aligned and he is flowing forward like a waterwheel. Now I can feel where he is between my seatbones, too.

Riley is now stepping lively. We move into a trot. I  tap with the inside leg, and Ri has a power surge! His back is soft and springy for a half-circle, and I have a place to sit comfortably. When I feel the energy dissipate,  Kristin reminds me to sit more to the outside (which makes me straight). Again, power surge!

On to Part III

Horze reflective vest: more than I bargained for!

I'm likin' this look for biking

When Horze.com contacted me to do a product review of their reflective gear, I was thinking the LED reflective vest could do triple duty: Riding, biking, and running.

Multiply that times 2, because the adjustable sides make it easy to fit to all body types -- both Bob and I can wear it. At only $29.95 it's a good buy, not only because it has reflectivity but because the LED lights can be off, flashing, or steady -- adding to your already strong visibility.

Bob snapped these shots of me before we went road biking on Saturday. What I think makes this a great buy...

• Adjustability. There are side tabs that allow you to make it as small or as large as you want, within limits. I have a large, which easily adjusted to my more-medium frame, and Bob can enlarge it to fit his 6'3" frame. 
• Reflectivity -- there is plenty of reflective surface on this garment.
• LED lights -- I love the fact that you can light this vest up and even make it flash (triple AAA batteries fit into a front pocket. 
• Mesh -- the mesh construction is breathable but with just enough stiffness that it holds a nice shape (not floppy). 
• Wear with anything. Instead of buying short-sleeve, long-sleeve, lightweight, heavyweight hi-viz items, wear this with anything!

I will be using this vest regularly -- Thanks Horze.com!

Rear-view

In our hall closet (reflectivity!)

In our basement, LED lights in steady-on

Ms. Roboto

Battery storage, possibly other stuff

Closeup of LED lights

My dream-jacket -- almost

So, This navy Pikeur Romina size 38 on Ebay is exacstly what I want, except it is not in a long.  I asked the seller many questions, and she was so patient -- I know she must be a good seller. I'm sharing this link on the chance that one of you might be in the market for a high-end jacket in great condition, for under (or about) $200.

Legging alert! From walmart, $4

Photo from @littlejacklingboy on Instagram -- but I own these Walmart Wonders, just $4!

Selection is awesome, many colors and prints, camo, leopard, houndstooth, aztec, etc.

Lehigh Wildlife 1: Tea and honey from Lehigh's beehive

On a cold, rainy, October day what could be nicer than Teavana Tea and some truly local honey from Lehigh's beehive. I scored a sample by virtue of membership in the Lehigh Beekeeping Club and through some work with the campus sustainability office as a grant reviewer. 

Love!

Charlotte Dujardin Dressage Demo at Rolex Central Park Horse Show

Big buck at 2:30" !!! I think this is an unfamiliar horse, and even without sound (Bob is sleeping) I can see his piaffe improve dramatically in a few moments...

The buck!

Overall a very neat, if short, clip...

And here is her catch ride freestyle...

All Hallows with a feminine twist

This colorful hematite bracetlet has gold skulls. 

A fun Halloween bracelet that can also go year-round.

$20 plus shipping!