The Mane Plan

So, my friend, C, came over today for some braiding & wrapping to keep our manes long and clean(ish) during the winter. (Will winter come??)
She brought her boys, Braydon and Boston. Braydon is a 3 year old colt she's had since he was a weanling and Boston is a gelding around 10 or 11- she just got him.

Here's C doing Boston's mane ... while Braydon is being such a good and patient boy!


Here's Gia in progress ... and finished. With, as my husband put it, condoms on her.
*sigh*

Then Boston went into the arena to run about while C, Brayson, Gia and I went for a trail ride.
Gia was the spookiest she's been yet, but that could be because a "real" boy with with us. Of course, when I say she was spooky... I mean she was still one of the most well behaved horses, but was just giving big eyes to downed trees and strange horses - that's all. We came back up the main road and even though the weekend traffic was fast and rude, Gia was a champ! Brayson was a real gentleman, too.

It was almost 80 today and just stunning... what an awesome ride!

Quick Update

Gia is still putting on weight and looks great. (except for the battle scars from Cowboy - but those will fade) I have been blanketing her on cold nights and it has helped -- I noticed a difference after just three nights of blanketing!

She insists on getting into the burrs... I think the grass is growing up under them so we do a lot of combing these days *sigh*

We've gone on a couple more trail rides with great success. I finally got the bridle to fit so I don't have to fuss over it the whole ride - yea! The saddle is working fine, but I do need to take the time and get the breast collar fitted so I won't fret about slipping when we go up the steep hills around here. I'm also considering a crupper - I wonder if she'd deal?

What I need to do now is get myself on a regime of lounging her to build up some more muscle and stamina. (I could use some of that too!)

Trail Ride from Home!

Gia and I rode up to the arena today - it's only about 2/3 miles round trip . She was a bit pokey out of the gate and up the first hill, but she warmed up and was super!

We rode with C on Cowboy -- and had Skip the dog along to make exciting things jump out of bushes. Gia took it all in stride!

I used a D-ring french snaffle and she was much less responsive than she was with the shank/snaffle bit C let me use on Sunday. I may try a few different ones.

The Bob Marshall Treeless was great ... Gia didn't blow up on me so I didn't have to stop and tighten. She seemed very comfortable in it, too. That Skito pad C gave me is great. Thanks C, and sorry it didn't work for you (kinda).

And the best news of all was I got on and off without causing myself any bodily injury. (yea)

Don't laugh, it's paid for!

Gia popped up into the 2horse straight load for her five miles of back roads with no problems!


It's like outside... but it's in side!

Gia was awesome in the inside area at C's house and only had eyes for the pinto in the next pasture.


Yes, both ankles are shot, but I'm in the saddle!

So today I loaded Gia up in the hillbilly trailer and she was a champ! She ate & pooped just like she was at home!

We got to C's house and turned her out in the inside arena, then groomed and saddled her then lunged for a bit then I bit the bullet and got ON! She was awesome! I was the only one with any issues... all in my head (ok, and some in my ankle). C rides her too and boy is she lovely under saddle. She carries her head and neck just beautifully. She needs some junk in her trunk, but a year from now I bet she'll have it!

So, C decides that she, S and I should all ride just down the road and back.

In my wussy wussy way, I decide I'll just walk her down the road to see how she handles the few cars and the crazy gelding across the street... not to mention the scary scary wabbits! So I walk to the corner of the road for about a 1/2 mile ... Gia's a dream. So I figure I'm getting on for the walk back. So I get her next to a rock to get no. Naw, she wasn't gonna sidle right up to it so C offers to hold her while I get on the "old fashioned way." Sounds good. I put my bionic leg (that's my left one) in the sirrup, grab a hank of mane and pull up.... OOps. not enough mane. My leg is too weak to hold me, my left hand slips and I fall back on my right leg, twist the crap out of it and end up on my ass. Gia glances down at me without moving a muscle and looks at me as if to say, "um, why are you down there?"

I get up and state that I know from experience this is NOT a break! Of course I need to get on still ... 1) because I cannot give up and 2) I cannot walk back on my own legs. We get Gia back to the rock and I mount. She walks back to C's place with zero issues.

And so I end up at home, hobbling to bed to ice, compress and elevate for four hours of chick flicks. The Hubby ain't happy. He has to feed tonight.

It's swollen and bruised but I'm thrilled... I think Gia is going to be perfect.

Perfect!

Trail Walk Deux

So, today Gia and I followed C. on Cowboy out & about today. She was good at gold. I wanted to actually toss a saddle on her and see if C. would try her out, but Someone in the pasture has been biting her and she has two swollen spots on her back area that were bad enough she winced when I put some stuff on them. (It's a medical term, Stuff.) Anyway, I figured there's no problem waiting and I don't want her to have any pain or discomfort the first time she's ridden in a year (or more!)

We peeled off from C and Cowboy ... Gia whinnied (read: cried & screamed) a couple of times but then she was fine. When we got closer back to home she heard George (the rooster!) and recognized his crow and she whinnied -- and sure enough, Missy answered her. She wanted to pick up the pace at that point, but as soon as I reminded her she was stuck with a gimp, she simmered down!

The weather was perfect. In the low 70's and so sunny! Good day!!

Escape Artist?

So this morning my DH goes to leave for work (it's still dark out) and Gia is standing across the street munching weeds by our neighbor's fence.

He comes and gets me and I go down to get her in... she comes right to me and goes in fine. I then scour the fence - the top wire is about 4.5/5 feet high. Nothing wrong along the fence line and all the gates are shut tight. The two other horses are still contained.

Hmmm... it's a mystery! I wonder how she got out???

Lunging

So C was kind enough to lunge Gia for me and she did well ... she has done this before we think!

We did WORK today!

Well, work might be a stretch but we sure as hell did SOMETHING!

It started with my saddle (first time!) she just stood there like, "oh yeah, one of those things - crap."



Then we met up with friend, C, and walked (leading horses) to the neighborhood arena that is up the road about 1/2 mile. Gia was somewhat reluctant to leave her new best punching bag, Cowboy, but that was brief. Once we were off the road and on the trail, Gia was happy as a clam. Very alert, but not spooky at all. She walked by a flock of teenage turkeys like they weren't there. My broken leg kept me from really going very fast, so I was having to keep slowing her down. She wasn't rushing, just stepping nice and quick. She is going to be a blast to ride!

Here are some shots of her waiting like a good girl while C worked Chunky Morgan.


To be continued ..............

Checking in

It's been about a month and Gia is doing well on her weight gain diet. She's got more energy and is curious and sweet ... just a beautiful personality.



While I was out taking pictures, Missy had to show me how much she has Gia convinced that she is in charge. Good for you, Missy! You're the older, wiser mare!


I wanted to just see how many stickers I was going to have to comb out of Gia's mane and here's what I found.



I guess I'm going to have to finish my hillbilly wash rack and get her scrubbed down! Last weekend the bath was brief. We did take a walk up the driveway and down the road for some exercise. Gia thought the walk up the driveway to the green grass was pretty cool!

Fancy Footwork

Before


So Sean came out (sorry for the misspelling prior, Sean!) and did up Gia's feet. He said she has very hard hooves so that's good. I figured as much! He did a conservative trim since she's not getting ridden and it has been some time. He said she seemed a bit low in the heels but his opinion was to see if it bothers her, as sometimes it's best to sort of work with what nature gave you. So, we'll see! Dang, horse is savin' me money again!! HaHa. (Crap, if I could learn how, I could do it myself! -- or better yet, if JOHN could learn how..!!)

Speaking of which, I need to update my figures and will do so (when I've been drinking.)

After

Getting a Float Today

So it has been 16 days and Gia is look much better already. She is also getting a bit more spunky and will trot (is that a little gait thing going on there?) and canter in to get fed. Today she even did a frisky little buck - ok, maybe her back feet came off the ground only two inches, but hey, she was adorable! I tried to take a picture of it but wouldn't you know that the camera was lagging because I had the flash on. grrr.

Then she stood by the gate and nickered and looked cute to make me hurry up with breakfast!



It always works!! And here she is getting ready to wade into her food pool.



The float took about 15 minutes. Maybe 20! She stood there like such a good girl! Dr. Pam thinks that this is probably her first float ever since she is under 10. I held her and scritched her neck and said sweet nothings while Dr. P rasped away. Occasionally she would kind of relax her jaw and hang onto the rasp. She was awesome -- and since she didn't need any tranquilizer, Dr. P says as she's rasping, "Look! She's saving you money!" I looked at her and we both just cracked up because, yeah, right!!

Gia seemed to discover the bushes by the pond and took some bites today. She also found out about the hidden treasures all over the pasture: acorns. I spoke to Dr. P and she said to watch it ... her horse eats them too. They can affect different horses differently. I remember Baby Huey used to hear one drop and go gallop off to find it! He was fine, but then again, he was also 17hh and god-knows-how-heavy! Guy down the road tells me, "I pay my neighbor kid $10 a bucket to pick mine up!" Hmmm... how much would I have to pay Aaron to walk around 3 acres picking up acorns? More than I have!

Tomorrow is her trim with Shawn, the new farrier. 8am *yawn* Dang she needs it though... and I can't wait to see what he says about her being kind of low in the heels.

11 Days later

Gia finds the routine boring.

She would like some excitement perhaps?

She is filling in nicely. Once her teeth are done the hay will be a lot easier. I will say, she manages to suck it all down despite the points on her teeth!

Skip learned the hard way today that she doesn't want him behind her during feeding ... he took a hoof to the head. I think he needs stitches.

I think she's sorry.

Rollin Rollin Rollin

I'm short on time but managed to snap some rolling pictures today!

Dr. Pam Was Here

So while I was waiting for Dr. Pam the Vet, I taped Gia ... she is 14.1 or 14.2 hh and weighs around 821 lbs. -- much less than I thought! Of course, when I told Dr. Pam, she said she would have guessed 800 lbs. I guess that's why she gets the big bucks!

First thing is the legs -- she said it's scratches. She recommends some T-Zon stuff that I can get at the feed store. I have picked off the stuff and there is healthy pink under it. We just need to treat it and it should be fine.

Second, the rain scald. She actually recommends a Betadine Scrub wash. That's easy enough and I already have some on hand.

Gia's heart and lungs sounded great! Her teeth confirmed she is no older than 10 but she does have some points and will need a float. Dr. Pam didn't have time yesterday, so we will have to have her back out soon so Gia can maximize her eating!!

Speaking of eating, Dr. Pam was happy with my feeding regimen which has leveled out (since I know she is only 900+ lbs!) at 3/4 scoops of the LMF Gold in the morning with a flake of grass and a flake of the 4-way. In the afternoon I give her a 1/2 flake of the grass and in the evening she gets a 1/2 scoop of the LMF, 1/2 flake of grass and a full flake of the 4-way. The 4-way has some straw that she picks at all day and night and keeps her (and Cupcake at night) busy.

Gia was nice enough to supply some fresh "matter" for us to put in a long glove, add water and check for sand. There was a small amount down in the finger so she recommend I get some Psyllium.

Since Gia had her 3-way, rabies and West Nile in May, she was not due for any vaccinations. Her last wormer was late July and was ivermectin ... Dr. Pam recommended worming September 1 (easy to remember!) with the ivermectin with the praziquantel.

She checked her legs and gait and did say I should get the farrier out -- so I will call my friend's guy today, as I gracefully got out of my last "relationship" because I just wasn't feeling the love as it were, you know? I need someone with a bit more interest in the horse. 'nuff said.

So... all good! Whew!

No pictures of the vet visit but do have one of Gia very worried because her new friends "disappeared" into the barn!

Mare on Mare Action!

I have put Cupcake in with Gia and they get along just fine.

Here is what happened over the fence at the "watering hole" when Missy gets wind of Cupcake and Gia getting on so well.




So it looks like Missy thinks her job in life is to protect Cupcake from the Big Bad New Mare, Gia. I am glad to see some spunk from Gia though. This is her first "big girl pants" moment where she is sticking up for herself.

She loves her LMF and her grass hay ... the 4-way she likes ok, but there is some straw stuff in there she picks around ... but it's good as when she's bored she moseys over for a nibble anyway.

Vet will be here at 2pm tomorrow. tic toc tic toc

The cost of an upgrade...let's find out!

So I have this "free" horse. Anyone that has had a horse knows there's no such thing. That being said a horse that has experienced some hardships is even less free. So, with that in mind, I have decided to keep a tally on what it is costing me to complete the rehab of Miss. Gia.

Some ground rules, I will not be adding the cost of general barn items such as brushes, fly spray and some random bits, pieces and treat. I also will not ad the cost of field maintenance, time or tack.

So here is what I have so far - the first 24-hours!

Transportation to my home cost $60 in gas, $20 bottle of wine and four muffins for $6 (bribing the driver's husband & children - priceless!)
Pasture grass - 2 bales at $15 ea.
4-way + alfalfa - 2 bales at $17 ea.
LMF Gold Mix feed - 1 50lb bag at $32
So Far: $181.99

I'm not sure how long the hay will last. The LMF I am going to feed recommends five to eleven pounds per 1000 lb horse per day. I gave her 5 lbs this morning and may bump it by 1 lb a day to reach 8 lbs. Any other thoughts on this will be well received as (have I mentioned this) I am waiting to see the vet on Wednesday!

In addition to the LMF, I will be feeding the alfalfa mix am and pm and the grass am, pm as well as for a little lunch in the afternoon.

I had purchased some Tea Clenz to take care of the rain rot but have since heard Listerine would work too ... so I may take back the $25 fancy stuff & get the mouthwash!

I am waiting for a referral on a new farrier for Gia -- her hoves are hard but she does seem a bit low in her heels.... but I don't know ... that's what I hire experts for so I'll see what he says.

Herd Politics Update

So Missy, the white rescue mare has decided that Cupcake is her baby and she is going to "protect" her from this new invader! I had them together for a bit and Gia was definitely the outsider. Cupcake got along with her fine, but when Missy got introduced into the mix, Cupcake became an instigator -- knowing Missy would come to her rescue -- and finding humor in that!

They are separate for the night and we will pull Gia out to do so major grooming tomorrow. Eeek... attack of the rain rot.

I'm also going to head off to the feed store tomorrow to figure out what I should be feeding Gia to get good quality weight on her.

Did I mention I'm just dying to have the vet come give me all the info I need??? I hate the waiting part.

Meet My Upgrade

Gia is a Spanish Mustang that, from what I have been told, came from Colorado. Her owner had her shipped to California for a trail horse. After a few years of being just that, the owner became very, very ill. So ill in fact, that Gia and her gelding pasture mate were neglected so badly animal control became involved. Before they were seized some neighbors each took one of her horses with her blessings to find good homes. Two months later, I respond to an ad on BAEN -- brought to my attention from someone I adopted my other mare, Cupcake from. I went to meet Gia and fell in love as she placed her face on my chest.



She was painfully skinny. Her back hips were so thin there were funky bumps I had never seen on another horse (thank god I don't see many starved horse, my heart could not take it).


She had rain rot and some weird lumps on her legs that I was able to pick off and see some pink skin under.


My vet will be out on Wednesday and I'm dying to know what is on her legs and what her opinion is on her weight and her age. I think I'll also get a fecal.

She was such a good girl about the trailer too. She walked right in like a pro and ate her hay the whole time. Coming out she seemed to want to turn around (it was a 2-horse slant) and not back out so I turned her around then she waited a bit and sniffed then popped out.

I put her in my arena - separated from my mare Cupcake and the mare I am letting use my pasture, Missy to see how everyone would behave. Gia had been with only geldings for several years and I know how mean girls can be. There was minimal squealing then when my other girls realized Gia was the only one getting fed they pouted off.

Well, off to do some horse gazing!