Stall Rest Chronicles 21 March, The New Is No News

Explanation. We have a horse on stall rest following colic surgery. This has taken over the blog. Mostly. [Begin, Phase IV]

Third month post surgery
Two weeks at clinic DONE
Four weeks of at-home stall rest DONE
Four weeks of paddock rest DONE
Starting week 2 of four weeks pasture rest

Horses go out in the morning.

They graze.

Horses come in at dinner time.

Not much happens.

It’s wonderful.

It’s weird.

Onwards!
Katherine

Horses Where You Least Expect Them, Saddlebreds At The Mall

Line of men’s clothing at Belk. Seen at Riverchase Galleria.

“Saddlebred is the foundation of Belk’s men’s private label business. It’s designed for Belk’s middle demographic, but skews slightly traditional.” MR: Belk’s Todd Huston Turns Labels into Brands, Diamantini, 2014.

Onwards!
Katherine

Stall Rest Chronicles 17 March, Release Both Krakens

Explanation. We have a horse on stall rest following colic surgery. This has taken over the blog. Mostly. [Begin, Phase IV]

Horses are now going out in the pasture together. They will be in for meals and for overnight.

The vet said it was time.

The horses said it was time.

So, we put on our big peoples panties and walked Milton out to where Rodney was.

A few minutes of running and hopping. Then, heads down for grazing.

In multiple checks throughout the day, they were being calm and sensible. So they stayed out until dinner.

Onwards!
Katherine

Stall Rest Chronicles 16 March, Turnout Day 2, Same Turnout, Fewer Tentacles

Explanation. We have a horse on stall rest following colic surgery. This has taken over the blog. Mostly. [Begin, Phase IV]

Day 2. Less drama; still much mood.

Morning

Horses led out with stern warning that the alpha mare was on the case. Nonsense would not be tolerated.

Alpha mare, in this case, being a title of authority rather than gender. Husband has been putting Rodney out, as he can be more patient when Rodney is in a mood. I tend to tell Rodney to get over himself, which is not helpful.

Everyone behaved and was released quietly.

Mid-Day

Both horses came back into the barn during their turnout session.

The second time Milton came back, we figured he was ready to be in. When we closed the gate, he was all, ‘Wait, wait. I’m not done!’ I can relate. It’s the difference between having a car and choosing not to drive anywhere versus not having a car and being stuck at home.

Rodney also came wandering back in, which is unusual for him lately. Perhaps they are ready to be out together? But then Rodney got too close to the open top of the stall door and Milton tried to bite him.

Evening

Milton went out. Got wound up. Which got Rodney wound up.

Milton came in. Was over it, mostly from being tired.

Rodney did not believe the order to stand down. Ran off. Which got Milton wound up again.

Okay, everyone in for the night. DST means another hour of daylight in the evening. Not relevant. The peoples are done.

Onwards!
Katherine

Stall Rest Chronicles 15 March, Turnout Day 1, Release The Kraken

Explanation. We have a horse on stall rest following colic surgery. This has taken over the blog. Mostly. [Begin, Phase IV]

Milton al fresco. In field sans halter. The first day of turnout had mixed results.

Morning

First turnout session went great.

Amid much trepidation, Chief Minion led Milton out to the field and removed the halter. Milton did … drumroll … nothing. Ate some cookies. Looked around. Grazed. Easy peasey.

Rodney went out for his turn afterward. Milton had separation anxiety but nothing alarming.

Mid-Day

Second session, less great.

Milton fussed on the leadrope. Milton fussed off the lead rope. Milton kicked his minion. Rodney jumped out of the run in. In middle of this, there was activity in the cow field, which always sets them off.

In other words, mass hysteria.

Wait, what? How did this happen?

Rodney went out. Brought back in when time was over.

Milton went out. As best we can tell, Milton was mad about going second. I go out first! Then he thought he was back on a leadline. I do not need a chaperone!

He lost it. Spinning. Hopping. Flinging his feet. Minion managed to hang on. Fit the second. Minion got clipped on the hip with a flying hoof. Still managed to hang onto rope.

Settled down.

Ate a cookie.

Released the kraken! Kraken continued to express himself. This upset Rodney in the stall.

About this time, the truck showed up in the field next door to feed the cows.

During one pass, Milton came zooming back into the barn. We slid the boards across to keep him in. Everyone was lit up like thousand-pound, moving Christmas trees. Turnout was over.

Waited a few minutes for the steam to settle.

Rodney was still in stall. Milton in run-in. They needed to be swapped. Halters on. Horses swapped. Halters off. Rodney sashayed up to the corner were the board had been slid across the opening. ‘No. I need to check out the cow situation.’

Jumped out.

Yes, my 24-year-old horse, who can’t jump a crossrail without panicking, jumped a four-foot high board as tidy and clever as you please. No space. No speed. Just, boing, gone. Let’s not forget the low roof of the run-in shed that he had to stay under. Advanced level event horses don’t jump keyholes that tight.

Horse got hops.

Evening

Both horses went out quietly and stayed that way. They were read the riot act before they were led out. Either they listened, or they were too tired to fuss.

Thought For The Day

You would think that Horse Kicks Human would be the headline. Rodney saw that and said, ‘Hold my beer.’

Update. Minion good. Milton tagged him at full extension, so the force was low. It was as much a push as a thump, so the vector math was on the shiny side.

Onwards!
Katherine