I need to start blogging on a more regular basis, geezzzee! Haha, sorry about that guys ;)
So since the last time I blogged Addie has gone through her month of treatment, passed her nero, and lameness evals and everything was looking really good. Super good in fact. I was starting to look for a new saddle because we found out my was really bothering her, and starting to figure out training/showing schedules. Everything was looking up even though I hadn't ridden in a month due to a tonsilectomy that I had in March, and not having a saddle.
I finally found a used Prestige Eventing saddle through Rick's Heritage Saddlery (which I totally recommend), and it fit enough where we could have made it work. Unfortunatly the day I went out to try it out and see how it fit Addie was lame, which was really disapointing. I tried it out anyway because I only had two days top to see if it fit, and if it didn't, ship it back.
Addie was pretty good for about the first 45min, and then when when I went to get off because horses where being ran out of the barn after the evening feeding she just started to wig out. I couldn't get her to mind or pay attention for anything, and she kept on trying to run both my trainer and I over. I finally was able to get her back in her stall, but she really wasn't paying attention to me. I was able to get her calmed down enough where I felt safe to tie her up and start untacking. When I went around to her right side, which is opposite of the stall door, she started to pin me against the wall. So I told her to move over by putting pressure at her girth, just everytime I have for the last year and she REALLY freaked out. She started to pull and go over backwards at the same time, and this is a horse that I have only known to pull back twice and that was when I was clipping her for the first time and she spooked at the hair on the floor. Even then it wasnt bad, but she almost sat down several times while I was still pinned up against the wall.
For whatever reason the twine loop that was supposed to act as a breakaway never broke, so I had a hard time calming her down enough to get her untied. Even then she was totally freaked out and never calmed down or started to listen after then. I was scared out of my wits, we both could have been seriously hurt very easily. We are pretty sure that the EPM has permanently affected her brain and that is why she now acts like this out of know where.
Because this happened, along with other stuff that she has pulled, and none of it is resolved for long, I have decided that I am going to find Addie a new home. Addie has never been totally sound since I bought her last Feb., and when has been she doesn't stay that way for long. Not something you want in an Eventer. Since the economy is the way it is, and the horse market isn't in any better condition, I am just going to give her away. Yes, I know this sounds bad, but I am going to do everything in my power to find her the perfect home.
Addie would make a great broodmare, companion, or pleasure/trail horse. Whatever the EPM has done to her premanently cannot be passed onto a foal. She hacks out very nicely, both in a group and by herself. I need to find her a home asap. You can find her on dreamhorse.com under Addie Fitzpatrick. Addie also can be reg. with the North America Irish Draught Society (it is called something like that),and has super confo and bloodlines.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Update On Addie
I have good news! I dont have to sell Addie after all! Downside is that she has tested with a weak positive for EPM, a neurological disease caused by a protozoa that attacks the central nervous system (you can learn more here). This causes asymmetrical muscle atrophy, neurotic behaviors, muscle soreness, poor coordination (more specifically of the hind end/legs), dragging of both or one of the hind toes, inability to stay balanced, and more. Fortunatly it can be treated. The most widely used anti-protazoal drug for horses with EPM is Marquis, but is also very expensive (usually around $750). This is what I am treating Addie with, and got an amazing deal from a friend that had left over from a horse that had treated a few years ago (who has made a full recovery after a very acute case the disease). We are going to treat her with the Marquis for two months along with 5,000IU of Vitamin E every day. Vitamin E has been proved to help with inflammation and support the immune system, which are very important to help make a full recovery.
Yesterday was the end of the first week of treatment, and she is acting much calmer (like her old self), hopefully it just wasn't a coincidence. I also started having one flake of hay put in Addie's stall in the am/pm so she has something else to focus on instead of being anxious during grain time (plus it will help prevent any side affects of the meds). So far, so good!
Right now I am hoping that we will be able to do the things I have been wanting to do with her (before all the health and behavioral problems), if she makes a good recovery. So I will be posting a calendar of the things I am hoping to do with her here soon, along with updates on how she is doing.
Yesterday was the end of the first week of treatment, and she is acting much calmer (like her old self), hopefully it just wasn't a coincidence. I also started having one flake of hay put in Addie's stall in the am/pm so she has something else to focus on instead of being anxious during grain time (plus it will help prevent any side affects of the meds). So far, so good!
Right now I am hoping that we will be able to do the things I have been wanting to do with her (before all the health and behavioral problems), if she makes a good recovery. So I will be posting a calendar of the things I am hoping to do with her here soon, along with updates on how she is doing.
Monday, January 17, 2011
First Post of 2011!
I have... well had a feeling that 2011 was going to be my year, but at this rate it is completely and utterly horrible *sigh*. Please bear with me as I vent a little.
1. My great- grandma died the first week of the new year, which was really awful :(. It was even more so because we share a birthday, and were pretty close because of that. This year was going to be big for both of us, my 18th and her 80th. She was really sick, and there wasnt anything we could do for her, at least she isn't suffering anymore. Rest In Peace Grandma Pat.
2. Addie's soundness issue(s) have never gotten any better, only worse. We don't think that she will hold up as even a dressage horse, so we are going to do some diagnostic stuff on her hocks to see how bad it has gotten, and find her a nice home as a please/trail horse/broodmare. Damn horses that are supposed to work out and never do, it doesn't help that I love the The Red Mare so much either. If you know of anyone who may be interested please let me know.
3. Last week my hamster died, yeah I know its not THAT big a deal, but it was for me. I had the "little" guy for a few years, and it was kind of a breaking point when he died after everything else that has happened. My life has a major suck factor right now.
4. Being that we probably wont get much for Addie because of her soundness and we are much more interested in finding her a wonderful home, we wont have much to buy me another. So I will probably be horseless for a while :'( If anyone knows of a horse for a lease to own, or cheap horse please let me know.
On the bright side I am working on college applications, which are both a bit exciting and scary at the same time. I have also learned about a grooming position that would be awesome!
My friend that recently lost her eventing partner to a neurological disorder. The horse community has really stepped up to help her find a new equine, and with their help she may have found a horse today. I am praying that she did. She really deserves it.
On my own hunt I have spotted some pretty cool horses on dreamhorse.com that may be in my price range because they're neg. to good homes. I also have my eye on one down in Kalispell, so we shall see.
Wishing everyone a better, happier,and successful 2011! If you are already having a year like mine, I have a feeling it is going to turn around for the better!
1. My great- grandma died the first week of the new year, which was really awful :(. It was even more so because we share a birthday, and were pretty close because of that. This year was going to be big for both of us, my 18th and her 80th. She was really sick, and there wasnt anything we could do for her, at least she isn't suffering anymore. Rest In Peace Grandma Pat.
2. Addie's soundness issue(s) have never gotten any better, only worse. We don't think that she will hold up as even a dressage horse, so we are going to do some diagnostic stuff on her hocks to see how bad it has gotten, and find her a nice home as a please/trail horse/broodmare. Damn horses that are supposed to work out and never do, it doesn't help that I love the The Red Mare so much either. If you know of anyone who may be interested please let me know.
3. Last week my hamster died, yeah I know its not THAT big a deal, but it was for me. I had the "little" guy for a few years, and it was kind of a breaking point when he died after everything else that has happened. My life has a major suck factor right now.
4. Being that we probably wont get much for Addie because of her soundness and we are much more interested in finding her a wonderful home, we wont have much to buy me another. So I will probably be horseless for a while :'( If anyone knows of a horse for a lease to own, or cheap horse please let me know.
On the bright side I am working on college applications, which are both a bit exciting and scary at the same time. I have also learned about a grooming position that would be awesome!
My friend that recently lost her eventing partner to a neurological disorder. The horse community has really stepped up to help her find a new equine, and with their help she may have found a horse today. I am praying that she did. She really deserves it.
On my own hunt I have spotted some pretty cool horses on dreamhorse.com that may be in my price range because they're neg. to good homes. I also have my eye on one down in Kalispell, so we shall see.
Wishing everyone a better, happier,and successful 2011! If you are already having a year like mine, I have a feeling it is going to turn around for the better!
Friday, December 24, 2010
2010 Is Almost Over- Its Goal Time
In the last few weeks I have been thinking a lot about the future and the possibilities, both horsie and non.
One of the current issues I have had to deal with has been "solved" and a plan of action has been "developed". Right now I am supposed to be a senior in high school, but because of health problems I am technically a sophomore credit wise. I was hoping to graduate the spring of 2012, but in reality there is a chance I get sick again and that would probably result in delayed graduation...again. So I have made the big decision to get my GED, which has been debated off and on for a few years.
My plan of action is as follows:
1. take the TABY test to see what I need to work on before I take the GED
2. take my GED and pass with flying colors
3.apply and get accepted into college, namely Montana State (I love their equine science/pre vet programs) and that way I can afford to keep my horse and compete
4.take the SAT/ACT
5. and then attend MSU in the fall :)
and above all - pray to God I stay relatively healthy
Horse wise I haven't been able to ride much because of various reasons, but heck thats winter in Montana if you have an indoor or not.
Goals for 2011:
- Get Addie's awesome jumping back and keep it
- work on my release
- get nice, consistent dressage work (mid 30's at least)
- get my C1 in the spring and my C2 later in the summer
- take Addie to our first reg. event and manage to do as well as we do at home
- conquer my fear of Addie bolting by doing LOTS of xc work
- be competing at BN, which means I will be schooling novice
- IF she is doing well go to an easy move up novice level event
- above else staying sound (for both of us, haha) and having fun!
Here's to 2010
One of the current issues I have had to deal with has been "solved" and a plan of action has been "developed". Right now I am supposed to be a senior in high school, but because of health problems I am technically a sophomore credit wise. I was hoping to graduate the spring of 2012, but in reality there is a chance I get sick again and that would probably result in delayed graduation...again. So I have made the big decision to get my GED, which has been debated off and on for a few years.
My plan of action is as follows:
1. take the TABY test to see what I need to work on before I take the GED
2. take my GED and pass with flying colors
3.apply and get accepted into college, namely Montana State (I love their equine science/pre vet programs) and that way I can afford to keep my horse and compete
4.take the SAT/ACT
5. and then attend MSU in the fall :)
and above all - pray to God I stay relatively healthy
Horse wise I haven't been able to ride much because of various reasons, but heck thats winter in Montana if you have an indoor or not.
Goals for 2011:
- Get Addie's awesome jumping back and keep it
- work on my release
- get nice, consistent dressage work (mid 30's at least)
- get my C1 in the spring and my C2 later in the summer
- take Addie to our first reg. event and manage to do as well as we do at home
- conquer my fear of Addie bolting by doing LOTS of xc work
- be competing at BN, which means I will be schooling novice
- IF she is doing well go to an easy move up novice level event
- above else staying sound (for both of us, haha) and having fun!
Here's to 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Long Time, No Post
Since my last post Addie and I have had a few set backs. I have been dealing with health problems, and Addie was having some behavioral issues (which kinda chipped away at the confidence I had gotten back after the accident).
Addie's problems have been pretty much been fixed by moving her to a new barn where she gets almost 24/7 turnout with four other mares, and finally getting to see the pony chiropractor! Both of these things have really helped her tons.
She was so excited the first day she was let out in the pasture by herself (before the she was introduced to the other four mares) that she galloped around it so hard and much that she managed to cut up the insides of both rear cannons. Fortunately they look a lot worse then they really are.
At our new barn we will also be getting 3 lessons a month with our board. I am VERY excited for this, because I have never had lessons on a regular basis except for the short time I was a working student last fall. This will definitely help with us get to the next level!
Addie's problems have been pretty much been fixed by moving her to a new barn where she gets almost 24/7 turnout with four other mares, and finally getting to see the pony chiropractor! Both of these things have really helped her tons.
She was so excited the first day she was let out in the pasture by herself (before the she was introduced to the other four mares) that she galloped around it so hard and much that she managed to cut up the insides of both rear cannons. Fortunately they look a lot worse then they really are.
At our new barn we will also be getting 3 lessons a month with our board. I am VERY excited for this, because I have never had lessons on a regular basis except for the short time I was a working student last fall. This will definitely help with us get to the next level!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Meggan Holloway Clinic
This last weekend I took Addie to the FVPC sponsored Meggan Holloway Clinic. It was both Saturday and Sunday, but I only rode on Saturday. First I had a semi private dressage lesson, and about an hour or so later I had a semi private jumping lesson. Addie was very good for the dressage, but pretty lazy, from now on I will always wear my spurs for dressage. For awhile I had quit wearing them because she was being very responsive, but it didn't last long. Haha.We worked on using her hind end and transitions, she was pretty good.
For my jump lesson we did grids and little courses, the highest jumps being 2'6"- 2'9". She had no problem clearing them, she just was being a compete dork. So I will also start wearing my spurs for jumping again too, because they would definitely help re-enforce my leg aids when she is acting up.This is what she has been doing lately:
This is the after math of a helicopter/deer jump, the nose dive. Because of her current jumping style, Meggan has offered for us to come down and have a mini jumping boot camp. Apparently Meggan's competition horse, Cutter (Addie's half brother), went through this "phase" as well. He is now being campaigned at Training level, trying to qualify for Prelim.
All in all it was very productive, helpful, and fun. I cant wait for next month!
For my jump lesson we did grids and little courses, the highest jumps being 2'6"- 2'9". She had no problem clearing them, she just was being a compete dork. So I will also start wearing my spurs for jumping again too, because they would definitely help re-enforce my leg aids when she is acting up.This is what she has been doing lately:
This is the after math of a helicopter/deer jump, the nose dive. Because of her current jumping style, Meggan has offered for us to come down and have a mini jumping boot camp. Apparently Meggan's competition horse, Cutter (Addie's half brother), went through this "phase" as well. He is now being campaigned at Training level, trying to qualify for Prelim.
All in all it was very productive, helpful, and fun. I cant wait for next month!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Recap
In the last month Addie and I haven't really been able to do much anything because I have been sick off and on, so right now she is fat and happy. I have been lunging her at least twice a week to keep her moving, but it still doesn't cut it, especially with the last mini event of the season at the end of the month. I am pretty disappointed with my self being that I haven't gotten us where we ideally "needed" to be. If I hadn't been sick and had continued our training schedule that we had started at Meggan's back in July we would at least be rocking bn . Right now we only have one smurf (18") under our belt.
Sorry guys, just needed to vent, now on to the good news.
This weekend I am taking Addie to a clinic that Meggan is coming down and teaching. I am going to see where she thinks we are level wise for the up coming mini event. Right now I am guessing that we will probably go smurf again, but that may change.
I am also going to talk to my Pony Club's DC about doing my C1 HM and Flat ratings (PC has a new rating system for those that may not have an appropriate mount for any of the 3 areas that one is rated on) sometime soon, because we are both more than ready for them.
So here are my goals leading up to next spring:
Sorry guys, just needed to vent, now on to the good news.
This weekend I am taking Addie to a clinic that Meggan is coming down and teaching. I am going to see where she thinks we are level wise for the up coming mini event. Right now I am guessing that we will probably go smurf again, but that may change.
I am also going to talk to my Pony Club's DC about doing my C1 HM and Flat ratings (PC has a new rating system for those that may not have an appropriate mount for any of the 3 areas that one is rated on) sometime soon, because we are both more than ready for them.
So here are my goals leading up to next spring:
- Take Addie to the Mini Event at either smurf or bn and end on our dressage score
- Have a dressage score better than 36
- Get my C1 HM and Flat ratings this fall
- Over the winter get both my C2 HM and Flat ratings
- In the spring get both of my C1 and C2 Jumping ratings, so I will have both of the original "eventing" ratings for both Thats all for right now, I will post more soon ;)
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