Swimming and riding

We took the dogs for a swim yesterday and they had a blast. Scout fetched a few times with Murphy but since Murphy is the ultimate swimmer she soon realized she had no chance at retrieving the ball first and soon lost interest in the game. Unfortunately Scout isn't the best listener and completely ignored us when off the leash, so after two chances and wondering if we were going to have to chase her through the hills to catch her, she had to stay on the leash. We are beginning to wonder if she is deaf because when we call her there is NO response. She doesn't even turn her head! She just continues on sniffing and she wanders farther away. We definitely need to work on training her.Murphy waiting for me to throw the ball... It was a beautiful clear day.

We ran across a few trail riders on the way.

I was so happy to get to ride four days in a row in the daylight this weekend! Mazzy has been coming along great. I trotted four poles in a row with her today. Not the most exciting thing, but it was a new thing for her. She was balanced and fluid and completely unfazed. I'm so glad I still have Kylie to ride because a three year old surely is physically and mentally exhausting. This is an example of two seconds of my communication while riding her: keep trotting, yup keep trotting, no don't swing your haunches out - stay straight, over here, over here, good girl, keep trotting, give to the right, bend...no not just your neck, bend around my leg. There are so many things I take for granted on a trained horse! When I bought Kyie she was an unbroke three year old...she sure has come a long way!

I had a great lesson on Kylie today. She was quiet, relaxed and straight with a nice big open stride. Sure is easy and fun when she's like that! Here is one of the courses we did (not exactly to scale).

1a/1b One stride left hand turn to a bounce at the top of the ring (2a/2b). Left hand turn around fence 5 to a long approach to jump fence 3 at an angle. Back through the one stride to the six stride outside line (5 & 6). Up the diagonal in five strides finishing off on the single oxer (9). We also practiced flowing through roll backs because I allow Kylie to stall out in the turn sometimes loosing our momentum. Since her tendency is to drift left I have to make sure on a right rollback I steer out far enough so I can guide her back to the right. If I turn in too soon or cut the turn, I inevitably end up on the left side of the jump.

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This and that

A couple of new pieces.....

From the Heart - Coin Pearl Bracelet

Run Free Equestrian Necklace - Pearls, Peridot & Sterling

The injury a few weeks ago to Mazzy's thigh is still a large hematoma. I had the vet come out for the second time on Friday to look at it and she wants to see if it will go down on its own rather than lancing it and risking infection. It doesn't seem to be bothering Mazzy, I just hope it doesn't get any bigger! I've been cold hosing it, but there isn't much else to do. I had a hematoma on my foot years ago from a horse jumping on it, and it took months to go down...ugh! She must be growing again because she is eating like crazy and not getting fat.

Kylie is doing well and growing hair like crazy. I body clipped her for the second time last week. It is not my favorite activity with all that hair sticking to you. There are some other horses at the barn that are on thier third or fourth body clips for the season. The weather is still gets up in the eighties during the day with temps dipping into the 50s at night, so unless you clip them, you have a very sweaty horse that is impossible to keep clean!

Took the dogs for a fun hike on Sunday with Michele and Baxter (chocolate lab puppy) up to Eaton Canyon waterfall which falls about 30 or so feet. Murphy couldn't wait to get in the water.

A little dexterity is need as the trail crosses the stream several times. I guess my rock hoping skills need some work, because my shoes were soaked by the end.Scout and Murphy, wet and filthy. It was impossible to get all three dogs to sit still long enough to get a photo. I got some extra exercise when I realized I left Murphy's collar and leash at the falls and we were almost back to the trail head. Michele stayed with Baxter and Murphy because they were both wiped out and I ran all the way back to the falls with Scout, about 1 1/2 miles each way. The collar and leash were just where I left them...at the waterfall.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends. Wherever you are and however you celebrate, may it be one that is blessed with plenty and hope for the future. Eat well, drink well, and be merry. If you are traveling please be safe.

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Happy Friday the 13th!

Lately I have been a bit overwhelmed with a big project at work that has been requiring overtime, my two horses which I ride and take care of every night after work (in the dark), and trying to maintain some sort of social life with my husband. This isn't leaving much time for blogging (or jewelry making), I am sorry. I feel like I have been in a constant state of catch up. Hopefully I will be back soon.

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Lilac, Lavender and Love

My Lilac Purple Chalcedony Earrings were featured in a treasury! Thanks skart shop for such a lovely treasury!

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Another frustrating injury!

I got a call from the barn manager on Friday while I was at work about a bump on Mazzy's thigh. I was told that the groom decided to lunge her to see if she was lame, which really isn't a decision the grooms would normally make (I find out later that he either he did not notice it before he decided to lunge her or she slipped while lunging and got the "bump" and is afraid to say that). It didn't sound terribly serious from what they told me on the phone, so I figured they would do what they thought best to treat her. I called a friend of mine who happened to be at the barn at that time and asked her to take a look and give me her opinion. She is very knowledgeable with loads of experience. I would trust her more than anyone with the care of my horses. The "bump" was really a nearly football sized swelling. She sent me a photo and videos over the phone (can't figure out how to post the videos)....Mazzy was put back in her stall without wraps, so my wonderful friend wrapped her legs to prevent the swelling from settling down in her legs and causing more problems. She also gave her 2 bute to help with the swelling and pain. I was so grateful she was looking after her, since I was stuck at work. I do not know exactly what happened because I have heard a couple of different versions of the order of events. I do know there was quite a bit of swelling on Friday and it dissipated by Saturday morning, and then more so by Sunday. There is still quite a bit of swelling, but it is not as centralized. She is sore at the walk, and isn't thrilled when you palpate the area. There is a knot in the middle of the swelling which is sensitive to her, and there are a few small scratches/scuffs over the area which may be related. I have been cold hosing, hand walking, using Surpass (topical anti-inflammatory cream), and giving her 2 bute a day for the past couple of days. I really wish I knew if she fell down lunging, got cast in her stall, or got bit by a spider. If it doesn't get better by tomorrow, I'm going to be calling the vet AGAIN for another visit to see Mazzy. All of these injuries are really getting me concerned about her safety.

Puncture Wound

Cast in the turnout

Skinned hair off both hips

Gashes on both sides of her face

Swollen back leg, probably from getting cast in her stall (now there are permanent lumps there)

The horses consumed most of the day on Saturday and Sunday, but I did go to a fun costume party Saturday night...

Sunday afternoon we went to Olvera street for the Day of the Dead celebration (All Souls' Day). It is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and by Latin Americans living in the US focusing on family and friends praying for and remembering friends and family members who have died. The celebration occurs on Oct 31, Nov 1st & 2nd in connection with the Catholic holiday of All Saints' Day which occurs on Nov 1st, and All Souls' Day which occurs on Nov 2nd. Olvera Street is the oldest part of downtown LA, which was converted to a colorful Mexican marketplace in 1930. People paint their faces to look like skeletons, there is music, dancers, lots of alters and shrines are set up for people who have passed, and everyone is selling candy skulls. It was interesting...

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