Cooler weather

I always have the best of intentions when it comes to keeping up with this but alas and alack life gets in the way. Nothing truly earth shattering to mention regarding D. He is happy and healthy and navigating poles pretty well. Today was not a great day, he was hitting them, etc... but in general his feet look for them and he navigates really well.

Last Monday in our lesson, Kim had us do two sets in a row. He did great, totally up for it. He does have trouble though getting over more than one pole, he doesn't lift wide enough and ends up in between them. Not sure if that's something I'll keep fighting with him.

We've been riding with a good bit of activity around us in and out of the ring and he has handled himself pretty well.

We have not cantered in a long time, my choice, not sure why I've made this choice and if its good or not. He canters a lot on the longe line but its also where he leans in the most. I guess the majority of the reason we don't do it is my apprehension which I probably need to get over. He nearly tipped over last week when he decided to run the show, got his attention quite quickly. :)

In other news he has a new pasture neighbor, Julian. They seem to be quite the buddies. :)

When you travel...

The end of July leading into August were busy for me with a quick trip home and then out to Chicago. D was off for basically 2 weeks. Kara, a young lady from the barn, took him out to graze and groomed him and all that but he didn't have to exert a whole lot of effort. Which is why getting on him, even thought it was a thousand degrees out, after said time off, was not the wisest of choices. I came off and have a pretty messed up left pinky finger due from the rein twisting and a very sore left leg. I think I got stuck in the stirrup or just on the saddle due to how sweaty I was. Based on how my leg feels I'm thinking I got stuck on the saddle because I definitely twisted my hip flexors.... sigh.

The good news is that once I get on him (hurts a ton to lift my leg) it doesn't hurt to ride. But today trotting to the right was apparently super complicated for him but thanks to a conversation I had just had with Sarah about how we have to listen to our horses. (She was telling me how this prevents coming off, too. :)) I decided that if we couldn't do a decent circle to the right at a walk we really had no business trying it at the trot. So I focused on that and took him over a pole several times to re-focus him, by the way "step- up" has been the perfect verbal cue for him. :) We never did trot to the right after he tried to buck for the second time this week, but we did get a pretty decent walk circle to the right with a relaxed horse and rider still intact.

Success...

This just in...

I am tardy in my posts and this will be short.

Last Monday in our lesson D and I started going over a pole. Yes, just one :)

I know I know, he used to fox hunt but this was huge because he is going

to have to learn to pick up his feet when I tell him to. Its going to take awhile

but he started concentrating and I got the BEST trot from him. Not sure if I've

ever rode him with a trot like that. Now, after writing the post about his verbal

cues I'm wondering if I need to change my command since he already lifts his

feet to another command, hmmm, time to ask Kim... Anyways...

Is the goal jumping?- nope, not right now. But we had to stop working on this when he was

not completely blind because he kept approaching the poles like a 4 foot jumps... so, yep, that's it. He looked like quite the dressage horse on Monday, at least, he felt like one...

Voice Cues...

Kim has been asking me to post all the verbal cues I use with D... I am going to attempt to list and explain... sounds a little like annotating :)

When coming out of the stall or going over something that requires him to really lift- STEP UP is what I tell him. Maybe I should use that instead of pole.... whatcha think Kim?

When coming up to something to step over I tell him to SCOOT UP

All riding commands like walk, trot, etc... are done verbally as well as with my legs like normal.

When he needs to stop because he's about to run into something I say- GATE, This started with his need to stop at the gate hence the word. :)

When dealing with a tight space to turn around I put my hand on his left shoulder and tell him to-PIVOT

When he is being silly I ask him for his ears and always tell him to FOCUS

On the lunge (how in the world do you spell that word??) line I keep the whip constantly tapping and a running dialogue so he knows where I am. He still doesn't always do this right but I use the whip and the word OUT in an attempt to keep him from running in to me.

He gets a lot of "no sir" and "listen up"

I tell him when we're going through a dip in the ground as well as when we're about to go up hill. Whenever I take him out I take him by his hay and then make noise in the water by splashing in it- this does get cold in the winter.

D has adapted really amazingly the last few months. He keeps his nose to the ground when figuring out where he's going and bumping things doesn't stress him out the way it used to. He leads with his toe when stepping and so while he is still a bit uncoordinated he doesn't appear to be falling like he was.

I pretty much am always talking to my horse. Which helps me to remember what I have to remind him about but even more importantly it keeps his ears focused on listening to me rather than jumping to every other sound he hears. I'm sure there are other cues I use that I am unaware of but here's the main ones...enjoy!

Summer Work

Demetrias' favorite thing in the world is sun baking in the sand. I've mentioned this before. Last week I was out of town for several days and so our routine was thrown off and he has yet to recover. Now I am VERY aware that we had a full moon, 2 eclipses and a lot of storms. The ground feels different to him right now and all of the above things affect him. But this has been a rather ridiculous riding week. Monday I came off because he bucked or something without any warning. If I could fall off that way every time I would be happy to fall off routinely. There were no flips involved and I landed lightly on my feet and then fell onto my butt. He proceeded to trot away towards the gate (rather than run) and I called to him "gate" inside the ring he can't do much damage, out of the ring there are many things to run into which naturally, stresses him and I out. As soon as his dangling reins touched the braided twine gate, he stopped- good boy!
Tuesday he got off easily since a friend came to visit him so he mostly followed me around the ring. Wed he totally got the day off because of the storm that blew in. And Thursday and Friday were 2 of the most unbalanced and unfocused rides, ever!!!
Friday he got his butt kicked on the lunge line because it was either slow walk or buck... sheesh. Hoping today will be better. I know he is bound to have these days and that we are dealing with a learning process but somedays its super frustrating.

Where did the month of May go??

I am not entirely sure where the month of May went??? BUT it is the ending of school is always extremely insane and so I guess that's where all the time went...
Demetrias is doing really well as of late. We're dealing with the insane heat and Kim has been patiently working me through all the basics things that he needs. My goal has been to ride him about 5 times a week even if its only 15-20 minutes. He has been doing well however I think one of the biggest things that has changed is my outlook.
Three weeks ago I was an overwhelmed owner of a blind horse. Two weeks ago Kim put me on a different horse because D hadn't been worked in 4 days because I was out of town... something in my brain clicked. I was able to view my horse not as his caregiver but as his rider. It sounds dumb and extremely simple but its exactly what I have been waiting for I just didn't know it. He is blind and needs special care but he is willing and able to work for which I am grateful.
Today we worked on canter transitions quite a bit and because I have spent a lot of time observing my horse I was able to remind myself that although his left canter feels HUGE it isn't really and D will in fact stop when asked.
This is short and random but this is where the month of May and beginning of June has taken D and I...

Spring Break

I am on Spring Break this week and let me tell you I have never looked so forward to it. I am sad to say that it is already Thursday evening but I love teaching so this too shall pass. On Monday D and I had our lesson with Kim which went very well and he was decent despite his lack of focus and the windy conditions. At one point he had an in place bucking temper tantrum which decided we would wait on canter. However, we did some decent (Kim said) figure 8's and I felt good about his energy and ride-ability level. Tuesday I came out to ride and timed it perfectly with camp girls coming out of the arena. D and I essentially had it to ourselves and with the jumps being mostly out it seemed we had TONS of room. D was happy and attentive and willing to move and so, we cantered. Just on the left lead, just for a few strides, just asked him on two occasions but he did it without an explosion, without bucking me off, without being able to see, really... that's the first time under saddle in several (dare I say 6) months.
I felt like my face was going to split in two.
Baby steps, learning everything new. So grateful that my big, huge, blind thoroughbred is willing to move forward... I remembered how much I loved cantering and can't wait for more...
We haven't had a chance yet, he was too unfocused yesterday and today he had spring shots and his feet trimmed so I didn't bother, but I feel certain we are just beginning and that is indeed exciting!!
I've included a picture of D's delight in the new sand. :)

Its been a year...

A year ago, April 5th, it was a Monday D and I made our way, accompanied by the Sayer family, to NC State to figure out what exactly was going on with him. I remember riding the day before not sure when I would ride again and feeling hope that maybe they wouldn't find anything or find something easy. Roger generously drove and Shady helped me keep my head. Jacob didn't have much choice :) but was a trooper napping whenever he could.
We have made it through the year with quite a few bumps and bruises and many tears on my part, but D is whole and healthy and adjusting to life without site relatively well for an 11 year old thoroughbred with excess energy. :) Just this week D was cast in his stall and scraped up his right front leg and above his left eye which is essentially dead anyways. As is usual for my horse, treating his leg was extremely stressful for him but his eyes were no big deal at all. Try putting medicine on his leg and he panics, above his eye, all is well- what a goober. :)He likes to nap during the day and doesn't usually get cast but he is large, cannot see and has Grace to think about. We're not sure if its Gracie's fault or not, we'll see...
I am grateful for his health and all the people who add to his longevity. We shall see what this next year holds...

And so it goes...

I've been meaning to blog for several days however life is busy and so it goes. :) Nothing terribly earth shattering to report other than the fact that D and I are in rather regular training and somedays it goes well and other days are a bit more
interesting. :) On Wednesday there was a lot going on and D expressed his concern with a pretty good buck but thankfully my
heels were down and I was sitting up straight so I mostly looked cool. :) When he reacted a second time I moved to the other end of the arena.
D and Gracie have been hanging out a lot. She hangs out in the stall with him and runs all around without affecting him a whole lot. I am hoping her antics will start to de-sensitize himto some of the random noises that occur around in the barn. We shall see...
Once we get fencing figured out she'll spend time outside with him as well which I'm hoping will help with her energy level- we've created a bit of a monster- she is SUCH a happy goat. So that I don't bore anyone I will end here since I don't really have anything relevant to say. Enjoy the photos.

Demetrias' Gracie

My mind is a muddy mess of thoughts. The weather is completely messing up my plan for this week, sigh... It seems as soon as I get back into a routine the weather gets bad or my schedule explodes. Such is life... tonight is one such occasion.

Gracie is getting bigger and much more comfortable around the horses. We have not solved the coyote problem so for now she stays in and is not with Demetrias which is sad but cannot be avoided. I wish I had a picture of them interacting but instead I will include a few of her. She knows her name now and has become hard to photograph, she'll do about anything for a piece of granola bar. :)
I let Gracie loose on Sunday and had D out for her to interact with. She doesn't like to be by herself and so letting her loose went just fine. As she and D were hanging out she stood on her hind legs, tail wagging, to touch his nose, wish I'd had my camera. D thinks she is wonderful and she is wise but extremely comfortable around him. I need to attach a bell to her harness so that he can keep track of her.

D learned quite clearly why it is important to listen when on the longe line. We've had a lot of rain as of late and he completely wiped out on Saturday. I was just getting ready to stop because he wasn't listening and was in such a small circle he was either going to kick me, bow a tendon or, well, fall. If a horse can look mortified my horse personified it. I hated to see it but at the same time it was going to happen eventually.

On Monday after 4 days off due to weather and life we had a pretty successful lesson and I finally know how to do a turn on the forehand which is rather exciting. He was relaxed and patient and never once tossed his head in frustration which was encouraging.

In short, our journey continues. Some days are bumpier than others but we now have a year under our belt. March 4, 2010 was the day D received stitches for an accident in the field and the cloudiness in his eyes was noticed. He is a year older and we are both getting wiser in handling his impairment. He is healthy and happy and those are things we wish for any horse not just one who has to see with his skin and ears rather than his eyes...

D got his goat

Doesn't that sounds funny? I really wanted to say she got his goat, but that really doesn't make any sense. Last Sunday Demetrias got Gracie. She is about 2 months and hasn't been introduced to her entire role as of yet but she is settling in well. The teens at the barn are helping to acclimate her and all of us are playing w/her. I am picking everyone's brains on how best to teach her to lead. The best suggestion seems to be food. :) Rachel taught a pig to lead this way and so I feel its plausible.
Last night D and I had our first lesson with Kim in several months and ya know what? It went alright. I really hit a wall about a week ago. Now that he is essentially okay I have "time" to process what it is exactly we're doing and the horse I have been essentially saddled with. Now that I'm not worrying about every move he makes I can't believe everything we went through the past year and while D doesn't require my attention every day he does need to be worked.
Now that my schedule has chilled a bit and the weather isn't quite so horrific we're back into a routine which often involved longing so that he can get his energy out. Just like a kid if he has too much energy he can't really focus which makes for a frustrating and sometimes dangerous ride for me. So, my horse gets really sweaty running. "like a racehorse" on the longe line several times a week. This energy out allows a successful ride to happen despite how inadequate I feel (finally admitted to Kim). Sigh....
We worked on a circle, so I am in pain because anyone who knows, knows that circle work is HARD. Its just a circle, yes but have you ever tried to do a really great circle? Its challenging. However, for the first time ever I was able to put my legs in front and behind the girth (like you're supposed to) but stay up and actually feel my horse respond to it. When his hips unlocked- I FELT it.
Are we ready for a 4th level dressage test- NOPE, not even close, but my essentially blind horse is moving forward with an ease that I thought we lost 2 months ago. We have a lot of work ahead but as Kim said, "This is the good part, he has a lot of life a head of him, don't panic when its the easy/good part." I have an amazing trainer!!

Happy Birthday!

Demetrias turned 11 years old last Friday, January 28. Life has been quite hectic which I know is not new but as such, this is the first I've been able to update. I was in Kiawah presenting at a conference so the day passed as any other for him. :) I however, have been reflecting on his last year of life. It has been a long one.
In March Demetrias ran into a stick or something creating a large cut by his eye which was in need of stitches, which brought the vet out, which led to the chronic uveitis discovery...
Last year was filled with: hand- walking, night turn outs, fly masks, A LOT of medicine, so many people helping to care for my horse, a lot of tears, learning to be an expert with a syringe, learning a lot about eye medicines, a trip to NC State, trailering, questions, questions and more questions, switching to a hackamore, being content at the walk, a second trip to NC State, leaving, trusting, longing, carrots, dialogue when riding, figuring out how to keep a horse out on a circle when you are his anchor, saying goodbye to ever jumping, new perspective, carrots, dialogue, TRUST.
I got on D's back today after a decent longing session to get some of his vinegar out. He made it through the longing w/out having a whinnying fit. On him the focus was a calm and rounded up neck at the walk. Haven't trotted under saddle for several weeks. :( I love my horse but I haven't the foggiest idea what I'm doing and this week, that's hard...
But, this week is nearly over.

When Snow Falls...

When South Carolina gets snow the world shuts down. Being from Ohio this is always quite incredible to me however, they don't have the ability to clear roads so I am grateful as well. After 2 days cooped up in the house I ventured out into the snow and headed for the stables. D was quite happy in his stall with his blanket on but was glad to get out and walk in it. His thought of snow is that it is there for him to eat (what isn't?) and should be enjoyed most thoroughly.
That first day I just took him around a few times because it was about time for him to eat but the crunching of the ice over the surface of the snow didn't bother him in the least. He's originally from KY so he's dealt with snow before but many things appear to scare him now that he can't see them as well if at all. I sort of wondered if the whiteness helped...
The second day I took him out we spent more time walking (me slipping) and then he eventually figured that me pulling the ice off the snow for him to eat was entirely more effective then his pawing and coming up w/just the arena sand.
The majority of the snow melted away with in the next few days leaving us with a whole lot of MUD... I decided to get on him despite his lack of work this past week, well let's be serious the last 2 months between my schedule and the weather.
Kim had talked to us about setting goals for our rides in the past and I thought of that, that morning. The goal for that Saturday- a decent forward walk w/a relaxed neck despite all the activity of the morning and the funky footing. :) We managed and I found myself feeling not like a scaredy cat rider. I KNOW I am not I am making good choices for my horse. But when there is so much working at just the walk and trot after having been at a higher level my mind tends to deceive me at times.
Yes, D and I were getting slightly more advanced before all this hit... well this is now and so we shift... my horse is requiring me to slow down and re-visit long ago mastered behavior that is now needing to be re-validated. He knows he is mine and as our farrier commented the other day "he's kept his head in and minded his business until you got here." When I am there he is looking, not necessarily needing me, just wondering what I'm up to. He is very aware of the fact that me being there doesn't automatically mean work for him which I guess is good.
I am his person and he is a very happy horse despite not being able to see a whole heck of a lot and so we step back and start over with the cards we've been dealt.
As they say you don't get to pick the cards you're dealt but you do get to pick how you play them (or something like that).

Lessons I'm learning

Riding a horse that is essentially blind lends itself to a lot of learning. I don't think I am anywhere near being done learning but here are a few of the things I am learning:

TRUST!!!
This is huge. If I am on the ground w/D he is so much braver maybe because we're on the same ground and so if I say things are okay he believe me more or maybe its because it takes the pressure off of him needing to behave since I am on his back. I am trying to understand his thought process. If I were blind and being asked to do things with the sighted person on top of me and essentially behind me, how would I behave?

D has always been easy to longe( work from the ground on a long line in a circle). Even when he is acting up bucking and kicking he rarely pulls and stays in his circle. Not so much anymore. He has a hard time staying away from me and in order to guide him I keep pretty tight contact so that I can half halt him and everything. He is so busy paying attention to things happening around him but is still being worked in a circle so that when we stop he looks drunk because he works on a slant. This struggle makes a lot more sense to me. If I couldn't see I would want to be right next to the voice guiding me but instead I am pushing him away. I can't explain that I still have him and my voice and hands can guide at a distance which means I have to show him which gets hard if he won't move away from me. He has worked on the longe a lot and so eventually habit and training kick in.

Coming in and out of his stall has started to become difficult but its because he is trying to figure out what to do. Rather than waiting for me to tell him to "step up" he has lately been jumping the gun and then messes himself and often trips or even falls which of course he (and I) don't like. Plus, if you've been by D you know that he sighs audibly at me like I was the one who didn't listen. This becomes complicated because I am trying to do everything exactly the same so that he can start making the decisions himself just like a blind person uses their cane, however, he doesn't have a cane and he isn't quite independent of me yet. In many ways he never will be.

Sunday afternoons used to involve him having some time loose in the jump arena where he could graze and roll as I finished up work for the day. That is no longer fun for him. As I was taking Ayla to the pasture he heard me and attempted to follow but not along the fence line his plan was to walk out and follow (not real sure how that would've gone). Thankfully he listened to my voice telling him to stop because of the "gate" and then Catherine grabbed him and put him back in cross-ties. Lesson learned- D would prefer company his solo life has greatly decreased.

So, those are a few lessons learned. I will have to polish this up for Kim :) but here are a few of my initial thoughts.
TRUST!!

The adventure continues...

Demetrias' leg is finally beginning to heal but looks pretty gross still. Its right where he bends his leg so it constantly opens. Riding has been extremely tough as of late.
Since we don't know a lot about chronic uveitis and I am not a doctor I am just guesstimating here. I feel like D's vision has changed as in he has less. He has always been willing to move forward but the last few weeks he has been questioning where I am placing him. He is very alert and pays attention to nearly everyone except for me which makes riding rather hazardous.
Due to his desire to listen to everything he is extremely crooked. His front and back end are going to different ways.
So, lessons have scaled back considerably, right now the focus is on getting him to bend again and to slow and speed up with my seat. He is perfectly happy to not work but at the same time does seem to want to work when we get moving. He wants to trust and learn but you can tell that all his instincts are having an argument.
Today was extremely windy but I tacked up anyways knowing we wouldn't accomplish much. I put his christmas present from Kim on too, a quarter sheet, figured if the flapping didn't bother him it was something else for him to get used to.
He handled the flapping and jumps falling really well but we stayed at a walk. His neck was decently relaxed today and so we continue w/our baby steps.