Pony Pressure

I first wanted to apologize for my lack of pictures this week. I always have my camera in my bag, but I just haven't been pulling it out. Here! Just to add color to the blog on this rainy Thursday morning. Plus, I'm pretty sure this is what my biggest fear is taking Denali on trails. She'll see a branch and be convinced it's a horse eating llama, very scary.

I posted on my facebook asking for ideas for Denali's dominance in the paddocks. My old trainer suggested that I put her in with a more dominate horse. She told me all about her horse, and how he use to be so mean to everyone, but once she put him in with a more dominate one that changed forever. Great idea! I asked her who she put him in with....Denali...sigh... not the answer that I wanted.

Someone else I use to board with suggested Regumate. Don't think we're there yet.

The someone said that it had nothing to do with her being a mare and it was because she was a race horse. I don't usually publicly tell people that they are !@#$ idiots, but I couldn't help myself. Her behavior has everything to do with the fact that she's a mare. Seriously?

The fugly blog yesterday posted about using a shock collar. I had to laugh when I read her post because I was just suggested by someone to use one of these on Denali. This won't be happening unless I have exhausted every possible alternative (including regumate and moving barns) and she could possibly hurt herself bad (aka: .1% chance.) My biggest fear is the fact that she'll take off like a bat out of hell and hurt herself. I have no doubt that she'll know exactly why she got the shock. She's a very smart horse. Almost I wouldn't doubt that she'll be able to figure out a way to get it off.

My trainer moved some horses around yesterday and Denali was behaved. I hope this is a fix. I love my barn and don't want to leave, but I also want everyone safe.

The "other" trainer came out yesterday to ride some horses. I had her put another ride on Denali. She mentioned to my trainer that she needs more hot wire out there, and that will fix it. My trainer was trying to use the argument that she could get tangled in it, but the "other" trainer said that she's not using the right hotwire then. It should break. I walked away at that point.

Denali was in a great mood yesterday! I went to get her from her paddock and she stood perfectly still while I took her blanket off. I love that you can tell from her facial expression what kind of day she's having. I guess yesterday she was a bit of a pill for her lessee. I said it was probably because she had a bad day on the "playground."

She did a great job for the "other" trainer. I asked my trainer again about having her (the "other" trainer) put a few more rides on her. She's been feeling bummed lately. Between the bit controversy of 2010 and my crabbiness over my demolition horse I haven't been the nicest person (and usually I'm always super nice.) My trainer said with a very sad look on her face that a few rides were fine, but that she's be back to riding soon. I am afraid she's going to push herself before she's ready. If I broke my femur I'm pretty sure I'd still be in bed refusing to move. She's a tough woman.

But, like most people, I have to do what is best for my horse. Ugh. Having two trainers in the same arena kind of reminds me of putting Betta's bowls next to each other. I don't know if that makes any sense.

Off to spend more money on the stupid horse. I'm looking at boots. Frizzle, I have seen in cataloges some of the boots you were talking about. I want ones that will keep the heat off her leg. That is all she needs. I might just get ankle boots and see how much protection those provide. She's also out of Vit. E, and I'm back on my quest for a different joint supplement. She's on Trifecta, but I always wonder if there is something else I should have her on. I talked to Smartpak, not the biggest help. :(

Vitamin D

I love the Sun! I love walking out of work at 6pm and not having it be pitch black. Aww! Sun! This means that I can go to the barn, get my horse, and actually do something with her before the sun sets! Thankfully!

I didn't go to the barn yesterday, I had my car packed to go, but had a last minute meeting that went to 5:30. By the time I drove an hour, I would only be able to stay for 30 or so minutes. Blah! I have already called and plan on riding out tomorrow with Ophelia's mom.

Sunday when I ran out to the barn, Ms. Denali was carrying around a stick (about three feet long) in her mouth shaking at Ophelia. It looked funny (and unsafe) it looked like she was scolding Ophelia. Denali loves wood. She is always chewing on trees, stumps, etc. I think my trainer has put the quit-it chew stopper on half the barn. She KNOWS that she's not allowed to chew on the wood, and when you let her go in the arena she'll trot over to the edge, look back at you and quickly take a chunk. Again, cute, but not okay.


Bought her some more Trifecta yesterday. I'm now on my quest for different joint supplements. She gets some vitamins already in her grain, but I'm not sure what the numbers are. She gets good hay, so I don't think she needs all the vitamins (Trifecta, if you're not failure with it has vitamins, joints, and Biotin for their feet.) It's about $2.00 a day for just the Triefecta. I'm just wondering if I can do better.

I'm thinking of going to just a joint supplement, and skipping the vitamins. I still give her the Vitamin E, and will continue to do so for a least a year due to the EPM. I want to make sure that she's healthy, and that is suppose to help. The other thing that I am still giving her, and have learned to love is Ex-Stress. I call it her pony tang. It's bright orange and I this picture does it no justice.


I wish I knew an equine nutritionist. Someone who could answer all my questions. I can figure most things out, but it's still interesting to hear other people's ideas and thoughts.