Monday, June 7, 2010

We have wax!

Yay! Daya started waxing up a little on Saturday, just small beads but this morning it is full blown. I also noticed Sunday she started dripping milk a little. A foggy white color so I know we are getting closer. This morning it looked like pure colostrum. She also has a huge shelf of edema on her belly since Saturday night. I have been giving her time off, just letting her hang out and do her own thing for the past two weeks but tonight I may hand walk her around the barn a little.


As for "Katie" the new mare, I have had her in the round pen and she is doing well. She catches on fast and has turned into little miss attitude (but in a good way). It is a challenge to keep her tuned into me but that will get better with time. My farrier Mike came out last week and worked on her hooves. She did great but her hooves are in less than ideal condition. She has no heel, flared on the back and one of her front feet is bigger than the rest due to not being trimmed/balanced and her hoof wall spreading out as a result of trying to compensate for it. Nothing major that will cause her lameness but it erks me that her previous owner has so many horses and doesn't keep them on a regular trimming schedule. On the bright side Mike did say she has incredibly tough soles and her frogs look wonderful considering she has no heel.

I have also saddled her up and taken her for a few rides in the round pen. She needs work but is so gentle and willing. I've been trying different bits and hackamore on her because the pallet/roof of her mouth is the lowest Ive ever seen. She is very stiff, doesn't like giving her face to you when asked and has no idea about leg pressure or responding to your seat. She also will not walk forward with a gentle squeeze. You literally have to kick! Poor girl, I can only imagine how many times she had a beginner kick the crap out of her because they didn't know any better. (Oh and did I mention they let beginners ride her in a tomb thumb! grrr No wonder she is so stiff and braces against the bit.) My farrier also said he used to do a few of her previous owners horses a few years ago and that 9 times out of 10 they were always "ridden hard a put away wet"! Not anymore, my barn must feel like staying at the Ritz for my two gals compared to their old homes.

I also need help naming this girl. She is really laid back and LOVES water. The water hose is her favorite thing ever and she will play with it nonstop if you let her. Cant think of anything....


1 comment:

  1. Come on baby! How exciting.

    Katie must love your place compared to her previous home. Thank goodness you know what you are doing and recognize her potential. BTW, "Nixie" means water sprite in German, "Shasha" means precious water. :-)

    ReplyDelete