Dentist day

The equine dentist came today.

First up was Bracken, who needed a little touch up to his front teeth and a couple of hooks on his molars corrected.

Gruella was next. He also needed very little work, though got lightly sedated so he didn't fight with the gag. He also had some small hooks on his back teeth and a slight asymmetry between the left and right chewing teeth.

Chico was checked but the dentist said he didn't need to do anything this time. His bite was good, the angles on his teeth were good, he didn't have any hooks to deal with.

It was about the same for Fonteyn. She had extensive work done last year after she arrived with Peggy. All of her teeth angles were incorrect (and none of them matched the rest, either) and her top front teeth were too sloped forward which meant a hook had developed on the front edge. This year, she has worn her teeth evenly, her bite is good, her angles are good, she doesn't have any hooks. The only thing the dentist commented on was the tightness in her poll, between the back edge of the mandible, the atlas and the temporal bone (sort of running along, beneath the vertebrae). There was a rope-like muscle tightness/knot, which will be contributing to her not being freely able to turn her head from side to side. He suggested some gentle exercises and massage before she is ridden. It also explains why she is so much better after CR exercises like elephant's trunk, trace the arc, and any equal and opposing stretches involving the head and neck (even the very first exercise, cheek press).

Finally, it was Sully's turn. The dentist was quite surprised as Sully's age according to me (12), as his teeth looked much older (15+). In the past, Sully has lost one of his front teeth. He will also have had extensive (perhaps overly so) work done on his teeth, which contributes to the teeth appearing older than the horse is supposed to be. As such, the dentist didn't want to do very much work, but he did have some minor corrections to make to the front teeth (especially to the bottom tooth below the missing top tooth, as there is no opposing pressure so the bottom tooth keeps erupting but does not get worn - it can grow to a large hook if not kept in line with dentistry) and the right molars, which were developing a hook on the cheek side. Sully was lightly sedated as the dentist wanted to give him a positive experience and neither of us knew what he would think of the rasping or the gag. After some initial moving around, Sully settled and stood perfectly still with his head nice and low.

I hung around until Sully was a little brighter before turning all the horses out into the field.

After lunch and catching up on emails, I made pastry for the blackberries I picked yesterday. I am somewhat hesitant about pastry as I haven't made it many times before AND I was using a gluten-free flour mix (which I have never done before). It was too wet for my liking after mixing, so I threw it back in the fridge to rest for half an hour which seems to have solved that problem. Meanwhile the blackberries look positively amazing. They are macerating in a mixture of sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest and cornflour (to help thicken the juice when the pie is cooked).

For dinner I cooked the last piece of steak (it did four different meals), with some lightly fried slices of zucchini, served with a mix of some rice, about 1/3 of a cob of corn (cut off), some fresh herbs (thyme, chives and something that must be marjoram or similar) and some cottage cheese. It was really yummy!

Here's dinner. I took a pic of the corn/herbs/cottage cheese mixture by itself as it looked so pretty in the plate.

Here is the pie, as I made it. I didn't plan to make both pies today (just roll out the pastry and leave the second shell chilling for later) but the batch of blackberries I'd mixed up was way too much for the first pie alone... I should have planned to see what half looked like, but didn't, so one is FULL of fruit and the other has a scant amount. I am sure they will taste delicious, regardless!

Remember these?

They became this...

While this...

Became this!

And together...

Add some heat and voila!

I can't wait to sample the pie tomorrow.

Three-day catch up

I planned to do a short day at the barn on Wednesday, as I knew I had to catch up with the working student before me, Devan. I ended up talking to her for a lot longer (she is great!) so changed plans to a "computer" day so I could do some work on the Working Student Program documents. Then I had the concert which consumed my evening and night.

Thursday started with a partly intentional, partly unintentional sleep in. Intentional because I didn't get to bed until 1.30am. Unintentional, because my NZ mobile, who's only function at present is to be my alarm clock, went flat without me realising, so I woke up at 8-something am when the room got light. Josie and I stayed in bed until our tummies started rumbling. She got her usual dog biscuits while I made (turkey) bacon and eggs (I don't DISlike the turkey bacon but real bacon is so much more satisfying!). We made it to the barn around 10.30am.

I took Fon into the arena with her CR halter and bridle, to start with some groundwork. She has been doing so well out in the field but I thought it was high time we went back to the arena. I practised walking in connection (she is SO much better at this now, doesn't toss her head constantly, and some days, not at all), walking with hip press (1 and 2 lines) and 2 line walking to sideways (she was great to the right, but slightly fussy to the left, which is her stickier shoulder).

Fon was absolutely fantastic under saddle. She is starting to offer a head down stretch (long/loose rein) of her own accord. Combing settles her instantly if she jigs at all. I felt she was balanced enough to ask for a trot transition to the left, which was OK (she didn't instantly go hollow or get too rushy and the transitions up and down were quite nice). We ended with a couple of walk-halt transitions which were very nice.

I need to remember to keep the rein connection steady (not too loose) - it helps if I don't wear my groundwork gloves while riding - and also focus on asking her to come up into the bridle, so to speak, by asking for her hindquarters with a wiggle while containing the front end (still letting her telescope).

Sully and I did some groundwork with him wearing his halter. I also put the roller bit on (Linda Tellington-Jones' design, very well balanced) so he had something else to think about. The roller bit can be ridden in, though I've only ever used it for groundwork (and I don't think I've ever done groundwork "from" the bit, preferring to only have the horse wear the bit while I continue to work off the halter and rope). He was a lot softer wearing the bit.
I played around with walking in connection with 1,2,3,4 presses, shoulder press, and using the wand to get two or three places at once (eg the wand's knob, my hand, and the thin end of the wand touching different areas). He does very well with the reminders of "head down" on his head, neck and shoulders.



Peggy called in the evening and was really pleased with my feedback. She suggested I try a neck ring with Fon to help give her a steady connection in the trot, and remind her to let the base of her neck go. She was also pleased about me using the roller bit as Sully needs to be taken through non-habitual processes.


Today Chico was first up. He was not QUITE as good as Tuesday. I say that because, though he was very soft and willing, I had to work to get his right shoulder unstuck. I did groundwork from his bridle incl out/in/sideways (he is better travelling to the left, due to the stickier right shoulder falling in/not moving over when travelling to the right). Before I took him out I thought I might canter him, which didn't happen in the end. I spent quite a lot of time in walk (his walk has improved so much: he is more out/down to begin, his base is higher, he isn't diving onto his forehand so much, and he can keep his head down more consistently through changes of direction). Then the same in trot. I need to remember the same things as Fon, just executed in a slightly different way: capture the hind legs, contain the front end (and my elbows!), remember my extreme rotation and wiggle wiggle to get his hind end moving up into the bridle.

Sully also came out for groundwork. He was better today than yesterday - softer, more attentive, and head lower with fewer reminders from me. I like this sort of reaction after the horses have worn the roller bit. I did the same presses as yesterday, along with hip press and holding his tail in connection.
Following a suggestion from Peggy, today I rode Sully for the first time. I kept it short (10 minutes) and sweet (nice and easy work) as I don't know him and he is not riding fit following time off.
Sully responds better to "true" rotation (rotation in the direction of travel) than counter (my rotation is opposite, or counter, to the horse's direction of travel).

Finally, Karen took Bracken and I took Fonteyn onto the trail, in-hand. Fon is not ready to be ridden out there, but that doesn't mean she can't get used to the environment and broaden her horizons. It was lovely to have the support of Karen to make the process easier on Fon. We led most of the way. She was totally chilled and completely happy, even when Bracken dropped back a little (on purpose). When we followed Bracken, she was a tiny bit more rushy in her effort to keep up with him. All in all, I am very pleased with her attitude today. It shows she is more comfortable in her own skin and progressing to a point where she can be a much more "involved" member of the CEI team.

I caved at the heat and bought ice cream on the way home. Also, I should not buy ice cream when I'm hot and tired and hungry, because I couldn't 't pass up the two for $7 special on the tubs that normally cost $5.99 (hey, any other tub would have been at least $5 and a single-serve cone or similar from the local Iced Creamery probably a similar price, and I have two whole tubs of ice cream!). In any case, I'll behave and not consume it all in one go, I promise. On the plus side, I also bought eggs (in preparation for making pie!) and coffee (I am so spoiled, because this country doesn't have drinkable instant. If I want coffee, I have to brew it. Moccona will never be the same again...).

Tonight's dinner was really good. I intended to take a photo of it on my plate but somehow it was eaten before I remembered the photo part. These will have to do! I cooked a fresh cob of corn, dauphinoise potatoes and a small piece of Black Angus steak.

After dinner Josie and I went for a walk to a spot I knew there were accessible blackberry plants (next to the road).
This is my haul (approximately 12 cups, enough for two pies!). I think tomorrow will be baking day.

Aerosmith: Global Warming Tour

Warning: non-horsey post! (I will update the equine parts of Wednesday and Thursday along with Friday's notes.)

I set off for Tacoma at 5.30pm, wearing non-horsey clothes (first chance I've had to wear my nice boots!), armed with food, snacks, water, maps, sunglasses, mp3 player and my ticket. The trip was essentially highway 3 south, to highway 16 east, to Interstate highway 5 north (via 705) with the Tacoma Dome exit not too far from where I would enter I5. The trip took about an hour and I only hit traffic about a mile before the Dome (and I'd seen it from the highway), as I was leaving I5. I wish I'd been the passenger going over the Tacoma Narrows bridge as I'd have loved some photos, it was spectacular and had a really good view over the water. The other thing I would have done if I'd had more time (and no poodle to think about) was leave earlier in the day and check out the attractions in Tacoma. I may have the opportunity to at least visit the glass museum next week when Lana collects her nephew from Tacoma (I am welcome to go along for the ride).

Parking was no cause for concern. I followed the flow of the other cars and parked at the Car Museum, directly opposite the Dome. There was virtually no queue to get into the parking or the Dome itself, as I was fairly early.

I found my seat...

This was my view of the stage

The view towards the back

Centre stage

The stage and roof - going up, as opposed to down.

Centre roof

The opening act was a band called Cheap Trick, who I (not a muso) have never heard of. The only song they played that I recognised was "I want you to want me", and only because I've heard several remakes! If I'd realised I wouldn't have enjoyed their set, I would have left a little later (though then I think I would have had a nightmare parking).

Finally, the lights dimmed and the show started!

 

Of the concerts I've been to, I'd class this one as the best, simply because it's a band I LOVE as opposed to tagging along with other people at shows with bands they love. I did really enjoy Guns N Roses (though the joke was it was only "Axl plus cover band") and Alice Cooper's stage show was incredible, but they just don't compare to a band who's songs you sing along to in the car because the CD is on repeat.

I expected traffic getting out and sat in the queue with the motor off while I ate my sandwich and drank water. I should have taken a book to read or something! Then, the people directing traffic at the exit and further up the road sent me in the wrong direction (to I5 North, rather than South). Luckily I had loaded google maps onto my laptop and could work out where I was and where I needed to go (all while stationary, of course). There was a little traffic on If but after that it was plain sailing the whole way home. I was VERY tired and considered stopping for a coffee at one of the many, many food places just off the highway, though my plan was to do that after I got out of Tacoma so I didn't get stuck in more traffic, then the opportunities dwindled and I was cruising homewards to bed. I think I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow, somewhere around 1.30am. 

Set list:

draw the line
elevator
same old song
edge
oh yeah
last child
--drum solo--
ragdoll
combination
stop messin'
what it takes
legendary child
come together
rats
sweet emotion
walk this way

encore:
dream on
train