Man 'O War Memorial at The Kentucky Horse Park

As I think about all the things I want to make sure my friends see when we are at the Kentucky Horse Park, the Man O' War Memorial is at the top of the list. There is a ring of plants and flowerbeds around his bronze statue. As you walk around, there are several tablets that tell the story of Man O' War. They tell about his undefeated record, but the most memorable one for me, is the story of his one loss. He got boxed in by another horse and jockey, which by the account I read, was absolutely on purpose. But, the thing I remember wasn't that he lost, but the jockey that beat him regretted his part in it. He knew he had helped ruin the record of the obvious King of the Sport. As devastating as I know it must have been for Man O' War's team at the time, I hope they were able to realize that that one unfortunate race did not sully his accomplishments in the history books. This is an amazing rare footage of the great Man O' War, so beautiful! Next time I'll share some other highlights of my first visit to the Kentucky Horse Park. Until then, Naturally, Susan

Getting Started Interview with Pat Parelli

Pat Parelli discusses the history of Parelli Natural Horsemanship and introduces his new educational DVD, Get Started, with 5-Star Parelli Professional Neil Pye. The "Get Started" DVD focuses on Pats philosophies and the first 3 primary games of his world famous Seven Games and how they apply to solving everyday problems. Learn more about Natural Horsemanship at www.naturalhorsemanshipinfo.com

Tail Wagging Dog Meets School Bus

This isn't my usual horsey story, but it was so heartwarming I just had to tell it.

I was driving down a busy road after stopping in to see how my new saddle is coming along at the saddle maker's shop. (more on this exciting event later:)

A school bus was stopped to let students off.  I was coming from the opposite direction, so I could see the front of the bus as I waited.

The bus door was open and an adorable brown lab was standing with his front paws on the step.  His tail was wagging so hard, he shook from his elbows back, so cute.

When "his girl" stepped off the bus, he was so elated, he could not stop wiggling. He jumped up and down and all around her, wagging every step.

I was a little worried when I first saw him that he might get hit on the busy road, but he was so focused on the girl, he was never more than a foot away from her.

It just warmed my heart, as they walked down her driveway, well she walked he floated with happiness, I drove on after the bus stop sign folded in.  I was smiling like a goof, but it just made me happy :)

Hope y'all had a wonderful Valentine's Day, I know I did.

Life   is   Good  :)

Naturally,
Susan

Annie playing with my grandson

Sweet Twixie

and Annie and Twix
(my special canine greeters)

Idaho Horse Expo Featuring Chris Cox

Wow! What a great weekend over in Nampa at the Idaho Horse Expo!  The organizers really did a fantastic job with all of the presenters and demonstrations in addition to a wide array of vendors.
I was fortunate enough to be working in the Chris Cox Horsemanship Booth and it was set up right next to the main arena, so I was able to watch all the arena events.  Chris did six demonstrations and all were incredible.  He started with a Ground Manners clinic Friday morning, then a Natural Headset clinic that evening, one of the horses in this clinic was used later in the drill team and we could all see the improvement.  I hope the young owner continues with Chris’s techniques, if she does, her horse will thank her.
Saturday morning Chris gave a presentation on Building Rider Confidence.  This was a real crowd pleaser.  The two ladies who volunteered for the clinic were great sports and listened to everything Chris said.  They were very coachable and both were loping confidently by the end of the session.  Saturday afternoon’s clinic was Colt Starting and Chris was given a big 3 year old bay roan filly to work with.  She was challenging, but with his tried and true strategies, she settled down to the crowd, was paying close attention to Chris and he saddled, mounted and rode her loping around the arena at the end of the session.  It is always inspiring to watch Chris work with colts.
Sunday found Chris giving a demonstration on how to use Mechanical Devices to train your horses.  Cattle are very expensive, so if you can teach a horse to track a cow using a 4-wheeler and a roping sled, it will save on using up those costly cattle while training the basics of cow work.  One of the gals from the Confidence clinic rode her horse and was chasing the dummy cow as Chris talked her through proper position and speed.  She was grinning from ear to ear, I think she gained a boatful of confidence this weekend.  Chris’s final demonstration was Refining the Performance Horse.  He worked with riders who each had a different maneuver that they wanted to perfect…slide stops, spins, natural head sets.  It was a great demonstration.
In addition to the featured horseman Chris Cox, several other local and nearby trainers and horsemen and women gave very informational and enjoyable demonstrations.  The crowd was appreciative of all of their efforts.
Alice Trindle gave several presentations both in the arena and round pen on horseback and even out on the lawn with a group of folks learning good riding position without horses.  She is a very good teacher and I could see the people listening to her were really grasping the ideas she was sharing.
Local trainer Shannon Allison also gave several demonstrations throughout the weekend.  I most enjoyed watching him as one of the participants in Chris’s Performance Horse clinic.  Shannon was riding a young mare that was really not understanding where she should be carrying her head.  With Chris coaching, Shannon was able to make a major breakthrough with this nice young horse and she relaxed into Shannon’s hands and he was one happy trainer.  I know he was very grateful for the lesson from Chris, and I am positive he will take what he learned and pass it on to not only the horses he trains but also their owners.
Henry Nable, Dee Craig, Julia Bell and Jeff Spencer also gave presentations.
The crowd was further entertained by the Southern Comfort Gaited Riding Group who showed the versatility of the gaited horse with several of their members showing off what their own horses could do.  It was very enlightening to me, I have never done much with gaited horses and enjoyed watching them.
Another fun presentation was the Stallions on Parade.  There was a beautiful liver chestnut Blazer Stallion, Tonka’s Legacy, that was very flashy and fun to watch.  Judge Boon was a blue roan Quarter Horse stud that showed off his reining moves with style.
Each evening after the last Chris Cox demonstration, Idaho’s Best Queens would lead a grand entry and would honor our flag with the multi-talented announcer, Hal, singing the National Anthem.
Eh Capa Bareback Riding group would perform with their horses bareback and bridleless.  We were also entertained by two riding drill teams, the Leather Slappers and the Posse-ettes.
On Friday evening, the 2012 Breed Challenge was awesome. This was an entertaining and fun competition with ten registered purebred horses all performing in the main arena.  The breeds were judged on their willingness to execute certain maneuvers and the smoothness of each as it pertained to that breed.   Movements to included but were not limited to: Walk, Trot, Canter, Back, Side Pass, Pivot on Forehand , Pivot on Hindquarters .  Riders were given the opportunity to show their horse individually, also.
One event that I wasn’t able to watch was the 2012 Supreme Cowboy Race.  It was held outside in the Esther Simplot Eventing Arena at the Idaho Horse Park.  Contestants were judged on challenges including water obstacles, vertical jumps, livestock, trail obstacles, rope work and much more.  Although the race is a timed event, each obstacle was judged based on the horse’s confidence and athletic ability, and the skill and horsemanship of the rider.  I spoke with one of the participants and she said it was a great competition and everyone had a good time.
All in all, I think the 2012 Idaho Horse Expo was an amazing success.  I’ll be back next year for sure!
To find out what Natural Horsemanship Events are going on around the country, check out my Events Calendar
Naturally,
Susan

Why Does My Horse Cough at the Beginning of Each Ride?

May 23, 2012 By Susan 1 Comment (Edit)

I usually start my ride routine with some suppling exercises, flex left, right and vertical. Then I will walk a couple of times around the arena or pasture perimeter, working on stops, turns and backups without reins. Then I move on to walk trot transitions and then some long trotting.

By this time, Bonus, my 10 year old Thoroughbred gelding is going well and listening to me.
As soon as I start to canter, he will cough two or three times, regardless of the weather or surroundings. He then settles in to our ride with no further signs of respiratory troubles, until the next time I saddle up and move into the canter.

I’ve gotten used to this routine, but each time wonder, “Is this something I should be worrying about?” My daughter is an Equine Veterinarian and when I asked her about it, she told me that if Bonus shows no other signs of illness and has no difficulty breathing as he works, this “warm-up” cough is just a natural reaction to the initiation of exercise.

The technical explanation of a cough is this: when receptors in the pharynx and trachea are irritated by pollen, dust or even just fresh air, those receptors cause the following to happen: 1)The horse inhales and the larynx closes, locking air in the respiratory tract. 2) The muscles in the abdomen contract, air pressure increases in the lungs, the larynx reopens and the air rushes out, carrying any irritants with it. That rush of expelled air is the sound you hear.

Warm-up coughs often occur when excess mucus accumulates behind the larynx. Hairlike structures called cilia that line the esophagus continuously move mucus upward, but once it reaches the larynx, it has no place to go. When a horse begins to exercise, he breathes more deeply, so he may cough to clear mucus from his airways. Some horses naturally produce more mucus than others, so for them, a cough or two at the beginning of a ride is just normal.

Even if this is your horse’s regular routine, don’t stop listening for subtle changes in his cough.  Unusual or prolonged coughing can be a sign of respiratory illness, and if his normal hacks grow louder or more frequent, you’ll want to talk to your veterinarian about it.

If you have a problem or concern with your horse, leave a comment below and I’ll “Ask My Vet” for you, it is so handy to have a Horse Doctor in the family
Be sure to sign up here to receive updates when new blog topics and training articles are added.

Bonus Loves the Water

June 21, 2012 By Susan Leave a Comment (Edit)

Bonus playing in the neighbor's pond

My friend Shawn, from Eagle Hardware Farm and Ranch, posted this tidbit of information this morning and it was very timely since I was writing my blog about Bonus’ love of playing in the water.

“Did you know a bored horse may pass the time by blowing bubbles in his bucket or flipping his nose on the surface of the trough, splashing anyone who happens by. In summer, horses with access to natural bodies of water make the most of it, pawing, rolling and wallowing in shallow spots, enjoying the cool water and the respite from insects. More adventurous horses will actually swim through deeper bodies of water. All horses are natural swimmers when rider-less; they simply dog-paddle along, with noses held high, “blowing” rhythmically as they swim.”

When we lived in Northeast Texas, our neighbors had a great pond or stock tank as they call them in Texas, that their kids played and fished in. They were generous enough to allow me to let Bonus, my thoroughbred gelding swim and play in the pond too.

The first time I took him to the pond, I just sent him in, there was absolutely no hesitation on his part. It is HOT in Texas in the summertime, he just splashed right in. He immediately tried to roll. He didn’t realize the pond was deeper than he was,and when he laid down to roll his head went under the water. He got up shaking the water from his ears and then tried it again 2 or 3 times, he really wanted to roll in the water, he just didn’t want his head to go under.

He then continued to splash and play until he was sufficiently cooled off. He leisurely walked back home, grazing and dripping and very content.

Fast forward two years. We have moved to Idaho, no pond in the pasture, and a pretty warm evening. My husband and I were out setting pipe to irrigate the pastures. Bonus was wanting to play with something, anything!

First he picked up a rubber feed tub and flipped it up the air a few times. Then he moved to a big rubber feeder that was in his corral.

He tried to pick this big trough up and flip it like he did the small tub but it was hard for him to get a good grip with his teeth. So then, he decided he should put both feet in and try pawing at it.
I had forgotten how much he loved to play in the water so I filled it with water for him. He was so happy, if a horse had a smile, his would have been from ear to ear! He continued to paw and splash and stick his nose as far under the water as it would go.

When I used this trough for water in Texas, I had to put it up on another feeder to keep it out of his play zone. When it was on the ground he played and splashed until it was empty every time I filled it up. Since that was his water source, I couldn’t let him spill it all the time. But here in Idaho, he has automatic waterers that are situated in a way that he can’t make them toys for his entertainment.

So, from now on the old rubber water trough is his water park.

Happy Splashing Bonus!

Amazing!!! War Horse, The Play

 By Susan  Acree

If any of you follow my Page on Facebook, you know how I felt about War Horse the Movie…Absolutely HATED it!
First of all I hate war movies.  War is a reality that I don’t want to see on the big screen and call it entertainment, even it is a “good” story.  Add to the war part, horses being cut down by Gatling guns, tangled and sliced up by barbed wire, run down by tanks and worked to exhaustion and death…No thank you.
I had no intention of going to the movie, but my good friend asked “Are you ready to see War Horse”?  My first response was  ”No, I don’t think I want to see War Horse”, but she insisted that she had heard it was great and we should go.  My husband even said he would go with us, so I agreed…Big Mistake!
Other than the feel good story about a boy and his horse, the whole movie horrified me.  I had people say, “I heard it was really sad”…I didn’t cry a single tear.  My stomach was so tied in knots at the horror of the whole thing, that I felt physically sick.
So why, you may ask, did I go see the play?  Well, a friend in my book club had suggested that a bunch of us go over to Boise, an easy 3 ½-4 hour drive, and make a girl’s weekend of it.  This was before I saw the movie.  I committed to the weekend, paid for my ticket and was all set to enjoy the show.  Then I saw the movie.  I nearly sold her my ticket back, but I had heard that the puppetry in the play was phenomenal and I thought, “There is no way a play can be as disturbing and graphic as the movie.”
I was right to an extent.  I wish I would not have seen the movie, because even as I was enjoying the play and the spectacle of it, I could remember the scenes from the movie.  Some of the girls said they wanted to see the movie now that they had watched the play.  Needless to say, I was emphatic that they not do that.  I said “Why ruin this fabulous experience, please don’t go to the movie.”  In the end it will be their choice, but I hope they don’t see the movie.
Enough about the movie; let me tell you about the play.
It was awesome!
It started with Joey (War Horse) as a colt.  The puppet was a bit bigger than life size with three puppeteers, one on his head, one on his front legs and one on his hind legs and tail.  They all stood outside of the colt’s frame.  The tail swished, the ears twitched, as he grazed, you could see him tug at the grass with each bite, soooo amazing.
And that was just the beginning….
In true Broadway style, with a flash of light and a puff of smoke, Joey grows up right before your eyes.  It happens so fast, you hardly know how it happened.
The adult Joey was bigger than life size by a bit and also has three puppeteers.  One at his head, one inside the front of the frame to control the front legs and shoulders and the third is in the back of the frame controlling the back legs, tail, and haunches.  They are dressed in the same color as the horse.  Joey is a sorrel in the play with no white on his face or legs.
In the story, Joey had a horse friend named Topthorn.  Topthorn is midnight black, big and beautiful.  The puppeteers for Topthorn are dressed in black.  After the first few minutes, you totally forget that the horses aren’t real.  The puppeteers disappear from your mind’s eye because you become so intrigued by the horsenalities of all of the horses on stage.
One of the other amazing things about these horses is that they are ridden by the actors in the play.  The metal frame in adequately strong to support the riders without the puppeteers having to carry all of their weight.  The designers were absolutely ingenious.
The play runs for two 70 minute halves and a 20 minute intermission.  The time just flies by.  When the play first started, I got that same ‘sick to my stomach’ feeling that the movie gave me, but I was determined not to let the movie ruin this experience for me.  By the second half, I was totally into the play.  There were still some scenes that I couldn’t help but look away, watching even puppet horses die and be dragged across the stage is still disturbing.  By this point in the show, they ceased being puppets and everyone was enthralled by each horse.
One of the scenes that captivated me was when Joey was trying to plow the field.  The way they were able to make it look like he was struggling to pull the weight was just amazing.  His haunches lowered, his neck arched, his shoulders and front legs strained and slipped.
Another amazing feat of puppetry was when Joey and Topthorn were getting to know each other.  Horses always must decide what the pecking order is to be in a herd, even if the herd is only two horses.
Topthorn and Joey had a bit of a scrap, they reared and bit each other’s necks, and again, you forgot these weren’t really two horses meeting for the first time in a field.  The puppeteers had all of the movements perfected, in the end, with one last kick, Topthorn came out as the leader and they were best buddies throughout the rest of the play.
When Topthorn died, we all cried right along with Joey, so amazing.
One of the most disturbing parts of the movie was left out, and I was so glad, it appalled me in the movie and would have not added anything but horror to the play.
For the curtain call all of the actors took their bow; then the puppeteers of Joey and Topthorn came out and took a bow.  Then the stage cleared and Joey and Topthorn came out for their bow.  They reared and whinnied and pranced around the stage….this is when I cried the most, it was just such an awesome spectacle, I couldn’t help it.
If you ever have a chance to see this play, take it!
Naturally,
Susan

The Wound That Wouldn't Heal

Still not completely healed

Aagghhhh! Somebody Scream…..

Last week I told you I would continue the saga of Bonus’ tiny injury that would not heal.

Well, this picture was taken yesterday.  I looked down and could not believe what I saw, it had popped open again and was bleeding.

So, I guess I need to change the title to The Wound That Will Not Heal!

This injury occurred July 19, 2012, just over 6 months ago.

It seemed to be healing up just fine.  I had finished the 10 days of antibiotics, kept it wrapped for about another week after that, and it looked great.

Then, it would scab over the tiny spot.  What started out about the size of a nickel was now about the size of my index fingernail.

About every 2 weeks from August to September, I would find that the scab had been scraped off and it was bloody again.

I again called Jennifer, my horse veterinarian daughter,and let her know that it just was not completing its healing process. We thought that maybe because of the location of the injury, that he was scraping it every time he rolled.  As I have told you before, he is a champion roller.

She advised me to go back to keeping it wrapped.  So I did and it seemed to finally be able to mend under the wrap.  I was a little concerned that it was not healthy for the rest of his ankle to always be wrapped.

I had Bonus’ shoes removed for the winter in October. My farrier thought the sore would benefit from some air.

I decided to leave the wrap off for a little while.  Well, it only took one good roll and off came the scab again!

Back to protecting it.  You wouldn’t think a simple roll in the dirt would be so destructive!

I kept it wrapped until winter hit full force with snow and ice.  Bonus grew his long white feathery winter hair on that leg.  It is the only white he has and it seems to be thicker and longer than the rest of his chestnut coat.  I hoped this would be a benefit.

Last week I could still feel the tiny scab but hoped it was just scar tissue at this point.

I hadn’t noticed any bleeding since December, yea!  Then yesterday, the sun was shining, we had a new six inches of fluffy snow, so I let Bonus and Baile into the big pasture together to run and play and….wait for it….roll.

After I took my dogs on a mile jaunt around the river path, I stopped to give the horses some loves. As I was talking to Bonus (C'mon, you know you all talk to your critters too) I glanced down at his leg and could not believe that the tiny speck of a scar/scab was bleeding again.

I applied a dab of quadritop per Jennifer's instructions.  We decided that I can't really keep it wrapped with all the snow.  I think that would cause more harm than good at this point.  So I'll continue with the medication and we'll see what the next couple of weeks brings.

Hopefully, the next picture you see of Bonus' pretty white sock will be injury free.

Naturally,

Susan

The Daily Walkabout

 

Do you do the morning and evening ritual I call the walkabout?

My walkabout is basically taking a few minutes each morning and evening to take a good look at each of my horses to make sure all is well. Are their eyes and noses clear? Is there any sign of lameness? Are there any visible injuries? I take extra time to assess their hooves and legs, as these are more usually in harms way.

Until last July, I didn't make it an absolute must of my routine. Well, I definitely do now!

I was checking on my horses, Baile and Bonus, one last time before we headed out of town to celebrate my oldest son's 30th birthday.

I gave them each a little treat and a pat on the neck, made sure all of the gates were closed and latched and checked that the automatic waterers were working. Then, just as I was about to head back to the house to finish my last minute packing, I decided the flies were pesky enough, that I should put on their fly masks.

How I found Bonus' leg the day we were leaving

I put Baile's on while her head was hanging over the stall door. Bonus had turned around and was thinking about heading back out to his pasture, since it seemed I was leaving, so I went into his stall to put his fly mask on. After adjusting it just right and making sure I didn't catch any flies in it, I stepped back and noticed his left hind leg was swollen and bloody. My first thought was "please be mud, please be mud..." Of course it wasn't mud, we hadn't had rain for over a month.

Upon further inspection, I found a very small scrape, about the size of a dime . I couldn't figure out why, from such a tiny wound, he would be so swollen. So, as I often do, I called my daughter, Dr. Jennifer Posey, who is a vet with Pacific Crest Sporthorse in Oregon City. (sure wish she would move her practice here). I sent her a picture of the leg and she called me back to discuss it. She said it looked like he was developing cellulitis and I needed to get him on an antibiotic immediately. In addition to the medication, I needed to wrap it.

I called my local vet office and told them what had happened, they know my daughter and were nice enough to let me pick up the meds without having to take Bonus in. Lucky for me, since we were supposed to be leaving shortly.

I wrapped his leg using a telfa pad and vet wrap and headed to the vet to pick up the tablets. When I called Jennifer back to let her know I was able to get the antibiotics, I told her how I wrapped his leg. She informed me that I did it wrong. (I seem to learn something new with every incident). She said you should never put vet wrap directly on the skin. It tightens over time and can cause serious injury. Anything from bowed tendons to sloughing all the skin off the area.

I needed to wrap sheet cotton around the leg from the hoof to just below the hock, this was the main area of swelling, and then use vet wrap over that. Elastikon was used on the skin above and below to keep it in place. The elastikon allows the skin to breath and doesn’t tighten so it is safe to use directly on the skin.

I finally had him all wrapped correctly. Now, I had to find a friend to administer the antibiotic twice a day for the next 3 days while I was out of town. Thank goodness for good horse friends.

We had a great time celebrating TJ's big birthday with all the family, Jennifer even got to join us from Oregon, so I was able to ask many more questions. When she was growing up, it seemed I knew most everything necessary to take proper care of our horses, and I hope I taught her well. Now she talks about things in a language that is way over my head.

It is very rewarding when your children become the teachers :)

I asked what might have happened if I hadn't noticed the wound and left him for 3 days unattended. She said that a cellulitis left untreated can be very serious. The infection can move from the skin and become an internal infection. If bad enough and ignored this can lead to organ failure and even death in serious cases. Mild cases can lead to a permanent lameness and swelling of the leg if not treated quickly.

Wound after 10 days of antibiotic and being wrapped

In most cases, if you notice the swelling and treat the wound and swollen area properly the horse will recover fully. While not all cuts lead to a cellulitis (skin infection) it important to watch them carefully.

My friend faithfully came over morning and evening and checked Bonus' wrap and administered antibiotic in his feed. I returned home to find the swelling gone and no lameness (which he never did display, even that first day). I continued with the antibiotics for the prescribed 10 days and changed the wrap every 3 days. With each change the area needing to be wrapped got smaller because the swelling was gone.

By the 10th day the swelling was completely gone and the wound was beginning to heal well, so everything was great, right?

Nope! I'll continue the story in the my next Blog...... "The Wound That Wouldn't Heal" As Always,

Naturally, Susan

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Horse training tips: Handling your horse's feet

You can find additional info at the following links:
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Gone Too Soon

My Horse Soul Mate, Race 

After the loss of Stacy Westfall’s lovely partner, Roxy, I thought it would be a good time to start my new forum on how to cope with the loss of a beloved horse. I thought I would call it the “Equine Grief Relief Forum” I’ll start it off with my own tragic story.

I bought Racing On By, aka Race, when he was 6 months old. I had been barrel racing very successfully on Chachi, then 10 years old, and thought it was time to get a youngin’ started to replace him when his competition days were over.

I bought Race for $1500.00 in 1993. At that time, that was the most I had ever paid for a horse! He had superstar written all over him. He was a grandson of Dash For Cash, and looked almost identical to him. His momma was a Merridoc mare and very successful in the racing world also.

Race as a handsome colt

 

I fell in love with Race the moment I saw him. He looked a lot like Chachi. He was a deep liver chestnut with a perfect blaze and white socks on his hind legs. He was stunning, even as a baby.

I started him slow, made sure he had impeccable ground manners and that he was easy to handle in every-day situations. He was a love. When he was about 18 months I decided I should get him gelded, I didn’t need a stud horse. Just before his appointment, I got news that his sire, Buy For Cash had suddenly died. I debated on keeping him a stud to continue the line, but thankfully, good sense returned and we went ahead and gelded him. He was a good boy before, but after he was just amazing!

I started him on barrels the end of his 3 year old year. He was a fast learner and I was excited about his potential as a really excellent barrel horse. Unfortunately, I just never could get him finished. He was too smart; he figured he didn’t need to wait for my cue to turn the first barrel. We struggled for a couple of years and then after realizing that even though he had all of the physical attributes he needed to be a star, barrel racing was not his destiny.

So, I decided I loved him much more than I loved barrels, so I stopped trying to force him to be something he wasn’t. That was the beginning of the most wonderful journey I had ever experienced with one of my horses. By taking away the pressure and frustration that obtaining MY goal was causing and just stepping back, I saw what a true blessing just having him in my life was.

Portrait I had done of Race by Cindy Price

We started just hanging out and learning to be connected. I went to a couple of Natural Horsemanship clinics and liked the results I was getting by using some of the methods that were being taught. I’m not a groupie of one particular clinician, but I like to take bits and pieces from all of them and blend their techniques into a method that works for me and that my horses appreciate.

We were enjoying life and each other. In 2004, we moved to the Dallas area. I took Race and my son’s mare Baile with us. It took us 4 days and 3 horse motels but we finally made it, we also had 2 dogs and a cat with us. We were quite a sight every night as we unloaded and settled the horses then hauled the rest of the critters into the hotel room.

At first everything seemed to be going well in our new home. We had 3 acres of pasture, which in Idaho would have been plenty of pasture for 2 horses…but not in Texas. After about a month we realized the horses were losing weight at an astonishing rate. I didn’t understand, there were lots of fat healthy horses in Texas. After endless research I realized the Texas pasture grass just didn’t have the nutrients that my horses needed and were used to, in the lush, irrigated pasture grass in Idaho.

I started on the long and very expensive road to put the weight back on them. Even though I was feeding the horses what seemed to be an immense amount of extra feed, they still were not doing well on the coastal hay and supplemental feed. My daughter is an equine veterinarian in Oregon and finally after listening to my rants about the horrible grass and hay in Texas she just said, “Can’t you get them alfalfa”? That was what they were used to and evidently that’s what they needed. She said “Feed them steak, (alfalfa)…a diet of all coastal hay was like a diet of straight mashed potatoes.” So I found alfalfa hay that had been shipped in from Wyoming and started them on the road to recovery. They were so happy, their eyes and noses knew exactly what we were stacking in the barn.

 The return to health was happening. They were both gaining weight and their coats were returning to the glossy shine we were used to. A couple of weeks later, I had been working Race on every other step lead changes. One day, down in my neighbor’s arena (Texans really are nice and generous people), I had Race doing these lead changes the entire length of the arena. We had been playing at bridleless riding also and everything was grand. He was doing so great and it was such a beautiful autumn day, unseasonably warm, but not hot, I did one more round of lead changes and headed home.

After giving him a much deserved bath, I just hung out with him around the house loving on him. The next morning, October 1, 2006, I went out to feed Baile and Race. Baile immediately came into her stall for breakfast, but not Race. I found him standing behind the barn, very lethargic and low headed. I led him into his stall and offered him some pellets. He wasn’t interested.

I called my vet, who was also my next door neighbor, but he was out of state at a conference. He gave me the emergency clinic’s number and I called them and told them we were on our way.
It was an hour drive and by the time we got there Race seemed a little better. The vet on call was fresh out of school but seemed competent. He couldn’t find any obstruction but said Race was severely dehydrated so they would keep him over night on IV fluids and he would probably be fine by morning and we could come back and get him then. He gave me his cell number and said he would answer right away if I wanted to call back later and check on Race.

 I patted Race on the neck and told him I would see him tomorrow… I called about 6:00 but no answer, so I just left a message and asked if Race was doing well enough, maybe I could come back and pick him up that evening. The vet called me back at about 8:45 and apologized for not answering. He said they had another colic come in and that horse was not doing well at all. He said Race was great and just resting in his stall and that if I still wanted to come get him I could. Since it was an hour drive and close to 9 pm, I said that we would just come as planned in the morning.

I was so relieved and my spirits were high. I thought everything was great and looked forward to seeing Race in the morning.

My phone rang at 10:30pm and I knew immediately I didn’t want to answer. My stomach sunk, my hands were shaking, I knew something had happened. The vet said “Susan, I am so sorry, but Race just died”. . . As I am recounting that horrible night nearly 6 years ago, the tears are streaming down my face and I feel sick all over again. The rest of that night is a blur…my husband and son trying to console me…me trying to make sense out of it.

The next morning my husband went back to the clinic to pick up the trailer and make the arrangements for Race. The reason for Race’s death was never determined. He had a tear in his stomach, but no explanation of why. I thought about back when Race was a yearling and his sire suddenly died, could there have been something genetically wrong? We will never know.

Still, to this day, I wonder if I did something to cause his death, that one last round of lead changes, was it too hot? Did he need water during our ride? Were there signs of distress after we got home that I should have noticed? I felt my world had just come crashing down, I just could not get over it. After a while people started saying “You have to move on, he was just a horse.” And that was just it, my family was happy and healthy, the rest of my pets were happy and healthy, life was good, as the shirts say…so why was I still so sad and depressed? What kind of therapy did I need to help me move on? I didn’t want another horse, I wanted Race.

 Every time I looked out in the field, there was Baile, head low, she was just as sad and brokenhearted as I was. Baile was a yearling when I got Race. She and Race had been together for 13 years and now she was alone too. As I struggled to recover, I kept thinking of Race and all of the other horses I had loved in my life. The more I thought of them, the more it seemed like I had some kind of responsibility to tell their stories.

So, I started my memoir, tentatively titled “The Horses I’ve Loved”. It seemed to be the therapy I needed. As I wrote, I cried. I called old friends to clarify memories and that helped too. Finally, I could see the light. But Baile wasn’t writing her memoir, she was still sad and alone in the pasture. So to make a long story not quite so long, I decided to get Baile and myself a new horse.

I tried finding a Dash For Cash, but realized none of them were going to be good enough. So, I shook up my horse ideals and bought an off the track thoroughbred. White’s Bonus Time raced for 3 years and has one “Win” photo to show for it. I guess that’s why he is off the track :) I bought Bonus when he was 5 years old, he is now about to turn 10. He may not be Race, no horse every will be, but he is a beautiful, wonderful horse and through his challenges and love, Baile and I have returned.

Race's Headstone

And now, as I pass the headstone I built for Race, every morning on my way to the barn and I say “Hi Racy Roo”, I think, “Oh no, I’ve done it again. I’ve fallen in love with another amazing horse.” I was so devastated after losing Race that I thought about getting out of the horse world completely, but thanks to Baile and Bonus I’m still here and very glad I am.



 So please, if any of you are going through this same terrible time in your life, give yourself time to heal… you can, I promise, and you will love again.

 Naturally,

Susan

www.imagineahorse.com Amazing Horses and Trainer

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