Saturday, March 27, 2010

Bust

The forecast promised a beautiful day, so I got up and got moving to finish my indoor chores as quickly as possible. I finished about 10:30 and carried grooming gear and tack outside. My plan was to ride Jaz down the road. Then, playing on Poco's distress at being left behind and ignored, I'd ride him. He is usually better behaved when I ride Jaz first and he stews about it. It was very windy, but I knew Jaz and I would be okay. If Poco was too worked up, I could always ride him in the round pen.

Jaz was lying down by the round bale when I walked back to halter him. He stood as I approached. I gave him a cookie, which he took, but rather than chewing it and looking for more, he just sort of rolled it around his mouth, slobbering. Uh-oh. I had noticed earlier this week that he seemed to be losing more of his grain than is normal for him, and I made a mental note to keep an eye on him. Well, here's your sign ... Of course, it's like 12:15pm, and the vet closed 15 minutes ago. Although I'm sure he's uncomfortable, this is not life threatening. An emergency farm call is not warranted.

Jaz's teeth are pretty gnarly on his best day. He still has his canines, both of which are chipped. I was unable to feel or see anything glaringly wrong — nothing broken at the gum line, no areas of swelling. Lots of slobbering, and several points that need to be filed, and that could be all it is. At any rate, he wasn't at all keen on me holding his head while sticking my hands in his mouth.

I called Heather and she suggested I get some senior feed until we can get him checked out. Mr. Fry came home, exhausted from his 12-hr. night shift. He agreed to take him to the vet on Monday, because we're short 4 people at work, and I can't in good conscience take time off right now.

Anyway, there went my ride on Jaz. Meanwhile, it had gotten even windier. I grabbed Poco and brushed a layer of scurf off him. He was only calm on the surface. It was so windy, my helmet, which was weighted down with my little horn bag (cookies, camera, phone, etc.), flipped and was blowing around. I clipped his bridle path and was promptly covered in hair. Pieces of the cedar trees were flying around, and Poco kept spooking, mostly in place. Nope, don't think I'm getting on you either. Since I was already covered in hair, I decided to mess around with the clippers, putting Paint Girl's body clipping tips to the test. She's right: short strokes work best and clip close to the skin. I love Poco's coloring when he's clipped.

I tried to sit on an empty CW container, but it was too windy for me to be that complacent — I had to stand. I got about half of his right front leg (which is where I decided to start for some incomprehensible reason) clipped when I noticed I was working really hard but not much was happening. Hmm, how long have I been using these clippers with that same blade? At least two years and probably more of roaching, bridle paths, and one botched body clip — probably time for a new blade. No prob, since I have to go get senior feed anyway. But it means Poco's walking around all wild and woolly ... except for half of his right front leg. Who is his mom?


I don't know what you're talking about,
I didn't touch that.

I found out how windy it was when I drove across the lake and the wind tried to turn my SUV into an amphibious vehicle. When I got to the feed store, the wind grabbed the door and literally threw me into the store. I crashed into a fellow shopper, which cracked us both up.

When I got back, Jaz was out back nibbling some grass. I filled a bucket about half full with senior feed mixed with a little bran and added lots of water. There's nothing wrong with his appetite.

Please say a prayer that the Million Dollar Pony just needs a float.

12 comments:

the7msn said...

Prayer duly said...for your million dollar pony and that your wind will stop.

Cactus Jack Splash said...

Hope the wind dies down soon. I know my old guys really appreciate their soaked feed.

Unknown said...

I hope he's okay. Glad it's not an emergency situation - lord knows you need a break on those.

Did you see the story on using a large ball to cure spooky ness? I wonder if it would work with Poco...

I think the one leg shaved thing is pretty cool. Sort of a tough guy thing (did you see Deets from 7MSN when he had is cuff?).

Nuzzling Muzzles said...

Hopefully, a float will do the trick. I was covered in horse hair today too. It was even in my bra, so as soon as the horses went to bed, I changed into some pj's and dumped all that itchy horse hair into the hamper.

BrownEyed Cowgirl said...

Yep, Frosty is due for a float too. I noticed he was yawning and jawing his bit.

Luckily for me, my BO has used the local vet for everything and he says he does a good job at a reasonable price.

It's so flippin' nice to live somewhere where it doesn't take a month or more to get anything done. The only equine dentist that was worth a hoot and didn't charge an arm and a leg in SD, lived 95 miles away and it took forever for him to get us scheduled in.

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

No more wind!!! gah!

And no more health problems for the sweet Jazu! ;)
A float is doable....colic certainly is not.

I should have gotten Apache some senior feed for her after her float. She was quite sore from all the major work that was done on her teeth.

I was planning on taking her to Cedar Hill Farm tomorrow to ride, but she's been antsy, spooky and just weird the past two days.

Uh...we ran out of grass hay the other day and Ranchman John thought that alfalfa would be just as good. sigh....

~Lisa

Paint Girl said...

Poor Poco, I hope he is feeling better soon!
He's awfully cute there with one leg clipped! Ha! Such a personality on your boy!

Mrs. Mom said...

Glad you did not blow away Leah!

Fingers crossed and prayers sent for the Million Dollar Pony, (and your sanity!)

Jeni said...

Ahh teeth... I too am waiting on a float, last "medical" thing in the "why Rosie is loosing weight" saga.

Hopefully a float is all that is needed for Paco. I was worried he was going into a colic again... ugh you don't need any more of that!

I believe I have your wind now and it as cancelled my afternoon trail ride for today.

Have a great day!
~Jeni

Esther Garvi said...

Lol! Horses are always up to mischief! Looking at yours with the bucket, it made me smile... :-)

Leah Fry said...

Just for the record: Jaz is the Million Dollar Pony and whose teeth are at issue. Poco, although a royal PITA, is cast iron. I have never had a vet call on him. Jaz, please take lessons.

City girl turned Country Girl said...

OH NO!!! I've been gone for days so I am catching up!! I am hoping he is okay!! You are right Poco's coloring clipped is beautiful! (As much as one leg shows, right?! JK!!)

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