Turn Out

I received a comment on my last post that makes a very good point. I wish the reader hadn't commented as "Anonymous" because the person is making a very valid argument about my non-turn-out decision being based on money. I read it all the time on Craigslist and on Fugly Horse of the Day: people who cannot afford to keep horses but do anyway at the expense of the horse. I don't want to be one of those people, but the reality is that I am a first time horse owner and these decisions are a process for me. I will need some time to learn what's best for my horse. Different horses have different needs. There are horses in my barn that never get turn out and they are sweet and happy as clams. Then there's a mare across the aisle from my horse who canters around her stall (14x16) because she never gets out. There are people who take her out and lunge her out of pity. I sneak her treats and scratches and wish someone would pay attention to her... but I digress.

Being a first time horse owner (or any horseowner, I'm sure, but this is my story) in this economy is scary. I'm spending SO much money on start-up costs (stimulating the economy!) while hearing about job losses and mortgage failures. I try to economize as much as possible, buying used tack, trying to get a few more seasons out of my old show clothing. Making my own things whenever possible IF it's cost-effective. Many times the materials to make things cost as much or more as a finished product. The markup on fabric and notions in retail stores is obscene. So in these first 6 months I have been feeling out how horse ownership is affecting me financially. I did lots of research, but there are "hidden" costs such as the fact that it costs $2.60 in gas EVERY time I go to the barn. I average 4 trips per week. That's $10.40 per week or over $40 a month. Just in gas. My mom asked me a few months ago how much money I had spent on the horse so far. I actually did the calculation for board and the animal, not even the vet/farrier/dentist or the material stuff I've bought and it would make a fine down payment on a condo. I haven't bought ANY new clothes since I bought the horse, except a winter jacket TO RIDE IN. The extra money for turn-out is just another thing that now I have to rearrange my budget for. I just have to be careful and spend my money wisely.

Just so you know, I already emailed the barn asking to be put on the turn-out list. He was doing really well for a while so I thought he was acclimating to the stall life (he was stalled for a year before I bought him with moderate turnout but I don't know about before that) but he's obviously regressing and I can only assume it's because he is the kind of horse that NEEDS playtime and since he doesn't get it with other horses he tries to do it with me. I am learning.

He needs to treat me like the boss, not a herd mate, and I need to treat him like a horse, not a caged gerbil. It's clear that he needs more stimulation than I give him.

One way I was hoping to save on board was to have him used as a lesson horse. This would accomplish three things: cheaper board (by over $40/month depending on the number of lessons he does), more saddle mileage, and more (free) turnout. As a lesson horse he would get turned out with the other lesson geldings, but that turnout isn't as dependable as the turnout that is provided by someone who works at the barn and costs extra. The lesson horses don't always get out, especially if the seasonal pastures are closed (preference is given to the paid turnout horses) or if KAT is overly busy or at a show. The paid turn out is 5 days a week weather permitting. Though during the real winter months I think there was at least a month they weren't turned out at all and of course the money is not refundable or prorated.

He'd also get more exercise as a lesson horse, probably ridden at least once a weekday, sometimes twice a day.... walk trot and a teensy bit of canter during the latter weeks of each quarter (most of the lessons are college students taking it for credit).

The one "con" to these three "pro"s is that I worry about his training being "ruined" by beginners, though. It's hard enough for me to keep up what KAT teaches him. I know he's beginner SAFE, but how do I make sure he knows when it's time to be a show horse and when it's time to be a lesson horse? There are other lesson horses that show so I know it's not impossible. I'm not SERIOUSLY showing anyway. I'm doing open shows that are full of lesson horses and 4-H horses, as well as people like me, so it's not like I'm trying to take a school horse to Congress or APHA worlds. I also worry about him as a lesson horse with this mouthiness, but maybe with more stimulation that won't be a problem.

I have a lesson tonight and have a just-for-fun blog entry planned.

Thanks for you comments. I am a big fan of learning. And you can be brave with your comments. I will not flame you or cyber stalk you. I may delete your comment if it's inappropriate or offensive..... or SPAM FOR ONLINE DATING... but I won't be mean to you. I know I have a lot to learn. I didn't get a masters in horses, I got it in something else so I could afford to HAVE a horse.

New Saddle #2!

The Ebay gods were on my side today and I won an auction at the last minute for a Toulouse Celine 17 Close Contact saddle. According to the seller it has about 10 rides on it and the pictures make it look pristine. I find these online for $799 new and I paid $440.52 with free shipping. I could get it as early as Friday if she gets it shipped tomorrow, but maybe not until Monday if they don't deliver on Saturdays. Keep your fingers crossed that all goes well!

I rode today but his feet are so bad I didn't do much. I did lope a little bit both directions, but the footing wasn't great and with his feet the way they are I didn't want to push it. He was a jerk on the ground both before and after the ride and he switched a LOT during lunging. He kept grabbing my jacket! Actually biting it! I got REALLY frustrated with him. He didn't want to stand in the aisle, but he had food in his stall so I didn't want to take him in there either. Then he took a bite out of my tack box because I had it latched so he couldn't get it open. Now there's a big scrape on the seat of the bench. Not that I expected the box to remain flawless, it's just soft pine after all, but I didn't want a BIG TOOTH MARK on it either! Argh! Jerk! I'm sure it's my fault because I let him sit since Saturday and I only turned him out that day. I'm starting to reconsider paying for turnout. He might need it. Maybe he'd stop being such a jerk. I actually think the biting is getting worse. I'm glad I've been wearing thick winter coats, what's it going to be like when it's summer and I'm wearing a tank top!?!?! This has got to stop. But I don't know what to do.

The nice part is that I am NOT afraid of him. Even when he was rearing in the turnout on Saturday and being a real pain, I didn't think I wasn't in control. This is a good thing. I don't know what do do about the biting, though.

Feet.

Here are a few pics of Jr's (dirty) feet. Taken today, March 1. His last trim was December 12. He's scheduled for a trim in 3 days.
Front feet from the front:



Left front from the left:


Back feet:

His front feet don't seem to have the same size footprint, do they? Other than that I don't think they look super over-grown, do you? I'll take pictures again on Wednesday night after they are trimmed.

The wind was bitter cold today but I let him out in one of the big pastures. Chance was in the adjacent pasture. Jr. didn't do much so I went in the barn to warm up. I came out and caught the two of them running around their pastures. When he does this I like to say "Dude, your TB is showing." Maybe that's only funny to me. Of course then he found the muddiest spot and rolled in it. I wish I'd had my camera out faster because he spun around like a dog before he dropped to roll. I'll be spending tomorrow evening brushing that off.

After the mud, (but after I scraped his feet off) while trying (and eventually succeeding) to open my tackbox:


And here he is trying to eat Princess Skittles, the cat:


He's a funny guy.

Falling Down on the Job

It seems I need to take it easy until Jr's feet get done on Wednesday. Yesterday (Saturday) when I asked him for the first lope he tripped and fell all the way to his knees. He got back up again just as I was contemplating bailing out and was pleasantly surprised that my balance was good enough to stay balanced through the whole ordeal. I did put my hands straight out onto his neck when he first went forward. It happened very quickly and he fell straight forward. I walked him for a while and he didn't seem to be bothered by it. Once my heart rate went back down I put him back to work and even did some canter work after all. I felt very brave asking him for the lope but I was confident that he was not going to fall again. I think it was a combination of his feet AND there was a horse lunging that Jr is always a bit interested in. This one's a big bay QH named Charlie from the other barn. We were facing Charlie and her guy when I asked for the lope. His feet do not LOOK like they need to be trimmed, but he get's very clumsy when it's time. I need to decide on a schedule for him and just have him done regularly instead of waiting until he gets this way. This will only be his third trim, so I'm learning.

Other than the near-fall he rode pretty well. His lope is steadily improving and I loped one-handed! I've figured out that MOST of what I've been telling him to do with the reins can be accomplished with my legs. I can get him to pick up his inside shoulder with my inside leg. He does tend to speed up when I do that, but I can pick up my rein hand at the same time and he keeps pace better.

When we got back into the barn I noticed his knees were dirty and that's how I know he got down to both knees. I wonder if he'll be sore today. I think I'll just lunge him today and let him stretch out. I should be able to get to the barn tomorrow, Monday, AND Tuesday so that he's in good condition for our Wednesday lesson.