Not a bad step in months now. The thrush flares up when it's too wet. No Thrush is working great. Best product for thrush control I've ever used.
Got some nice lope work in last weekend-using the copper jointed mouth curb. It's a forgiving bit for us and she got nice and light by the end of the workout. Such fun!

new trim 12/12/10

I had the grinder out for working on another horse, so I went ahead and did a balance on Taffy. She wasn't crazy about the wind it produces, but accepted it with encouragement. No drama.

remarks on this balance-
Hinds:
tapered hind bars, lateral bars laying over, quarter flares evident
refreshed mustang roll and quarter relief

Fores:
lowered heels to 1/8 inch above live sole, tapered bars (not much needed- I have kept after them with the knife. They are growing quite straight so I think they are equalized)
quarter relief, toe rocker- more on LF. mustang roll- she has been chipping the outer wall on the toes.
Medial heel seems to want to be much shorter than lateral. this appears to produce fetlock varus- turning out from fetlock down. I rolled off lateral toe and quarter (tends to flare) more and more quarter relief on the medial side. the LF continues to grow very vertical medially and flare laterally. I am going to look up higher for the answer... the opposite hind leg seems ok.

Best news- immediately after balance Taffy offered to trot off on the lunge. She has been increasingly energetic since the trim. No soreness, no limping, no imbalanced stances, no hesitation or compensation on pivots--- except for "little feet" compared to her bulkiness, she seems normal =) I want to get her a show halter for christmas... I'm sure she'll settle for a carrot (she adores food).

Fat and sassy

Not getting out much lately- but I did some liberty work with the herd today... Taffy had plenty of impulsion haha. She had fun tearing around the corral and track. Even fluffed her tail up and pranced a bit! Then kicked up her heels. Fun to watch her enjoying pain-free cavorting :)

I worked on her LF a bit- it seems to flare mostly to the lateral side - the medial side remains vertical but rippled. She moved well after the rebalance. (lowered lateral heel and quarters all the way to lateral toe pillar)

comfy on gravel/hard packed dirt roads!

Shortly after sunrise, while the western mountains still glowed desert mauve, Taffy and I headed out for a stroll. She walked carefully over our one inch gravel driveway, and comfortably on the road shoulder, with the occasional bobble over a large rock. Taffy now hunts the good footing. As we sauntered along a dirt/gravel road, she drifted to the softer desert footing. She did move well on the hard packed roads, but preferred the give of the shoulder area. Can't blame her! Other barefoot horses I ride do the same. They know what feels good! We cantered a bit, jogged a bunch, and walked at varying speeds. Aside from the wicked wind, it was a gorgeous morning. The wind is worse tonight, with a chance of rain, so the equines have their slickers on (waterproof breathable turnouts). The run in shelter isn't big enough for all 3 at once, so they wear their shelters ;)

I'm thinking my saddle is too long for her. 26 inch skirts.... she kicks out each time we canter for the first time on a ride... Maybe the skirts are irritating her hips?! Or I just have to keep it from sliding back...

note to self- "clunk" in fetlocks at the walk disappears on soft footing. No jar at any other gait.

Still happy hoofies

I did a vertical run with the fine side of the rasp around Taffy's fore toes today- she was beginning to chip off a couple places. I just hadn't done a proper "mustang" roll recently. She is still comfy and happy. I have been sneaking in bareback mini rides here and there. She's a great balance teacher- keeps me centered 'cause if I get off center she moves in response. I love her lightness. just ask nicely with a whisper of seat, leg or rein and she'll do it! My posture is improving. Her back muscles are amazing- I haven't felt such strength on any other horse I've ridden bareback. Happy mama.

Two rides in 3 days :-)

Taffy happily hopped into M's trailer on Thursday morning. We rode in the southern Cerbat Mts. N of Ft Beale rd. Rabbits, quail and a whole herd of deer punctuated our trek through the desert hills. Taffy was a good girl. We went booted on fronts only, no problems! One slightly scraped hind heel is all- bag balm made it better.

Today we rode from home, and she was feeling so good about 15 minutes in to the ride I cued for a lope. I got a kick out! I felt her bunch under me, and was ready when she threw her hinds up. I made sure she got some extra work for that. Not long after, she wanted to jig, so I halfpassed her at the trot both ways for a while. Then she decided to just walk. The rest of the ride was terrific. Still riding bitless. It works great for trail riding. She never felt tenderfooted at all (rode with front boots).

I think she is picking up some weight over the topline. Ribs still showing through her fuzzy fur- I am feeding more beet pulp with the Integrity adult/senior formula (no molasses!) She is getting psyllium every morning, in case her scrounging habits have contributed to sand in the gut.

irresistible

I had fun with some white face paint... Taffy does not have a star, just a snip... but it looks cute, doesn't it?