What we've been up to. Wait and See, and other games.

This is what a life of leisure looks like

We're in a bit of a holding pattern over here, and I'm sorry to leave you guys hanging. There hasn't been a lot to report, but we do have some improvement!



Riley ran out of magnesium (even though I ordered more -- it took forever to arrive), so for about a week he was without it and more symptomatic than usual. He started the Shake No More Gold a little over two weeks ago and it seems to be helping also. It's a little hard to tell because he's definitely much less symptomatic when the weather is cooler and less humid. Pollen counts don't seem to be a huge influence which is a relief. Monitoring him is driving me a little batty, but Emily and our farm help have been really great about sending me video and updates about his well-being.

Unfortunately, in order for us to get a break in the head/humidity, we've had some rather wicked thunderstorms out our way and Riley managed to very dramatically rip off one of his shoes running around. He took a huge chunk out of his hoof wall but wasn't too sore initially. The farrier wasn't able to come out for a few days so he had to limp around on his crumbly hoof meanwhile everything at the farm got really, really muddy.

Cue lameness.

Within a few days he was VERY lame indeed. We gave him some bute and stuck a boot on him until the farrier could come take a look. He was still feeling pretty sorry for himself, but he was okay standing on his bad foot while he got the other shoe off and both feet trimmed. I explained how bad his lameness was and asked if I could trot him on the asphalt post-trim so he could see what was going on. After a few steps he told me to stop (Riley was VERY lame) and he put the hoof testers on him.

OUCH.

Bad patients have to be forced to keep their foot in the pan!

He tested very sensitive near his heel on the inside, so he got out his least hooked knife to look for the problem. What he found, after a little digging was that Riley must have stepped on the clip when he pulled his shoe and there was an access point for infection there. Just what Riley needs, an abscess! So we soaked and wrapped and booted and hopefully he'll be feeling better again soon!

So our plan is to let him grow hoof for one more cycle and we'll put the shoes back on. My farrier was delighted to see how tough Riley's soles have gotten (even with all this wet and mud). Since I can't ride him right now, I fully agree with this decision and he'll have a much better hoof to tack a shoe on!

Diva says, "You can't have her"!

Meanwhile, Riley has been going out with the girls because the geldings keep removing his flymask. And by remove, I mean ripping it to pieces and hiding his halter!?
He's stabled next to the bay mare pictured left, and has been turned with the grey mare previously. He's very good with 99% of horses, he doesn't get worked up if he's turned out with hot horses and never acts studly. He just wants to be friends with everyone and graze. He's actually the go-to guy for new horses that aren't used to being turned out due to his quiet, friendly demeanor!
But, mares being mares, Diva (the bay) had some opinions about Riley's proximity to Delonix (the grey) -- to which he took the message LOUD and CLEAR. But the very next day, I turned them all out again and it looks like Riley has turned into a ladies man!

These two were attached at the hip the next day!!!

Which of course prompted me to make THIS.

This weekend if he's looking sound enough I think I'll stick him on the lunge to check his Head Shaking symptoms and evaluate what our next steps should be. Keep your fingers crossed for us!

Some bonus photos of Riley's current lifestyle... apparently running a harem and getting muddy is exhausting business!

fucks given: zero

So, so, so tired

Crashed out.

Snoozeville, pop: 1