Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Happy 21st Birthday Houston
My wild, crazy, lovable Houston is 21! His birthday present arrived this week.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Bright Eyes
I realize this post is way out of order but the topic is often at the forefront of my mind.
In September of 2009 I experienced something all horse owners dread. Finding your horse in the pasture with an eye swollen shut. Houston approached the gate for his morning feeding and his left eye was the size of a softball. Of course it was on a weekend, he doesn't operate on a weekday injury schedule.
The vet came out and discovered an ulcer on Houston's eye. A lavage system was put in place and we began treatment four times a day with three different medications in hopes that the ulcer would dissolve.
A week later the lavage system was removed and the ulcer was still there with little improvement. Houston's patience with me, treatment and stall rest was phenomenal he was more patient than I was. Dr. Bradford decided to do a scrape to see if we could get some cells from the ulcer and determine what it was and why it wasn't healing. Watching a HUGE needle be plunged into my horses eye socket was a little unnerving to say the least.
Four days later the scrape showed nothing and Houston had little improvement. The referral to Virginia Tech came only a few days later and off we went to see the Ophthalmologist. Sounds crazy, but when you love your horses you see specialists :o).
Virginia Tech was a gift from God. The doctors were amazing, helpful, informative and determined to help Houston and me. Another scraping was done and we were sent home with 4 more medications to do 4 times a day. Daily phone calls came from the vet student assigned to Houston and 3 days after our appointment a fungus grew in their lab from the ulcer scraping.
The thought was he had poked himself with his hay and was growing a fungus as a result from a mold spore. While they were optimistic the fungus would die and Houston could go back to normal work they were not optimistic that the ulcer would dissipate and advised he would have a scar.
3 weeks of treatment 4 times a day, a very patient horse and with lots of family and friends support, Houston was treatment free. The ulcer receded and he was left scar-less and this beautiful eye is healthy once again. I are thankful everyday for all the Vets who worked together to heal Houston.
In September of 2009 I experienced something all horse owners dread. Finding your horse in the pasture with an eye swollen shut. Houston approached the gate for his morning feeding and his left eye was the size of a softball. Of course it was on a weekend, he doesn't operate on a weekday injury schedule.
The vet came out and discovered an ulcer on Houston's eye. A lavage system was put in place and we began treatment four times a day with three different medications in hopes that the ulcer would dissolve.
A week later the lavage system was removed and the ulcer was still there with little improvement. Houston's patience with me, treatment and stall rest was phenomenal he was more patient than I was. Dr. Bradford decided to do a scrape to see if we could get some cells from the ulcer and determine what it was and why it wasn't healing. Watching a HUGE needle be plunged into my horses eye socket was a little unnerving to say the least.
Four days later the scrape showed nothing and Houston had little improvement. The referral to Virginia Tech came only a few days later and off we went to see the Ophthalmologist. Sounds crazy, but when you love your horses you see specialists :o).
Virginia Tech was a gift from God. The doctors were amazing, helpful, informative and determined to help Houston and me. Another scraping was done and we were sent home with 4 more medications to do 4 times a day. Daily phone calls came from the vet student assigned to Houston and 3 days after our appointment a fungus grew in their lab from the ulcer scraping.
The thought was he had poked himself with his hay and was growing a fungus as a result from a mold spore. While they were optimistic the fungus would die and Houston could go back to normal work they were not optimistic that the ulcer would dissipate and advised he would have a scar.
3 weeks of treatment 4 times a day, a very patient horse and with lots of family and friends support, Houston was treatment free. The ulcer receded and he was left scar-less and this beautiful eye is healthy once again. I are thankful everyday for all the Vets who worked together to heal Houston.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Schooling
After a hiatus from our last event, we are ready for the next one a year later. With a lot of changes in my life and Houston getting older it took a year before we were both ready to compete again. We will be heading to the Carolina Horse Park May 5th for a low key starter horse trails.
Today we schooled cross-country for the first time in a very LONG time. Needless to say I have a champ! 21 years young and bucking all the way. Houston really spent more time playing then he did schooling, but the schooling was great for me he just thought it was a party.
Today we schooled cross-country for the first time in a very LONG time. Needless to say I have a champ! 21 years young and bucking all the way. Houston really spent more time playing then he did schooling, but the schooling was great for me he just thought it was a party.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Back in Action
Three years ago when I graduated college I immediately started my full time job. Houston unfortunately took a back seat to my new daily routine and demanding job. Recently I made the decision to follow my heart- quit my job, accept a new one working with a vet, move back home, take classes and work towards applying to vet school. With my new found "spare" time Houston and I got to work. Riding 5 days a week for a month and two weeks we prepared for our first show in 3 years. At the ripe old age of 20 my frisky thoroughbred rose to the challenge of getting back in shape.
This weekend we competed at the Hillcrest Horse Trial in the Maiden Division, simply because I wanted to start him out slow. Houston thought I was nuts when it came time to jump. They were tiny and he was VERY excited. He flew over each jump as though it were 4 ft tall and with pricked ears galloped towards the next "challenge".
With a 31.5 on our Dressage test we finished out the day at the top out of 8 people. I could not have asked more of my boy and couldn't contain my excitement when we crossed the finish line on cross-country after a brilliant run. I've caught the eventing bug for the second time in my life and Houston's on board!
This weekend we competed at the Hillcrest Horse Trial in the Maiden Division, simply because I wanted to start him out slow. Houston thought I was nuts when it came time to jump. They were tiny and he was VERY excited. He flew over each jump as though it were 4 ft tall and with pricked ears galloped towards the next "challenge".
With a 31.5 on our Dressage test we finished out the day at the top out of 8 people. I could not have asked more of my boy and couldn't contain my excitement when we crossed the finish line on cross-country after a brilliant run. I've caught the eventing bug for the second time in my life and Houston's on board!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Gift's that Give
Many times I feel that gifts take up space and don't offer the true meaning they once did. With so many people/animals in need, each year it becomes less important for me to receive gifts. This year only a week before Christmas I stumbled upon a unique gift that gives back. Opening my Riverwood Therapeutic Riding Center newsletter I was captivated by a unique gift that a local jeweler, Deva, had created in honor of the organization. The silver disk necklace featured the Riverwood horse head and heart logo. The proceeds go to help support Riverwood's terrific program. After commenting and researching the necklace on Riverwood's website I pushed the thought aside knowing Christmas was only a week away and moved on.
Christmas morning came and the present opening commenced. Much to my surprise when I opened a package from Jason a bright purple Deva bag was inside. I knew IMMEDIATELY what was inside! I opened the bag and tears filled my eyes. Not only was the surprise of the gift heart warming and wonderful but knowing that it was unique and provided funding for an organization that is close to my heart made Christmas perfect.
If you are a horse lover and supporter, or simply love this unique piece. It can be yours by visiting www.riverwoodtrc.org
Christmas morning came and the present opening commenced. Much to my surprise when I opened a package from Jason a bright purple Deva bag was inside. I knew IMMEDIATELY what was inside! I opened the bag and tears filled my eyes. Not only was the surprise of the gift heart warming and wonderful but knowing that it was unique and provided funding for an organization that is close to my heart made Christmas perfect.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
New Home
Houston has a new home...in Davie County. We have moved to a wonderful private farm in the Davie County country side. He is now part of a "mature" pasture with horses his own age that while still active with their owners understand each others limits in the pasture. He has adjusted beautifully....
Thursday, August 5, 2010
College
When college arrived the first thing I was worried about wasn't where I would live, classes I would take, people I would become friends with- but rather where can I board my horse so he can go with me?
Freshman & Sophomore year he stayed at home and I commuted for a weekly lesson and then on weekends to keep him in shape.
Junior year he moved to Farmington. I rode MUCH more than I did Freshman & Sophomore year and we even did a few events. One of the most exciting things we were able to do was travel to Southern Pines and train with Nancy Lindroth for a long weekend. This was my first solo trip with the truck, trailer and Houston. This meant we were grown ups and were embarking on a chapter in new life- just us.
Senior year we moved to Germanton. The farm was much closer to school and allowed for more riding. We competed in our final event in the Fall of 2007 at Hillcrest Farms in Mocksville. Houston was brilliant and was even 3rd after Dressage- unheard of for us. We finished 5th thanks to my stupidity in thinking we were going to fast on cross-country when in actuality we were right on target.
Here are a few photos to reminisce about our times in college and final events
Freshman & Sophomore year he stayed at home and I commuted for a weekly lesson and then on weekends to keep him in shape.
Junior year he moved to Farmington. I rode MUCH more than I did Freshman & Sophomore year and we even did a few events. One of the most exciting things we were able to do was travel to Southern Pines and train with Nancy Lindroth for a long weekend. This was my first solo trip with the truck, trailer and Houston. This meant we were grown ups and were embarking on a chapter in new life- just us.
Senior year we moved to Germanton. The farm was much closer to school and allowed for more riding. We competed in our final event in the Fall of 2007 at Hillcrest Farms in Mocksville. Houston was brilliant and was even 3rd after Dressage- unheard of for us. We finished 5th thanks to my stupidity in thinking we were going to fast on cross-country when in actuality we were right on target.
Here are a few photos to reminisce about our times in college and final events
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| Preparing for Houston's last career Dressage Test |
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| My all time favorite picture of Houston. Taken by the talented Jason Hill. |
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| 5th Place Finish- not to shabby for a 17 year old. |
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| Cross-Country was small but he loved it non-the less. |
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| Senior Year at Red Bank Stables |
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