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!

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

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....

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

Preparing for Houston's last career Dressage Test

My all time favorite picture of Houston. Taken by the talented Jason Hill.

5th Place Finish- not to shabby for a 17 year old.

Cross-Country was small but he loved it non-the less.

Senior Year at Red Bank Stables

Love & Horses

We love them for their unconditional acceptance of us as their person

      We love them for their soft necks that we can bury our faces into when we need to escape

            We love them for always lifting our spirits

This morning I arrived at the barn at 6 am to cold hose, hand walk and re-wrap Houston.  He has become very accident prone in his old age and thus has a swollen ankle from his antics in the pasture.  Not only was I exhausted when I arrived but it was a shocking 50 degrees this morning.  Since we've been in the 90's for weeks my system was not adapting well.  While I held the cold water on Houston's leg his sun kissed body served as the most comfortable pillow I've ever laid my head on.  For 15 minutes he stood like a statue in the morning sun and allowed me to pour freezing cold water on his leg and use him as a pillow.  This is just reason 100000000000+ I love Houston.

Spiders

I hope I did not jinx Houston by posting about his previous injury last week.  Friday when I arrived at the barn after work I found my sweet horse with a hock 3 times its normal size and could barely walk.

We did the usual treatment: cold hose, stable bandage, bute and phone call to the vet.  The vet couldn't come out until the next morning so Houston spent a nice relaxing night in his stall with the fan blowing on him. 

5 x-rays & 4 hours later Houston was diagnosed with a spider bite.  Thank goodness for no joint activity or poison.  Just antibiotics and some rest.  Hopefully in 5 days he will be back to normal.  In the mean time I will be de-cob webbing his entire living space in the stable.

Injured

Shortly after beginning our Training Level season I decided it might be a good idea as Houston grew older and started to show more stiffness to have his hocks injected.  Boy was that a BAD idea.  Houston felt so wonderful that he went out into the pasture the next day and pulled his stifle.  He was completely lame.

After calling the vet and having x-rays, tests and tons of stall rest I was told he probably wouldn't recover.  That was a challenge to me as an owner.  I did EVERYTHING to a T that I was ordered to do by the vet.  Houston was hand walked, stalled and treated like a king.

We had monthly vet checks and after 4 months the vet looked at me in amazement and said "he's better, and I didn't think it would happen".  I grinned from ear-to-ear.  Houston and I went from Training Level eventing to walking in the arena mounted for 10 minutes a day, 20 minutes a day, trotting in straight lines only for half the arena for MONTHS to build back all the muscle we had lost very slowly.

During Houston's unfortunate injury he managed to become a cover horse for a local magazine.  This picture was taken while waiting for our monthly vet visit.