Learning InDesign CS3
Well who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Or an old horse for that matter.
My job requires I learn something new in addition to Adobe Photoshop. My brain feels like it has turned to swiss cheese at my age. However this isn't bad for my very first document. I was just playing around and I came up with this layout.
Beau gets his "walkin" shoes
Beau seems just tickled to try out these "Old Mac horse boots". Now he can walk on gravel and not wince in pain like he has in the past. Being barefoot has it's rewards for sure but some trails are impossible for us to go on without these. We hope never to go
back to the traditional steel horse shoe. Beau has very healthy feet now by going natural.
Of course these boots were borrowed. Hopefully I can find a gently used pair to purchase since they are so expensive. Beau's Equine Podiatrist was nice enough to loan these to me and explain how they are to be put on properly. Beau was very patient about letting me put them on so I don't forsee any problems with him wearing them at all.
Bog Spavin / Swollen Hock
Beau has had this swollen hock for a while now. X-rays were taken,he's been on Bute and is now on a joint supplement that is too darn expensive called Cosequin ASU. I think the ASU stand for Avocado, Soybeans and not sure what the "U" is for.
"U" stupid for paying that much I guess is what it means.
He is not lame but this "blemish" as the vet calls it may be permanent. The photo actually looks worse that it does in person, and it can vary in size from time to time.
But it's swollen just the same. You can feel the fluid by pushing in and out with your finger. Doesn't seem to bother him, at least not yet anyway.
Would love to find another alternative to getting this nasty looking thing down. It has been suggested to try Adequan shots on a monthly basis. It would be cheaper in the long run but I can't see me giving Beau shots. He is ridable and I do make him wear a sort of "sports wrap" after a trail ride filled with ice. It's made by ICE HORSE and works nicely to get the heat out.
Joyce takes a tumble off Beau
Well it had to happen, I was due I guess. Not paying attention, stressed out with too much on my mind.
I didn't have a good seat and I think I knew that from the start. We were in a light canter, no big deal, Beau
and I have done it hundreds of times. Soon as I started coming out of the saddle I knew it was too late to pull myself back.
Should have paid more attention to Beau's ears, ( always a good indication he is about to spook.)
Normally when he spooks he goes sideways like a crab. This time he throws on all four brakes and comes to a dead halt.
Up & over I go. Next thing I know am on the ground looking up at Beau licking his lips wondering why
his Mom is lying on the ground. He stayed though, didn't run away and waited for me to to get back in the saddle.
What a sweet boy. Went back later to see what he got all flustered about that led him to dump his rider.
Yep, there was a deer or something in the bushes, ( heard the leaves rustling ) because the second time we went by he did the sideways crab step.
I decided I can't take many falls like that. Boy did that hurt. I felt like someone took a two by four and whacked me
in the middle of my back. I think I may get a protective riding vest like this one shown. Good thing I had a helmet on.
People who ride without protective gear will feel the pain someday, I just did. This was not a fast ride, something we
do routinely. I was shocked and in disbelief as I felt myself falling. At least I got the first fall out of the way. Long as I
haven't done permanent damage I can look at this as a warning. I have renewed respect for riding a horse now, ( they are dangerous. )
Even if I see Beau as "My Little Love Muffin" he could really hurt me if I am not having a good day or paying attention. Another thing is that I should ALWAYS play my "Parelli Friendly Games" with him before I put the saddle on, which I did. There is no
guarantee even with that you are not going to land on your ass. It does help though. I took him out the day after the fall and didn't play "Friendly Games." Beau was very high strung and quite scared of his own shadow. It was late evening with lots of shadows and plenty of deer out. Not the best time to plan a ride. Beau senses when I am worried or stressed. I can't be his leader and make him feel protected when I get like that. So from now on it would be better not to ride when I am feeling rushed, under the weather or worried. Just hang out with him and give him a belly rub and treats instead.
Scout
September 1993 - May 16, 2008
We miss our girl Scout.
She was a wonderful loving dog. We missed taking her
to the beach this year as we always have in the past.
It just wasn't the same without her.
Hopefully Rainbow Bridge leads right to the beach where she is
chasing the waves right now.
We miss our girl Scout.
She was a wonderful loving dog. We missed taking her
to the beach this year as we always have in the past.
It just wasn't the same without her.
Hopefully Rainbow Bridge leads right to the beach where she is
chasing the waves right now.
My Big Mistake
It doesn't pay to get angry or too sad about things. I deleted a lot of things on my Blog I wish I hadn't from last summer & fall. Now I regret it. Sometimes I need to put away or get rid of things that upset me. Recently I had been going through some major disappointments and lashed out by removing photos & excerpts in my Blog that meant a lot to me at the time. Now they are gone forever. I will try to replace it in some way but of course it won't be the same as chronicling something from the start. Next time I will take a deep breath and think about things a few days before I do something I regret. It was like ripping pages out of an ongoing diary.
Now I can't go back to those pages of my life.
Now I can't go back to those pages of my life.
Reflection of Respect
After a good training session in the ring Beau lets me know what he thought of our time together.
Cracker turns 10
Cracker's Birthday was Sept. 25th. She turned 10 years old.
I feel bad I hadn't posted on that day. She means the world to me. Here she is with her new birthday present "Yippity Yappity Frog".
Beau loses his shoes and gets a pedicure :
Of course Beau isn't actually getting a pedicure but going through the process to get his feet healthy again. No more
shoes for Beau but he does have "Thrush" in his front feet and back. The back feet are much worse and Beau doesn't like his
hind quarters messed with. But he did really well. He gets along great with his new "Equine Podiatrist".
He doesn't need a farrier anymore but someone who understands the mechanics and workings of the hoof inside and out.
Beau's new "Hoof Man" as I like to call him also thinks about whole horse health. What goes into your horse also affects his overall health, especially his feet. Beau makes an excellent candidate for going "shoeless".
Beau's eyes
Beau has a curious twinkle in his eye's when he sees me.
I can tell a lot by his eyes and what kind of a day he is having.
Soothing Sea Shells
Just looking at this photo I took at the beach this past May relaxes me for some reason.
The colors are earthy and toned down. The texture of the shells are interesting. Also I think of
the walk on the beach itself when I collected these.
My first experience with a horse
This is me when I was about 3 years old. A traveling photographer in Arlington, Virginia caught my mothers eye and she plopped me on the back of this cute little paint horse. Obviously having a horse was mean't to be even though I had to
wait until I was 50 years old to get one.
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