One year!

My, my. Where has the time gone? Today is a very important day. On this day last year, I had a TERRIFYING ride to my new home with Spode. Wow, what a blur!

I remember the day Spode came to see me for the first time. That was back when I lived in Richmond. Spode drove out to look at me and my buddy at the time. That was when I was called Prince (as was my buddy... It was a confusing time).
Spode was dazzled by my good looks as soon as she stepped out of her van. Spode's mum said she knew I was coming home as soon as she saw the look in Spode's eyes.
Me being me, I came right up to Spode. And that was that.

Hi. Are you my new mum?

Spode didn't even see the other Prince. Her eyes never left me. 

Even I can admit I was not blessed in the looks department on that day. I'm amazed she bought me! Those back hooves were a mess. 

I tried to bite Spode whenever she pet me anywhere but my neck. She really wanted to feel my legs but no way was that happening. Think about it. Would you let some stranger you've never seen feel your legs? No, I didn't think so.

Leaving so soon? Come again... old sport.

You see just like Fitzgerald's Gatsby, I went from being nothing to being something. I was just a nobody in the midwest, but I found a girl (her name is Spode, not Daisy) and now I possess infinite hope. This is what happens when your owner reads you her favourite novel and names you after her favourite character...

Less than ten days later, I arrived. Spode took the lead from my old owner and took me off the trailer. Then there was a fairly long struggle convincing me to enter the barn. Not long after, the vet arrived to give me a once over. That's right, Mrs. Vet the wonderful. Evangeline came to make sure Spode wasn't buying a hot mess. We had some issues with that too and Spode said it was certainly not your standard vet check since I was untouchable in some areas. But funnily enough, Mrs. Vet got a stellar look at both my eyes that day! I was given the all clear in that department. If only it had lasted... 

I was drenched in sweat from my scary first trailer ride and then Spode had me run in the sand ring so the vet and her could discuss my movement. After that, Spode signed the papers and I officially went from being Prince to Gatsby.  

Well who would have thought...

I went from being this little guy....

(a very handsome little guy, am I right?)

To being this BIG guy!

I was pretty happy with my new home

And especially happy with my new gal! 

Hard to believe that was one year ago today! I'm so much more mature looking now... and dare I say handsome!

I got a few inches taller, too. And I swear my nose is a little straighter!

My how we've grown.

Well, mostly me!

Of course I don't always look so distinguished. 

It's sure been a rough ride at times in the year we've had together (though the actual riding part has been fairly easy, haha!). I've had uveitis for 6 months now. Between flare ups, surgery, specialists, cataracts, ulcers, temporary blindness, mystery spots, and about a million vet appointments, there has been plenty of tears and stress (for both of us). I think we've had more than our fair share already in a measly 6 month period, and it's a little worrying that this could just keep going on and on for the rest of my life. But Spode and I get through it and we still have a good time. This week I got uveitis again. We surpassed our ten day record but only made it to day 12 before I came down with another flare up. But luckily this time it is extremely mild and I'm managing so far on just two eye drops and my daily aspirin. If my flare ups are all this mild from now on, then that surgery was 100% worth it. We'll see how it plays out. Mrs. Vet the Wonderful has also suggested a new medication we might try later on depending on how the rest of my flare up goes. For now, I'm a-okay and counting my lucky stars that Spode found me and I found Spode. Who knows what would have happened if someone else had bought me and my uveitis hit. Makes me shudder. I'm a lucky horse. And Spode counts herself as a lucky owner despite the issues. 

Why, you ask?

Because I love her like crazy. I always come when she arrives (often at a trot or canter!) and I'd follow her anywhere (indeed, twice I've followed her onto a trailer even though it's always bad news!). I let her medicate my eyes ten or more times a day and I still won't leave her side. Spode counts herself lucky because she's owned two horses and we were both head over heels for her (Zoodles once went literally head over heels with her. I'm not sure that was exactly what Spode wanted from him, but he did it!). Zoodles and I have unintentionally taught her some hard lessons along the way, but we've also given her enough joy to last a lifetime. As Spode has said numerous times, she wouldn't have it any other way, and I wouldn't either. No regrets here, old sports. 

I'll love you forever!

And since I brought up Zoodles again, it's worth repeating that I owe him a lot for being where I am today. Spode didn't think she'd get another horse for a long time after Zoodles passed away, but the mark he left only proved to her that there are all kinds of love in this world, but never the same love twice (yes, it's our favourite Fitzgerald quotation! How did you guess?)

Much love, Zoodles. You made a good Spode. 

Until later, old sports. Spode and I need to celebrate!

Jay. 

Ten Days and Counting!

That's right, old sports! We made it to day ten!

Two vets came out to check me out today (I'm such a popular horse). Both eyes were thoroughly checked to make sure I'm as healthy as a horse that isn't me (Seriously, who came up with that saying!? I don't think anyone wants to be as healthy as me!). They stained my right eye and it didn't pick up any stain. There's a scar and there's still that weird splodge next to it. It's either calcification or another scar, but it doesn't look like it's going away. That doesn't bother me. They're fairly low down so it doesn't affect my vision much.

So after two weeks of ulcer meds in that eye, I'm done! 

Now, onto eye number two. It's a little bit blue, it's true. The vets looked it over carefully though and there's no actual evidence of uveitis... yet. Hey, I'll take what I can get! Maybe my cyclosporine implants are doing their job and fighting off the uveitis as I type (the surgery was DEFINITELY worth it, if that is the case!). Who knows. All I know is that for now, my eyes are fine. Do you understand how great this is, old sports!? Let me put it in plain words for you:

For the first time in FOURTEEN WEEKS, nobody is going to put any medication in my eyes tomorrow. No forcing my eye open, no coming in from the field all the time, no growling at me to hold still.  I'll be free! Man oh man, I can't wait. The sun will be shining and I will be one happy horse. I still have to have my disgusting painkiller and stomach supplement, but they don't go in my eyes so I don't really care.  Vet visit #1,000,000 was a happy one!  

Pupil is big even if my eye is a little hazy--huzzah!

Spode and I were all smiles after the vet left this evening. That means lots of grass for me! I'm sure we will be doing work tomorrow. None today because I had a big reaction to my rabies shot. It went from the size of Spode's fist, to the size of her open hand, to the size of both her hands yesterday. Thankfully it's started to go down today so we'll get back to training tomorrow. Spode says it's time for another ride. Fine by me. 

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. Especially when you're in a sand ring! If only I was a little bit taller...

But this isn't so bad.

This is yummy!

Thanks a billion, Spode! 

Spode wasn't completely pleased with me today though. I lost my nose protector on my mask. She said for a small piece of material, it was uber expensive and it was actually keeping my nose from getting burnt. She spent half an hour scouring the field for it but no luck yet. Ha, I'll never tell (maybe I ate it!). She said she'll look with fresh eyes tomorrow. I was feeling extra spiteful and stared at her the whole time she was searching in my night paddock. 

You're getting warm, warmer, warmer... Ha, just kidding! You're cold, Spode. Freezing. 

Eventually Spode got tired and left me for the night. Senator and I whispered secrets to each other about how we could hide the rest of my mask tomorrow. Shhh!

So all in all, a great day! Hope tomorrow is just as good. 

Until later, Old Sports!

Jay. 

They don't call me "Great" for nothing!

Phew, what a day! I went from a baby to an adult, just like that! Well, maybe the transition is not quite that quick... But I made a big leap forward regardless!

First of all, however, to update my old sports on my eyes: The ulcer seems to be all gone but I have a strange white spot with a bump underneath to the right of where it was. It is pretty disgusting looking. Quite a bulge and it definitely looks like it's coming to a head, but it doesn't hurt me. A vet is coming to take a look on Tuesday, so for now we're keeping all my meds the same: stomach supplement, aspirin, chloramphenicol, and EDTA. I'm hoping for good news on Tuesday! The bump could be something serious, or it could just be a weird delayed scar of further calcification from all my meds. Hmm. Always a mystery.

Anyway, since there has been no apparent change in my bump for three days (except my eye lid may have been ever so slightly droopy today, but I was also a bit sleepy so who knows!) Spode decided to continue with her original plans for me today. And what was that plan? To RIDE me!! Yeah!! Well, riding is probably too strong a word for what we did today. Spode sat on me; let's go with that!

First she asked me to trot around for a bit to make sure I didn't have any beans today (nope, none here!)

Please can I stop? I'm calm, promise. 

And then Spode's mum led me over to the staircase. 

Ready? Hurry up already. 

Here we go!

Oh yay! You brought snacks!!

No problem! I admit, I was a little surprised when she got on. Spode has been leaning on my back but I wasn't expecting how weird it would feel for her to lift her leg over. A little uncomfortable but it was no big deal. I didn't particularly want to walk though and needed some convincing. Not my fault. How am I supposed to walk with a big fat Spode on my back!?

I'm pretty happy just standing here, you know. 

Okay, we can walk, but only because I have to. 

Hmm, okay. This is not so bad! I'm getting the hang of it!

And that's a wrap! 

Spode was very pleased with me. I didn't do anything wrong. Not even raising my back slightly. Not me. I was tense and unsure to things, but it was a good day. Spode only sat on me for 5 minutes or so and then she got off (and forgot how far away the ground was!). It reassured me that she wasn't going to stay on my back forever. A great first experience. 

Spode said I definitely feel very tall when she sat on me, but she said she would be thrilled if I could get wider. She's complaining that her leg is too long on my little narrow barrel. Give me a couple more years, and then maybe I'll start to fill out for your leg, Spode. 

After that, I had some grass and then went back to the field with my buddies. I felt like a king! So mature. 

Until later, Old Sports!

Jay. 

Oops, I did it again

No, I'm not singing a song. I have another eye ulcer. Oops. Spode is scratching her head about how I managed that with my special mask. I'm not too sure myself. In the morning, my eye was fine. A few hours later, it was bad and getting worse. Mrs. Superfantastic Vet said that perhaps my eye is not as strong because of the uveitis, so maybe I'll be prone to little set backs like this. As long as they remain little, I guess I'll manage with that. Spode was not very pleased after we had had such a good week and were finally moving forward with life and my training.

Ow. 

I was like this for a few days. Not a happy camper. Luckily I'm feeling much better now and I'm well on my way to making a recovery. 

So of course I'm back to getting eye meds 10 times a day in my right eye, but tomorrow is the last day for steroids in my left eye. One dose in the morning and then Spode is counting the days to see, finally, if the surgery was a success or not. It's been a long time since my surgery, I know, but this will be the first time I'm off the eye medication so we'll get to see if it worked for me or not. Anything over two weeks will be better than where I was at before and counts as some sort of success.  Of course, if it's two weeks and one day then it wasn't really worth it. But hopefully it'll slow the uveitis down to a reasonable rate. Every two weeks is not really reasonable! Tomorrow is the big day, so cross your hooves!

In an attempt to stop that uveitis from coming up again, I've started on a new medication: horse aspirin. I'll be taking two pills a day for the next several months or so if it works. Again, if I get uveitis in another two weeks then it's not worth keeping me on aspirin either. We'll see. I think Mrs. Vet is just as anxious about this as Spode. By the way, Mrs. Vet's real name is Evangeline, and she is my best buddy. My horsey friends, if you ever need a vet, call her first! Mrs. Vet is off work right now because she's lame (in the physical sense, of course!) and I miss her! A lot! A new vet had to come last week to check me out, and Spode wasn't there either because of her graduation (puh-lease. And that's a good excuse to miss a vet appointment?). I felt kind of abandoned...

Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, the aspirin. Well, it stinks something awful. But here's the worst part. Just take a look:

Spode and the vet opened these up at the clinic and they both laughed out loud... 

...I'm not laughing! You want me to swallow that!? I'll take a human sized aspirin, please!

Luckily, Spode isn't making me swallow those. She crushed them up in a coffee grinder. Still tastes kind of nasty, but I get extra food with it, so that's not so bad. Let's hope it works! Spode is now fretting so much about my stomach that I'm also starting on some stomach juice in an attempt to prevent a stomach ulcer. Yikes. Now that would be all I need!

So while I'm on lay up, Spode hasn't been doing much. She cleaned up a lot (much needed!). She discovered she's a spray bottle hoarder.

Does one horse really need so much? It's because you can't collect blankets anymore, isn't it. 

I also got brushed a lot, clipped again, and fussed over, but I'm now going to start doing a bit of light (very light) work. Like today, for instance. Today Spode tacked me up and led me around the arena once. Then she practiced making me stand still while she was on top of the mourning block. Oh so strenuous. 

All dressed up with no place to go. I'm a green machine!

With any luck I'll be back to regular work this weekend. A horse (and Spode) can hope!

Until later, old sports.

Jay.

Cyborg Gatsby

Life is great, old sports! I could not be any happier. I'm back to being outside 24/7, and I am back out with my best friend Senator again. Not only that, Spode and I are back in business (er, training), so I finally have something to do again. No more being brushed and going for a walk. No, no. Since Sunday we've done something different every day! A ground work session, ground driving, free lunging, saddling, bridling, bathing... It's been wonderful! I'm always eager to come in and find out what the latest activity will be. Spode says I'm going to have to be a versatile horse just to stop me from getting bored. I am not all that fond of routine, I have to say. The more Spode can change it up, the better!

To start with, the first thing I did when back on regular turnout was find the only patch of burrs in the field and bury my head in it. Ah, bliss. The barn staff spent 10 minutes picking burrs off my mask, but she left the burrs in my forelock as a special treat just for Spode. Oh, she was happy. I had a bunch stuck in my tail too as a bonus.

Aren't I beautiful?

Spode deserved it. She left me alone for two days while she spent time with other horses near Toronto. Say what?! The nerve!

I got super muddy for her too. Every day.

Let me tell you: this feels real good after spending month inside! 

But on a serious note, Spode and I are getting ready for my first ride ever in the next couple of weeks. That means reviewing all the skills I learned already as well as a few new ones. 

Booting up had to be reviewed, but I've got that down pat now. I no longer lift my legs up when she puts a boot on. Why do I need boots? Well, you should have seen the scuffs on them after free lunging! I only wear them sometimes when Spode knows I'll be doing some running. One cut and the splint on my leg from last year is enough. We don't need to add to the vet bills! 

Size XL is perfecto! Do I look like a fancy warmblood now, Spode? If you want to get technical, I am one! 

I did not need any reminders about saddling. Spode can do up that girth as tight as she wants, I don't care in the least. Why? Well because it makes me look so good, that's why! 

The name's Gatsby. Jay Gatsby.

Bridling is still a bit rough. Not because I don't want my bit, but because I want it too much. I love to chew on that thing. Spode has to be on the ball to keep me from eating the rest of the bridle along with the bit. She says I need to chillax and get a bit more patient when it comes to bridling. We're working on it. I am fine if she puts it on in the arena but I get ahead of myself when she puts it on in the barn because I just can't wait to put it on and get out to do something with it! Oops. 

Today we did some free lunging working on a quicker response to whoa. By the end of the session I was doing trot to whoa with just 3 walk stops in between. Perfecto! Spode was pleased. And so was I, because I got treats for it! After that, we did some ground driving, again working on the whoa and standing still. 

If you can take photos with slack in the reins and without me moving a muscle, I think I've got this one down pat too, mum. What's next?

We did some serpentines, diagonals, centrelines, and circles. Granted, they weren't exactly perfect figures, but I have the concept of steering for sure. We even did a bit of trot today, which Spode didn't think I would be ready to do again for a couple more sessions. I'm so smart. Spode says my head can't possibly get any bigger though, so I ought to be careful with the self-praise. Whatever. 

Could you get any more handsome than this? No, I didn't think so. In the words of Fitzgerald, "there was something gorgeous about him". Yeah, it's called equine charm. 

The training has been great, but I really love just being a horse outside again. It's so nice to be back out with my buddies, Tyr and Senator. Well, I could take or leave Tyr, but I LOVE Senator. He's a good friend. 

Hello there, Old Sport! What do you say we kick up our heels a bit?

Notice boring old Tyr to the side. He doesn't know how to party like Senator and I do!

This went on for hours. 

Of course, then Spode had to ruin it by turning me into a monstrosity. She says I need it for my sun burn. Old Sports, I am the laughing stock of the farm. Mums are SO embarrassing, omg. 

Please take this off me so I stop looking like a robot horse!! Senator is embarrassed to be seen with me! 

Until later, old sports!

Jay.