Taking a page out of Spode's book--injure yourself and get out of work!

I still say I was doing Spode a favour by standing on her foot and breaking it at the beginning of this summer. By breaking her foot, I got her 2 weeks off and a holiday with me (cough, cough, I may have also cost her her job requiring her to get a new one, but that's a minor detail).

After a busy few weeks preparing for Sunday's horse show and a lot of breakthrough training rides, I figured I deserved a break. Spode gives me days off regularly, but I'm looking for a longer break. There was only one way that would happen: an injury. Something mild enough that I wouldn't be in too much pain and require too much treatment, but something bad enough that Spode would enforce a strict rest policy for me. The opportunity presented itself on Monday in the form of an electric fence. More specifically, a rope electric fence that was conveniently turned off. I have a habit of eating over the fence and eventually the rope snapped and voila! One swollen, rope burned hind pastern later, I have myself a holiday!

Ok, now that you wrapped me up I am feeling a little bit sorry for myself. 

Jokes aside, I am actually more sore than I had hoped. When Spode initially found the leg in question, she thought it was simply my mud fever that is currently being battled on my other hind leg. My Clydesdale genes are terrible for mud fever--I get it every summer no matter what the weather or what my hair length. It's almost healed up and gone already now, but initially my burned pastern appeared the same: scabby, not swollen, not lame. However, the next day my pastern and cannon bone had ballooned and the burned spot had opened up. Ouch. I'm pretty sore now. Vet called and treated upon their recommendations, but Spode was still fretting the next day so she called my favourite vet out today to get a proper look. It was weird seeing Mrs. BestVet and not having my eyes checked! Well, my eyes were looked at anyway just because. Habit I guess. Or anxiety on the part of Spode. All good there. Aspirin is wonderful.

Anyway, I was lucky. The tissues and ligaments in my leg have only a thin membrane covering them. The rope cut me much deeper than I had intended, so I only just saved myself a lot more veterinary care. I'm on topical treatments and a course of antibiotics. I do hate syringes. And my weight is my downfall in this case because I have to have sooo many pills! Heavy horse problems. 1400 lbs=28 pills a day, along with my 50 aspirins and my stomach supplement and my eye supplement. Lucky I have molasses to sweeten the deal or I'd refuse to open my mouth for anything at this point. Worming season soon, I'm told. Ugh, the worst.

So I'm out of work for the next while but my Spode time has increased to two visits a day because if she doesn't treat me in the morning she will fret all day. Oh well, double Spode inevitably means double treats. I was already feeling a little bored with my 3 days off today so Spode decided to teach me to bow while I'm unable to work. It doesn't require any hind leg movement but gives me something to think about. But I already bowed twice and this was only her first day of training, so I don't think the entrainment value will last very long. I don't quite understand exactly what Spode wants by her concept of bow, but I'll figure it out soon. So far I know she doesn't want me to move my legs and she wants my nose to be under my chest. Weird. Is this part of dressage?

Speaking of dressage, my second show went great! I walked off the trailer like a professional player, old sports. I was cool, calm, and collected (scratch the collected part, actually. Spode says I was not collected enough). But yeah, Spode was over the moon with my behaviour. I kept it classy this time. No trying to run away with her in the excitement of it all. I had a sense that I was here to do my thing and then we would go home, which is exactly what happened.

I'm not feeling very cool in these shades. I'm a little embarrassed, in fact. 

Spode blindfolded me so I felt calm and wasn't spooky... until we got into the ring itself and I discovered it was full of puddles. Puddles? I've never been ridden in puddles! Living with Spode has turned me into a princess, old sports. I've undergone the same transition as Fitzgerald's Gatsby, and it's permanent. I got over myself by the second test, but I still felt the need to trot like a full Clydesdale with my knees and hocks a snapping' as I plopped through the soggy sand. I also found it quite difficult to balance. Nevertheless, Spode was chuffed. We got ourselves 60 and 61% and a second place, which Spode was very, very happy with. I found it hard to focus on my test right away because I go from one ring to the next and am expected to just do my thing even though I haven't looked around the ring yet. Kind of weird, to me. But Spode says I need to get over it. I suppose I will, one day. Despite my lack of focus, I had moments of full focus on Spode this time, so that's very good news in her books. I'm happy I have an owner who is so happy with baby steps! I kind of enjoyed the show this time around. Spode is happy, my fan club is happy, and I always seem to meet new admirers. Yup, dressage shows are quickly going to become my thing, I think.

What else is new? Spode is happily enjoying my photoshoot photos. That was quite the day. Weirdest evening ever. I was bathed, groomed, and then kept inside until Spode returned not in her usual barn clothes, but in a full dress! What!? And in tow was her brother with camera, her sister with flash, and her mum with daisies, a book, and carrots. Weird experience for sure. And the rain didn't help matters. Still, whatever keeps my Spode happy...

Photo shoot photos here:
Previos dressage show here, because I forgot the link the first time!

I think that's all I've got for now, old sports. I'll be spending my wound holiday reading up on Fitzgerald and drinking mint juleps in the sun. When life gives you rope burn, make lemonade? Did i mess up that saying? I don't care. I just want some lemonade dammit. Spode! Please fetch me a lemonade--I'm in pain. Take pity on me! And hurry up!

Fetch me my treats, young lady! 

Until later, old sports.

Jay.

Back to the Grindstone

Well, I shouldn't really call it a grindstone. I've had 2 days off this week, some easy rides, and a couple of intense ones. Life is pretty good. Today I had 2 showers and a bunch of treats because it was so hot. No riding at all! I got it made.

Being so loved is exhausting

But I was enjoying my cool shower and Spode sprayed water up my nose, which I did not appreciate...

Ah! My nose, my nose! 

Stop laughing at me! I'm mad at you!!! 

Spode and I have a dressage show next week on Sunday, so we're back to practicing our tests. So of course, naturally, that included learning some extreme cowboy obstacles. Because, you know...

Our next dressage test could read "A Enter working trot, X halt salute, proceed over Teeter Totter at C"

Don't laugh, says Spode. It could happen. 

Spode always says I have ADD, but she has it more than I do I think. She comes to the barn and says "right. We need to step up our game and really work on these centrelines. We need to get your inside leg moving further underneath yourse--ooh, look! A seesaw! Let's try it out Gatsby!!" Yeah, ADD all over. I don't mind. It was fun, and we did a bit of dressage later. After trying to side pass and open a gate. 

Despite our lack of focus, my dressage is improving greatly and Spode is super happy. She's also super happy because my vision is improving a lot, and hopefully I won't have to be a pirate horse sometime soon. Before the show would be ideal... It's kind of embarrassing to be a bunch of strange horses while wearing the equivalent of a bag over my head. Oh the shame. Fitzgerald's Gatsby would never do such a thing, I'm sure. 

I'm much prettier with no blindfold!

I also got some pretty things to add to my bridle. Spode won them in a contest--they're a little bit feminine, in my opinion.... but my idol wears a pink suit, so I shouldn't talk.

A Daisy for my bridle, Spode's phone number for my saddle in case I lose her, and a heart for my halter because she loves me <3

So yeah, we have a plan for the rest of the week in hopes of staying focused on the show. But that's only 2 hours a day. In my spare time, I made some new friends--a pigeon! 

We shared a glass of water and chatted about Daisy.

I've also been playing my usual games and getting into everything. Spode just loves it.

This is a hint, Spode. Come back, put my halter on again, and let's do some dressage instead of goofing off bareback! Focus, old sport!
 

I won't complain about all the snacks I've been having though. I love my Spode time. 

Until later, old sports.

Jay.

Where's Dr. T. J. Eckleburg when you need him?

Not that I resent him leaving the Valley of Ashes...

Don't get me wrong, old sports, I do adore my name and all the literary fun that goes with it (Nothing is Random) but I sometimes wonder if I've been cursed because of it. One of Spode's favourite songs from the movie soundtrack is "Love is Blindness". Coincidence? I think not. And a book with a strong symbolic focus on eyes? A favourite character called Owl Eyes? That's not good news for a horse that's been plagued by eye issues for a year and a half. Way to go, Spode.

I apologize for not updating my blog since my birthday--what a terrible horse. Partially, it's because it's summer, it's hot, and I'm lazy! I start to fall asleep around 5pm. Anyway, the other reason is that my eyesight has not been great these past couple of months. Lucky I have horse "speak to text" and not an actual keyboard, as I would have trouble seeing it! Let's recap. One year ago I was diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes following the most severe bout of uveitis I had after my surgery. I was actually fully blind in my left eye for 3 weeks during that spell, so no wonder there was some permanent damage as a result. Since then, however, my eyes have been pretty good. A few issues here and there, but nothing major.

Late May, early June my eye sight started to cause problems for me again. I was scared by that and started struggling with my daily rides. I'd get scared of what I wasn't seeing properly and then it just escalated from there and I couldn't focus on what Spode was asking for. So much stress. Spode got the vet out for me and the thought was perhaps my cataracts were increasing in size.

Cataract diagnosis=sunglasses again! Only during the day though, because my nighttime buddies are bad and rip my mask off in 2 seconds flat. 

A little after that diagnosis, my eyes got even worse so off I went to the specialist in Ottawa that diagnosed the cataracts last year. Another adventure in the trailer. I don't mind the city. There's lots to see when you're parked in the trailer. 

Hello, Ottawa! 

It was a rather stressful trip as we had some trailer issues and Spode is not the most relaxed when it comes to trailering in the first place. Plus, we were racing the clock as Spode was about to leave me for 2 weeks while she went off to Italy (I gather wherever that is must be quite far away!). But we made it there, Dr. Tinsley ventured into the trailer, and we all held our breath. Even me! My eye sight is going and I don't know why either! 

Alas, it's not a simple answer. He doesn't think my cataracts are changing, so the possibility is that I have Insidious Uveitis. That means that, while my implants have saved my eyes from going blind a year ago and definitely saved me from feeling A LOT of pain, they have not quite done the trick in staving off the inflammation response (aren't I a smart horse? Hey-I've been a part of a lot of veterinary talks). It was only a guess, but it was the best one he had for why my eyes are giving me trouble again with no obvious signs why. My eyes do tend to be a bit blue all the time, so it seemed like a pretty good guess to all of us. I'm back on aspirin, a stomach supplement, and a personalized uveitis supplement. It tastes disgusting, so lucky me--I also get molasses! Yum. Now I just trick my staff into giving me molasses... 

You know you love me. 

The vets also recommended riding me with a blindfold on my bad eye, since my changing vision is making everything pretty scary. It's just very unexpected, and I was keeping my distance from other horses as well. I just felt sorry for myself. I stopped playing around so much with Spode and was acting shy. The blindfold was a big help. I feel much calmer with it on and I don't keep seeing things that aren't even there. It's great!

Arrr, I'm a pirate horse!

It's been a while since it all started, and I'm adjusting well to it all now. Spode tests my vision once a week by letting me loose by alternating the blindfold and making me do obstacles. At first I was tripping over everything when I had to rely on just my left eye, but I'm much better about that now. I've adjusted to my changing vision well, because Spode still complains that I have a normal reaction to her waving a hand in front of my right eye, but no reaction on my left. I guess I have trouble with short distances more than far. I also have a hard time adjusting to sudden light changes, and that can cause me to spook sometimes.

I'm feeling much better about it all though, and so is Spode. We're both adjusting equally well, I think! It was nice we both had a 2 week holiday to take it all in and relax. Spode's pal Ally cam out. She rode me a little before the trip so I already knew her, which meant that when she came out to visit when Spode was away, I was very excited! Especially since she brought food!

I like Ally--she makes me look especially big!

Not much else to report. Spode and I are continuing to work on our dressage and hopefully we'll get out to another show soon enough. She's working a lot right now so we've been taking it kind of slow. Neither of us have much energy when it's this hot out--my draft side is eagerly looking forward to the fall weather already! Not for the fall season though. Back to school means limited Spode time again...

And limited grass--I do love me some summer pasture!

I've been enjoying the summer pampering I get when Spode does actually have some free time, and she's been switching up our rides with some bareback lazy fun and working on the canter, which I quite enjoy!

I definitely get groomed a lot longer in the summer! And you know the first thing she did upon arriving home from Italy? She broke out the clippers. That girl has a problem with hair. I didn't mind--I was just so happy she was back!

Yep, and my hair is braided and being trained again. What a shocker. 

I enjoy sticking out my tongue at her after a good roll right in front of her face. I repeat. You know you love me!

Spode's turn to say "you know you love me" when she's in a dress up mood...

So there's your long overdue update, old sports. I promise I'll get back into blogging mood soon! I just needed to sort out my eyes for a while. Dr. Tinsley advised limiting screen time for a while, that's my excuse! Now we;re back to our regular adventures and training, albeit with a pirate hat so you won't be seeing my pretty face most of the time. There is one major exception to the mask rule coming up... stay tuned, old sports! You're in for a treat!

I'm too sexy for my mask!

Until later,

Jay.