I think by far, the best decisions I made regarding Lucy this year were:
-getting her scoped for ulcers, and treating the ones we found aggressively and completely
-cutting her grain in half
-moving her to a barn with ample turnout where I am even more involved in her care
-getting her out and about whenever I could to shows, organized trail rides, the beach, etc
Going month by month, here are the highlights:
January: It snows. A LOT. In fact, I think it snowed every Wednesday for months (right, Lauren?). Good thing Lucy seemed to enjoy trudging around in the snow. Example A. Example B. Example C. Lucy also turned 5, though she could have fooled me because she mostly acted like an unbroke 3yo.
March: We enjoy a few really nice trail rides, and then Lucy dumps me in the middle of the trail, drags me a bit, and gallops the 7/10ths of a mile back to the barn...down the middle of a road. Less than a week later, I made myself take her back there for another ride that wasn't quite uneventful, but at least she didn't run away this time. We had a few really fantastic lessons and I felt we made a lot of progress.
April: Lucy was scoped, which revealed ulcers all over her stomach. I felt like a crap owner, but tried to make it up to her with $1200 worth of GastroGard (thank god for horsey insurance). She rapidly makes progress and I begin to have hope that she isn't a total whack job afterall. I also connected with a new friend, someone who knew Lucy in her racing days, and we've remained in touch since then. She would later help me and a friend find the perfect OTTB for my friend. Lucy and I go for an unplanned swim at the beach and I develop a deep hatred for swans. Claire and I drive from Rhode Island to Kentucky to attend Rolex 3DE and we have a BLAST.
May: Lucy throws me into a jump and I do quite a number on my left shoulder. Actually, looking at my entries from May, most of them involve me getting tossed. See? And another.
June: I discovered some long lost trash the dress photos. Claire and I FINALLY have a successful trail ride that doesn't involve me eating dirt. Lucy gets weighed and I discover that she's gained 180lbs since I bought her. I give myself a big pat on the back. Claire and I go on a hunter pace and have a great time!
July: We move to a new barn and Lucy instantly seems much happier. Much, much happier. I do extensive work with Lucy and overcome a lot of her trailering issues. Since she is behaving so well, we get to have some fun together, she gets to model for a photoshoot, and I even take her to her first horse show.
August: Lucy lets me know I made the right choice not becoming a vet. Lauren and I truck out to take a lesson together at a near-by farm thanks to the wonders of Groupon. I discover I have guts, and we spend Hurricane Irene barrel racing in the indoor in an attempt to forget that we have no power for three whole days.
September: Lucy continues to look amazing thanks to all the grass she stuffs her face with daily. We conquer 3', and then soon after, 3'3"! I help my friend begin a horse search at Suffolk Downs.
October: Kenny and I go on a few trail rides together and Cairo gets to come along, too, marking the first successful group trail ride! Lucy and I go on a massive beach ride, and then another hunter pace, where I get the truck stuck in the mud like an idiot. We also go to another show, and I make my first solo truck and trailer adventure to take Lucy to a clinic in Massachusetts. October was a busy month!
November: Lauren, Cassie and I attend Equine Affaire and have a total blast. I have some wonderful rides on Lucy and my saddle pad business really picks up. We conquer 3'6".
December: December was not a great month for me. I got thrown a few times, I got run over by a horse, I got stepped on, and it seems a lot of horses forgot their manners when the weather changed. Lucy did get a little friend, though, so she had a good month.
I hope you have all enjoyed this year's shenanigans, because there sure were a lot of them!
Great round up of 2011. My girl is getting scoped Wednesday for ulcers. So glad you had success, it gives me hope that she will get better soon. Quick question, I read you moved her after your dx of ulcers. Did you do that to help with preventing ulcers returning? My girl never had ulcers until we moved her to this barn. There is no grass turnouts and hay is given at scheduled feeding times. Hence the colicing right before feed times. I have an opportunity to move her to a grass turnout at another barn, but I am nervous to leave such a wonderful group of people here at my facility although I will do what will help her, she is my first priority.
ReplyDeleteGood and bad included, you guys both really grew a lot this year. It's been great following your adventures and relating to them 100%! It will only continue to improve as you move forward and the brain cells continue to multiply in that silly thoroughbred head of Lucy's -- here's to a happy, healthy, sane and productive 2012!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great year for you. You and Lucy came along in leaps and bounds and you've made some GREAT decisions regarding her care. Here's to even more progress in the upcoming year!
ReplyDeleteCool recap. You guys do such neat stuff.
ReplyDeleteI didn't find you until around May I think, I will be tracking back from this blog to read further. I have enjoyed reading about your adventures with Lucy, I think she is a terrific horse. Really beautiful. I look forward to learning more about Lucy in the coming year. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Thanks for taking the time to put the recap together. I'm jealous of all the fun you and Lucy had.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, and good luck in 2012!
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