DAY 61, 62, 63, & 64 - Riding Again

That Thursday morning, we did postpone our weekly walk to Friday morning. By that time, the rains had slowed down, but it was still overcast and a light drizzle was falling off and on. I knew Donna wouldn't be able to bring Big Mack along for the walk because she would have the baby in the stroller, but I decided that I just had to bring Possum along. Ten minutes before ten, I led him into the stall and brushed him lightly and picked his hooves. Then Donna and the baby came along, and off we went. Possum seemed content to get out of the paddock for awhile, and I was happy, because I knew I wouldn't have time to ride him. He got the rest of the day off again, and we took off around 4 for a gig in Portland. When I got back later that night, he was relaxed in the stall and still had plenty of hay to munch on.

Saturday morning I got going early, as we had my brother and our friend Dwight scheduled to come up from Mass. for an afternoon and overnight. I fed Possum and cleaned his stall and paddock, then took a shower and drove downtown to pick up groceries for the dinner. I got back by 11, and I knew the guys wouldn't be here until between 12 and 1, at the earliest, so I decided to go for it and take Possum out for a spin. The sun was out and the air was mild, and Possum was very mellow. I led him into the stall and gave him a quick, but thorough brushing, then tacked him up. He was game.

We went out to the paddock to mount up, and he was happy to walk right out of the gate! We took a left out of the driveway and walked all the way down to Dr. Doyle's. We trotted from the pipe to Micheal's house and back again. Both times, he had a nice forward and straight trot. He was happy to be out! We walked a short way down New Road, then turned back for the hill, trotting for a bit at the bottom, then walking with only a few stops the rest of the way. When we got to Dad's driveway, we picked up a canter! And we cantered all the way to Holly's driveway! I did have to use the bat on him lightly a few times to keep him in the canter. Then we walked up to the Dodge farm, and went out to the field (after saying hello to Big Mack first, of course.)

In the field, we trotted around in each direction several times, and I tried my best to work on the different trots, but it isn't easy.. However, he was being very agreeable, so that made me happy. We also cantered in each direction for a short way. After that, we walked down to Lenny's and into the field across the street, were we did a little bit more trotting and even a short "lope" or two. That was fun. He was so good.

Visiting Mack on Saturday morning at the fence line.

We got back to the barn after about 50 minutes, and I was so pleased that we were able to get out and ride on such a beautiful day. After I got settled, and the guys still hadn't shown up yet, I took him back out with the lunge line and let him graze for about 45 minutes in the back yard. The sun was out, and he was just so relaxed.

Finally, the guys showed up, and Possum enjoyed the extra attention he got with our visitors. It was a good day.

Sunday morning, after Nat and Dwight left around 10:30, I quickly cleaned Possum's stall and paddock, then led him into the stall and gave him a light brushing. I tacked him up, and off we went. Back down the hill, via Dad's back yard and the path behind his house, down to Dr. Doyle's and back up. We quickly visited Big Mack, and made the rounds behind Lenny's house, then came back home after about an hour. Before leaving for my Sunday gig, I left him lot's of hay and he got his "Sunday Suppah."

Ride on Sunday morning.

Monday, "Day 64," once again, Possum was mellow. Though it was overcast, there was no rain, and the temps crept up from 40 to a little over 50 degrees. Walking back through the paddock after a quick visit with Dad, I came upon Possum laying down in the paddock, so I took a few photos of him. It was then that I noticed that he had reopened his old scar on his left front cornet band. GRR!

I led him into the stall, gave him a good grooming, then went into the house and brought out a bucket of soapy warm water and the wash cloth. I cleaned his abrasion well, dried it off, and applied some of the orange stuff for good measure (can't remember the name at this moment!) Then, I tacked him up, and off we went for another spin around the neighborhood. I could tell Possum was in a spooky mood, and our first obstacle of the day was an orange "tree work" sign that was sitting halfway down the hill. The guys from Lucas Trees had been working along the lines all morning, and I was pleased to hear that they were finished for the day by the time Possum and I got going.. however, they had forgotten to pick up the sign. Anyway, there it was, and Possum was quite sure it was going to eat him! We pranced and snorted and pricked our ears as far forward as we could, sure that we were going to have to run for our lives! I nudged him with my leg, and spun him around back to the killer sign, and soon enough, he touched it with his nose, and then it fluttered, and once again, he jumped.. Then he realized, I guess, that it was not alive and would not hurt him, so with a wary eye, we walked on.

We went on to Dr. Doyle's, with a sluggish, short-paced trot to Micheal's house, then when we turned to head back for the hill, I noticed that the Lucas Tree truck was coming back down the hill, presumably to pick up the horse-eating sign. I turned Possum away from it to stall for time, then we trotted back to the pipe. The truck had stopped just around the corner, and we walked by it. I let him stop and take it all in, and one of the guys asked if we needed to get by, and I said, No -just looking.. And then I asked him to trot up the hill a ways. Then we walked the rest of the way, and when we got to Holly's driveway, our next obstacle was Jeff coming down the driveway in his golf cart. Jeff stopped and we approached, and while Jeff and I chatted for a while, Possum enjoyed sniffing all around the cart and trying to nibble at Jeff's giant, hay-colored beard.

Visiting with handsome Big Mack Monday afternoon.

Then, we moved on to Big Mack's paddock, and I let them touch noses for a bit until Big Mack squealed his big "I'm the boss around here and don't you forget it!" squeal, and then Possum and I worked in the field for a few minutes. Then we went back to the road, and said hello to Donna and the kids as they were coming back from somewhere in the car. As we walked by all the commotion in her driveway, I made Possum walk up and down the steep banks across the street from their house. That was fun. Then we went home, after being out for almost an hour.

Later that night, after his pellets, I let Spooky the cat out for awhile, and I while I kept an eye on her round makings, I raked some of the mud and left over hay down on the hill in front of his stall door, and scooped a few more poops. He likes it when I hang out with him, just lumbering about. Then, I closed up the barn, and left him more hay, and went in for my supper.

DAY 56, 57, 58, 59 & 60 - More Tick Bites & Bad Weather

Sunday morning, I was planning on taking Possum out for another short spin around the neighborhood before I had to take off for the afternoon, but was alarmed to discover another tick bite, this time on his neck, and the swelling accompanying the bite was about the size of a smushed golf ball. This was distressing to me, so I sent Ryan a text about it. She called me back, and mentioned that Possum had tested positive for Lymes 2 years ago, and so she was putting in a call to her vet to get some advise. I managed to get the tiny tick out of his neck, and pressed a hot wash cloth against the bite and swelling for awhile. Before I went off for the day, I filled up his paddock with hay, and tried not to worry too much about it. When I got back at night, I couldn't see very well in the dark barn, but I thought the swelling had gone down a bit.

Tick bite and swelling on Sunday morning.

The next morning (Monday), however, I saw in the day light that the swelling had in fact increased and spread, so I let Ryan know. We discussed the possibility of antibiotics, but later that day, when I ran into Donna as we met while I was hand walking Possum, she had learned from her vet that a round of antibiotics for horses can run into the hundreds of dollars, maybe even up to $500! Gulp! She and I grazed the horses in her back yard for awhile together, and Luanne came up to drop off the boys, and we hung around and chatted for awhile. Donna found another tick on Big Mack's neck, and it was comforting to have Luanne there to see Possum's tick bites and assure me that he would most likely heal himself. So, I took that to heart, and led Possum back home and let him work it out. After his evening meal, I took a few more photos of the tick bite and swelling on his neck and sent them to Ryan. She observed that he looked "dull" in his eyes and was not too happy. Meanwhile, we were waiting to hear from the vet and hoping that his body would heal itself.

Sad pony on Monday evening.

And the next morning, Tuesday, it had gone down, and he seemed a bit happier. The rains picked up and as of now (Thursday morning), we have been in the midst of a nasty Nor'Easter, with strong gusting winds and lots and lots of rain. So, no riding on Tuesday, no riding yesterday, no riding today, maybe not even tomorrow!

Yesterday, Wednesday (day 59), I found a lull from the rains in the early afternoon, and without even grooming the mud off of him, I put on his halter and took him out for a long walk. He was bit bratty at first, nippy and stalling a lot, but once we got down to the bottom of the hill, he began to enjoy himself. We walked almost all the way to the end of New Road, then turned and walked all the way back and down to Dr. Doyle's, then back up the hill. Once in a while, I let him stop and have a few bites of grass. Back at our place, we went out to our back yard and grazed for another 20 minutes or so, before the rain started coming down harder and I brought him back to his paddock.

He stayed outside most of the day, but towards dusk and feeding time, he came back to the stall to get out of the wind. I decided to give him his first bran mash since he's been here, so that was fun and certainly enjoyed that!

Bran, molasses. carrot skins & celery ends soaking in boiled water.

Cooled down & mixed with pellets, ready to devour!

Around midnight, I closed him into the stall for the night. He did not protest! While he was in the stall, I cleaned up a few more poops, fluffed up his bedding and added a little more fresh bedding. I topped off the water bucket and left him with many flakes of hay. I even brushed some of the dried up mud from his face and body, and he seemed to appreciate that, as well. I left the little blue strand of Christmas lights on for a dim light, and wished him well for the night. He seemed content, but I could not help but still worry. Somehow, I slept, and this morning, when I went out to feed him, he was totally relaxed! The wind is still gusting like mad, and the rain is coming down. It is 8:30 and I still haven't opened his stall doors yet, but I will soon. I checked the fence line and paddock, and they are in good shape. Just a few branches down in the paddock, but not on the fence! Anyway, at least the swelling from the tick bite on his neck almost completely gone.

So, another long day of stormy weather. Lessons have been cancelled and I think even my weekly walk with Donna, too! Icky icky day.

DAY 52, 53, 54 & 55 - Warm Days and Tick Bites

Wednesday, October 15 was "day 52" - I do not remember all of the details, but I took Possum out for a nice little ride and he was wonderful. I took one photo and a couple of short videos, posted here:

Thursday, it rained. I had stuff to do, and by the time I could have gotten going with Possum, the rain was falling hard, so I gave him the day off. He was cranky about that - he likes to have a job to do - but he survived! We spent a lot of time with him in the barn at night, while the rain was coming down and he was hanging out in his stall, munching hay. He was a bit ornery, but not nearly as tough as he was last year. There is so much more trust and friendship this year.

Friday, I took him into the stall to give him a good grooming before tacking up to ride. He had gotten pretty muddy and roughed up from the long night of rain. That is when I discovered a tick bump on the inside of his near upper stifle area. The bump was about the size of a pea, and I was able to extract the tiny (deer, I think) tick with a pair of tweezers. Then, I discovered another bump, but this one was much more swollen, about the size of my fist, way up inside his off side stifle.. just behind the shaft. This was a bit more alarming, and I was able to feel what I thought was the tick, but I was not able to extract that one. I wiped both spots down with Beneydrine Lotion, and decided I would still tack up anyway but just keep it chill with him.

We walked up to the Dodge barn, and caught up with Donna leading Big Mack down the road to meet up with her daughter getting off at the school bus. Her older boy and Luanne's boy were walking down, too, and her youngest boy was riding down in a toy electric Jeep.. so there was a lot of commotion, plus it was windy! Possum got pretty worked up seeing all of that, and became especially anxious when I asked him to walk away from the gang after Donna and I talked for a few minutes (talked about the ticks! She had found one on Mack the day before, too, and his was oozing and really bothering him.) With a little bit of encouragement, we moved away from the commotion, and I was amazed at how well he took it.

Then we continued all the way down the hill to Dr. Doyle's old place, and picked up a nice easy trot back to the pipe, and walked up the hill again to home. I kept it short, only a half hour. I found a third tick and bump after the ride, in the same location on the other side! I got that tick out, and later sent Ryan a text asking about suggestions on how to treat the ticks and swelling. Meanwhile, it didn't seem to be bothering him.

Saturday morning started out bright and mild, but by mid-day, the clouds came and it looked like it could rain. I had spoken with Ryan on the phone and she suggested placing a hot compress on the areas. Her main concern was the bites developing into cellulitis, which he has had once before. I looked that up on the web, and it can get very nasty! Possum stood very still while I reached up under there and soaked the tick bites with wash cloth dunked in hot water. So good!! Then, after a little break, I tacked him up and took him out for a 50 minute walk, including up and down the hill, a stroll through the field across the street from Lenny's house, and a visit with Big Mack. We also trotted a little bit in the Dodge field, and Possum was very good. It's like he's a little ranch pony!

Swelling from a tick bite.

From today's walk

Later in the afternoon, I tied him up in the stall and applied the hot water wash cloth to the tick bumps again, and I think the swelling has gone down. Keeping an eye on it. He's seems to be a very happy pony.

DAY 49, 50 & 51 - Warm Days & Another Trail Ride

Sunday morning, after Possum was fed and ate hay for awhile, I put on his halter and led him out of the paddock and down to Dad's back yard. He was feeling a little rebellious for some reason, fighting me a bit here and there, but I just kept making him stop and listen to me. Then I let him graze for a good solid hour behind Dad's house, and he was happy again. When we left for work at 2:30, he was content with his many piles of hay and his early Sunday "suppah."

Monday, the air was warming up, low 60's, and we had plans for the afternoon to meet up with the girls again for another trail ride on "the Narrow Gauge." I got rolling early, unloading the gear from the car, showering and doing bills, cleaned the bridle, bit and saddle and brushed off the saddle pad, then a quick ride down town to the bank and the market. After a small lunch, I began to get ready around 2. I put on my paddock boots and caught Possum out in the paddock, and he seemed ready to go out and play. I brushed him well and tacked up, and attached the green lead line to the back of my saddle and put his purple camp halter on his head over the bridle. We got down to Donna's around 2:35, and she and Big Mack were ready. She had to get her kids gathered as we were all walking down to Luanne's together. I stayed on Possum for the walk down, and Donna led Big Mack, while her two older kids pushed the youngest in the stroller. On the way down, we ran into Sonya and her three kiddo's, leaving her parents house (who live next door,) and then we also stopped and chatted for a minute with the people who live further down and own the 2 barking German Shepards (plus 2 or 3 little ones.) When we got to Luanne's, all the horses were hollering and running around in the excitement, and while Luanne and Donna got on their horses, I rode Possum into Luanne's little paddock / riding area, and chatted a bit with her neighbor who was out grilling in his front yard. He thought Possum was very pretty (of course!), and asked if he could take a photo. Sure, why not?

After Possum's photo shoot, the other two came into the ring, as well, and we rode around in there for a few minutes, then we got out onto the road and headed for the trail. Everybody was much calmer this time, having only done it a few days earlier, however, Big Mack was still acting a little anxious, and Donna was having a hard time keeping him sane. Luanne was great, though, giving Donna lot's of good advise along the way.

Out on the trail on Monday.

We rode all the way out to the same point we went before, then I suggested we turn and head back, as it took us about a half an hour to get back, and we had been out a half an hour. Donna and Big Mack went ahead, and all three boys began to get a little "jiggy" knowing we were turning for home. Luanne and I rode side by side for a long time, way behind Donna and Big Mack, and that was really cool. Possum was SO good!!

Back on the road, heading back to Luanne's

When we got back to Luanne's, we all jumped off and rolled up the stirrups and loosened up the girths, and I put the reins through the purple halter and clipped the lead line on the bottom ring for the long walk home. Once again, Big Mack was really sad to leave his buddy Cooper, whinnying several times on the walk back, but Possum was all like - "what evs!" We took several breaks on the long walk up the steep hill, and while Mack was sweating all over his neck and back when we got back to the Dodge barn, Possum was all cooled down with just a trace of a sweat on his back and girth when we got back home. I rubbed him down well and let him go in the paddock with a bunch of hay, then fed him half an hour later. He was so happy and proud of himself, I could tell! He was just acting really cool.

Walking back up the steep hill!

Yesterday, Tuesday, the air was even warmer, in fact it reached 70 degrees by the afternoon! I spent the morning doing bills, yoga, going to the dump, and did some work over at Dad's, then got riding Possum around 2:30. I took him left out of the driveway, after we looped behind the house and hopped over the jump, and we walked down to Dr. Doyle's and then all the way down New Road. We took the little logging trail loop on the Downing's land, exploring the little trails back there. Then we walked home. Though he was a bit sluggish on the way out, and I had to keep correcting him to stay straight and forward, on the way back, I let him pick his own pace. Because of the warm temps and his winter coat coming in, he got pretty warm and damp, so when we got back, I did get a bucket of water and sponged off his neck, girth, back and face. Then we went out to our back yard and I let him graze for half an hour. We had been out riding for 65 minutes!

 

Abandoned shed on the Downing land

 (Walking back towards home - all relaxed)

DAY 47 & 48 - More Easy Riding

Friday, I gave Possum most of the day off, as I had a ton of stuff to catch up on. He didn't seem to mind. We finally got going around 3 in the afternoon. As I was grooming him and putting on his tack, he was acting very "in your pocket!" Maybe he thought I had a cookie for him.

We went out for an easy stroll around the hood, nothing too hard. We ended up at the Dodge barn, and said hello to Donna and her boy and Big Mack. Then I rode him out to their big field to do a little work, but between the wind, the distracting very loud noises from some clear cutting going on on a lot down the hill, and the dog and baby running around, Possum was acting a wee bit ornery! He actually tried to *rear* (which is more like a hop up from his hind legs and pinned back ears and a head toss) when I asked him to move forward a couple of times! He just did NOT want to have anything to do with WORK! Taking into consideration our *big trail ride* the day before, and all of the other distractions, I let him off easy.. we did trot around a couple of times, and by golly, he was straight and collected! Even when he is cranky and rebellious he is going well! Yea Possum!

A view from Friday's stroll

Anyway, after the field, we walked down to Lenny's around back and then headed home, trotting briskly past Big Mack in his paddock. We trotted over the little cross rail in our back yard, then we called it a day after about 50 minutes out. He was happy.

Saturday, I got in touch with Donna with a text and she was available to go for a short ride around the 'hood. I got Possum ready and rolling by noon, and we ambled down to her place to catch the end of her free lunging session with Mack. It was really cool to observe! She practically has him controlled with body language and voice alone! She said he came out "out of the box" very frisky and fresh, but by the time Possum and I arrived, he was looking calm, blowing a few snorts and licking his lips. Donna led Big Mack into the barn to groom and tack up, and while we waited, Possum and I walked around his paddock, and did a few short trots, then we walked around all the trees in the yard between the barn and paddock.. looping around them like pole bending, almost. At the walk, of course.

Donna gave her middle boy a short "pony" ride on Mack, then she got on and we walked to the right on to the road. Down to Lenny's then into the field across the street. As we walked around the very edges, the horses remained good as middle boy Jonathon came zipping around on his mini dirt bike! I joked we needed to get that boy a pony, one that is more his size (Indy, the camp pony they took in last winter, was just a bit too big and strong for him.)

Out with Donna and Big Mack on Saturday

We enjoyed the beautiful view on a clear day, then ambled down behind Lenny's and back around to the road, picking up a trot towards the barn. Then we continued on towards my place, and took a right up to the path that leads to the gazebo. Up the hill we ambled, and around the loop a couple of times. Then back down and into our driveway and around the little loop in our back yard. We parted at the top of our driveway, and both horses were a little upset at the separation but quickly recovered. Another fun ride with two great horses! Yea!

Happy horse on Saturday evening

DAY 44, 45 & 46 - Trail Rides

I am repeating "day 44" so I can add a little about our first ride out with Big Mack and Possum together. I got Possum ready and I rode him up to the Dodge barn, where Big Mack was on the cross ties in the barn and Donna was finishing up putting on his tack. I rode out to the field and walked and trotted Possum around for a few minutes. Then Donna came out and mounted him from the big blue bucket. She had lunged Mack earlier, and he was looking very calm and agreeable. Before we set off for the road, I suggested to Donna that she walk Mack around the field a little bit, and he appeared to be listening to her, so we were pleased. Then, we said goodbye to Donna's husband and baby and we walked off towards my place.

Just before getting on the road.

As when we are hand walking the boys on our walks, Big Mack did stall a few times, knowing that the big hill was coming. He continued stopping and walking until we passed Dad's driveway, then he gave up and walked on down. We walked down to Dr. Doyle's, then I suggested we try trotting a bit on the way back to the pipe on the side of the road. Then, I told her turn around and trot back, while Possum and I stood at the pipe. Mack was a bit unsure, but she got to the telephone pole, turned around and trotted back. Then Possum and I trotted down to the telephone and trotted back, with Donna and Mack behind us.

Tuesday's ride with Big Mack

After that, we continued on down New Road for a bit, I think just past the first driveway, then turned back. On the way back up the hill, I suggested we take the path on Dad's land towards his backyard. Mack went ahead, then Possum and I went first down the big dip and back up, then Mack passed us again, and they trotted all the way up to Dad's back yard. Then we walked back up to the road. We could see that Mack was getting anxious, and his neck was coated in sweat. Instead of going straight back to the barn, we walked past the barn and as far as the graveyard, then turned back to the barn. It was a big day for Mack, but he did well. Possum and I headed back home and he got the rest of the day off.

Wednesday, day 45, I had an appointment at the dentist at 11, and after that I stopped at the animal shelter to pick up an application for adoption (we want to adopt two kittens.. soon!!!) It was heartbreaking seeing all of the cats and kittens and dogs in their cages, but there were a lot of volunteers, staff members and people like me, just checking them all out. I fell in love with every single one and took a few pics. Then I went to market and got back around 1:30, and after a quick lunch, I went out and got Possum ready for a spin around the neighborhood.

Some of the cats & kittens at the shelter. :( I want them all!

We went down the hill and skipped going to the end, but instead took a left and meandered down New Road for a bit. Possum was a bit sluggish.. he really didn't seem to want to go all the way to the end like he usually does. So, after a certain point and a little bit of trotting back and forth on the sandiest part of the road, we turned back and marched back up the hill. We had taken the path down the hill, then took it back up, where I let him trot for a bit. Then we walked up past Donna's and said hello to Big Mack, who was grazing in the temporary grazing paddock. He actually nickered when he saw us approaching! After that, we walked down the road and behind Lenny's. It was very windy, and I was impressed with how little Possum was spooking at everything blowing around. We stood in the sun and soaked up the views, then got back to the road where I asked him to canter a bit, then down to a trot and a walk. We walked back home and went over the little cross rail jump a couple of times, then I called it a day. We had been out a little under an hour.

Wednesday's ride.

Thursday, day 46, was the big day! Donna and I hand walked the boys down the hill and down Hancock Pond Road, to meet up with Luanne and her boy Cooper, a 9 year chestnut American Saddlebred, who she, like Donna and Big Mack, rescued from the slaughter pipeline. He's a handsome boy, and Luanne has done wonders with him.

Ready to head down to Luanne's!

As we approached Lunanne's driveway, where she was standing holding Cooper, our two boys got all high headed and bug eyed.. and their was a sweet reunion between Cooper and Big Mack, who spent many months living together up at Donna's. Possum was all excited to see Cooper and Luanne's other three - Duke, Sassy & Veronica the Shetland pony. It was a little chaotic getting ready, but we all managed to mount up and off we went.

We went down the road a bit more, then took a left on to a big fat trail. It went down a steep hill, then took a left towards a house. Our first obstacle was an old tractor.. then, as we approached the house, a black lab came out to bark, then a yellow mix dog came out to bark, too. Soon enough, the owners called them in, and the horses survived. We walked down the path for a while and explored the many little off shoots. It was a lot of fun.

Pics from our big trail ride on Thursday!

On the way back, Big Mack led, and a few times he began to trot and canter going up hills. Then, he'd stop and wait for us. After about an hour of being out, we got to the last part of the trail that led to the road, and it was a steep climb back up. Big Mack trotted, then Cooper, and I had a hell of a time holding Possum back from galloping! I had to keep his head turned to the left so he wouldn't take off on me!

Trail from Donna's P.O.V.

Trail from Luanne's P.O.V.

Everybody relaxed again, though, when we got back to the road. Then the excitement picked up again when we got back to Luanne's house and there was another loud greeting from Duke & Sassy (Veronica wasn't too phased by any of it, though.)

Donna took off Mack's saddle, and he was covered in sweat, so Luanne's loaned her a cooler for the walk home. I dismounted Possum and clipped the lead line I had brought with me on to the halter I had over his bridle, and just before leaving, I decided to put the chain over his nose.. just a bit too much excitement and he was prancing around a bit. Once we got back on the road and away from the horses and past the house with two barking German Shepards, everybody settled down. At the bottom of our hill, once again, Possum stopped and said, UM NO WAY! With many little stopping breaks, we finally all got to the top of the hill, and we said goodbye to Donna and Big Mack and got back home around 1:30 in the afternoon. Lot's of fun!