What? Moving? Yes!

Hey all, this is a quick update because I have a big day tomorrow. I am moving Ava to my dream ranch. It kind of came up suddenly but I think this is going to be a good move. I have been wanting Ava to live in a larger paddock or at least something with turnout, her pen at the moment is small, only dirt and no turnout. She is the kind of horse that needs to be a horse (yes, that is how I wanted it sound :P ) and staying in that little pen just won't cut it. I will truly miss my old BM but I think this will be the right choice for Ava and I think she will be much happier. Even though leaving the place she knew to go to a completely new place will be stressful it will hopefully create more happiness in her in the long run. Also she will get to see her life long friend Poco! I can't wait to see that moment, it could be very emotional (happy emotional) or it could be like they see each other and don't care at all. Either way they will both know that neither of them have died.

Of course I will take a million pictures, the ranch is literally to die for gorgeous and super photogenic! I can't wait to tell you how it all goes, good or bad.

Hoof Update and Weak Stifles?

I trimmed Ava's feet yesterday with my new hoof nippers. It made my job so much easier even with Ava being a pain in the butt. I think they have definitely improved especially on the heels. Her feet were really dry so I couldn't get all the bars off but hopefully all this rain will soften them up. I don't know if you remember but I posted the very first pictures of her feet before I started doing anything to them and her heels very slung under, it did not make me happy. But it looks like her heels are coming back and her balance it getting better.

Also I am having the vet come out on Thursday to check out Ava's stifles. I won't go too much into details until after I get a diagnosis but so far it is looking like she has weak stifles or a possible locking stifle. I put some pictures below of her cantering. On her left she seems much more calm but on her right it seems tight and rigid (especially when I ride..) She has also been falling on her hind end more often than before. I uploaded some of these pictures to a horse forum and the responses said that the stifles do look weak, so, I'll see what the vet says.

Firefly

Today Ava was moved into a pen with another horse! The horse had an individual pen next to Ava's and from the get go they became great friends. So, we decided to move them into a pen together. They acted like they have known each other for their whole lives and they don't pick on each other either (which is weird for Ava.) I was really happy for Ava, she needs a good friend while Poco is off being trained. This horse's name is Firefly and her owner is also a friend of mine which is even more wonderful.

The new pen is huge. It will be really nice for them to have a more space. Although they won't be staying in that paddock for long, they are almost finished building a new set of horse pens and said that Firefly and Ava will be moved in there after they're done, can't wait to show you guys!

 I'm not the best photographer ;)

Already sharing their hay!

Advice by Chris Cox

When I went to watch Chris Cox's demonstrations he said something very interesting and really made me think. I'd really like to share it with you all, so, here you go!

     "Do you pay for the vet bills, farrier bills, feed, tack, and all the other things the horse needs?" Chris asks one of the volunteers.
     "Yes" said the lady.
     "Is he pretty much treated like a million dollar horse?" Chris asks again.
     "Yes" the lady says again.
     "Well, if he is being treated like a million dollar horse he better start acting like one" Chris says.

My mind was blown!

Cleaning the Isle

So yesterday I made Ava clean up the isle that leads to her paddock. Since the grass was getting so long I didn't want people to think that I never took her out, so, I made her eat it all up. You could say she was thrilled to do so!