I'm glad both of you got to ride.
Beaker, I know what you mean about the snow drifts. I was in northern New Jersey the first part of the week and although there was no snow on the ground, I couldn't believe the size of the drifts of nasty snow that were piled up everywhere. We just don't see that down here in Alabama. I got out just in time too, coz they got about 6 inches after I left. Whew! I don't drive well in snow. I got lost enough as it was and sure didn't need the added challenge of snow!
MissTargets, I know what you mean about not having enough time for two hobbies. Maybe when you retire you can ride more. In the meantime, it's good that you have buddies who will loan you a horse. You get to ride when you want to and don't have to pay for the upkeep. Pretty sweet deal! ;o)
Since yesterday was Good Friday, I had the day off from work and sure was glad coz it was a gorgeous day. It got up to almost 80! My riding buddy was off too and since it was supposed to rain the rest of the weekend, we went trailriding. The Forest Service has just finished cleaning up most of the downed trees left over from years of pine beetle damage and Hurricane Ivan so we got to ride trails we hadn't ridden in several years. One of them we call the "Kamilkaze Trail" because there's some pretty hairy places where the trail edges along about half way up an overgrown cliff face and there's big rocks to climb over and narrow places where you have to watch your knees, but it's the prettiest trail out there. It was Blade's first time there and he did really well. He has a tendency toward laziness, which is aggravating when you want him to move on out with some speed, but it works out really well in places like this where you want him to take his time and be careful. I always say that if nobody got killed, it was a good ride! ;o)
Oh good, I'm glad that you know what I'm talking about
:-) Do you still have snow down where you are? Most of it is gone here except for the chucks of it. it's realy wierd (and somewhat challanging) to ride a horse in deep snow. They do a lot of floudering and sinking, and you try your best to stay out of their way! I'm fortunate though, in that the horse that I usually take out on the trails is very safe, and bombproof. I'll spook before he will. He's also really cute because he's always looking out for the little dogs that come with us so he won't step on them. He spooked once or twice, but it wasn't a "take off and run" spook, it was a "Oh dear, what's that moving in the woods? Oh, it's the dogs. Ok." type of thing.
The following guidelines are based on the latest information released by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (January 2001)
A. Tetanus toxoid: Once yearly. Booster after injury or surgery if toxoid not given in 6 months.
B. Influenza intramuscular: (Flu) Every 2-3 months if high exposure to other horses, foals should not be vaccinated until at least 6 or 7 months old. Note: for current foal Recommendations see below)
Influenza intranasal: twice yearly. More frequent booster not required.
C. Rhinopneumonitis: (Rhino) every 3 months if high exposure to other horses.
D. Encephalitis: Once or twice yearly,
E. Potomac Horse Fever: Once to twice yearly in areas with disease present.
F. Rabies: Once yearly.
G. Strangles: Once to twice yearly.
That's great they got those trails cleaned up, and you had a good ride. I remember riding pass a repelling area when I first got my gelding. Trail was so narrow and a long way down. Really scary on a new horse.
Cindy, I hope Okie is better and you don't get fired. Hey, it was an emergency!
We are going to a horse sale today. Estrogen is going to be there too, and I will try and meet up with her. I am taking off for the weekend after that, so you all have a very Happy Easter.