Karen's EasyCare & Endurance Musings

We've been shake, rattling and rolling here in Nevada!

There has been a huge increase in the number of earthquakes here in Northern Nevada.   Click here for a local news article on the topic - we had a magnitude 4.7 last night at 11:40 p.m., followed by another 50 aftershocks.  I'm south enough of Reno to not feel most of them.  I have one overly sensitive dog that doesn't like the shaking and I'm quite certain the horses know as well.  They tend to stay out in the open more. 

I just took these photos of Rocky today.  I love the ear in the first shot!  I'll post more later about his feet and how things are progressing after his founder episode earlier this year.  He's been on a diet - can you tell? 

Proposed State park Closures - State of California

If you know somebody who lives in California, please pass this on to them.

Work, the holidays and my grandma

I ran across this (see below) in another blog post recently, and it made me think of my grandma.  I can still hear her telling me a lot of the things in that blog post, but especially that part of it.  She was always pretty smart and gave good advice.  This will be the first Christmas without her, and it just seems so much like a void.  I'll always miss her, but now more than ever. 

Cleaning an aluminum horse trailer

I was able to get the horse trailer pressure washed today - inside and out.  It took quite a while to get it all done and it looks really good.  It was cold and windy here today, so I dressed like I was going skiing (or riding in extreme conditions, lol). 

I would like to get the aluminum really clean and polished up.  Does anybody have any recommendations on what products to use that have worked well on their trailers? 

Southern California Wildfires

The news is bad and getting worse about the wildfires in Southern California.  Here is a report on what is happening from thehorse.com. 

This blog also has a lot of information about the fires in the San Diego area. 

The KTLA website also has a lot of info on the fires, probably a little more detail than some of the national news sources has.  Here is a Google map showing the locations of the fires.

I'm from Ventura (SoCal), and have a lot of friends and relatives that are in danger that I'm really worried about.   My heart goes out to the ones that have lost their animals, and their homes.  This is such a tragic event.   

Hoof Boots on Ebay

Check out this collection of hoof boots on Ebay!  There are quite a few boots here.  Highest bid takes all 100 boots!  Auction ends on 10/22. 

Marquis: 4 boots
Saber Sneakers: 2 boots
Horse Moc: 2 boots
Bosana: 2 boots
Hoof Wings: 4 boots
Davis: 39 boots
Swiss: 24 boots
Cavallo Simple: 23 boots

Email Catchup Not Going Well

I've been playing catchup all day.  Drove home 650 miles from the Grand Canyon yesterday.  I don't think I have even made a dent in the emails yet.  Haven't even unloaded the trailer or unpacked anything yet.  Sorry about that for those of you who are waiting for a response from me!  I have a lot of questions to answer, plus dozens of Team Easyboot applications to look over.  We have also been receiving a lot of entries for the contest to win a pair of Easyboots, taking place over on Garrett's blog regarding changes in the 2008 Hoof Boot Contest.  So far most of the responses have been incorrect!  We even posted the correct answers in one of our blog posts.   

We are also still working on selecting a name for our new boots.  We received over 1500 names so it has taken awhile to narrow it down and choose only one.  To make things more complicated, we have decided that we really need to work on two new boot styles so are in fact trying to choose two new names!  As soon as we get that far we'll post about it in our blogs and on the Easycare, Inc. website. 

Thanks for your patience!  Once I get a little more caught up, I will put together an album of the photos from the ride last week.  It was really a gorgeous ride.  Chief completed the season with 1370 miles (I think), and will now get a nice several week long break from any competition.  Tigger gets to finish my ride season off with the ride this coming weekend at High Desert.  Now to get back to work....

Homemade Horse Trailer

This is really scary.  I can't believe somebody would do this.  Be sure to look at all of the photos.

Lower Back Pain

I tweaked something in my lower back last week.  Somehow I managed to still ride both days at Virgin Rim - tho I did trot most of the time as walking was too painful.  Now that I am home again, it has gotten a thousand times worse.  I went to the chiro today and got adjusted.  I'm not able to lift anything, and feel pretty nauseated but otherwise I'm looking forward to feeling better tomorrow.  Gotta think positive, right!  I found this on lower back pain, will give it a try.

Bear in yard

Made the long drive home yesterday from southern Utah to find that we had a bear in a tree by the fence where the barn is.  The bear had apparently gone up the tree around 5 a.m.  The neighbors called animal control but apparently bear retrievers are in short supply and have been very busy of late so what finally happened is the bear managed to make a safe getaway sometime last night.  It's hard to see him in the photo with all of the leaves.   

Turns out another neighbor nearby shut their garage door and there were three bear cubs inside.

Guess the sheep, cows and other misc. wildlife we encountered on the last endurance ride was nothing compared to having bears on our own properties.

In case you thought you had a bad day....

It probably wasn't as bad as this guy had.  I can't believe this kind of stuff even makes news.  hehe

Okay, so to make this somewhat horse related - I've been getting ready for the Bryce XP.  It's a 5 day 250 mile ride and one of the most beautiful trails that I've ridden.  I am taking Chief and Tigger.  I hope to alternate them, 3 days on Chief and 2 on Tigger.  Trying to resist the urge to ride Chief all 5 days.  Or at least, attempt to.  You never know what can happen, horses are fragile. 

Winnie's Surgery

Here's what you get for $350 from the vet hospital when your dog needs surgery to remove a growth from her side:

1)  Groggy Doggy
2)  Large shaved area (well, it is summer)
3)  Sutures in shaved area, oh what fun to keep the groggy doggy from chewing/licking when she is less groggy (good thing we have a plastic hood for her already...) 
4)  Antibiotics to torture the groggy doggy with twice a day for a week, this will get more fun after she is not groggy... ugh 
5)  Cheezy colorful bandana.  If she weren't so groggy she'd be insisting we remove it NOW!! 

Winnie is happy to be home, she had a rough day yesterday.  She's not feeling well you can tell.  She'll be able to eat again tomorrow.  She's currently snoring, but will start crying if you pet her, mainly from being so happy to be home.  She deserves lots of hugs and attention.  Poor girl.  Tomorrow will be a better day. 

I feel human again!

Finally had to go see the doc today for my allergy reaction.  I hate going, really--the office is always full of sick people and you always have to wait a long time (at least at my doctor's office you do). 

Interested in a career in natural hoofcare?

Now is your opportunity!  All students entering the Equine Sciences Academy will be eligible to apply for an EasyCare Scholarship in the amount of $1,000.00. 

Anniversary Celebration!

I can't believe how fast the time has gone, wow!  It's hard to believe that today is my 20th wedding anniversary! 

My review of Gorilla tape

I used Gorilla tape on Chief's Epics all three days of the Strawberry Fields ride.  It is definitely thicker than duct tape and I think that on rides that are dry it might perform as well as duct tape.  On this ride, however - it did not.  Duct tape, IMO -- is still the winner hands down for using with boots on rides with a lot of water crossings.  I use the tape to line the inside of the boots to help them slide on and off easier over of the hoofwall when putting the boots on or removing them. 

I'll try the Gorilla tape again on a ride that doesn't have so many water crossings.  It did not stay stuck once it got wet. 

Cultivating Greatness -- Blog Article

How many of these things do you see in yourself?

The 15 Winning Characteristics of the Happiest, Most Successful People

Happy Easter and Deviled Eggs

I ran across this on my google homepage wikihow, "How to make deviled eggs", and thought of the time Calina made deviled eggs at a ride.  Hopefully this won't ruin anybody's appetite. 

April Fools

Ten of the best April Fool's Day hoaxes.

More April Fools.

Iditarod underway

Current results can be found here.

Valentine's Day fast approaching...

Only 13 days left before Valentine's Day!  Don't procastinate any longer.  Here is a list of gift ideas for him, and a list of gift ideas for her.

Myth Busters

Have you ever watched Myth Busters?  They cover a lot of stuff you get in those emails telling you about all sorts of things.  It's nice to know what is true and what is not.  Here is a page that is a summary of all of the myth's - busted or confirmed.  I know most of you are horse people, but are also probably somewhat tech savvy, or you wouldn't be online reading my blog.  :) 

Scientists create tests for horse-trading

I wonder where my horses would have tested on their scale?

TOURS, France, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- French researchers say they have laid out scientific rules to avoid being taken in one of the oldest transactions known to man -- buying a horse.

Horse dealers were known for taking advantage of the gullible long before the first used car lot was created.

Lea Lansade, who headed the research effort at the National Institute for Agronomic Research in Tours, told the Times of London that a few simple tests can determine whether an 8-month-old foal has the temperament for racing, equestrian events or general riding.  They include opening up an umbrella in front of the foal, placing a sheet in front of the horse on the usual path to its food and touching the horse with a strand of fiber.

"Some foals whinny a lot and others hardly react at all," Lansade said.

Foals' reaction reveals its levels of fear, social motivation, sensitivity, activity and reactivity.

"We can then measure the results against the tests conducted on 350 horses here in Tours to see where the foal fits on the scale," she said.

© Copyright 2006 United Press International, Inc.

My dog in (is?) a hood

Is this the saddest looking dog you ever saw?  She would want you to think that.  She has a paw that she continually licks and won't leave alone.  Last night I wrapped it well with vetwrap and took her hood off.  She is quite the drama queen however, and got up sometime in the middle of the night and ran up and down the hall, and in and out of the dog door on three legs.  She kept us up for hours.  Finally about 6:30 this morning she had tired herself out, which was good timing for her as she got to sleep while we got up. 

I have no sympathy for her, and cut her bandage off and put her 'hood' back on.  Notice the bends and dings in the outer perimeter of it?  There are matching dings to go with it in most of our furniture and the doorways.  She actually manages to get this thing through the doggy door, which is about half as wide as it is.  I can't put her outside as cold as it is -- it got down to zero last night.  It's currently up to 32 for a high today. 

Aren't animals fun? 

Martha Stewart's Thanksgiving Shopping List

Our list wasn't nearly as elaborate.  Heck, we just went to Costco and piled a few things in the cart.  I'm sure we'll manage to get by if we missed something on Martha's list!  I'm kind of bad about shopping for food.  If I get it at Costco it's usually good, and it's also in a large enough quantity that I don't have to go there very often.  I hate shopping!  I'd rather be riding!  Maybe somebody will find this useful......Martha Stewart Thanksgiving Shopping List.  (this is a real list, btw)   Happy Thanksgiving! 

I must listen with a purpose.

This was in a newsletter that I subscribe to. 

I must practice listening for understanding, rather than evaluation.   

It's Nevada'a 142nd Birthday!

I always thought it was great living in a state that has a holiday on October 31 (aka Halloween).  Actually, Nevada Day is a state holiday to celebrate Nevada's admission to the union as the 36th state.  Here is a quiz on Nevada.

I'm celebrating by taking Chief to a ride.  We should have perfect weather for the ride and the Nevada Day festivities. 

Stopping Bleeding

This is an interesting article from www.sciencentral.com. 

Other uses for boots

Here are photos of a few hoofboots that have found alternative careers.  Everything from being a planter, wind chime or pencil holder to a wine glass holder.

Prevalence of gastric squamous ulceration in horses with abdominal pain.

Newly published research found on PubMed.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Prevalence of gastric ulcerations differs widely according to breed and circumstances of management. Further study of the biological variables involved is required in order to identify more exactly the reasons for the reported range.  OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this present study, which do not appear to have been addressed previously in the literature, were 1) the prevalence of gastric ulceration in horses with abdominal pain. 2) difference in prevalence in horses responding to medical therapy and those requiring surgical intervention. 3) whether gastric ulceration is associated with any particular gastrointestinal tract lesion.  METHODS: Horses were included in the study if gastroscopy was performed within 24 h of presentation.  The presence and grade of gastric ulceration was recorded together with the medical records.  Data were analysed categorically using a Fisher's exact test or Chi-squared test. RESULTS:  One hundred horses met the selection criteria.  Forty-nine percent (49/100) of horses had gastric ulceration, 63% (63/100) responded to medical therapy and 37% (37/100) to surgical intervention, and prevalence was higher in the former (59%) than the latter (32%).  Horses with duodenitis-proximal jejunitis (DPJ) had a trend towards higher prevalence of gastric ulceration compared to those with other GI lesions.  Sixty-eight percent (13/19) of horses diagnosed with DPJ, 32% (8/25) with a large colon impaction and 14% (1/7) with large colon volvulus had gastric ulceration.  CONCLUSIONS:  The presence of gastric ulceration in all horses with abdominal pain was moderate.  Horses responding to medical therapy had a higher prevalence of gastric ulceration compared to horses requiring surgery and there was a trend towards higher prevalence in cases of DPJ compared to other GI lesions. There was not a statistically significant difference in gastric ulceration detected between specific lesions, including large colon impactions and large colon volvulus. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE:  The clinical relevance of ulceration is still unclear and further studies are required to differentiate between incidental and clinically important gastric ulceration.

FEDERAL COURT DISMISSES UTAH R.S. 2477 LAWSUIT

Yesterday, a federal judge in Salt Lake City dismissed a decade old lawsuit designed to diminish or eliminate those public access rights. The lawsuit was filed in 1996 against the Bureau of Land Management in Utah by some of the most notorious anti-access groups, including the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance and the Sierra Club.

In his ruling, the Utah District Court cited a 10th Circuit Court of Appeals decision.  For info on that key decision please read: R.S. 2477: THE LEGAL BATTLE CONTINUES

Joe Baird of the Salt Lake Tribune reports the news. Environmentalists: Court rules issue is settled, suit is moot

Riding Rocky in G2's and the FreeForm

I finally got around to getting the sheepskin cover on the saddle I'm trying.  Turns out, the one from my old saddle fits the FreeForm perfectly (It's for a Bob Marshall Sportssaddle).  How convenient was that? 

On our ride a hawk swooped down into a tree a few feet in front of me and caught a rabbit.  Then he took off flying carrying the rabbit, but it was too large for him and he had to drop it.  We stopped awhile and waited to see if he would come back and try to get the rabbit, but as long as we were there he wouldn't. 

I used four Old Mac G2's on Rocky.  They seem to fit him well and he moves well in them.  I've left them on him for a couple of days at a time, and he hasn't had any rubbing or chaffing anywhere.  I think I can get Epics on faster and prefer them myself, but I can see why people like the Old Mac's.  I've been using Comfort Pads in the boots to see how they work.  It's neat to see the nice little frog impression in the pad when you take the boots off.

Riding in Regular Easyboots -- and trying a new saddle!

I have to admit I'm a little surprised that Chief's Easyboots have stayed on.  I'm trying a new FreeForm Saddle on him (it's pretty comfy, and I think it fit him perfectly!), so got him out on the trail again tonight.  I had left his boots on last night and while he was turned out today.  When I rounded him up he had been in the muddy pasture and came out with his boots still on, and covered in mud past his pasterns. 

He  home from our ride tonight with the boots on -- wouldn't be a big deal but this horse previously could not keep a regular Easyboot on!  When I took them off the one with the cloth tape seemed to be stuck a bit more than the carpet tape (both tapes are 2-sided).  I am sure the heat helped with melting the glue to the boot and the hoof.  I am looking foward to riding the other horses and seeing if the boots stay on them with the 2 sided tape, and also seeing how the FreeForm works on them.  Chief is the one that has to give final approval if it will work though, he has the shortest back, and will probably continue to be ridden the most.

Trimming rock hard hooves

I thought I'd try soaking Zenos' feet today before he was to be trimmed.  So I put on a pair of EasySoaker boots, filled them with water, and left him to stand in the shade of a tree for a few hours.  Zenos just stood patiently and waited.  I did walk him a few steps from the hitching post where I had put the boots on over to the shade -- the look on his face was priceless when he heard the 'squish' sound of the boots (already filled with water).   We trimmed his hooves a few hours later, and it definitely did help.  This time of year the horses hooves get really hard and dried out.  This is a great way to soak them without making a muddy mess somewhere!

We didn't get to ride today

There is a fire a few miles south of us that was started by lightning.  It made for a lot of smoke today, and a beautiful sunset. 

I didn't think I should work the horses with the smoke as bad as it was, so I didn't get a chance to ride Zenos with his 'fixodented' Easyboots!  He's still wearing them though. 

Maybe if the smoke clears out we can go for a ride tomorrow.

There goes the entire EasyCare advertising budget!

Here are a couple of questions to ponder.....

• Will anybody notice that the horse in this photo with Paris Hilton is wearing Easyboots?
• How many will even notice the horse (the one wearing Easyboots)?
• Would Paris be embarrassed if she knew the horse was wearing 'last years model' Easyboots?  Oh the horror!

Anyway, I found this on google and thought it was too good not to share. 

By Horse Across the U.S.

You may Listen to this story in .mp3 format.

Profile America — Saturday, July 8th.  Even normally blasé New Yorkers were interested in a letter sent to the mayor of their city by the mayor of San Francisco.  It arrived on this day in 1911, in the hands of a young woman — named Nan Jane Aspinwall — who carried it with her by horseback across the entire country — the first woman to accomplish the feat.  She left San Francisco on September 1, 1910, and arrived in New York 301 days later — after a trip of 45-hundred miles in all sorts of weather.  When Aspinwall made her journey of endurance, there were nearly 20-million horses in the U.S. and just under half-a-million cars and trucks.  Now, it's estimated there are just over 9-million horses in the country — and more than 231-million cars and trucks.  You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau on the Web at <www.census.gov>.

Father trades horse for farm

That was the headline of a newspaper article that was in a folder of items that I found in the oak rolltop desk that my grandmother willed to me (some time ago) and I recently acquired.  I grew up hearing stories of my great grandfather being a horse trader, and how he rode long distances on his horse (between Oklahoma and New York).  Now I have some 50 year old newspaper stories telling about how he traded a horse (and saddle!) for an entire farm to a man who was homesick!  He then married and returned to the farm in a covered wagon, leading a cow with some chickens.  The wagon tipped over and when they got it upright, they found that not a single egg had been broken.  Interesting to read what was viewed as news a half a century ago, or more. 

Horses and riding must be in my blood, I guess.