Headed in the right direction

Bourbon's eye is pretty much all healed up.

He got his shoes pulled and his feet trimmed and his feet look a lot better. They aren't perfect, but we're headed in the right direction. He is really sore on the hard ground, but seems fine on soft grass and sand.

Puncture Wound

Bourbon is so freaking accident prone. I have no clue how he did this.

I'm flushing it with betadine and putting antibiotic ointment on it every day. I hope it heals soon. :(

must.stop.spending.

I really need to stop spending money. I just need so much stuff! I think I am done buying crap for a while though. I just ordered a Roma Front Lift Wither Relief Pad, Wintec Webbers and Grand Hoof. I don't actually need anything else, but of course I really want a sheepskin girth, sheepskin half pad, and a horse trailer. No more spending. No more spending. No more spending!

My stirrup leathers that I currently have are brown, old as dirt and stretched unevenly. It was definitely time for some new ones that actually match my new saddle. I ended up going with Wintec Webbers because a saddle I tried a couple months ago had them and I really liked the way there was no bulk from the buckle under my thigh.

I am going to start Bourbon on the Grand Hoof that I ordered. I ordered it from Smartpak so I know the barn will give him the correct amount every day. It ships to me every 28 days so I never have to worry about running out. His feet look like crap, so I want to give the Grand Hoof some time to see if it helps. I really hope it helps... Here are what his feet look like now.

Did I mention I've got Bourbon on a joint supplement? It's in treat form and he absolutely loves it. I'm not sure I'm going to continue it or not though. I've got two bags with 60 treats each, so it's 4 months worth of joint supplements. His joints were clicking a lot and he seemed a little stiff at the beginning of our rides, so we'll see if I notice any improvement when I get to the end of the second bag. I read some studies that basically said the supplement I am using (Glucosamine in HCL form as the main ingredient) is worthless and not absorbed by the body. I guess we shall see.

On second thought...

On second thought, maybe the saddle does fit.

Yesterday Bourbon threw a bucking fit so I immediately assumed the saddle didn't fit. Apparently my dog Bruschi had run under his feet right before he started bucking. I didn't realize it until my husband mentioned it to me. I am guessing that is why he was bucking.

It appears to fit quite well and man it is SO comfortable. I love it! I ordered a Roma Wither Relief Pad with front lift that should make it an absolute perfect fit.

I rode Bourbon twice today. Lots of trotting both posting and in two point. I also asked for a bit of leg yielding at the walk.

I am trying to get a bunch of the girls at the barn to ship out for a trail ride next weekend. It would be so much fun to get off the property with Bourbon.

I give up.

The saddle doesn't fit. I give up and I am going to ride bareback forever.

It's here!

The saddle is here! There is really nothing wrong with it at all! I found one tiny barely noticeable scratch on the flap but thats pretty much it. The SMB boots are here too! Hopefully the girth will come tomorrow. I am so excited!!

Lesson #2

I had my second lesson with Tracy today. We worked on lots of bending and moving Bourbon's shoulders.

I told her I had started to incorporate some canter work into our riding so she had me canter him to the left (his good side) and it went pretty well except he really wanted to lean on the rail.

I then tried to canter him to the right and it was a total disaster. I couldn't even get him to pick up a canter at all. She told me to hold off on the canter work until I get my saddle so that I can get up out of his way at the canter so he can effectively use himself and actually pick up a nice right lead canter.

Chiropractor

The chiropractor came out to adjust Bourbon today. She said he was absolutely gorgeous and that she wanted him. :P

She only worked on him for about 15 minutes. She made a few adjustments and Bourbon heaved a sigh of relief after each one. I am a definite fan and will be having the chiropractor out again in a few months. I was really happy with the price. It was only $50!

I cantered him again the other day and he was perfect! I am finally overcoming my fear of cantering him bareback. :D