If you have horses for any length of time you eventually realize that there are a couple of things that you NEED. The horse itself can be of any age, color, size, athletic ability or lack thereof. The tack you choose could be English, Western, Endurance, or bareback with a halter, for that matter. Still, regardless of breed or discipline these 3 things will be essential:

1) a good hay source
2)a good hoof care practitioner
3) A Good Vet

You may notice that I listed the Vet third, but capitalized it. That’s because while you may go literal years without needing a vet, as I have in the past, you can sling your horses hay and muddle through hoof care religiously but eventually, when the chips are down, we all need A Good Vet.

I’m now after another hay source, with the imminent closure of Lizzy’s, and after years of bad farriers I took my horses barefoot and not long after learned to trim them myself. But the Vet. Ah, the Good Vet. Here I reach the crux of it, and I must rhapsodize a little about my own favorite vet, Dr. Ellie Tortosa, DVM. She is in fact, the only vet I’ve seen the need to use since moving to this area 5 years ago, aside from one awful night a few years ago spent with a colicking boarder horse and unknown vet. Dr. Ellie’s practice is based over 30 miles away but was highly recommended by the trainer that owned our place before us and I was happy to sort of “inherit” Dr. Ellie when we moved in with our horses. That plus seeing her work with some rescue horses that I was helping a friend with around the same time cemented my desire to have this tough, hard working young vet on my side.

For the most part, my interactions with Dr. Ellie have been non emergent, basic horse maintenance: vaccines (did my own for years but would really rather not), dentals, and the like. Things got more exciting in January 2011 with the arrival of then-pregnant Desire, who needed her last shots and exam before her April due date. Desire told Dr. Ellie to go fly a kite about getting near her rear end and was overall an aloof and uptight patient, but all was accomplished and we forgave Desire because look, she was such a gorgeous momma:

1 month before Sheza’s birth, March 2011

 The night of April 14th, 2011, my intense mare watch–think cameras rigged in the stall and broadcasting in the house in case I couldn’t stare in person– lapsed for a couple of hours and of course, with my absence, it was foal time! We got home and rushed to check her around 9 pm and viola, there were FEET sticking out of her private bits! The rest of the night was me panicking, being soothed on the phone by Dr. Ellie, and my husband calmly helping to deliver a big, gorgeous, chrome-y chestnut filly, the now 14.2 hand ball of fire known as Sheza Blaznhaat Xpres:

Sheza, 2 days old

It was a pretty smooth birth but then Desire retained the placenta and faithful Dr. Ellie was out first thing in the morning to niftily remove it while I gagged in the corner. Everything was checked out and Dr. Ellie gave me the thumbs up on my lovely new red filly!

Sheza, 2 months old

Since then I’ve only needed Dr. Ellie out the standard once or twice a year at most, and really that’s how I prefer it. Sometimes our appointments are put off due to emergencies but that is the life of a busy country vet. Each visit with her is efficient and enjoyable, she is happy to be peppered with questions and I almost always learn something. I am one of her only clients with Arabians (others are mostly QH/paint types) and she always remarks on their good looks and upkeep, while harboring a particular affinity for dear little Blaze. Her work is always quiet and mindful of the horse, and she and I have both noticed how much friendlier and softer Desire is at each of Dr. Ellie’s visits.

Sheza, 2 years old

Vaccines were taken care of for the year this spring and I didn’t anticipate calling Dr. Ellie for a while. Then at the Mendocino Magic ride a few weeks ago new guy Scrappy began nodding his head while eating and an obliging ride vet checked his mouth and discovered points and hooks; meanwhile back at home Blaze was having a 2 day stomach upset of some sort while my husband called Dr. Ellie and every other vet in the area to see what he should do. Whatever it was resolved itself and Blaze was in fine fettle by the time I got home from the ride, but I wanted Dr. Ellie out as soon as possible to take care of Scrappy’s teeth and see if we could discover the origin of Blaze’s episode.

I know, I know, “pics or it didn’t happen.” Somehow I didn’t get a single photo of yesterday’s Vet Day, but my defense is, and it’s hilarious how close to true this is, a doped up Scrappy looks a lot like an un-doped up Scrappy!!  So anyway, Dr. Ellie arrived promptly at the agreed hour and had Scrappy doped up and in the speculum in no time. Right away she asked why Scrappy’s mouth was dyed red, and I, upon seeing the vivid hue to gums and tongue, prepared  to hyperventilate and drop dead if another horse had a random surprise problem. There was some sort of mushed up organic material in his mouth as well but, unable to distinguish what it was, we resolved to walk the pasture together after the dental. The rest went smoothly and we guided  a wobbly Scrappy back to his digs, where he continued to chill with a quiet eye and relaxed dangly boy bits, much as he would without the drugs! Dr. Ellie and I walked around until we found an orange-y barked pine tree down by the pond that clearly had fresh teeth marks in it. Okay then! Mystery solved, the bark isn’t toxic, but hopefully the tree eating will resolve with his newly tended teeth anyway. PHEW!

Next Blaze was diagnosed with “mild points” to his teeth but before doing a dental Dr. Ellie checked him all over and when listening to some portion of his guts–yep, forgot the proper term, but the one listened to up under their bellies near the groin–she froze and passed me the earbuds to listen to the stethoscope. I heard a soft swishing sound and she told me that Blaze had a bellyful of dirt/sand! No doubt the cause of his mild colic and if she had sedated him to do a dental, it quite likely would have caused another. She said No dental, recommended 2 weeks of Sand Clear and a maintenance dose for the rest of the gang just to be careful and went on her way to her next patients–and I was struck nearly breathless at the thought that, had she just blithely done the dental, I may well have had had a serious and potentially deadly sand colic episode with Blaze.

This face is very dear to me, and so I say again and again, Thank you Dr. Ellie Tortosa, for caring. You are truly a Good Vet.

After reassuring myself that Scrappy was ready for an end-of-September 50 with the completion of 2 hilly LDs at Mendo, it’s been a week and a half of everything but riding. Some good has been accomplished and some vehicles have taken a shit. Fortunately my old orange hauling Ford is as throaty and reliable as ever but my husband’s Dodge is currently taking a nap at the mechanics. Still, after a surprise thunderstorm late last week that brought us at least an inch of rain overnight, many hooves were trimmed–and glorious sky photos taken.

But were starving horses given snacks afterward, Blaze wonders..

The rain softened hooves and loosened up a bunch of old sole in everyone’s hooves and I got a great trim put on Desire and cleaned up Scrappy’s hooves but by the time I got to Blaze yesterday his feet had hardened up pretty solidly. Still doable, but I had an idea. The other day Renegade boot expert Ashley over at Go Pony! blog posted about using a Renegade boot as a soaker boot, by lining the shell with duct tape to make it actually hold water. I thought that was a genius idea, couldn’t find my duct tape, got irritated, and just put 3 un-taped Renegades on Blaze’s hooves to trim him. My idea was to “fill” the boots at the start,  and, leaving the hose on low in the dog water bucket next to my trimming area, snag it and re-hose the boots any time I gave/took a break. So, sort of more labor intensive than just lining the boots but still pretty easy. And, believe it or not, it worked! I go pretty slowly on my two 17 year olds, letting them set their foot down periodically and move around, trying to keep it a pleasant experience, and with all the old sole to shed out and some wall height to take down, the trim took a good hour and a half. His hooves got a pretty good “set and soak” in the boots. It was easy as pie to hook the nippers under the loosening sole and just peel off what wanted to go. I really remember why I enjoy trimming when the hooves are a little softer!

Blaze hinds 

 Feeding time with lots of assistants 🙂

 For now we have plenty of lovely hay stacked in. Horses are trimmed and happy and healthy, soon to be more so once Scrap gets his teeth taken care of. September is upon us and while the days still often reach 90 degrees, temperatures are cooling nicely at night. This redhead is much happier greeted by mornings in the high 50s instead of the low 70s! It is 3 weeks until our next AERC ride at Chamberlain Creek, with a dash home to the Mendocino County Fair next weekend on the books if I can fit it in, and hopefully getting out on my horses some point before then too!

 I grew up in the area this ride is held and made plans ahead of time to meet family. J and co were kind enough to Scrappy-sit for me so that I could dash out Thursday night, shower at my brother’s so I didn’t kill my very horse-allergic sister, and meet the family in town for dinner. Everyone was very tired but we chatted and stared off into space companionably and were all off to our various bed’s before long.

Scrappy tucked into Blaze & Desire’s blankets, Thursday night

 Friday there were the usual rounds of socializing, eating, drinking, and repeat. Plus J and I went for a short ride, and my mom showed up to visit later!

Away for a tack check ride Friday, Sedona is sexy and Scrappy is a bit of a snot around her. We don’t ride together during LDs and may have to camp apart, too! 

Ride camp filling up

 This ride had phenomenal trail marking both days, with plates, ribbons, dolomite, and signs.

 Heading back down the first of many many many hills, Friday pre-ride

 My mom showed up and we had a good chat and then took the Scrapper over to vet in:

 We gave embarrassing dragging-a-dead-thing trot outs at Gold Country last month on our first ride together, so since then I have practice trotting him out every time I’ve haltered him. Guess what–IT WORKED! We went from Cs on gaits and impulsion at Gold Country to all As on the same, all weekend at Mendo.

This is Scrappy being really Arabian and excited for a trot out 🙂 

 Ready for hills? You better be! 

 The start for both days and distances was down in a large meadow with plenty of space for warming up and wandering away from the folks that left briskly at the front of the pack:

Hurray, go time! 

 This is obviously a long post and while I tried to trim it down, the scenery was just too gorgeous and I scored some pretty nice scenery photos, so here you go:.

 Following N, early Saturday’s LD

 Ride photos were taken early with that gorgeous morning light breaking through the fog, and then it was on to business. I knew all the trails but part of one used on the rides this year so it was really nice to know where I was throughout the weekend. The footing for all trails is pretty well fabulous, with maybe a mile of a rocky stretch that I walked down on Loop 1 Sunday. I didn’t feel Scrappy had enough time in the hind boots to try them again especially with all the downhills, so he went with front Renegades and bare hinds all weekend and the boots worked flawlessly again, despite starting out twisting on his feet in the longer, wet  grass at the trailer both mornings. After straightening them from the twist and getting out on the trail they didn’t move again and didn’t cause any issues at all. I’m a happy happy booter since switching to Rennys!

 N and I had notions of riding together but we split fairly quickly when Scrappy wanted to drink and Willow was ready to GoGo. Realistically Willow moves at a faster trot pace at rides than Scrappy’s happiest 6-8 mph, so it worked out fine. Scrap and I spent some time leap frogging with others but mostly found our own spot in the pack and enjoyed our solo time.

  The hills at this ride cannot be exaggerated. I didn’t get any good photos of the really steep stuff as I was too busy walking/sliding down it on foot, but oh boy, there were hills. Scrappy loves to go uphill at a glorious little dog trot he picks up of his own accord, but he consistently stops at downhills and turns his head and looks at me, especially after a few of the steeper ones this weekend. Okay human, your turn, he seems to say. Fair enough, and with my ankle well braced for walking/jogging and freshly padded, caged stirrups for the riding, my metal ankle was happy all weekend despite the hills. Also my bastardized Western saddle with Woolback pad was comfortable for horse and rider and stayed in place perfectly with no crouper despite all the inclines! Woot!

crossing the driveway, Almost back to camp, Loop 1, Day 1

We walked the last steep 1/2 mile or so down to camp after Loop 1 and he pulsed right through at 44 or some other ridiculous number. Rushcreek recovery love! We had a nice trot out and great vet through and it was time for munchies all around.

Vet check after Loop 1, Day 1

 MOOSHY mouth

 Are you looking at my butt? 

After an hour and re-tacking, we headed out for Loop 2 with N and Willow and once again said goodbye to ride camp as we climbed:

 The Blue loop was loop 2 for the LDs both days and it’s a lovely trail (with a few hairy downhill sections).

 Loop 2, Day 1, LD

 N and I separated a few times where Willow was moving out or downhill more briskly, but we finished the day together and pulsed through at the Finish right away. Scrappy was gobbling carrot bites and whatever else he could get into and as I clicked to him to follow me over to do our final Vetting he did so, but while throwing his head up and down dramatically, and my heart stopped as my lameness-fried brain immediately jumped to horrified conclusions. I presented Scrap to Jamie Kerr and told him what was happening (we finished the ride fine and now he’s throwing his head/lame?!?!) and he was very kind and calming and had me trot out first, saw that Scrap was moving great, then completed the full vet check without issue, assuring me Scrappy seemed fine if a little tired. Having ruled out lameness, the head throwing seemed to be related to when he was chewing and rapidly tapered off, disappearing completely when he was eating back at the trailer. After feeling around in his mouth inconclusively it was left at a “huh, that was odd” for the day.

Gobbling, post LD, Day 1

 Still gobbling, blanket style, post LD evening, Day 1

 Here’s where the story gets interesting! Despite finishing Day 1 feeling great, I felt the beginnings of my dreaded migraine cycle starting a few hours later. I managed to eat and keep down not one but two dinners, thanks to J’s parents and the lovely provided ride dinner, and I took medicine before bed, but it didn’t stop the cycle. Sure enough my head hurt and I was throwing up and feeling rough on Sunday morning. Still, I really wanted to do these two tough 30s to see where Scrappy was at for a 50 next, so after many attempts at eating and drinking various things, some more vomiting, trying any medicine I could keep down, and some great help from J’s parents and friend R, I managed to be saddled and at the start basically on time.

Away we go, Day 2 LD

 I was rather delirious but not suffering too badly for most of the first Loop, as evidenced by some sweet photos I apparently took (it’s a bit of a blur!):

 maybe my favorite photo of the bunch…

 I leap frogged with a couple of nice gals most of the day, socializing to the best of my ability, and spent some time alone, deliriously trotting along…

 My favorite trail from the old days, Abalobadiah, a lovely winding single track through the forest and then guess what, more climbs! 

 The medicine started wearing off and I started feeling really shaky and crappy by the last 1/2 hour of the first loop. The temperatures were mild compared to our inland rides but once over the first ridge away from the ocean we did see sun and the humidity was really high, so I was a sweaty, sick, delirious mess coming in after Loop 1. Still we vetted through just fine and I dragged ass back over to camp to try to get myself feeling more human for Loop 2. This involved a change of shirt, salty chips, small amounts of various beverages, medicine, and a photo that rather reflects how enthusiastic we both felt about climbing the hill back out of camp again:

 Yes Scrap, again! Up up up!

After describing how I felt Sunday I hope that you can appreciate this Day 2 ride photo as much as I do! I really wanted a cantering ride photo and fortunately Scrappy is a smooth, willing partner–I can put on a game face with the best of them:

I woke up to pouring rain and thunder this morning, and horses that looked mad as wet cats, and dogs that wouldn’t lay paw on the damp wood of the deck. The air now smells fresh for the first time in weeks (we’ve been getting heavy smoke from the American Fire at our house even before the Swedes Fire erupted) and the layer of Ash has been washed away. Maybe some of those rock hard summer hooves will even soften up for me briefly!

As of this morning the local Swedes fire is at 65% containment and all evacuees have been able to return home. At last report only 1 residence has been lost in the 2,000+ acre fire that has threatened 400+ structures throughout it’s duration. Fire personnel numbers have reached as high as 900 and their  heroic efforts absolutely cannot be overstated. This fire burned up remote ridges and inaccessible, steep, and often brushy areas, and only a solid containment battle plan and extreme perseverance prevented it from continuing to spread through the remote but populated foothill communities. We had a very tense couple of days here just miles from the initial ignition point but that all pales in comparison to those that had to open the gates to their pastures and flee without their horses. Those folks mentioned recovered their horses the next day and their property was unscathed, by the way. We were close enough to the fire throughout that I stayed home with my trailer, ready to bail my own animals out if necessary, but friends of mine helped evacuate horses and I will be first in line to do that should this case arise again.  All this wordiness boils down to a big THANK YOU that I want to send out yet again to all the brave firefighting folks, volunteers, and community members that rushed out to help evacuate people and animals. As scary as this has been I can only say I feel safer now living in this dry tinder box area, after such a dedicated and effective community effort.

Life is returning to normal as the fire scare winds down and as it does I am suddenly realizing I’m leaving in 2 days for the Mendocino Magic ride! When that really hit home yesterday I immediately told myself, “you’re a mess, so not prepared, how will you get ready!” Then my Endurance Brain shushed the Panic Brain and started listing everything out and turns out, as usual, I’m not more than a few hours of throwing shit in the truck away from being on the road early Thursday. I got a great deal on “used” brand new caged stirrups with fat immaculate foot cushions yesterday, so my feet will be HAPPY for 2 LDs at Mendo. I didn’t know when I bought them but the bar at the top was wide enough that my fat western fenders fit right through properly without having to jerry rig the stirrups on! Luxury. I’ve got a spare Woolback pad and cinch for Mr. Sensitive Skin Scrappy, and am picking up a couple of Rennys for spares tomorrow morning from Mel.  I’ve got plenty of hay and Elk Grove in stock for Scrap and a culinary-inclined camping buddy is doing the food thing for us at the ride, so I’m pretty well set really!

And ooh look, I adapted a saddle and most of the tack I already had for Scrappy but he did get one thing of his very own, a little Scrappy Bling in the headstall department  😉

So, no, I’m not saying I’m planning..I’m just, you know, Ready-ish. And right now going out to trim some hooves. We’ll just leave it at that and see what Thursday brings!

I’m beginning to think I need to rein in my habit of Planning. It seems of late that the more I plan to do, the less gets accomplished. God forbid I admit in speech or text that there’s something next on the agenda, because then it surely won’t come to pass! Okay, that’s my little bit of self pity, and it’s over, because I am, as ever, very lucky.

Basically, Sheza didn’t go to gymkhana. Fortunately she is fine, as are all the horses– except my mini who was suddenly lame yesterday morning, because I certainly shan’t go more than two weeks without *something* going lame–but unfortunately the cause of non attendance was the neighborhood being on fire. Friday afternoon 2 fires started about 3 miles from our house and as of 7:15 a.m. this morning it was known as the Swedes Fire and was burning at 1,850 acres with 20% containment and 500+ fire personnel fighting it. 
The photos below are from the Butte County Public Safety Scanner FB Page, of the Swedes Fire.

We got INCREDIBLY lucky in that the fire on our side of the road was 100% contained at 28 acres, while the larger fire now raging headed east and north of us, burning up the ridges behind us. There has only been 1 residence and a few outbuilding reported lost with 400+ residences threatened, so the CDF and National Guard folks are working their butts off to get it under control and protect homes.

California National Guard Blackhawks working the Swedes Fire

 Many people have been evacuated and I know of at least one person who let their animals loose and fled. I was clicking refresh on the CDF site feverishly with the scanner on loudly all day, running outside to watch the rapidly shifting smoke plumes. Ash rained down on our property much of the afternoon.  As of last night it was still within 3 miles of us and a mere change of the wind could have changed our lives forever, but reports this morning said that the fire has continued to move north and east of us. We continue to be just south of the evacuation lines.

If people are curious or nearer readers anxious, here is Swedes Fire information link from the CDF site with regularly updated and most current information: http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=884

The American Fire is burning strong in the Foresthill Tevis trail area and was last reported at 12,000+ acres. I am not going to plan anything now but merely say, Thank you and God Bless to the firefighters out battling these awful blazes and best wishes to all those affected. We’ll be waiting with bated breath until containment.

Here is the American Fire info from The Incident Information System (linked from CDF): http://inciweb.org/incident/3624

The first clue that yesterday’s grand plans turned into a very short ride is that I don’t have a single photo from it! Actually, the first clue is the title of this post, and I meant to get a photo of the little scrapes that ended my ride prematurely, but I didn’t.

How about this photo then? My morning computer assistant Kodiak, as scandalized by some of the a.m. Facebook fare as I often am:

“she said whaaat?”