Less round-penning for Dolly this week because we wanted to focus on in-hand work so we could lead her on the trail. My broken humerus has healed but it has left a number of injured muscles, tendons and ligaments that still require me to go to physical therapy 2-3 times a week. I say this because one terrible pull from Dolly could set me back a good couple of months so it was essential that Dolly's lead- line manners be truly confirmed. I'm taking Tica to 'Dressage at Saratoga' in less than two weeks so I've got to be extra-careful.
My dear friend Anne led first with Brit, our pony mule, who is Dolly's best friend. We put Anne's daughter Juliane and Quilly, behind Dolly. That Welsh pony dominates the whole herd--that is except our 32" 'mini' Sky (go figure!)--so we hoped she would provide incentive for Dolly to walk on. Apologies that the following YouTube is so short, but Anne had to run ahead with Brit so she could video us. And she couldn't go too far because we didn't want to risk Dolly getting upset about Brit being out of sight. This was the first time in her life Dolly's been led outside and we so wanted it be a positive experience:
We were very happy: Dolly comported herself brilliantly--curious about her surroundings--even marveling, I think--but ever so polite and willing to listen on the lead. Next week we will take her out for a mile or so.
So why aren't we riding her yet? That's certainly a reasonable question. But Dolly still needs more groundwork and desensitizing. It is a safety issue for us as well as her. And, with additional work Juliane and I will be firmly established as her "herd leaders", and so, hopefully, Dolly will find the backing process less stressful. Also, there is a health issue: Dolly's over-all musculature--though much better than when she first arrived--is still not sufficiently developed to sustain the weight of a rider. The groundwork--coupled with in-hand walks--and then ponying behind either Tica or Quilly on trails--will add this muscle and should make backing possible by the end of July or early August. But don't hold me to it: Dolly will tell us when she's ready. And as you know with horses, anything can--and often does--happen.
Last Tuesday Dr. Craig Smith performed surgery on Dolly. You may recall from an earlier blog, an examination revealed that poor Dolly had delivered a full-term or close to full-term foal.
The birthing process left her with a large tear which set her up for fecal contamination and a possible subsequent infection. Dr. Smith, in fact, said in all his years of practice he had never seen such a serious tear. Poor Dolly, she really is a survival miracle.
The surgery was performed with Dolly standing with a general aenesthesia and a local at the actual site. Craig snipped away the ragged edges of the tear then sewed up the then bleeding wound. We took advantage of Dolly's passive state and administered her spring shots as well. Craig will return in three weeks to remove the stitches and booster her Potomac shot.
Farrier Jay Smith was also here to trim Dolly's hooves which--thanks to his astute care--are coming along very well. But don't take my word for it--here's Jay himself:
Jay's website http://www.prohoof.com/
This is Dolly the day after her surgery and trim:
Dolly's outdoor home:
I've been involved with horses for well over thirty years and had a multitude of experiences--from breeding and foaling, jumping, dressage, competitive trail--and I have had both expensive horses and dirt-cheap rescues. But I have to say, no experience has been as rich as sharing my life with this courageous little quarter horse mare who arrived at Windflower that cold winter afternoon in February --a sixty-dollar bag of bones and sadness. Spring has arrived for us both!
Windflower would like to take a moment to welcome back Alicia and Anna--who not insensibly--took the winter off:
I'll release another blog on the farm and the Concord foxes this coming Wednesday or Thursday. And I'm sorry this one fell so quickly on the heels of my last one but Blogger was down for at least three days hence my delay.
So I'll see you in a couple of days. And thank you for taking the time to read the Windflower Weekly--
Ainslie Sheridan
Preview photo of this coming Wednesday's blog:
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