Checking in on Our 2025 Reservations

So... in an interesting turn of Process Goals trumping Outcome Goals, our 2025 Reservations have changed... but our Weekly Reservations have, for the most part, been kept. 

Let's see... 

• January: New dressage trainer. While we now have a new, deeply loved dressage trainer, the dressage trainer we tried out in January didn't end up being the one for us. But JV geographically close as well and is absolutely amazing. 
• February
• Three Lakes at novice did end up being a thing, and also our first time winning a recognized event.
• But a few weeks later at the Majestic schooling show, the wheels started to fall off the bus in a way that kinda ended up being the catalyst for a lot of changes for us. 
• March: Carolina International AND Terranova were no-gos as we worked through residual hind foot soreness.
• April: We did go to Rocking Horse, but things continued to unravel a bit as we had an unattractive but clear stadium round and a stop on XC. This prompted me to add in Ocala Eventing Festival where we had a stop in stadium but a clear XC round. 
• May: Given the way April's reservations panned out, a training move up was clearly not in the cards for May. I did volunteer at the May Majestic, so I was there in a way. Then we buckled down on lessons with a jumper trainer to try to help us create the canter that was missing and causing us problems. We did go to Ocala Summer HT as Area III Champs and competed at Novice. Our jump rounds made it clear that we had started to put the pieces back together again. 

Versus our weekly reservations: 

• Weekly jump lesson ✅
• 1 hour bareback walk hack with terrain questions 🗸
• We have less terrain questions back at the GY's (and by terrain I mean ditches, it is Florida), so this isn't a thing anymore
• But we still walk hack AT LEAST once a week
• Fitness day 🗸
• We've done fitness days once every three weeks or so...
• Part of my reason for slacking was the discovery, that in spite of not being a thoroughbred, he doesn't actually need weekly canter sets to bop around novice just fine.
• This fall though, I'll be more dedicated to this because of our fall reservations... 
• Weekly or every other week dressage lesson ✅
• Dressage school at home  ✅
• Lunge in Equiband 🗸
• This gets a partial check mark because once a week we walk hack in the equiband
• Lunging just... isn't great for us. Even in the equiband, he wants to trail his hind legs out behind and be lazy and I am not skilled enough to correct it. 

Looking ahead to the fall, those weekly reservations still apply, but let's take a look at my fall reservations... 

• August: Bouckaert International - so far this is still my plan. We'll be headed out at novice, but it still is an adventure I want to have 
• September: Stable View Oktoberfest - ditto 
• October: Seizing the day, I plan to go up to Hagyard for the N3D up there. Hence our renewed dedication to conditioning this late summer/fall. My husband agreed to go up with me and I'm excited for this!! Then pony pants gets a break for a few weeks. It will also be a great time of year for trail riding in Florida, so after a couple of weeks OFF, we'll spend a couple of weeks trail riding some fun new places. 

Honestly as I look back over these plans, I am just overjoyed to be doing the things with the BestPonyintheWorld(TM). He is such a cool partner and as long as I feel like he's happy, and I'm a solid partner for him, we could be doing any number of things. And this feeling is what made not moving up to training this spring 1000% the right thing. I am in a looser program than I was in January, basically not a program at all, really, which has its plusses and minuses. But being out of that program has helped with any competitive feelings I was having to move on up. Don't get me wrong, I would love to jog Butterball at a 1* some day. But when that day is or even if it happens at all is less important now. The snackamore hacks; the bouncy, amazing trot we're finding in our dressage lessons; the all day adventures; those are the things that I treasure the most. 

I think, for us at this stage, having loose competition goals is still a good thing. But having the flexibility to adapt and let go of or rework those goals is also a good thing. Overall this spring and summer are definitely the best I've had re horses in a long time. 

Feeding Dollar Bills? Or Maintaining Long-Term Soundness?

Now that Butterball is back at the GY's, I took the move as a time to re-evaluate his current supplements. His base is Purina Enrich Plus, a ration balancer. On top of that, and the topic of this post, he is currently receiving: 

• Purina Outlast: 1 cup twice a day; additional servings given before and after trailering
• He had been on the Relyne GI for a while, but there was a difference when I added in the outlast
• Ingredients: Alfalfa, wheat middlings, seaweed derived calcium, cane molasses, magnesium oxide, citric acid 
• Goal: maintain a happy stomach 
• Cost ~ $1.15/day, depending on how many middle of the day servings he gets
• Relyne GI: 1 pump (30mL) twice a day  
• Ingredients (active): 120mg TBG-136TM Schizophyllan Beta Glucan, 120mg hyaluronic acid
• Goal: maintain a happy stomach 
• Cost: $2.99/day
• Platinum Refresh: 1 scoop twice a day
• Goal: not tempt fate to see if he truly needs a sweating supplement
• Cost: $2.70/day
• Purina Free Balance: 1 tablespoon twice a day
• Vitamin and mineral supplement to balance a forage/pasture based diet
• Goal: maintain electrolyte levels during the never ending summer 
• Cost: $0.17/day 
• Adequan series q6 months 

Our goals with all that: 

• Happy gut
• Happy joints
• Sweating pony 

Happiest pony napping flat in the sand 

He inherited the Relyne. I had Goggles on it and still had two jugs of it when he left, so Butterball has been getting it ever since then. It kept Goggles happy, but given the change I noticed when I put Butterball on the Outlast, I'm not sure it was keeping him totally happy. So once that runs out I likely won't replace it. 

We're probably doing the two most important things for joint and gut health already though - he lives out 20 hours a day and has two friends that he goes out with in the big (8 acre) pasture. So they mosey and graze the majority of the time. 

But now that he is an only child, I want to do all I can to support his overall soundness and longevity. 

What I would like him to be receiving: 

• Collagen - 480-640mg per day 
• A 2009 study in horses compared undenatured type II collagen to glucosamine and chondroitin supplementation in horses with moderate arthritis (visibly lame with joint effusion, decreased range of motion, crepitus within the joint, and increased lameness after flexion). Horses receiving 480 or 640 mg of collagen per day showed a reduction in overall pain and pain on joint manipulation. This reduction was larger than the horses receiving glucosamine and chondroitin (although this also showed a statistically significant benefit over placebo). 
• Application to Butterball: he is not visibly lame and does not have any of the other criteria used to diagnosis OA in the horses in this study. However, there are additional studies like this meta-analysis focused on people that concluded that "hydrolyzed collagen has a positive therapeutic effect on osteoporosis and osteoarthritis with a potential increase in bone mineral density, a protective effect on articular cartilage, and especially in the symptomatic relief of pain." 
• MSM - 10g/day
• Omega-3 fatty acids - 5-10g/day
• Specifically long chain poly unsaturated fatty acids have been shown to decrease the severity of gastric ulcers. 
• There are likely anti-inflammatory benefits for joint health as well 
• Omega-3s are now one of the major things I recommend for dogs with OA, so it makes sense to me that this would translate over to horses 
• Application to Butterball: it seems he needs some gut support based on his response to the Outlast. And as stated several times now, I want to do everything I can to support joint health. 
• Acid buffering similar to Purina Outlast

MadBarn has an article that does a pretty darn good job summarizing the current state of knowledge of joint supplements. 

What I ended up ordering: SmartCombo Ulitmate Pellets. I had launched into an extensive internet search, somewhat aided by Perplexity, about where to get bulk glucosamine, collagen, and acid buffering ingredients. I ran into two problems there - making sure I was getting quality ingredients (alibaba bulk glucosamine seemed slightly sketch) - and shipping costs from various suppliers were starting to add up. Ultimately (haha) because of the DVM discount that SmartPak offers, they ended up being the winner here, both in cost and in other ingredients that maaayyyy be helpful.

 

The supplement doesn't contain green lipped mussel nor does it contain enough omega-3s, but it checked every other box. On my quest I discovered that to get the levels of green lipped mussel that have been studied - 25mg/kg of body weight- it is quite expensive, $2.10/day from a reputable source. The studies look pretty good for effects on lame horses, so if that ever became an issue, it would probably be worthwhile, but until then... 

Once the Relyne runs out, I'm going to start supplementing omega-3s in the form of KER EO-3 Oil. I can only ask Ms. GY to top dress so many things on the feed each day though, so that will be a few months. 

What do you all feed your horses? Or are you of the of the opinion that management and training practices are the most important and supplements are an unnecessary expense? 

Property Planning - The Fun Part - Layout

So I alternate between so excited about the idea of having the pony at home and then horrified at the costs of things. But planning the layout is proving to be pretty fun. We're waiting to make final decisions on layout until hurricane season is over. While I know you can bring in dirt, raise things, etc. in my experience it is easier to not fight with the natural low spots on the property. Plus it pisses off the neighbors less... Which we seem to be doing left and right with one making a nasty face and grumbling about "scaring all the game away" when I said "clear a bit to build" was in our plans. And another eyeing my husband, but fortunately missing the deer stand behind us to ask "YOU'RE not hunters, are you?" 

Anyways, old timer neighbors aside (which I get their feelings and we had plenty of nice conversation with those two as well, just a few interesting moments). The property is 9.6 acres, two approximately 4.8 acre parcels together. I'm not sure on the logistics of combining the two lots vs. leaving them separate. If we sold down the road then separate would probably get more money, but combining them would allow us to homestead both and lower taxes. I'm not even sure the county would let us combine them. The nice part of not having money is I have plenty of time to answer these questions. 

Anyways... You can't build buildings within 25' of the property boundaries since it is zoned A1. Right now there is a neighbor to the south with a house. Their house is pretty much in the middle west of their property. The lots to the east are unoccupied, but might not always stay that way. I would like to have as much privacy as possible for the house. 

Equine residents would be one to two horses and one mini-donkey or mini for a companion.

My plan would be to put a two-sided lean to spanning the pasture fences to provide shade. Ideally this would have electric so that an outdoor rated fan could run during the hot afternoons. And potentially this would be set up to be able to be closed so I could confine if needed. Water trough that spans both pastures would also be ideal. I'm going to ride in the pastures for a very long time to come, but eventually a space to put an arena would be great. 

There are no super special trees on the property other than one live oak to the west of the pond. That will certainly stay, but otherwise I'll probably leave trees along the property lines and perhaps a clump in the center of the larger pasture for some shade as well. 

Picture is oriented with north to the top. The blue fingers are the county demarcated possible flood zones. There is an actual "pond" (dry during dry seasons, muddy to holding water during rainy season) in the northwest of the property, the dark area on the picture in the possible flood zone. Ignore the large red border, I can't seem to get that to go away in the picture. 

The small blue area on the right hand side (east) is where we noticed signs of water running during heavy rains; house is dark green square; barn (for equipment, feed, tack, and hay) is light grey border; garden is lime green; red dot is current well (TBD if that is functional still); thick black line is future driveway. You can kind of see the current driveway and mobile home. Mobile home maaaayyyyy be leaving this week with the kindness of strangers. 

Layout 1: 

Layout 2:

Layout 3: 

My vision for the pole barn is something like this....

With truck/trailer parking along the left in the "lean-to". The truck/trailer parking would be closest to the driveway in all of the above sketches. Then tractor/other tool storage under the main part of the building. Eventually part of the building would be enclosed, probably 10x14' area, with window AC unit, to be feed, tack, and tools that need climate control storage. While we are living in a 5th wheel the building would also house an outdoor, detached catio. So that my husband and the cats all live through the experience. 

Anyways, stream of consciousness. It will (hopefully) be fun to document all the planning and building stages here, so I'm content doing just that. But also this is an open invite for suggestions, thoughts, pros/cons, and even "are you an idiot, obviously _______". The amount of $$ this is going to be, I'd rather have people point out every possible consideration before we start putting sweat and $ into this. 

Photo by Victoria DeMore Photography - since it was the first day of June I'm posting it again

 

	Butterball
Training rides	0
Lessons	5- 2 DRESSAGE(!!!) And 3 jump
Hacks	5- including our lake adventure
Ground work, lunge, long line	1 hand walk around the GY’s neighborhood
Flat rides	8
Conditioning rides	0
XC school	1- Magnolia Sands
Shows	0

 Butterball worked 19 times this month. Between two weekends of 7a-4p shifts and a trip out of town at the end of the month, he had it slightly easier than May. 

North Georgia was absolutely lovely

The big news this month was starting lessons with our new dressage trainer. In the first lesson we focused on reaction. The second lesson we worked on balance and a few down transitions. The third lesson we worked on turn on the haunches, left lead canter, leg yields, and a bit of shoulder in and extension. 

How perfect is this pony? 

We also got his saddles checked. The jump saddle needed a bit of flocking added in the front, but the dressage saddle was still great. 

Butterball moved to the GY's this month. 

Enjoying the shady barn for sure

He had a brief run in with Ms. GY's thoroughbred who, noting that Butterball was willing to be submissive, then tried to kill him. It was horrifying. Fortunately other than a few bites, that ended okay. Butterball actually now goes out with her other two horses who both bit Goggles and Ben incessantly. But Butterball is very willing to be under them in the pecking order and stay out of their way, in a way that is smarter than both TBs were. So he actually hasn't gotten bit at all. 

Back on these beautiful trails 

The other big news was that we bought property. And while I initially planned on a five year plan to getting there, that quickly changed... I would love to have him at home much sooner. So now we're plotting fifth wheel options until we could afford to build. Which has meant some fun playing with possible property layouts. And also some sobering moments asking the internet to approximate costs of things. Realistically, I think a 1-2 year time frame would be reasonable... 

We did get off property for one trail ride/pond splash with plans to go again (or to a different location) at some point in July with Ms. GY. 

Overall a super productive, albeit warm, June. I'll be out of town for a bit again this month, but we'll keep working at our dressage and jump lessons. I think August will be our return to competing with a trip up to Bouckaert Farms (formerly Chatt) for another Novice run. 

"The most important thing is to not stop questioning" -Albert Einstein

Disclaimer: I realize the above quote may not be applied below exactly in the context intended by the speaker. However it very directly applies to my dressage lessons, as described and then heard below. 

"How did that go?" 

"Okay, considering we've never done a turn on the haunches before." 

"Hmmm not quite, you did turn around. What is a turn on the haunches?" 

At this point I stopped because I 1000% knew I was not going to be able to both ride correctly and process what we were talking about.

Funny enough, we stopped without wiggling into it. And we were almost square. Hmmm weird the way that works. 

More patient silence

"The hind legs stay stepping in place and the front legs move around them?" 

"Yesss... and what about their body?" 

50/50 shot and I guessed wrong... I had bent Butterball to the left to execute our right turn on the haunches. Which it seems is incorrect. 

Da fuk are you doing mom? I haven't done this before either, but I think you're wrong. -Butterball

Then we moved on to a similarly elucidating and embarrassing set of questions about the aids for turn on the haunches. 

"Well how do you ask your horse to turn?" 

After several *wrong* guesses - "With the reins?" 

"Exactly!" 

Turns out (hardee har har) you start with an inside bend, then half halt with both reins, then, ask for a turn with the rein aids. The outside leg is used to control whatever it needs to. If the shoulders aren't moving enough with the reins then the outside leg is used forward to ask for the shoulders to move more. If the haunches are swinging wide, the outside leg is used to keep them in place. 

Although our attempts were not anywhere near show ring quality, we did get better

Our progress backslide on the last one. I used my right leg but he continued to push through it and swing the haunches. Which went back to cardinal rule number one. When an aid is used it should get a reaction. If it doesn't then there is a correction (increasing aid) then the aid is reapplied lightly to test if the correction worked. When laid out that way it all seems so straightforward. 

The ToH work was a brief respite from a lot of trot and canter work. It also came with the direction to not walk too long during warm up. If the walk is no longer getting better, go ahead and trot and canter to increase the suppleness, then come back to the walk. But don't do too much of it. To increase the suppleness in the trot, we did a lot of leg yields. He started out the ride kind of braced and stiff. But I have been directed NOT to pull him into roundness. So I sat chilly and just worked on forward. Then the leg yields magically created the roundness and acceptance of contact we had been lacking. 

We spent a WHILE in the left lead canter. Turns out we're never actually straight on that lead. Which we set to work fixing by thinking shoulder-in. When that didn't so much work, we did some counter bend. Once he was straight, Butterball had a hard time holding the canter. But there were some lovely moments in between falling apart. 

We also played a tiny bit with extended trot. Which was really fun.

Hillary was kind enough to come and watch and take tons of video. I REALLY need to get my shoulders back. He looks so lovely and I don't hate the rest of my position, but my shoulders are round all the time. Rgh. Where is my inner dressage queen? 

I am continuing to absolutely LOVE these dressage lessons. The effect on Butterball is dramatic too. He is happier when he is working this hard, actually. It is weird, but he loses the sticky resistance and chomping that I call his pony side and just swings forward from the lightest aids with a quiet mouth. It is delightful. 

Next day, absolutely exhausted, just went on a walk hack around the neighborhood. I was sore, so I figured he was too.