Hard Decision = Retirement Party

Yesterday I took Tanner and Harlan to the farrier to get their pedicures and we went for a trail ride afterwards. Another Kelsey (I'll refer to her as KR because I have a habit of slipping into third person to tell stories) is riding Tanner this summer so she came along.

I tried the different cinch on Harlan and set it back farther than usual, and I really think it helped! He was very good on the ride, despite me starting it off by falling off the mounting block onto my butt. And then repeating the performance when I had to get off and get on again mid-ride, this time taking the saddle with me. It was on purpose, to desensitize him to stuff, alright? Totally planned.

Tanner however did not have a good day. He was stiff in his right hind for the farrier and kept trying to pull it away from her. Then on the trail ride, when the trail turned to woods and deep mud he kept tripping and stumbling, scaring poor KR. I figured it was just his clumsiness until I looked back and saw Tanner had stopped and was just standing and leaning his whole body on a tree (and squishing KR's leg in the meantime). My heart stopped because it looked like he was ready to collapse. We sent the rest of the group on while we both got off and walked back towards home. Tanner seemed fine, so when we got back to the road we re-mounted and rode the short remainder home.

As much as I want to deny it, I think Tanner is telling me that he's ready for retirement. His back legs are both compromised, one with ringbone and one with a 5-year-old injury that left his leg permanently stocked up (swollen). Although he hasn't had any soundness issue with the ringbone for 10 years and none with the injury once it healed, I knew it was just a matter of time before arthritis set in or another soundness issue arose.

I just can't justify putting unnecessary stress on his legs especially if he's uncomfortable.

So that means no more long rides over tough terrain. It means I won't be certifying him for search and rescue.

This is really hard.

But instead of focusing on what I'm losing, I want to celebrate our partnership. We had a great 14 years worth of adventuring and we'll still have some (mild) adventures. Tanner will still be pack around my friends and go with me on short, easy jaunts. He is just telling me that it's time to let him relax and quit bushwhacking through the woods on off-road adventures.

So Saturday will officially be his retirement party. Please come and have a relaxed evening while congratulating Tanner on his successful career of trail horse extraordinaire and celebrating his well-earned retirement.

Hope to see you there! The party starts at 4; bring a dish to pass and I'm sure Tanner would appreciate a carrot, apple, peppermint, or sugar cube. ;)

The Harlan Experiment

Yikes. I'm not sure why but it was another coma month, hence no blog posts. Work has been super busy and I've been playing the detective game with Harlan, but I did have a LOVELY visit from my brother and his fiance (Tyler and Mary), and we met up with my sister and her husband (Meredith & Chris) for some lobster in Portland.

I got to show Tyler and Mary my very favoritest view, up the hill from my house, on horseback. Well, I was on foot, but Mary rode Tanner and Tyler rode Harlan (we started off with him on a lead rope just in case he would act up, but he didn't need it and Tyler did great for not riding in, what, 8 years?). It was wonderful catching up with everyone.

I've been putting a lot of thought into Harlan's behavior...could it be medical, behavioral, or physical?

We ruled out Lyme disease and ulcers.

I am very reluctant to ascribe it to purely behavioral issues. He is so wonderfully attentive and engaged on the ground and was not behaving this way in the fall/winter.

So this week has been the Harlan Experiment.

Day 1 (Tuesday)
Hypothesis: Physical issue.
Method: Ride horse around home to establish baseline.
Results: Calm on ground, flinches when saddle pad and saddle are put in place. Very tense horse under saddle. Freaks out when scientist moves her leg. Gathers up under himself and shoots forward.

Day 2 (Wednesday)
Hypothesis:  Something with the saddle is wrong.
Method: Ride horse bareback up the road.
Results: Perfectly behaved horse, 180 degree switch from previous day. Alert and happy to walk along.

Day 3 (Thursday)
Hypothesis: Something with the cinch is wrong. Based on previous test using alternate saddle.
Method: Ride horse with saddle but no cinch up the road.
Results: Initial sensitivity to leg movement, disappears within minutes. Horse releases tension. Tentatively confirms hypothesis.
Note: Scientist did not think through dismounting without a cinch; scientist tries to dismount and saddle slides off. Bonks scientist in the head (helmeted, no damage) and scares the bejeesus out of horse.

Day 4 (Saturday or Sunday, depends on the weather)
Hypothesis:  The cinch is pulling his hair.
Method: Switch from neoprene to felt/wool cinch.
Results: TBD

I've been using a knowledgeable (and patient!) friend as a sounding board for working through this, and she suggested a cause that is so simple that it might just be it: Maybe the cinch is pulling his hair.

I'm trying not to get my hopes up too much, but it could explain his behavior. When I move my leg, it moves the cinch, and could possibly pull his hair. I have a felt wool cinch that I'll switch to and give it a try. Here's hoping!

In other news...

My girls (the chickens) are a-layin' away!

Party next Saturday! It snuck up on me, so I'm discarding the theme. Just come and have a nice relaxing time.