Bakersfield Dressage
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home

Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Chain of Fools

2/22/2012

 
Picture
I am really big on safety.  My safety, and then the safety of my horses, pretty much dictate how I do things.  If you saw my whip work video the other day, you might not quite understand my version of safety.  I mean, really - who waves a whip over their horse’s head and claims they’re into safety?  I know it seems weird, but my idea of safety means teaching my horses to react in a dependable way no matter what situation I put them in.

This post is about safety at the barn.  I do many things around the barn to ensure that my boys are safe.  Unlocked gates is a particular phobia of mine, so I make sure that every gate I use has a chain latch.  I use a fairly heavy grade chain and a quick snap clip.  Click photo for larger view.

If you look closely, you’ll also see that the chain is attached to the fence with a zip-tie and that the zip tie holds the chain in such a way that the quick snap is positioned outside of the horse area.  The quick snap is also zip-tied to the chain.  There is a reason for all of this.  Here’s the story.

Speedy G will eat anything.  He might eat it only once, and he might spit it out, but he will literally try to eat anything.  I was hand walking him once while I collected small rocks for a classroom project.  When he heard the rocks begin to rattle around in the bucket, he lunged for the contents before I could stop him.  I actually heard him crunching on the rocks before he realized that what he was eating was inedible.  I have since learned that if it is not attached, he will try and eat it.

Several years ago, I showed up at the barn and discovered that my gate chain and quick snap were missing.  I am methodical about checking the gate before I leave so I was 99% sure that I had latched it closed the previous day.  I searched all around Speedy’s stall for the missing chain and snap.  They’re actually quite heavy so I knew they hadn’t blown away.  When I couldn’t find the chain in the dirt, I started gently raking his stall.  It was not there.  I looked outside of his stall.  I looked in the neighboring stall.  Nothing.  I finally asked the barn’s caretaker if he had seen it.  Not only had he noticed that it was missing, but he had also raked the stall looking for it.  It was simply gone.

The barn I was boarding at was a friendly place with fewer than 30 horses, and many of the boarders owned two or more horses.  We were a small group and most everyone knew everyone else.  Things were seldom borrowed.  I started to worry.

Knowing Speedy G’s proclivity for eating weird and inedible things, I began to suspect that he might actually have eaten the thing like a spaghetti noodle.  In fact, the more I searched for it, the more certain I became that that was what had happened.  It actually seemed more likely that he had eaten it than someone had taken it.  Why would someone take a twelve inch chain and quick snap?

I don’t panic.  I am calm in an emergency and very methodical in my actions.  I looked at Speedy and narrowed my vision so that it rested right on his belly.  I knew that if I stared hard enough, I would see the outline of a chain resting at the bottom of his belly much like how a baby’s foot will leave an outline on a pregnant woman’s belly.  I even placed my ear, and then a stethoscope, to his belly.  Was that a clinking sound I heard?

Whoa, whoa, whoa!  Back that freight train up there, sister.  Horses don’t eat chains, right?  This is just silly.  But it wasn’t.  I was genuinely certain that Speedy had started to play with the unlatched chain.  He had somehow managed to get most of it in his mouth.  With a little help from gravity, the chain must have started to slide down his throat, and right at this moment there was a chain making it’s way through his digestive system.

Kids swallow coins all the time.  Drug mules swallow packets of cocaine.  How much harm could a twelve inch length of chain do?  I couldn’t stand it any longer.  I dialed Bakersfield Vet Hospital’s emergency number.  When the dispatcher asked what was the nature of the emergency, I sheepishly told her that my horse might have eaten a ... chain.  Oh my God.  Did I just tell the dispatcher that my horse ate a CHAIN?  To her credit, she didn’t laugh.

Several minutes later, Dr. Comeau called me back.  Hey, Karen.  What’s up?  And he did laugh!  I knew this was going to be one of those things that vets all tell their colleagues about.  Can you believe the idiotic calls we get?  Really?  A chain?  Boy, was she stupid.  I couldn’t help it, though.  I knew Speedy G well enough to know that it was distinctly possible that he had actually eaten the damn thing.

I politely and articulately explained the thing to Dr. Comeau.  What should I do?  He laughed, but he did take me seriously.  He doubted that Speedy had eaten it, but he admitted that it was a possibility, although very unlikely.  He suggested I place a big magnet under his belly.  WHAT?!?!?  To this day, I am not sure whether or not he was kidding.  His final recommendation was to simply wait.  If he had eaten it, it should pass in a day or so.  Call him back if I noticed it in his road apples.  Thank you very much, and goodbye.

Holy crap.  What could I do but wait?  And so I waited.  Several days later, the chain reappeared in Speedy G’s stall, but not in a poop pile.

Several stalls down from Speedy G lived a pinto horse with a freakishly weird owner.  She would show up, ride, groom, and maybe turn the boy out.  It might be several weeks, or more before she’d show up again.  One afternoon as I was finishing up a ride on Montoya, I caught her cleaning her bridle in my water trough.  Ew!  I politely asked her to STOP DOING THAT as it was an excellent way to spread germs and besides that, it was just plain gross.  One summer she decided that it would keep her horse cooler if she kept him covered with a nylon sheet 24 hours a day.  Idiot!  Each morning I would remove the sheet, which would be crusted with salt, and hang it beside her stall.  When she kept putting it back on, I finally washed the damn sheet, folded it neatly, and stored it in her tack room.  The next day the sheet was back on her horse.  It’s regularly over a 100 degrees here in the summer with lows in the 80s.  Poor horse.

The day the chain went missing, Weird Lady had been at the barn.  The next time Weird Lady was at the barn?  The chain reappeared.  I never asked her, but I know she took it for some weird and creepy purpose.  Mystery solved. 

Conclusion?  All my chains are now zip-tied to the rail, and the quick snaps are zip-tied to the chain.  No one takes the chains, and I don’t have to worry about Speedy G eating them!
nowthatsatrot link
2/22/2012 12:37:26 am

Stranger things have happened, LOL! When I was a kid our German Shepherd ate an entire CAN -- I guess it still smelled like dog food and she couldn't help herself. The vet had us give her lots of bread and maybe a mild laxative, and all turned out well. She lived another 13 years with us!

Have known a few people like the lady you describe... They seem to get kicked out of most barns eventually, but the poor horses get stuck with them for ages.

I can't tell you how many times I've zip-tied things into place to keep them from wandering off, or being left open when they shouldn't be. It's a cheap, but effective quick fix and easy to undo in an emergency if you always carry a pocketknife.

Karen
2/22/2012 10:14:49 am

A can? Holy crap! :0) Zip ties are my friends!

Sandy Orloff
2/22/2012 12:50:55 am

I think we have encountered a creepy lady LoL! Love Dr. Comeau.

Karen
2/22/2012 10:15:41 am

I love where I am now as there isn't room for the weirdos!

Kelly RGF link
2/22/2012 01:46:46 am

Oh my goodness, Speedy! Is he part labrador? That was great for a morning laugh - thank you :).

Karen
2/22/2012 10:16:06 am

He's a goofball for sure!

Sarah link
2/22/2012 02:33:08 am

Ha! A story all concerned horse owners can relate to. Logic vs worry/intuition! And so sad about that crazy lady - there's just no reasoning with crazy, and their poor horses...

BTW wood putty is used in carpentry to fill cracks, etc in woodwork - some farriers use it to fill holes to (a) help add strength to reduce risk of cracking down from the nail hole, and (b) to "plug" the hole so grossness cant get in there and fester.

Karen
2/22/2012 10:17:17 am

I really haven't heard of wood putty for hooves. I'll have to ask Jaime about it the next time I see him.

Val
2/22/2012 09:55:38 am

That was funny! Especially the magnet part. But only because Speedy was okay.

Karen
2/22/2012 10:22:21 am

I hate to feel stupid, but seriously! He is a dork - no doubt about it. Me, too I guess! :0)

AareneX link
2/22/2012 11:26:56 am

Magnet...you know, they sell "cow magnets" in the livestock catalogs. Dairy farmers feed the magnets to their cattle, and then all the metal cr*p that the cow eats in a lifetime adheres to the magnet (which is too large to pass out of the first stomach) rather than passing through the entire gut. When the cow dies, they pull out the magnet, rinse it off, and feed it to the next cow.

I had a dog who ate a sprinkler, but thus far my horses have stuck to foliage. Knock wood!

Karen
2/22/2012 09:18:30 pm

Ew ... But probably helpful?! :0)


Comments are closed.

    About the Writer and Rider

    ​I am a lifelong rider. 
    I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.
    ​Welcome to my dressage journey.
    Picture
    Photo by Lori Ovanessian

    About Speedy G

    ​Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
    Picture
    July 2020 (PC AJSK Photography)

    About Izzy

    Izzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
    Picture
    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

    Picture
    Bakersfield Dressage approved!
    Picture
    My favorite breeches!
    Picture
    FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE
    Picture
    I love her stuff!
    Picture
    Watercolor Artist and Friend

    National Rider Awards

    Picture
    USDF Bronze Medal - 2020
    Picture
    USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
    Picture
    USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
    Picture
    USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013

    State Rider Awards
    Picture
    CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018

    State Horse Awards
    Picture
    Speedy G - 3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
    Picture
    Speedy G - 2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018

    Working Towards:

    CDS Sapphire Rider Award
    Third Level: 63.514%
    Third Level: 62.105%
    Fourth Level:
    Fourth Level:

    2023 Show Season

    Show Rating
    (***) CDS/USDF/USEF 
    (*) CDS
    (s) Schooling
    (c) Clinic
    (r) Ride-a-Test Clinic
    2023 Show Schedule
    TBD

    ​2023 Completed …
    Pending

    2023 Qualifying Scores 

    Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC)  
    Qualifying Training Level
    3 Scores/2 Judges/60%:
    Score 1:
    Score 2:
    Score 3:

    Archives
    ​By Topic

    All
    Abscess
    Art
    Arthritis
    Awards
    Books
    Cabin
    California Barn Life
    Captain Awesome
    CDL Class A License
    Centerlinescores
    Championships
    Chiropractor
    Clinics
    Clothing
    Cushing's Disease
    Defeating The Demon
    DIY
    Dogs
    Double Bridle
    Dressage On The Trail
    EHV-1
    Endurance Photos
    Farrier
    Find Your Joy
    First Level
    Fluphenazine
    Flying Changes
    Fourth Level
    Fox Hunting
    Freedom Feeder
    Frustration
    Gizmos
    Grooming
    Half Pass
    Headshaking
    Horse Maintenance
    Horses Are Expensive
    Horses Are Expensive 3.0
    Horses Are Expensive II
    Hunter/jumper Stuff
    Imperioso
    Introductory Level
    Izzys Leg
    Just For Fun
    Lessons With Chemaine
    Lessons With Lois
    Lessons With STC Dressage
    Local Stuff
    M.A.R.E.
    Memberships
    Micklem Bridle
    Mt. Self Doubt
    Musings
    My 5 Things
    My Horses
    Nesting
    On The Levels
    Photos
    Pivo Pod
    Platinum Performance
    Poles
    Polls
    Pulley Rein
    Raac
    Retirement?
    Rider Fitness
    Riding Figures
    Right Lead Canter
    Road ID
    Saddle Fitting
    Schooling
    Score Sheets
    Second Level
    Shopping
    Show Costs
    Showing
    Sitting Trot
    Sliding Side Reins
    Soldier
    Speedy's Leg
    Tack
    The Elephants
    The Jar
    The Warm Up Ring
    Third
    Third Level
    Tips From A Pro
    Toys
    Trailering
    Training
    Travel
    Ulcers
    Vet Care
    Video
    Videos
    Weird But True
    Year In Review


    Archives
    ​By Date

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011


Site Designed and Managed by: Karen Sweaney

Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home