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

Speedy, Speedy, Speedy

9/29/2011

 
I go to the barn every day.  I manage my schedule very closely so that I can do this.  With two horses to ride and care for, I feel that an hour or two at the barn is necessary.  It means that I have to get up quite early, and I have to run all of my errands over the weekend, but it's worth it.

After a weekend of showing and hanging out at the fair with hubby, I realized that I was a bit behind and needed a day off from barn chores to take care of house chores.  I let RM know that I would not be at the barn on Tuesday evening.  The afternoon was going well, chores were getting done, laundry was being laundered, and then the phone rang.  

I can't help it.  It's like the Bat Phone.  When I see a call from The Barn, whichever barn, I grimace [sorry, RM, nothing personal!]  I lost Montoya just hours after a barn call.  I will forever worry when those calls come in.

RM informed me that Speedy wasn't eating dinner, which is extremely rare, and worse, he was pacing quite frantically at the end of his run and was covered in a layer of sweat and dirt.  Uh-oh.

Hubby walked in the door as I was hanging up.  Right away he knew something was amiss and offered to drive me out there.  I was pretty thankful about his offer as I immediately wanted to throw up.  I knew it was one of two things, and I hoped it wasn't colic.

As soon as we arrived at the barn, my heart sank even lower.  Yes, Speedy was covered in sweat and his food was untouched.  He whinnied at me and then nipped at his side while I watched.  Completely dejected, I grabbed his halter, handed the lead to my husband, and placed my ear at Speedy's flank to listen for gut sounds.  Speedy was calming down with my presence, and he stood still for the quick exam.  His gut sounds were good, but he still seemed a bit off.  With hubby still monitoring, I retrieved my stethoscope and thermometer in order to do a better metabolic diagnosis.

I re-listened to his gut sounds and still thought they were quite good.  I took his pulse and was shocked to get only 36 beats per minute.  That's nearly a resting heart rate, not the heart rate of a colicky horse who has been frantically pacing.  The last check was his temperature.  Again, it came out quite normal at 100.5 degrees. These parameters did not look like a horse who was colicking.

I sent hubby out into the arena to walk Speedy while I placed a call to Dr. B.  I've blogged many times about how much I love my vet.  I respect her expertise so much that I never give any medication without consulting her first.  I thought about giving Speedy a bit of Banamine just in case he was showing the signs of a very mild colic.   Even though it was her day off [sorry, Dr. B!], she took my call and listened as I described Speedy's "symptoms."

The longer we talked, the more relaxed and mellow Speedy got.  After fifteen minutes or so of walking, she suggested we put him back in his stall and fix him his regular beet pulp/rice bran dinner and see how he reacted. I was instructed to call or text her after an hour with an update.  I did as I was told.

As soon as Speedy heard the feed bins opening, he was back to normal.  He started his feed me now song and got The Look on his face.  You know the one.  It's the one that says where have you been all day?  I've missed you terribly and I am so glad you're going to feed my starving body.

Hubby rolled his eyes in disgust, and said, What a big baby!  Yep.  That about sums it up.  Remember when I said I suspected his behavior was one of two things, colic being one of them?  This was the other one. Without checking him out though, I didn't want to run the risk of being wrong.  

Speedy is just a very attached pony.  He truly is one of those Arabians who would have lived in the tent with his Bedouin family.  He watches me at all times and knows exactly where I am.  He looks for me in the afternoons and greets me quite enthusiastically when I arrive.  He stops eating when I show up.  He eagerly awaits the halter.  He wants to play.  He even notices when I leave.

This might be a problem.  I literally can't be at the barn 7 days a week.  And this crazed look for Karen behavior is new.  He was always glad to see me at his last barn, but not to this level of anxiety.  I can't be at the barn today.  I've given RM some directions for how to soothe his anxiety should she see this again on Thursday evening.  Let's hope it works.  I certainly don't want Speedy to worry himself into a colic episode!  So for now ... Speedy, Speedy, Speedy!  Get over it buddy!

Kelly link
9/29/2011 08:03:19 am

Oh! That's really sweet, in a worrying kind of way. I didn't know horses could get so attached. Fingers crossed he's okay the next time :)

Kelly link
9/29/2011 08:07:31 am

Also, I just noticed the text about Sydney on your side bar and saw he was an NZ TB. You probably already know this, but in case you don't, you can look up registered NZ TBs by their racing name on the NZ Racing website. Speedy's profile is here: http://www.nzracing.co.nz/GoRacing/HorseProfile.aspx/231016.

Karen Sweaney
9/29/2011 09:28:19 am

Kelly,

Thanks for sharing. Yes, I have looked up his record, and in fact I blogged about it. Nothing equine escapes the blog. My poor friends know they better not do or say anything interesting or they may read about it the next day. I want to thank you for the link though because I'll add it to Sydney's bio page! Feel free to visit and comment. I love to hear from people. I love it more when they share their horse stories with me!

Hope to hear from you again,
Karen

Karen Sweaney
9/29/2011 09:33:20 am

Kelly, I just checked out your blog. Woohoo, another blog to follow! I also added a link in my "blog roll." I can't wait to read more from you. Now that I have a NZ horse, my interest in NZ has risen sharply.

Val
9/29/2011 09:49:26 am

Poor Speedy. Looks like you are going to have to set him up in your living room. What a sweet boy. ;)

Judy
9/29/2011 11:40:47 am

Hey Karen, Ummm have you considered a baby monitor, or maybe get him his own cell phone?? Then you could talk to him from home and he could get his daily "Karen fix" even when you can't go to the barn!!! Too funny Speedy G!

Karen Sweaney
9/29/2011 12:05:51 pm

Val and Judy, You guys are so funny! RM actually suggested that the next time he misbehaves she's going to call me on her cell phone and put me on speaker phone. So, Judy, you were right. He just might get his own phone!


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

    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