Travis Has A Doppelganger

             Galatea was reshod this week.  As the farrier got out of his truck, I thought he was about the same age, had the same build, and the same easy-going manner as Travis.  And then he proceeded to talk …. and a running conversation began for the entire session covering lots of different topics.  If you know, you know.  Along the way, he explained what he was doing and why.  Moreover, he was just as careful and attentive to detail as Travis.  Photographed her hooves, measured, and lots of fussing to perfect the fit.  This was the first time (to my knowledge) that she was hot-shod and she was good as you would want.  I did not know her history with hot-shoeing, so he did not immediately fire and apply the shoe but rather fired a hoof-shaped plate and applied that first. Plus, he set up two fans to blow the smoke away from her head.  He explained that early in his career he was called to shoe a horse that had horrendous scars up and down the back of one leg.  The horse had panicked on application of a hot shoe, jerked away and in the process the shoe hula-hooped up and down his cannon bone.  All-in-all, it took about 90 min to complete the job.  He was, quite literally, a clone of Travis!  So pleased to have found a good farrier for the season.

So, you ask what’s with the Epsom salts?  Well, the farrier found a small divot in her right front sole that was either an abscess finishing or the start of a large one one brewing underneath. Since she had been just a tad off in the morning's lesson, we opted to pack that hoof with an Epsom salt poultice until after the holiday and then finish shoeing.  So, a few days off - for her.  Me, not so much.  I got put on one of Laura’s sale horses.

Laura produced a beautiful big-boned former jumper originally imported from Europe. He has a goofy personality and would crawl into your pocket if given half a chance.  However, at 16.3 that is not possible. He has some spice in him and is not really a lesson horse for beginners. Dressage is not his forte. In fact, he has foxhunter written all over him, and so for my second ride we threw me up in my jump saddle for funsies to get some video. Laura was not so much teaching that day as overseeing a group ride session that day and the arena had the look of a warm-up ring.  The spice first came out at the mounting block when he trotted off briskly before I could get my leg over.  I ended up on the ground and am now sporting a sore hip, hence the Epsom salts for me and horrified looks from the other riders in the arena.  I hopped back on and proceeded to have some lovely walk and trot work with him consistently stretched over his back that was good enough to video.  He suddenly offered to lift into canter   I thought to go with it but gave an aid that was a tad too strong and he proceeded to crow hop for a couple of strides.  I could hear Bill yelling sit back and stayed in the saddle.  However, that sight was too much for the other riders and I pretty much cleared the arena in the process. LOL.

Today is a day off for all.  I wish you all a fun and safe 2024.