Why do horse have to get Laminitis!!

Sorry, I have not posted much! Summer is the time to be outside and not on computers. Sometimes I wonder how much I should keep this blog up?? With all the social media these days. I am a firm believer in spending less time on computers and phones. I have facebook and it's easier to update than this blog(especially for pictures). Plus, most of you already follow me on facebook!! So I feel I just post things 2 times. Give me your thoughts! Kaspin is currently healing after a laminitis episode from too much spring grass here in MI. Another reason I have not posted much. I hope everyone is enjoying their summer with their Equine friends!! 

Kaspin on stall rest enjoying his nibble net hay bag!

Kaspin making faces after the bute!! Kaspin hates bute!

Finally after 2 weeks stall rest! Outside!

Savvy on, Healing Kaspin!

On the trails again with lots of ups and downs, literally! LOL

Well Kaspin and I accomplished out 1st trail ride of the year!!! I think we were both rusty on how this all goes! But I was super proud of my boy!!! 

This isn't the best picture. But this is Proud Lake trails. It's about 8.5 miles. We accomplished orange, yellow and green(did not do red). So I am not sure how many miles that was exactly? But we rode about 4 hours! I found out that the yellow was the hardest and most people skip yellow. Since this was my first trip of the year I wanted to take it easy. I couldn't find any of my regular friends to ride with. So through my one friends she paired me up with a mom and daughter team. This was a trivial pursuit ride. We had to go out on all the trails and find 16 paper plates in tress with numbers 1 through 16. They had little pieces of paper in the bag for everyone to grab one number and bring it back to show you found the plate. I got 1 through 12. I missed the last 4 since I didn't do the red trail the easiest trail! I should have started there, LOL. But since I was basically going out with strangers and silly me assumed that this whole park was easy! I just followed them!! While we were out on yellow we went up and down and up and down steep hills continuously!! Finally I asked what is up with all the hills. One was sooooooo steep I was afraid Kaspin was just going to jump to the bottom. He didn't but I felt I was leaning so far back I could kiss his tail!!! Anyway, a bit much for us yet! Anyway the daughter I was with informs me then, that the yellow is the hardest trail in the park and most people skip it!!!! Then, what are we doing out here( I am thinking quietly, LOL). Well we were out there now and we had to finish up. Now I put in my memory for the future(don't forget yellow is hard, LOL)! We also came across boy scouts hiking and for some reason Kaspin was all bothered by them! I could even feel his heartbeat between my legs!!! We made it past the boy scouts. Then we had to cross rail roads tracks. OMG, I never done that with Kaspin. Kaspin's head was spinning off everywhere looking at everything. When we came up to the tracks he was just following the horse in front of him and not paying any attention to the ground. Kaspin crossed the first track then looked down and jumped the rest of the tack!!!! Silly Kaspin! I guess Kaspin was not thrilled with the tracks. And you guessed it! We eventually had to come back over the tracks to get back. When we came to the tracks the 2nd time. Of course Kaspin wanted nothing to do with them. I was afraid Kaspin would now JUMP the whole tacks. So I got off and walked Kaspin across. With me leading(Kaspin trust me) he followed me across without a problem. Yeah, for that. Our last trail was RED, the ladies asked if I wanted to go on? I was all done and I think Kaspin was too! My knees and ankles were killing ME and I had no idea why? This was my first trail ride in my new used trail Parelli crusier saddle. Plus on the red trail we had to cross a wooden bridge over running water. I have no idea what Kaspin would say to that??? And I was not going to find out anymore that day. Later I finally found out why my knees and ankles hurt so bad and why I kept feeling like I was falling forward on Kaspin just walking. I have never done hills like this and Kaspin's saddle had slid back! Kaspin is already built down hill and now the saddle was even more down hill, aghhh. Now I felt really bad that the saddle was in a weird position for so long. I realized I forgot my shims for the saddle pad too that day. They were in my English saddle pad at the barn! They raise the saddle up in the front to keep the saddle level. Well with those missing the saddle slid back even easier! So I felt really bad this all happened!! But live and learn, right?? I have to get shims for my trail saddle pad and hopefully none of this craziness will happen again:)

Kaspin being much better about being tied to the trailer. He used to be sooo nervous he wouldn't eat hay! In this picture Kaspin was eating his hay!! Good boy Kaspin!! 

 Kaspin grabbing some grass before we ventured out that morning. 

 The mom behind me and a few other riders we picked up for a short while behind us that day. 

Kaspin and I going along:) We kept Kaspin in the middle. Kaspin wasn't ready to lead and Kaspin was nervous being last in line too that day.

 Kaspin again being a good boy on the trailer. I actually left him for the 1st time(me get something to eat and bathroom). So far I wasn't able to leave him without Kaspin going crazy. And the other horses were not even that super close to him if you notice in picture. So very proud how Kaspin is being more calm on the trailer. Someday we might be able to camp after all. So far I only do day trips with Kaspin. 

Keep it natural! Janine and Kaspin! 

Happy Birthday Kaspin!! I SOOO LOVE YOU!! XOXOO 9 YEARS OLD.

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY KASPIN!!!! 9 YEARS OLD TODAY THE 23RD! Sorry I couldn't post earlier. I didn't see Kaspin till after work:)  Love my boy!! 

His cake before hand.

 Happily eating!! 

 All done!! 

Love us! 

Parelli lesson, Equine Affaire, dixie midnight pad, and all days cannot be great with Kaspin and HAPPY EASTER!!!

April 8th I had a 1 hour lesson with Parelli Professional Coutrney Clarke with Kaspin. I will just highlight the areas we covered that day.

1. Keep Kaspin on line when I go into indoor arena. I used to let him loose and he would would get really disconnected from me and just run around. This way he stays connected to me from the start. 

2. Play with relaxed rein. Trying to get Kaspin to relax when I ride him in the indoor arena. So far no luck for either of us yet. I will keep trying. 

3. play with spiral circles on line to help with Kaspin to flex on the circle.

4. then spiral circles on line at the canter to again help with an inside bend.

5. Intense phase 1 before I go to 4.

6. Get life in my canter on line and only end when I get relaxation in Kaspn's canter.

Next lesson is May 6th, more fun!!! And I cannot wait.

Next was off to Equine Affaire with my lovely boyfriend!! Pictures explain the way...

We just go in Friday night and are ready to go see Fantasia!!

 Friday night at Fantasia. I forgot this ladies name right now but she was fun. She had this custom built trailer where her and her horse could go up on it!! Wild!! 

 Tomey Turvey one of my absolute favorites!! He is always great!! 

 My amazing boyfriend saying HELLO to one of the Friesians in the show. Gosh how I miss Enzo!!! 

Percheron's on a hitch performing.

 Me saying hello to one of the Percheron's and a Belgian at the end of the Fantasia show. 

Next morning getting breakfast at Waffle house then off to Equine Affaire!! 

Tom Pompey Parelli Professional.

Carol Coppenger Parelli Professional.

A beautiful GYPSIE!!! 

A CUTE baby Haflinger only hours old!! 

The baby's stall sign.

A baby mini, sooo cute! 

Haflinger demo!!! Couldn't miss the Haflingers. There sure were some beautiful ones!!!  I didn't take too many pics the area was too dark for my phone. 

Baby Haflinger out and about. 

I purchased some fun stuff. I got this for Kaspin's mane and tail! So far I love it and it helps with the tangles soooooooo much!! I got some new fly spray too. I will know more if it works or not once the fly's are out. But I am in no hurry to see the fly's just yet, LOL!! I also got a micro chip for Kaspin which will register under AVID and www.netposse.com. So very cool. And my boyfriend bought me an awesome purple T-shirt with a blingy horse on it!! 

Yesterday I tried out my NEW Dixie Midnight pad! It's a pad that goes under my original pad to keep sweat and dirt off of my original pad. So I don't have to wash my pad soooooooo much and ruin my pad with all the washing's!! Plus it even acts as a anti slip pad which I also love!! It looks large on my English pad because I had to cut it to my western trail saddle and pad. They come in square sheets and the customer then cuts it to the size they need!  www.dixiemidnight.com

 Another picture of pad after I rode and yes my pad was clean and dry when I was done!! 

I did ride Saturday but Kaspin was a flaming NUT!!! Not all days can go perfect, LOL.  Someone around the area was driving their 4 wheeler. Kaspin got scared really bad last fall by a 4 wheeler and now seems to have a fear of them. Kaspin heard it in the distance while I was tacking him up. I don't tie Kaspin in the isle way and Kaspin tried to leave 3 times. I knew he was not happy about the 4 wheeler out. The tree service has been out at the barn cleaning up trees.  Here is a picture of 1 pile. Anyway there are 2 piles out and about and Kaspin hates change and notices anything. So Kaspin was already worried about the 4 wheeler in the distance and then he was worried about the 2 piles of tress he could see from the outside arena.  

Once in the outdoor arena( I had Kaspin on a 22 foot line) Kaspin took off like he heard a race horse bell and he ran, ran, ran, ran, and ohh ran some more!!! Kaspin's little mind had lost it, LOL. I just kept playing on line trying to get Kaspin to think, and think about me. Eventually he calmed down enough for me to feel I could ride him and he blew out 4 times. Once I got on  for riding Kaspin still was antsy. We have been working on canter while riding and now Kaspin was getting jigging expecting me to canter any second. Kaspin kept it up and I was getting annoyed( I just wanted to walk or trot). I eventually let Kaspin canter just to get if of his mind. After that Kaspin was better but I don't want to canter every time I go out. So I have to find away to get him to calm down with out canter on his mind. Maybe next lesson from Courtney!!! I did end my ride with walking calmly and Kaspin being as relaxed as he could be that day. Either way this is my sweat picture below after Kaspin ran, also on too much anxiety, and nerves. 

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!! REMI MY EASTER DOG, KASPIN, AND J9!!!

FINALLY weather is breaking in MI and I am getting back to KASPIN!!!

This past winter was the longest and the WORST in MI. About 92 inches of snow!!! It's finally breaking and I and FINALLY getting back to playing with Kaspin. Lost about 3 months with my boy, but nothing I can do about OLD MAN WINTER. I am happy to see him LEAVE!!!! Here are a few videos I got at the end of march. Then, yesterday I had my first Parelli lesson again with Courtney Clarke!! I plan to take monthly lessons now to get me back into the swing of things! 

This 1st video I am very proud of Kaspin. It's hard to see, but I am NOT touching Kaspin and I am asking kaspin to invite me for a ride. I tried on the right side first(Kaspin offers both sides to me). But kaspin was a bit too close to the mounting block yet. So then I asked Kaspin to turn around and try again. Which he did just fine. So proud of my boy!!!

 Playing around with jumping barrels! Again very thrilled how easy he offered to jump them. Kaspin was scared of barrels last year.

Checking out the mail boxes and being very curious!! Again I am very proud to see my boy getting braver as I own him and be curious of things!!

Nice relaxed walk from Kaspin out in the scary world, LOVE it!!!!

Keep it savvy! Kaspin and J9

1 day of Kaspin play for March, LOL! And a visit to the Stallion Expo MI!

Well I got 1 play day this month so far with Kaspin! It was 50 degrees and beautiful Monday in MI. So I was able to cross the now softer ice and get to indoor arena. Today we are back to cold and lots of snow:( Anyway, I played with a lots of hing quarter disengagements on the ground and riding. To help Kaspin when he is scared, or unconfident. It's hard for the horse to be unconfident and disengage the hindquarters. It was amazing how well this helped the both of us. I also found out Kaspin is worse on his left side and much better on the right side when it comes to the disengage. How interesting! Cannot wait to make it to the indoor again:) A picture in the lovely sun and a treat to Kaspin picture.

This past Saturday I also made it to the Stallion Expo in Lasning MI and had great fun too! 

I met this baby Gypsie colt! He was 11 months old named TOO TALL because he was born all legs! I so wish I could have taken him home with me. I loved him!!

Baby sleeping:)

 I met Ryan Rose Parelli Professional! And got a picture of course!

 Ryan's FB page

Ryan giving away Parelli goodies below:)

Going to Ryan's clinic in Aug with Kaspin! I cannot wait!!

I lovely Belgian everyone loved! So HUGE!

  Shaylee Slater Parelli Professioanl and  Courtney Clarke Parelli Professional having fun in the Parelli booth!! 

And I got to meet up with Allison from Adventures with Shyloh!! Always great to see Allison!!! Go check out their cool blog!!!

Now go home old man winter and common spring!! Let the shedding fly!!! 

Quiet winter:( 2014 plans.

Well you have not heard many Kaspin stories, because we basically have not been up to much this whole winter. Old man winter is just kicking everyone's butt across the USA and of course here in MI. I normally play and see Kaspin a lot during the winter. But this year with sooooo many negative days and temps always below 20 degrees. My fingers even with 2 hand warmers just are not happy. Plus I don't want to run Kaspin around when it's 20 and below. Kaspin has a very furry coat and sweats super easy. So I have been  at home just trying to plan my summer!!

I signed up for a Parelli John and Kathy Barr clinic Aug 14th to the 18th in holly MI! I missed this clinic last year, due to my shoulder surgery, booo hoo. So I wasn't going to miss the Barr's this year!!! Here is their site John and Kathy Barr (Parelli) if you want to go check them out? They're awesome and I am excited to go!! 

Next I signed up for a Rider Biomechanics clinic in Kentucky this year Sept 13 to the 17th. On the last day I will try to test out and see if I can be a certified coach for Rider Biomechanics!!! We will see??? After that I will stay for the Rider Biomechanics Symposium and that is 18th to the 20th, woo hoooo!! This too I was supposed to do in 2013 but missed out again, due to my shoulder surgery. So I am thrilled to get another chance at both of these this year!!! Here is the Rider biomechanics site if you wan to check it out Rider Biomechanics!!

I hope you are staying warm and dreaming of horse summer fun too!! 

Kaspin getting a fun treat bucket on one of my visits:)

Keep it natural, Janine and Kaspin

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO ALL OUR EQUINE FRIENDS!!

Kaspin snow day! And merry Christmas to all our Equine Friends!!

Do you take time of for a snow storm?? We don't! I think it's a great time to go play and ride! This day was 20 degrees and pelting snow at us, LOL! We got 5.5 inches that day. But Kaspin and I still had fun!!! Here are my videos and some Christmas fun pictures!! Merry Christmas everyone!!!!! Give you equine partners a big hug from us too! xoxoxo 

Kaspin and Bally out in the pasture on another snowy day in MI.

 A Christmas selfie with Kaspin! I do love my cheetah Christmas Hat!! 

 Gotta love a snow covered horse nose always!! 

 Kaspin wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!! 

 Another selfie with my purple Chrismas hat. I don't think either one of us is feeling it, LOL!! 

Merry Christmas and Happy holidays from J9, Kaspin, and the forever missed Enzo!! Enzo will never be forgotten ever! Merry Christmas in heaven Enzo!