Bloody noses

Guys, I've been a bit preoccupied lately...

Welcome to the family Cooper!

We found a new family member 2 weeks ago and he's a full-time job/he's perfection -- more about him later<3

A few weeks ago when Scout was coming in from turnout, he and his turnout buddies had blood all over their flysheets. After careful inspection of all the usual causes (lacerations, etc), we found that Scout was the culprit and was bleeding very slightly from his right nostril. He had no other symptoms of any kind and no outward sign of trauma.

First day

Second day

It's not completely uncommon for a horse to get a nosebleed, so we took the wait and see approach as it was just barely a trickle. Our thinking was, we'll wait until the end of the day and if it's still bleeding actively, we'll have field services stop by. By the afternoon, it was still trickling bright red blood so we had our vet swing by to take a look. She was able to scope him to rule out anything going on in his lungs, etc (which would have been quite scary) -- through the scope she could see a few blood clots quite high up in his nasal passages but the scope couldn't go any further than that to figure out the cause of the bleeding. She gave him a clotting agent to help stop the bleeding and we would recheck in the morning.

Welp:(

Overnight, the bleeding continued, not enough blood to completely panic about, but enough that despite the clotting drug it was not stopping. I met the vet later that day to rescope him with a different device to see if we could go a little deeper. I had a real proud mama moment when the vet told me how wonderfully behaved my horse is. I mean any horse you can scope with zero sedation is a GOOD BOY:) She was able to show me what she was seeing in the scope, which was more blood clots way up high and we STILL couldn't see the cause of bleeding. At this point, the vet recommended that I bring him into New Bolton for further diagnostics. Again, she wasn't completely alarmed and it wasn't emergent, but since we couldn't figure out where the bleeding was coming from we needed to rule out every possibility. The next day we brought him to NBC for more tests and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't pretty concerned.

By the way, when your horse has unexplained bleeding from his nose, don't Google stuff... that's just not helpful at all. All I kept imagining was Scout having guttural pouch mycosis and bleeding out.

All the while, he never acted like anything was wrong

Realistically, I knew that the outcome was probably very good... but it's never a great feeling taking your horse to a big clinic. And now that Scout is insured it was a no-brainer to allow New Bolton to take whatever measures needed to figure out what was going on.

Scout was not impressed

They decided to scope him AGAIN, and were able to see that there was a small amount of active bleeding way up high in the nasal passage. The suspected cause was probably roughhousing in turnout (or bumping it somehow), so they wanted to rule out any kind of major trauma in his head before sending him home. They took radiographs of his head and they could see a small amount of fluid (blood) which confirmed their suspicion about the cause of the nose bleed. We were able to take him home a few hours later with a super prognosis. He was confined to small paddock turnout for a week and no riding, and once the bleeding had completely stopped he could go back out and resume work.

A few days after going to New Bolton

After resuming turnout, some discharge but mostly clear

I was so relieved to see the bleeding resolved and he was super happy to get back to work. All told he had about 10 days off and with an event on the horizon, we were eager to see how he was feeling after a little break. Thank god for thoroughbreds who don't miss a beat!

Plantation Field Recognized Event -- Open Novice (April 14th)

Chill warm ups lead to lots of drool:)

*Get ready for a ton of photos!!!!

If you been to Plantation before you're (hopefully) gonna think my illustration is hilarious. But I need it to help describe how the venue is in a class above most as far as events go. They run recognized and start trials there but I'd consider it one of the tougher venues in Area 2 for many reasons.

Basically to scale:)

It's built into the Chester County hillside and is basically a big hill with a proper arena up top, xc on one side and trailer parking on the other side. They alternate SJ and dressage in the main arena and either way you're kind screwed because whatever doesn't take place in the main arena has to happen on VERY sketchy grass on the side of the hill (near the trailers). For young horses or inexperienced riders (or both) Plantation is a BIG ask. I'll call it the great equalizer.

OH, they have snacks here? Okay then.

Scout has xc schooled there exactly one time (they offer a single xc schooling day per year) -- and was almost a full year since he's seen that big hill or been around that kind of atmosphere. The entries were stacked across the divisions and since he had to be entered in the ON division, I decided to forget about the scoreboard and hope for a great outing in all three phases.

Heading up the big hill to dressage

Dressage:

Scout had the earliest time in his division which I knew would work against us, but (again) I really didn't care about that. What I did care about was that he walked flat-footed with gusto up the hill and away from the trailers. The warm-up was fairly quiet, and I was stunned watching just how fluid and obedient he was being.

Hard to be upset when they warm up like this

Completely obsessed with this pic. The background looks like a painted backdrop!

Swoon!

They scored a 34.5 which put them in 3rd in their group and in the top 5 or so across the division. Obviously, I expected a big difference between a schooling show and a recognized event in terms of the dressage scoring. I would say as a guide you can tack 10 points on to whatever you might score at a schooling show. Scout's test was relaxed, obedient and accurate... but he lacks mileage in the sandbox and loses points in typical spots, like reaching down during the free walk and a little more OOPMH in his gaits. The judge liked him and has some nice comments about him overall.

<3<3<3

the walk isn't all bad:)

Obviously not square, but atta boy

Stadium: 

He waited patiently for his trailer buddy to go fancy prance and we got him ready for show jumping. The SJ warm-up was much kinder than the actual course itself which was wedged into the base of the hill and had gotten completely torn up from the upper divisions the day before when it poured. Regardless, he warmed up beautifully... jumping from a nice open stride. The only problem was that the Sj course did not allow for that kind of stride at all.

Oh Scout

That's more like it. This was coming off a nice turn where he got a great distance to the 2 stride

This jumped quite well for him but gave many others some trouble -- it's hard to tell but it's going downhill.

Early in the course, looking quite green.

Overall I think he had 2-3 rails down, which were simply green. The scope isn't the issue, but adjusting is stride is still challenging. His half-half is fairly confirmed and when he listens, he's able to wait and really push over the fences and that's when he jumps best (no shock there). They left the ring knowing exactly the kind of homework they need to work on. I think SJ will always be his hardest phase until he really figures things out with those long legs!

Cross country:

The course walked pretty fair for the level. My apple watch documented 11 floors of elevation gain throughout and the course designer used the terrain pretty thoughtfully. I wouldn't call Plantation a move-up course, but I don't think it was unfair either. There were a few combinations but no ditch.

This jump was a real problem on course*

Up bank to upright

Go through water and over white jump in the background

Another big ass table type jump

This was a nice size for the level on a  bit of an uphill approach. A nice final fence on course.

!!!!!

Pretty standard for the level

This looked MASSIVE to me!

Scout walked up the big hill one more time to warm up for xc and his little face at the top of the hill was SO cute.

FINALLY XC!

He was pumped. Warmed up over a few jumps and headed to the start box. The weather had a turned a bit over the course of the day and not only was it super foggy, but a light rain had started. He jumped the first two fences great and came up the hill to the jump with the fake brush on top, took a peek and then slid into the base. I honestly thought he was going to jump it from a standstill, but she regrouped him, picked up a canter and he popped right over. Again, it wasn't naughty but I think when he went to take a look at the fence he lost his grip on the slick grass (he's only shod up front). Once he was over that he locked on to everything else and jumped around SO boldly gaining confidence with every jump. He's really going to be a XC machine. He finished the course hardly blowing at all and even with the stop he came in right at the optimum time. When I met them at the finish and walked back down the hill Nora was smiling ear to ear. She said, "he's going to do everything you want him to do... he's got such an amazing brain... and I can still have fun at the higher levels." What a super vote of confidence for the young kid!

**hopefully, I'll have xc pics to add here soon -- I just need to coordinate with the photographer**

It's easy to forget that this was his second event ever. He handled everything with such maturity and eagerness. He stayed happy and forward throughout the whole day and better yet, he came off the three phases like he just ran around Kentucky. He literally strutted back to the trailer. While there were green moments, I never thought he felt over-faced or that we were asking anything beyond his skill or fitness level.

And while the scoreboard doesn't reflect what he learned from the day, I couldn't have been happier of how he handled each phase and as a much more seasoned horse at the end of the day. Onward and upward to the next!!!

AND.... We're back!

Scout made the trip home last week with an overnight stop in North Carolina. They arrived home Wednesday and were no worse for the wear after the long trip. Cue the synchronized rolling and galloping (clearly, Scout's idea):

 

I let him settle in for a day or so and Nora took him for a spin to be sure he wasn't feral after plenty of days off and the long trip home. I was delighted when she sent me an update saying NOT FERAL (along with heart emojis). So we decided I'd come down for a lesson the following day!

He undoes me<3

He was super cute when I got to the barn and spent a lot of time nuzzling me and saying hello in his coy manner. I feel SO fortunate to be able to keep him at her farm for the time being. It's a bit of a hike (it takes me about 50 minutes each way) but the barn is stunning (Scout's stall is easily 14 x 20), it has AMAZING hacking and huge hills, super turnout, a regular ring, a xc course and a grass jump field... it's pretty perfect. Better yet, it's QUIET, there are no boarders that aren't training clients and she has a few ship-in clients for lessons. The farm has super chill energy and the horses seem to love it. More than anything, I'm craving some guidance and supervision for this next chapter in our journey together.

I brought both my saddles to see if they would still fit Scout with his new and improved physique and much to my dismay, they are NOT going to work. And while I'm devastated to sell both my jump AND dressage saddle she reminded me that she doesn't even recommend a dressage saddle until the rider is going Training... okay, fair enough. I'm hoping I can cobble together enough money from the sale of those and some side gigs to get something that will work for the long term.

I was stunned to see that my big boy had really grown up during his stint in Ocala. He has some unbelievable muscles that were definitely NOT there before (and keep in mind, I sent him to Florida in really good condition and with a decent level of fitness) -- but it's amazing what someone more skilled can bring out in their bodies. He's got these gorgeous shoulder muscles and a block of new muscle just in front of his shoulder near his withers! I literally went to his stall to say HI and was like, "Wait, did he get bigger?"

When your already giant horse sees something in the distance and the periscope goes up!

So I borrowed a saddle for my lesson and hopped on for the first time in over 3 months. And OH MY GOD... He feels incredible. One of the nicest compliments I've ever gotten from a pro is that I've done a nice job with Scout... that's all well and good, but we were at a physical and mental crossroads where he needed (and deserved someone who could really work out some kinks). He'll always have his shortcomings, but Nora has helped to establish muscle memory where it did not exist so I can continue to make those weaknesses less and less noticeable.

SO CUTE.

And when I handed over my beloved horse to Nora, I was very open about where he was lacking and what I hoped she could improve while he was with her. Namely, he loves to swing his haunches in tracking right, loves to pop his shoulder tracking left and was quite resistant to the right leg (which we had come miles and miles from where he started by the time I left him with her), he had a mostly confirmed half-halt on the flat that needed fine tuning and he had a bad habit of going deep and pulling down when he got tired.

From the moment I got on I felt a straight and connected horse underneath me. At the walk he MARCHED, connected in both reins and looking for guidance with my legs. She had us start the lesson with leg yields from the quarterline to the rail and you should have seen my face when I applied my leg and put my weight in my outside stirrup he responded by moving his whole body! When I needed more push, he would respond and if he started to get quick I could halfhalt with my outside rein to keep him from breaking into the trot. He still felt like my horse, just improved. We moved on to trot work and we explored his range within that gait by getting the energy we wanted and then putting him on a 10 meter circle and asking for shortening and lengthening there, then leg yielding him out until we were going large again. It was incredible what a difference it made to create all that energy in a small circle and then keep it going around the ring. She had me work on collecting his trot by posting quieter but more up and down and then really letting him out and posting big to get a lengthened trot. He has buttons! Better yet, when he wants to get a little deep, all I have to do in close my leg and he comes UP at the wither and changes his connection. There was zero sucking back against my leg, there was no nappy behavior, no kicking out, no tail swishing or ear pinning -- just a fit athlete with a "Yes ma'am" attitude. *Sorry about the crummy video stills.

Going for a bit more trot down the long side

Keeping the energy and shortening the step

Funny how I can sit up and ride a little when I'm not struggling every step with my horse!

via GIPHY

We moved up to the canter and I made the mistake of asking him like a green horse which he completely told on me for doing and sort of scrambled into the canter. But given that we were starting on "my" bad lead I was super happy that he picked it up and felt actually straight. From here she had me shorten my reins by 3" and keep my hands out in front of my with my elbows at my side and really scoop him up into the contact. She kept acknowledging that he has a REALLY big canter, but that it was important to ask for more and more hind step to get him really uphill. We practiced compressing the stride and then thinking gallop down the long sides to get him really uphill, from there I could half halt in my body and keep the step but at a slower pace. I had the silliest grin on my face the whole time. Here I was riding this horse that was up in front of me and I felt like I could actually ride a little bit!. For the downward transitions all I had to do was open my chest and let out a breath and he'd go into a beautiful forward trot, in balance. Once I got my shit together and started riding him like the young adult that he is, our transitions were much improved. He's now listening to a more educated aid for the canter (inside leg and outside rein) and stepped beautifully into the canter once I figured that out!

He still takes a TON of leg, it's not that he doesn't have energy, but he needs support at the base of each stride to keep him UP and not just running flat. Luckily Nora and I are similar in height and build, so at least while he's been learning a more refined way of going it's been with someone with normal sized legs!

I had been so nervous beforehand that 1. I forgot how to ride and would make a fool of myself, 2. Scout would not respond to me the way he did with her, 3. I wouldn't like Nora's teaching style. Even after just one ride together, I love knowing that if I tell her what I am feeling she really understands what I mean and can help me translate my aids to Scout a little more clearly. I enjoyed her teaching style enormously, she rides every stride with you and is patient while also making you hold up your end of the riding deal. He's so, so special and I am incredibly happy that I made the decision to send him to Ocala. Thank you to everyone that encouraged me to do so and to everyone that supported all my neurotic behavior while he was away.

Love him SO much

I had been kicking myself a little for not riding him when I went to visit in February but I felt like it was worth waiting until he very end to see just how much he had learned. It was like finding your Christmas presents and opening them a few weeks early... And in the end it was SO worth the wait!!!

Scout's eventing debut -- Majestic Oaks Ocala @Novice

In prep for Scout's eventing debut, we scheduled a lesson with Bruce Sr. to help work on some sharpness over fences. Naturally, he didn't disappoint on getting Scout to respect the jumps a bit more, wait and jump a little tighter over some combinations. They also worked on getting him to keep his head up and chin out a little so he really sees his distance and not get so close to the base.

Best of all, Bruce thought Scout was very nice and is going to jump a fence. So I can die happy now:)

They did one more xc school before the event and she said he jumped awesome so we kept his entry at Novice. And, I'm just going to apologize for the crappy screenshots, but fingers crossed I may have some decent pics coming eventually.

Leading up the event Scout continued to have some puffiness on his face so he got a king's turnout attached to a stall to help quell whatever was triggering this reaction.

Private turnout for the prince (also, his tail!!!)

Being 1000 miles away for his first event was both good and bad. The event wasn't being live scored, there was no pro photographer, and I didn't have any friends nearby to send me constant updates. The venue had over 200 entries for the HT and as it was the first schooling event of the year (for this venue) it was certain to be entertaining. But, based on how nervous/excited I was it might have been a good thing that I wasn't there.

Dressage -- Novice Test A:

Ready for fancy prancin'

From what another competitor told me, warm up was a bit wild and crazy -- but Nora said Scout was perfect. Luckily for him, he was able to chill on the trailer and take everything in while his buddy rode in an earlier division. He's always been pretty good about new places -- he typically unloads, takes a look around inquisitively and then takes a deep breath and gets on with it. But, I was relieved to know that the added atmosphere of the event and human and horse nerves didn't derail him.

Entering at A 

Keeping a nice outline

Staying focused

Life goals (I wish I could sit this tall!)

They laid down a beautiful test. Note to self: the Novice A test has a LOT of trotting, but also looks pretty fun to ride. He scored a remarkable 26.90 to secure him a spot 2nd after dressage. 

If you want to peep the deets

I thought the notes on this test were quite firm for a schooling show, but it's been a LONG time since I competed so what do I know:) Once he gets the idea of a real free walk he's going to really up his game, hehehe. All of that said, I don't think I'll be replicating a low score like this anytime soon on him, but we have something to strive for!

Stadium:

The course was on grass and a little bit of a hill which proved tricky across all three Novice divisions with rails flying everywhere. Overall, I think he really tried hard and considering two months ago he had never jumped a full course, I was thrilled with the outcome. The course was quite twisty with two real related distances on course, a 5 stride and a 2 stride. The two stride came after a big oxer placed downhill and he got a bit out of balance coming back around to the combination and got a bit too deep tapping both with his hind legs on the way out. He made sure to give the last fence plenty of room for good measure to finish his first Novice course!

5 stride, looking good

The last jump on course, nailing it!

He wound up adding 8 to his dressage score and no time. Both Stadium and XC were timed which is not always the case for events around us in PA. I think it gave the event a feeling of a recognized show without the extra money or stress. I don't have any footage of xc (still hoping some photos come through from the photographers that were there -- they had a few ammy guys show up to take pics last minute). She said he just ate up the course and was super confident throughout. He was one of only a handful of horses to go double clear xc in the al the novice divisions! His boldness xc paid off as he was able to snag a 3rd place finish for the day!

YAY!

Without the rails he would have won his division, but honestly, my expectations were for him to simply have a confidence-boosting outing... so coming home with a stellar dressage score, a clean and confident run xc, and some homework for show jumping feels like winning to me! He had one of the best runs across the division and I am so super proud of how trainable he's become. 

Looking ahead*, we had originally planned to run him on the way home at Full Gallop, but we're going to wait and get him out in PA to make his Recognized debut in April! Once he gets home I'll get back in the irons under the watch of Nora who will continue to put rides on him (I'm going to keep him with her for the time being) and once I get jumping again we'll look at the calendar for a suitable event for me to take him around! By then, he will hopefully have a few events under his belt and tons of confidence to make a good partner for me!

***but this is all in pencil, because = HORSES.