Horsie ups and downs...

I'm waiting (im)patiently to report on my first training with Brandy, so you all will just have to wait until I get my pics to hear about that. Until then, here's a preview pic of us in warmup, courtesy of Lisa:

I love this picture because the look on her face is so her. "Seriously, mom? You can't find a spot to save your life and I'm finding it with my eyes closed. *sigh* The THINGS I do for YOU!" The ears are the icing on the cake.

When I got home, I was really excited to ride Ari, since he'd been somewhat neglected the week before. My plan was to run him at Midsouth, so it was time to buckle down. As you know, he's been a little funky in his left hind. I started him on MSM before I left and we're in the middle of a feed change. I got on and he was supple, forward and focused, with enough energy but not hot, he was lifting nicely through his back and felt great... except every five steps or so, he'd lose his left hind- it would twist out from underneath him and he just couldn't track up. *sigh* So we ended our ride and I put in the call to the vet... I was hoping to have him out sooner but he can't see Ari until next week Tuesday, so he's turned out until next week. I'm bummed to be missing the clinic with Vicky on Saturday and I'm just hoping it's something simple (chiro issue is what I have my fingers crossed for) so he can haul to Jim Graham's next weekend to school... his goal for the summer is to jump down into water... the first time I ask!

So, in the meantime, it looks like Brandy will be coming to Midsouth with me and Ari will possibly be headed to Champagne Run if we get him sorted out.

The other downer is the barn fire at Boyd Martin's barn at True Prospect Farm. He lost 6 horses and 5 others were admitted to the hospital for burns and smoke inhalation. I can't even begin to imagine the horror he and his students and owners are facing, but never to be underestimated, the eventing community has stepped up to support Boyd and his crew, both emotionally and financially. His working students living in the barn apartment lost everything, not to mention the horses, tack and other equipment. Absolutely devastating. Keep an eye on Boyd's blog and Eventing Nation for updates and if you're looking to donate, there are several ways to do so.

Also, a friend of mine lost her horse in the AL tornados a couple weeks ago. Her barn owner lost everything, including his prized stallion, a mare and her in-utero foal. I heard today that it looks like he's going to lose another of his broodmares.

And, non-horse related is that my psuedo-big-brother Kenny Foster is from Joplin, MO, which you may have heard was decimated by tornadoes. His family lost their house and everything else and will be working to pick up the pieces as time goes on.

Try to keep everyone in your thoughts as time passes, I can't imagine what any of them are going through.