Welcome to my page! On this page you will discover fun and interesting ways to get fit with your hor
My sweet older mare came up lame on Sunday so she was being stall kept until I could figure out what happened. No swelling. No heat. She just didn’t want to stand on her hoof. I thought it was an abscess.
FAST FORWARD TO THIS MORNING:
She is fine now. Like magically fine. Must have tweaked something, had to act like she was dying, got special treatment, and now she's prancing around like a stay at home mom after a well deserved spa day.
The one thing you don’t want to see when driving up to feed your horse is it in pain.
I had to make her walk in an attempt to determine where she’s lame. No swelling. No heat. No pain when pressure is added to the hoof. She lets me pick up her knee straight up to extend th shoulder. She won’t let me pick up the opposite hoof at all. Will pick up back legs.
I believe it’s an abscess. I have wrapped the hoof with sugar/betadine mix to draw it out. Farrier will come Tuesday.
Hoping we can figure this out. It is sudden.
The one thing you don’t want to see when driving up to feed your horse is it in pain.
I had to make her walk in an attempt to determine where she’s lame. No swelling. No heat. No pain when pressure is added to the hoof. She lets me pick up her knee straight up to extend th shoulder. She won’t let me pick up the opposite hoof at all. Will pick up back legs.
I believe it’s an abscess. I have wrapped the hoof with sugar/betadine mix to draw it out. Farrier will come Tuesday.
Hoping we can figure this out. It is sudden.
Best reason to drink more water. 😂
Pay close attention to and never ignore possible red flag indicators that arise when considering or visiting horse a boarding barn.
Stages of fatigue:
1) going too hard for too long so you start experiencing flu like symptoms
2) get a Covid test done because you have an autoimmune disease and you need to know what level of slug you need to be
3) find out you don’t have Covid so you celebrate
4) determine you need to take a few days off from everything
5) day 1 is a cycle of your brain winding down so you get it all down on paper so you can relax only to go into antsy mode so now you can’t physically settle down
6) day 2 finally tired so much so you just order food
7) day 3 still being a slug but feel so much better knowing you’ve rebooted enough to start all over again.
Current stage: dog on top of you so now you have a reason not to move. 😂
Stay safe!
Show me your dog is needy without telling me your dog is needy.
Happy New Year! What are your goals for 2022?
I'm continuing my fitness journey. Got a little off track due to getting my girls on the road to weight loss. Gotta put my babies first. They're on their way so now I need the total package. 2022 will be my year to reach my fitness goals!
Do you know your horse’s body score?
So my girls need to lose weight. I just found out that the hay I was giving was a mix of Timothy and “whatever” so I got the 100% Timothy grass bales.
Yes, the grass is a little green in their pasture, but it’s also lost some of the nutrients due to the fluctuations in the temps and lack of rain this year.
I didn’t feed them as much hay as I do on colder nights tonight. I’ve noticed they want more in lower temps. Hay helps to keep them warm. they tend to leave hay sitting out overnight on warmer nights, so I wait for them to clean it up a bit.
They will eat as much as they need to when it comes to forage. That’s been proven time and time again in studies.
I do weigh my hay so they get about 1% of their desired body weight in hay which is about 10 pounds each.
Horses eat about 15-30 pounds of feed per day. I’m feeding them about 11 1/2 pounds total in hay and feed per day plus the pasture grass.
Also, you shouldn’t reduce forage intake due to a horses need to chew, or they will eat anything which means things that aren’t good for them if they don’t have access to quality forage.
However, you can reduce sugar and caloric intake. Hence the grass hay which has been proven best for obese horses or horses prone to laminitis (mine aren’t prone but let’s not test that). It is also easier for older horses to digest.
What have I cut back on? The grain. I don’t feed them grain. Instead they get a balancer. The balancer provides them what’s missing in the grass and hay. I use Triple Crown Lite Balancer because it has less fat and sugar. It’s also specifically made for easy keepers (my girls), and horses with equine metabolic syndrome.
Val and Barbie are losing weight. I am finally able to feel ribs without digging for them. A few months ago, it didn’t matter how much I pressed, I couldn’t feel ribs. I’m starting to feel hips too. However, They still have fat deposits at the tail head, and Barbie has a cresty neck. There’s still some fat around the withers and shoulders as well. The crease in the back is gone but not in the rump.
We’re getting there. They’re moving better. Val was actually cantering and trotting in the pasture while I rode Barbie in the pasture. She’s been just walking and trotting a little so she’s starting to feel better. Barbie is becoming more toned and looking much better.
Me? I’m losing. Just taking awhile due to medications and being mindful about my abdomen. I can’t push it too hard, or I will end up back in the hospital. I am coming up on one full year since the surgery which means I will be fully healed.
2022 will be the year I lose the weight and get back to the rider I know I am and was.
I’m riding ba****ck. I have been for a month. Not because I want to but because I have to. My saddles don’t fit them and cause pressure on their back. They’ve gotten sore from the saddle so I’m going ba****ck. My center is improving, and we are starting to trot more and more each time.
Bonus: Barbie is still one of the most fun horses I’ve ever ridden and that’s saying a lot because I’ve ridden and shown some pretty awesome horses from cattle horses to trail horses to Dressage, hunter, and open jumper. I have my favorites, but Barbie is like the summation of them all. She loves the trail. She will jump anything. Always has since she was a foal. She moves beautifully. Can you tell I love her? She’s also very smart and easy to train.
Anyway, Val and Barbie are a body score of 6/7. Val may be more of a 5/6 because she has the belly and some fat around the tail head but she’s also not as thick as Barbie. She also has a bony back. This used to concern me because Cushings horses can appear fat but aren’t. However, she is shedding, and her energy levels are improving. I’m hoping the hay belly resolves with the better diet and body conditioning. Doesn’t help when you’ve had to recover from a hard surgery and not being able to work your horses.
Here is the link from this resource https://stablemanagement.com/articles/managing-equine-body-condition-with-forage
Today during the mobility and stability session, I noticed how the exercises could help with the following issues most riders struggle with:
Staying out of your horse’s mouth
Staying centered
Maintaining your leg position
Keeping your heels down
Looking down
Episode uploads today, 12/29/21.
I’m going to talk about what I noticed when I stopped the program and why I stopped as well as my observations getting back into my program.
Episodes upload to the page or listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!
Hacking Rider Fitness Podcast
Well, I had to take a break from 645. My horses needed attention that required a great deal of energy.
With Crohns, you’ve got to budget your energy. I am in remission, but I still have to be mindful. I’m taking it day by day. Most of all, I’m taking this opportunity of remission to get myself into better physical and mental shape. Just trying to be the best version of myself possible.
What motivates you to get back on track?
No filter. This is me. I love myself the way I am so I take care of me. The journey to love myself has been a hard one but I found embracing me, all of me, is what helped me to be true to myself.
Barbie loves it when she can freestyle while Val works on collection and engaging her hind end. 😂
Ba****ck riding month. 2022 ba****ck riding year.
Barbie likes this exercise. She gets to run!
Just enjoying my holiday! How's your day been?
When health issues demand you do an energy budget, sometimes you have to regroup and start all over again.
New podcast episode uploads this Wednesday on Hacking Rider Fitness Podcast!
Catch episodes right here on my page or follow on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!
Merry Christmas! Hope you're having a blessed day. Spent some time with the family last night. It was a lovely time with family. Got some flowers from my awesome son. Today, for me, I'm hanging with my horses. Mud and all. lol Christmas in the south! Gotta love it!
Love those boots! They are the Ariat Terrain Pull Up Waterproof boots. They are very durable and comfortable.
How is your Christmas?
Got the collagen in. I’m adding it to my Shakeology. I also had my power greens. This is my quick go to when I’m in a hurry. My favorite add ins to my shakes are:
Frozen mixed berries
Powdered peanut butter
Vanilla extract
Almond extract
Almond milk
Oatmeal
Bananas
A great one is the Almond Joy Shake:
Shakeology
1 c Almond Milk
1tbsp cocoa powder
2 tbsp oatmeal
1/2 tbsp unsweetened coconut flakes
1/2 tbsp nut butter (peanut, almond, or your favorite)
1 tsp Vanilla extract
1 tsp Coconut Extract
6-8 ice cubes
She has lost weight but has a hay belly. I have switched from fescue to Timothy which is what she was eating before the vet suggested fescue. She’s been eating fescue for months. Just switched back day before yesterday.
She has had blood work done and it came back clear. Vet thought Cushings at first but she sheds and is overall fine. Just seems off.
She’s also just plain not herself but eats, stool is fine, urinates well, drinks water, and is active while working. She’s just off. I also noticed her back seems tender so I’m trying to help her build muscle with hill work and poles. Mostly walking and short trot sessions. However, she starts out hot and will trot for at least ten minutes before she settles down (not crazy. Never has been one to buck or bolt).
History: She will be 21 in February. She was a broodmare and has had at least four babies total. She had at least three from age 2 or 3 to age 8 or 9. She had another at age 13. She is worked. She likes to stretch a lot while working and one foot hits the ground harder than the other in the back.
The reason why I’m making her move out more is to see how stiff she is. The lunging I did in the video was more about checking her than training her.
Do you blanket your horses? What is the weather like where you are?
I don’t blanket but I have my reasons. Listen to my podcast to find out more! Link in bio.
So Barbie got out of her stall today. I must not have double checked the gate on her stall. It has to be pushed really hard to make sure the lock engages. Don’t worry the stall opens into her pasture. She just got more free time than Val this morning. 😂
To push it back shut is pretty impressive though. 😂 The gate doesn’t swing shut on its own.
Do you blanket?
Had my Shakeology this morning and got my workout in! Went basic with the powder, water, and Greens Powder. Going out for a day with the girls!
We’re going to Bear Creek here in NC and apparently there’s a store with the best fruitcake. Now, my friend swears by this fruitcake, and she hates fruitcake so we will see. I hate fruitcake too. It is so fattening, and the fact that it can last forever makes me question it greatly. I probably will buy some but only because my brother gave me some years ago as a gag gift. Revenge is best served cold. 😂
We are then going out to lunch so I’m balancing this fattening day with Shakeology.
How do you balance out your diet when you know you’re going to go off track a little bit.
And I worked out. Geez this was a task.
Helping my girls lose weight. We are now starting a routine of stabling in the evenings and turnout early afternoon to early evening (about four hours a day). On Mondays, they will have longer out on the pasture just because of my schedule.
We will start working out longer with trails, flat work, hill work, and lunging for longer and more trotting.
How are your horses? What goals do you have?
What are your goals?
Some of you may do the whole new year resolution tradition, but I don’t. Mainly because it caters to my incredibly gifted skill of procrastination. I make goals each day and focus on those goals.
Sure, I have long term goals but when you only look at the longterm goals, you might get overwhelmed and become more inclined to give up.
So, for today, what are your goals? Mine is just to get my horses’ stalls set up which means picking up 80lb mats, filling buckets with water and carrying them to the stalls, setting up hay nets, putting in shavings, etc. That’s a lot and it’s a work out so to stay focused and not get overwhelmed, I’m just taking it step by step. No work out for me today with the 21 Day Fix schedule because the horses come first. That’s a workout anyway.
I will stay mindful with eating. I do notice I get tired if I eat too much or the starchy, fatty, and sugary foods so I’m going with shakes and one meal today. Simplified and not a lot of decisions to make. I’ve got a lot of decisions to make with the horses today so I’m just staying simple with my weight loss goals for today.
And this lovely bottle will be my traveling companion so I get my water intake for the day. Two of these per day is a half gallon of water. I love the times on it because I tend to get busy and forget to drink my water.
Hey kids! I’m down 17 pounds!!! Geez that took forever. Hoping the 21 Day Fix helps me move along with my weight loss.
How’s your day so far?
Working hard to lose the weight! This girl still has her mama belly! her daughter is shaping up nicely.
It's hard when you're older to lose weight. How do you motivate yourself to keep moving and reaching your fitness goals?
Uploads tomorrow morning!
How do you define success and how do you motivate yourself to keep going?
I motivate myself by noting what I have achieved each day no matter how small. I do look at my mistakes and failures, but I ask myself, "How do I improve on that?"
Need to get motivated for the New Year?
Start developing healthy habits now and join the 21 Day Fix Facebook Group!
Oswald and I are starting the 21 Day Fix December 1st!
Go here to join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1560294810895572
My farrier: Leah you really are a great customer.
Me: (shocked from this sudden outburst and naturally skeptical of any and all compliments) Why?
Farrier: You show up on time, you have your horses ready, you pay me, you’re funny, you take good care of your horses, your horses are well behaved…
Me: (immediately thinking of something to say that’s funny because I get uncomfortable when someone compliments me.) Thank you…
Farrier: you keep your stalls and tack room clean, you don’t ask stupid questions….
Me: Will duct tape help them to stand still while you’re putting shoes on them?
Farrier: Well, you WERE a great customer.
Me: 😂 😂 😂
Happy Thanksgiving. I am sharing my Thanksgiving with. my son who has been away at college. How are you doing this Thanksgiving?
Happy Thanksgiving!
My son and I have a different Thanksgiving Dinner tradition. We've always just been the two of us so a big Thanksgiving Dinner was not always practical for us. We did go see family and spend time with them, but my son also did not like the traditional dinner.
Hence, the traditional dinner for us is, to this day, steak and potatoes.
What is your favorite Thanksgiving dish? What traditions do you have for Thanksgiving?
As we head on our way to see family and friends this week, remember to be kind to your mind. Enjoy the holiday.
If you need support, join Kasie Oswald and I for the 21 Day Fix Challenge!
We will be giving away prizes and support everyone during the challenge.
The main focus is to be kind and do our best to stay on track this holiday season with our physical and mental fitness.
Join 21 Day fix today! We start December 1st!
As we head on our way to see family and friends this week, remember to be kind to your mind. Enjoy the holiday.
If you need support, join Kasie Oswald and I for the 21 Day Fix Challenge!
We will be giving away prizes and support everyone during the challenge.
The main focus is to be kind and do our best to stay on track this holiday season with our physical and mental fitness.
Join 21 Day Fix today! We start December 1st!
As we head on our way to see family and friends this week, remember to be kind to your mind. Enjoy the holiday.
If you need support, join Kasie Oswald and I for the 21 Day Fix Challenge!
We will be giving away prizes and support everyone during the challenge.
The main focus is to be kind and do our best to stay on track this holiday season with our physical and mental fitness.
Join 21 Day Fix today! We start December 1st!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1560294810895572
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Stay safe!
My son and I have a different Thanksgiving Dinner tradition. We've always just been the two of us so a big Thanksgiving Dinner was not always practical for us. We did go see family and spend time with them, but my son also did not like the traditional dinner. Hence, the traditional dinner for us is, to this day, steak and potatoes. What is your favorite Thanksgiving dish? What traditions do you have for Thanksgiving? #hackingriderfitnesspodcast #linkinbio #happythanksgiving
Staying balanced is key when riding, but how do we maintain our balance? Check out last week’s podcast on Hacking Rider Fitness - available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google.
Do you have a horse that starts out running, and you can’t get them to walk or listen? Meet Val. Val is on a fitness journey too. She became overweight due to her owner (me) ending up in the hospital and recovering for several months. Now, we are working on our figures. Val has always been quick. Even at almost 21 years old, she is quick to respond. A horse of this nature sometimes ends up being labeled difficult or spooky or whatever other label you want to throw out there. Val was taught at a young age to just run. Didn’t matter how. Just run so when I got her, my first step was to start working with her on the ground. She took off running on the lunge in the beginning of our journey together, so I remained calm. I didn’t force her to do anything but slowly settle down. The video is how she is 11 years later. She just has to start out with a little trot and stretch. That’s just her. As long as she’s not pulling, kicking out at me, and listening, I let her start out trotting. It’s our compromise, and it works for her. She settles in quicker, and we can work more productively. Many horses before Val, and some amazing trainers, taught me not to go in with intent. If I had taken the stance of “I’m going to go in there and that horse is going to…”, horses like Val would never be relaxed in their own skin. Val is an amazing horse with the smarts and willingness to learn. She couldn’t do that as long as she was asked to just run because when she was asked like that, she went into flight. No horse, or being of any kind, learns when they’re scared. So how do you lunge? What areas are you working on with your horse on the lunge? #ilovemyhorses #arabianhorse #olderhorse #equestrian #riderfitness #hackingriderfitnesspodcast #linkinbio
Went riding on the trail today for the first time in awhile. Mostly been training in the pasture and riding areas. I took Val. She spooked pretty big today but I noticed something. Watch the video for more. As we walked through “the valley of death”, Val bravely walked forward and paid attention to me. I’m proud of my little reactionary, chicken hearted, gorgeous Arabian.
How do you feel when you don’t meet your goals? Feeling like you’re not disciplined or unmotivated can create more issues that just saying “Fine. I’m doing this. I don’t wanna right now but I’m going to do this.” I remind myself when I don’t want to that I feel so bad and stress out over not doing the things I know will help me feel better and be my best version of myself. I spend the entire day or week beating myself up. I am tired of being my own bully soooo I just do the damn thing. What happens next? I’m more motivated to do my job I’m more motivated to ride my horses I’m more motivated I’m happier throughout the day. Time is not an excuse. I get everything done more efficiently now and no I’m not getting up earlier. I’m just making sure I get my workouts in each day and try to do my best with my food. That’s it. Don’t pressure yourself. Just do it and love yourself no matter how small your steps are towards your goals. #hackingriderfitnesspodcast #linkinbio #myhealthjourney #emptynest #entrepreneur #equestrian #crohnswarrior
My favorite exercise is the corpse pose. Yes, it’s because I get to lay down, but mostly because it grounds you. This is my positive response to triggers. I have decided to do this when I have the urge to binge since that urge is connected to anxiety. It happens late in the day so no you won’t see me suddenly go into corpse pose at the store. 😂 My biggest hurdle is late day eating. I have found that’s because later in the day after I’ve completed the things I need to do, I start to overwhelm myself with what I need to do in the future. Corpse pose is both grounding and meditative. I will see how this goes and see if I can swap binging for meditative practice. What are your positive swaps for negative triggers? #crohnswarrior #hackingriderfitnesspodcast #linkinbio #riderfitness #equestrian
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