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Obsidian Equestrian

Every horse is worthy and deserves a full and healthy life filled with love, compassion and understa

02/06/2024

It was so good to see the sun again for those 11 days or so 🌞
Not much has been happening here, though, unless you count a whole bunch of lawn mowing via horse, as the ground is taking its time to dry out in the cold weather.
We had some rain over the weekend, and theres a little more predicted throughout the week, but fingers crossed it'll be dry enough soon so the crew can be bought back into work and continue their training 🤞
This month we have some dental appointments scheduled, a little bodywork, the usual never ending job of keeping up with the horses routine pedicures, a long list of rugs to buy and if we can make it work with the vets busy schedule we may even have an xray and biopsy.

30/04/2024

With the return of the rain here on the Mid North Coast, I am considering updating our property description 🤔 🤣

29/04/2024

If it ever feels as though you're being watched around here, it's probably because you are... by this creep (Viking).
He likes to keep a watchful eye to make sure you're not up to any funny business with his feed, like short changing or sneaking in medication.
Whatever will he do when I finish enclosing the shed wall. The creeper might actually have to find another hobby.
Perhaps actually eating the grass in the paddock would be a good start bud 🤷‍♀️

18/04/2024

Current mood. I don't even want to talk about it 🤦‍♀️

13/04/2024

I love horses. There's no denying that, but I won't lie. Some days, I really do question why.
Take this morning for instance, it was a little before 5am and I'm sitting on the verandah enjoying my second cup of coffee in the peace and quiet before I get started with the usual day to day routine of managing this many horses. Nothing was out of the ordinary until I heard something over near the shed. Assuming it was just Viking playing with the gate as he normally does once he hears I'm awake, I took another sip of my coffee and thought nothing else of it. That was until a few moments later, when this little turd just waltzed on past the verandah, cool as a cucumber as if it's any other day and totally normal. No Rocket, just no! It's 5am and still dark. It is not adventure time, and you're supposed to be in a paddock 😑
It's safe to say my first sentence of the day was filled with profanities, I'm now questioning why I love horses and not looking forward to trying to fit fixing whatever fence (or fences) he has broken into my already jammed packed day.
At least he is easy to handle in the dark and not scared of torches... we've had a lot of practice 🙄

Fun horse fact; Sundays are not the day of rest when you have horses and even more so when one of those horses is Rocket 🤦‍♀️

12/04/2024

I must say I am super proud of this guy!
On Thursday, Smarty was prescribed antibiotic ointment for an issue with his right eye that requires twice daily application until the discolouration and cloudiness subsidies. Most horse owners are anxious about administering injections, but I have always found eye treatments to be the bigger concern because, let's face it, nobody wants somebody poking around in their eye balls.
Trying to do that to an animal that averages 500kg and doesn't quite understand that you're trying to help them can be a bit tricky.
With Smarty being a few hands taller than you're average horse, an extra hundred or so kgs and his Jekyll and Hyde personality (we're working on that) I was a tad concerned about the whole situation. However, he has proved to be a bit more Jekyll about it all and allowed the treatment without any resistance 🎉
It's moments like these, which may seem so small and insignificant to some, that restore my faith in what we do here and drive me to continue even when it feels like the odds are stacked against us and we are on a ship that is inevitably sinking. So thank you, Smarty, for blossoming into the best version of yourself you can be and being this week's reminder that all the hard work and sleepless nights from stress are worth it ❤️

11/04/2024

The mud and water are still hanging around even though it's almost been a week since the rain stopped and the last few days have been rather windy 🌧💨
Not going to lie, without the ability to safely work with the herd, I am going crazy with boredom and have often found myself wondering if I have enough extension leads and fans to give this a crack. Anyone else?

05/04/2024

I think it's safe to say the horses will be having a few days off... not that they'll complain too much about that 🌧

Side note; I think I need some new boots 🤔

13/03/2024

Snow ❄️

No role call would ever be complete without the infamous little garden gnome. So here he is, last but simply not least, everyone's favourite little pally stallion, Snow.
It's hard to make goals for him because, let's be honest, even if I tried, he would just do the complete opposite out of spite anyway.

Us: Stay off the verandah Snow
Snow: Stick your fence. This is my spot. I live here now.

Us: Dont stir up Rocket, Snow. You don't like it when he wants to keep playing after you've had enough.
Snow: Where's that little grey thing, I'm going to get it.

Us: You're not going in the yard today.
Snow: Get out of my way, peasants! I'm going in the yard.

Us: Stay out of the shed.
Snow: You tried that with the verandah... and failed!

Us: You've had your bread today.
Snow: I SAID BREAD! Do your job and fetch it, human.

Us: How about a nice brush to make you all pretty and feel better.
Snow: Look at my ears, the ears of wrath they are. Get away from me.

Us: Time to go back to the paddock.
Snow: It's time for you to scratch my neck. NO, not like that. You're doing it wrong. Get away from me.

I could go on, but you get the picture. Every day is opposite day with Snow around. So, I guess you could say that if I had one goal for Snow this year, it would be to address his entitlement issue. I don't like my chances of making headway on that one 🤦‍♀️

10/03/2024

Marvin

This guy is a little different, often mistaken for a thoroughbred but is actually an American Saddlebred Sporthorse. Marvin is a rather sensitive topic for me. He is my absolute heart horse. There was nothing we couldn't accomplish together. We were and still are inseperable. He was an absolute dream to ride, but unfortunately, our riding adventures together were cut short several years ago when he was diagnosed with an ethmoid hematoma. In simple terms, it is a form of tumour in the sinus and nasal passages. In Marvins case, its location is too close to his brain, making it inoperable. We tried injections and had some success the first time around, but when the tumour grew back, the vets doubted the injections would be successful again and gave him 12 months to live at most.
After many months of heartbreak and researching for a miracle, we came across a few out there alternative therapies, and after carefully scrutinising them to ensure they were safe, we chose to give them a try.
Marvin's 12 months were up in August of 2023. It's now March of 2024, and this guy has made one miraculous come back. Watching him fly around the paddocks, forcing himself into my personal space and not very nicely reminding Scott that he is his arch-enemy it's hard to believe how close he was to gaining his wings and crossing the rainbow bridge only a few months ago. I can't say he is completely cured and we don't really know how much time he has left so, even though there's nothing I wouldn't give to be able to ride him even one more time, riding remains off the table for the foreseeable future but I am just so grateful for whatever extra time we may have. Therefore, our 2024 goals are simple; continue the alternative therapies and treat every moment like it could be our last, cherishing them all.
And if we're feeling extra optimistic, perhaps we may try and reason with him about his inflamed ego and mummy issues. Honestly, he is so possessive of me and in love with himself. If he could talk, no doubt all anyone would hear him say is, "Look. At. Me. I'm gorgeous!" and "You're not my mum, a fact that makes you irrelevant." 🤦‍♀️

01/03/2024

The last bay and thoroughbred, I promise 😆

Sparrow
Oh, how he almost looks normal sized when he's not right beside another horse, even the ears look proportionate here 🤔

Full disclosure, I'm rather disappointed in the overall progress in Sparrows training. Time and time again, things have just gotten in the way of finishing the big guys journey to being a ridden horse. From weather and time restraints to my own health and so on. But I'm determined and moderately stubborn. The latter is a trait Sparrow and I share. So this years goals for the giant are:

- Bring him back into a regular work routine and resume his transition into being a ridden horse.
- furthering his training for freestyle dressage. With his natural floaty movements and cadence, it's hard not to picture him elegantly dancing around an arena to the rhythm of some of my favourite songs.
- Dabbling in some working equitation because we like to keep it interesting, and Sparrow does love sticky beaking and manoeuvring around obstacles (or picking them up and running away with them. We'll work on that 🤦‍♀️)
- consider increasing the height of the float so he can have a chance of actually fitting in there so we can tackle some trails.

27/02/2024

Harley

Okay, so he's another thoroughbred, but at least he's not a bay, so that counts, right? 😅

Harley has been in care for a few years now and is one I'm really struggling with letting go of. It's not that I really need any more horses. It's just that he has such a beautiful temperament, a super chill guy who is genuinely unphased by much. He is nothing short of a pleasure to have around.
Our 2024 plans for Harley include:
- Weight loss. He doesn't look too bad here, but this was taken before he went on spell. He is currently a little... okay, a lot thicker around the middle 😬
- Bring him back into work to help with the weight thing and to increase overall fitness and muscle tone before we focus on perfecting the canter and spend some time hitting the trails.
- Finally get the feet situation sorted. His hooves are his biggest downfall (aside from the current extra kgs). We have spent the better part of the last few years slowly working on improving their overall shape and health. It's been a long process and one that I hope will ultimately pay off.
- Work on my attachment issues and maybe bite the bullet with seeking the perfect adoption home for this special guy. I am yet to break the news to Red, to say he will be displeased is a colossal understatement.

16/02/2024

Rocket

Not a bay 🥳.... finally

Rocket here is our resident master of mischief. Not a day starts without wondering exactly what funny business he has gotten up to overnight and is going to get up to throughout the day.
I keep waiting for the day he grows out of the baby brain stage but, seeings it's lasted several years now, I'm starting to think the day will never come, it's all just personality. So much personality 😬
I was hoping to finish teaching him the art of being a ridden horse last year prior to finding him the perfect forever home, but unfortunately, that has not panned out due to a suspected unsoundess. His condition has improved with the current treatment. However, not enough to be able to class him as sound.
Therefore, our goals for Mr Mischief this year include:
- continue treatment and definitively determine if it is a soundness issue or one that may, in time, be resolved.
- for the foressable future, continue beginning every day with the dreaded question of "What has the little 💩 done now?"
- carry on with his ground work training to hopefully have it sink in (finally) that he is a horse, not a dog.
- find him the perfect forever home, whether it be as a companion or ridden horse.

11/02/2024

Willow

Breaking the 'not a thoroughbred' streak here. But the bay trend continues. It's 50 shades of bay around here, I swear 😅

At 20 years old this year, things are starting to wind down for Willow in the riding department. Although he is physically capable of continuing, mentally, he seems to be getting a bit over it, and that's okay. A big part of what we do here is, instead of asking what the horse can do for us, we ask what we can do for the horse. With that in mind, our goals for Willow this year are to continue answering that very question by listening:
- reducing his workload as he heads into retirement.
- focusing on keeping his body and mind active with exercises that are less physically demanding than riding and teaching students such as light ground work exercises and obstacle courses, lots of stretching and in hand adventures (picture walking a dog but with a 17hh horse), etc.
- even more pampering with extra focus on the neck and butt like he demands.... as if he doesn't already get plenty pampered, but again, we are here to listen.

02/02/2024

Nala
We're really changing it up with this one; not a thoroughbred or a gelding.
Miss Nala, here is our only mare at the moment. At only 14hh, it amazes me how much sass can be packed into one small little stock x quarter horse package. Perhaps that's why she is always on the rounder side. It's gotta go somewhere 😅
Our goals for this year include
- dropping a few kgs and turning the extra weight into muscle.
- convince her that she absolutely can stand while having a pedicure, it is not okay to sit on the farrier, their job is not to be her personal couch.
- curbing the attitude problem when asked to do any form of flat work.
Oddly enough she is an absolute angel during any other activity like trail and lead line pony rides but if you're an avid rider and ask her to do anything on the flat she morphs into a fire breathing dragon.
- tell her she is pretty, take her on many trails, and give her plenty of tail rubs to keep her happy and less likely to unleash the dragon.
- find her an indestructible rug. There's only so many rugs you can fix or new rugs you can buy before you're just about ready to put the whole horse in the bin 🤦‍♀️

28/01/2024

Bandit

Not a thoroughbred, they may be few, but we do have them 🤣
This little nugget is a sweetheart standardbred gelding. His goals don't change much over the years because, as they say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
That doesn't mean he has none, though, and if I had to pick a few for this year, they would be:
- continue doing what he thrives at; helping riders build or regain their confidence around horses.
- convince him that spray bottles are not tiny messengers of death. I don't have much hope for this one, I've been working on it for years 🤦‍♀️
- get him to understand that the water he is crossing is exactly the same as that of which he just crossed without so much as a blink of an eye, it doesn't magically change just because we are facing it from the other side.
- Perhaps a lesson in dinner time etiquette. Contrary to his belief that dinner moustache is not necessary 🤣

24/01/2024

Smarty 🔍
Another thoroughbred, so many thoroughbreds!
Never let the size of this one fool you. He is an absolute sook! Always in your face, ensuring he gets the most pats and treats. At times, I do wish he was a touch more aware of his size, though, because it's never easy trying to get your leg back if he has decided your thigh makes for the perfect pillow. Talk about dead leg 😬

When Smarty wakes up, honestly, he is always napping; our 2024 plans involve
- continuing his education under saddle, including trail rides,
- convincing him that ground poles aren't going to bite and
- teaching him that when other people ride him, it's the same as when I do and does, in fact, require movement, not just standing around having a nap.
Once he learns the whole being ridden by other people thing and I'm confident in his rehabilitation, Smarty will be available for adoption and on the hunt for his new forever home. He will be fussy, his new human must have thighs that meet his pillow requirements 🏡 😅

22/01/2024

New Year; New Face.

Tiger 🐯
I've known Tiger and been involved with his care for some time now, but only in the last few weeks did he come into my full-time charge. He is a sweet, thoroughbred gelding who loves being in the company of humans, and, unlike a few of the other thoroughbreds in care, he is a little more normal in hieght standing at around 15hh.

Our 2024 goals so far are less riding focused and more aimed at correcting the angles of his hooves to better reflect his conformation which should improve his way of going, and solving the mystery of a suspicious lump on his left side latissimus dorsi muscle. With rest, massage, and supplementation, a difference has been noted in the overall size and shape of the lump, and further investigative appointments are being scheduled to hopefully resolve the issue 🤞

Fun fact; the latissimus dorsi muscles are superficial muscles that work to flex the shoulders, retract the front legs, and aid in supporting the middle and rear aspects of a saddle. An ill fitting saddle or a girth that is too tight can interfere with the function of these muscles and result in many issues including decreased shoulder movement and stride length and horses exhibiting poor behaviour when tacked and ridden due to pain.

17/01/2024

With two furkids of the smaller variety needing emergency vet visits this week I've gotten a touch behind on the horsey role call for you all but rest assured they're on the mend and I'm back to continue with this quest.

Next up is Red
At this angle, he may not look it, but this guy is an absolute unit. Another giant exceeding that 17hh mark but unlike other thoroughbreds currently in care, shape wise Red doesn't fit the cliche and is often mistaken for a quarter horse (especially in the b***y region).
Despite his sheer size and being built like a brick house, he is a delicate soul with extreme trust issues. Red has been with me for several years now and although we have made some noteworthy progress on building a trusting relationship he still remains hesitant with some of the most basic tasks and in the presence of others so his goals for this year remain simple and focused on that to ensure his mental and emotional well-being continue to improve without jeopardy.
Red's 2024 goals:
- continue to instil his faith in humanity
- keep up with float training and working on transitions, particularly trot/canter, as floats and pressure remain two of his biggest triggers.
- getting out of the arena and off the flat onto his first bush trail ride.

11/01/2024

Happy New Year everyone!
Okay so I'm 12 days late... better late than never? 😬
The turn of a new year often brings about thoughts of things we wish to achieve throughout the next 365 days. Although I've all but given up on making new years resolutions for myself I always have a few in mind for the horses. So lets kick off the start of 2024 with a horsey roll call and a few things I have in mind for each for the following lap around the sun.

Viking
Archery 🏹
Yep you read that right, for this guy I am hoping to combine two of my favourite things: horse riding and archery. I mean, can you blame me? His name is Viking, after all 😅
But before we commence the journey back in time, we need to continue working on Vikings' weight, fitness, and balance under saddle. Plus, perhaps locating the "go" button would help because, despite being under 10yrs old, over 17hh and a retired racehorse, he is one of the laziest horses I have ever come across.

24/12/2023

Wishing you all a safe and Merry Christmas. May the holiday season bring only happiness and joy to you and your family 🎄🎅

12/12/2023

When the cats away, the mice will play, or in this case; while I'm recovering from surgery, Rocket will do everything to ensure he gets on Scott's last nerve.

⬇️ For example, apparently, a game of tag is a far better option than going back to the paddock for dinner. It made for a great photo op, though, so I guess there's that 😅🤦‍♀️

04/11/2023

It appears I have wasted my time. He was clean for about the 3 seconds it took him to find a prime rolling spot 🤦‍♀️😪

⭐️ Snow ensuring we feel underappreciated since 2021 ⭐️

29/10/2023

The award for the most dedicated attempt to get out of work goes to Smarty 🏆

Sorry Nala, after 8 or so years of holding the title you've been surpassed, I'm shocked too, little lady.

I don't think Smarty will be attempting to take a short cut over fence again any time soon. It did not work out in his favour, instead resulting in landing in the fence. It seems jumping can definitely be ruled out as a possibility for this guys future 😳

All jokes aside, accidents happen. No matter how much you stress over their safety, at the end of the day, horses aren't machines. They are cognitive beings who think, learn, and act. As handlers and owners we only have so much control over horses and their environment, they will make their own decisions and it is our responsibility to do what we can to ensure their mental, emotional and physical well-being. Sometimes, that means treating wounds, which came to be from their poor decisions.
Smarty is well on his way to recovering, and his run-in with the fence will not affect his quality of life or future soundness. Also, his lack of scope was never in question. His confirmation always indicated he would never be suited to a career in jumping.

16/10/2023

Got Bread? 🧐

I can't say I'm a fan or Snows new trick. Nowhere in the lawn mowing job description does it say getting onto the verandah and repeatedly scaring the life out of the humans is a job requirement, or perhaps I missed the fine print 🤔

Thanks for the heart attacks Snow and reminding me that nowhere is safe from your harassment for more treats and demands for earlier feed times.

P.s. My apologies for the inactivity, everyone. I've been preoccupied with the stress of course completion dead lines and dealing with a certain bay horse's unfavourable extracurricular activities. More details on the latter to come 😪

26/09/2023

Nala's stellar attempt at avoiding work. "If she can't see me, she can't ask me to work," 🫣

Ummm.... Nala, I can still see you 🤣

I give her a 10/10 for trying, though. We always give points for trying around here 👌

16/09/2023

I thought I best tidy up the driveway. It's getting a bit unruly.

You're doing a great job, Marvin. Love your work 😆

Work smarter, not harder? 🤷‍♀️

12/09/2023

Yesterday morning, we conducted a rescue mission. It was definitely a little different to our normal type of rescue, but I managed with the assistance of my mum and aunty... once they stopped laughing about the memories it bought up. Let's just say the last time I had a close encounter with a bird in need, it involved a lengthy phone call to my aunty, mum and nan who were unable to contain their laughter, a broom and me hiding under the dining room table with a cat 🤔

This little lorikeet was a little easier than that situation. However, it was not very grateful for our help, hence the nickname 'Cranky' 😬
I found Cranky while completing the morning horse chores, unable to fly and obviously distressed. After a successful attempt to contain it, I kept it warm and content for some time, hoping it was just in shock and needed a moment to gather itself. I tried to return it to its friends, who immediately came to check it, but it was still unable to follow them on their way despite some determined flapping. With no improvement, it was best to take Cranky to the professionals, so off we went to the vets where they arranged for Cranky to get to the injured wildlife specialists. Fingers crossed Cranky has a speedy recovery and can get back to soaring high asap 🤞

There's never a dull moment around here, and it really is true when Scott says, "You never really know what she is going to bring home." 🤷‍♀️😅

10/09/2023

Can you believe it's Monday again already? Where does the time go 🧐

Each setback presents the opportunity to learn and get better. Stay focused, keep learning, keep improving, and most important of all; never give up 💪

10/09/2023

I have no idea why it takes so long to give Willow a bath 🤔🤣

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Thursday	09:00 - 17:00
Friday	09:00 - 17:00
Saturday	09:00 - 23:00

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I thought I best tidy up the driveway. It's getting a bit unruly. You're doing a great job, Marvin. Love your work 😆 Work smarter, not harder? 🤷‍♀️ #horses #chestnut #hardatwork #worksmarternotharder #saddlebred

I have no idea why it takes so long to give Willow a bath 🤔🤣 #horses #thoroughbred #horserescue #spaday #sundayfunday

Just two friends helping each other out 🥰 ~ Smarty and Sparrow ~ Out of all the interesting, quirky, and sometimes questionionable things horses get up to, watching them partake in mutual grooming would have to be one of my favourites. Incase you're wondering what that is: Mutual grooming is just that; two or more horses grooming and scratching each other usually by using their lips, teeth, and tongues to lick, gently bite, or rub one another. It is a normal and natural social behaviour for horses and very important for their mental well-being. Studies have found that this behaviour, both in domestic and wild herds, can help horses strengthen bonds, ease tension, achieve relaxtion, and it creates a "feel good" response. Additionally, mutual grooming also helps horses maintain hygiene and it assists in parasite control. On a side note; boy does time fly! As of yesterday, Smarty has been in care for 4 weeks. Stay tuned for an update on the beautiful boys' progress. #horses #rescue #horsefriends #animalfriendship #horsefacts #funfact #cuteanimals

Sparrow, our resident top of the class star pupil in desensitisation. 🎓🎓 He makes it all too easy to forget he has a vision impairment. Not much phases him, in fact he believes most things are a toy and his for the taking. This includes the hat off your head, the hood on your jacket, and the phone in your back pocket. For those curious about Systematic Desensitisation or simply just desensitisation as it is more often called: It is a training technique used to increase or decrease a horses response to different stimuli. Most commonly used for the latter (decreasing), it is basically taking the spook factor out of certain objects or situations through gradual and repetitive exposure. It is a sad thought but alot of the time with rescues, the first thing I need to do is desensitise the horse to humans and reassure them that not every human is going to bring them physical, mental or emotional pain. #horse #horses #horsetraining #horsefacts #horserescue #thoroughbred #blindhorse #desensitisation

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