The Longest Week of My Life

Shortly after I last wrote in my blog, I got the phone call that every mother dreads and my personal nightmare began. My 22 year old son, Hunter, lost control of his motorcycle at high speed and slammed face first into a retaining wall. Although he had recently promised me he always wore his helmet, this time he didn’t, probably because he was making a short trip and was close to home.

With excellent care on the scene and life-flight to Denver’s St. Anthony Central Hospital, one of the top neuro-trauma centers in the country, miraculously my son survived. He has a massive brain injury and every bone in his face is badly broken, but he has survived and is on the long road to recovery. Other than his head, he has few injuries.

After nine days in a coma, he woke up yesterday and began responding appropriately to questions. He cannot speak yet because there is a tube in his throat (necessary for the facial reconstruction he will have in a few days). Last night I slept soundly for the first time after Hunter mouthed the words “I love you mom,” to me.

Today he is even more awake; beginning to respond to verbal commands to lift two fingers, lift your right leg, etc.; still nodding yes and no appropriately.  Today he wrapped his arms around me and gave me a big bear hug and slapped a big fat kiss on my cheek. He’s sleeping more than he is awake right now, but that is to be expected.

It’s amazing how your life can change with one phone call and how different your perspective is once something like this has happened. Before the call, I was stressing about work, the next clinic, how I was going to get every thing done, how I was going to find time to ride my horse. All of that has changed now. I am just focused on the present—not the future—not the past. Hunter is strong and stubborn and a real fighter; I know he is going to be fine.

I have had tremendous support in this ordeal from my family, my incredible friends and the awesome people that work for me (who are also dear friends). For that I am so grateful. I am fine and I will be carrying on as usual soon, making all of my planned trips this fall and through the winter. Sorry to those of you who I had to cancel on last weekend—I’ve never had to do that before but it couldn’t be helped.

If you’d like to do something, you could send a get well card to Hunter (nothing else allowed in ICU), so that I can read them to him and put them up on the wall. Hunter Goodnight, Rm 211, St Anthony Central, 4231 W 16^th Ave, Denver CO 80204.

Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers,

Julie

Riding in Wine Country: Horseshoes and Corkscrews

I’ve spent the past week in northern California wine country. There were ten of us living together, wining and dining together and riding through the California country side. Our group represented the whole equestrian ball of wax, from sea to shining sea. From the New York City financial district, to the Florida beaches, from the Pennsylvania horse country to the austere red rocks of the four corners to the southern California high life. My dear friend Lucy and I firmly held down the middle of the country, being from the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

We also represented all walks of horse-life. Some closely aligned with the professional end of the industry, some on the upswing of their competitive riding careers, some who have taken up horses late in life, some in it all their lives. And then there were the blessed husbands who without the undying dedication to their wives, would probably stay back at the lodge and watch football—or skip the riding and go straight to the wine tastings.

In spite of the variances between us and the intimacy we shared for six days, we all got along great and had a fabulous week together—learning about wine and horses, exploring the rugged and adventurous hillsides of Lake County CA, and getting to know each other like only people that live eat, breathe, sleep and ride together 24/7 can.

We came together as a group in stages on the first day, some of us beginning at the San Francisco airport, some met us on the first winery stop (narrated tour of a “bio-dynamic” vineyard in the Sonoma Valley, Benzigers Family Winery http://www.benziger.com/), while others caught up with us at the end of the day at the lodge—some 3 ½ hours north of San Fran. Sitting atop a mountain overlooking Clear Lake (the largest lake in CA) and the Lake County wine country (which also produces copious crops of Bartlett pears and wild rice), the lodge was a comfy and luxurious place to call home over the next six days. Everyone arrived with newly purchased wine from our various tastings along the way and dinner was an excellent affair, as we began to explore the differences and commonalities between us.

The next morning, after a leisurely breakfast, we headed down to the barn which sat two miles below the lodge at the foot of the mountain. It was a little chaotic that first morning as 10 of us sorted through the herd of 15 horses to find the best match for each rider. That first ride around the ranch was a real shake down cruise and we switched horses like musical chairs. After a decadent lunch at the lodge, we hit the road (horses in trailers and the group in the 12 passenger van) for our first half-day’s ride along the levees surrounded by orchards, wet lands and sheep farms. By the end of the ride, most of us were beginning to gel with our horses and some were staking claim on their mounts for the week. I think a couple of the guys would’ve let their horses sleep in their room back at the lodge, if we could’ve gotten them up the steep mountain.

When our first day’s ride ended we all piled into the van and headed to the little village of Upper Lake for a tasting at a wine-room, which represented many of the area vineyards. Not being a huge wine drinker myself, I sort of went along for the ride and tasted whatever the others selected. As would turn out to be the pattern for the whole week, we came back to the lodge for a relaxing evening with a few bottles of wine that someone in our group had selected for dinner. Socializing around the fireplace on the deck, watching the incredible views as the sun set, we relished the day.

Over dinner that night, we took turns going around the table and saying what each person would like to get out of the week. It was interesting that no one mentioned wine tasting or trail riding in their lists of wants. Instead, each rider stated specifics goals and horsemanship skills to master. It was clear to me as I drafted a lengthy list of the “workshops” I wanted to do, that although this was intended as a vacation week, everyone wanted to throw some work in there too, even the dutiful husbands who were supposedly along for the ride.

The next morning, we spent extra time at the lodge in an in-depth discussion about horse behavior and the human relationship. This is always very revealing to people, from the novices to the very experienced, as they ponder horse behavior and reflect on their previous encounters.

Next we headed out for a trail ride, with visions of herd life floating through everyone’s minds as 14 of us road through the CA countryside. After the ride we had a late lunch, sampling some local wines in lieu of a separate stop at a winery—leaving us enough time to head back to the lodge for a much needed cat nap before dinner.

The third day we spent the whole day at a nearby training farm, punching through the lengthy list of things people wanted to work on. I did a round pen demon on a young a wily TN Walker. We did lead-line work and explored various ground handling techniques for relaxing, soothing and restraining horses. After lunch we split into small groups for some private coaching, checking off the list from position improvements to confidence and control to flying lead changes.

After a hard but satisfying day, we headed to another biodynamic winery, Ceago Vinegarden http://www.ceago.com/ for a private tasting, sitting out in an exquisite courtyard overlooking the lavender fields rimming Clear Lake. Over rare cheeses and dried fruits, we sipped a variety of fine wines from an extensive menu. We laughed, toasted and teased, and relished in our successes of the day while drinking in this magnificent setting. This was the pivotal moment of the week when we went from being a group to becoming a family.

The next day, we had a fabulous ride across a 4300 acre ranch and winery, eating lunch out on the trail and riding back to the tasting room of the Six Sigma Ranch, where the owner and his son guided us through various bottles, including some as yet unreleased and coveted Pinot Noirs. As the horses departed in the trailers, we tasted a variety of wines in the shade of the oaks trees, donned in our dirty and sweaty riding clothes.

On the way home in the van that evening, we made a short stop at another winery—one of my favorites-- http://www.steelewines.com/ . Back at the lodge, we cleaned up and reconvened on the magnificent deck in our lounge clothes and talked over the highlights of the day before another lovely dinner. Our fourth day under our belts, with each successive night, we went to bed earlier and awoke later.

The fifth day was our final day of riding and I think we may have all agreed that the fourth day was the best. Both the horses and riders were tired and sore and all were happy to cut the day’s ride short and head in to the village of Upper Lake for a lovely lunch at the Blue Wing Saloon, an historical recreation rife with character. Our final night together was a roller coaster ride with heartfelt celebration, mixed emotions, poignant reminiscing and last minute in-depth conversations. The next morning we all packed our wine, exchanged contact info and hugged and kissed over breakfast as we all headed our separate ways to each corner of the country.

No doubt, we will all stay in touch for some time to come and for sure, we’ll all remember our adventure astride in the CA wine country.

Enjoy the ride,

Julie

2009 Colorado Horse Master TV Shoot

Once again, it’s been a marathon the last couple of weeks, although I’d be a fool to complain about it. The week of September 10^th, we were quite busy filming six new episodes of the TV show—Horse Master. We film at my place once a year and it’s always much easier for me than shoots on the road. Nothing like sleeping in your own bed each night. Plus, having total control over the facility and not having to travel to the location each morning before sun-up and eat every meal in restaurants, makes life much easier.

This shoot was for the first six episodes that will air in 2010, starting in January. This was our 9^th shoot since the show’s inception and I have to say, we have really gotten good at this. When I think back to the chaos of our first shoot, compared to now, it’s easy to see how much we have progressed. The shoots are arduous, at best; filming literally from first light to last light—completing six episodes in three days—working with six different horse and rider combinations to help them accomplish their goals and resolve their issues.

We always celebrate after the end of the shoot at our “wrap party.” This time there was lots of laughter and reminiscing and we always use this time to brainstorm on the titles of the shows and what show we think will turn out to be the best episode of the shoot. We had so much fun decompressing (while having dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant in town) that a lady actually came over to our table on her way out of the restaurant to tell us how much she enjoyed listening to our laughter.

We unanimously agreed that the best episode, which we titled, “You Can’t Make Me Do That!”, was a mare who adamantly refused to cross a tarp. Not because she was afraid of it (clearly), but because she had been to a week-long trail obstacle clinic where they fought with her all week long and never successfully got her over the tarp. That’s a lot of success on her part that was hard to overcome. She had clearly learned that all she had to do was sull-up and fight and she would never have to step foot on that stinking tarp. So there. You can’t make me do that.

Using the most classic principles of natural horsemanship, I set about to convince the mare that the right thing would be easy and the wrong thing would be hard—her choice. Every time she refused to step up to the tarp (by backing up in a tantrum) I would pull her to the side and work the patooti out of her—hard trot, constantly changing direction until she was huffing and puffing a blue streak. Then I would present her to the tarp and as long as she had forward interest in the tarp, I would let her stand and rest. The instant she was defiant and refused, back to work we went.

This seemed like a good plan, but an hour into it, with the sunlight fading, I was beginning to wonder if I could out last her. Meanwhile, my film crew were saying silent prayers as they stood and watched. But staying the course almost always pays with horses, unless the course is flawed to begin with. At an hour and 22 minutes, the mare finally relented and walked calmly over the tarp. Then she did it 6-8 more times without hesitation. As is typical, once she made up her mind, she was perfectly willing to walk over the tarp. I put the owner back on her and she marched obediently over the tarp several more times.

The next morning during practice (we always give the riders time off-camera to practice what they have learned before we wrap the show), the mare put up a fight again, but only for about 10 minutes. When it was time to film the wrap-up, she refused the tarp once, did a few minutes of hard stuff, then marched over it like a trooper.

She was a tough nut to crack, but in the end, she agreed that the fight was not worth it. We had five other great episodes in this shoot, including two shot with Dale Myler—one of the world’s foremost experts on bits. A young dressage prospect and a very frustrated western horse made dramatic progress by making them more comfortable in their mouths so that they could think and learn. It’s amazing the turn-around you can make in horses with small but meaningful changes.

It was one of our most successful shoots ever and I am so thankful to my incredible crew and all the horses and riders that joined us. After a hard week of filming, I jumped a plane to San Francisco for a week of riding with newfound friends in California’s premier wine country. More about that next time.

Enjoy the ride,

Julie

Good Medicine for Dually

On many occasions, I have written about the high-test, high-maintenance qualities of my horse Dually. He’s about as cool a horse as I’d hope to ever own and he’s my 4^th “horse of a lifetime”—the third one, my old Morgan mare is enjoying semi-retirement down the road at a friend’s barn. I’ve been lucky that way in my life, but then again I’ve had a lot of horses in the last 50 years, so undoubtedly, a few of them have been great horses. Have you been blessed yet with your horse of a lifetime?

Dually is a purebred quarter horse, bred for cow work (Peppy San Badger/Doc O’lena) with a very kind, willing and sensitive temperament and keen mentality. Most of the time he is extremely calm and mellow but he is actually very “hot-blooded.” By definition, a hot blooded horse is one that is highly sensitive to environmental stimuli. That’s ALL stimuli: touch, sounds, movement, weather, odors, even a slight shift in your body language.

Have you ever had the joy of riding a horse that is so sensitive that all you have to do is just think about a cue and the horse picks it up? Often sensitive horses tend to be forward horses as well. Lazy horses tend to be insensitive and require a lot more pressure to motivate them, although this is a generality. For the sensitive forward horse, you just think canter; don’t even think about using your legs. These horses can be a real joy to ride, but can also be a bad combination for a novice rider whose cues are inexact.

But with that sensitivity and willing temperament, there is a price to pay. Many of these horses, Dually included, are hard keepers, easy colickers, prone to ulcers with sensitive digestive tracts. Dually was a fit but thin 6 year old when I bought him three years ago and has been a very hard keeper ever since, eating buckets of expensive grain, not great for his high-test personality but a must to try and keep weight on. He rarely finished his grain and never his hay. He had frequent bouts of what I fondly referred to as “the vapors.” Off feed, laying down, depressed, but not exactly colicking. A hit of banamine or a trailer ride always snapped him out of it, but still it was always a concern, and seemed to happen most when I was out of town.

Enter Proviable, a probiotic powder made by Nutramax Labs to promote hind-gut health; new on the market this spring. I think I had one of the very first bottles off the shelf, and I started Dually on it right away, along with the Proviable paste as a booster for the first few days. Within a week, I noticed a difference in Dually’s appetite and he began to polish off his grain at the same time the other horses did, practically licking his pan. Within two months Dually was gaining so much weight I cut his grain ration in half. He now looks more like the stocky QH he is bred to be instead of skinny and lanky and he is maintaining his weight on a normal grain ration.

Dually has been on Proviable for six months now and in that time he’s had only one minor bout of the vapors while he was with me at a clinic earlier this summer. Since then I have taken to boosting him with Proviable paste when we are on the road and his stress level might be greater and he hasn’t had a problem since. I can’t for sure attribute all these great changes in my high-maintenance horse to Proviable, but it seems that for a horse like mine, Proviable is a god-send.

Have you or do you have a hard-keeping horse like Dually? I recently gave some Proviable paste to a woman I met with a barrel racing TB who reminded me a lot of Dually. I am eager to hear how he does. Nutramax also came to our rescue with Proviable for dogs for Rich’s lab puppy who was instantly cured of her long-term and serious diarrhea which had not responded to any other standard treatment. But I’ll save that story for another time.

Enjoy the ride!

Julie

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