Rio

I don't really know how this day has come. Early this morning I had to let Rio go. It was just as hard to do as I always imagined. I will write him a proper tribute at a later time (Jampy's too... I'm really behind, who could have known this would happen so soon after?) but I wanted to share what happened and a maybe just a short look back on our time together to break up the text and remind us all of better days.
I got home last night a little late from work, and Rio was lying down. He's a pretty avid napper, but not usually at the time of day. But he seemed comfortably napping and got up when I opened his door. I thought it was weird but maybe just that. After I threw hay to everyone he went back down. Crap. I got him up and took his temp and called the vet. Wouldn't you know my vet is away at conference? Of course. That's how these things go. But anyway, I wasn't super worried. It was a weird weather day, and while Rio has never really been the colicky sort, he has once or twice in the 15 years we've shared had a little bout of gas discomfort. Always a dose of banamine and a little walk and he was back to good.

We met in January 2004. Here we are in Europe during our first ride together

I gave him a dose of Banamine and some ulcer guard per vets directions and waited. He laid back down and napped very quietly. Which I didn't like. He was down for about an hour, and then finally got up. I had been in contact with the vet and he gave me some numbers for vets on call. The one for my area was still an hour away, but he wasn't wildly uncomfortable so I was okay with the wait. I wound up having to walk him while I waited.

We spent that year in the adult jumpers getting to know each other

When she arrived she did the normal: rectal exam, vitals, etc. We decided to tube him and she gave him some more pain meds. He needed some sedation for the tubing as he really hates that. Hated. I guess. Anyway, he napped comfortably standing while the sedation wore off and the vet went home leaving me with plenty of instructions. At that point we were pretty sure he'd come out of it. We were thinking minor impaction, but nothing was displaced.

The next year we moved up to the low A/O's. Something I never thought I'd be brave enough to do

The pain meds started wearing off around 12:30 am and I asked the vet to come back. She did, and we walked for the hour it took for her to come. She did another rectal and found some things had changed, and not really for the better, but still nothing terribly bad. Next step was more pain meds and IV fluids. I had long ago made the decision that he wouldn't go to the vet hospital if something like this happened. At 23 he's not a surgical candidate, and he doesn't need to go through stress like that if we can do all the same things at home for the most part.

We were moderately successful. Rio took the best care of me.

The pain meds started wearing off in about an hour. So we gave some more while the fluids dripped in. They wore off faster. He was never horribly uncomfortable seeming, he wanted to lay down but didn't want to roll. It was all thankfully, not overly traumatic. But it made it an awful lot harder to make the decision. The vet let me know we could wait and see but we had done all we could to keep him comfortable and it really wasn't working. I won't let my horses suffer needlessly and so the next time he was down and started looking to his belly, I knew it was time. Worst moment of my life. I'm glad he was down when we did it so he didn't have to fall like Jampy. (That's really traumatic to see.) It was all very peaceful, and exactly what you'd hope for your horse when the time comes. The cremation people fortunately live very close to me, and are available 24 hours a day. I said my last good bye to him at 4:00 am and they were there in about an hour to get him.

He had some injuries over the years, and eventually he stepped down to the hunters.
He was very successful in that ring too!

I always knew eventually this day would come. And I of course knew it was getting closer and closer. But you're never really ready when the day arrives. I wish our vet had been with us. But the vet who came was wonderful, caring, and kind. She never rushed my decision despite being at my barn for three hours in the middle of the night. She told Rio he was handsome and wonderful. She said he was a brave boy and did his best. She was right. And she has no idea really how much so.

We showed in the equitation sometimes too.
Here we are placing in second in our state medal final.

Rio fought like a champ when the whole EPM thing happened. He came back from the brink and gave me 5 more amazing years. The best day of my life was the day I got to sit on him again for the first time since the diagnosis. I'm sad I can't make any more memories like that with him. But I'm holding on so tight to all the ones we did make. Like all of his birthday celebrations.

I mean the pizza truck party was pretty epic.

Fifteen years together. It was an incredible run, and there's a giant Rio sized hole in me right now. I can't even count how many people have reached out. He's touched a lot of lives just by being Rio. The most handsome horse I'll ever own. The most honest. The most stoic. The most loyal. The most loving. He was just the most everything.

I hope he finds fields of his favorite grass and his brother Jampy on the other side. Rest easy Rio. You were my best friend. I'll miss you always and love you longer than forever.

Thursday's Threads

Happy Outfit day! It's a beautiful day and will get up to almost 80, so I'm not minding fall so far. I hope the nice weather sticks around. I'm not ready for 60 degrees or colder. Nope. Not ready. Anyway, I wore my new boots for this week's outfit, so let's start there!

I REALLY need to address the ear hair situation here... (Shiny's, not mine.) Anyway, this outfit was from Saturday.

Helmet: One K Defender Glamour

I figured this DEFINITELY worked with silver boots. I mean, what else do you pair with them?

Top: Ronner Design

You guys have seen this one before. I love that it's technical fabric. And love that the ponies are are sporting my barn colors.

Belt: Pony Locks

I've been thinking about Jampy a lot lately, so I wore his belt this weekend to keep him close.

Breeches: Piper by Smartpak

I really should take photos before I get filthy. But hey, just keepin' it real over here! You all know how I feel about Pipers. I want them to be better, but do enjoy the colors.

Boots: Imperial Riding

These aren't available in wide, but since they lace all the way up, I was able to make them work just fine! And while I realize they are completely ridiculous, I also don't care and love them completely! I mean... LOOK AT THEM! They're silver! And oddly enough, pretty comfy. I didn't take necessary new boot precautions though, and did wind up with some blisters. Oops. #worthit

So that's what I wore Saturday to ride. I hope short sleeve weather sticks around a bit longer! And here's what I wore to work today:

 It's pretty warm outside, but it's not in the office. So long sleeves it is!

Top: Haley and the Hound

You've seen this top before I think. If not this one, then the same in another color. I picked up a bunch of these one year on the end of season clearance sale. They were under $10. I want to say like $4, but I'm not positive. They're beautiful tops!

Belt: Tory Burch

I snagged this at the Tory Burch outlet in Florida quite a few years ago. It's a fun neutral!

Pants: True Religion

I'm pretty sure you guys have seen these too. They're the best teal color, and I love the contrasting, bulky stitching.

Shoes: Durango

I know you've all seen these before too. Kind of a repeat sort of day I guess. I'm loving these boat shoes from Durango. It's like cowboy boots and Sperry had a baby.

Arm Party!
Lefty:

Lefty is sporting a jelly wrap bracelet from Tory Burch. I snagged this one on Ebay for practically nothing.

Righty:

Righty is donning a second hand Hermes wrap bracelet I found on Poshmark and bargained hard for. The one in the middle is more designer inspired than the real thing... (Sorry.) And last is my fitbit in an off white bracelet.

So that's it for today! Any favorites? What are you wearing today? And ok, be honest, thoughts on the boots?

What's up Wednesday

This week was a little more social centric than horse centric, which isn't necessarily my favorite... But it was all fun things. Just not enough riding in my life! And/or hours... it might be a time crunch issue. Either way, it was still a fun week! Let's look back...
Pammon has been a good boy with his hand walks. We're going to start tack walks on the weekends and continue with hand walks during the week. We've had the ok for tack walking all along, but I prefer not to do that in the dark since we are aided by some ace tabs... I want to make sure he can see where he's putting his feet with me up there! But he's been a pretty good boy. I got him some toys for his stall to try and keep him entertained.

Rope giraffe!

I also got him an enormous dog rope that's loose in the stall, but last night he peed and pooed it to the point of no return, so I think that's getting tossed and not replaced. All of the kids got the boredom buster from Likit. I really thought it would provide days of entertainment for everyone. I was wrong. It holds two small likits and one big one, but they all had them mostly devoured after a single day. Pammon managed to break his too. Rio still has the small lickits left in his since he's not real clear on how to actually lick them... (He's so special that one.) So long story not very short, he just has the giraffe now. It's pretty dirty so I think he does enjoy it.

Shiny girl hasn't decided how much she likes being the sole riding horse in the barn. She thinks it might be way more work than she signed up for.

So in an effort to get out of all that work, yesterday she had The Slobbers. She was turned out in the back paddock yesterday and must have found some moldy clover back there. So gross. Definitely do not recommend letting your horse have the slobbers.

Seriously, there was just drool everywhere. I thought she had peed in the doorway it was that wet. I texted the vet, but he wasn't too worried. She seems better today, thankfully. I gave her the night off last night but hopefully we can ride tonight.

Rio seems to be much more comfortable barefoot, so that's pretty exciting. Also cheaper!

I still didn't get to have a lesson on Eros. I was thinking of doing one Saturday as Sunday I had to ride at dark thirty, but I totally forgot to sign up. So alas, we had two flat days. But he is feeling GREAT! Between the injections and the body work, he's like a brand new horse! And we're treating for ulcers too. I'm hopeful that will make him a little more willing to come forward on the flat... but not too much over fences! Time will tell I suppose.

Eros isn't super excited about 5 am rides.

In other non-horsey news, I got to do stuff outside of work and the barn this weekend! All kinds of stuff!
One of the boarders at Eros' barn is an author, and she hosted a really fun book launch party at a local gallery for her newest book "Drive". I've known her practically forever. She was a big kid when I was a little kid at the barn I learned to ride at. So yeah, we go waaaayyyy back. It was a really fun party, at which I took zero pictures because I'm a terrible blogger. But some of us did get a group selfie at the bar afterwards... Author not included. #fail

Anyway, that was super fun, but I got home way too late because I was headed back to Yankee Stadium on Sunday. I wanted to get my ride in on Eros since I don't get to see him everyday. So it was another EARLY morning. I was up at 4:30 to get done in time. Worth it though. I love that horse!
The game was great! Home run after home run for the home team and a win!

Plus I got nachos in a helmet.

And that's about it from here! How was your past week/weekend? Do anything fun? All horses or some social stuff too? Tell me all about it in the comments!

Truthful Tuesday

Um. So... You know how sometimes when I'm sad I buy stuff? And how my new show horse has a torn check so that makes me kinda sad? Well. I maybe had a little online ordering accident over at the Dressage Performance website (I fall victim to coupon codes on the regular). Not gonna lie though, definitely have no regrets. So here's what I got:

Yeah, you can actually see yourself in these things. They are COMPLETELY ridiculous. But I kinda think they're awesome. And I kinda wish they came in gold.
They are by Imperial Riding and I believe are a special edition. I mean they're certainly special anyway. 
Know what else makes them awesome? They have nice grippy leather on the inside so they don't squeak and they're not slippery.

So yeah. Oops. Anything you need to confess today? Any online ordering incidents you'd like to talk about?

Thursdays Threads

Outfit Day! And a chilly one at that. It dropped down into the 40's last night. Nuts. I'm not ready. Fortunately, this weekend will be back in the 80's. Thank goodness. Anyway, let's start with last night's riding outfit, shall we?

I kept it in my barn colors last night. Since I only rode Shiny, she didn't participate in outfit date. Though her pad that will match this outfit should be arriving in a few weeks!

Helmet: Charles Owen AYR8

Greenie! Still going strong. The One K's are cooler when it's hot, but clearly that's not an issue anymore.

Sweatshirt: Teespring

I accidentally found myself on Teespring one day and made up this sweatshirt. I must have been feeling particularly angsty that day about my riding... I slapped my logo on the back for fun too.

Belt: Boy O'Boy Bridleworks

 I love my ribbon belt! Boy O'Boy is helping to raise some funds for Kevin Babbington right now. She made up both the stirrup belt and the regular one, plus some key chains and browbands. All the proceeds will go to Kevin and his family while they navigate their future after his accident in the Hamptons. Head on over there if you'd like to make a purchase!

Breeches: Tailored Sportsman

I'm am honest girl... to a fault. I pulled these right out of the dirty laundry pile to wear. Yep, I did!

Socks: Swanky Saddle

Logo all my socks please.

Boots: Fama 4 All
Spurs: Color Tack

I still think these are amazing. Do I wish the leather was a little nicer now that I'm spoiled by the Celeris? Sure. But still. These are awesome.

So that's what I rode in last night, and here's what I have on at work today:

Sweater weather. Gross.

Sweater: Ellen Tracy

The lighter colors make it feel less wintry, don't you think?

Belt: Swanky Saddle

It's been awhile since I've worn the hologram unicorn! Love it on this pink belt strap.

Jeans: True Religion

This kind of medium wash is one of my favorite denim colors.

Shoes: Sperry

It might be sweater weather, but I still can't bring myself to wear socks. Anyway, these are a really pretty light pink like the sweater, but they photographed kind of funny. I thought the color blocking on these was fun with the sweater.

Arm Party!
Lefty:

Lefty is in charge of tech today, donning the apple watch AND the Fitbit. (Side note, C4 is going to be making bands for the apple watch. That sounds like trouble for my wallet.) The other two bracelets are from Rustic Cuff. A little bundle of seed bead bracelets and a larger stretch one.

Righty:

Righty is also sporting a Rustic Cuff stack. I loved the green and pink ones in the middle so much, I paid retail for them! Can you imagine?! I never pay retail.

And that's it for today! Any favorites? How's the weather where you are?