Horse Crazy

as in I'm going nuts.

Part 1: My neighbor has adopted a horse and is just beginning to learn. However, she is off her rocker so she does what she wants to do for the most part regardless of what I tell her. She obsesses in a way that is unhealthy. It is impressive and overwhelming to witness.

She calls me a lot, and leaves very long detailed messages about this bond she has with this horse, which is a very beautiful thing. However, I do not need to know how many times in one day the horse farts. I don't need to hear the same thing over and over and over and over and over again. If it's big call me, otherwise please leave a short message and I will call you back as soon as I can. I am feeling very smothered by this and I don't know how to cope.

Round one of something being big and wrong with this horse was a couple of months ago. She was swollen on the belly. It was distended and the edema was so bad the stomach area was 1/2" lower than normal and about 24" long by 12" across. My neighbor came to my house and woke me up to make me come look. It warranted it, but really? Off to the barn I went to look at the situation and say, "yup, she needs a vet. This isn't something my homemade horse doctor stuff can fix". It wound up being contact dermatitis.

Now, in the morning I have the pleasure of meeting the vet for a horse that isn't mine. The legal owner really should be there and I am so tempted to send him a bill for my time. The horse is lame. As of yesterday it wasn't a get the gun kinda lame, but more like a little old lady over did it and just needs a few days to rest kinda lame. Of course my neighbor freaks out and immediately thinks it's founder. Hmmmm....my gut says no, but I couldn't remember why until I met the farrier later that day. 1) It tends to be bilateral. 2) It tends to run in both feet. 3) It usually starts in the front hooves. I think it's an abscess, but the farrier dug down deep into her hoof and was unable to rupture anything. I said it was too early. It hasn't formed yet.

I stopped by yesterday afternoon and she looked no worse, but no better. By the evening the horse wasn't standing and supposedly in an ass ton of pain. Did you give her the bute? No, she doesn't like it.

So, why am I so fucking annoyed? I was supposed to have a lesson in the morning and then go spend time with (). I wanted to relax because I have a show coming up and I'm really stressed out about it. I have so much to get done and so little time. This is not something I need on my plate right now.

My trainer has announced that this is the last time I will compete at my current level and at the next show I need to move up to next level. I'm a mixed bag of nuts over this. Part of me is really proud that Taya and I made it this far this quick. On the other side of the coin, I'm annoyed. I don't want to show backyard anymore. I want to prove that I am someone in this world of horses so I want to compete at a nationally recognized shows. This is a huge leap for me and one in which my self confidence is lacking.