How's Dixie doing? If I remember correctly you were trying a Vitamin D supplement and thought it was helping but it was pretty early days on that. Are her allergies under control this summer?
She's having the best summer in 3 years! I am so happy about that. There's a small break out right now (summer rain activated the pig weed and ragweed), but very controllable. Her eyes look bad right now, but I think it is more a sunburn that she has rubbed. I keep her out of the sun every day, plus she wears her UV protection mask. But I let her out for a day last week when it was very overcast, and I guess it was still too much. I also slept in late one morning !!!!! and didn't wake up and feed until 8:00. The morning sun might have gotten her. But once that heals up, I think she'll be fine again. The zinc/titanium powder (My Pony Sunblock) is actually the most soothing stuff for itchies and sunburn. A damp washcloth turns it into a paste which can be rubbed around the eyes, ears, nose, and is safe if it gets in the eyes. Dixie loves it. She sees the washcloth and puts her head right down to get her "eye makeup" on.
She is still lame. I'll take her up to Phoenix for another bone scan once the weather cools off. That should confirm the resolution of the laminitis. Then we make a plan for the ringbone.
I take her out for walks a couple times a week which she loves, but usually limps home. I put a bareback pad on her and then tie on Maggie and off we go. Maggie and I are going to a packing workshop this fall which should be fun. I guess I'm going to be hiking for a while now, since Dixie is not ridable and I don't have a saddle for Maggie that fits her well. But Mags can carry the water and lunch. (I still carry a couple water bottles and snack in my own waist pack - as well as cell phone, knife, whistle, etc.) I hope to get my own handgun this month and that will also go in my own pack. We always carry a weapon when we go out to remote spots, for emergency use. Unfortunately some of the most beautiful hiking and camping spots in southern Arizona have been taken over by drug smugglers and human traffickers, and it is totally unsafe to be in those areas. A real shame. Not to go off on a tangent, but the other fallout from the illegal immigration situation is the tons and tons and tons of garbage that is left behind, stock tanks polluted, fences cut, and hundreds of horses left to die in the desert. These are horses that are over loaded and worked near to death carrying loads of drugs over the border. When they are spent, they are let loose to die from starvation and dehydration. About 10% are found still alive and taken to rescue facilties. Not to speak of the hundreds of people who die every year when they get dumped by their smugglers. It's a pretty horrific situation for all.
Anyway, thanks for asking! Dixie is still lame but otherwise fine and sassy.
Dixie and mom, Glad to hear you will be packing,...and packing! FLoridians are up in 'arms ' as well about the whole gov't thing> we have many problems here and I hear ya! We pack when we ride. For anyone who goes to a remote area to ride, it should be a consideration.In your case, its vital.The Az desert is so beautiful and I'll bet you get to see it in it's most beautiful light. I hope you take loads of pics and post some once in a while! You sure are a brave woman , Dixiemom,... Loving to hike and go packing as you do, it has to be your motivation for going to these beautifully wild and unfortunately dangerous areas. I hope that Dixie somehow gets resolved and that you are able to ride her again. I'll bet you are in terrific shape from all the hiking that you do! I toast you both this morning ; coffe cup held up! " here's to you and Dixie"! Stay safe!
You are very kind, krystle09! Actually I am in the worst shape of my life. My knee trouble thius year basically prevented me from even walking around the block. And then not even being able to ride - oh my. We don't realize how much strengthening and toning riding does for us! Back, abs, legs, arms, etc. I got the second knee done, but it took a lot longer to heal than the first one. But I am finally at least able to walk a couple of miles now. I took Maggie for a nice walk this evening and I think we are ready to trailer up to the state park for a real hike. As to dangerous areas, we avoid them now. It's not worth the risk - not with warning signs up everywhere informing of possible encounters with armed smugglers. A hand gun is no defense against automatic weapons. We carry mostly because if there was a catastrophic accident (like a broken leg) in a remote area, we would have a way to deal with it humanely. As a woman who goes out hiking alone and even overnight camping - even in "safe" areas, there is also an element of personal protection against the run-of-the-mill solo bad guy. I hope the day never comes that I would ever need to use it, but if someone was stupid enough to seriously threaten me or my mule, there would be no hesitation on my part. Mama Bear is a pretty good aim! So the long range goal is to do the whole 800 miles of the Arizona Trail - segment by segment. Maggie and I can start this fall and maybe by the time we actually get through a dozen segmnents I WILL be in good shape! Ha! I've gained so much weight that it's either hike it off or start thinking about bariatic surgery!
Glad to hear that Dixie's allergies are under control this year. Really makes me wonder about that Vitamin D!!!
I often think of you when I hear the news about the situation in Arizona. Don't want to start a political discussion here, but I wholeheartedly support what your state has done to protect its citizens. And it saddened me to hear of the other side effects you mentioned, which I have not heard on any of the newscasts. I hope the powers that be can work it out for the benefit of all.
