DNA

This week in the mail I received my DNA kits from AQHA (quarter horse). With the quarter horse registry if you want to register any foals the sire and dam must have their DNA on file. Next spring, I plan to breed Whiskey, this means I need to get a DNA sample and send it down to the states. Because I didn't want to do things in stages I had sent in Roxy's transfer, a request for parent verification, Buddy's paperwork (which hadn't been filed), a request for HYPP test, and I figured if I was doing all that I might as well toss in a request for DNA for Whiskey.

I had been waiting and waiting so was very excited when it finally arrived. Tearing open the package, I did a double take. The DNA kit (that cost something like $35 US) was a piece of paper. A bit confused I flipped around, finally settling down to read everything included. Basically, I need to tear off the top part, sign and date it then send it back to AQHA confirming I've taken the DNA. The bottom part includes a sticky section. Now I knew I'd need to collect a hair sample to send. What I didn't know was that I'd need to collect 50 mane or tail hairs with the root attached. 50 hairs seems like an awful lot. I'm envisioning a bald spot and an irritated horse. Then I fold up the paper, stick it in an envelope to go to a lab in California. Of course because I live in Canada I have to fill out an additional form certifying the health of the horse, put this in a second envelope, tape it to the first labeled Health something or other.

It's all seems rather complicated. Tomorrow I'll go out and do the two mares as I haven't received Buddy's stuff yet. I was rather disgusted when I realized Buddy's mom was a descendant of Impressive as I normally avoid those ones. Of course the HYPP (a genetic disorder) one cost more ($75 USish). I wonder if it'll be the same as the mares or different.

Just a Cowboy

Through out my life I have been blessed the opportunity to ride with some very skilled horse trainers. I am one of those lucky people who grew up in prime horse country. A recent survey put my county at the highest horse per capita rate in Canada. Within an hours drive of my house there are over 30 different stables - that I know of.

Growing up, my grandfather instilled two truths that have stood me well. The first being that a good horse is a good horse. He never did care much about color or breeding just what the horse was capable of doing. The second being 98% of horse problems are human problems. Don't blame the horse blame yourself. I lived a half mile from an elite Arabian trainer and his stable. He and his staff always welcomed me into his barn. From Mike I learned other wisdom's like letting your ropes or reins drag on the ground as you're leading the horse into the arena because you don't want the horse to spook if you ever drop a rein or something drags off the horse. My mom's greatest wisdom was the belief in riding bareback. Ironically, bareback is now considered "unsafe", but I never rode in a saddle until I was close to 4-H age. She believed that you developed a better sense of balance and seat without the saddle with the bonus of having nothing to trap you if you fell off.

As an adolescent I was coached by a few great horsemen/women teaching me skills from a variety of disciplines. But the greatest trainer I have ever rode with I didn't meet until I was well into adulthood. Grant is a cowboy. At one point he trained and showed on the reining, cutting and some of the stock breed show circuits. He is now at the age when most people are comfortably retired. Grant is still riding. The unfortunate thing about Grant is he's an alcoholic. One night when I was fretting around him, he told me "Andrea, don't worry about me. I'm just an old drunk and I'll die an old drunk." This is likely true. However sober, he's a horse wizard. Drunk, he's still a better horseman than most people I've seen.

Grant gave me the opportunity to ride a variety of horses, to sharpen my skills, to learn from a cowboy's perspective. Grant would "give" me horse to care for and ride in exchange for board. My string would rotate with what the season was. All the horses from the young to the old would eventually go out with him when he hired out to the various local ranches. All the horses were for sale. After all, this was his business.

From Grant I learned how to create a good working horse. From ranch, roping, cutting, reining, and starting a baby, to basic round pen activities. He gave me the opportunity to try, learn, succeed and sometimes fail.

When I left Grant's I was tired. Tired of the stress of being around an alcoholic. Tired of being around hard core cowboys. Tired of having to be twice as good as everyone else. But as time passes I realized I miss him. I miss sitting in the office (the only heated part of the barn) and shooting the breeze with the cowboys. I miss the high jinx the guys sometimes got up to. And I miss the feeling of belonging.

Next month, Buddy heads to Grants to get his start, and I'll belong again if only for a short time. I'll get to visit, ride and enjoy the cowboy life once again.

The Dog Food Debate

I have been driving myself crazy trying to figure out what is chicken meal versus chicken. Internet search after Internet search turns up conflicting information. Is chicken meal a good source of protein or not? I must admit the longer I own dogs the more interested I get in canine nutrition. Why? As a trained coach and athlete (I use that word loosely these days.) I know what a major impact nutrition has on human performance. I don't view animals any different.

Having performance animals it makes sense to pay attention to their nutrition. As I travel around I like to ask the different handlers what they feed their dogs and why. Having grown up on a farm and seen what dogs eat when given the opportunity I never bought into the meat only diet. Dogs are by nature omnivores, meaning they eat everything. If you've ever seen the elimination from a coyote or wolf you would notice most of the turd is berries.

I had been feeding Origin, a high end dog food that was grain free. The only reason I was feeding a grain free dog food was because it was the only brand in the store that made a puppy food for large breed. Logically, that remained the food I fed my dogs. (With the exception of Tessa who has food allergies and gets Wellness.) You can imagine my dismay when the vet tech at the rehab place and I were talking about dog food and she commented on how all the puppies coming in to the clinic who were eating this brand had low blood sugar. I'm hypoglycemic so I have a very good understanding that low blood sugar is not a desirable thing for performance.

So the search was on. I switched to Acana which is made by the same people as Origin but it has grain in it. Grain being a carb, and carbs helping with blood sugar. A month passed by and I was happily feeding my dogs their new food. When one day I sat down and began to read the ingredient list a little closer. The leading ingredient is a "meal" protein. Trying to remember whether this is good or bad (bad like "by products"), I started my search. And still no answers. Why do I care if my dog gets a mildly substandard protein? Because I invest a tremendous amount of time and energy into them, they have a high cash value, and I want them to live long and healthy lives. The whole link between pet food and pet cancers does make me nervous.

I think my next visit in with my vet I just may ask what they think, after all they're the ones with all the schooling. I just want my dog to have a balanced, healthy diet. Like all athletes need.

Gong Show

This afternoon I went out before chore time to let Reba have some freedom. This blistering cold has been hard on her because it forces me to keep her cooped up (she get's cold if left in her dog run). Creating a hyper little Border Collie. As the temperature had creeped up to -25 I thought I'd give her a quick work.

Reba's one sided and needs some help going around the sheep. We had been doing awesome but the weather and lack of daylight has caused an erratic and inconsistent training schedule. Currently Reba wants to run back and forth with random crashes into the sheep. The plan for today was to get her circling both directions and quit. We were doing great when Reba crashed and two sheep broke off, and made a run for freedom. Reba had started out after the upstarts only to circle around behind me.

With my foggy and frosty glasses I thought she was still after the sheep. After all I could see her under the panels where the farm implements are kept, moving to cut them off. When suddenly the sheep behind me surged forward. Swinging around I see Reba behind me. If Reba's behind me who is in front of me? Someone had let Tessa outside. Of course nobody bothered to tell me. Let the gong show begin.

To put it politely, Tessa is fresh. She has not been able to work, run or play for the last 4 months. Only being allowed outside to use the facilities. Nothing else. This has created a hearing impairment. All those commands she knows - magically disappeared. You could literally see her thinking "Yeehaw! Get em!".

As a sheep runs by with Tessa flapping off the side I'm yelling at her to "Get out!", meanwhile Reba's thinking is "What the? Yeah, let's get em!" The sheep are scattering every which direction, which of course riles up Buddy who had been enjoying his grain. He starts running around like a wild thing. This winds the dogs and sheep up even more.

With some speedy maneuvering I manage to get Tessa stopped and recalled to my side. Looking up I see two sheep being pursued by Reba across the field. I decide to send Tessa to collect up the sheep, or at least get them heading in the right direction. Off she goes. And only one sheep comes back in front of her. Thankfully the remaining sheep realized it's buddy was back where the hay was and it came bleating in on it's own.

Lying Tessa down in the straw I begin the process of getting a wound up Reba stopped. Of course the moment I turn my back Tessa is up and moving back into the fray. With a deep breathe I call her off. The added bonus was her listening. Taking Tessa back into the house I try again with Reba. Buddy's racing back and forth is understandably driving her nuts. Change of plans. Get Buddy stopped and calmed down. Once accomplished, I refocus on Reba. All in all, it took about 5 minutes to get her calmed down and listening. The sun disappearing my sheep lesson is aborted for the day. Reba and I go for a quick walk in the field, then back to jail she goes.

I really did go out with the best of intentions...

In the photo: Reba on the stalk.

The Mysterious Minds of Dogs

When Tessa first had her leg splinted I took her into PetSmart and had her "try" some dog beds out. Why did Tessa need to try her bed? Because Tessa is a picky dog who thinks she's human. This means she scorns things like dog beds in favor of my bed or my chair. We found a lovely blue velour covered foam mattress with a built in pillow that she would sit on. So I bought the bed and brought it home. With some coaxing and snuggle time with me sitting on her bed she gradually started sleeping on it beside my bed at night.

Five years ago my mom had bought her a deluxe bed filled with cedar chips, fluffy and cozy. Tessa has refused to sleep on this bed. Ever. Until now. For some unknown reason Tessa has decided this bed is now okay and for the last few weeks she's been using it for her naps. Why now? If I had the answer I'd likely be rich. Last night she even spent part of the night on it. I'd love to post a picture of her curled up on her bed because she's just so cute. But she despises getting her picture taken. Oh well. Some days I wish she could talk...

Crazy Talk

I'm not sure if it's the cold weather. I'm not sure if it's the fact I've got the flu. All I know is the last week I've had this intense urge to call up a girl I know who is selling her dog and ask to try it. This would not be a big deal if I didn't already have 3 horses, 3 dogs and a cat. However, the paycheck has been stretched a bit thin these past months because Tessa's surgery put me into the red. In addition, the simple time factor needs to be considered. I only have so much time to devote to my animals, and I have strong feelings about just leaving things sit.

But Tell is a really nice dog. Really nice. He's one of those dogs that's pretty quiet and honest. He seems to give his best effort each time out. Granted he was well handled. But he's still a nice dog. He's also got a $3000.00 price tag. Sigh. I keep thinking I should just sell Buddy (horse) who's a very nice horse. But is going to be big (should mature around 16hh) and I was wanting to move more into the cutting end of things. I do think he has a wicked amount of potential, plus he's flashy and bred well with a brave and honest nature. However, he doesn't fit my program.

In February Buddy goes to my trainer friend Grant. I'm thinking depending on how he develops I may see if I can unload him. If I get the right price then I just may go look at Tell (even though I'm not really into male dogs). But then again perhaps I won't. Crazy talk I know.

First photo: Reba and Bella playing. Second photo: Buddy

Resilience

As people around me reflected on their 2008 and made plans for 2009 it got me to thinking about resiliency. What makes a person or animal more resilient? What makes a person stay positive through tough times? New Year's Day is within itself a fresh start. A clean slate if you will. Even though I consider myself a positive person a lot of negative things happened in 2008.

What I have learned from the negative things that have happened:

1. Pet Insurance is not a bad thing and something to add to the 2009 to do list.
2. Life never follows your plan. Just when you think things are good something will happen to derail things.
3. An animal's heart or desire will trump what you believe they are capable of. Tessa finished a dog trial running on a broken foot with nary a whimper or limp.
4. What goes around comes around. Reba's owner sold her because Reba's mother jumped off the tractor while doing chores, got her foot stuck in the ladder and broke her leg. Reba's sale went towards the massive vet bill. Two months later I realize Tessa has a broken foot which forces the acquisition of a major vet bill.
5. Just because someone calls themselves a trainer doesn't mean they're a skilled trainer.

Wish list for 2009:

1. No more major vet bills!
2. Breed Whiskey for a May baby.
3. Take in some local horse shows with the babies.
4. Trial Reba and Tessa.
5. One litter of pups from Bella - then off the vet she goes for a spay, tattoo and microchip.
6. Develop website for my stock dog training.

Now whether or not the plan works out only time will tell. One can hope, think positively and work hard towards making the plan become reality.