Threee Strikes, We're Out This Year

Hi all.  Sorry for the lack of recent photos in this update, my camera is not compatible with this computer and my laptop is still out of action.

Some sad news to carry.  Chase and I are not going to the Colorado trip this year.  The odds were stacked against us, my own health being the first obstacle that came up.  As I've mentioned before, I'm severely allergic to everything I love, including horses, dogs, cats, hay, grass, flowers, well you get the idea.  My asthma mixes with that and makes it dangerous.  Knowing this, last year I went on an immunotherapy plan where I'd get three shots a week for a year, and then maintenance shots for three.  I was also put on a ridiculous amount of allergy/asthma control drugs, including daily inhalant steroids.  My health slowly improved, and my asthma finally came under control enough where I'd be able to go this year safely, given I didn't push myself beyond my physical abilities and stayed on my medications.

 Financial was the second that cropped up.  As many of my close friends know, I'm pursuing this dream on two eight-dollars-an hour jobs, and as such, I have to be careful with my finances.  Pulled double shifts, saved penny by penny.  I did end up saving enough on a plan to make the travel costs.

Unfortunately, the third strike struck us out.  A couple of weeks ago, a bunch of lumps appeared on Chase's back, and his entire back became extremely tender to the touch.  We originally thought it was rain rot, and I treated it almost daily with a medicated shampoo.  It was not.  The lumps did not respond, in fact, they got bigger.  So we had the vet come out-they don't really know what it is either, but it's neither bacterial or fungal.  He's been put on steroid injections since they're getting worse instead of better, to see if the lumps and tenderness will respond.
This is the line that I can't cross.  My horse is and always has been, my first priority, and his health is extremely important.  If his health isn't intact, it wouldn't make sense for me to go even without him, as I'm not prepared to take care of his medical bills if I went with a lease horse.  Not to mention, as he is my partner, I would probably be too busy worrying about him in Colorado to be at the learning potential needed for that course.
Good news-for what we can see, it isn't life threatening.  He's eating, breathing, and can move about.  The one concern is that it's right on his back, and that may or may not be damaging depending on what it is.  And it does need to be taken care of.  Right now, I am extremely thankful that because of my savings, I am rest-assured I'll probably be able to afford his treatment right off the bat, which means he'll be able to get healthier quicker.

I'll keep you guys updated.  

Good-Bye Vegas

Sorry for the repeat photo guys, but my laptop which has all my pictures of this mare is out of commission for now.  Anyways, today was a bit bittersweet day when I went to the barn.  I had an awesome time with my own horse, who was particularly exuberant, but an empty stall brought back a reality that is a bit hard to register.  Yesterday, the RBE mare that I've been playing with for the past year and a half went to her new home.  She's a fabulous mare, and her new owner is every bit excited to have her as he should be.
It would be hard to describe how much this mare has grown on me, but she has certainly left her mark in my horsemanship and in my overall demeanor.  And as they say, 'hoofprints on your heart'.

And so I say thank you Vegas.  Thank you for teaching me how to better play with the opposite horsenality than I was used to.  Thank you for teaching me patience, and that no horse is truly 'crazy'.  Thank you for giving me a chance to renew your trust in people.  Thank you, for giving your owner and I the opportunity to give real proof to the disbelievers around us that anything is possible.  Thank you for teaching me another meaning to the word 'bravery'.  And thank you for your friendship.

I wish you all the success and happiness in the world with your new owner.  Mr NoName, you certainly got one horse in a million.