I’m using this title so, if need be, I can say that on April 19, 2025, I dealt with two sick horses. But there was more to this day than that.

The plan was to go for a group ride with the Back Country Horsemen of Alaska. Pete had gotten the truck ready, doing to it whatever he does to such things. And ready, he had it in place to hook up. I was down at the trailer, doing spring cleaning when he came up to me and said that he’d made a mistake, that the group ride was next week. I was actually glad to hear this because I was not feeling very social.

So we instead decided to take Tyra and Raudi out for a ride. But Pete noticed, as he was grooming Tyra, that she had the splats again, and consequently suggested that he instead take Hrimfara on our ride.

So I again cleaned up Tyra while Pete saddled up our two riding horses.
We headed down the driveway then turned left instead of right. This was opposite of the way we usually go. We mounted up and began heading in the direction of our friend Poncho’s place. Poncho’s place is on the far corner of Sybarite, which is the road right behind our road.

We rode down Oceanview, up Samovar, and did a jog onto Sybarite before turning right at Pancho’s Driveway. Poncho’s place is up on a hill, which is why we rode up hill. We went around to the back entrance of the very large two story dwelling; Pete got off Hrimmi, climbed the stairs, and knocked on Poncho’s door. He then stepped into his house, leaving his shoes outside. When finally, he came back out, he said that Poncho would join us.

Poncho moved slowly down his front steps because last September he had a stroke. He looked very old, as did his dog Buddy. Buddy does not like to be touched and has dreadlocks. He’s a husky, or maybe a Norwegian Elkhound.

We let the horses graze on the lawn in which here and there, are sprigs of grass. And we talked for some time before leaving.

Pete and I continued our ride, up Sybarite, onto the trail at the end of Murphy Road, then cross trail to Siggi’s trail. We turned left onto Murphy Road, right onto Oceanview, and then headed down road to home.

We put the horses’ gear away then put them away. I, out of habit, always stop and watch them.

Raudi was okay. Tyra was glad to see her. Hrimmi, however, laid down, rolled, then laid back down. She finally got up, then again laid down. The other two were eating. This was abnormal behavior.

I told Pete. He called Zach, our veterinarian. Zach said to give her Banamine and walk her for 45 minutes. This is what we did. I took her around the loop then down Murphy to the creek.

She began feeling better –tall tale signs, grabbing at the lead line, mooching for treats, and drinking from puddles.

I was relieved. I thought, what were the odds of us having one horse with the splats and another with an impaction?

Next: 109. 4/20/25: Balancing Acts