blast it - migraine troubles

We've had a week of unusually high temperatures for this time of year, to the degree that I decided not to even try to ride the Big Bay until the hot spell broke. He's still shedding and between heat and rain and his post-chiro days off, we haven't ridden at all since I got back from my writing retreat time.

Yesterday it was 90 and there was a heat haze over the entire farm, but last night the cold front moved in and it was wonderfully cool this morning. I had coffee and then went out to ride. Keil Bay came directly into the barn when I got out there, as I had told him last night we'd be riding this morning. He was clearly ready.

I did a good grooming and decided the flies are getting annoying enough to warrant putting on his Summer Whinnies. I'm out of practice getting them on and the first one was a bit of a struggle. The easiest way to do it is to use a small plastic bag over the hoof and slide the sock over, then remove the bag and adjust.

Keil Bay loves his Summer Whinnies. He knows from experience that they provide total comfort in fly season, and he actively participates in helping me get them on. I think in the midst of getting that first one on I must have strained really hard while my head was down, and worked up a sweat, and who knows what triggers migraines sometimes, but suddenly there it was, full blown. 

I knew I wasn't going to leave him with one Summer Whinny on and three legs bare, so I took a break and brushed him for a minute, then did the second one. On I went, one leg at a time, taking breaks between each as the migraine worsened. At one point I considered curling up in a stall! After the last one I gave him a peppermint, removed his halter, and told him I'd be back as soon as I could. He looked handsome with his four white socks and his freshly-groomed red bay self.

In the house now, having taken my homeopathic remedy Belladonna, with an ice pack on my neck. The Belladonna works almost instantly to take the severe pain away, and it works really well for the pre-migraine visual auras too. I'm down to a dull ache. 

This is the first time I've ever developed a migraine while in the barn, and I didn't like it one bit. Pondering what triggered it. Hormonal shifts, extreme changes in weather and barometric pressure, certain kinds of intense light, and oh, yes, I haven't eaten anything yet today. 

Sigh.

The worst thing at the moment is that I'm not out there riding! 

Tell me about what you do when something physical keeps you from riding. Misery loves company! :)

UPDATE:

I went back out and rode and it was gorgeous. A light breeze, mid-sixties, and when I got Keil Bay tacked up and we sauntered out of the barn, I glanced back at him and I swear he was 5 years old again. Our combined age is 81 but we are forever young. :)  Horses are the best remedy ever.

happy world donkey day!

Go hug a donkey today! I will be hugging two. :)

the view from the back deck, and a heart-full Pixie/Kyra tale

It's been lovely being home again and looking out to see this view. I don't think I ever get enough of seeing the horses so close to home and heart.

Another thing I've been seeing when I look out back is a 15-year old Corgi girl named Kyra who in many ways seems like she's having a renaissance. She is bossy and playful and eating like a - well, like a Corgi! - and she is happy.

Still, she sometimes wanders out to the corner of the back yard and for a little while it seems like she is lost in her own world. A little bit of a fog.

I call her and she doesn't seem to hear me.

Pixie (the calico kit-meow) has taken to going into the back yard with Kyra when she heads into this foggy place. Pixie rubs against her face and gently herds her back toward the house. Right now Pixie is sleeping beside my bed on one of Kyra's blankets, right beside Kyra, who is also taking her morning nap.

I'm so intrigued with this little friendship and with Pixie's care-taking behaviors. I have seen similar behaviors bloom between our cats and the Corgis, the horses and donkeys, and of course all of them within their own species.

When I see these friendships and loving behaviors it makes me wonder how anyone can hold out the theory that animals do not have feelings, emotions, or intentional friendships.

Those of us who live with animals see things every day that prove they do.

rain

Today's the day I am supposed to get back to work on book stuff, and back in the saddle, but it has been raining most of the night and all morning and is now once again pouring down at a steady rate.

Good for book stuff, not so good for riding!

I think I might make a cup of tea and listen to the rain and get rolling with my book to do list. 

And hope the horses and the donkeys aren't too grumpy when hay and stall-cleaning time rolls around!

This kind of day makes me long for an indoor arena.

home!!

And as lovely as it was to have time away to write (I finished the first draft!) it was even more lovely to get back home again. 

Bear and Kyra Corgis followed me every step all day on Monday, as soon as the donkeys heard my voice they took up braying and calling to me, Keil Bay was a bit distant (as he usually is when I first return) but a belated birthday celebration soon lured him back to his regular self. He is now 26 and the pony is 15! 

Pixie Pie (kit-meow) ran up and down trees she was so excited. 

Once I get back home again I wonder how I ever managed to be away.