The best laid plans of mice and men go oft awry. Or it could also be said the best laid plans of women and their horses go oft awry. This coming weekend Biasini and I were to be showing in a National show. Last Friday we ran through the Intermediare 1 test in my lesson with Belinda Trussell. It went very well and Belinda was happy. But….fate intervened. Biasini came down with a virus of some sort. My vet came out, he looked, he examined, he took blood and fecal samples for analysis but no concrete answers were found. We put Biasini on medication to keep him comfortable.
I scratched from the show. A little virus put an end to our best laid plans. My vet and I both felt it was best for Biasini not to undergo the stress of trailering and showing. Also we did not feel it was right for him to go to a show, even if he was feeling better, and share his virus with other horses. Biasini is on the mend and feeling like himself so we have reduced the medications and will take him off them entirely tomorrow. He is well enough to be turned out in his paddock during the day and I hand graze him in the later afternoon. He seems perfectly happy and he does not seem to be too upset about not going to the show.
When my children were young I used to say I could only be as happy as my least happy child. Now I can only be as happy as my horse, so if he is not feeling well then I am not happy. I knew this virus was not something life threatening but it is always a worry. If something happens to my horse the bottom falls out of my world. I have to be vigilant to remain optimistic and positive especially when I am around Biasini as I know he picks up emotions from me.
Here is a video taken (by my husband David) from the lesson when we did a run through of the Intermediare 1 test. You can hear my coach Belinda Trussell giving me directions throughout. The video starts at the beginning of the canter tour of the test. The first movement is…..the dreaded half pass zig zag. Well, you know I have been struggling with that but we nailed it! My only mistake comes in the two tempis ( changes of canter lead every second stride) I lost my focus for a second and we made a mistake.
So, no show for us this weekend but most importantly Biasini is recovering well and in good spirits.
HorseAddict 
SO PURDY! What a ride. You guys are such a pair. Sorry you had to miss your show, but so glad he is feeling better already…There will always be more shows.
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Yes there will be more shows! Thanks for commenting!
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Only as happy as my horse — so true! Glad the virus wasn’t serious and he is feeling better!
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Thank you! The relationship we have with our horses is unique and it is tough if they are not well or injured. Thanks for commenting.
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I’m glad to hear he is feeling better! I loved watching the video – it was lovely, plus some of your coach’s comments were so great! I particularly liked when she said “enjoy it!” in that extended canter! (I think that was the movement anyway!)
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Yes. It was the extended canter. He has a wonderful bounding extension and he always comes back from it nicely. It is his favorite part of the test. Thanks for commenting!
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Nicely done!! I’m glad Biasini is feeling better as well. It is always better to rest when sick then trying to just push on.
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i agree especially with a horse ( or any animal) as they cannot tell us exactly how they are feeling. Thanks for commenting!
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How did you know he was ill? Was he off his foot, hot? etc. Is it like with a small child and you have to look for the signs because they can’t tell you?
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He was not swallowing properly ( sore throat?) And then did not want his evening mash. He is a very good eater and if he’s off his food it is an immediate red flag. Then took his temperature and he had a fever. I had already called my vet when he did not eat the mash. He examined his teeth, looking for broken tooth, abscess and then sinus infection but could not find anything. So we think it was a virus, possibly upper respiratory, infection. We also did blood work and a fecal sample test but nothing major turned up.
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Oh poor chap. Yes, if any of our pets are off their food we know something is very wrong too. I hope he’s better soon.
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Thank you Emma. He is fine now and i took him for a short walk in the forest yesterday and will do the same today.
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That sound like a nice restorative thing to do together.
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It is indeed!
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I am glad to hear he is feeling better and am just thinking that you made the correct decision in missing the show.
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Yes it is the best choice. I’m not trying to make the Canadian team for the World Equestrian Games so i don’t have to show. Also it is blisteringly hot this weekend so I’m glad we are not going.
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Hard luck Anne. Hope for good recovery for Biasini.
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Thank you Frank. He is doing well and back to his normal self. We are having extreme heat and humidity that might even surpass Australian temps this weekend so I’m glad i chose not to go to the show!
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Better to play the long game, for sure.
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Glad to hear Biasini is feeling better!! We get so attuned with our horses that we can tell when something is not right. Good call on the show. I think you both will be relieved not to have to deal with 33C++ temps this weekend!!
I love the video clips of your lessons in the upper ring! Absolutely gorgeous🙂 Your first video was exactly what I’ve been working on with my guy. Thanks for sharing and letting us hear your lessons with Belinda. Truly inspirational:)
Have a grand Canada Day Weekend with your Guys!!!!
Sandy
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Thanks for this comment Sandy. I’m so glad you get something from the videos! Happy Canada Day to you and yours as well!
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It’s a partnership, and taking care of each other is the higher priority.
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You are so right. Horses trust us to look after them and Biasini is much more important than a horse show.
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“As happy as my horse “, what a perfect way to describe how most horse owners, myself included, feel deep down. I love reading your Newsletters, they cheer me and inspire me, always. My own horse has been very poorly recently and is now getting better, thankfully 🙂
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I’m so glad you like the blog posts. I hope your horse is on the road to a good recovery. Thanks for this comment!
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We are sorry you are missing the show after all the work you have put in Anne and we are so happy to hear Biasini is on the mend. Please give him a big pat from all of us here 🤗💖 🥕🥕xxx
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I will give him that pat and tell him it is from the Whippet human! Thank you!
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Bummer town! It is ok though, there will be other shows, only one B. Stay positive for him.
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Yes Avery there is only one B! The shows are much farther down in the list of priorities. He is doig well and I will tack him up and take him for a walk tomorrow.
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Sorry you couldn’t make the show, but I’m glad Biasini is feeling better.
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Thank you. He is feeling much better .
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You look great!! Glad to hear Biasini is on the mend!!
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Thank you Jo Ann. He is feeling better and is off the medications as of today.
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Yea!
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So glad Biasini is better. You both should know that your blog has gotten me very interested in horse shows. Never have attended one but I have searched for any in our area. Hoping to go to one soon.
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Well I hope you can find something and will enjoy it. Summer is a good time as there are usually lots of shows at various levels.
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Sorry you missed the show, but very glad Biasini is on the mend and improving daily!!
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“As happy as my horse” 🙂 that’s the real love
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