Jason McKenzie Custom Made Saddles

On a quick trip to The Mill Store near Okotoks to pick up some de-wormers, I saw a beautiful hand made saddle for sale on consignment. The quality and workmanship were so obvious that I decided to take them up on their 3 day full return trial and give it a try. The minute my butt settled into that saddle, I knew it was a saddle I had to own. The saddle maker stamps were Roy McCaughey and Jason McKenzie. I learned later on, after meeting Jason McKanzie at a trade show in Red Deer, that he apprenticed under Roy McCaughey and that I had one of the saddles they made together.

As much as I loved this saddle, it quickly became obvious that Dexter was less enthused than I due to the longer square skirts. Dexter had a beautiful short, strong back, but it became apparent when asking him to turn, that the skirt was inhibiting his desire to make sharp turns.

When considering a saddle that was right for Dexter, I had a vision of the perfect saddle - an SS Lightweight made by Jason McKenzie. However, at the time it was cost prohibitive so instead, I opted for a saddle made by JD at Eamors in Nanton. JD was terrific to work with and he made a beautiful saddle that fit Dexter and me perfectly. As beautiful as it was; and at a reasonable price, the workmanship, weight and colour, were not exactly what I had envisioned. And so I continued to dream of an SS Lightweight made by Jason McKenzie. After coming into an unexpected financial win fall earlier this year, I decided to go ahead and order a saddle designed and built specifically for my beloved Dexter. Unfortunately, It was only a couple weeks after finalizing the perfect design and sending in the deposit, that Dexter's tragic accident occurred. Dexter's death completely took away my enthusiasm for my new saddle and everything was put on hold.

After spending much needed quality time with Navar, enthusiasm for my new saddle eventually returned with some major changes. To me Dexter was the most beautiful horse on earth but in reality, he was a rather ordinary, solid chestnut. The saddle I envisioned for him was a flashy two tone with brass fittings. However, Navar, being a gorgeous grullo, was the flash; and so I opted for a more subdued design that wouldn't compete with his colour and good looks. Then another tragedy - shortly after making changes to the design, Navar was catastrophically injured on the barb wire fence and we seriously considered euthanizing him. I started to think of this saddle as the kiss of death and once again, completely lost my enthusiasm for it.

Jason however, never lost his enthusiasm and coincidentally shipped my JM McKenzie saddle on my birthday in August. We were both pleasantly surprised by his inexplicable timing.

My new saddle was definitely worth the wait; even though the US dollar exchange was a kick in the butt. Jason's workmanship is unparalleled and the lightweight design is much easier for me. Being a bit of a matching fanatic, I also ordered matching slobber straps, breast collar, headstall and saddle bags and I absolutely love every single piece.

This beautiful saddle was a much needed boost for my spirits this year. By the way Navar is coming along - I would have to say he agrees.

Tovie and Navar

It Is A Beautiful Scar

As if losing Jack in January and Dexter in March wasn’t enough tragedy this year, on April 11^th I came home to find my beautiful Navar with a catastrophic injury to his right hind leg. From what we could piece together, he likely kicked over the barb wire fence while frolicking with the neighbour’s mare. The second top strand of wire had come down from 20 posts without breaking.

After calling the vet and getting the halter on him, I managed to bring him in from the field. Walking backwards seemed easier for him than walking forward so I was terrified he had suffered severe tendon damage.

April 11th - This first photo shows the injury after the vet had cleaned it up. She determined he had a small puncture in the synovial bursa which she flushed with antibiotics; and a small slice to the tendon sheath but the tendon itself was fine. She advised that if infection settled into either of those areas, his chance for a full recovery would be slim. While there was very little bleeding, the wound was horrific. Taking into consideration the potential months of tending; a more than likely hideous scar and more importantly, impossible to know if he would ever be sound; I seriously considered euthanization. The vet suggested giving him a chance and advised that any infection would likely show up within a couple of weeks. So we went to work…

The vet recommended stall confinement for at least 2 months so we constructed a very small stall within a paddock that had a shelter. We attached a tasty play toy and a salt lick to the wall; filled the shelter area with shavings and put down a thick rubber mat outside the shelter. Gord even hooked up a hose from the automatic waterer so I wouldn’t have to haul water buckets. It was quite a dance in that little stall during cleaning but Navar was very tidy and always pooped neatly in the same spot.

The day after the injury, I googled “catastrophic hock injury” and came across Dr. Jolly DVM at Step Ahead Farm in Arkansas. I wouldn’t recommend going to his web-site unless you have a strong stomach – Navar’s wound looked like a scratch by comparison to the wounds he depicts on his web-site. Dr. Jolly offers the first consultation free so I sent photos, along with the findings from our local vet.

Dr. Jolly has had tremendous success healing horrific injuries using foal placenta. His goal is to help a wound heal so the horse is sound and has the most aesthetically pleasing outcome possible. For $129.00 USD, he sent me a complete package by overnight collect courier of everything I would need to get Navar’s healing well on its way. The package included all the bandaging material and a how-to bandage DVD for the hock; a DVD depicting a case study similar to Navar’s, his recommended wound wash and ointment – yes $129.00 USD. I should also mention that 5 consultations were $35.00 USD – remember the first consult was free.

The cost for two visits from my local vet, along with 5 days of antibiotic, was $1,200.00. The second visit was a recommended follow-up that, in hind sight, wasn’t at all necessary.

May 5th

As the wound changed throughout the healing process, Dr. Jolly reviewed my photos and always took the time to discuss what was going on and encourage me to stay the course. I am sure his support saved me at least 4 additional farm visits – yes $35.00 USD for 5 consultations – I paid for two sets of 5 ($70.00 USD).

There were so many silver linings, in what initially seemed like another tragedy, that I just had to list them:

1.     The fantastic spring weather made it more than pleasant to do the 3 X daily stall cleaning, feeding and daily re-bandaging; and the water wasn’t freezing.

2.     Gord’s ingenuity to whip up a perfect stall, make watering easy, and just being there to think through and help out with whatever came up.

3.     An extremely mild winter meant our hay shed was still full.

4.     Having Leopold locked up to keep Navar company, gave me ample opportunity to fatten him up; and gave his multiple Skeeter bite marks a chance to heal.

5.     Finding Dr. Jolly’s web-site gave me a tremendous education about wound healing.

6.     It was foaling season and a friend who works nearby at a breeding facility provided me with all the fresh placenta I needed – even have extra in the freezer that I hope I never need.

7.     Navar reminded me what a beautiful, sweet, well behaved horse he is; reassuring me there will be more fun to come after Dexter.

8.     The support we received from dear friends allowed me to attend my daughter’s wedding overseas without a second thought:

·       Uli - came early every morning on her way to work to scoop and feed,

·       Lisa - came every day around lunch to scoop and feed,

·       Jane - came later every afternoon to scoop and feed,

·       Lena filled in for the mornings Uli was away,

·       Mark & Sherri who lovingly cared for our dog and came every night to haul poop away, debride (pick scabs) re-bandage, cut lawn, etc., etc., etc. Even staying late to feed so it wouldn’t be too long between the early morning feed.

9.     Clicker training – absolutely made it possible to pick scabs and re-bandage, day after day; without anyone getting kicked or stepped on. It was also instrumental during the twice daily physio that started around 6 weeks in; when we flexed his hind leg to his belly and stretched it out behind him to ensure the wound healed properly – just more clicker tricks in Navar’s mind.

 

August 21st - While Sherri’s patient, loving attention to Navar’s wound was absolutely vital to the amazing outcome; it wouldn’t have been possible without the help of each person who pitched in throughout the days we were away. There are no words to express the gratitude I feel for their care of Navar. I will definitely look forward to paying their kindness forward whenever the opportunity presents.

I was showing one of my colleagues at the office before and after photos and he made the comment about it being a beautiful scar (hence the name of this blog post). I didn't want to post this blog until it was completely healed but simply couldn't wait to share this. We are shooting for a complete healing by September 11th - 5 months. I have been riding Navar for the past few weeks without a bit of a hitch in his step.

I would never have wished for this injury but it really is turning into a beautiful scar.

Looking forward to many Happy Trails!
Tovie and Navar 

Cudas Dandy Fritz (aka Dexter) April 22, 2006 - March 5, 2016

My beloved Dexter died senselessly when he slipped on the asphalt floor in the barn and hit his head so hard that he never regained consciousness. It has taken me two weeks to be able to write this post. I truly thought Dexter would be the horse to carry me into old age – especially given his talent for laying down when asked to let me get on. Some days it seems unthinkable that I will never play with that special little horse again.

It was divine intervention that took me to meet Dexter in the first place. I was looking for an untouched, uncomplicated horse to replace Nugget, who had become lame with arthritis. I was intrigued by the ad on Kijiji for a 4 y.o. quarter horse - even though there was no photo. When the owner sent me photos of a beautiful little chestnut, and a long history of his already complicated past; she also admitted he could no longer be caught. To this day, I can’t explain what compelled me to go meet Dexter but what I saw was a friendly, curious little horse that was extremely skeptical of people. It was a frigid 30 below that January day in 2011 so I was covered from head to toe with only my eyes peeking out. Intuitively, I sat down in his pasture and got very small. It took Dexter only a few minutes to come over and drop his head in my lap and from that day on, playing with Dexter has been pure joy.

When it came time to start Dexter under saddle, I enlisted the help of trainer, Rob Kroeger because I had never started a horse under saddle before. Rob agreed to let me do all the work under his guidance; with a caveat that I could speak up if something didn't feel right for Dexter or me. Since Dexter had a history of bolting when he got bothered, I worried he might do the same under saddle. My fears were completely unfounded as he never seemed to get bothered – except the time our friend Ron flew over our place with his helicopter while I was riding Dexter – even then I got more bothered than Dexter. After only 4 days under saddle, we were riding in the mountains through creeks and over Rob’s bridge from hell; and that was the way it was throughout our entire time together.

There were a couple of times when things could have gone horribly wrong but Dexter always kept his head and pulled us through. During one of our first rides, we were going up a steep hill that still had some early spring ice under the grass. Dexter’s front legs slipped out from under him, tossing me forward enough to kick my feet out of the stirrups. There I stood unharmed as Dexter slipped down the hill between my legs. He calmly stood up when he came to rest against a tree and allowed me to lead him to solid footing.

Another time, Gord and I were riding up a creek at Blue Rock looking for a trail head to take us to the waterfall. When we decided to scramble up a rocky slope, Dexter lost his footing and went over backward dunking me in the drink. Again, he calmly got up and never lost a step as we headed back to camp to get me dry clothes.

However, there was one ride that stands out when I honestly believe Dexter saved my life. My friend Lena and I were riding in the mountains; on a trail that runs along the edge of a gorge that dropped straight down hundreds of feet. We came up behind a couple of ladies walking their black lab who graciously moved off the trail to let us by. Dexter and I were in the lead and just as we came up beside them, the dog lunged at Dexter, growling and barking. The dog was on leash and the lady was able to pull the dog back immediately. Thankfully my brave boy did nothing but spook in place because there was no margin for error on that narrow trail. Lena’s horse had not been very relaxed on that particular day and we were both so grateful that Dexter was in the lead because we didn’t think Cash would have been able to handle the situation so calmly.

One of my students loved the story of my initial meeting with Dexter. While we knew Dexter’s registered name, and the name of the breeder in Saskatchewan, the AQHA couldn’t help me obtain a copy of his registration paper. Unbeknownst to me, Jen used the information I had, and googled until she was able to surprise me with contact information for the breeder. It took an affidavit, photos and two years, but when his papers finally arrived, I was bursting with pride as I added his framed registration paper to the “wall of fame” in my tack room.

Since November, I have been working with Ruth Ratcliffe, an exceptional riding coach who has been helping me improve my technical riding ability. With the combination of the glorious weather this winter and my newfound riding skills, I discovered a joy for riding Dexter I didn’t even know was possible.

In the end, things went horribly wrong for Dexter that fateful day but I will be forever grateful to have had him in my life – even if it was only for 5 short years.

There is still so much to be grateful for that will help heal this horrendous ache. The compassion of the ladies who were there when the accident happened; my dear friends Sherri, Uli & Jaclyn who came over immediately after the accident to sit on the barn floor and cry with me while I stroked Dexter; and the many other friends who came over for a hug or called throughout the week that followed; and of course my other beautiful, sweet boys - Leopold, Navar, and Fonzi - they are all such a joy to be with. The day after the accident, I was playing with Navar for some much needed equine therapy, when a bald eagle flew right over my barn roof. Since that day, I have seen a bald eagle every couple of days. Perhaps the eagles have always been around but I prefer to think it is Dexter encouraging me to keep soaring.

From the first moment I met Dexter, there was just something about that playful little chestnut horse that grabbed my heart a little tighter than most.

Say hi to Applejack for us all Dexter; and thank you for 5 years of pure joy!

I will forever be grateful to have met you!
Tovie

Happy 2016 and Goodbye Applejack

I say that with a heavy heart today but it can only get better from here. This morning we said goodbye to Outback Jack (aka Applejack). Jack crossed the Rainbow Bridge after a mild bout of colic on Sunday, that actually corrected itself; however he still refused to eat. On Monday, the vet could find no physical reason for his lack of appetite and by Tuesday night we felt it best for him to be put down before the next cold snap set in. Jack would have been 24 in March.

It was wonderful hanging in the barn alone with him this morning; reminiscing over the 20 years Jack was in our lives. I bought Jack from a horse dealer when he was just turning 4, back in 1996. Initially I wasn't going to meet him at all because I had not heard very favourable comments about Appaloosas. Luckily the  young fellow who worked for Kevin Pole had been riding Jack at the dealers place. I`ll never forget Trent telling me that Jack was one of the nicest Appys he had ever ridden and that he was 4 going on 12. I trusted that Trent knew the horse and my level of inability and so I went to meet Jack. When I arrived, he was in a large pasture with about 30 other horses and when the gate rattled, his head came up as if to say ``people`` and he ran over to greet us at the gate. In the moment I didn`t realize this was the horse I came to meet but needless to say - I bought him on the spot.

According to his registration papers, Jack was born in Yorkton, SK where he was sold at auction and purchased by the dealer I bought him from. I remember being wary about buying this horse from a dealer and waiting for something horrible to be wrong with him - but he was awesome. I wrote a letter to the folks listed on his papers to let them know I now owned Outback Jack and acknowledging how lovely his manners were. A couple weeks later I received a phone call from the lady who bred him saying she was visiting the Calgary area and would love to come see us. Apparently Jack was a darling from the moment he was born and her elderly father had a real soft spot for him. They were delighted to receive my letter and learn he would be loved and cared for. During our visit, she took video of me and Jack and gave me a very special gift - baby photos of him with his mama.

For several years Jack was my learning partner - always patient while I practiced TTouch, Clicker Training, Carriage Driving, Extreme Cowboy Challenge and Natural Horsemanship. There is no question I made my share of mistakes with Jack; including a carriage driving wreck and a trailer wreck but neither caused him resentment or resistance. However, my biggest mistake was trusting his teeth to Grant McKinnon whom my vet sincerely believes, greatly shortened Jack's life by taking off far more tooth than he should have. For nearly 3 years, Jack thrived on mash twice per day. He made looking after him so easy by meeting us at the gate, following us to the barn without a halter and when he was done eating, following us back to the gate. I knew something was seriously wrong when Jack was no longer waiting at the gate.

He was always the steady, reliable boy we could trust to get the job done safely. I took Jack to our bi-annual cattle drive up at Water Valley for 16 years. Unfortunately, that was the only time we got to play with cows so it took us 16 years to get it right; but he was so fantastic the last year I took him, it was definitely worth the wait. While Jack was too laid back to be competitive, I was always proud to have him as my partner.

When I started teaching beginners about horses, Jack was my first choice because he would stand patiently during lessons and help folks learn and practice the basic ground skills.

One of those students was a young woman named Lisa Schmidt who fell in love with Jack and ended up becoming his guardian angle for nearly 3 years; right to the end. Lisa, Sherri and I shared many memories and tears last night as we celebrated a wonderful horse. As sad as it is to lose him, there is comfort in knowing how much Jack was loved by many throughout his life.

Tovie, Lisa and her Doodlebug (aka Jack)