Teddy and Toby have been amazing in the last couple of weeks. My daughter decided she wanted to ride Toby for a week-end clinic instead of share Teddy with me. Toby has been off for 2 months due to throwing his hip out. He is still young and reckless with his body. So, he has been getting PEMF and myofacial release treatments. I am also keeping him confined to his paddock with no play area anymore. There are too many trees and the space is very large. He seems to hurt himself when he is unsupervised with too much freedom. He has been doing great with the time off and doesn't seem to mind not going in the play area anymore. So my daughter started riding him and he has been a perfect gentlemen. When I lunge him first, I double check that he is feeling good in his body and can pick up the canter leads in both directions. He has consistently shown he can! This is a relief because I believe he bucked my daughter off two months ago because he picked up the right canter lead and was in pain due to his hip/pelvis issue. We are so glad he is feeling good again and he is willing and keen to partner with my daughter. Teddy, of course continues, to be a cross country machine, brave and bold over (most) jumps and excited for more.

We are so proud of Teddy at our first Eventing Derby in Kelowna this last week-end. It is amazing that my 10 year old daughter and I can ride him at different levels. He was so gentle, brave and willing through it all.

We offered a Mountain Trail Clinic for the Pony Club kids this week-end. It was really interesting. It is a Western discipline so a little different from what the kids have been learning. We have typically offered dressage, jumping and cross country. It was a wonderful experience for the kids and the horses. Teddy was very engaged once he understood what his new job was. He had to go up and down a sand bank, open a gate, walk along a teeter totter, over logs and through a water feature. He loved it!

Teddy was amazing in cross country again today. We tried several new jumps and he was very brave going over them. I still feel a little nervous about cantering over a jump and landing on the down hill while cantering away. He is so heavy on the forehand that I am worried he will torpedo down the hill. But the next step in our training is to get him on his haunches so he is controlled and balanced in a down hill approach to a jump and on the landing. I also had a very sweet trail ride with Toby.

All the training and hard work over the last four years is really becoming apparent. He was incredible today. We were tuned into each other and rode the course effortlessly.

It came to my attention from my accountant that I need to charge GST to Canadian clients (7%). US clients are charged 0%. In order to differentiate between US and Canadian clients, I needed to create two different websites. Katherinebozzi.com is for US clients and katherinebozzi.ca if for Canadian clients. This website will charge US dollars to US clients. This will save you conversion fees from US to Canadian currency. However, the US dollar is strong right now. To compensate you for the change, the $45 minute Varied Consultation is on sale.  This covers any topic: lost animals, health challenges, behavioral challenges, end of life and deceased.

The boys got their teeth floated this week. It had been about 18 months for Teddy. He had a hook on the  lower left side. He will be done again in 12 months to ensure hooks do not develop again. As horses grind their teeth from side to side, this can create waves and/or sharp hooks in their teeth. This can make it uncomfortable for them to eat and create ulcers on their cheeks. Their teeth grow continuously so it's important to have regular floats.

Toby had his teeth floated about 12 months ago. The vet found he had waves in his teeth, so it was recommend he have another float sooner than later. His teeth looked great with no waives or hooks. It is worthwhile to be proactive with maintenance!

The horses are give an injection to make them sleepy and then their heads are put in a harness and raised up. The vet pries open their mouths and grinds down the teeth with a Dremel like tool so their teeth are flat, even and symmetrical.

After recently completing my taxes this year, it has come to my attention that I need to start charging GST. It will be 7% for Canadians and 0% for Americans. To be able to do this, I am creating a new website, katherinebozzi.ca for Canadian clients (katherinebozzi.com will remain for American clients). I wanted to give you a heads up so your not surprised or confused by the change. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Benjamin is most likely a coon-hound/shepherd cross. When we adopted him 7 years ago, he was 1 year old, very underweight, sweet and docile. After a few months we had nursed him back to health. He has been demonstrating he amazing athletic ability, strength, bravery, adventurism and dedication to fetching and swimming ever since. This clip says it all!