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Post by portiabuzz on Apr 22, 2014 10:58:58 GMT 1
Amsterdam? Stupid phone - masterson! lol was going to say whats that!
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Post by portiabuzz on Apr 22, 2014 10:59:36 GMT 1
sorry to hear about this, i just wanted to send
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Post by jill on Apr 22, 2014 11:04:59 GMT 1
It's really difficult, I so know where you are coming from. If they can't tell you what is wrong maybe an AC might find out? Or thermography - but I also feel your pain when you say you have spent £thousands. My horse is home bred so no traumas in his past but there is just "something" that means he always feels as though the handbrake is on. I have had treatment to his back, a humungously expensive saddle, lots of lessons, thermography etc etc etc and now I am on the point of giving it best and retiring him. My last throw of the dice is an Animal Communicator to see if there is any subtle cause of general discomfort - not as acute as yours, but still coming to the end of the road of very expensive investigations.
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Post by jen1 on Apr 22, 2014 21:45:03 GMT 1
Ive nothing much to add , you obviously know him , and your onions by what ive read, you did mention poll pressure, there is a bridle out there that missed the poll completely, but I cant remember the name of it, found it on a link on horse n hound, when looking for ergonomic bridles, bth , your not a happy bunny, he doesn't sound happy ridden, I think id call it a day, riding wise and maybe try something new with him like silversands , or agilty
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Post by kirsten on Apr 22, 2014 23:41:08 GMT 1
Thanks everyone! Sorry that was really self indulgent of me to put this up yesterday but I was sooooo frustrated! I am going to the Mark Rashid clinics at Morag's place so might have a word. Am really thinking of letting him go. I recently let my wonderful big boy go and wish I had been strong enough to say goodbye to them both.Feeling a bit lost horsewise at the moment, and wondering whats the point. Probably everyone feels like this sometimes. I really appreciate your comments. thank you.
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Post by alonerawnut on Apr 23, 2014 1:32:02 GMT 1
Don't be sorry - this is exactly the right place to post your concerns and frustrations! As you've said, he's been happy as a companion before, so maybe that's what he needs to be for now, either with you or someone else. If you choose to let him go, you can take your time finding the right person to take him on, who will either not put that pressure on him (maybe just take him for relaxed walks) or who is willing to take further steps to work through his issues. If you do choose to keep him and try to work through these issues, the only suggestion I can make is to try to break down what you're asking him to do into even smaller incremental steps. What is the most gentle pressure you can apply to the reins, applied for only the shortest amount of time, followed by a release. It could even be just shortening the reins a little. If he can cope with that, apply it for a tiny bit longer the next time. Use short sessions and try to build up an association that a little bit of pressure soon goes away and doesn't do him any harm.
How does he react when you're putting on the bridle or headcollar? If you put your hands either side and gently pull down, inducing a little poll pressure, what does he do? It'd be interesting to know if poll pressure by itself causes a reaction, or if it's particularly when he's moving.
I can see how it's so frustrating, because his reaction could be caused by actual pain (rather than remembered) but unless you get an absolute diagnosis, you can't be sure, and no one has unlimited funds to try every diagnostic test under the sun. You can only go by what information / results you have got and by his reactions. That's why I suggest a softly-softly approach, to see if you can gently build him up with incremental steps - if even that causes him to react strongly, it might help to answer that question.
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Post by portiabuzz on Apr 23, 2014 11:23:08 GMT 1
very good advice above sending more hugs xxx
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Post by jen1 on Apr 23, 2014 12:57:21 GMT 1
Look at the sederholm cut away bridle! On the second page, id loose the flash though, has he ever been seen by dr dave,? A chiro who works along side of mark
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Post by kirsten on Apr 23, 2014 18:06:12 GMT 1
Had a disaster with dr dave once, years ago, with a friend's horse! But I do like dave though .... Need to find out of he is coming this year. Will have a look at the Sederholm bridle. thanks for all replies. Sound advice, which. I am going to read through thoroughly and really think about.
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Post by portiabuzz on Apr 23, 2014 21:22:40 GMT 1
Good luck x x
Sent from my GT-I8160
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Post by kirsten on Apr 23, 2014 21:46:46 GMT 1
Thank you!
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Post by happysnail on Apr 23, 2014 23:41:52 GMT 1
Hugs Kirsten x
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Post by kirsten on Apr 27, 2014 22:08:00 GMT 1
Thank you ... Have started riding a friend's horses and its going really well ... So I know its not just me! had a lesson with a brilliant instructor on friday and we put no pressure on his mouth at all but just concentrated on my position. he did really well, and when we suggested he trot just a couple of strides he did take off but it was slightly less scary than usual! ( although this may have been because someone was there to pick me up so I felt safer)!
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Post by portiabuzz on Apr 28, 2014 11:36:30 GMT 1
that sounds positive
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Post by Emma on May 9, 2014 17:53:17 GMT 1
How are things going Kirsten, just caught up on your posts Hope things are going better for you both, your lesson sounded really positive
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