Rodeo girl!

[crazycolt]

Well, just to say Morgan and I (saying this very quietly) to be improving our relationship. We actually hacked out yesterday with almost no stopping and huffing, so very pleased about that. Because we've been improving, I decided that poor Tally ought to be ridden, as she really enjoys it. so have ridden her about 3 times in the 'school' (a woodchip area put in for turnout, but works okay, sometimes!) So up there yesterday, have kept her to walk, and a little trot, to try and loosen her up, but yesterday she was really lively, so decided to let her have a short canter. Very predictable pattern, canter on the corner, round the next corner and halfway along the top side, and back to trot/walk. Not too much. The 2nd time around we always, since we got her, get a little yee-ha buck, just straight, uncomplicated, and expected, which is fine, and usually after that she doesn't bother any more. Until yesterday! Decided to let her have one more short canter, as she seemed to be feeling okay, responsive, and listening, more or less! Nicely into canter, then got a little fast, and gave a lovely rodeo twister, and I sailed face first into the dirt! she stood and looked at me! I'm suspecting that her hind legs are stiff, as I got back on and rode her around in walk and a little trot, just to explain that she had to be a nice girl and do as asked! Then going back across the paddock, we walked around the obstacle course. Her left hind leg felt stiff, she didn't seem to be bending it as she should. Having said that, she's 22, has been (sort of) diagnosed with mild arthritis in her stifle, but I was told, and as I do myself, to keep exercising her to keep her moving. So, not sure now whether it's just the 'joy of being ridden again' or whether I should stick to walking her out, and concentrate on riding Morgan. I'm really getting too old for that sort of thing! I know that she needs checking over, and will get onto that on Monday, but other than that... any ideas?!   

[janwilky]

Yikes, glad you're OK. Definitely good idea to have her checked out, and the saddle too. Glad it's going so well with Morgan though

FWIW, the causes of Lucas's bucking seem to have been (1) saddle and (2) gut issues (ulcers).

Hope you get to the bottom of it. I've decided to spend a lot of time in the winter doing what I think of as 'therapeutic groundwork' with Bambi, to help with her stiffness, balance and posture. I've done quite a bit of TTEAM groundwork with Lucas previously and I've got Peggy Cummings' book and DVD (Connected Groundwork). I've just re-watched the DVD for the first time in a couple of years and I'm feeling all inspired to have a go with Bambi. Perhaps something similar might help Tally if she's a bit stiff?

[crazycolt]

Thanks janwilki, yes, my ribs are sore, it hurts when I breathe, tI've sprained my wrist, have a huge bruise on my other wrist, and leg,and a scrape on my nose! You made me think though, it's only the 3rd time I've used that saddle, although it's treeless, maybe she just doesn't like it, but it didn't seem like that. I'd think it was arthritis, but she canters down the path to come in, and jumps up and down an 18" step, and races around the paddock, kicking and bucking. Maybe the extra weight on her back makes a big difference, although I'm not that heavy, but you never know. Or just maybe she still has a great sense of humour - ha!!  Great fun, horses! Walked her out this afternoon, on foot, for about 20 minutes, thinking that I would keep her moving. Her hind legs look very straight and stiff. Not sure whether to get a vet, a physio or what? I have a book with TTeam exercises in it, (among dozens of others!) - 'Improve Your Horses Wellbeing', was looking at it not long ago, will have another look.Need to find out what is going on first, I think. 

[janwilky]

You're doing better than me, it took me best part of two years to remember that he started bucking at roughly the time I bought my new saddle

Seriously, I hope you feel better tomorrow, and I'm glad you didn't break anything. Good luck with getting to the bottom of what's going on with her.

p.s. I have that book too, it's one of Linda Tellington-Jones's. The Ttouches and Tteam exercises are very gentle, I doubt you could do any harm with them as you never force the horse to do anything, but it does sound like she needs to be checked out doesn't it.  I'm planning to do some with Bambi tomorrow as it happens

[mjcssjw2]

Crazy colt my horse did this back in july, totally out of character I have had him for 10 plus years - launched me off at show, had been pulled in first, during my show he had a moment.
I was actually too sore to do much at all to start with, but my instructor did come and lunge him at first and then ride him on the next visit.
I have always used a different saddle at the shows and have recently changed it. Had it checked and whilst the fitter things its ok and not the cause of the problem I am not sure, he certainly does not like a dressage girth.
When i felt able to ride he seemed ok so
I have tried the saddle at a show a week or so ago - first one back after injury and he was swishing his tail and threatening to be naughty! I tried the tack and turnout class and the judge made us do a show 'gulp' the only other odd thing was that it was absolutely chucking it down. But again he was letting me know he was not happy. I called it quits after this class and came home.
I did do the inhand veteran before this class and he was absolutely fine and won it.
I have had the vet out and he does have a problem in his right hock on a flexion test, he had a bone spavin. Probably age related.
Someone has made me an offer on the saddle and I am very tempted to let it go, as he hurt me when he threw me off and I don't really have any desire to repeat it again. I also had the chiro out to him and his teeth checked.
I hope you get to the bottom of your problem and that you are feeling ok

[holi]

ouch hope you are ok. Mine bucked me off once but she was definitely trying to tell me something - but it was in a lesson and she was finding something rather difficult!Also a friends bucked several people off in canter but I think it was high jinks as he was bored (stables a lot and schooled) so when asked to canter in open field it was a bit off yeeha! She did chacek everything as he continued to do it but then she got a brave person on who just told him 'no' and it stopped. Just a thought.

[crazycolt]

Thanks guys, yes, had trouble singing in church this morning, hurts when I breathe in! Never mind, I'm here to tell the tale. Have had them both out for a walk today again, and Tally seems a bit freer. I'd be surprised if it's the saddle, but who knows. It's more likely to be yee-ha, that's what she's like, and she hasn't been ridden before this week for about 6 months, and surely if her leg/stifle was that sore, she'd have had trouble getting me off, and she certainly didn't! Also for the past few months she's not liked having her hind feet picked out, again I put that down to her stifle being stiff/sore, but for the last 2 days she's been fine with it, no objection at all, so maybe her little moment has free'd things off!  Not sure whether to get the physio or vet out first, but think I'll long-line her in the saddle tomorrow, see if I can spot anything. Have to say I've never liked dressage girths, since I looked into the horses musculature etc; and watched Gillian Higgins, and there's a mention in Mary Wanless' book about the dressage girths sitting over the serratus ventralis, which moves with the leg moving, and is believed to cause stiffness and soreness. So on a personal note, I stay away from dressage girths, and make sure that the buckle end sits on the saddle flap. But that's just my opinion! Morgan instantly lets me know what he doesn't like, but Tally doesn't tend to. Yes, Holi, normally after she's had her little buck, when she's told to 'stop it' she does. So, overexcitement, or pain, I'll see if I can get to the bottom of it. But I too don't want to repeat it, I certainly don't bounce anymore, and being chucked off at speed! just sorry that I hadn't decided to video it, could have sne tit to You've Been Framed, and put the cash towards the vet! Well, see what tomorrow brings. 

[hislordshipsmum]

Hope you're feeling better; always a good idea to long line first - gives you the opportunity to spot things. Oh to have a quiet life!; these horses do like to test us don't they

[portiabuzz]

Hope your ok cc x x

Sent from my SM-G800F using proboards

[crazycolt]

Thanks guys, yes, not quite as sore now. Trouble with trying to long-line is that Morgan hates the 'school' so it tends to wind him up rather than settle him down, so can't use it with him. And if the field is wet and slippy, that's no good. The village is far too busy to longline alone, so that's no good either. But, have had a young girl from up in the village started coming to help after school, she turned up wanting to do anything with animals. She loves taking the horses for a walk, so their feet are now benefiting from a daily walk. Not sure about mine though! But Tally doesn't look half as stiff, so maybe freeing her up more, does the same with me, so wouldn't be surprised. Am waiting for a call from the physio, and have ordered some turmeric to try. So we'll see. I just somehow feel that it wasn't pain that made her buck, just sheer devilment/enjoyment! And - last night she pushed a top rail off the fence, and scrambled, or jumped? over the bottom rail into the long paddock! Does that sound like a stiff old mare to you, 'cause I'm not sure it does to me - naughty girl! 

[holi]

What a minx!

[crazycolt]

Sure is! 

[portiabuzz]

Sounds more positive cc xx

Sent from my SM-G800F using proboards