em&ed
Grand Prix Poster
Grand Prix Poster
If I had just a little humility, I'd be perfect....
Posts: 3,276
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Post by em&ed on Apr 8, 2007 13:00:32 GMT 1
my horse has been slightly lame for last few days on his offside fore... well, in fact he seems a bit better today. I didn't see him yesterday cos I was halfway across the country househunting, had early start and late return home. But anyway... I have been in two minds about this and I know that some of you will identify with me here: a) I have been almost relieved that I didn't 'have to' ride him (keeping up apprearences) but on the other hand, b) have been disappointed because the groundwork I have been doing over the last few weeks seems to have been paying off and I wanted to continue with that. But as I'm not very knowledgeable I decided it would be best to give him a few days off. I suspect he's been kicked because he does tend to pester the other horses a bit - I think he wants to play - and they just want to eat! he had a small graze and slight swelling and slight heat so I've been cold hosing it. But we're on quite a big yard and everyone has an opinion someone asked me had I not been working him through it? I wouldn't like to do that in case it made matters worse? but I wondered if someone was going for a short hack if (you think) I would be ok to take him - but just in hand, not to ride.... One of the ladies is going later so I've made informal arrangements to go with her - she seems quite knowledgable and seems to think he'd be ok. I feel a bit nervous as one of his 'things' is to tank off when leading - but the groundwork has made him better in that respect and I doubt he'd do it when out with another horse. I'd probably tack him up anyway and lead him in his bridle... What 'work' - if any - would you do in this situation? or would you just wait till horse was completely sound? oh, forgot to say when he's in the field he's quite happy to trot and canter round and play!! And I'll also have to face my demons again and get back on him when he's not been ridden for a week I rode once before when I'd not ridden for a week and he almost bucked me off - so now I worry that he'll do it every time it's the 'week' scenario Thanks peeps - sorry for long post - I was in 2 minds whether to post in horse help or confidence as it covers both issues but I've edited title as i really wanted advice/help with the getting back on as much as the lameness...
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Post by wozzer on Apr 8, 2007 13:57:37 GMT 1
This is only my opinion, but here goes.
If you have turnout, then I would not think it necessary to exercise a horse if it was lame, as he will get enough in the turnout at his own speed.
However, if he is springing about, is he really too lame to ride? Have you trotted him up on a firm (concrete) surface to see? If you can get someone to run him up for you, you will soon see if he is lame (nodding of head when sore leg touches floor).
Sorry if I am teaching you to suck eggs, here, but this is just what I'd do, and don't know if you have already.
If he appears sound, I'd tack him up, get on and go for a short, quiet hack with your friend.
Good luck - let us know how you get on!
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Post by kpick on Apr 8, 2007 14:02:59 GMT 1
I would agree with Wozzer. Depending on the situation. When my horse was lame he was on 24 hour box rest for 3 months, so i begun with a quick walk down the drive to a 30-40 minute walk over the period he was in. Mainly though, just to keep him moving, it must be boring stood in a box for 3 months.
Trot him up, check his lameness issue, and also if he has shoes on check theres no stones caught underneath that coulr cause problems. If hes turned out, dont worry about exercising him and walking him out.
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em&ed
Grand Prix Poster
Grand Prix Poster
If I had just a little humility, I'd be perfect....
Posts: 3,276
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Post by em&ed on Apr 8, 2007 14:49:12 GMT 1
But I've not ridden for almost a week! in fact I have not hacked out here since moving on New Years Day, cos he was too unsettled to even ride in the school for what seemed like ages... so it would be a new place with a horse he's never hacked with before, and it's a bit breezy.... see? I have loads of excuses. Hacking is my main demon, I think. I have only hacked out 4 times on my horse and I've had him almost a year now. That sounds so soppy but the 3rd time we hacked, he cantered on the road to catch up with the lead horse, then overtook him and took the lead! So I am now scared that I have no brakes either... why do we put ourselves thru it? Its supposed to be fun.... I wish we all lived closer so we could help each other out - so I know now that I'll probably just walk in hand later.... I feel bad for my horse though - he could have a much more exciting life with a confident owner and do more exciting stuff
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em&ed
Grand Prix Poster
Grand Prix Poster
If I had just a little humility, I'd be perfect....
Posts: 3,276
|
Post by em&ed on Apr 9, 2007 8:05:27 GMT 1
Hi, just to reply to the other questions: I have trotted him up daily, on concrete and he was deffo bobbing his head and other people said he was picking his right leg up quicker; he is barefoot and I have checked all his feet, but I think he's over the worst now. I did not really want to work him for exercise, as I do agree he would get enough in the field I wanted to do stuff to help build a bond up and to continue learning. I have been doing leading work with him for past 2 months as his 'thing' was to tank off when being led, which also gave me butterflies at the thought of leading him on a short hack in case he tanked off /we disgraced ourselves Anyway we tacked up and he was fidgeting about (bad omen, me thinks ) and we walked out in hand and really seemed to enjoy it he was really good and at one point we saw some scary washing on a line and the other horse jumped back and was backing up in the crop field and would not pass and my boy stopped to look then carried on - so looks like my leading work is paying off. we got to the end of the track and turned back (no loop here as yet) and my friend asked if I was gonna get on him but I couldn't in case he dashed for home - the old "What If" scenario - he did speed up a bit but did nothing silly and seemed so relaxed that when we returned to the yard I took him in the school and decided to ride him in walk for 5 mins. He was a bit gutted the other horse had left us and tried to run back out through the gate after him, bashing me on the head in the process, but settled after a mo, But he was still quite tense and it took about 5 mins to get him to stand at the block (gulp - another bad omen?) so i just did a few walk / halt transitions and got off!! So I am really pleased with that ;D I know it's not much - but it is to me... But I can't help feeling he would have more fun if it wasn't for me... does anyone else feel like that? Or am I anylising stuff too much?
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Post by wozzer on Apr 9, 2007 9:30:04 GMT 1
Oh emined, poor you! Many horses will dash off to catch up the lead horse, that's just what horses do. I think you need to get bossy with your riding pals (like me . Tell them that you would like someone to come with you on a quiet walk ride. Ask if you can go at the front and plan the route, preferably on a Sunday morning (less traffic, etc). If you can, tell them that you are nervous and need to build your confidence. Good friends will want to help you through this. Perhaps you only go as far down the lane as the first lampost But, be careful that you do a circular route, if possible, as ideally this is better than going so far and then turning back for home. Ooh, so wish you were nearer and we could hack out together. Hope you can find an understanding person to come with you. How about your OH or another friend accompanies you on foot or on a bicycle? It definitely makes me feel so much braver knowing someone is with me. Please let us know how you get on. Got my fingers crossed for you chick
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em&ed
Grand Prix Poster
Grand Prix Poster
If I had just a little humility, I'd be perfect....
Posts: 3,276
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Post by em&ed on Apr 9, 2007 13:00:46 GMT 1
thanks Wozzer - great advice there are a couple of nice girls at the yard I'm on now, but we are moving soon and will have to move yards - which I'm not looking forward to in one respect, in case I get all the anxiety from eddie again; he is a bit of a wuss I would like to try a walk hack before I go though - but I don't think I could go out on my own even with someone walking, as I don't think eddie is confident enough yet. I keeping thinking there's no rush - Don't s'pose it matters if we have to start from scratch agian and build up confidence at the new yard. Chances are we could be hacking out in summer, if we meet the right people - or even if it gets to next year I find that's the best attitude I can have so I'm not worried about missed chances, as I keep thinking there will be other times. I wish we lived closer too you sound like a great hacking partner! lol - my mates up north would sort me out in no time! They are always boxing up and going to the beach, or on hacks / fun rides etc... never a dull moment with them! I admire people like that who can enjoy every minute. But also they've had their horses longer than me - do you also think it helps if you have had your horse longer? Or not? Is there people on the dg that lack confidence even though they've had their horse for years?
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Post by kya on Apr 9, 2007 13:56:12 GMT 1
Cheer up Emined, these things take as long as they take. I agree with Wozzer, dashing to keep up with the others- typical stuff... I don't like it either!! Most of us (ehem- possibly all here) are not training for Badminton, it's all learning. Even going back to what you see as square one, you will go forward again and possibly learn twice as much. I also agree, to find one or two others to go out with. Be straight with them and take it very easy. A nice long, chatting hack with no dramas or cantering. A few times out and you'll be amazed how different you'll feel. Hope your horse comes right and do return to us here whenever you need a virtual arm around the shoulders.
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Post by wozzer on Apr 9, 2007 15:40:27 GMT 1
I've had Lincoln nearly 3 years now, and still get nervous, but yes it does help the longer you own/know your horse. What really helps though, emined, is the number of times you ride. And the first hurdle is that, unfortunately ;D The more you ride, the braver you get. When I don't ride for a week, I always feel more worried than if I rode the previous day. If you need company for Eddie, then see if there is some nice person on the yard on a quiet horse who would accompany you. Perhaps they could go out for their normal hack first, and then accompany you for 15 - 30 minutes around the block or something. Good luck chick
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Post by wozzer on Apr 9, 2007 15:41:20 GMT 1
PS: I've got a brand new trailer sat at home since Feb, still in plastic, as not yet got up the courage to go anywhere in it!!!! How sad is that!
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Post by kya on Apr 9, 2007 17:36:26 GMT 1
Still in plastic... pant... pant... envy... pant..
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Post by wozzer on Apr 9, 2007 20:55:17 GMT 1
LOL Kanga - me and you together, where would we go? Where would we be brave enough to go in it!!!!!!!!
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Post by Casper on Apr 10, 2007 9:48:33 GMT 1
I've got a lovely IW 510 trailer - can I meet you halfway peeps?!!! Shame Kanga is in Ireland, we could have some great rides out together couldn't we? (Assuming Bobby and I are welcome to gatecrash LOL)!
Emined, I am always happy to be a foot soldier if you need one.
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Post by wozzer on Apr 10, 2007 22:17:18 GMT 1
OOh, where are you Casper - I'm in t'North West!
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Post by wozzer on Apr 10, 2007 22:17:41 GMT 1
Blimey, feeling nervous after posting that, in case I have to go somewhere in my trailer LOL!
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