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Post by wendyihts on Dec 21, 2009 15:07:29 GMT 1
I just cannot believe it. Since 2006 it feels as though every obstacle possible has been thrown in the way of me actually RIDING a horse.
Every riding horse went blind following a one in a million, vets-never-seen-a case like it infection. Spend 2 years looking after them and bankrupting ourselves on various treatments. Finally get them stabilised, save up a bit, buy a new horse. Arrives with only one shoe on. Proceeds to go lame on unshod foot because none of my own boots fit him and pads keep falling off. Buy hoof boots for him - pulls them off in paddock, tearing off all gaiters and losing 2 of them. Wait two weeks to get new gaiters.
Boiling hot summer, too hot to ride (40oC plus every day). Can't wait for Autumn. Autum weather is lovely but now realise saddle isn't fitting him right when I ride him. Order new pad from USA to raise it up (Skito). Pad STILL hasn't arrived owing to supplier problems. Order new pad from Germany (Mattes). Meant to be sent out last week. Still not arrived.
In meantime, buy new hoof boots (Renegades) for hinds as now not comfy, having to live on clay and with only road hacking. Wait 3 weeks to receive boots. When they arrive, the screws can't be undone so send to USA for new screws and tools. Takes almost 4 week to arrive. Don't even get me started on the dreadful farriers we have around here. If you lived here, you wouldn't let them shoe your horses either.
Get boots fitted. Boot on ONE hind spins round. Contact various people. Get no reply.
Hey, it's only 2 years and 3 months since I've had a riding horse. I honestly think I'm cursed for riding or something.
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Post by SarahW on Dec 21, 2009 15:15:14 GMT 1
Oh Wendy, you are not alone. I ordered my Western saddle in May because I wasn't happy with my English one and fancied doing something new anyway. That didn't arrive until November and I was told all sorts of stories about why there was a delay. Turns out the company had gone into liquidation at some stage but was starting up again and hadn't bothered telling anyone. I was also told that they had sent my saddle and lost it!!! The Drift went by my fields and Petra pulled a tendon and Chancer got an over-reach. When she was better I decided to try riding barefoot and she got foot sore. Recently bought boots and have decided they are not right - and lethal in the ice. Still waiting for saddle banket to go with Western saddle (although have cancelled the order and gone direct because I was so fed up with waiting). In the meantime, the farrier is coming on Wednesday and I haven't made up my mind whether to try some different boots or just have shoes on. So, the horse that I have on loan for David to ride is actually being ridden by me instead and Petra Perkins has been lounging around for most of the year.
2 Western saddles, 2 Western blankets, vet bills and hired boots have all made a severe dent in out bank balance too!
It's all er.....character building. I have a very interesting character now.
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Post by Yann on Dec 21, 2009 15:20:28 GMT 1
That's a real tale of woe  At least mine have had the decency to be lame in turn (mostly). Does the boot spin too much to be useable? |
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Post by ashleigh on Dec 21, 2009 15:34:14 GMT 1
Here is hoping that 2010 brings better things to you!
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Post by wendyihts on Dec 21, 2009 15:38:15 GMT 1
Yes, Yann. It's turning to the outside by about an inch just with some walking and a bit of trotting in hand.  He popped the pair of them off on his first outing and managed to get them jammed around his feet, which then sent him doing a fandango on the lane. The shoeing thing's a non-option anyway as it's his hinds that are currently problematic and he cannot live with 3 blind horses and wear hind shoes. It's asking for big trouble. He has front boots and they're fine. If had the money I'd just try something different on him - maybe the Edge - but I just don't have the funds at the moment. They all need to see the dentist in the New Year. Like you, Sarah, I also have enough character now.  |
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Post by mandal on Dec 21, 2009 16:31:38 GMT 1
Oh Wendy no!!! ((((hugs)))) You really have had a rough, heart breaking time. I've no experience of boots I'm afraid so no help.
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Post by Catrin on Dec 21, 2009 20:10:00 GMT 1
If it's any consolation, I reckon, until this year it cost me £2500 a time to ride my home bred 21 year old. This year the cost has come down to about £500. I think it's going to be cheaper in 2010 and the recent upturn in cost effectivemess is really down to you.
Since I spent my £500 last year on Chris Day, Freyr has gone from strength to strength and is an absolute angel to ride. My Centred Riding teacher and new posture, courtesy of the osteopath, is making me able to do things so much better than I ever have before, so although we haven't done much so far, the quality of what we now do is so much more pleasurable. Next year, all I need is less water falling out of the sky and things will be fantastic.
I stopped looking back at what I hadn't done, when I realised how far I can actually see in that direction, So now I only look forward, to see how much I can fit in the next twenty one years. I may be slowing down a bit by then, our other TB will be 33 and of course I'll be nearly ninety but I bet I've put more hours in.
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big e
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 2,055
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Post by big e on Dec 21, 2009 21:01:59 GMT 1
i haven't had any problems with my horses but i have had loads with my car. Every time i've towed i've broken down and had to spend out loads on repairs and on the one holiday i've had this year it broke down for the first 3 days and spent the next 3 in a garage being fixed. Needless to say its going up for sale next year I hope 2010 is a luckier year for you  |
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Post by wendyihts on Dec 22, 2009 12:00:35 GMT 1
Excellent points, Catrin.  Better luck next time with the cars, big e! Anyway, I had a moment of inspiration last night and swapped his boots over. Bares on hinds, renegades on fronts. Firstly, I was amazed the size 0 renegades fit his fronts cos they should be size 1 feet based on last measurements. The size 1 Bares were a bit too big on his hinds (he'd previously measured up as a size 0 in Bares), but were quite stable and I did up the cables as tightly as I could. So off we went on our walk. Much better! though one renegade started turning on one of his front feet then as well. Not as bad as on the hind though. And the Bares pretty much stayed put in walk and trot, although you could hear that they were a bit too big (wouldn't want to do rough or deep ground and anything more than a bit of trot in them). I got the tape measure out when I got back and, following his latest trim, he's now in a size 0 Bares on the fronts and size 00 on the hinds! (Ickle biddy feet or what!) His front left hoof is 115mm wide and front right is 118mm wide (with still a bit of flare on that foot) so am going to try trimming it by a couple mm and see if the turning stops (size 0 Renegades are for up to 116mm wide). All his feet are around 110mm long, give or take a mm or two. But it means he definitely needs a new pair of size 00 Bares for the hinds. Hopefully we can use the Rennies for the fronts now though... Onwards and upwards folks. You're right Catrin. No point looking back. The vista is all too apparent when you do that! |
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Post by portiabuzz on Dec 22, 2009 12:10:58 GMT 1
oh dear!! Hope 2010 is better... xxx
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Post by Louise C on Dec 22, 2009 12:48:20 GMT 1
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Flynn hasn't been as expensive as some of yours - only 3 visits from the Chiro and the vet to sort him out - but I haven't ridden regularly since July - he hurt his back and I hurt my ribs when he bucked me off telling me his back hurt! I last rode 2 weeks ago - 20 mins walk round the estate! Now I think he's retired for the winter due to the current weather! Ho hum - Merry Christmas!
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Post by wendyihts on Dec 22, 2009 14:03:23 GMT 1
It's that darkest hour before the dawn thing, I think... Have you been to the osteo or anything Louise? My Mattes pad arrived today (and I go to UK tomorrow... LOL) But it is a thing of beauty. I had to choose binding, wool colour and piping colour when I ordered it, so it's a bit smart! I got dark green with dark green binding and gold piping and black wool. Should look nice on a dark bay!  I will phone Skito again tonight and see if the darn pad I ordered at the beginning of October has been sent out yet... |
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Post by Louise C on Dec 23, 2009 15:06:16 GMT 1
Fortunately I healed fine Wendy thanks! I fell on my side and my back was fine - just bruised ribs.
Hope you get your pad soon................... Flynn looks just great in green and purple - they are his colours!
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Post by marianne on Dec 23, 2009 15:24:41 GMT 1
Aw Wendy :-( You have certainly have your run of rotten back luck :-( Was going to say "shouldn't you be in the UK?" but see you're flying out today - so .... have a good flight, a great Christmas/NY and see you in the NY!  |
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Post by Kelly Marks on Dec 23, 2009 17:34:29 GMT 1
Wendy - I can permanent loan you some hoof boots if I've got the right size. Get in touch and let's see what we can do.
Kx
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At least mine have had the decency to be lame in turn (mostly).
He popped the pair of them off on his first outing and managed to get them jammed around his feet, which then sent him doing a fandango on the lane. The shoeing thing's a non-option anyway as it's his hinds that are currently problematic and he cannot live with 3 blind horses and wear hind shoes. It's asking for big trouble. He has front boots and they're fine. If had the money I'd just try something different on him - maybe the Edge - but I just don't have the funds at the moment. They all need to see the dentist in the New Year. 
