equestriansports
Well-Known Member
As some of you know, I've really struggled with my horse at some points. When I tried him I fell off and I think that's what made me buy him even though I really didn't have the knowledge to correct his issues - not that he really had any. So, after about two weeks, he started napping badly, I'm talking rearing vertically. It really knocked my confidence and when jumping he'd charge everywhere at full speed. He'd quite happily gallop at fences cross country style. He also was petrified of men, whips ect and lord forbid you touched his ears! After a few weeks he'd let me pop a fly mask on over his ears and didn't shake every time my dad went near him. Moved yards due to a psychotic YO who told me to go and have him shot as his knees were knackered and he's too old to be any good- nope, purely cosmetic knobbly knees after a fall on the road and he's 11! 
Fast forward a few months and we started hacking at the new yard. Found out ponio has a huge issue with hacking in company - got that sorted. Then the string of injuries started; came in one day with large bumps all over him which was an allergic reaction to something. He fell in the school and sliced his leg open - queue box rest. Had physio out and turned out my poor boy had an incredibly sore poll, dentist came out and he'd got a completely ulecerated mouth. I've never felt so bad in my life, how he hadn't killed me remains a mystery. So, we had regular physio and then bought him back into work but one day everything just clicked! We were pinging jumps like nobodies business. Then hell broke loose when winter came. He'd spook at everything in dramatic style, started napping again, tanking off ect.
Due to a change in circumstances we had to move again. Got to the new yard and had my friend - a very good physio- check him over to see if it was pain related. He was massively sore through his chest. Lots of sessions and stretches later and everything was sorted. Started riding again, took him in the indoor and he spooked big style. Galloped around like a div and I came off. I could just feel he was trying to tell me he wasn't happy with something which I pinpointed as the indoor itself. He's a nosey boy but couldn't quite see over the edge of the walls so whenever there was a bang that he couldn't see, off we went. We switched to using the outdoor and he was going okay. Decided to try a new bit as I could tell there wasn't something right - lots of opening mouth, crossing jaw, being a giraffe etc.
After trying more bits than I wish to admit, we today bought a Neue Schule Turtle Top and oh my goodness the change is amazing! He was stretching for a contact, working over his back and we even did a leg yeild! I stood crying after I got off because I feel like I've got my boy back. Things are really starting to look up. I know this is a silly post but I can't contain how happy I am. I'm so proud of how far we've come. He's taught me to have a sticky seat and I've taught him that people aren't so bad. I'm forever grateful for all the times he's let me cry holding onto him in the stable whilst he listens to me harping on about my problems. He really is a beautiful boy.
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag10/eqsports/Snapchat-20141009071639_zpsh1qwddhp.jpg
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag10/eqsports/Ping_zpsbpikc5is.jpg
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag10/eqsports/IMAG0319_1_zps0bowun7u.jpg
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag10/eqsports/IMAG0381_zps67r2ukp0.jpg
Tea and biscuits for anyone that got through that!
Fast forward a few months and we started hacking at the new yard. Found out ponio has a huge issue with hacking in company - got that sorted. Then the string of injuries started; came in one day with large bumps all over him which was an allergic reaction to something. He fell in the school and sliced his leg open - queue box rest. Had physio out and turned out my poor boy had an incredibly sore poll, dentist came out and he'd got a completely ulecerated mouth. I've never felt so bad in my life, how he hadn't killed me remains a mystery. So, we had regular physio and then bought him back into work but one day everything just clicked! We were pinging jumps like nobodies business. Then hell broke loose when winter came. He'd spook at everything in dramatic style, started napping again, tanking off ect.
Due to a change in circumstances we had to move again. Got to the new yard and had my friend - a very good physio- check him over to see if it was pain related. He was massively sore through his chest. Lots of sessions and stretches later and everything was sorted. Started riding again, took him in the indoor and he spooked big style. Galloped around like a div and I came off. I could just feel he was trying to tell me he wasn't happy with something which I pinpointed as the indoor itself. He's a nosey boy but couldn't quite see over the edge of the walls so whenever there was a bang that he couldn't see, off we went. We switched to using the outdoor and he was going okay. Decided to try a new bit as I could tell there wasn't something right - lots of opening mouth, crossing jaw, being a giraffe etc.
After trying more bits than I wish to admit, we today bought a Neue Schule Turtle Top and oh my goodness the change is amazing! He was stretching for a contact, working over his back and we even did a leg yeild! I stood crying after I got off because I feel like I've got my boy back. Things are really starting to look up. I know this is a silly post but I can't contain how happy I am. I'm so proud of how far we've come. He's taught me to have a sticky seat and I've taught him that people aren't so bad. I'm forever grateful for all the times he's let me cry holding onto him in the stable whilst he listens to me harping on about my problems. He really is a beautiful boy.
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag10/eqsports/Snapchat-20141009071639_zpsh1qwddhp.jpg
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag10/eqsports/Ping_zpsbpikc5is.jpg
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag10/eqsports/IMAG0319_1_zps0bowun7u.jpg
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag10/eqsports/IMAG0381_zps67r2ukp0.jpg
Tea and biscuits for anyone that got through that!
