Am I being played like an old fiddle?!?

[Grumpy Herbert]

I brought my fit and healthy old mare back into work five months ago after a few years off - not because there was anything wrong with her, it was me that had the problem. We are hacking out a few days a week. She seems to be enjoying this, and was really forward going at first. However, she is now plodding along when we set out, tippy-toeing over any stony ground and generally not striding out, resulting in our company having to wait for us. On the way home, though, it is a completely different story - she strides out, back across the rough stony ground that was soooo painful on the way out, and has to go in front because the others aren't going fast enough for her! And put her in a stubble field? Demon! I have to really hold her back.

I've had this horse for 19 years, and know her really well, but naturally I'm concerned that I'm asking too much of her- it's very difficult to be impartial when you're close to a situation. So, do you think she's struggling with the work, or am I being played for a mug?

 

[PaddyMonty]

Mug, probably a builders pint pot.

 

[Grumpy Herbert]

Yes. Thanks for that.

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

Sounds like she's taking the mickey. If she stepped out smartly on the way out she'd use up some energy and wouldn't be so excitable on the way home.

 

[Grumpy Herbert]

I think really I know the answer to my own question, but it's nice to have confirmation. Stupid as it sounds, I feel a little bit guilty for riding her again after she had so long off! This horse has had a lovely life and has been pampered and cossetted all the way, and I feel guilty - daft, eh.

One thing about this forum, it gives you a healthy dose of reality and says it like it is.

 

[Bertolie]

My 21 year old was just as you describe a year ago, plod on way out, any slower and we would be going backwards. Turn for home or have a canter and he would leave the young ones standing. People kept insisting he was taking the mick and I needed to be firmer with him. However I knew he wasn't right and after a few X-rays/tests he was diagnosed with arthritis in both hocks. Don't go with other peoples opinions, you know your horse so go with your gut.

 

[Annagain]

She's probably taking the mick, but there's only one way to find out! Ride her a bit more strongly and she'll soon tell you if it hurts.
We all get taken for mugs by them at some point. I have my boy who when it comes to school work is a character, shall we say and my share horse who is much more amenable. In my eyes one's a saint and the other's a devil, but the truth for both of them is somewhere in between. I don't do much in the school on mine as I feel it's counter-productive but as my share horse was lame I took mine to a lesson recently. My instructor said "If you rode M half as assertively as you ride this one, you'd be doing elementary by now." (we're just starting some novice) Because he's so nice, I'm too nice to him and don't push him whereas I insist the naughty one does everything right!

 

[be positive]

She is probably being a bit naughty but she must be getting on a bit if you have owned her 19 years she is no spring chicken even if she is generally fit and well it may be that she is feeling a bit stiff and cautious and it eases off as she goes further, coming home the slightly rough stones may be less of an issue as she knows she is nearly home, so don't rule out a bit of old age setting in, no reason to back off with the work though as she is obviously fine generally.

 

[puppystitch]

Could you warm up in an arena first and see if she loosens up? I knew a horse a while ago who would be just like that unless he was trotted up and down a bit before going out.

Having said that, my current one is always slower on the way out, and speeds up when heading towards bed / dinner!

 

[Ceriann]

I would get everything checked if you havent - teeth, back and saddle. When i brought my old mare back into work a few years back she was ok to start, then started backing off a particualr route when on her own and a little bit nappy. In company she was full of herself and we had a good few blasts with others on stubble fields (limited brakes but lots of fun type scenario). Came to a head when she dropped my OH in a bush (he didnt try to stay on) - week or so later and it was apparent she had a back problem and she had damaged a vertebrae. Your mare may well be playing up or may simply be struggling a bit (or a combination of both) so prbably bets to check her out.

 

[Grumpy Herbert]

Thanks for your replies. She is no spring chicken, but she is very 'low mileage'. She had a full MOT from the vet last month when she had her jabs, and the vet was very pleased with her. Her teeth were checked a few months ago, and were fine. I will have her saddle rechecked soon, just in case it's that. She's on equi-flex supplement, and doesn't seem particularly stiff - in fact my hacking buddy remarks on her knee and hock action, which is very free and fluid (when she's working properly!)

I know I'm probably being a bit soft with her, but I would never forgive myself if I pushed her and she was in pain or discomfort, or simply not happy being back in work. She's very precious to me.

 

[Bubblewrap]

I have a 21 year old like this. `Out like a carthorse, home like a racehorse`, a friend described it as! If the vet says all is well, I would carry on!

 

[Ceriann]

Thanks for your replies. She is no spring chicken, but she is very 'low mileage'. She had a full MOT from the vet last month when she had her jabs, and the vet was very pleased with her. Her teeth were checked a few months ago, and were fine. I will have her saddle rechecked soon, just in case it's that. She's on equi-flex supplement, and doesn't seem particularly stiff - in fact my hacking buddy remarks on her knee and hock action, which is very free and fluid (when she's working properly!)

I know I'm probably being a bit soft with her, but I would never forgive myself if I pushed her and she was in pain or discomfort, or simply not happy being back in work. She's very precious to me.

That's how i felt with mine. Sounds like you've covered all usual checks and its just a case of getting her used to work again. I only got less than 12 months of hacking out of my old mare after bringing her back to work (i retired her after the back injury) but those rides out are very precious to me (particularly the ones where she tanked about the stubble fields like a youngster!) so enjoy (especially with this weather)!

 

[MerrySherryRider]

My 21 year old was just as you describe a year ago, plod on way out, any slower and we would be going backwards. Turn for home or have a canter and he would leave the young ones standing. People kept insisting he was taking the mick and I needed to be firmer with him. However I knew he wasn't right and after a few X-rays/tests he was diagnosed with arthritis in both hocks. Don't go with other peoples opinions, you know your horse so go with your gut.

Yep, my lad was the same. It was only because I knew him so well, that I thought he must have a genuine reason. He has arthritis in his hocks too, although once he's warmed up, you'd never think it.

 

[Darkwater]

If I rode my old pony without her hoof boots on, she would be exactly as you describe. Seemingly foot sore (or sore somewhere) going out, but fine going home. If I put hoof boots on her, she strides out just as happily going out as she does coming back, so I know she's not taking the mick. I've never quite worked out if her boots help because she is foot sore or because they help her arthritis, but either way they work so I try not to question it too much! Sorry if i've missed this somewhere in the thread, but is your mare shod?

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I would try giving her bute for a few days to see if that makes any difference to her on the way out.

 

[Grumpy Herbert]

If I rode my old pony without her hoof boots on, she would be exactly as you describe. Seemingly foot sore (or sore somewhere) going out, but fine going home. If I put hoof boots on her, she strides out just as happily going out as she does coming back, so I know she's not taking the mick. I've never quite worked out if her boots help because she is foot sore or because they help her arthritis, but either way they work so I try not to question it too much! Sorry if i've missed this somewhere in the thread, but is your mare shod?

She is shod in front only. We were using Cavallo boots, but they kept coming off when we went off road which was a pain. Am going to get some Keratex hoof hardener and see if that helps.

I rode her this afternoon, and she was much perkier - I took her in the school after a short hack and she was very forward and responsive. Maybe she was just having an off day, but I'll keep an eye on it. Thanks for all your replies!