Backing 3/4yr olds

CanteringCarrot said:
Horse was ace at our lesson this week (we haul there) and fabulous on his solo hack (also hauled there). That hack has bikes, runners, walkers, dogs, and whatever else. A runner ran up behind him, infront of him, and the same with cyclists. He also had 2 days off prior to the hack.

He looked at this 4 wheel recumbent bike coming at us that had a two wheel bike strapped across the back of it for a sec, but it was an interesting set up and all he did was look.

Why is he so awesome everywhere but not at home?!
Click to expand...
My 4 year old is also much better away from home than at home. He is nappy and tense at home, very aware of where the gate is. I’ve been trying to school him in a familiar arena a short hack away and he is very tense and feels like an unexploded bomb at the far end of the school. But this is when he is on his own.
However take him off site in the trailer and he is much more happy and forward, however he has had a buddy with him on these outings. He is happy to take the lead and not nappy at all. Been out x4 to farm rides.
I’m torn between trying to work him through it in the arena and getting him to relax with lots of bending yields, or just let him have a buddy all the time for now whilst he is so tense.
I just dont want him to get too dependant in having another horse with him, he has to be brave alone at some point.
 
I will say that we do a lot of our riding alone, and he's quite good about it all. Same with solo hacks. He's generally fine when we ride with others though.

So I will give him that. He's a lot braver than my last horse. My last horse got there, but it took time.

Sometimes he does seem genuinely concerned by changes at the yard. Our recent "new" groundwork has helped with that. Other times I do think he is looking for a distraction. Which I get, I do the same thing when I don't want to work 🤣

Tonight I rode him forward. Probably a little too ambitious at times, but I kind of needed to in order to make a point. He needs to he infront of my leg. Surprisingly (sarcasm) that can also prevent shenanigans.

I made sure to give him a bit extra leg before and at his usual "scary spots" to keep him infront of the leg and not have time for shenanigans. When he started to look off at something, leg. If the response wasn't immediate, then he got a tap with the whip. He seemed surprised, so that tells me he had not been properly infront of my leg at all times. He was beautifully infront of my leg and on the aids on the last half of our ride.

It was a good reality check for both of us. When I watched the video later on, he looked really good.

We have a lesson later this week, and then there's going to be 36°+ heatwave for a little over a week, so I don't foresee us getting much done then. I plan to clip him again too. He sweats just standing there!
 
I got started today (with the kids as helpers) on the 3yo who has been begging and begging to do something.

Aim was a few sensible steps with a rider. Did that beautifully. But then it all kind of snowballed! My young sharer was heading out for a hack and the kids wanted to walk with - so I took the 3yo along in hand. Then my daughter got tired…so I popped her back on and she rode for about 10 minutes. Pony went back to the field bouncing with happiness!
 
Thanks for everyones comments.

The results are in, he has at some point fractured his pelvis on the right side. We xrayed fetlock , hocks, stifles all spot on. But the right hand side of the pelvis has multiple fractures. On the left hand side its fine, but has significant pain. Assuming SI / ligament damage there too.

Now i need to decide what to do.:(
 
Asha said:
Thanks for everyones comments.

The results are in, he has at some point fractured his pelvis on the right side. We xrayed fetlock , hocks, stifles all spot on. But the right hand side of the pelvis has multiple fractures. On the left hand side its fine, but has significant pain. Assuming SI / ligament damage there too.

Now i need to decide what to do.:(
Click to expand...
oh no - I'm so sorry. Must have taken a whopper of a fall in the field. Do the fractures show any sign of healing or is it recent?

Awful for you 😢
 
SEL said:
oh no - I'm so sorry. Must have taken a whopper of a fall in the field. Do the fractures show any sign of healing or is it recent?

Awful for you 😢
Click to expand...

They are not very old, but certainly hasnt happened in the last few weeks. Still some gaps, so will still be feeling pain there. Hes such a big lad and used to throw some shapes in the field, so yes hes definitely had a hell of a fall somewhere/ sometime.
 
Sorry to hear Asha, fingers crossed the prognosis is for further healing to improve and make him more comfortable.
Mine throw hellish shapes in the field and it just takes one slip or unbalanced moment for them.
 
Finally got a saddle for pony.
This is, I think, his 4th ride ever and his first with saddle and stirrups.
Very relaxed and easy going up and down the drive and practising some rising walk, ready for a jog tomorrow.
Then the next few days will be heading up the road as it's really quiet around here and we have a nice smooth hill to get them trotting up, just outside the house.

And bonus, I don't look too big now we have stirrups, not bad as I'm 5'10!
1000023109_0.png
 
@Asha that is awful. I am so, so sorry. I donlt want to give false hope, but a friend's horse fractured his pelvis and made a full recovery, back to competing. Horses are unbelievably stoic to be that injured and for it not to be evident. Sending love and healing vibes.
 
I've heard of a few horses with pelvic injuries and most maintained a ridden career to some extent. As with most things, it depends on that horse and that specific injury.

So sorry that you've gotten this news @Asha and I'm hoping for the best possible outcome for him!
 
I’m really sorry to hear that, Asha.

My wonky mare, who you’ve met, had a major pelvic injury in early lockdown resulting in her right hip now being 3” lower than her left hip. Injury too deep to be seen on internal ultrasound, but vet said that whatever it is is ‘big’ and likely is a mix of bone and soft tissue.

After huge help from the chiro vet in addition to SI medications by regular vets T is pain free albeit mechanically unlevel. She has just sailed through her 6 month chiro vet check at 19yo inc wtc in lunge and wt in straight lines needing virtually no treatment.

Run it by chiro vet as to whether a recovery similar to T’s could possibly be achieved? T is the wonkiest horse on her books, but could be lightly ridden.

Chiro vet wouldn’t give false hope.
 
Asha said:
Thanks for everyones comments.

The results are in, he has at some point fractured his pelvis on the right side. We xrayed fetlock , hocks, stifles all spot on. But the right hand side of the pelvis has multiple fractures. On the left hand side its fine, but has significant pain. Assuming SI / ligament damage there too.

Now i need to decide what to do.:(
Click to expand...
Oh I'm so sorry 😞
 
Asha said:
Thanks for everyones comments.

The results are in, he has at some point fractured his pelvis on the right side. We xrayed fetlock , hocks, stifles all spot on. But the right hand side of the pelvis has multiple fractures. On the left hand side its fine, but has significant pain. Assuming SI / ligament damage there too.

Now i need to decide what to do.:(
Click to expand...
So sorry for you.
I know pelvic fractures are pretty common in youngsters in the racing industry and they heal well enough for them to race again. Fingers crossed for you xx
 
Tiddlypom said:
I’m really sorry to hear that, Asha.

My wonky mare, who you’ve met, had a major pelvic injury in early lockdown resulting in her right hip now being 3” lower than her left hip. Injury too deep to be seen on internal ultrasound, but vet said that whatever it is is ‘big’ and likely is a mix of bone and soft tissue.

After huge help from the chiro vet in addition to SI medications by regular vets T is pain free albeit mechanically unlevel. She has just sailed through her 6 month chiro vet check at 19yo inc wtc in lunge and wt in straight lines needing virtually no treatment.

Run it by chiro vet as to whether a recovery similar to T’s could possibly be achieved? T is the wonkiest horse on her books, but could be lightly ridden.

Chiro vet wouldn’t give false hope.
Click to expand...

The chiro vet asked me to let her know the results of the xrays, so just had a long chat with her.

Basically any ridden prospects are virtually zero. What we are aiming for is field sound / pain free.
 
Asha said:
The chiro vet asked me to let her know the results of the xrays, so just had a long chat with her.

Basically any ridden prospects are virtually zero. What we are aiming for is field sound / pain free.
Click to expand...

How sad, I’m so sorry.
A stress fracture is one thing, multiple fracture from trauma is another.
The heartbreak and disappointment that is horses. Hope you can get him comfortable
 
McGrools said:
So sorry for you.
I know pelvic fractures are pretty common in youngsters in the racing industry and they heal well enough for them to race again. Fingers crossed for you xx
Click to expand...


CanteringCarrot said:
I've heard of a few horses with pelvic injuries and most maintained a ridden career to some extent. As with most things, it depends on that horse and that specific injury.

So sorry that you've gotten this news @Asha and I'm hoping for the best possible outcome for him!
Click to expand...
Ambers Echo said:
@Asha that is awful. I am so, so sorry. I donlt want to give false hope, but a friend's horse fractured his pelvis and made a full recovery, back to competing. Horses are unbelievably stoic to be that injured and for it not to be evident. Sending love and healing vibes.
Click to expand...

From what both vets have said, as this isnt something thats just happened , he shouldnt be as sore as he is right now. The xray showed the right pelvic wing with multiple fractures, and the top bit that holds everything together is a bit of a mess too. Then the muscle/ligament/soft tissue around the SI region on the left is extremely sore so must have significant damage. His left hip is much higher than the right one now as well. Even if we do get him pain free that will never change. So if he was ridden in the future then its possible he could re injure again.
Chiro vet has suggested box / pen rest. Other vet has said as hes quiet in the field just turn away. Both say to evaluate again next year, and see if hes pain free then.
 
ihatework said:
How sad, I’m so sorry.
A stress fracture is one thing, multiple fracture from trauma is another.
The heartbreak and disappointment that is horses. Hope you can get him comfortable
Click to expand...
im just trying to get my head around what i feel is the right thing for him.
At best its a life as a pet , a beautiful one at that . The thing he has going for him is he is lovely to look at.
The vet was to the point.. whatever happens he will develop arthritis in that area so hes not going to have a long life.
 
SEL said:
What a horrible situation for you. Is he a box rest candidate or wouldn't he settle?
Click to expand...
One vet has suggested to turn him away as he’s quiet in the field , another has said box rest .
I’ve just built a pen area , with field shelter . So I think that may be the perfect compromise . So going to try that. Then assess him again in a little while .
Part of me wonders whether any of this is fair on him and maybe I will look back and think I should have PTS straight away .
 
No advice. You know him better than anyone and are now aware and alert to signs that he is telling you he is not okay. Sending loads of love. I have always had a soft spot for Rustle as Felix's HHO 'brother', a fellow ID of exactly the same age. I am heartbroken for you
 
Asha said:
One vet has suggested to turn him away as he’s quiet in the field , another has said box rest .
I’ve just built a pen area , with field shelter . So I think that may be the perfect compromise . So going to try that. Then assess him again in a little while .
Part of me wonders whether any of this is fair on him and maybe I will look back and think I should have PTS straight away .
Click to expand...

I think that’s a fair path forwards.
8-12 weeks, re-X-ray to assess healing and soundness and make the call before winter hit. Hugs, it’s a no win situation
 
CanteringCarrot said:
Horse was ace at our lesson this week (we haul there) and fabulous on his solo hack (also hauled there). That hack has bikes, runners, walkers, dogs, and whatever else. A runner ran up behind him, infront of him, and the same with cyclists. He also had 2 days off prior to the hack.

He looked at this 4 wheel recumbent bike coming at us that had a two wheel bike strapped across the back of it for a sec, but it was an interesting set up and all he did was look.

Why is he so awesome everywhere but not at home?!
Click to expand...
Part of it will be he knows where stuff is, or should be, at home. Thus if it’s moved / moving / doing differently - it’s obviously a bit unreliable and ‘alive’, to be considered with more caution.
Out in new places, he doesn’t really know what should or shouldn’t be happening, or sited wherever, and if you are being calm as normal, he will be happy to accept the new situation as normal.
Eg. Our stallion went happily; with great interest, admittedly; through some busy roadworks, heavy plant and lines of cones during a pleasure ride on Sunday. Yesterday, he nearly put us in orbit at two road cones which have magically appeared near the farm - he knows perfectly well they don’t live there, obviously have the ability to move, are clearly suspicious. Typical Equine intelligence, unwonted on occasion! Your youngster sounds lovely, and making lovely progress, too.
 
Asha, I just looked back at your post from last week, you said he's sound and would likely pass a vetting, If so I personally would turn him away for a while, give you some breathing space, then as others have said, maybe x-ray again and decide.
Awful situation with such a young horse x
 
Asha said:
Thanks for everyones comments.

The results are in, he has at some point fractured his pelvis on the right side. We xrayed fetlock , hocks, stifles all spot on. But the right hand side of the pelvis has multiple fractures. On the left hand side its fine, but has significant pain. Assuming SI / ligament damage there too.

Now i need to decide what to do.:(
Click to expand...

Oh goodness, I'm so sorry for you and him, what a rubbish diagnosis 😢
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top