Slightlyconfused
Go away, I'm reading
Sounds a good plan.
At least if all comes back OK you can move him on knowing you covered them.
Feeling Trapped - not sure which way to turn!
- Thread starter bubsqueaks
- Start date
Sounds a good plan.
At least if all comes back OK you can move him on knowing you covered them.
ycbm
Einstein would be proud of my Insanity...
Good plan. A friend also has one like it. I call them 'sports Connies' and they definitely dont suit everyone. She kept hers amused as a youngster with competitive long distance because he would just keep on going and going. I'm riding him this morning, he's eleven now and he'll still be buzzier than my own four year old and ex racer are.
If he's not broken in some way, no shame in selling.
.
If he's not broken in some way, no shame in selling.
.
bubsqueaks
Well-Known Member
Yes that's exactly what he's like - amazingly strong & athletic but too much for us - he's super intelligent & very voice responsive but also highly strung - sure we must have wolves living in our part of the country again!!
Yep once I know exactly where he's at physically I will be able to gage where's best for him to go - fingers crossed Im on a mission now!! X
Milliechaz
Well-Known Member
PM'd you bubsqueaks
Ambers Echo
Still wittering on
I normally agree with posters who say not to assume because he's too much for you then he is unsuitable for others. Plenty of ponies come right with the right work and confident, effective riding. The reservation I have in your case is that you say an experienced riding instructor took him on sales livery but was broncced off after 3 months? I assume she then refused to sell him for you anymore? And that was just after he had a clear scope. Assuming she really was experienced, and assuming she worked him 5/6 days a week as most sales livery people do, then her inability to sort him out or find an appropriate home for him rings alarm bells about his safety as a ridden pony. So I don't think he sounds suitable to sell on even with disclosure. You risk people assuming they are better than they are having a punt. And charlatans selling on without disclosing the issue. I personally would have PTS or retired him at that point if I had run out of road from a diagnostic/treatment point of view. If a pro can't ride him, what chance an amateur?
Sorry you are in this situation. He is lucky to have you. x
Sorry you are in this situation. He is lucky to have you. x
bubsqueaks
Well-Known Member
I think I made a mistake in sending him to sales livery as it obviously flared up his ulcers possibly he was unsettled by the move, kept on a tighter regime, & ridden by too many uncapable riders - apparantly glandular ulcers are likened to having acid splashed in your face - he doesnt normally buck but is just forward & quirky - whilst there the first person to ride him wanted him & booked a vetting but then pulled out. I have my suspicions that the awful saddle we were ill advised fitted him was bridging his back thus causing a secondary pain. He was turned away for 15 months following the incident with the experienced instructor & I have been restarting him under a very watchful eye with a properly fitted saddle but alas something is amiss again & is why I am scoping again to see exactly what we find, then doing other tests. I really want to give him one final chance as I dont believe he is dangerous when pain free & with the right person but when in pain given his quirkiness he is unintentionally dangerous. Glandular ulcers are totally different to squamous ulcers & notoriously tricky to treat - even vets are only ever trial and error with what works.
SusieT
Well-Known Member
i wouldnt pts or retire based on one instructor who may have stabled him too much, worked him wrong, not been right etc. et.c..
foxy
Well-Known Member
I know exactly what you are going through, I have a 9yr old connie who when he is good he is very good but some days its a struggle. He always spooks in the arena at the yard, some days I can't canter a 20m circle and then we go out and he scores 27.5 at a ODE. I had a bad fall a couple of weeks ago when he stopped at a simple fence and spun round so now I am considering my options as at the end of the day it is a hobby and supposed to be fun! Every Instructor has said he is extremely talented but a bit quirky
bubsqueaks
Well-Known Member
There does appear to be an awful lot of Connies fitting into this category - sorry you are going through a similar experience but absolutely it is supposed to be fun & if like us you are not a good match then you have to make the hard but only decision for you both - there are so many lovely people & homes out there that you can be very choosy where he goes - I think the hardest part is firstly admitting to yourself things aren't right which you seem to have done.
For me the difficulty has been impacted by it being my daughter's pony & these blasted ulcers mixed with his natural quirkiness - hence the circles!!!
But.... I am determined now to set us all straight again.... whatever that may be.... time over the next few weeks will tell.
Have you considered ulcers making your pony more reactive?
I think a lot of ponies imported from Ireland suffer with the journey - if they are highly strung youngsters making that kind of journey must be terribly stressful - some are okay but depending on type some aren't - Im sure our boy would have suffered somewhat which is why I am so desperately trying to do the right thing by him & set him straight …. big sigh....
bubsqueaks
Well-Known Member
On another note Foxy - we did go out & buy another pony far more suitable for us & albeit she has had her testy moments she is super fun & an adorable more laid back type & just more suited to both us & our set up at home - food for thought!!
foxy
Well-Known Member
I had thought about ulcers although he has always been the same since I have had him. Since my fall I have had to put him on grass livery so can't scope at the moment...it is something to consider.
foxy
Well-Known Member
I actually have 3 (all connies!) I acquired the 3rd one this summer by accident and he is fab, very straight forward and does not spook which probably makes me notice my other one more...so having gone to 3 I really need to downsize and was debating this when I had my fall
bubsqueaks
Well-Known Member
Somebody will be only too pleased to have him by the sounds of him leaving you to have fun on your more suitable Connie.
CJoe
Well-Known Member
You either sell him as what he is and lose control, or PTS.....at least you know he won't end up in the wrong hands. We have one at home like him that has been passed around a bit and finally settling 6 months on.......very sharp, very reactive and definitely has a past...
AmyMay
Situation normal
If you have any hunting connections it might be worth asking them if they’d be interested in taking him for a days hunting to see how he gets on. He could possibly make a good hunt servants horse???
bubsqueaks
Well-Known Member
I wanted to share my good news as everybody on here really helped me make the decision so big thank you!
Today we had pony scoped for the 5th time following 15 months turn out following a years unsuccessful treatment of Glandular Ulcers.
He scoped clear! Over the moon - Vet said he had a very healthy stomach.
Then whilst under sedation we had his teeth done which were overdue & he had some sharp edges which hadn't indented onto the cheeks but minor ulceration.
What was odd was I commented that the last teeth check had revealed a broken canine & upon checking said canine there is a hole above in the gum where you can see the gum covered part of the tooth.
It doesn't seem infected etc & the vet wasn't overly concerned, however, Im bit suspicious!
Anyway onwards we go - I have spoken to my vet about a back xray but he states the mobile xrays are not good enough it would involve a trip to Newmarket.
I am also booked in with an appointment with the Horseback Vet hopefully in January.
At last after 3 years we might have some light at the end of a very dark tunnel!
Today we had pony scoped for the 5th time following 15 months turn out following a years unsuccessful treatment of Glandular Ulcers.
He scoped clear! Over the moon - Vet said he had a very healthy stomach.
Then whilst under sedation we had his teeth done which were overdue & he had some sharp edges which hadn't indented onto the cheeks but minor ulceration.
What was odd was I commented that the last teeth check had revealed a broken canine & upon checking said canine there is a hole above in the gum where you can see the gum covered part of the tooth.
It doesn't seem infected etc & the vet wasn't overly concerned, however, Im bit suspicious!
Anyway onwards we go - I have spoken to my vet about a back xray but he states the mobile xrays are not good enough it would involve a trip to Newmarket.
I am also booked in with an appointment with the Horseback Vet hopefully in January.
At last after 3 years we might have some light at the end of a very dark tunnel!
ycbm
Einstein would be proud of my Insanity...
Pinkvboots
Well-Known Member
That sounds positive and I think teeth and mouth problems can cause much discomfort and some vets can underestimate the impact they can have on some horses, my friends horse started some strange behaviour when ridden in canter he started just stopping dead, then refusing to go forwards, she had a full work up done and the only thing they found was diastamas in his mouth, he had the procedure done to make the gaps wider and he went straight back to normal. I hope you get some more answers.
Frumpoon
Well-Known Member
But they won't show up anything on the facet joints
bubsqueaks
Well-Known Member
Velcrobum
Well-Known Member
With regards to x-rays it will very much depend on the power of a vets portable x-ray unit and the quality of the digital imaging receiver. These are all very variable depending on make model and power of the unit. Static units as found at Vet schools and AHT are considerably more powerful but the size of a horse still limits what can be imaged by these units. I am a Radiographer so feel qualified to comment.
bubsqueaks
Well-Known Member
Yes thank you that makes sense & probably what he means - I need a bit of time to see where we go from here - its tricky as I dont have a rider for him but am hoping to bottom out that tooth, have the horseback vet, then go from there.
onemoretime
Well-Known Member
Speak to Rob Pascoe re your horses teeth. He is a vet who specialises in dentistry. He is in Kent but does travel, he has a Face Book page. Well worth getting him to look at your boys teeth.
be positive
Well-Known Member
That area of gum would concern me, while I was at my vets today they dealt with a phone call about similar, a mark on the gum that the dentist was unsure about, the horse was booked in for xrays as the vet thought it a sign of something going on that may just be an abscess but may be more sinister, what they thought it might be escapes my memory but it did set off some alarm bells with the vets in the room.
Any tooth/ gum pain can be extremely painful and that looks as if it has at least been an abscess but it should have healed without leaving a hole if there was not more going on keeping it open.
Any tooth/ gum pain can be extremely painful and that looks as if it has at least been an abscess but it should have healed without leaving a hole if there was not more going on keeping it open.
Slightlyconfused
Go away, I'm reading
Boulty
Well-Known Member
Fingers crossed you can find a way forwards now that you know he is ulcer free. Can recommend Tom Beech as he assisted me in getting to the bottom of things with my horse where several others had failed / just not quite known how to proceed. (Turns out mine had too many problems for me to be happy to keep going with in the end)
As for your X-ray question I had imaging done of this horse's head, neck & back by a normal vet with a bog standard (not bad but obviously not as powerful as a big referral centre can afford!) x-ray machine in the stocks at their premises & then CT scan & a repeat of most of the same x-ray views at Leahurst. (who also did some ultrasound scanning of some of the joint spaces which IS a specialist thing to do) Taking the CT scan out of the equation (as clearly that blows a normal x-ray out of the water) the difference in the quality of the images & what could be interpreted from them was staggering. The best way to describe it I guess is that the first opinion vets machine was likely being pushed to its absolute limit via messing about with exposure times etc to penetrate the soft tissue wheres the model the vet hospital had will have been more comfortably within the parameters it's designed to operate in.
As for your X-ray question I had imaging done of this horse's head, neck & back by a normal vet with a bog standard (not bad but obviously not as powerful as a big referral centre can afford!) x-ray machine in the stocks at their premises & then CT scan & a repeat of most of the same x-ray views at Leahurst. (who also did some ultrasound scanning of some of the joint spaces which IS a specialist thing to do) Taking the CT scan out of the equation (as clearly that blows a normal x-ray out of the water) the difference in the quality of the images & what could be interpreted from them was staggering. The best way to describe it I guess is that the first opinion vets machine was likely being pushed to its absolute limit via messing about with exposure times etc to penetrate the soft tissue wheres the model the vet hospital had will have been more comfortably within the parameters it's designed to operate in.
bubsqueaks
Well-Known Member
This morning I have sent the photos to the Vet & he is going to liaise with a specialist dentist vet as he hasn't seen anything similar before.
Yes Tom Beech looks fab but you have to travel to him whereas the Horseback Vet comes to you so I opted for him & then depending on what he finds I will decide on the X Ray route.
Thankyou.
Yes Tom Beech looks fab but you have to travel to him whereas the Horseback Vet comes to you so I opted for him & then depending on what he finds I will decide on the X Ray route.
Thankyou.
ester
Not slacking multitasking
That must be new? Tom has always travelled as much as Rob previously.
bubsqueaks
Well-Known Member
He does travel to group clinics at yards but we are based at home so I kind of assumed he only did clinics not individual visits & opted for Rob.
Michen
Well-Known Member
I haven't read the whole thread so may be missing something- apologies if so but Dynamo's post rings so true in my situation.
I have a connie who came over from Ireland in horrible condition. An infected foot, no weight, no muscle, long hooves, basically feral. But a sporty type out of Westside Mirah with a lot of "blood"
He was good as gold initially (weak) and then as he got stronger he turned into the devil. Absolutely everything I asked of him was an issue whether it was under saddle or on the ground. He was worked up and found to be lame in both front feet (bruising). Rested for a good chunk then deemed sound, bought back into work and even more of an arse. At this point he was rearing vertically on long reins, napping like you wouldn't believe and just generally difficult in every way. He's always been a very buzzy horse, though not what I'd call stressy- just hot and enthusiastic and forward (except if he didn't want to do something). He was so so so sharp, could teleport in an instance and had me off multiple times. He'd also explode and deck you.
I genuinely believe he could have been catastrophic if I hadn't made some good decisions at that point. We were both heading down a destructive road. I got a young, gutsy professional involved and he was worked- bloody hard. Schooled, hacked (with the use of draw reins and a schooling whip to break the napping scycle), and within 6 months started competing- eventing. It revolutionised him. He was still immensely sharp (and professional suffered from a bruised arse because of this also!) but he was "on board" with us.
He is now an absolute dream. So consistent, genuine and just a joy. But it could so easily have gone the other way.... I really think he could have ended up as a "problem pony". He thrives off a busy life, eventing, hunting, general fun. He is the "perfect" gutsy teenager horse, has evented up to BE100 with a double clear on first attempt. Would take a granny around an 80 blindfolded. Will hunt week in week out with drag or trail, will jump anything you point him at. The horse everyone said would be too sharp for me fills me with so much confidence and I trust him inexplicitely. I hunted him 5 weeks post surgery for a broken ankle, stupid, but I had utter faith he was the safest horse I could be on.
But... it all boiled down to chanelling his mind. Getting him on our side and giving him a job to do. Changed his life (and mine!).
I have a connie who came over from Ireland in horrible condition. An infected foot, no weight, no muscle, long hooves, basically feral. But a sporty type out of Westside Mirah with a lot of "blood"
He was good as gold initially (weak) and then as he got stronger he turned into the devil. Absolutely everything I asked of him was an issue whether it was under saddle or on the ground. He was worked up and found to be lame in both front feet (bruising). Rested for a good chunk then deemed sound, bought back into work and even more of an arse. At this point he was rearing vertically on long reins, napping like you wouldn't believe and just generally difficult in every way. He's always been a very buzzy horse, though not what I'd call stressy- just hot and enthusiastic and forward (except if he didn't want to do something). He was so so so sharp, could teleport in an instance and had me off multiple times. He'd also explode and deck you.
I genuinely believe he could have been catastrophic if I hadn't made some good decisions at that point. We were both heading down a destructive road. I got a young, gutsy professional involved and he was worked- bloody hard. Schooled, hacked (with the use of draw reins and a schooling whip to break the napping scycle), and within 6 months started competing- eventing. It revolutionised him. He was still immensely sharp (and professional suffered from a bruised arse because of this also!) but he was "on board" with us.
He is now an absolute dream. So consistent, genuine and just a joy. But it could so easily have gone the other way.... I really think he could have ended up as a "problem pony". He thrives off a busy life, eventing, hunting, general fun. He is the "perfect" gutsy teenager horse, has evented up to BE100 with a double clear on first attempt. Would take a granny around an 80 blindfolded. Will hunt week in week out with drag or trail, will jump anything you point him at. The horse everyone said would be too sharp for me fills me with so much confidence and I trust him inexplicitely. I hunted him 5 weeks post surgery for a broken ankle, stupid, but I had utter faith he was the safest horse I could be on.
But... it all boiled down to chanelling his mind. Getting him on our side and giving him a job to do. Changed his life (and mine!).