Finding an Experienced Home ..... fesiable or not

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Pachner82

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Last Year my 6 YO TB was diagnosed with Kissing Spine. We have go through a course of Steriod injections with 4 week residential rehab.
He is doing really well and the Vet and Physio are really pleased with how he is doing and the ground work I am doing.
He is moving more freely and his top line is starting to develop and he is just generally more happy.

The problem that I have and the vet and physio are concerned about is my lack of experience as a rider. I have not got the experience to work him the way that is needed and I don't have the funds to pay for someone to do it for me.
I have been having weekly lessons but the physio does not want me to school him outside of the lesson times as they are concerned that I may do more damage to his back, but he needs to be worked daily and ground work is not enough.

They have suggested that I try and find him a perm loan home with someone that has the time and experience to bring him along.
My questions is, is someone likely to want to do that??? If so where do I start trying to find that someone. If not are there any other options available. PTS is not an option as the Vet does not thing he is in pain any longer and as I said he is doing so well and I want to give him the best Chance.

The other option would be to retire him, but he is so young and I couldn't afford to keep him in livery. How do TB fair been out 24/7.

Please no nasty comments, I just want to find the best option for my much loved boy.
 
Well done for putting your horse 1st. You may find someone if it's a long term loan as some people like to fix problems as it can be rewarding to see the horse improve and do well. There are a lot of horse groups on Facebook which may be worth trying with a nice picture and write up. Perhaps one which covers your local area?
 
What a tricky situation for you. Well done for the progress you've made so far.
Are you near a uni? You may be able to find an experienced rider who is a student and could share with you. Them riding a couple of times, plus groundwork and your lesson could work? Your vet/physio could advise if they are suitable.
Good luck and hope you find a solution.
 
Try Horses4Homes. You can specify the rider he needs and vet any applicants (no pun intended). There are people who will take horses like this for short periods as projects to work on - a lass at our yard does.

Is there anything you can do to increase your experience as well? Recognizing that all this costs money of course!
 
Surely you can learn how to work him correctly. I'm amazed a physio and a vet feel they need to make these comments to be honest.

A horse like this is not exactly going to be sought after and it sounds like you are a very dedicated owner so I don't see why you can't learn what exercises to do with him. Could you afford to do an intensive course of lessons, say one a day for a week, working specifically on what needs done with him, then take it from there?
 
agree with FW too. I can understand the concern but if someone told me to give my horse over to someone else because I'm not good enough, i'd tell them to jog on.
A good instructor will be able to guide you and improve you both, I'm assuming he wont be in masses of work? A few little exercises to work on during the week between lessons would be beneficial both ways.
 
That's a sad situation and sorry you're in a dilemma. As we internet responders don't have the background it's hard to know whether you can manage this on your own or whether you do need to find another rider etc. I have some experience from being in a similar situation and I was worried I wouldn't have the skill or knowledge but I had a very good yard who helped with the rehab, and regular lessons with a good instructor and that did work well. So it can be done. But it's not easy for various reasons inc cost.

As for the future, I'm not sure as things have changed. I'd be interested to hear how you get on as it's something I'm struggling with at the moment.

In terms of other riders, yes I think potentially there could be loan or share homes but they will be harder to find and there is a risk the horse won't get the care it needs to improve and you do lose an element of control. I'd advertise e.g. local FB sites and be clear what you want, you never know someone might be able to help.
 
Glad he is making a good recovery :)

I am actually shocked that your Vet and Physio have said this to you tbh, I would maybe up your lessons to twice a week for a month and let your instructor show you how he needs to be worked.

With regards to a loan home, I honestly feel you would be better doing the rehab yourself or sending him to a professional for a bit. You have invested a lot of time and money into him, I would be wanting to be in control of the rehab :)
 
I too am shocked by your vet and physio. Is there any possibility that they are trying to tell you that you are too big for a horse with a weak back, without actually coming out and saying it? If not, then it really isn't difficult to learn to ride a horse long and low, which is what he needs at the moment. Your instructor should be able to show you it in one lesson unless he is a completely upside down horse, as some ex racers are. Can you show us some pictures of you and him so we can give you some more help?

Your vet is obviously convinced the kissing spines is caused by how he is ridden. Have you considered a second opinion as to whether it would be better just to have a ligament snip operation done on him? Some horses do just have kissing spines, nothing to do with how they are ridden, they can have them before anyone has ever sat on them.
 
OP is there anyone at your yard that you trust enough to be your eyes on the ground? Someone who will just watch when you are riding him (not a lesson) to make sure that he's moving and working in the way that he does when you are having a lesson.

With help you should be more than capable of working through this yourself - your eyes on the ground doesn't even have to be a fabulous rider, just someone that knows when a horse is moving properly and relaxed and not forced.

My hubby can ride a little bit but is not a 'rider' yet he is fabulous as my eyes on the ground.

Alternatively get someone to video one of your lessons then you know how it should look then again, draft some help and ask others to video you so that you can compare.

If you get the right support in place not only will you not ruin your horse but you will learn an awful lot while doing it.

Whereabouts are you based OP - one of the many wonderful HHO'ers may know of someone in your area who could help?
 
ycbm said:
I too am shocked by your vet and physio. Is there any possibility that they are trying to tell you that you are too big for a horse with a weak back, without actually coming out and saying it? If not, then it really isn't difficult to learn to ride a horse long and low, which is what he needs at the moment. Your instructor should be able to show you it in one lesson unless he is a completely upside down horse, as some ex racers are. Can you show us some pictures of you and him so we can give you some more help?

Your vet is obviously convinced the kissing spines is caused by how he is ridden. Have you considered a second opinion as to whether it would be better just to have a ligament snip operation done on him? Some horses do just have kissing spines, nothing to do with how they are ridden, they can have them before anyone has ever sat on them.
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Agree with this, and I did wonder whether they might be beating about the bush somehow.
 
Have a look at the Straightness Training group on Facebook. I dont know a huge amount about it, but seem to be lots of people using the techniques to rehab horses. Maybe if you advertised on there, and offered to cover his costs for 6-12 months, for someone to use him as project, you might get some interest from a skilled person. Seems worth a try.

I think it IS hard to ride an untrained TB with a back weakness well enough to help develop back unless you have a level of skill.

I probably have it now (and I compete at affiliated medium dressage) but didnt have it when I had my first of the track TB and despite lots of lesson I was hollow backed, tipping forwards, crooked and unstable, for several years. Not every one even whith good help has an aptitude for schooling horses unschooled rehab horses. Rehab is HARD.

Some riders take a long time to learn good schooling basics, even with a straightforward horse, and good support.
 
Pachner82 said:
The problem that I have and the vet and physio are concerned about is my lack of experience as a rider. I have not got the experience to work him the way that is needed and I don't have the funds to pay for someone to do it for me.
I have been having weekly lessons but the physio does not want me to school him outside of the lesson times as they are concerned that I may do more damage to his back, but he needs to be worked daily and ground work is not enough.

They have suggested that I try and find him a perm loan home with someone that has the time and experience to bring him along.

.
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What the????

How patronising of the vet and physio. He is your horse. How dare they say such a thing. Not only is it extremely patronising and disrespectful, it is also very unprofessional.
 
I get that it is an odd thing to say, and understandably anyone hearing this would be pretty upset. But we don't know the background and we don't know why or what exactly they are saying. Maybe it is a veiled reference to the rider being overweight for the horse in question; maybe they've seen something we haven't; maybe they have the horse's best interests at heart; maybe they are agreeing with something the OP has said. Or maybe they are talking out of their a$$. That's the difficulty with responding on the 'net.

I certainly agree that OP should test what's been said and maybe even get a second opinion but I'm also open the idea that sometimes, even with the best will in the world, an owner/rider might not be right for what the horse needs at a particular time.
 
applecart14 said:
What the????

How patronising of the vet and physio. He is your horse. How dare they say such a thing. Not only is it extremely patronising and disrespectful, it is also very unprofessional.
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No its not. I wish more physios and vets were honest. Not everyone can do ridden rehab work in every situation, and pretending otherwise does no one any favours.
 
Bernster said:
Agree with this, and I did wonder whether they might be beating about the bush somehow.
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Disappointing if two professionals can't come out and say that in a tactful way.

All that needs said in that scenario is the horse is only capable of carrying a very light rider.

For the sake of the horse you would hope they would give the real reason.
 
applecart14 said:
What the????

How patronising of the vet and physio. He is your horse. How dare they say such a thing. Not only is it extremely patronising and disrespectful, it is also very unprofessional.
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Not at all, just honesty. There might be other things none of us here know.

A woman I know was told similar, she took this acceptingly from vet, BUT what vet should have said was:
you weigh over 18 stone, and are far too heavy to get this horse going correctly after the surgery he has had.
Vet didn't want to be fattist, so came out with lack of experience instead.
 
However inexperienced you are, and surely you cant be that much of a novice to be owning a 6yr TB, I think you will be able to help your horse yourself. I cannot believe why the vet and physio said you wouldnt. Lunging in a chambon would help get him working over his back, and when hes strengthened up polework with the chambon then polework ridden, using your legs, light forward seat, hands wide apart,light contact.... get an experienced instructor to show you how.
I am sure you will do very well, probably better than some 'experienced' riders, as you care for your horse, know him, and can feel how hes going underneath you..
Good Luck :)
 
It seems very odd to me. If the OP is not too heavy/inexperienced to ride the horse in a lesson, how can she be unable to ride the horse the rest of the time?
I wonder if the vet and physio have actually seen OP ride the horse and under which circumstances. OP, I would tell vet and physio that you intend to ask your RI about the way forward and do just that. The Ri, is after all, the person who is best qualified to comment on your riding ability. Maybe the RI needs to be in on the discussions with the vet and physio about the work that the horse needs now.
 
stormox said:
surely you cant be that much of a novice to be owning a 6yr TB, I think you will be able to help your horse yourself.

I am sure you will do very well, probably better than some 'experienced' riders, as you care for your horse, know him, and can feel how hes going underneath you..
Good Luck :)
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Absolutely anyone can own a TB, there is nothing to stop completely inexperienced people from buying.......well, any horse. That is part of the problem. So what makes you think the OP has the ability to perform the really rather specific regimen required to rehabilitate this sort of case?
 
Realistically who else is going to do it. Let's face it, perfectly healthy lovely horses aren't finding loaners at the moment.

We don't know the OPs experience or what led the vet / physio to make those comments.

Maybe the OP said to them she didn't feel experienced enough and they just agreed!
 
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If anyone owns their own horse, Cortez, they must have a bit of experience, and complete novices USUALLY dont usually buy TBs, they buy 'been there done a bit horses' .... and if her alternative is to have the horse PTS surely she might as well try to build the horses muscles up best she can herself? Maybe she wont be as good as a professional schooling rider, but if she cant find one to help, what else can she do? Worth a try, surely?
 
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unless the horse is going to rear or be too dangerous to ride, i'd imagine even a complete novice could work it under supervision at walk, doing stretching and polework, and doing the same at home, alternating with being taught lunging and long-lining. It's an odd thing for the vet and physio to say, I wondered too was there another meaning meant behind it?
 
stormox said:
.... and if her alternative is to have the horse PTS surely she might as well try to build the horses muscles up best she can herself? Maybe she wont be as good as a professional schooling rider, but if she cant find one to help, what else can she do? Worth a try, surely?
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agree with this. I have one with similar issues and i bought physio books, watched youtube videos and got instruction from my physio for an exercise programme to help him. Combined with lessons where i was given simple bending, streching and pole exercies to do, and we even did agility and showing for fun. I found it all really interesting and educational, and learnt stuff i'd never known about. I'd imagine most people would do similar things if they have the impetus to. There's still loads to be learnt even if a horse can't be ridden, and the owner doesn't need to be a pro rider to do it once the urge is there to learn.
 
stormox said:
If anyone owns their own horse, Cortez, they must have a bit of experience, and complete novices USUALLY dont usually buy TBs, they buy 'been there done a bit horses' ....
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Sadly not. Certainly in our area we are seeing lots of complete novices buying OTTB because they are cheap or free straight out of training - some of the ones I've seen don't even know how to put a headcollar or tack on let alone anything about horse care.

On a local livery yard there are currently 4 OTTB's that have been aquired by a family who don't work, have never had horses, know nothing about them but though that going to the stables every day would be good excercise and would get them out of the house - I was asked by the YO in this instance to help them to run some stable management courses. They were lucky that they ended up on a yard with a very capable YO - had they landed somewhere else it could have been a whole different story.


OP this is not aimed at you!
 
Madlady, I know you may be correct, but unless OP says how long shes had him we wont know how much experience she/he has. I am assuming she must have some, as she says she has been having weekly lessons on him. Surely her instructor could help her, she has been told she can ride him in lessons- maybe 2 lessons a week, homework from the instructor and advice from physio coupled with correct lunging, polework, hacking out at walk etc would help him?
I cant see anyone wanting him on loan while he's poorly and giving him back when he's healthy again is an option anyone would want to take up unless paid.
So its do-it-yourself, PTS or retire........ I know which I'd try.
Good Luck OP -I love TBs
 
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