Happy Post: Just An Update

A

Arizahn

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 May 2011
Messages
4,297
Visit site
:DThe lump in Hippo's neck turned out to be from a minor infection (tiny thorn stuck in there, now removed:o) and has cleared up entirely, thank goodness!

And...the cream is working! The one on her side has sealed up and is shrinking steadily:)Really pleased.

Gets better: farrier was out. He and OH came up with an idea for a numnah/saddle cloth with bit cut out to protect the lump on her side from being rubbed. So all being well, I will be trying the saddle on her again sooner than expected. Taking it one day at a time though.

Decided to try her barefoot since she's now on grass livery. Got the shoes off on Tuesday and may I say she is loving it! No footiness, etc, at all. Farrier is very pleased with her hoof condition, and her behaviour.

She's been far more settled over all since moving yards, and now she's out 24/7 there's no sign of any stiffness in her hind end. Keeping her rugged when needed.

Lunged her today. OH lunged her on both reins to warm up first, then I had my first ever lunge lesson:D Am so proud: didn't trip over my own feet, lol! Walk, then trot, then back to walk and finally halt/stand still on command. Perfect! Yay us!

So just to try it, we walked her in hand over a pole on the ground. Not a moment of hesitation, she just looked at it and kept walking. NB - she has NEVER done any form of pole work/jumping, ever before! So big step there:D

Am so proud of her. Have decided that her stable name is definitely Grusha.
 
OH and I actually ended up stood there crying and hugging each other whilst she ate her supplements! Emotional roller coaster!
 
The bizarre thing is, I'm terrified of jumping in general, but somehow I love the idea of jumping with her! No idea why; she certainly isn't a confidence giver - if you mess up riding her she takes the proverbial! I'm mad aren't I?
 
Do it! go on you know you want to! :D and the timing couldnt be better, she cant have her saddle on but you need to keep her brain occupied :cool: :D.
 
Here's hoping she enjoys learning! I've never taught a horse to jump before...think I will enlist some help to be safe! Advice welcome!
 
YAY!! :D she will love it and so will you!

If it were me I would just start with a row of trotting poles and when shes completly happy put a small cross pole at the end, let her work it all out and take it from there.
 
agree with dh - start with trot poles, then stick something up that she won't have to jump, small enough to trot over but big enough to pop over when she gets the hang of it :) free jumping is great too, imho, to get them thinking for themselves about what to do with their feet :D
 
I am so, so happy for you. I totally get how you love your horse - I'm like that with my lot.

I wondered when you first posted about whether you could use some type of gel pad developed for bed sores. Or a doughnut cushion somehow incorporated into the numnah. :)
 
Do you suppose if we get the all clear for riding I can jump using a dressage saddle or will we need a second one for that? Can you tell I am a noob regarding specialist saddles? Seem to recall only having one for everything with childhood pony...
 
I think you would be ok up to a certain height in a dressage saddle I'd say arround 2'9/3' ish, certantly no need to buy one untill you know you both enjoy it. Depends a bit on your dressage saddle though how short can you get your stirrups?
 
So happy for you and Hippo! Yay!! You can certainly pop little jumps in a dressage saddle. No need for a GP or jumping saddle until you get to the serious big jumpies :D
Re the saddlecloth - when I had Blaze freezemarked under her saddle (years ago - would have on shoulder now) it took AGES to heal and the scab was peeling off looking sore underneath weeks after the mark was done. So I cut a letterbox shape out of a padded saddlecloth - voila! - worked a treat! So I hope something similar works for Hippo.
 
I quite often jump in my dressage saddle if I'm hacking in it :D Depends on the fit really and if you can get your stirrups up enough to be secure and comfortable, but it will defo be fine for starting out with over little things. If you get into it you can always pick one up at a later date!
 
:eek:You guys think three feet is a little jump? God help us...:D That's more than half my height off the ground! Be a while until we are ready for that, lol!

Off to get a nice thick pad to cut holes into...:o
 
Thanks great news. You and your arab can learn at the same time as me and mine. You both sound much braver than either of us.

Does your OH ride? Is she your shared horse?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top