Head scratching - mine not pony??!!

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Kirstd33

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So after a short period of subtle lameness and poor performance coblet had his hind annular ligaments operated on early May and we’ve followed the vets box rest and rehab plan pretty much to the letter starting with rest, then twice daily graduated in hand walking, then ridden walk, trot and finally a few weeks ago got the go ahead to introduce some short straight line canter work. At every 3-4 weeks the vet has been out and examined coblet and given us the green light to progress. Great or so I thought but whenever Ive asked for more than gentle walk or the slowest of trots coblet has quite literally exploded. We tried in our small grass school but vet felt it was too small so we’ve gone into open fields and still we get rodeo style displays. He plunges, drops his head broncs and although he hasn’t got me off ye, this evening he’s hurt my back. I’m 46 and have had spinal surgery and can’t really afford to get hurt and it’s now eroding my confidence with every attempt. I told the vet about this and even showed him a video but he felt it wasn’t pain related and told me to crack on! He put him back on a sachet of danilon a day for the past fortnight in case there was any residual discomfort just whilst we increase his work load again. I have videos in case anyone cares to look at them. I’m getting lots of differing opinions from fellow liveries and riding friends but literally at wits end now. I love coblet but he’s been far from straightforward in the 15 months I’ve owned him and wonder if he’s be better off retired as a companion pony? He is 16 btw.
 
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Kirstd33

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No I’m also hacking him 2-3 times per week for up to 70 mins. Only in walk and we’re allowed to do up to 5 mins of trot (not all at once!)
 
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Kirstd33

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He’s turned out, only comes in for a few hours in the day when I ride him. On scrubby grass and fed 1 feed a day of. A & P soothe and gain in order to pop his bute and supplements in.
 
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Kirstd33

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Yes tbh he did used to Buck going into canter or when he didn’t fancy doing something but we worked through it and it didn’t happen very often but now post surgery it’s all too frequently again.
 
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Highmileagecob

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Do you think he is excited to be changing gear, or is this an ears back, tense, no I don't wat to do that? Is he turned out with others? Does he charge around in the field when turned out?
My friend's Dales cross had surgery a year ago, and like you, the rehab. was followed to the letter. The mare charges around with the herd, beautiful action, but under saddle goes lame if asked to do more than walk. Friend is wondering whether there is still pain somewhere.
 
CobsaGooden

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Is his saddle ok? If he’s been off work and not had it fitted recently it could be causing him some pain. Are his teeth up to date?

Could it be exuberance or do you feel it’s pain?
 
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dorsetladette

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My first thought was saddle, but you have said you have had a fitter adjust it - has he put on weight/lost weight since the fitter visited?

Whats the 5 mins of trot like while your hacking?

It's going to be hard to correct the unwanted behaviour while your limited to the exercise he can do (if the pain side of things are definitely ruled out).
 
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Kirstd33

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dorsetladette said:
My first thought was saddle, but you have said you have had a fitter adjust it - has he put on weight/lost weight since the fitter visited?

Whats the 5 mins of trot like while your hacking?

It's going to be hard to correct the unwanted behaviour while your limited to the exercise he can do (if the pain side of things are definitely ruled out)
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He did lose weight and muscle/topline post-op so his saddle has actually been re-fitted twice since we commenced ridden work, mostly recently 3 weeks ago so I don't think its that now. We ride bitless as he has always popped his tongue over so I dont think its mouth - teeth related either. His 5 mins of trot is on the roads where he is completely bomb proof and rather lazy is fine, split up over 3-4 seperate trots if that makes sense.
This is only really happening when either I ask for more in the grass school so the vet told me to concentrate on straight line canters in our fields. But I cant continue if he's going to throw shapes and bronc around the place, as I said I'm 46 and fairly brave and have a half decent seat but cant afford to come off really as i have metal work in my spine!!!!
3 weeks ago the vet came out as part of his rehab and did a really thorough check eg exam, trot up, lunge on hard and soft ground and saw a video of him ridden, didn't think his behaviour was pain related and declared him fit to progress and to "crack-on"

I love this pony but at a loss with where to go now, options I'm considering 1) get a better rider to ride him for another opinion 2) Turn him away for the winter on grass livery at the yard 3) carry on as we are but I'm not enjoying it

I have regular lessons at a local riding school so I can improve my own riding and also hack out in WTC regularly on a friends 2 horses so can continue to ride
 
CobsaGooden

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Sounds tricky. Do you have to canter him? Could you continue with the walk trot hacks for the time being? I think that’s what I would do. Take the pressure off and keep him ticking over, over winter then reassess come spring?
 
Tiddlypom

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I’m afraid that I’d cut my losses re riding him again and accept that being ridden is not for him. I’d lay good money on him still hurting somewhere, and at 16 and after an extensive rehab he’s made it clear that he doesn’t want to carry a rider.

Unfortunately some vets and many trainers will still advise clients to crack on and ride through what they perceive as behavioural issues. You can’t afford to be injured, so why put you and horse through it.

I’m sorry as you’ve put so much into getting him right, but if he’s happy as a pasture ornament and you have that option that’s the route I’d take. But PTS would not be wrong if you haven’t got somewhere suitable to keep him.
 
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dorsetladette

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Kirstd33 said:
He did lose weight and muscle/topline post-op so his saddle has actually been re-fitted twice since we commenced ridden work, mostly recently 3 weeks ago so I don't think its that now. We ride bitless as he has always popped his tongue over so I dont think its mouth - teeth related either. His 5 mins of trot is on the roads where he is completely bomb proof and rather lazy is fine, split up over 3-4 seperate trots if that makes sense.
This is only really happening when either I ask for more in the grass school so the vet told me to concentrate on straight line canters in our fields. But I cant continue if he's going to throw shapes and bronc around the place, as I said I'm 46 and fairly brave and have a half decent seat but cant afford to come off really as i have metal work in my spine!!!!
3 weeks ago the vet came out as part of his rehab and did a really thorough check eg exam, trot up, lunge on hard and soft ground and saw a video of him ridden, didn't think his behaviour was pain related and declared him fit to progress and to "crack-on"

I love this pony but at a loss with where to go now, options I'm considering 1) get a better rider to ride him for another opinion 2) Turn him away for the winter on grass livery at the yard 3) carry on as we are but I'm not enjoying it

I have regular lessons at a local riding school so I can improve my own riding and also hack out in WTC regularly on a friends 2 horses so can continue to ride
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I don't think 3 is really an option - it's an expensive hobby which is supposed to be fun.

Can you do a combination of 1 & 2? Have a pro take him in the field and do the straight line canter work for a couple of weeks. Someone who is happy to sit the bucks and push him forward afterwards (I'm not suggesting beating) so he doesn't benefit from bucking (shouldn't take long to get it out of his system (or it will escalate if it is missed pain)) then you have a go in the field and before it gets to wet and slippy to be save turn him away for winter maybe with the odd hack if the mood takes you? hopefully by spring you'll be itching to get back on and enjoy your pony again.
 
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Highmileagecob

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Take things back to a relaxed hack. Go back a few steps, and progress more slowly, then see where you are next spring. He is making it clear that faster work is not on his radar, and unless you think he is being naughty and trying to escape up the field, there is nothing to be gained from pushing him. Keep him ticking over this winter and reassess in six months.
 
SEL

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I'd definitely be testing for pssm type 1 (its cheap!). Bucking in canter is a symptom many of them share due to tightness in the psoas.

Alternatively I'd just stick at the pace where he doesn't buck and see if everything improves or something shows up.
 
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