Holy cow! Shocking riding experience!!!

PapaFrita · 22 August 2006

Not PF or the Ginger Beastie; they were both very good

I rode BOF's grandson's horse for him. Hadn't been ridden for several days and was rather fresh (he doesn't lunge! I sort of thought ALL horses lunged!! - well, it's very handy, isn't it?)
EVERYTHING was wrong with him! And it wasn't just that he was naughty, because he bucked rather alot but not with the power or style characteristic of the Ginger Beastie... He was crooked, he wouldn't move forward and had an awful stubby trot and canter, he fell in, fell out and I've never known a horse to lay its ears so flat against its neck!! Not only that; in canter although his neck was going with the rest of his body, his head was poking very oddly outwards... or inwards because he did it both ways. Would NOT strike off on right lead canter, but would do a flying change from left...
T'was a very, very disconcerting experience.
I rode him about a year ago (he WAS worked more regularly then) and he was totally different. BOF rode him after me, and he didn't look so awful from the ground AND he jumped quite nicely (ears never shifted from his neck though... but he's always gone with his ears like that since I've known him)
I expressed my opinion that horse was very, very unhappy, and BOF said "That's just how he is" but does this not sound like a horse in pain/discomfort? I seem to suggest that rather alot!!

piebaldsparkle · 22 August 2006

OWWWWWWW definately sounds like a back pain to me.

Poor boy, horse seem to carry on when they are in the most amazing amount of pain.

Super_Kat · 22 August 2006

I think you may be right! That horse sounds like one unhappy chappy!

Kat
xx

Prudence · 22 August 2006

[ QUOTE ]
but does this not sound like a horse in pain/discomfort? I seem to suggest that rather alot!!

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm affraid that I am rather inclined to agree with you. Poor, poor animal. It could be anything: saddle, back, teeth, bit, shoes/trimming...........

ruscara · 22 August 2006

Do these people not have an ounce of sense or feeling? Are you the only person in the whole of Argentina who actually takes some interest in the horse's welfare, or tries to find a reason for 'difficult' behaviour? I am speechless.

Well, no. I am sad.

PapaFrita · 22 August 2006

So not just me!! I've been blabbing on and on about back pain and no one listens. I've tried different saddles on him to see if it makes a difference, but it doesn't so I suspect if it IS back pain (and it does seem that way, doesn't it) I expect it's been around for rather a long time! Poor hossie

PapaFrita · 22 August 2006

Oh, he's unhappy alright!!

PapaFrita · 22 August 2006

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
but does this not sound like a horse in pain/discomfort? I seem to suggest that rather alot!!

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm affraid that I am rather inclined to agree with you. Poor, poor animal. It could be anything: saddle, back, teeth, bit, shoes/trimming...........

[/ QUOTE ]

Or in fact several of those things!!

Prudence · 22 August 2006

I suppose over there, there are no specialists for anything that might treat those things, other than farriers.......... Maybe that's an opening in the market you could explore.....

piebaldsparkle · 22 August 2006

Poor guy, I don't suppose the owners will be bothering to investigate will they?

Alibear · 22 August 2006

Back pain is probably secondary to some other cause eg lameness sounds very much like my chap with his poorly front legs.

PapaFrita · 22 August 2006

[ QUOTE ]
Do these people not have an ounce of sense or feeling? Are you the only person in the whole of Argentina who actually takes some interest in the horse's welfare, or tries to find a reason for 'difficult' behaviour?

[/ QUOTE ]
It certainly seems that way, doesn't it?

I don't think it even occurs to them that the saddle might not fit (this hossies one is pretty shocking, and I deliberately rode him in mine today which actually fit him quite well.
Everyone assumes that one saddle fits all, and put a thick numnah under every saddle...

[ QUOTE ]
I am speechless.

Well, no. I am sad.

[/ QUOTE ]
Yep, I know how you feel!! I'm frustrated too!

PapaFrita · 22 August 2006

[ QUOTE ]
I suppose over there, there are no specialists for anything that might treat those things, other than farriers..........

[/ QUOTE ]
I think polo players and some top SJers are a bit more clued up and actually bring people over to check their horses, but 99% of the horse-riding population are NOT!!

[ QUOTE ]
Maybe that's an opening in the market you could explore.....

[/ QUOTE ]
That's a very good idea. If I get the chance to go to the UK for long enough I will look into courses.

PapaFrita · 22 August 2006

[ QUOTE ]
Poor guy, I don't suppose the owners will be bothering to investigate will they?

[/ QUOTE ]
Nope!!

I'll try and persuade them to get the vet out, but I don't have very high hopes

PapaFrita · 22 August 2006

Ah, well, funny you should say that Ali, but this chap's knees have a tendency to puff up. In fact, his joints generally are not great; they look rather round and appley if you see what I mean. Not 'clean'.

Vindaloo · 22 August 2006

Hi PF, have you managed to get a look at him without his saddle on? Perhaps if you did some rudimentary back pain assessments ie. running your hands down either side of his spine, getting him to back up, turn tight circles... usual stuff MAYBE you could show his owners he is in pain??
Then again some people just don't want to see do they? Poor thing, does sound as though he's suffering a bit doesn't it.
Amazing how much these generous animals will put up with before they really throw the towel in.
Nat.x

PapaFrita · 22 August 2006

Another excellent idea. Will definitely try that... although I'm positive owners will be in some serious denial (BOF's son is an unspeakable eejit!!

)

seabiscuit · 23 August 2006

You could try an give him a bit of 'physio'- like literally run your fingers all over him, and the bits that he is sore, just massage forever until the spasm goes.Run your hands along the vertebrate with one hand in a 'fist' on top of each vertebrate, and with the other hand, give a short sharp smack. Also you could pick up each leg, pull it gently backwards and forwards, wiggling them, and wiggling the feet.

May not help him but could help a little bit!
As for the puffy joints- I found that with the soaked oats their cicrculation seemed to improove! Owen used to get puffy joints in the stable with his old feed.

PapaFrita · 23 August 2006

I'll give that a go, thanks Seabiscuit. Will see if i can get them to soak their oats too

eohippus · 23 August 2006

Wow poor thing and poor you it must be so frustrating for you and saddening. I woiuld absolutely refuse to ride this horse again until they are honest enough to admit that their horses behaviour is not normal for a healthy happy horse. As suggested above, touch the horse in areas to see him flinch ect, show them the saddle does not fit and get them to feel how it hurts by pressing hard inbetween and on their shoulder blades and asking them to move their arms, back and necks (I have found this technique works wonders to people who refuse to listen to reason or does not understand the problem).
I absolutley empathise with you on this one, some people just think horses are robots. That horse must be a real gem, one only wishes he would buck them off but he sounds too honest.
good luck with it and keep us posted
regards
Dawn

PapaFrita · 23 August 2006

I don't usually ride him, but did it as a favour yesterday. I shall certainly avoid doing it again! I'll definitely TRY and get through to owners, but they're actually going to compete him on Saturday so they probably won't be very receptive! Ah well, one can but try, eh?

eohippus · 23 August 2006

Best of luck, do not give up, It will be interested to see if anyone says anything at the competition on Sat, What are they doing with him?
regards
Dawn

PapaFrita · 23 August 2006

I doubt very much anyone will say anything

He's jumping the 90cm class but hasn't really been exercised properly for over a week... PF would go barmy with excitement if I pointed her at a fence after a week off!!

eohippus · 23 August 2006

Hard to know what to do then really but to keep getting on at them. Wish you all the best on this, sounds like you need it, thing is you could offer to help the horse by massaging him ect, but if the cause is still there then you are fighting a loosing battle. What a dillema.
best regards
Dawn

Holy cow! Shocking riding experience!!!

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