I am so sly (Frankie's owner!)

[jenbleep]

Right well I might get a telling off from you guys, but there is some good out of me being so sly

Some of you will know that I am forever moaning about Frankie's owner - and how she won't get the back person out for him, even though for some time now he hasn't been quite 'right' behind. When I first get on him he is stiff, but after 20 minutes or so he loosens up and moves a lot better. Still can be very lazy so I do have to get after him a bit, but because he is so weak behind he does find it tough to work from behind and use all the right muscles. He has been a lot better over the past two weeks, and I do think he is getting stronger.

Anywhoo I lunged him on Sunday, and a woman at the yard watched me and noticed that he doesn't track up with his off hind, even when I ask for more impulsion he does track up on the near side but doesn't quite get it on the off side.

he gets looser but still not great.

So this woman mentioned that another owner was getting the back woman out tomorrow to see her pony, and I said perhaps I should book Frankie in??

I have mentioned it to Frankie's owner but she is adamant that he doesn't need it, but it is common knowledge on the yard that she doesn't pay out for that kind of treatment.

So anyway I booked the physio, behind her back which is what I feel so so guilty about.

Frankie's owner can be quite 'feisty'

and I don't want to rock the boat. I just rang her and said that he is booked in for a 'massage'

and that she has no need to worry because I will pay for it. I don't know if she will be there, because to be honest I would really like to see the physio on my won because when he does have appointments like this, his owner tends to go on about things that are irrelevant - like her job, dogs etc

and when you are paying for someones expertise you want to listen to what they are telling you am i right? Plus she does tend to dismiss things. Anyway we'll see what happens.

I do feel bad for doing it all behind her back, and even though she seems ok with it now I really don't want her to think I am meddling in on how she looks after him. (Which I guess I am

)

I am soooooooo naughty

P.S Sorry it's so long, again

 

[AmyMay]

I think you're mad - and yes, a bit naughty.

But I know you're doing it out of concern..........

 

[StarFell]

Good on you, I'd have done the same. Although I really can't understand why she'd be so bothered since you're paying!

 

[jenbleep]

I am a bit scared that I went too far - I know that from an owners point of view it must be annoying but it's only because I care about his back

hope she doesn't sack me lol

 

[StarFell]

Well if she did she'd be really stupid, shes lucky to have a sharer (if thats what you are!) that cares so much about her horse

 

[piebaldsparkle]

Be warned, any reputable physio will require veterinary permission to treat him

 

[jenbleep]

thats ok I told her his vet and owners name, address etc

think she might twig that its more than a massage tho

 

[zoesophie]

As its for his welfare I think youve done the right thing - especially if they do find something wrong

Keep us posted on the outcome.

 

[bellaM]

I know exactly where you are coming from. I brought on the most wonderful horse for someone who was the same. I had the horses teeth, back and saddle sorted behind the owners back and the horse was totally different. The woman was so ignorant it was untrue.
I loved the horse and wanted to prove to the owner my point and I did. I no longer ride thehorse because I done well on her and someone got the green eyes about it and caused me a lot of trouble. I am glad that I gave that horse some decent quality of life and perhaps educated someone.
I would not do it again. I ride for someone else now and I just tell them straight out and they know what the score is. I would walk away if I had to. Just be warned though these things can end in tears.

 

[LCobby]

If the 'back person'' is not a chartered physio, chiro or oesteo, then all she can do legally is massage, , as any diagnosis or treatment requires veterianary approval, even if booked direct with Physiotherapist , Osteopath or Chiropractor.

 

[JJ2]

I dont totally agree with this. I can completely understand why you did this and that it is for Frankie's benefit but at the end of the day it is the owners horse, not yours.

I think that if you don't agree with how the owner cares for Frankie i would find another horse to share.

This could seriously backfire on you!

Please note....i do understand why you are doing this, just don't think it is right!

Good luck with him.

 

[jenbleep]

Rosiep it is so hard isn't it??

I really have no idea what will happen with the whole situation, I am rather attached which can't be a good thing when ultimately she has all the power!

and believe me I have shed a few tears, and no doubt there will be more - seeing as I am so emotional

I do know that I need to be more upfront - but I am getting better

I will let you all know what happens - even if I only end up paying for my piece of mind

 

[jenbleep]

Mmm no I don't think I'm right either JJ2 - I am being very bad

and she is a chartered physio I just always spell it wrong

and its easier to say back person on here

I am preparing to pack my bags if need be - I just have to remember that I have learned a lot on him, and I know it's not to help much but I have the backing of the rest of the yard anywhoo

I have butterflies

bleugh

 

[PapaFrita]

I probably would've done the same thing, but JJ2 is right... it could backfire. What would you do if the back person finds something significantly wrong? What would you tell the owner? I do hope everything works out OK!! I can't believe his owner is being soooo stubborn!

 

[Angua2]

from where I sit reading this, I don't think you had a lot of choice considering your feeling ocer this horse. As an owner with sharers I would be mortified that they had had to do such a thing. But then I have also been a sharer in my time with an owner that either didn't care/ have a clue.

If nothing else there will be peace of mind....and if something is flagged up then that is when you will have to "come clean" and I don't envy you that one

 

[Natch]

I read your post yesterday with interest, and sorry I don't agree with the way you're handling this.

What if something went wrong? I understand your motivations but I am a sharer myself and I would never do that, I have been ready to walk away from similar situations before my current share who luckily I am very happy with. At the end of the day I know you only have his best interests at heart but I think its such dangerous ground to do something like this behind his owners back.

I'm sorry, I think you're wrong for doing things this way - but I hope it goes well for you all tomorrow.

 

[Hullabaloo]

If I was Frankie's owner I would be really cross. I can see why you've done it, but it would have been much better to have discussed it with her first and told her you would like to pay for the physio.
I've had horses on loan in the past, and hard as it is, they are not yours and you have to work with the owner to find a solution in situations like this, rather than go behind her back.
What is so scary about her that you couldn't talk to her about a kind offer you are making to benefit her horse?

 

[madhector]

What if he needs long term treatment? Will you tell the owner?! I can see why you have done it, but really dont think it was wise...

 

[Zoobie]

Surely the owner should twig what a "massage" is!!!!

 

[checkmate1]

Hiya, I've been following your posts about Frankie and his owner. I've was in a similar position with my old horse, however the owner wasn't interested and nobody really wanted her (but I loved the poor little thing to bits!!). However, I did tell owner whenever I had my McTimothy person do horse-I don't think they minded as long as I paid! I think if I were you I would have done what youve done, but I can understand that youv'e got butterflies about it now! On the other hand, if Frankies owner dosen't want it done-then thats final really its good that you've managed to get agreement for a 'massage'(though it isn't!).
I've been thinking, and although you obvioulsy Love Fankie to bits, maybe it would be good to step away (move back to cornwall??!) and get your own horse, or get one on loan so you can do everything your own way. (sorry if im blunt!) Thats one of the reasons I had to get my own horse so I could have everything done My Way!! good luck

 

[jenbleep]

oh Christ what have I done

I left work, been to the gym and now I'm home. I haven't stopped thinking about this, and I feel guilty as sin!

Right well I have said to her before that I would pay for it, and she said that he doesn't need it, he just needs working through it. Fair enough I can see her point there, but people have said he is still not right and I can feel he's not quite 100%. As I said before, he does feel a lot looser after the right work, but not great.

People on the yard have said that Frank's owner tends to bypass things like this - in December he had his saddle checked, after a few people on the yard had as well, and by the time it came to him it was about 6.00 - 6.30ish. He had it checked, the saddler changed the gullet but when she said she would like to see me ride him with the changed gullet his owner said it was too late (in the evening) ands she needed to get home. So I suggested that the next time the saddler is at the yard (January) I could ride for her then.

Apparently she came in January, and when people said to his owner she was there she said it 'was ok' When I asked her about it a week or so later she just said 'oh she has been'.

i know that I shouldn't have gone behind her back, and I know she will know what the difference is between a massage and a physio check up is. I can understand everyone's points of view here - I'm sure that when she finds out that I booked it anyway after she said no she is going to go mad and probably get rid of me

I mean, it does look like I don't trust her judgment. (Which I don't on this)

If the physio finds something bad that needs more treatment well surely thats a good thing?? In a way?? I mean if I keep riding him and he has got a little niggle there, surely over time it will get worse??

Literally writing this I have talked to my instructor, and she reassured me that I have done the right thing, albeit in a sneaky way.

believe me I do not feel the best about this

I will let you know what happens tomorrow. And what happens to me! You guys might be planning my funeral

Sorry for the long response

 

[jenbleep]

[ QUOTE ]

I've been thinking, and although you obvioulsy Love Fankie to bits, maybe it would be good to step away (move back to cornwall??!) and get your own horse, or get one on loan so you can do everything your own way. (sorry if im blunt!)

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't worry about being blunt, I deserve it

I do need to take a step back! I am so naughty and have gotten so attached

i am a saddo.

Oh I did say I was paying! I don't expect his owner to pay at all

 

[dieseldog]

Good Luck! I think everyone is a bit

about it as they can't comprehend an owner not wanting to do the best for their horse. It must be a horrible situation to be in.

From what you have described though I would be inclined to think that the problem might be in his hock rather than his back.

 

[jenbleep]

thanks DD

I do still feel a bit

about it all but I think I have done the right thing - it would be better if I just stood my ground and told her straight

what i was doing.

Why do you think hock? when i lunged him yesterday we (woman on yard and me) noticed that his off hind lacked activity - he tended to drag it slightly and didn't track up up at all. I suppose that would make sense then?

so more

oh dear who'd have horses

 

[Mbronze]

Reading this post I totally agree with what your doing (although slightly underhanded).
However, you have the best intentions for Frankie and i really hope it works out and the physio if there is anything wrong will be able to give him the right treatment.
Does the owner ride him? If so, does she not notice that he doesn't 'feel' quite right?
Good luck for tomorrow, i hope things go smoothly.

 

[checkmate1]

Do let us know how you get on with back person tomorrow

 

[jenbleep]

no she doesn't ride - i don't know the full story behind it but i think she has confidence issues. to be honest i don't think she has ever ridden Frankie (he's 8 and she has had him since a yearling? I think?)

when she sees me working him and he feels stiff that all she says it is - 'oh he just needs warming up' thats ok - but just for piece of mind I would rather get it checked out.

*sigh*

edited to say - don't worry i defiantly will have a post in here tomorrow

 

[LauraBR]

Your intentions are clearly good and you obviously care a great deal about this horse.

If I were his owner though I would be livid and find it a real abuse of my trust. I for one prefer to get my vet out first to try and diagnose before getting a physio as almost all of my horses 'back problems' have stemmed from problems further down due to unbalanced feet or other lameness issues. I would NOT want a physio to come and do any work without a prior work up by my vet and that is my choice as my horse's owner as ultimately I am the one responsible for him.

What happens if the physio does something that ends up making him worse?

I really hope it all goes well and that you get the results you are looking for, can't help wondering whether you would be better loaning/sharing a horse belonging to someone with more similar views to you re management etc.

 

[the watcher]

Whilst I do have a huge amount of sympathy for your situation, I do think you have gone about this the wrong way. No harm done if your back person doesn't find a problem - but if they do - are you also going to authorise them to treat it? That really would be a step too far with somebody else's horse

 

[Flame_]

Ditto DieselDog, the physio will probably either sort him out or, more likely, show up more obvious hind leg lameness (typically hocks). At least then you will be able to present the owner with an undeniable problem and then its really up to her if she gets the vet to treat it or retires him. Good luck, I'd have done the same thing and don't feel bad you're in a hard situation.