Lady The England-Flag-Flying-Unicorn ;)

She does look much better, well done.

I'm only glad I haven't put a vid of me riding one of my oldies on here. Arthritus and stringhalt do not a pretty picture make!! Nor the loony rushing round with head in the air. However, i am under instructions from my vet NOT to stop riding. I only ride once a week and the stiffness is always much better after riding, and also it helps the horse mentally - not a horse which is happy retired. I have tried it, grumpiness and mega stiffness ensued.

As for the flag, who cares?? Ditto the comments re tinsel, antlers, flat caps and what about fly masks??
 
amymay said:
There does come a time, folks, when it really is ok to retire your horse......:o
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So right. If they are not sound with age issues that is the time to think about retirement, they cant tell you that they hurt, but you should be able as a horse owner to see.
 
pastie2 said:
So right. If they are not sound with age issues that is the time to think about retirement, they cant tell you that they hurt, but you should be able as a horse owner to see.
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Agree with this too, yes it is better for arthritic horses to be kept moving and ridden for as long as possible - usually with pain relief. However there does come a point when it is just too painful and a horse can be kept moving by being led in hand and turned out without having the added weight of a rider on board. If back issues are involved then I think riding is a big no no anyway.
I know a 30 year old that is regularly ridden, but I also know plenty of horses that can't be ridden for medical reasons even as youngsters, so age alone can't be a deciding factor, you need to look at the individual horse.
 
Jade, have you booked the vet now? :)

Please don't ride her between now and then, I'm afraid she is clearly in quite a bit of pain with her back and back legs. :(
 
Those that say it is OTT - I JUMPED my pony with a red xmas bobble tied to his noseband (we were going as rudolph).

At camp the riders rode backwards around the arena on their ponies - they absolutely loved it!! Ok, they were all on lead rein, but still!

Yes, the mare does look uncomfortable, but if has just been sat on and not warmed up then it will be stiff.

I assume that the OP knows her horse best after all it is her horse!
 
only_me said:
Those that say it is OTT - I JUMPED my pony with a red xmas bobble tied to his noseband (we were going as rudolph).

At camp the riders rode backwards around the arena on their ponies - they absolutely loved it!! Ok, they were all on lead rein, but still!

Yes, the mare does look uncomfortable, but if has just been sat on and not warmed up then it will be stiff.

I assume that the OP knows her horse best after all it is her horse!
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No she doesnt sadly if you had seen the original post in the winter, you would understand why!
 
I DID see the original post.

And what I saw was an inexperienced young horse owner (no offence intended) who posted on here about her horse, got slated by the perfect owners and recieved advice from the ones who arent so quick to judge.
She did a bold thing and took on the advice from here (some of it better worded than others) and her horse has come on in leaps and bounds and looks miles better.

I was refering to the lameness issue - I know lots of older horses that come out stiff and lame but after 10mins walking and loosening up are 100% sound.
She said herself that she has seen her saddle dosent fit - and it probably did fit when her horse was poor.

The fact is that the horse has put on weight and therefore the saddle now dosent fit - something she has said she has noticed.
A badly fitting saddle can cause lameness, how many of you on here when asking for advice/giving advice always say tack checked for fit?

I am sure she wants to do the best for her horse.
 
I understand exactly your post OM, but lets face facts, thanks to Dr Green and the loss of coat the mare looks acceptable. What are we going to see next year when the weather and grass go elsewhere.?
 
Ditto OnlyMe.

I'm no vet so I'm not qualified to comment on the lameness behind, but I think from looking at the mare it's obvious she's had a hard life prior to Jade getting her so would think of her personally as older than what she is...that said she is not in hard work by any stretch of the imagination...a couple of times per week correct? I would be looking into getting a McTimoney practitioner out to give her a session perhaps to sort out any tweaks, and when she is due for her next jabs/vets visit perhaps get the arthiritis re-addressed and checked and look about seeing for the best course of action for that - ie, glucosamine supplements, devils claw supplement of some kind, etc.
I'd also think, the flag and lack of working in isn't helping the trot and amplifying it, she works hollow anyway and her conformation doesn't work towards her either so go around looking 'pretty' and tracking up, etc. Neither does she usually work like that as it's mainly hacking around, and due to years of muscle wastage across her top line and everywhere really, I think it's doubtful she'll have ever been ridden or schooled to perfection in her long life.
However, I'd suggest a light seat canter to work them in rather than trot work anyway for a stiff oldie to warm up if she comes out like this but then works in ok after.

I also thank [and commend you] for returning time and time again to this board, for the advice you ask for, take on and carry out under some rather harshly toned replies.

I think there's a way and manner of explaining or suggesting things. I'm not saying pussy foot over it, because I'm a straight and to the point person myself...BUT talk [or rather type] to others how YOU'D like to be talked [or typed!] to. Corny and old > perhaps! But it's just plain courtesy at the end of the day.
Surely thoughts put in a genuine tone to which one isn't going to take to defensively,is better than one harsh and to the point maybe, but then also upsetting and hurtful to the reader in return.

The mare is clearly Jade's world and this post was intended as a light hearted patriotic post regarding the World Cup and a young girl having fun with her horse [And quite, frankly good on her...Many a few horses wouldn't tolerate a flag stuck on their head and I wish I had more time to just chill and have fun with my horse.].

Please don't back away from HHO OP, advice is here when you need it and always will be :)
 
The way I see it.....

We have a young horse owner

She posted back in the winter about her horses condition, she received some good advice and some reactions that would have sent most people running off the board.

She has listened to advice and her horse looks better, (whether this is due to Mr Green or her taking some of the very good advice is open to conjecture)

She has now posted a picture and video of her horse looking remarkably better, has admitted the horse has Arthritis, and is aware the saddle needs checking, has said vet and saddle fitter are coming out. She is again receiving some good advice and some opinions which would send a lot of people running for the hills.

Are we not as mature responsible horse owners better off curbing our habits of "OMG what are you doing you irresponsible idiot, yadda yadda yadda. and offering support and advice in a manner which to be honest we would all wish to receive it.

If not surely we run the risk of this OP actually saying stuff it, going off the forum and never knowing what happens cue all the "what ever happened to Jadey and Lady I hope they are ok posts"

Jadey......Glad you are getting her checked out be interesting to hear what the vet says and I hope it is a ride through it the horse is ok once worked in.

Well done for realising the saddle needs checking, I would lay off riding her until the saddle is checked and the vet has been then take it from there. Look foreard to your post telling us what they said.

The flag.......I did far worse to my horses between the ages of 10 and 16 and also had a major whoops that was not sensible moment at the age of 45.

Sorry this is all getting a bit pack instinct for me!
 
Well said Binky01. I totally agree especially with the treat others with respect and speak how you would wish to be spoken to. There are a lot of extremely rude judgemental Little Miss Perfects on here who were obviously never young and inexperienced and were born with oodles of money and superior knowledge of everything.

Jade I think she looks a lot better and yes speak to vet but I totally agree old horses get stiff and take a little warming up as we all do with age. Also yes saddles need checking at least every 6 months but we can all forget as we are all only human :)

Good luck with your lovely mare x
 
Tbh think reaction to flag is OTT! plenty of people here including me have people/horses dressed up in all sorts of fancy dress! Which is pretty much the same thing.

As for the lameness, she does look stuff behind, however don't see why she should be totally written off, Pickle is 18 and is absulutely fine! He went lame, and with no shoes looked a little bit like your mare behind (not as extreme though I have to admit) I would say get vet seeing her, as you have already agreed, but also make sure a farrier has a good look at her :)

If my boy would accept a flag think I'd consider it :p did look at the robinsons flag rugs hahahaha
 
monkeybum13 said:
Better not put pics of wearing reindeer antlers, tinsel or quadrille costumes on the forum anymore then ;)
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BJhead.jpg


MouseAntlers.jpg


oops sorry ;)

I am another one who thinks that Lady has improved so much compared to the winter pictures. Glad to hear vet and saddler has been considered - let us know how you
get on!
 
another one who thinks Binky01 got it right. I would not have been keen to come back on this board to ask advice after the slating that was given out last time!. Mare looks a whole lot better, yes still some stuff to do, OP has taken it on board and vet will be assessing. I will just add my voice to the chk the supplements (Glucosamine) etc as they make a huge difference. However, just check around because the pricing for this varies hugely. I had my older horse on Glucosamine and my vet found me a cheaper "brand" which worked as well. Good luck - post the updates!

PS, can't comment on the flag. There isnt a hope in hell of my horse suddenly accepting me putting flags on his head!
 
Puppy said:
Jade, have you booked the vet now? :)
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No, not yet, ive been having some family problems recently (brother had some kind of stroke the other day so mums been a bit too stressed to call yet)
so not exactly been having the best week :/
but should ring during this week or at the weekend to see if Mr Vet can come out after next week :) x
 
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Binky01 said:
Ditto OnlyMe.

I'm no vet so I'm not qualified to comment on the lameness behind, but I think from looking at the mare it's obvious she's had a hard life prior to Jade getting her so would think of her personally as older than what she is...that said she is not in hard work by any stretch of the imagination...a couple of times per week correct? I would be looking into getting a McTimoney practitioner out to give her a session perhaps to sort out any tweaks, and when she is due for her next jabs/vets visit perhaps get the arthiritis re-addressed and checked and look about seeing for the best course of action for that - ie, glucosamine supplements, devils claw supplement of some kind, etc.
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Actually, I don't think that you need to be a vet to be aware that Lady is in quite a bit of discomfort/pain/lame behind - in both her back and both back legs. :confused: :(

This was pointed out to her owner/Jade several months ago, and I think she pretty urgently needs to see a vet (rather than a McT prac) to establish the reasons behind this pain.

One of my mares is somewhat larger in build than Lady, she is 30% older, and is undoubtedly arthritic. Arguably she has also not had an especially easy life, and in fact needed remedial shoeing and back treatment when I bought her at only rising 11. No, as yet she is not ready to be retired, and yes, she is is better with light work, but she does NOT express such symptoms of pain as shown in this vid (just a bit of stiffness that walks off after a little time, and never stops her pulling forward), BUT, if she did I'd be getting the vet out asap. I would certainly not riding her between now and then; that is just common sense.

My other horse who is a write off (with arthritis ;)) could happily be saddled up tomorrow and would not only work forwards better than Lady, but would probably HAPPILY jump a 3ft course if I asked her to, but that would NOT be a good idea for her. :( I've watched too may hind limb lameness work ups in the last couple of years to think that this is something that could wait for the next time the vet comes to do vaccs or whatever; this horse is in pain, and needs to see the vet now, please?! :( :(

I know everyone wants to give the OP positive encouragement after her last post, but for the sake of the horse can we please be honest, (yes, as well as nice), and state that this horse is clearly bilaterally lame!! :( The OP is young, but she is also an adult (at 18) and I don't think it does anyone, of 2 or 4 legs, any favour to pussyfoot around the fact the horse is in pain and needs to see the vet. For all we know, being pro-active now could make a difference between Lady being capable of hacking or being pts with wrecked legs!

I'm sure that those advising glucosamine etc have the best intentions, but actually, as the last long post about this horse mentioned cushings, then this is not necessarily the best thing for her. The same goes for if the horse requires rest and steroid injections rather than just working through the lameness. A good vet would be able to give better advice and I hope that Jade seeks help from one soon, for both hers and Lady's sake.
 
JadeyyAndLadyy said:
No, not yet, ive been having some family problems recently (brother had some kind of stroke the other day so mums been a bit too stressed to call yet)
so not exactly been having the best week :/
but should ring during this week or at the weekend to see if Mr Vet can come out after next week :) x
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I'm sorry to hear that. Wishing your bother and the rest of your family all the best. xx
 
Agree the vet should be called asap. If she has already been advised to work through lameness by the vet can I presume that there is some fusion going on in the hocks?? if this is the case then this little mare should be kept in work to encourage the fusion if it is indeed at that stage. However when I was going through a similar episode with my old boy he was on pain relief during this. He also had the physio out, as whilst compensating for the trouble in his hocks he became very tight and uncomfortable in his hindquarters. Tens machine and lots of massage helped an awful lot.
I think your mare looks alittle like my old man did at one point.
Dont give up tho, with the right meds and care you will be suprised how well they can be again. My lad went back to competing within a year and was winning Elementarys four years after his diagnosis ;)
Defo need the vet to tell you whats wrong with your gorgeous girl tho, only when you know for sure whats wrong can you really get a plan together to keep her happy and healthy.
I would let her chill in the field until the vet visit just to air on the side of caution, wont do her any harm this time of year.
Please let us know what the vet says and hope things at home with your brother turn out ok.
 
Do you know Jaddey I really really admire your attitude, and your total love for Lady.

Through everything on here, you have never once been rude, and have tried you 100% best for this mare. There are a lot of people on here that would have given up either posting long ago, or quite easily getting rid of a mare that was hard work. I know an awful lot of budding competition riders that can learn from your attitude.

I hope you keep posting, as your love is for purely having a horse not for the glory of competing, you know when to ask for help, when things arent quite right and one of the biggest things in this day and age of H&S you know how to have fun with them!!!

I hope your brother recovers quickly, and the vet and the saddler sort everything out for you two to have the most wonderful summer.
 
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