Loan pony is lame...

[PurBee]

I hope you get to the bottom of the issue and he perks up soon.

just wanted to say how lovely it is that he’s being doted on by you in his mature years...he’s a lucky chap and looks like a real sweetie. Wishing you lots of enjoyment with him! ?

 

[paddi22]

yeah thats an odd one why they have him in that bridle set up? it doesn't look like it fits him well. How long do you have him on loan for? it might be worth picking up a second hand or cheap bridle for him if you have him for a long term loan. you can always sell it on or keep it for another horse down the line too. he sounds very obedient so he might prefer a gentler bit.

there's a website called https://www.equineacademy.org/all-courses/?_course_type=free that does some good free courses, including a cool one on herbs, if you were bored or he's lame for a while it might be interesting! I keep meaning to do it myself

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

So you didn't speak to the vet? Are you expecting to be asked to pay the vet bill? If you are, please ask to see the invoice before you hand over any money. He does look as if he could do with some more food, his hip bones stick out rather more than a working horse's should. He does have a lovely face!

 

[ArklePig]

No pearlsinger I didn't. He's still at the RS I loan him from there. RS/YO look after his costs, vet farrier etc etc I just pay an amount in a weekly basis for the loan. I'm not sure how long I'll have him in answer to someone upthread, I guess it depends on covid restrictions as this is how RS is getting income during covid times. And providing people like me with our horsey fix.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

He looks as if he is really enjoying his 1-1 time with you, so if you are happy to pay for that opportunity don't let HHO put you off but do be aware that he is unlikely to be up to doing much real work. You could take him out in hand for a walk and then when he is deemed fit to be ridden again, I would stick to walking hacks with him, tbh.

 

[ArklePig]

Thank you Pearlsasinger. I do enjoy him so much I just think he's an angel. I started there with another pony, who was like most ponies (and I do say this as someone who generally prefers ponies to horses) , the devil incarnate and really took advantage of how soft I am so I swapped to Jack who wouldn't dream of acting the eejit. I should also note that this isn't my regular riding school, I will likely end the loan agreement in favour of going back to lessons with my brilliant instructor after covid restrictions ease here (NI) as even if I was still able to loan him, I wouldn't be able to afford both.

I'm happy to work with him in whatever capacity he can for now, at least I'm getting the full ownership experience of paying for a horse I can't ride ? I guess what I'm wondering, in brutally honest terms, is there any reason I should walk away right now or should we amble about loving the fuss of each other?

 

[Shysmum]

Why should you walk away ? I haven't read all the posts, but he looks a lovely chap, you go great together. I suggested earlier about not riding for a while, and yes he does look underweight...could be his teeth, ask the vet ? But you are happy together and that's what counts.

 

[ArklePig]

Thanks shysmum. We're delighted with each other. Just checking from what people were saying there wasn't a subtext of 'this horse shouldn't be doing anything at all...'. I've always found him responsive and happy until the lameness obviously so just checking that people aren't kindly trying to say he's not fit for anything at his age/condition (other than fussing obviously, he's great for that). Or worse, just checking that no one thinks I'm being unfair to him.

I'm definitely going to talk to YO about not riding for another while after I go up tomorrow and have a look at him.

 

[Shysmum]

He's very lucky to have you x

 

[Arzada]

I'm happy to work with him in whatever capacity he can for now, at least I'm getting the full ownership experience of paying for a horse I can't ride ? I guess what I'm wondering, in brutally honest terms, is there any reason I should walk away right now or should we amble about loving the fuss of each other?

You both sound lovely. I vote for you 'amble about loving the fuss of each other'!

 

[atropa]

Bless him, and you for obvious caring so much about him.
I agree he definitely looks like a horse in his late 20s, perhaps with Cushings (I'm basing that on his heavy coat and general body shape). Its very hard to tell without seeing him in the flesh whether he is up to any work or not but it sounds like previously he has been quite up for it, and when he hasn't been up for it, you have listened to him.
With a much older horse coming back from lameness I would definitely start off with walking in hand, groundwork etc and maybe build up to some short walking hacks once he is up to it and definitely sound. Alternatively, if you are both happy grooming and fussing then there is nothing wrong with that and I'm sure he is loving the one to one time with such a caring person.

 

[ArklePig]

Thanks again for everyone's help. Glad to hear it's obvious how much I care for him cause the last thing I'd want to do is be inadvertently unfair to any animal. Have some fun carrot stretches and a massage on the agenda for tomorrow

 

[Littlewills]

Its ok everyone giving you advice here, but you need to speak to the YO. If someone part loaned one of my horses and changed their bit and decided not to ride them even though vet advice was to ride them, then they would be out on their ear.

I know people are trying to be helpful, but speak to the yard owner or manager, explain any concerns and ask for advice and take it from there.

 

[windand rain]

I think he is a very odd shape but not sure he is necessarily that much older than 20. He may well have cushings but looks more like a hay belly and not much topline. He looks like he is a lovely boy who is really enjoying his one to one with you. If he is lame then he will need to take it easy but if he is a bit arthritic doing nothing will make him lame if he is stabled for long periods of time. Go with your gut and keep his exercise slow and initially in hand. Is he turned out all day at least and preferably 24/7 so he can move around.

 

[ArklePig]

Hi littlewills, I totally agree. He's not my horse, and I did start this thread originally looking for ideas of things to do when riding him as suggested by yo. I did say upthread that I plan on going up tomorrow and speaking to YO. If we agree not to ride, then I'll be doing some ground work and if we agree to ride I will be taking it gently as originally suggested. Like I said I haven't seen him since Monday so I don't know what he's currently like. I don't plan on changing his bit etc as that would be massively overstepping and I'm not going to change how someone's horse is kitted out. As per the terms of the loan, when he's fit and well I can ride as much or as little as I like,so I do plan on speaking to YO to see if she's happy for him not to be ridden just yet all things considered. But, on the very slim chance she wants him ridden and I don't feel comfortable ie we have a disagreement, then I won't be riding.

 

[shortstuff99]

*whispers * buy him, buy him, buy him......

 

[ArklePig]

Shortstuff99, he's not for sale and my OH (who has the audacity to be ALLERGIC to horses) says we can't buy a horse til we buy a house ? trust me, I've floated the idea ?

 

[shortstuff99]

Shortstuff99, he's not for sale and my OH (who has the audacity to be ALLERGIC to horses) says we can't buy a horse til we buy a house ? trust me, I've floated the idea ?

Nooooo, just accidentally smuggle him in....

 

[LadyGascoyne]

Picking up that the horse wasn’t right, as a novice, is a huge credit to you. Horses are the best teachers if you listen to them, and too many people don’t. Understanding how your horse moves and feels under saddle is sadly quite rare these days. It’s a really valuable trait in a rider.

 

[ArklePig]

Thank you LG I needed to hear that, and everyone else who has been so lovely. Every day I feel like I'm doing it wrong and he's so forgiving he wouldn't necessarily tell you. He's the best teaching horse ever I feel so so lucky to have this time with him.

 

[Lois Lame]

LOL, shortstuff.

 

[Winters100]

I think he is lucky to have you looking out for him OP. I hope the loan lasts a long time as I think you will add greatly to his life.

 

[Frano]

Your loan horse looks a lovely boy. Does he live in at the moment? Possibly he has a bit of arthritis as well and that is why gentle exercise is still required. The yard owner and the vet have seen this pony and know what is best for him. It looks like you have a great bond with him. Enjoy him ,I bet he love he attention

 

[poiuytrewq]

Can I ask about the bit please? I just don't really understand this comment and I want to. Its hard to get properly chatting to people at the yard with Covid not being able to get close and everyone having jobs to get on with.

Sorry! I missed your question but see you had a good reply!

 

[Muddywellies]

Sorry for silly question poiuytrewq by better covered, is that horse speak for not as bony as you first thought? I really appreciate all of your help. I do want to categorically state that I haven't any concerns about the school there's a lot of horses and ponies there and they all look well, and happy to my untrained eye, so I definitely appreciate all of you giving advice on what to look for. My Jack is definitely the only weird looking one there. Whne I first started with him I did think will you're a bit odd looking aren't you, but in a cute way, like a miniature cart horse. He's definitely loving being someone's special horse for a while the wee baby, he's an angel.

To answer what I meant by felt off, I just felt he was a little quiet, not really that fussed about being fussed when usually he's loving it and shows affection back. He just kinda stood there while I put his bridle on when normally he practically does it himself. I walked him into the indoor school and didn't feel great about him so walked him around in hand for a min and thought his leg looked.. Wrong. But like i said i didn't know really what I was looking for so brought him straight back to yard. I do also have a tendency to be a sap about animals so at this point I thought perhaps I was imagining things He was trotted and walked up for YO by a yard staff member. he has a nick on his fetlock under those big hairy legs. Sorry if I'm not explaining this all well, I've never had a horse in my care even slightly before so I might have some terms etc wrong.

Thanks so much Paddi for the ideas, will deffo look up some videos.

Horses do have off days. I have a mare and you never know from one day to the next what mood she is in. Just like us, sometimes they are keen and eager to go and other days they say "nah, not today". I'd just follow the vets advice and if in doubt, give a few days off.

 

[ihatework]

He looks like a really lovely chap and it sounds like you are a super caring loaner.

Ultimately you are going to be stuck between a rock and a hard place on this. Being a riding school loan you will have very little influence in his management, so you can only do your best. I suspect this horses life will be better with you involved.

To me he looks older than late teen.
I’d be highly suspicious of Cushings.
It’s most likely he is arthritic too.
His weight, musculature and general stance are a giveaway.

If he were a private horse I’d be saying get blood tests with a view to prascend and daily bute/danilon. He doesn’t really look like a horse that is at the stage of his life where he is up to much work. But, once they stop they go downhill quite quickly, so keeping them ticking over even if they are creaky is beneficial. Hacking out and easy schooling only for this guy, and if he isn’t feeling perky then hand walking.

 

[ArklePig]

Sorry just noticed that people have been asking about turnout.

I don't think they get a lot this time of year but not sure exactly how much. yo did say in the first lockdown they were all turned away but can't do so this time of year. I've always been taught from when I was a child that all horses should be turned out 24/7 or at least as much as possible so I found that a little surprising. It's actually something I feel strongly about as my sister had a connemara who had to be stabled due to an injury, hated being stabled and went a bit nuts and smashed his pastern in the stable and had to be PTS.

However, I will say that none of the horses and ponies there display signs of being bored such as box walking/kicking/pacing etc they all seem pretty chilled out and friendly.

 

[ArklePig]

I just wanted to come back and update everyone on this because I really appreciate all the time taken to advise.

Jack is as sound as a pound now, he's had the best part of 10 days off I think between the lameness and the weather conspiring against us. We finally got to ride yesterday, all though I've had him out for inhand walks as well, and he was full of the joys of spring, tail swishing, farts and begging to go faster but behaving when I told him no. He seems grand, and YO and those much more experienced than me agree he is showing no signs of lameness. I found out as well that the vet put him at abour 17 when he came to the school just over a year ago. I don't know his history before that.

Thanks again for all your help.

 

[Wishfilly]

Sorry just noticed that people have been asking about turnout.

I don't think they get a lot this time of year but not sure exactly how much. yo did say in the first lockdown they were all turned away but can't do so this time of year. I've always been taught from when I was a child that all horses should be turned out 24/7 or at least as much as possible so I found that a little surprising. It's actually something I feel strongly about as my sister had a connemara who had to be stabled due to an injury, hated being stabled and went a bit nuts and smashed his pastern in the stable and had to be PTS.

However, I will say that none of the horses and ponies there display signs of being bored such as box walking/kicking/pacing etc they all seem pretty chilled out and friendly.

Glad you are back enjoying him.

Unfortunately, a lot of riding schools don't have the land to be able to offer 24/7 turnout, and of course riding school horses and ponies need to be able to tolerate being stabled in the day at least. It is a shame if he is not getting much turnout at all- maybe you could ask the YO if you could put him loose in the school to have a little stretch and a roll etc sometimes?

It has been a very wet winter, so it may be that a lot of their land isn't usable at the moment, as well.

 

[ArklePig]

Sorry to resurrect my old thread, I've actually just started another one for opinions on what to do with this mane. But I just wanted to update those of you who gave lovely advice and took the time to help. Here's a picture of Jack tonight, I think he looks a lot better though could still bulk out a bit, which he should do with the new feed he's on. Thanks again from me and the very shiny boy