Meet Dressage Fjord Norman!

DressageFjordNorman

DressageFjordNorman

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16 June 2010
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The Netherlands
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Yeah, this is who I got my HH membersname off, my fat pony Norman.:D

I'll be updating you all on how he is doing. First, let's introduce him!

Norman is a 17-year-old Fjord gelding, who is very grumpy (though he can be happy!) and is very picky when it comes to people. If he hates you, he WILL bite you, if he likes you, he WILL gives you kisses (literally!).

Norman and I compete in Dressage at one of the highest pony levels in Holland. So, people who thought that Fjords are only good for hacking, your wrong. Fjords are really good Dressagers and quite good Jumpers too.

#1
Norman has just recently had a surgery. His tendon (behind left leg) ripped off and was full of old scar tissue that was irritating his tendon. This was the third time his tendon had ripped, so his dressage career wasn't looking so bright anymore.

I went to a 'horse-hospital' and there he had his surgery. They cleaned his tendon up and removed all of the scar tissue. His tendon was like 'brand new', it just had to grow back.

The first month would be 5-10 minutes walk in hand, second month 15-20 minutes walk in hand and the third 30-45 minutes walk riding. His recovery will take roughly about 8 months. And that doesn't mean he's back in shape to compete in the advanced dressage, but only a good walk, trot and canter. So add another 6 months before we can compete again.

Now we have just started the second month and he has a skininfection. Noooo idea where it came from.. just my luck I think.:rolleyes:
Norman is very grumpy and hates boxrest. Allthough he will lighten up after you've given him a carrot.. silly old man!
Tonight I cleaned him out and he was trying to take my scoop off me the whole time, haha! He is so bored, he starts to boxwalk and run his teeth along the bars. He never used to do this!

I have a big haynet for him with tiny holes, but he hates the thing because it takes him forever the get the hay out. He's got a lickit ball, but he eats it in about 5 minutes. And he has got a treatball that keeps him busy for 30 minutes, he goes mad for the ball, so kicks it and shakes it around. He loves it! But it's ashame it only lasts 30 minutes. Tried turnips, but he doesn't quite like turnips. Doesn't suit his tastebuds, grumpy old man.

So, kinda in a "how to keep my horse happy in his stable" crisis. Any tips are welcome! Aslong as they are non-fattening, cause he gains weight FAST.:D

Here's some pics of him when he was fit:
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He is lovely. I don't know how to keep him occupied but I'll watch with interest as a have a youngster who gets very bored over night in her box!

Poor Norman. Give him a carrot from me and the brown horse :)
 
I have no tips I am afraid, but just wanted to say how stunning Norman is! We were considering a fjord before we feel in love with a highland but if I had the room I think I would explore the breed a bit more. The whole family are fans of native chunky monkeys! Badger on here is rather luscious as well.
 
I'm so sorry to hear about poor Norman, he is a gorgeous boy and you have done so well with him. I really hope he makes a full recovery.

Over here I can get something called oatfeed pellets which are basically chaff made into a cube (there are no oats in them; they are made from the chaff that is left after the oats are removed). They are very low energy and have no adverse effect on my highland pony, either weight or temperament. I also put ordinary unmolassed chaff in his ball, with the cubes, it really slows down the rate the cubes come out.

You could also try hiding bits of carrot or apple around the stable for him to find. Also I put several different haynets up in different places, just makes it a bit more interesting. I have heard of people putting apples in the water buckets for the horse to try and get out, my boy would just tip the bucket over to get them out but it's worth a try maybe?

Hope some of that is a little help and please keep letting us know how he is :)
 
He is so handsome! How long have you had him? I rode a six year old fjord at my last riding school in Coventry and he was so much fun to ride, although a bit green jumping and I managed to fall off him whilst out hacking! But I would definitely consider getting one when I have enough money to buy a horse, but fjords seem to be few and far between!
 
Gorgeous pony & good for you showing everyone that different types of horse/pony's can do dressage & can be very good at it.

As for box rest, mines just done 9 weeks with another month to go before we can start hand walking:o. Im having to lightly sedate im afraid, however im also using a Calmer called Relax me & he was so chilled yesterday that i was able to not use any sedation.
Ive found that any treat type stuff or treat balls send my boy over the top as he gets excited & then is very hard to get him to calm down. I keep all stimulus to an absolute minimum.
 
I meant im sedating lightly for Box rest, god knows how im going to Hand walk him in a months time we will be in to 13 weeks of box rest by then.
Norman is exhibiting stress behaviour in his box though so maybe try him on a Calmer & try not to give him to many things to play with or lick/eat as it can wind them up more ive found & then you end up giving them more things & so on:rolleyes:.

He's a lovely boy, hope he's better soon.:)
 
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