fairhill
Well-Known Member
I took Chloe to a local PC show yesterday to do the equitation class.
We hacked there (about 3 miles) walking at her speed (so fairly slow) and it took about an hour. She was sweaty, but not overly so.
She had an hour resting before the class started. She ate some grass, but mostly just stood watching the world go by.
I warmed up when the class before was on, lots of walking and a bit of trot and canter. She felt ok, not too speedy, but I did have big spurs on.
When it came to the individual show (now spurless) she was very flat, refused to canter on the right rein, and kicked out a lot. I eventually managed it, and we were pulled in a deserved last.
Hacking back home she felt really really flat, like there was no petrol left in her tank, and I felt bad trotting her past parked cars.
I led her once we were off the main road as I wasn't sure we'd make it home, and she spent the afternoon snoozing in her stable.
Soooo... what do you think could have been wrong with her? I've never had a horse feel so dead underneath me.
For info: She's out 24/7, ridden most days, so should be more than capable fitness-wise and fed on a fibre-based diet. She was fine and chirpy the day before
and I haven't seen her yet today, but she was happily grazing after I turned her out last night.
We did wonder if it was stress-related, but have never come across stress affecting a horse in this way before
We hacked there (about 3 miles) walking at her speed (so fairly slow) and it took about an hour. She was sweaty, but not overly so.
She had an hour resting before the class started. She ate some grass, but mostly just stood watching the world go by.
I warmed up when the class before was on, lots of walking and a bit of trot and canter. She felt ok, not too speedy, but I did have big spurs on.
When it came to the individual show (now spurless) she was very flat, refused to canter on the right rein, and kicked out a lot. I eventually managed it, and we were pulled in a deserved last.
Hacking back home she felt really really flat, like there was no petrol left in her tank, and I felt bad trotting her past parked cars.
I led her once we were off the main road as I wasn't sure we'd make it home, and she spent the afternoon snoozing in her stable.
Soooo... what do you think could have been wrong with her? I've never had a horse feel so dead underneath me.
For info: She's out 24/7, ridden most days, so should be more than capable fitness-wise and fed on a fibre-based diet. She was fine and chirpy the day before
We did wonder if it was stress-related, but have never come across stress affecting a horse in this way before
