Annagain
Well-Known Member
Something's up with Charlie and his saddle. He's been increasingly reluctant to allow anyone to get on him over the last few weeks. When I first had him, we had to work very hard on mounting, so hard that it in fact became his forte. He would place himself by the block and stand like a rock. Recently he's been planting a few steps away and refusing to get close enough for anyone to get near him. After a bit we manage to get on and he's been fine so just thought it was a phase he was going through.
Then this morning, his rider came to ride him. Last week he got his pants in a tangle before we did anything with him (lots going on on the yard and he was upset from the word go) so we (for the first time ever) decided to lunge before riding. He was a star and then rode beautifully. This morning he was lovely and calm until E got on and he was immediately nappy, refusing to go forwards and quite threatening if she put her leg on. She got off and lunged him and he went beautifully, then got back on him. Getting on was a struggle, it must have taken three minutes before he'd get close enough to the block rather than the normal 5 seconds. Once she was on, he behaved but was clearly not happy, short choppy stride, tail swishing and a face like thunder. I'm pretty sure the back of the saddle is moving up and down in trot too. So that's him off games - or rather lunging and groundwork only - until we get it and a back check sorted. He's been due a saddle check for a couple of months but my saddler was only doing emergency visits due to lockdown and then when he could start again, he severed a tendon in his hand. I've texted today in the hope he's back in work very soon and we'll be top of the list.
Then I got home and had a letter to say I'd been caught speeding (25 in a 20 zone - I thought it only applied until 9am when they kids were going into school but obviously not!) I knew it was coming as I spotted the van and worked out it wouldn't be there if the 20 wasn't in force but by the time I saw it, it was too late. Today is not a good day.
Then this morning, his rider came to ride him. Last week he got his pants in a tangle before we did anything with him (lots going on on the yard and he was upset from the word go) so we (for the first time ever) decided to lunge before riding. He was a star and then rode beautifully. This morning he was lovely and calm until E got on and he was immediately nappy, refusing to go forwards and quite threatening if she put her leg on. She got off and lunged him and he went beautifully, then got back on him. Getting on was a struggle, it must have taken three minutes before he'd get close enough to the block rather than the normal 5 seconds. Once she was on, he behaved but was clearly not happy, short choppy stride, tail swishing and a face like thunder. I'm pretty sure the back of the saddle is moving up and down in trot too. So that's him off games - or rather lunging and groundwork only - until we get it and a back check sorted. He's been due a saddle check for a couple of months but my saddler was only doing emergency visits due to lockdown and then when he could start again, he severed a tendon in his hand. I've texted today in the hope he's back in work very soon and we'll be top of the list.
Then I got home and had a letter to say I'd been caught speeding (25 in a 20 zone - I thought it only applied until 9am when they kids were going into school but obviously not!) I knew it was coming as I spotted the van and worked out it wouldn't be there if the 20 wasn't in force but by the time I saw it, it was too late. Today is not a good day.
