RuthnMeg
Well-Known Member
Ain't you impressed with that title eh eh!!??!!
Anyway. New job, has horsey. Horsey is Cobweb, a rising 4 yr TB filly. She has raced as a 2 yr old, then had a horrific accident, so has had a year off, now coming back into work which is one of my jobs. I have to re-train her, to basicly achieve a standard where she can then go off and be professionally schooled in the art of polo for owners 11 year old son. She has a VERY good, nice sweet temp, and wouldn't dream to do anything nasty - yet anyway.
The trouble is, her accident may have left a perminant mark on her ridden career, or at least a polo one.
Last year, she was turned out as normal (having just left the track cos she wasn't good enough - poor soul) with her leather headcollar on. It is assumed, she went to scratch her face with her hind hoof, and got it caught in the headcollar - which didn't break. She then obviously lost balance and panicked, falling over by the wooden five bar field gate - to where she was standing originally. She got caught in the gate, still 'tied' up in the head collar. Demolished the gate, (seen the gate - I thought it was a pile of wood!) and in doing all this, staked her self, just to the right and above of her near side eye. This resulted in loss of sensation to her NS ear, and loss of her movement in her lips on her NS too. I also think her teeth have been effected as they look deformed, but causes no problem when eating. Her ear has regained most of the movement, but lips still droopy.
After several sessions of lunging and long lining, the owner has ridden her twice. She is very good, just a bit too dopey really! What has become evident, is that although seemingly 'with it' in walk and trot, canter is a cause for concern. For a mare who has raced and knows how to gallop, she can't canter without losing co-ordination and tripping. The owner is about 2 stone lighter than me, has experience of TB 'babies' and has better balance no doubt. She has asked me to 'school' Cobweb, in the ''dressage'' way, doing lateral movements and such, just to see if it can get her more co-ordinated. I come from more of an eventing background, so apparently know what I am doing!!
I don't want to sound like a wimp, but I feel, not only am I going to be a bit heavy on her, thus possibly upsetting her balance when she needs it most, but I really don't want her to trip over, as I would be worried for my safety (family and all) and feel responsible for the horse too.
In my mind, the damage caused by her accident could have damaged her nerves and canter is a pace she can't 'get'.
On the other hand, she is still a baby, and an unfit baby, so walking out on the roads to gain strength is on the cards first.
Thoughts on this situation please.
Sorry - bit of an essay there!
Anyway. New job, has horsey. Horsey is Cobweb, a rising 4 yr TB filly. She has raced as a 2 yr old, then had a horrific accident, so has had a year off, now coming back into work which is one of my jobs. I have to re-train her, to basicly achieve a standard where she can then go off and be professionally schooled in the art of polo for owners 11 year old son. She has a VERY good, nice sweet temp, and wouldn't dream to do anything nasty - yet anyway.
The trouble is, her accident may have left a perminant mark on her ridden career, or at least a polo one.
Last year, she was turned out as normal (having just left the track cos she wasn't good enough - poor soul) with her leather headcollar on. It is assumed, she went to scratch her face with her hind hoof, and got it caught in the headcollar - which didn't break. She then obviously lost balance and panicked, falling over by the wooden five bar field gate - to where she was standing originally. She got caught in the gate, still 'tied' up in the head collar. Demolished the gate, (seen the gate - I thought it was a pile of wood!) and in doing all this, staked her self, just to the right and above of her near side eye. This resulted in loss of sensation to her NS ear, and loss of her movement in her lips on her NS too. I also think her teeth have been effected as they look deformed, but causes no problem when eating. Her ear has regained most of the movement, but lips still droopy.
After several sessions of lunging and long lining, the owner has ridden her twice. She is very good, just a bit too dopey really! What has become evident, is that although seemingly 'with it' in walk and trot, canter is a cause for concern. For a mare who has raced and knows how to gallop, she can't canter without losing co-ordination and tripping. The owner is about 2 stone lighter than me, has experience of TB 'babies' and has better balance no doubt. She has asked me to 'school' Cobweb, in the ''dressage'' way, doing lateral movements and such, just to see if it can get her more co-ordinated. I come from more of an eventing background, so apparently know what I am doing!!
I don't want to sound like a wimp, but I feel, not only am I going to be a bit heavy on her, thus possibly upsetting her balance when she needs it most, but I really don't want her to trip over, as I would be worried for my safety (family and all) and feel responsible for the horse too.
In my mind, the damage caused by her accident could have damaged her nerves and canter is a pace she can't 'get'.
On the other hand, she is still a baby, and an unfit baby, so walking out on the roads to gain strength is on the cards first.
Thoughts on this situation please.
Sorry - bit of an essay there!
