Schooling problems with horse after KS op

[Azbo]

I have a 7 year old who had the kissing spine op in march after being diagnosed with an abnormal process last year. Initially we treated for ligament damage and when this proved not to be the issue, opted for surgery on the process.

He's doing brilliantly, a majority of his behavioural problems can be put down to pain and now, this is no longer the case. He's one happy horse. However I am still having issues with schooling. I know this is now because he thinks this will hurt rather than actual pain. I'm working very closely with a charted vet Physio who is treating him very regular. Unfortunately a month or so back he got a sore back again, this time it was a half pad which was slightly too small that was the cause. This has set things back quite a bit, he really won't canter under saddle in the school. I totally understand why he had a problem so I'm taking him right back to basics again and just working on walk and trot. I'm also looking to hire some gallops where I can try him in canter away from a school and with a lead (not helped by lack of transport).

I'm still having problems in the school, if you start to ask him to work more into contact (he's never been keen) he will start to head shack. He had a number if tests and trails for head shacking last year but we found it nearly completely stopped when he had his initial bute trial and steroid injection prior to the surgery. It seems it was pain related. Now I'm pretty sure he's doing it due to the stress of schooling. I'm
Feeling a bit stuck between a rock and a hard place. He needs to do something daily in order to increase his muscle and although I long rein him ( he is a pro) and hack him when I can at weekends, he also needs to learn its okay in the school. I work full time and can't hack him daily as a result. I try mixing things up, adding poles and concentrating on something different each time, if that doesn't work then try something different. I use my voice as well as my leg and although this does work quite well, we up a gear from walk he'll begin to head shack. You can generally get about 10-20 minutes at the beginning shack free and then just at the point I want to finish, it starts up.

I'm going to try a different bit, a straight bar fulmer as he's very light in the mouth. He's currently in a NS double jointed loose ring, I think it's their starter bit. Saddle was checked, new rear raiser sheep skin half pad has been checked by saddle fitter. Back is checked and massaged daily, Physio is out every two weeks or so.

Anyone got any useful suggestions on what I can try with him?

 

[AmyMay]

You've mentioned pain several times now, so there is your answer I'd expect.

Also you can work a horse in the school, without asking too much of it in respect of outline etc.

Can you get someone to hack him for you in the week?

Essentially though, I'd say your horse is probably still suffering from some pain - and it needs to be resolved before you can do anything.

Do they really ever recover from this sort of surgery??

 

[Luci07]

how about very short sessions in a pessoa? that way he can build up muscle correctly. I am a big fan of pessoas used properly and have had lessons in how to fit them. The instructions they come with are useless, bordering on dangerous! My YO had to build her horse up after a very dramatic KS operation and did it by working him in a pessoa once he was ready for work again.

as for recovery, I think it really depends on how severe this condition was originally. The vet advised that KS syndrome could be found in most horses and is the "new" nervicular. Sadly, in the end my friend had to hers put down, after nearly 2 years of proper recuperation as his back was just never strong enough for ridden work. Conversely I have known other horses who are still eventing, albeit at low level and with the correct management with KS.

 

[Azbo]

He works in Pessoa at least once a week but have spent quite a large amount of time doing nothing but. I use two reins as its easier than lunging and you don't need to stop to change direction. He's brilliant with voice commands, he will even walk to canter like this. I also find it a really good way to check he's ok, I can see if he's uneven behind which tends to happen if his sore.

After a year of dealing with a horse in and out of pain I now know him very well when he does have a problem. Firstly he becomes quite cross and depressed and will nip and look generally very unhappy. This is not the case at all at the moment. He had a Physio session in Wednesday night and no pain indications at all which leads me to believe his response ridden is more his head than any actually pain issues. Hacking i have less problems, just in the school.

I don't have anyone who can just hack him out, he needs an experienced rider who doesn't work and I don't know any of them! Other than one's I'd have to pay for, although this may be an option...

It does seem robe related to taking contact. I'm currently just trying to get him to accept contact and move forward, outline is not something I expect although he will drop into a nice light natural one when he's working correctly over his back. Then you get head shaking.

 

[AmyMay]

Other than one's I'd have to pay for, although this may be an option...

Yes, sorry I should have been clearer. I used to have someone hack a horse of mine out during the winter 2 or 3 times a week, she was a racing lass, so did it in the afternoons after she'd finished work. It cost me, but was so worth it to keep the horse fit.

 

[Azbo]

I rode him last night in the school. At first with very little contact on the mouth, lots of walk trot transitions. Gradually took contact and no head shaking.

Checked him over to look for any reactions anywhere, nothing. If it is pain he's masking it really well which isn't like him at all. I'm very perplexed!