Spring forward weekend plans!

[The Xmas Furry]

Hacked as usual the last week and 1st thing today took B up the top paddock as it had near perfect going after recent rain. Had a practically fabulous (not everything perfect but some v good work) 25 mins of trotting and cantering circles, serpentines, going large and even a bit of grudging lateral work in trot before I finished. Not sure who was hottest! We were both sweating despite the strong breeze. We are hacking fit but def not arena fit.
Hacking chum called in so we then went for a half hour mooch to cool down with her as she was going in her yards arena when she got back, good natter all the way round ?
1st lesson since last September, tomorrow morning! ?

 

[myheartinahoofbeat]

I'm so excited as I have plans.
I don't have an arena at home so on Tuesday I have booked one so we can do some circles, haven't ridden one since December and some jumps, also haven't jumped since December. Then on Thursday we have a lesson, so excited

 

[milliepops]

View attachment 68576

lovely photo!

Very not exciting stuff here but very happy to feel Kira feeling full of beans, we have done slightly longer sessions this weekend and pushed the quality of the work up a bit more again. Just text trainer to book some lessons, it's been a LOOOOONG time since the last one (October?!) particularly as I'm on site so could have been continuing throughout everything, sob! hey ho, we are on our way again now hopefully.

Not making plans other than just trying to pick up where we left off, I've sort of got no show mojo at the level we were doing before the world went to bits and the next level is still a big leap away. but that's OK, there's plenty to do

 

[scats]

Weekend didn’t quite go to plan as I was up in the night with the dogs. Lily-Rose had diarrhoea (which I stood in...!) and then JD started throwing up at about 5.30am, which soon turned to pink bile. She was thirsty but couldn’t keep anything down. Rang emergency vet who said it was likely she had torn or inflamed digestive tract and not to worry too much about the colour of the bile, but it was the dehydration we needed to watch, particularly given her age. So have spent the day giving her small sips of water every half an hour. She stopped vomiting at about midday, thankfully and has even managed some bland food tonight (and clearly wants more!). We were ready to take her down to out of hours vets if need be, but fortunately that wasn’t needed.
Weather has been vile here... pouring with rain and high winds.

 

[Pippity]

I had a couple of bad hacks in February - trail too crowded, Blue a bit bouncy, at one point she slipped and nearly landed on top of us both - which had completely shattered my confidence, even though I know intellectually that Blue's as close to bombproof as a horse can be. Throw in a month of no riding at all (me ill, then her broken) and I'd lost my hacking mojo entirely.

However, Blue's hocks can't cope with only being ridden in the school, so it was time to put on my big girl knickers and just do it. We went out with just our usual hacking buddy with no plans to do more than a gentle amble along the TPT, which we managed. We went a lot further than I was planning and, despite the howling gales and her eagerness to GO GO GO, Blue was very restrained. Even a field full of sheep running around and yelling only got a bit of sideways bounce, and all trotting was done at a sensible speed, rather than Turbo Cob Boost.

So now I just need to keep on doing it until I get my confidence back.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Well that wasn't the outcome I wanted ?. Toby was more crooked than ever after his week at the treadmill. I've spent thr best part of a year blaming wonky rider issues for Toby's lack of straightness. But his weird contortions to avoid going straight today felt very much him not me. He never shows any sign of discomfort. No pinned ears, tail swishing, unhappiness. More like a physical block. As if he's just saying 'yes mum I know you want me to go forward and straight but I'm afraid I can't.' But on good days he's brilliant. It's very intermittent.

So I've emailed Tom Beech the osteo vet. Hope I don't need to wait too long or sell a kidney for this....

 

[Roxylola]

Well that wasn't the outcome I wanted ?. Toby was more crooked than ever after his week at the treadmill. I've spent thr best part of a year blaming wonky rider issues for Toby's lack of straightness. But his weird contortions to avoid going straight today felt very much him not me. He never shows any sign of discomfort. No pinned ears, tail swishing, unhappiness. More like a physical block. As if he's just saying 'yes mum I know you want me to go forward and straight but I'm afraid I can't.' But on good days he's brilliant. It's very intermittent.

So I've emailed Tom Beech the osteo vet. Hope I don't need to wait too long or sell a kidney for this....

Tom is in Manchester not far from fallows at the beginning of may

 

[milliepops]

Might he be tired from the different and intensive work?

I'm sorry it hasn't worked out how you hoped. This is why I was asking how they dealt with crookedness because i find horses tend to train in their own wonks unless you stimulate the squiffy bits specifically ? I know you mentioned that the water was supposed to make him even up but I'm a bit skeptical about how that can correct an asymmetry without something else to help the weak side catch up.

 

[racebuddy]

Say hi to Tobes while you are there! I'm picking him up at 4 x

Ahh i did he treadmilled next to con xxx hes lovely ? xx

 

[Michen]

AE I know very little about the water treadmill stuff BUT I thought it had to be built up super gradually.. could it be too much too soon? I know lots of people send there horses to do the same though so maybe that’s a moot point.

Also I went physio for Bear then vet which was helpful but in hindsight I could have saved my money and gone straight for vet. From now on that’s what I’ll do unless it’s a very minor niggle or really insignificant. I know TB is an Osteo vet type person though so a bit diff, but personally would rather get the vet that knows me and the horse.

I figure it’s really not that much more than a physio and is more conclusive ie horse lame or not lame. Ok cool not lame but not right so let’s use physios and farriers and treadmills and whatever else to further improve horse.

Currently I have vet, farrier and physio working together on (sound but not moving as well as he could!) Bear and that’s a much better picture to me than any of them (bar the vet) working independently.

 

[racebuddy]

Well that wasn't the outcome I wanted ?. Toby was more crooked than ever after his week at the treadmill. I've spent thr best part of a year blaming wonky rider issues for Toby's lack of straightness. But his weird contortions to avoid going straight today felt very much him not me. He never shows any sign of discomfort. No pinned ears, tail swishing, unhappiness. More like a physical block. As if he's just saying 'yes mum I know you want me to go forward and straight but I'm afraid I can't.' But on good days he's brilliant. It's very intermittent.

So I've emailed Tom Beech the osteo vet. Hope I don't need to wait too long or sell a kidney for this....

Oh know sorry to hear that , i seen him yesterday he looks so sweet blesss him xx

 

[racebuddy]

Yes please. I’m interested in taking both my guys as a maintenance type thing.

My boy has been there for three years now goes once To twice a month and then when i go on holiday to keep him fit , he always feels amazing ???

 

[mavandkaz]

Oh no AE, poor Toby. Tom Beech sounds like a good shout. Did he have any other treatment whilst at water treadmill? I've used it for my boy, but am aware how careful they need to be - it's great for building up strength, but I suppose the downside is they could also build up the wrong type of muscle if allowed to work crooked. The place I use also incorporate several physio treatments as part of the package.

Been very quiet here this week as work as been full on. So the TB had a week off, which is no bad thing for him. Some of his old issues started creeping in with the increase in work, so he's going back on hacking duty and straight lines only, starting with a walk around the field yesterday.

Coblet went hacking yesterday, proving just how reliable she is. Escorted a slightly nervous rider along a busy road and over the dual carriageway to access some lovely bridleways. Was a lovely ride.
And today we had a jump lesson. She loves her jumping and we always start off with a fair bit of leaping and bucking and pulling me into the fences. She had the instructor in fits of laughter with her antics. So focus was on keeping her quiet, polite and listening. After a short discussion about who was in charge, she jumped round a couple of courses absolutely lovely. Just what I needed as due out to our first SJ comp since October next weekend - although will depend on the whole indoor school ruling, as warm up is indoors ?

 

[Roxylola]

AE I know very little about the water treadmill stuff BUT I thought it had to be built up super gradually.. could it be too much too soon? I know lots of people send there horses to do the same though so maybe that’s a moot point.

Also I went physio for Bear then vet which was helpful but in hindsight I could have saved my money and gone straight for vet. From now on that’s what I’ll do unless it’s a very minor niggle or really insignificant. I know TB is an Osteo vet type person though so a bit diff, but personally would rather get the vet that knows me and the horse.

I figure it’s really not that much more than a physio and is more conclusive ie horse lame or not lame. Ok cool not lame but not right so let’s use physios and farriers and treadmills and whatever else to further improve horse.

Currently I have vet, farrier and physio working together on (sound but not moving as well as he could!) Bear and that’s a much better picture to me than any of them (bar the vet) working independently.

Tom Beech is a qualified vet as well. When I went we had a very minor not even niggle. Saddler, physio and farrier each proposed a different leg as the cause of it. There was no lameness, hes incredibly symmetrical, and the vet sees him twice a year for jabs. We could have gone for a work up, likely would find some arthritis- hes a 12 year old ride and drive cob, would have blamed that and possibly looked to reduce work. Instead hes gone from strength to strength with a proper long and low program.
With something non specific and not even a leg to start from personally I'd go for Tom every time as he does look at the whole horse.
Equally I'm very much a pro vet and work up person with a more specific issue.

In other news, we had a wet hack first thing, I taught and rode a friends 4 year old, then took Charlie's owners 2 year old for a walk with her cart pulling Shetland in 30+mph wind this afternoon ? then about needed a snorkel for walking my dogs. Looking forward to some better weather next week

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Might he be tired from the different and intensive work?

I'm sorry it hasn't worked out how you hoped. This is why I was asking how they dealt with crookedness because i find horses tend to train in their own wonks unless you stimulate the squiffy bits specifically ? I know you mentioned that the water was supposed to make him even up but I'm a bit skeptical about how that can correct an asymmetry without something else to help the weak side catch up.

I thought of your question when he seemed worse. It just seems to have exacerbated the asymmetry. We live and learn. I now need to figure out his to selectively strengthen him. But its confusing because some days he is straight.

 

[milliepops]

I think its never wrong to get a vets input and it sounds like Tom might help you identify targeted exercise to help if there's nothing fundamentally wrong. A bit like Andy thomas telling us riders how to switch on the sleepy muscles

And then its back to boring old correct and slow work ??
I'm sorry it's a disappointment, I think all these things probably have a place but probably more to complement your base work than to develop it?

 

[Ample Prosecco]

I have no problem going slow. I just need to check he's ok first.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Never mind. I can't articulate this morning.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

It was a very helpful post that I was about to reply to!
When I dropped him off last week I said I had a lesson every Sunday and should I cancel it or just do flat work, She said he'd be fine and should feel fantastic. So I just trusted her judgement. But in retrospect both the intensity and the immediate return to work feels too much and too soon.

I'm going to give him a couold of days off then a couple of weeks hacking in walk.

He really loves to hack and to jump and he really does not love the school! So I think keeping his workload mixed up is good for him.

 

[TheMule]

I thought of your question when he seemed worse. It just seems to have exacerbated the asymmetry. We live and learn. I now need to figure out his to selectively strengthen him. But its confusing because some days he is straight.

This is really interesting AE, thank you for posting. I'm going to start using a water treadmill once a week for my 4yr old when he's a little stronger so really good to get perspectives on their use.
I hope you can get him sorted and straight soon

 

[CanteringCarrot]

It was a very helpful post that I was about to reply to!
When I dropped him off last week I said I had a lesson every Sunday and should I cancel it or just do flat work, She said he'd be fine and should feel fantastic. So I just trusted her judgement. But in retrospect both the intensity and the immediate return to work feels too much and too soon.

I'm going to give him a couold of days off then a couple of weeks hacking in walk.

He really loves to hack and to jump and he really does not love the school! So I think keeping his workload mixed up is good for him.

I was floundering about wondering if it would sound condescending and then went to edit but accidentally made a new post...dysfunctional Monday morning, obviously ?

It makes me nervous sometimes giving advice because I don't want anyone taking offense. Or thinking that "I know better" when it is their horse.

I think your plan is a good one.

I keep things varied with my horse to fool him into not reporting me to the animal welfare authorities for overworking him (or his definition of) ? long lining (in and out of the school), hacking, schooling, groundwork, etc. I think this, and perhaps his body type, leads to very minimal body issues, since the work is varied.

Hopefully you can find what is wonky, and it may take a bit to sort out if he's been compensating for awhile, but a good physio/vet should be able to suggest exercises. Best of luck!

 

[Xmasha]

Sorry to hear Toby isn’t quite right AE.
2 of mine have been going once a week for 4 weeks nows. They both feel fantastic and are striding out . I was chatting to another lady in the car park ( who happens to work at the local vets ) and she said the mistake she made the previous year was sending hers away to do the treadmill for a full week . She now goes once a week for the first month before she competes and occasionally 2 days before a competition.
mine definitely don’t need anymore for now as we don’t need them any fitter .

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Anyway, my self doubting and weirdness aside, I've been meaning to join in on these threads, but I mostly hack on the weekends.

This weekend, my horse treated me to a nice lump on his face that looks suspiciously tooth or sinus related. No smell or discharge from anywhere, eye a bit watery, but not totally unusual since he has allergies and could have a flare up. So the vet comes today and I hope we don't have to cut his face open...yes I spent too much time on Google looking up sinus/tooth issues. ?‍

 

[Bernster]

Ahhh, not liking the sick note horses, did they take note that lock down was ending?! Yikes.

Didn’t do much this weekend but did have a good lesson on Thursday. As usual, with lockdown, laziness and work etc, I felt a bit meh about going but once there really enjoyed it.

Got my DRO test feedback with a better than expected 67% for a test where I had some accuracy issues and wanted to re film as didn’t really love it. Very fair comments which are exactly what we’re working on at home. Been very useful to be back riding tests again and videoing myself, which I don‘t normally do. Realised that our most common comments are ‘obedient, willing, and lovely partnership’ or some variation on that. Which is pretty nice really - he may not have the best paces but we give it our best!

Hacked round the block and then popped a few jumps with a friend. Lots to work on but he took them on a more forward stride and I was able to stay forward with him, which is an improvement!

 

[Michen]

Tom Beech is a qualified vet as well. When I went we had a very minor not even niggle. Saddler, physio and farrier each proposed a different leg as the cause of it. There was no lameness, hes incredibly symmetrical, and the vet sees him twice a year for jabs. We could have gone for a work up, likely would find some arthritis- hes a 12 year old ride and drive cob, would have blamed that and possibly looked to reduce work. Instead hes gone from strength to strength with a proper long and low program.
With something non specific and not even a leg to start from personally I'd go for Tom every time as he does look at the whole horse.
Equally I'm very much a pro vet and work up person with a more specific issue.

In other news, we had a wet hack first thing, I taught and rode a friends 4 year old, then took Charlie's owners 2 year old for a walk with her cart pulling Shetland in 30+mph wind this afternoon ? then about needed a snorkel for walking my dogs. Looking forward to some better weather next week

I know, that's why I said a bit diff as he is an osteo vet. But it could be helpful if there's another vet who already knows the horse.

 

[J_sarahd]

Well that was an eventful weekend! Ended up going for a hack on Saturday with one of the girls on the yard who I really get on with. We went on a short-ish hack with two canters. Pony hasn’t been on a canter hack this year so I really had to hold him back as the canter stretches were short. We ended up stopping after our second hack while we waited for a bike. Pony started doing teeny tiny rears (barely rears to be fair, literally front feet came probably like 15-20cm off the ground). I’m thinking he was just excited and wanted to go again. Going to try and not overthink it as I always do...!!

My friend then had a sit on him in the school and he was so well-behaved.

Sunday, I decided against hacking again and popped some jumps up in the school. Again, very well-behaved until a quad bike with a trailer went past the hedge and he freaked out!!

I’m going to try and take him on more canter hacks to try and make them less exciting

 

[DabDab]

I didn't do anything exciting...but hopefully will next weekend - woohoo!!!

Did go on the first hack out for either of the girls in company (I appreciate that seems weird, but I literally always hack alone), and Pebbles was very grown up and Arty was the perfect nanny horse, so very proud of them. Although i didn't quite appreciate the difference in trotting speed between the two of them - about 10 strides of trot on Arty and we'd left pebbles about 60m behind with her little legs whirring furiously...ooops ?

This is a particularly unflattering photo of me in the background going after something in my pocket ?


And then convinced OH to take a few pictures of me and the funny coloured one schooling yesterday. The canter shots are us doing 'small' canter ?. It is getting there gradually but still very much a work in progress.

 

[racebuddy]

Sorry to hear Toby isn’t quite right AE.
2 of mine have been going once a week for 4 weeks nows. They both feel fantastic and are striding out . I was chatting to another lady in the car park ( who happens to work at the local vets ) and she said the mistake she made the previous year was sending hers away to do the treadmill for a full week . She now goes once a week for the first month before she competes and occasionally 2 days before a competition.
mine definitely don’t need anymore for now as we don’t need them any fitter .

Mines goes regulary two to three tomes a month and has been there for 5/7 days and never a issue and is kept fit at home too xx

 

[ihatework]

Water treadmills seem to be the new ‘in thing’. It’s not as if they are a quick fix for anything. Hugely beneficial for the right horses, being used for the right reasons and in the hands of operators that really know what they are doing. But oh so much potential to make things worse in the wrong circumstances.