Annagain
Well-Known Member
I knew it was too good to be true. After posting on Friday that M had been given the go ahead to start ridden work again, I took A to dressage on Saturday. It was his first competition for 3 years and I was thrilled with his marks of 64% in the prelim and 62.9% in his first ever novice. I was even more thrilled with his impeccable behaviour. He loaded well, warmed up nicely, didn't tank at all (his favourite naughty thing is to tank off at a high speed trot) and other than a little blip when he stopped mid canter to call to his mate B, didn't show any signs of napping.
Then I saw my sheets. The judge said on both sheets that he was unlevel and this had cost me marks. I was slightly pleased that his marks could have been even higher but very confused and deflated about it too. Partly as I know this horse inside out and couldn't feel a thing wrong. He's the first to throw his toys out of the pram if something's wrong and he was just so reasonable on Saturday! He felt a little bit stiff and was falling in on the left rein but he always does in the school and I've been assured by the vet that he's just a stiff old git who doesn't do anywhere near enough flatwork to get him properly supple. I feel very guilty that the stiffness I feel might be more and totally peed off that just as one comes sound, the other is going to be pushing up that not inconsiderable vet bill I already have!
Then I saw my sheets. The judge said on both sheets that he was unlevel and this had cost me marks. I was slightly pleased that his marks could have been even higher but very confused and deflated about it too. Partly as I know this horse inside out and couldn't feel a thing wrong. He's the first to throw his toys out of the pram if something's wrong and he was just so reasonable on Saturday! He felt a little bit stiff and was falling in on the left rein but he always does in the school and I've been assured by the vet that he's just a stiff old git who doesn't do anywhere near enough flatwork to get him properly supple. I feel very guilty that the stiffness I feel might be more and totally peed off that just as one comes sound, the other is going to be pushing up that not inconsiderable vet bill I already have!
when was the last time the vet looked at him? it could be that his just go a little bit worse and sometimes because as owners we are the only ones to ride and see them every day we don't always notice subtle changes.