hillbilly
Member
Hi, you all seem very knowledgeable here, and I wonder if you could help me. I work for a lady who has bred quite a number of racing-pedigree TB's. There are quite a few youngsters to bring on. However, when I started the priority was a gelding called Harry, who had been off work due to back problems, but seemed fine and required bringing back into work. He is rising six. At three he was sent to a racing stable to be backed, with the intention that he be a light riding horse. Only four weeks later he was deemed ready, and brought back home. Apparently he had been galloped over hurdles not long after having a rider on board. He had back problems soon after arrival home, and was put out to grass.
After the lungeing and long-reining, it was decided he was fit enough to ride. Upon mounting he quivvered and sank, but recovered, I was hovering above the saddle, not sitting as such, and I rode him to the arena, where he improved. Subsequently he always had to be restrained at mounting, and would resent it, but work well as he warmed, taking a nice outline. However, canter work was an absolute no-no, and he was resistant to any lateral movement on one rein. Ocassionally there were mini-bucks.
In the stable he became increasingly unhappy, the muscles in his quaters so tense you could see their outlines, and banging his back legs against the corner of the stable.
Then he suddenly Dropped like a stone on mounting. Boss said it was evasion. So I rode him and he felt unlevel. Never has a horse been so happy when turned for home. The second time he dropped, and stayed down for a couple of minutes. I refused to ride him further, I think it is cruel. If you place the palm of your hand on his back, at the mid -point of where the saddle would go, and press down, you can drop him in the stable. Likewise when tightening a roller or sircingle. My boss will not pay for x-rays, and thinks he could be worked on bute. I won't do it!
He plays in the field, canters, rears and rolls and looks fine, showing quite a flashy trot. However, on leaving his stable, he often trips over the threshold bar with his back legs. I am right in not riding him arent i? It isn't just evasion to the riders weight?
After the lungeing and long-reining, it was decided he was fit enough to ride. Upon mounting he quivvered and sank, but recovered, I was hovering above the saddle, not sitting as such, and I rode him to the arena, where he improved. Subsequently he always had to be restrained at mounting, and would resent it, but work well as he warmed, taking a nice outline. However, canter work was an absolute no-no, and he was resistant to any lateral movement on one rein. Ocassionally there were mini-bucks.
In the stable he became increasingly unhappy, the muscles in his quaters so tense you could see their outlines, and banging his back legs against the corner of the stable.
Then he suddenly Dropped like a stone on mounting. Boss said it was evasion. So I rode him and he felt unlevel. Never has a horse been so happy when turned for home. The second time he dropped, and stayed down for a couple of minutes. I refused to ride him further, I think it is cruel. If you place the palm of your hand on his back, at the mid -point of where the saddle would go, and press down, you can drop him in the stable. Likewise when tightening a roller or sircingle. My boss will not pay for x-rays, and thinks he could be worked on bute. I won't do it!
He plays in the field, canters, rears and rolls and looks fine, showing quite a flashy trot. However, on leaving his stable, he often trips over the threshold bar with his back legs. I am right in not riding him arent i? It isn't just evasion to the riders weight?
