Unicorn Bruce - *pics* & LONG update

[nikkimariet]

Well....it's been a while! 7 weeks I believe!!

Bit of an update on Mr Bruce: Before I left for uni again in May, he'd had a few funny moments with me during schooling sessions. What I mean is that every 1 out of 4 sessions....he would not feel like Bruce. I don't expect him to be at his best when I first get on, ever. But he would be wiggly, heavy and inconsistent as hell in the contact. When I say heavy, I mean like if I let my reins go he would headbutt the floor. Heavy enough to make my arms ache and my hands go numb. And Bruce does consistent contact very well which makes it all very strange... I'd would just work through it, encouraging longer and lower to get him stretching over his back fully which after an extra 20 minutes of doing so, would usually sort it out and he would feel 'normal' again.

PS & I have tried taking the (reccomended) riser pads out his sheepskin pad and changing the weymouth on his double (twice). Which have made a slight difference for a couple of sessions and he's then resorted to behaving like a 20 tonne retard again.... His back, teeth and feet are all up to date. Hard feed, haylage and grazing all the same...

It was horrible. He didn't feel like my horse. Didn't feel like my Bruce. It felt like I was riding someone elses' badly behaved alien horse. I could barely turn him, he was several miles behind my leg, I couldn't get a decent/even contact with him where he wasn't pulling my arms out..... He was on the forehand, I couldn't get any impulsion or suppleness. The entire time I was thinking 'Is it something I've been doing? Is it something I am doing?'

Didn't really do much with him work wise. Just went through the paces, spiralling in and out of circles, really trying to encourage bending and doing mini give and retakes to encourage his usual natural self carriage. Transitions were okay....shoulder in caused a huge argument....leg yield was okay.....halts were okay.... It all just felt like it took so much effort. And that he was giving me the middle finger. Recently he's been pricking his ears when he sees the saddle and really trying for me. But today....disheartening.

Meant to be going to Vale View on Saturday. 50% of me thinks this will be a true test, with a few days prep schooling to see if he improves or not. 50% of me just doesn't want to go. The time I was on him for today I could see the pinks of his eyes, he had such a nervous look about him. Like he was scared? And I couldn't relax because he refused to.....

Anyway, here are a few pics. Surprisingly I don't look as bad as I felt. Nor does Bruce. But it felt HORRIBLE

Walk:

Trot:

Shoulder in:

Tennessee Walking Horse much?! (This was where he was yanking at my hands...on a loose contact...)

How I felt I was riding (FITTTTT!!):

YMCA:

Canter:

Moobs pat and huggle for strange pony:

The plan is to see how this week and playdate on Saturday goes. If no better; bute for a week and light work. And if he is better that week then we will know there IS something, something hiding away somewhere that's not right that we have to sort. If he is better by the end of this week........then I'm equally confused as to what's been wrong all this time! HORSES. Bah! Why the hell do we bother??!

 

[Foxford]

Oh dear, he does look a bit lacklustre compared to normal. Hope you get to the bottom of it soon.

 

[3Beasties]

This probably sounds really silly but his eyes look unhappy to me, he is usually quite bright and alert looking in his piccys but he looks quite dull today!

Could he possibly have a virus? When my horse had one he became very lethargic but showed no other symptoms.

Hope you get to the bottom of it soon

 

[MrsMozart]

I would be getting the vet out for a once over.

From what I've read of him, he's not the sort of horse to put it on as it were, so such out of character behaviour warrants investigating. I wouldn't compete until I knew what the issue was either.

Hope it's something easily fixed and he comes right very soon.

 

[Muchadoaboutnothing]

O bless Bruce!

Must admit he doesn't look to have as much sparkle as I usally notice in his pictures

How is he generally? Wonder if he's just feeling a bit off? See how he goes this week. If he was mine and still no better I think I'd get some bloods done just to check all is well.

Hope he returns to the old Bruce soon!


ETA: In the time it took me to write this everyone else has said the same as me. lol

 

[dafthoss]

Oh no he is definatly not looking as amazing as he normally does maybe he needs some unicorn shine. But he does have a very cute face in the photo of you lookin fit

Good luck at vale view if you decide to go.

 

[Trolt]

I don't know the history of Bruce at all, I mainly just skim the updates and look at the pretty matchy matchy pictures

Does he only school? Friends dressage horse went like this for a while, no physical reason found. She put it down to him being school sour so put him on a few weeks "fun" work. Going out on lots of hacks, a few gallops, took him to some show jumping (he is similar build to Bruce and jumping is not his strong suit!). She just did lots of work out of the school.

Then when she took him back in the school, she made sure she finished some of her sessions with a hack. Even just a pootle round the lanes in walk. Made sure he went for one proper hack a week, had a day off a week and went jumping once a month.

It's really helped keep him fresh and stop him going school sour. He's now lame on box rest Blooming horses! But he did get out competing and doing really well after a month of being out of the school.

I would rule out physical reasons first obviously, but if not then it is another suggestion

Or the other option might be to take him out of pink Put him in black bandages with flames so he feels all manly and strong

 

[AFlapjack]

Poor Bruce

I agree with 3Beasties though, his eyes don't look half as bright and alert as they normally do.

 

[Santa_Claus]

You have said that his back/teeth/feet are up to date and that it is recommended he has riser inserts but when was his saddle actually last checked?

Its almost impossible to tell from those photos to give an honest opinion but in a few it looks and the 'symptoms' are certainly there to suggest the saddle is pinching/bearing down on his wither/shoulder area.

my normal quick and easy method to see if saddle is the issue is to ride bareback. If works forward without a saddle but crabs with it then saddle to blame. It may look like it fits but as horses change shape tree shapes and head plates will no longer fit. Even something that fitted 6 weeks ago can easily not fit now if a horses has gained/lost sufficient muscle/weight

 

[Mavis007]

Oh dear, hope he is feeling better soon. He still looks very very handsome I definitely second getting his blood checked and also to consider gastric ulcers. I seem to have heard of so many horses lately that have been off colour and unwilling to work properly and gastric ulcers have been found when scoped. They have all responded well to gastroguard though.

 

[nikkimariet]

3beasties - totally agree with you, just doesn't look like him at all Will be getting the vet out for bloods etc if no improvement by end of the week.

Trolt - jumping & gallops is out the question due to history of double front suspensory injury. My mum takes him for walk hacks (road and field), as does the young girl that also rides him. Sometimes he just gets schooled in the field instead of the arena for a change. He gets ridden 5/6 days a week and we work on something different each day other than the usual warm up. I honestly don't think he is stalemate so to speak, I wish I did rather than my gut feeling is that this is more sinister. HAHAHA I didn't half laugh at the bandages comment! Brilliant!!

SC - saddle was brand new at Easter time and has been reflocked exactly to his shape. Riser pads were just to help keep the back of the saddle at the correct angle. I will however try bareback to see how he is, he's such a sofa it can be more comfortable!

MrsM - yes, as much of a delicate flower he is he doesn't ever try on illness. He's either hopping lame or sound etc!

DH - I am so very fit. Never let it be said that I am not....

Mavis - yes, Star suffers from gastric ulcers and gets coligone for it which has helped 100%. Will def look into scoping for a looky look if we have to have the vet out (everything crossed that we don't)

 

[MillionDollar]

Yep, I know exactly how you feel, it's so fustrating, going through it all with mine atm. Although I do know what it is now..........it's the not knowing that's awful

Could it be anything to do with what he had before? (sorry I can't remember what it was)

BTW Is that saddlecloth the Pink HKM one from FFM? I want it now, it's lush

 

[nikkimariet]

Yep, I know exactly how you feel, it's so fustrating, going through it all with mine atm. Although I do know what it is now..........it's the not knowing that's awful

Could it be anything to do with what he had before? (sorry I can't remember what it was)

BTW Is that saddlecloth the Pink HKM one from FFM? I want it now, it's lush

Yes I'd rather know and be able to do something about it. He doesn't have his usual spark when ridden or not but is still eating, drinking, moving normally and his usual self in that he wanders up to me for a snuggle and a snuffle for sugarlumps etc so I don't think he's in pain, but there's clearly some discomfort for him somewhere along the line....

You referring to his willy lump? *massive snort* A lump in his sheath rather. Thickened fold of skin? If so, that has incidentally been much better as of later - hardly any swelling or heat at any given time. Have now just thought that may be the calm before the storm, am going to have a feel and violate my horse tomorrow.

Yes it is!! Has matching bandages but thought that would be overboard, and this way can use these bandages with other sets! It's lovely, really soft and squigdy

 

[Santa_Claus]

if saddle brand new 2-3 months ago the wool has very likely compressed. which would cause it to be slightly wider and therefore press down on the wither. This is why it is normally advised to have a new saddle checked approx 6 weeks after initial fitting as this will be sufficient time for it to 'bed down' and then to have additional flocking added to even it out again.

Not saying it def is the saddle but if fine some sessions and not another it could be as simple as placing the saddle slightly differently and with a different saddle cloth could make it bareable for him to work whereas other times all the above in another position can cause a serious pressure point hence not moving forward.

 

[Vizslak]

Poor Brucey unicorn! He does look a tad grumpy! He also *whispers* looks a little more portley than I have seen him of late. Maybe it is a saddle fit issue as he really looks like hes chunked out to me. My lad does pretty much what you describe and only wants to work long and low if hes changed shape a tad and somethings just pinching a weeny bit.

 

[trina1982]

Hi. I don't post in here much (if at all) but i like looking at pics . Your boy looks very hollow in a few of your pics (certainly in comparison to your signature). He definately looks unhappy in his back - perhaps the saddle being reflocked has started to cause problems? Saddle looks almost too forward in some pics?

I don't know your horse and have seen few previous pics so i'm just seeing it from a 'virgin eye' if you like. Would be interesting to see what he's like bareback. Hope he gets better for you soon, he certainly looks a little sad poor love.

Trina x

 

[MrsMozart]

I agree with 3B.


And he looks worried.

 

[measles]

Really hope you get to the bottom of things quickly and that he is back to his usual magical self very soon.

 

[mil1212]

This probably sounds really silly but his eyes look unhappy to me, he is usually quite bright and alert looking in his piccys but he looks quite dull today!

Could he possibly have a virus?

This
Could some propel or red cell help?
Hope he feels more happy soon

 

[MillionDollar]

Yes I'd rather know and be able to do something about it. He doesn't have his usual spark when ridden or not but is still eating, drinking, moving normally and his usual self in that he wanders up to me for a snuggle and a snuffle for sugarlumps etc so I don't think he's in pain, but there's clearly some discomfort for him somewhere along the line....

This is when you wish you could talk to them! All mine kept doing was not getting into the outside rein on the left rein. Then after a few months he went 1/10 lame. I knew something wasn't right.

[/QUOTE] You referring to his willy lump? *massive snort* A lump in his sheath rather. Thickened fold of skin? If so, that has incidentally been much better as of later - hardly any swelling or heat at any given time. Have now just thought that may be the calm before the storm, am going to have a feel and violate my horse tomorrow.[/QUOTE]

Ha ha, no I didn't know about this.........I do now though No, I meant some lameness he had? He had a year off? *I think*

[/QUOTE]Yes it is!! Has matching bandages but thought that would be overboard, and this way can use these bandages with other sets! It's lovely, really soft and squigdy [/QUOTE]

I prefer those bandages with it what colour are they? Just grey HKM?

 

[Vizslak]

Oh another simple possibility for you...that saddle cloth, its on his wither and not pulled up into the sheepskin, this is another one that makes my lad dispay this type of behaviour, I have now had to ditch anything thats not high wither to avoid this complaint! My horse could really do with his own team of specialists at his beck and call all week really, anything slightly out and he makes a fuss!

 

[nikkimariet]

MD - oohhh... hah! Well now you know!! Yes, he had a year off around 8/9 years old for double front suspensory. But he is sound as a pound, no uneveness or tripping or stumbling. Def not lame. Walks across gravel, limestone, grass and rubber exactly the same. Bandages are HKM Taupe I think!

mil1212 - Think we still have some redcell lurking in the feedroom. After this week will think about introducing that.

MrsM - He does doesn't he. Looks like he's about to be told off.... And I don't know why

trina - Looks totally different from pics 2-3 months ago than how he does today and according to PS has been the last month or so (when I have been away). Am going to sacrifice the ability to have children and ride him bareback in the next day or so.

V - Yes, he has bloated ever so slightly but not so massively he has changed shape. To my, PS & a few others eyes saddle fits with/out pad with/out rider and just as well as it did when it was first fitted. Re: saddlepad - he has only worn this pad twice in the last 7 days as it is new.....

SC - Saddler came out to check riser pads were working and see how saddle was sitting with them since it was fitted. I truly don't think it is the saddle. If problems persist will add getting the saddler out to the list

 

[Vizslak]

hmm yes, thats sort of what I mean though, maybe some of his cloths could sit on his wither and others dont? Hence the good days and bad days?

 

[CalllyH]

 

[Festive_Felicitations]

Oh dear poor Bruce! He doesn't look happy poor thing.

From the owner of another horse who specialises in going 'wrong' but not being obviously lame/ill have you considered:
- small abcess or nail in the wrong place? I know you said he's sound on anything but have you trotted him in a circle on hard ground? It was the only way we spotted source.
- pulled a muscle in his poll or hamstring - in Beau both have produced the '10 ton' head syndrome but no other obvious signs.
- virus


Good luck getting to the bottom of it.

 

[Prince33Sp4rkle]

just to dive in---we dont have anywhere properly hard to lunge in a circle, but have trotted in tight circle on the gravel and he is 100% both ways.
he saw a sports massage lady about 4 weeks ago and she found nothing (and she's been doing them for years,i totally trust her).

saddle-has been fitted, and checked twice since he's had it. i have also ridden him in CS's saddle for a week (which he went beautifully in before he got his own innova) and he felt no diff so i genuinely dont think its saddle related.

am leaning towards a virus as when i've ridden him he does feel just very *bleugh*, but he's so sensitive in his mind that he can go like that if just worried, about what, i just wish i knew!!!

have got some NAF energy to try to see if that makes a diff.

 

[Booboos]

Oh dear poor Brucey! Go with your instinct, if he doesn't feel 100% then he's not 100% although it's a nightmare trying to find out what could cause these little niggles. I have to say I agree with everyone else he looks a bit hollow, not tracking up as nicely as usual and a tad unhappy in the photos, although I could be biased because you said he didn't feel right!

 

[Festive_Felicitations]

Glad you could rule out most of Beau's ususal issues as they all involved at least 2 weeks of walking on a loose rein.... :-/
Fingers crossed its just a virus that he gets over quickly.

Re the worried aspect could it be something like he has birds nesting in his stable and they are disturbing him or a rat stealing his dinner? If he is a sensitive fellow it could be something otherwise innocuous...
In the mean time lots of reassuring hugs, carrots and polo heading his way.

 

[caterpillar]

Poor lad, hope he feels better soon.

One thing I've noticed is that you always ride him in a double. I've found that often if they are always in a double they learn to lean on the bit as there is so much metal to lean on.
I've found horses to go best in a snaffle at home and then then double for competitions, only if they need it.

Will you update us when you've found out what it is?

 

[TableDancer]

Poor boy, he's so cute, and puts up with all the matchy matchy pink so uncomplainingly

I'll add my two pennorth suggestion, probably rubbish but you won't know till he gets better/worse/you have him assessed: what about hocks? Often involved, as I'm sure you know, when people are blaming the back. A bit of joints soreness can make them as you describe - I had one a couple of years ago that was never lame (altho flexion tests were a bit dodgy) there was nothing on the X rays but we injected him and he was transformed, had obviously been a bit uncomfortable and it was causing him to hold back.