SSM
Well-Known Member
This Saturday was the last show of the season for us. We were going to do the Novice and Open Hunter classes at Southwell Ploughing match - was is the operative word.
Friday night scrubbed her up, got everything ready, Saturday morning at 5am (she was still cuddled up dreaming of carrots) plaited her up and was ready to go. My first class was the second of the day so we estimated we needed to be there for 9am. So at 7.30 we went to load and this is where it all goes downhill - she would NOT load - we pushed, lunge lines, lunge whip, broom, food trailed along the trailer - It took over 2 hours before she decieded that she would go in. Arrived to find that I had missed my first class (surprise surprise) My class was next but by the time I had tacked up found my way to the main ring they were stripping down and it was too late - they charged through the classes.
The thought of loading her was too much for us so I hacked her home (about 12 miles) that was the only highlight of the day as I went along some lovely bridlepaths I have never ridden on.
Sunday pm thought I would walk her out just to make sure she would'nt stiffen up - the sod had pulled all the nails out of one side of her front shoe - so much for stiffening up!
So the advice I need is as follows:
1) What do I do to get her in, presently we have been borrowing a trailer so feeding her in it is not an option - pressure halters? any advocates of them and how do I use it.
2) We are buying a trailer - which one? ramp or barn doors? - once we have her in we have to slam the door shut or she is back out. Thought I might contact our local trailer dealer and see what they can let me test. We have been using an Ifor, is a little older and rattles etc so wonder if that has upset her.
3) She hates her hind moonboots (travel boots) - can you buy good old fashioned hock boots (or anyone want to sell me an old pair?) what does everyone else use?
.....And yesterday to cap it all 'sick note' at work called in sick again, oscar winning performance of a chest infection and was off to the doctors to get antibiotics (funny that her hubby had just come home from being away for 4 days and is at home this week)!!!!!!!!!! Mondays are always our busiest day and yes I had to do her work and mine -
Onwards and Upwards is all I can say - I am too old to sit on a ramp with a beautiful but very stubborn horse crying my eyes out (yes I did in pure frustration!!)
Friday night scrubbed her up, got everything ready, Saturday morning at 5am (she was still cuddled up dreaming of carrots) plaited her up and was ready to go. My first class was the second of the day so we estimated we needed to be there for 9am. So at 7.30 we went to load and this is where it all goes downhill - she would NOT load - we pushed, lunge lines, lunge whip, broom, food trailed along the trailer - It took over 2 hours before she decieded that she would go in. Arrived to find that I had missed my first class (surprise surprise) My class was next but by the time I had tacked up found my way to the main ring they were stripping down and it was too late - they charged through the classes.
The thought of loading her was too much for us so I hacked her home (about 12 miles) that was the only highlight of the day as I went along some lovely bridlepaths I have never ridden on.
Sunday pm thought I would walk her out just to make sure she would'nt stiffen up - the sod had pulled all the nails out of one side of her front shoe - so much for stiffening up!
So the advice I need is as follows:
1) What do I do to get her in, presently we have been borrowing a trailer so feeding her in it is not an option - pressure halters? any advocates of them and how do I use it.
2) We are buying a trailer - which one? ramp or barn doors? - once we have her in we have to slam the door shut or she is back out. Thought I might contact our local trailer dealer and see what they can let me test. We have been using an Ifor, is a little older and rattles etc so wonder if that has upset her.
3) She hates her hind moonboots (travel boots) - can you buy good old fashioned hock boots (or anyone want to sell me an old pair?) what does everyone else use?
.....And yesterday to cap it all 'sick note' at work called in sick again, oscar winning performance of a chest infection and was off to the doctors to get antibiotics (funny that her hubby had just come home from being away for 4 days and is at home this week)!!!!!!!!!! Mondays are always our busiest day and yes I had to do her work and mine -
Onwards and Upwards is all I can say - I am too old to sit on a ramp with a beautiful but very stubborn horse crying my eyes out (yes I did in pure frustration!!)