Weekend plans

[scats]

Had a little stretchy session last night and my friend turned up so I got a few pics.





Got a couple of video clips but no idea how to post those.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Am also not sure if it matters that he was medicated yesterday in his fetlock, to then have body work so soon?

I don't use Tom, but my chiro vet likes to see them about 3+ weeks post joint medication. The joint has had time to settle down, and she can crack on and treat the resultant issues from when it was sore while the injected area is (hopefully) still pain free.

So yes, I do recommend a treatment post joint medication, if the timing fits in .

 

[palo1]

Well after loads of ££££ it transpires... Bear has a sore fetlock. Nothing to see on x ray or scan thankfully so medicated it, a week off and then had a frank chat with the vet and have decided just to do straight lines for several months. Hacking, maybe some jumps over ditches or water intro etc but no schooling. I feel something has gone wrong somewhere and it will only help to get the foot balance consistently sorted and just let him “relax” and not worry about any sort of schooling.

I am sure for most he could be worked through and have a busy useful summer but he doesn’t need to be jumping SJ rounds or dressage tests, he can hack out 5/6 days a week to keep slim, see the world boxing around and have a jolly time and we can come back to the school at a later time. He’s rising 5- it’s surely only going to benefit him long term.

So good really, I’m glad we found a block (though it was a sort of mostly blocked but not entirely but could be due to the numb lower limb feeling), I rest easy knowing there’s nothing to “rehab” as such and we can focus on hacking plus a little strengthening work in hand.

Very good news! What he does now will stand him in great stead for the future and you will be able to teach him some other things now and return to schooling learning another time. You will have great fun this summer with no pressure hopefully too

 

[Michen]

I don't use Tom, but my chiro vet likes to see them about 3+ weeks post joint medication. The joint has had time to settle down, and she can crack on and treat the resultant issues from when it was sore while the injected area is (hopefully) still pain free.

So yes, I do recommend a treatment post joint medication, if the timing fits in .

I think this may be too soon though as it’ll be 5 days post injection. He’s booked in for physio 2 weeks post.

Just seemed like a good opportunity to see Tom as he’s in the area, but the timing is a little off I guess.

 

[Michen]

Very good news! What he does now will stand him in great stead for the future and you will be able to teach him some other things now and return to schooling learning another time. You will have great fun this summer with no pressure hopefully too

Indeed. He hadn’t yet even been taught to jump or anything so it’s not so much dialing things down (other than completely stopping schooling) rather not ramping things up.

I am disappointed for my friend who was going to be “mostly” loaning him as it would have been nice for her to be able to crack on but it looks like he’s going to be in my ownership for a long time so I want him right

 

[Roxylola]

Could do with opinions, Tom Beech is nearby (an hour) and has a space on his clinic so I could take Bear.

Would you still recommend him those that have used him, even if you know what the issue is? Am also not sure if it matters that he was medicated yesterday in his fetlock, to then have body work so soon?

I don’t want to waste £250 if it’s pointless taking him to Tom with something known? Or is he worth it just for the body work he may do to help alleviate the inevitable tension?

I'd message Tom tbh, I would think yes it would still be productive but he's very good about contact and pretty prompt to respond. As a vet he knows what he does and how the medicating works hes best placed to tell you if its worth it or not, honestly though if he just helps you get bear a bit better at using himself it may well prevent recurrence. And hes a big fan of long low straight line hacking type work, which is basically what you had planned anyway

 

[DabDab]

XC training with Arts was good. OH was sick so I dragged poor Dad out of bed to be nominated helper. Having never seen a horse on a xc course before he was quite intrigued by the whole thing. We had fun with the water complex (since we were soggy from the rain anyway), building up to drop down a step in, jump over a little log out, circle round to jump over a little house, then couple of strides and back into the water and up a step out. She seemed to quite enjoy it ?.

No pics because didn't want to ask Dad for any more favours. But here is one of our hack this morning instead:

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Filthy pony hot clothed
Clean pony plaited
Stud holes tapped
Snuggy hood and 'stay clean you bugger' rugs on.
Numnahs washed
Lorry loaded
Numbers printed
EHV form sorted
Katie dosed up!!
Competition bag packed

Aaaaand the snow is coming down heavily.

So we will see if we actually make it after all.

 

[Pippity]

Blue had steroid injections in her hocks on Thursday, so is on box rest until tomorrow. She's already fed up of it, but is being basically well-behaved. I mean, I had to actually shut the stable door to stop her wandering out, but I think that's just a sign of how good she is normally!

The vet has suggested that, next time, we consider fusing her hocks with ethanol, so I'm already dithering about that and will do for the foreseeable future. My understanding is that, if the ethanol doesn't work, it's no longer possible to inject with anything else, so it's kind of all-or-nothing. I think I may ask about arthramid gel as a step before the ethanol.

Having a snack in the sunshine today:

 

[DirectorFury]

We went to the near beach today to do some fitness work, but my plans were scuppered by it being crazily busy despite the wind and rain. Lots of people with no horse sense and no control over their children.

I also gave Calming Cookies a try, against my better judgement as I’ve been writing them off as snake oil for the past 18 months, because anxiety has always been an issue for M.
She usually just about keeps a lid on it but small things (flags, children waving shovels at her face, this one particular bush, stopping to chat) can cause her to boil over. Today she actually fell asleep while I chatted to someone on the beach for 5 minutes, trotted and cantered sensibly in the surf - no warp speed wrestling! - and trotted nicely on the way home. She also fell asleep while being tacked up when she’s usually darting all over the stable in anticipation (not pain, she does it when she’s tacked up and I’m getting ready).

I’m not entirely convinced it wasn’t a placebo effect (or that she was just having a good day ) so I’m going to try some experiments with others choosing whether she gets one, feeding her (or not), and not telling me their choice. It’s very very odd as I agree with what David Marlin says about them (I.e. not enough of the ingredients to make a difference) and I’m actually pretty annoyed that they seem to work ? as I feel like I’ve fallen for something that is ‘bad science’!

Long fast hack in company tomorrow so we’ll see if they still seem to work then!

 

[Michen]

Blue had steroid injections in her hocks on Thursday, so is on box rest until tomorrow. She's already fed up of it, but is being basically well-behaved. I mean, I had to actually shut the stable door to stop her wandering out, but I think that's just a sign of how good she is normally!

The vet has suggested that, next time, we consider fusing her hocks with ethanol, so I'm already dithering about that and will do for the foreseeable future. My understanding is that, if the ethanol doesn't work, it's no longer possible to inject with anything else, so it's kind of all-or-nothing. I think I may ask about arthramid gel as a step before the ethanol.

Having a snack in the sunshine today:

View attachment 69511

FWIW my vet really recommends the ethanol fusion but I decided against it for now for a number of reasons..

 

[Pippity]

FWIW my vet really recommends the ethanol fusion but I decided against it for now for a number of reasons..

I know a couple of horses who've had it and it's worked really well but there's always that, "What if she's one of the ones where it does nothing?" She's only eight/nine-ish, so ruling out any further treatment is a big step. The ones who had it were teenagers and steroids had pretty much stopped working, so it was an easier decision.

 

[Michen]

I know a couple of horses who've had it and it's worked really well but there's always that, "What if she's one of the ones where it does nothing?" She's only eight/nine-ish, so ruling out any further treatment is a big step. The ones who had it were teenagers and steroids had pretty much stopped working, so it was an easier decision.

Yep exactly.

 

[Roxylola]

Sounds like a decent research plan DF, I sort of hope they do work for you - its good to have something that helps with a horse like that even if the science is questionable.
Hope Blue shows an improvement with her injections Pippity- hocks are such a worry.
Fingers crossed for Katie and dolly AE.
I updated my Andy Thomas thread with our adventures today, was very productive- id gone a smidge crooked the other way now ? but we had a super time. Supercob was once again super - totally new place that literally smells of lions, there's a safari park in the grounds too, and he poddled round like a pro ?

 

[J_sarahd]

We went out today for the first time since January. He was such a good boy. I was expecting a strong, fast, spooky pony but he was so confident (until he nearly threw me off the first time coming to the water tray). Just kept them at 75-80cm as that’s what I am hoping to start at when we begin competing again. Honestly beaming with how well-behaved he was. Also if anyone saw my thread, there was no bucking or girthiness today.

It’s a nice walk hack tomorrow for a leg stretch. I usually give him a day off after a big jumping session but I’m trying to get him up to 5 exercise days for his fitness

 

[nikkimariet]

I got out for an arena hire locally with Rooni yesterday. Wanted to check he was feeling sensible and get my medium music floor plan recorded.

After some acrobatics to start with, he was so so so good. My friend who helped was very complimentary and I was delighted watching the video back!



Then hacking for Fig. He had his booster jab mid week and also his first cartrophen jab. Huge lump on neck from the latter so a quiet week.



We were out for 2.5 hours and did 12 miles. Mostly road in walk as he’s actually become really relaxed in traffic!

Then Rooni this morning. He’s not been out on the roads on his own for some time so I was a little wary hence the early start.



Except for the very first car he didn’t blink, we had lots of fun cantering at every available opportunity. The ground is perfect right now!

 

[milliepops]

That's interesting. Kira got lumps from the cartrophen too but they went down in a couple of days. No one else has mentioned that. I think it was worth doing though, even with no hints of any problems, watching her move in the school mirrors she looks super active so she must be feeling good.

 

[nikkimariet]

That's interesting. Kira got lumps from the cartrophen too but they went down in a couple of days. No one else has mentioned that. I think it was worth doing though, even with no hints of any problems, watching her move in the school mirrors she looks super active so she must be feeling good.

Yes this was weds and gone down now. He didn’t seem bothered by it but he’s under no pressure so just left him for a few days. He certainly felt great yesterday! I’m just ever aware that he hasn’t had hocks done for a few years and he went so sore before. He’s not schooling GP anymore but want to keep him fit, well and comfortable in any case!

 

[Jeni the dragon]

Good luck AE!
Hope everyone has been having a lovely weekend!

 

[Xmasha]

Frank was a total star ️. It was his first time in a trailer and he went pretty much straight on . Was fab when we arrived , stood still to be tacked up and off he went onto the ride . He was a bit spooked at the horses in the paddocks but other than that was fab . He went through water ( even the river ) up and down steps and even jumped a couple of roll tops . He then showed his jockey why we named him Flat out Frank as he showed his speed up a hill . His rider was over the moon with him .
I only put an advert up for him on Thursday and after that me and husband have decided to retain and see if we can have a few good days out watching him compete in the near future. So saddle fitter coming Tuesday to kit him out in his own stuff.

 

[ihatework]

Nothing exciting in IHW land this week.

Spent this morning being mauled by two 2yos each of whom thought they should be priority for a scrub with a rubber curry comb.

Went to give the 5yo a cuddle, he has the weekend off in the field having had another cracking Xc school last week and some routine physio on Friday.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Had a very positive dressage lesson this morning, no jumps in or around arena so B gave her full attention much of the time. A good attitude from her apart from a few minor glitches, she worked very well, becoming much more soft and round. She managed to get a decent lift under me in trot and was listening beautifully whilst trying hard.
I think she's deserved a day off tomorrow or at least just a gentle pootle out ?

 

[Season’s Bleatings]

Not long home from our trip out to SJ arena hire.
I did not fall off ?
Horse was super. To be fair at times I literally like... forgot to ride... and he just kept on trucking. Good boy.
No idea if OH will get eventing this year (depends on whether he is actually home or abroad!!) but I need to keep up the momentum on jump schooling. At least now we are allowed lessons again - will organise for after pay day.
Going fence judging next weekend, really excited!!

 

[Bernster]

Went horse viewing yesterday. Wasn’t the total car crash that I feared which makes me feel a bit better, but horse was too green for what I want. It was just around the corner from my retired mare so went to Aus’ pad to visit her for a cuddle and some carrots (with the mare that is, not Aus ?).

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Went to Munstead for the first time today, accompanying a friend competing in the hunter trial there. They had a great round, and I had a nice morning out having not been to any events for a very long time and got to play groom. I eyed up the dinky fences and thought 'one day...maybe...'

 

[ycbm]

Hacked Deza earlier this morning and she was on her toes gawping at the snow lying on the banks and falling off the trees. No real nastiness, just a bit of jogging, she's a good girl to hack.

Then I've just had a schooling session in the snowfall between two brilliant patches of sunshine, great timing!

It's the first time I've felt Ludo really had his bounce back since I stupidly let him get low on vitamin E back in February. I won't be making that mistake next winter!

I went viewing a little TB mare earlier in the weekend and I could have cried at her lack of top line and poor condition. I thought her pelvis was unlevel just standing in the stable and she started chucking her head around and box walking when they took another horse away, so I made my excuses and left before I bought her out of pity.

I've just been offered a Standardbred that meets all my criteria, but the owner says he is very unsettled when he changes home, so much so that she's had to take him back from selling livery. I don't think I can cope with that.

 

[MuddyMonster]

Nothing as exciting as anyone else but I got given the go ahead to ride my pony after almost four months this weekend.

He was a wombat so is clearly feeling much better ??

 

[Roxylola]

Riding after 4 months is super exciting though.
Ycbm, you'll find the right one when the time is right.
Our dressage lesson has been postponed due to snow! The arena hadn't thawed unfortunately and despite raking it was balling up still. Was a full day clinic so we'll pop up to see my trainer next weekend instead though

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Ah, @ycbm so the search is still on! So I can still wait for the "Well, I did it! Meet...." post ??


Nothing that noteworthy here. Face alien still about the same, maybe grew a wee bit. Only rain here and no snow (thankfully!). Just free lunged in the covered lunging school. Sort of let him do as much as he feels since I'm not sure how he feels, even though he's still eating normally. Took him for a walk with OH and the dog yesterday. Will hop on for mostly walk tomorrow. Just for exercise/movement sake. Really interested in what they'll say at the vet clinic on Tuesday.

So envious of you all that are able to be out and about! Not envious of the snow though. ?

 

[DirectorFury]

I went for a hooligan hack with another livery, her boy is eminently sensible and they're both game for anything which always makes it fun! We had some really long (and bloody fast!) gallops along cliff tops and both horses enjoyed themselves. One of those days that reminds you why you bother when the weather is rubbish for the 100th day running .