What would you do?

Saxon_Jasmine

Saxon_Jasmine

Well-Known Member
Joined
8 February 2010
Messages
581
Location
Suffolk
Visit site
I bought my mare about 3 months ago now. She is an 8yr old TB and retired from racing after 7 races (jump and flat) 6 months ago. I'm not sure how she was re-schooled, etc.

I bought her because of her calm, gentle temperment when being ridden and I'm hoping to event her next season. I got her from a 'dodgy dealer' however I was very carefull. She passed a 2 stage vetting, but there are queries as to how good this vet is and apparently he passes everything (I found this out after her vetting).

I'm starting to wonder if there is something up with her. She is very laid back in the school, getting to the point where I'm having to kick every stride just to keep her moving. She isn't lame and she had a new saddle fitted when I got her by a quailified saddle fitter as her old one was making her back sore. She is also stiff in her hind legs.

I'm not sure whether she has a back problem, nerve problem or something else? Or maybe she just hasn't been re-schooled well.

She tosses her head when the saddle is put on, girth is done up and occasionaly when her rug is put on. She also tosses her head when we go up a gait or when I ask her to go forwards with my leg. She also finds it difficult to go into the corners of the school.

Am I just being paraniod or do you think something could be up? However, she could just be a lazy TB who hasn't been re-schooled well and needs to be taught.

Sorry for such a long post, just worried about my baby!
 
I think it sounds like she just hasnt been schooled and isnt yet strong enough to work as required. rcing and general riding are v different. It would be a good idea to get an intsructor or vet to have a look. Also, passing a 2stage vetting isnt that difficult as long as horse is sound and doesnt make a noise - and given her history I would be thinking its primarily a schooling/behavioural problem. 6mths out of racing isnt very long.
 
You need to have a Physio to have a look at her, she will probably need quite a few sessions as it sounds like she is very stiff. Try and get one on recommendation from someone else, as like with most 'professionals' there are always the dodgy ones!
 
Get your vet to give her the once over and take some bloods to make sure there is no underlying virus or evidence of anemia.
 
It wouldn't be unusual for a horse out of racing to be like this just through general weakness and lack of schooling. However racehorses often do come with physical issues too so you are right to have this in the back of your mind.

If it were my horse it would be having a full MOT from the vet, teeth done and then work with a good registered physio to rehab.

For the time being I'd be doing a lot of hacking. When schooling concentrate on encouraging her to stretch her topline and also respond to leg aids, but an instructor should be able to help you with this a bit better. A weekly session on the lunge wouldn't hurt either.
 
I've recently had a similar problem with my ex P2P TB. He's rising 7 + raced about 5 times. I've had him for 3 months now, and a couple of weeks ago I noticed he was having similar problems as your horse. He's not naturally lazy, quite the opposite, but recently he's been less inclined to move forward, was very reluctant in the canter, and would jerk his head up when i went to put the saddle on. It was also becoming more difficult to get him to track up in trot + really use his back end.

To cut a long story short, I called out the physio. She thought that the problems all stemmed from the fact that he had virtually NO topline, and I was basically asking him to work in a way that he wasn't used to (round). The person that I got him from had told me that he had been reschooled over 8 months, so naturally I assumed he'd be capable of working like that, but obviously not.

She gave him a treatment, + suggested plenty of long + low work, but only short amounts of 'on the bit' work, until he's stronger. She also suggested carrot stretches every day, and massages before + after riding. The yard manager also suggested feeding Triple Top Up to help build him up a bit. I'd really recommend calling a physio, though! :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top