We were in the school tonight to do something 'constructive'. Ha!
I set up a little grid down one side, and two jumps along the other (at a related distance, boys have gotta work for their keep!) and also some raised polework down the middle for some physio warm-up.
Once again I pulled their rugs whilst I poo-picked which left me with two very muddy-but-happy horses. Luckily the mud isn't too gloopy anymore, it brushed right out.
Warm-up over the middle section was ok, Quadi didn't see how he could possibly step over them, and was doing his wriggly best to avoid attempting them properly.
We had trotting poles down the grid to start, which Quadi went through really well a couple of times and then tried to canter a couple and whilst he didn't get in a pickle it made for some interesting shapes down the lane! Once there was a little crosspole at one end he sat back properly and popped it really nicely. But kept cantering around and not paying any attention to my increasing brake aids! By the time we got to proper jumps there was no petrol in the tank and he kept refusing. He wasn't feeling terribly compliant either, he was ok but wilful. I'm not complaining, he was zoomy and a good giggle, even when I went airborne over one jump and landed in front of the saddle. Thankfully he has quite and 'up and out' neckset and bless him, he kept his head up whilst I clung with arms and legs clasped to his neck. We did half a circuit of the school like this, but only at a walk. And only because I was giggling furiously and wholly without the strength to stay on and wiggle my way back to the saddle seat!
Composure was regained in time to see Kate bail over a crosspole after doing much the same thing. A big jump and awkward landing in the saddle meant she decided Fin was better off without her on board. If you can imagine clanging two metal dustbin lids behind an unsuspecting cat, this is the style in which Kate and Fin parted company, landing on her back going backwards. Laughing and knickers full of sand! I collapsed in tears and fits of laughter, didn't think I'd ever exhale!
Not a terribly constructive approach to jumping. Well, it was to start with but degenerated into capering around. We all enjoyed ourselves, and Quadi and I will return to polework on the ground and improved canter work :s
The forecast for the next couple of days isn't fantastic but I live in hope it will sneak around us...
Monday, 29 March 2010
Sunday, 28 March 2010
A Little Bit Fruity
The boys that is! Windy day + fit ponies who've had a couple of days off = much excitement!
I hacked them both. Fin was full of himself and I almost came a cropper out the front door when he spooked and wheeled around. I was busy footering with my ankle at the time (trying to find a way to put more weight through the stirrup without being sore) and he took offense at something or other nearby. Anyway, composure was regained and we had a nice hack.
Quadi next. I put the seatsaver on the saddle. Didn't like it, it was like a space foam nappy! I think the high pommel and cantle of the saddle didn't lend themselves to needing the seatsaver, in actual fact I find it a lot more comfortable without. All it really did was allow me to sit squint which isn't much help. I will save it for long hacks but it's not required at present. I was very aware of it for the whole hack.
Naughty Quadi didn't want to leave the yard and stopped a couple of times on the way out. I say he was naughty, he stopped, I asked him on, and he went. Much better than he's ever been but still a way to go.
We had nice long trots and a big canter where once again no brakes were present, luckily there is a scary big water container at the end of the track we were on otherwise I think we'd still be doing laps right now! It was lovely though, nice to have my boy feeling so well. Despite the breakdown in communication in stoppping versus going much faster I got a fit of the giggles. I suspect I am leading my impressionable horse astray ;)
I hacked them both. Fin was full of himself and I almost came a cropper out the front door when he spooked and wheeled around. I was busy footering with my ankle at the time (trying to find a way to put more weight through the stirrup without being sore) and he took offense at something or other nearby. Anyway, composure was regained and we had a nice hack.
Quadi next. I put the seatsaver on the saddle. Didn't like it, it was like a space foam nappy! I think the high pommel and cantle of the saddle didn't lend themselves to needing the seatsaver, in actual fact I find it a lot more comfortable without. All it really did was allow me to sit squint which isn't much help. I will save it for long hacks but it's not required at present. I was very aware of it for the whole hack.
Naughty Quadi didn't want to leave the yard and stopped a couple of times on the way out. I say he was naughty, he stopped, I asked him on, and he went. Much better than he's ever been but still a way to go.
We had nice long trots and a big canter where once again no brakes were present, luckily there is a scary big water container at the end of the track we were on otherwise I think we'd still be doing laps right now! It was lovely though, nice to have my boy feeling so well. Despite the breakdown in communication in stoppping versus going much faster I got a fit of the giggles. I suspect I am leading my impressionable horse astray ;)
Saturday, 27 March 2010
Bring and Buy Bargains
Today I had a day off, but not from horses entirely. I have been helping out, in my own small way, with a riding club. Classical Riding and Equitation Society Scotland, or CRESS for short. Things are really starting to pick up now and a sort of bring-and-buy sale was arranged so that we could bring horsey items we didn't need to sell on, and perhaps pick up a few second-hand bargains. Which I did. Well, I did the shopping part! I procured a Heather Moffett Seat Saver in Havana, brand new for less than half price. And a pair of brass-coloured Icelandic safety stirrups. Feeling most pleased with my purchases, both were on my list of tack wants!
We were also raising awareness of our RC, so I was tasked with selling raffle tickets which will be drawn in May :)
Back to yesterday, the vet phoned me at the end of the day to say he'd looked at the x-rays. He said the off fore was absolutely clear, no hidden cracks in the hoof so two thumbs up that is gone. He said that in the hinds, he just had a quick look and there is still a negative palmar angle of P3 in one foot and it's bang on level in the other, so we really need both of those to shift a little with some trimming help. I'm a little disappointed that they're still like this, but not totally surprised, and they're better than they were. Will have to come up with a Plan Of Action for these troublesome tootsies!
I'll be getting digital copies of the x-rays so hope to post them when they arrive, hopefully I'll find a way to post them here.
We were also raising awareness of our RC, so I was tasked with selling raffle tickets which will be drawn in May :)
Back to yesterday, the vet phoned me at the end of the day to say he'd looked at the x-rays. He said the off fore was absolutely clear, no hidden cracks in the hoof so two thumbs up that is gone. He said that in the hinds, he just had a quick look and there is still a negative palmar angle of P3 in one foot and it's bang on level in the other, so we really need both of those to shift a little with some trimming help. I'm a little disappointed that they're still like this, but not totally surprised, and they're better than they were. Will have to come up with a Plan Of Action for these troublesome tootsies!
I'll be getting digital copies of the x-rays so hope to post them when they arrive, hopefully I'll find a way to post them here.
Friday, 26 March 2010
The Best News!
Phew! All clear! Well, am still waiting on a phonecall about his x-ray but even if there is more gappy infection up there, which would contradict everything indicated on the exterior of the hoof, I know we can deal with it.
I clipped his pastern in preparation for his scan, and he stood really well for me to do this. It bade well that he was in a compliant mood whilst we waited on the vet.
Despite there being a bin-lorry on the road we did our walk and trot up, the vet was smiling as we came back as he said he looked absolutely fine. He said if anything he was a little more careful on the near fore but totally sound. We trotted up the driveway which had odd little stones all over it, and Quadi's been on soft ground all winter and his sole is not tip-top yet because of that, so for him to run up 100% is terrific :D
We stood out and had a look at his (Quadi's!) feet and had a chat about hoof balance. I have a few things to correct but it was fab to chat with a vet who cared about hooves, he even crouched down to the floor to see them exactly side-on! There was no evidence on any proper separation up the white line, a little bit but not where we had the crack and certainly not to the previous extent.
Next was x-rays. Quadi was being such a good boy we did these without sedation. I also snuck in a couple of hind hoof x-rays so we can see how the pedal bone and other structures are doing. To slightly dull the shine on his halo, Quadi did put a hoof through the foam cover which was part of the case the x-ray machine came in! Oops, but perhaps it shouldn't have been so close to his feetles ;)
Lastly was the ultrasound. The ligament in question (medial collateral) was thicker than the the accompanying one on the other side, don't ask me what that one is called! But we clipped his other pastern and scanned his good leg and it was the same, so because he came up sound we can assume this is normal for him now.
Kisses were then lavished on said pony by me for being so helpful and not jumping on any expensive equipment or breakable vets!
After a feed I decided he could have the day off. I'm sure the x-rays won't show up any nastiness so I'm quietly very excited, although I have just lost my excuse for not competing!
I clipped his pastern in preparation for his scan, and he stood really well for me to do this. It bade well that he was in a compliant mood whilst we waited on the vet.
Despite there being a bin-lorry on the road we did our walk and trot up, the vet was smiling as we came back as he said he looked absolutely fine. He said if anything he was a little more careful on the near fore but totally sound. We trotted up the driveway which had odd little stones all over it, and Quadi's been on soft ground all winter and his sole is not tip-top yet because of that, so for him to run up 100% is terrific :D
We stood out and had a look at his (Quadi's!) feet and had a chat about hoof balance. I have a few things to correct but it was fab to chat with a vet who cared about hooves, he even crouched down to the floor to see them exactly side-on! There was no evidence on any proper separation up the white line, a little bit but not where we had the crack and certainly not to the previous extent.
Next was x-rays. Quadi was being such a good boy we did these without sedation. I also snuck in a couple of hind hoof x-rays so we can see how the pedal bone and other structures are doing. To slightly dull the shine on his halo, Quadi did put a hoof through the foam cover which was part of the case the x-ray machine came in! Oops, but perhaps it shouldn't have been so close to his feetles ;)
Lastly was the ultrasound. The ligament in question (medial collateral) was thicker than the the accompanying one on the other side, don't ask me what that one is called! But we clipped his other pastern and scanned his good leg and it was the same, so because he came up sound we can assume this is normal for him now.
Kisses were then lavished on said pony by me for being so helpful and not jumping on any expensive equipment or breakable vets!
After a feed I decided he could have the day off. I'm sure the x-rays won't show up any nastiness so I'm quietly very excited, although I have just lost my excuse for not competing!
Thursday, 25 March 2010
Mizzle
Mist and drizzle. Yuck. Instead of lunging I opted for stretches in the stable. I would have been happy to ride had I made the time but lunging and then having to wait on a wet horse drying didn't appeal. Carrot stretches certainly appealed to Quadi anyway, nipped my fingers for more as I did a foreleg stretch with him, monkey!
Tomorrow the vet's coming. Am nervous, should I be?
Tomorrow the vet's coming. Am nervous, should I be?
Wednesday, 24 March 2010
Itty bitty jumps
I just got it into my head I should do some jumping, and with my new-found enthusiasm for riding I couldn't see a reason not to. Ok, I could think of a few but I breezed ahead anyway!
Before catching the boys I set up the jumps. Two crosspoles, one at B and one at E, and two little uprights across some diagonals. They sort of surrounded one wing of the crosspole set-ups, handy to stop him running out to the side ;) They were very dinky indeed, only about 80cm in height, real nursery stuff!
Quadi was most amenable in the stable too, so nothing to put us off doing something new. As I took him in the school his face lit up, his ears pricked as soon as he clocked the jumps.
Warm-up was fine, little more tricky than usual, he was looky at the wings and took me a while to achieve any yield on the left rein but we got some. Trot was fine too, he didn't try to tram ahead, and I checked we had our Sensible Canter hat on. We did :)
Can't say it was a spectacular, glittering session in that I was lobbed almost as many refusals and run-outs as I was rewarded with jumps. But it was something to do with the right rein. On the left I could barely get him to stop. He wasn't being dangerous and taking off, he just kept cantering a loop and jumping whatever was in his way! On the right he wasn't very keen even from trot. But when I bolstered my confidence and really put my leg on and kept up with him he jumped with such gusto! Much bigger than was appropriate for the height of the poles!
As I cooled him down to a walk on a long rein he picked up canter from walk and took us back over another jump, I managed to gather my reins in time but it was unexpected *lol*
So I can't surmise he was in any huge pain because he went over ok from the left. Perhaps the dodgy right fore? It will be thoroughly x-rayed and checked on Friday, and our physio is coming for a hack on Sunday, I can have his back checked over then too.
He did pick up canter on both reins but it wasn't easy on the right. One thing I did notice was that he was a lot more off my leg and I was a lot more relaxed about the transitions, perhaps we should school around jumps more often!
I should say I was using my dressage saddle today, I was happy to end our session with me still in the saddle and both of us feeling more confident. If I didn't give it a go I wouldn't know what we need to work on now.
Tomorrow is just a lunge day, good for me to check him over before the vet on Friday :s
Before catching the boys I set up the jumps. Two crosspoles, one at B and one at E, and two little uprights across some diagonals. They sort of surrounded one wing of the crosspole set-ups, handy to stop him running out to the side ;) They were very dinky indeed, only about 80cm in height, real nursery stuff!
Quadi was most amenable in the stable too, so nothing to put us off doing something new. As I took him in the school his face lit up, his ears pricked as soon as he clocked the jumps.
Warm-up was fine, little more tricky than usual, he was looky at the wings and took me a while to achieve any yield on the left rein but we got some. Trot was fine too, he didn't try to tram ahead, and I checked we had our Sensible Canter hat on. We did :)
Can't say it was a spectacular, glittering session in that I was lobbed almost as many refusals and run-outs as I was rewarded with jumps. But it was something to do with the right rein. On the left I could barely get him to stop. He wasn't being dangerous and taking off, he just kept cantering a loop and jumping whatever was in his way! On the right he wasn't very keen even from trot. But when I bolstered my confidence and really put my leg on and kept up with him he jumped with such gusto! Much bigger than was appropriate for the height of the poles!
As I cooled him down to a walk on a long rein he picked up canter from walk and took us back over another jump, I managed to gather my reins in time but it was unexpected *lol*
So I can't surmise he was in any huge pain because he went over ok from the left. Perhaps the dodgy right fore? It will be thoroughly x-rayed and checked on Friday, and our physio is coming for a hack on Sunday, I can have his back checked over then too.
He did pick up canter on both reins but it wasn't easy on the right. One thing I did notice was that he was a lot more off my leg and I was a lot more relaxed about the transitions, perhaps we should school around jumps more often!
I should say I was using my dressage saddle today, I was happy to end our session with me still in the saddle and both of us feeling more confident. If I didn't give it a go I wouldn't know what we need to work on now.
Tomorrow is just a lunge day, good for me to check him over before the vet on Friday :s
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
Spring has sprung
Day off the horses for me today. I thought that instead I'd have a run. I started getting stuck into spring cleaning and ran out of time to do anything else! Never mind, another day's rest for my ankle is no bad thing.
I did have a horsey playdate with a friend and her mare but that's postponed so tomorrow I think Quadi and I will do some work in the school. If I'm feeling bold I may assemble a few jumps...
Claire asked me a few days ago whether Quadi has LGL. When he came up last year and was still shod we were seeing evidence of laminitic episodes when he had his shoes off to have his feet trimmed. He wasn't ever lame because of it on account of being shod (I guess!). To be honest, I can't decide whether he is suffering a bit of LGL or alfalfa sensitivity. His new hoof growth is still tight as a drum at the top, perhaps it is the alfalfa, which is his sole feed. He literally gets a handful to provide some protein without excess energy, and also to carry all the powders he gets.
He is lacking puff on hacks so I'm wondering about feed and whether it's providing what he needs.
The feet thing could also be weakness after a long winter of very soft going.
Always something to think about isn't there!
I did have a horsey playdate with a friend and her mare but that's postponed so tomorrow I think Quadi and I will do some work in the school. If I'm feeling bold I may assemble a few jumps...
Claire asked me a few days ago whether Quadi has LGL. When he came up last year and was still shod we were seeing evidence of laminitic episodes when he had his shoes off to have his feet trimmed. He wasn't ever lame because of it on account of being shod (I guess!). To be honest, I can't decide whether he is suffering a bit of LGL or alfalfa sensitivity. His new hoof growth is still tight as a drum at the top, perhaps it is the alfalfa, which is his sole feed. He literally gets a handful to provide some protein without excess energy, and also to carry all the powders he gets.
He is lacking puff on hacks so I'm wondering about feed and whether it's providing what he needs.
The feet thing could also be weakness after a long winter of very soft going.
Always something to think about isn't there!
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