I'd been at the barn 5 minutes yesterday before I had beads of sweat dripping down my chest. Don't get me wrong - I love summer but it was mildly unnerving. I imagine I'll be much more miserable in the winter.
D still lifts his head when he hears me at the gate. I feel like I'm so close to getting that first step towards me, but no cigar yet. I've been bribing, I hate to say it - I take a small treat out with me for haltering. I find it greatly helps with the getting his head up for the halter though. Still having issues in the pasture - he wanted to "shove" me off the path with his shoulder, which I strongly resented. I'm thinking I should start swinging the leadrope again, not in an aggressive way but just a "this is my space stay out" way. Then again I have noticed in the past he will respect the leadrope, but still not me. *sigh* Smart horse. I feel like alot of our space issues are because I was trained to leade the horse RIGHT NEXT TO me. No wonder we get bumped and stepped on so much... I'm really trying to adopt more of a Klaus Hempfling type leading, keeping much more awareness and space between us.
We spent time in the roundpen since it was the only shaded spot at 6:30 in the evening. Sugar the mustang got to watch the show next door. ;)
D really didn't want to walk or do ANYthing, but I brought along some of the senior grain I'm not feeding anymore, as a treat. Pretty soon he was offering to touch his barrel with his nose for treats, but I didn't want him over doing the stretches so I directed his attention elsewhere. I finally figured: well targeting is one thing he needs to learn to be able to do alot of things I want to teach him. We haven't had much success in the past even though he's a smart horse. I decided to start with something very straightforward that he would easily understand (and like): holding something in his mouth. I unscrewed the lunge whip in half and gave him the bottom portion to hold in his mouth, he enjoyed it and moved it around alittle, trying to balance both ends and keep it parallel to the ground. It was really funny to watch. Once he dropped it I clicked with my tongue and gave him a treat. He perked up immediately and started grabbing the whip quicker when I would hand it to him, even shaking it or trying to drag it along the ground with his head tilted. My goalt was to eventually get him to target the whip when it was laying on the ground. We only got down to his knees though, if I laid it down he ignored it and just tried to mug me. He was heavy on the mugging once I stood up to decide on another task to work on, so I immediately took a more assertive approach about my space, giving him very direct intense looks and holding my hands and arms up to keep him out of my space. I got alot of nasty looks in return, pinned ears etc, but he complied mostly with no offer of nipping. at this point he is not allowed to go "groping" his nose all around me or his own body to find a treat when I am working by his shoulder, I've decided I need to make it clear that when he is fed a treat I come to his head and administer it now. Same place, same neck position - everytime. That way hopefully he learns that bending around like a rubber band will not earn him treats unless that's what I'm asking for.
The next task was leg lifting. My 3 goals right now to work on are Shoulder in (groundwork), Leg lifts & Come to me. Leg lifts are HARD as he usually could care less if I tap his leg with a whip. I come to my method by two bits of info: I read someone on the MBs say they touched the elbow to get a leg lift and it seemed an automatic button & I also know the only way D lifts a hoof right now is when I physically ask with my hand, not a whip. Maybe he considers the whip too impersonal. So I hunched over and squeezed his elbow. He froze, then shifted his weight all over for a second like he was trying tofigure out what the heck I was doing, then his simply lifted his hoof! Immediate release of my hand and walking forward to treat him - along with a "Good!" We tried this on both sides multiple times. He gets in a habit of lifting the foot and backing up - his idea is that he lifts it and backs at the same time so his nose can automatically reach me for treats since I'm not allowing him to bend around and mug me. *sigh* Again, too smart. Novel logic though. At the very end I got to where I only rewarded a stand-still lift, back up steps I just followed at his shoulder and ignored his please for treats until he stood still. At his very best he held his left hoof up to his knee for 4 seconds! I was impressed. His right hoof is harder though, currently he just kind of picks it up 3" and stomps it back down. Atleast he's got the idea. After that we did some more with the whip. I really need to get him a chew toy...
Work in the ring was hot but the sun had gone behind the clouds. The Mastiffs were skeptical of me and the horse in the ring so they stood on the hill, making D alittle nervous - so I decided to keep the halter on. I unclipped him and walked along the rain and he easily followed. I played with my stride, lengthening and soon found he was outwalking me with his over-tracking. He still over tracks a good 6-8" when he's really moving. Then I did short tiny collected steps and I noted he slowed down considerably, though it looked like he was just taking short lazy steps and he looked rather peeved that we'd slowed down without actually stopping. I did a circle, being very careful to keep my hips pointing where I wanted to go and he followed suit. He still won't trot. The most I got of him was some lengthened strides and head bobbing while I trotted off ahead of him. After we'd walked several times around the ring in various directions with circles, I headed to the center to start our shoulder in. He immediately reached for the whip and took it out of my hand to proudly bob it up and down. I regretted not having any treats but I still told him 'good' and stroked his neck in a rewarding way, then took ym slobbery whip back. Going counterclockwise, to my left he understands circles very easily, going forward Vs simply turning to face me. We dropped into our old circle routine very easily that I used to do in December. Only this time I faced his barrel and encouraged his hind end on while using my hands to give small pushes in time with his balance and inner hind leg coming up. I found he stepped under well, although after a minute he turned away from me pointedly and faced himself towards the fence. I stood there "You didn't like that?" he flicked an ear back and eyed me. I asked him to come with me to a new location and walked off. After a few paces of walking I heard him behind me and he walked up to my shoulder and stopped, like "Okay... what now?" I wih I'd had a picture XD. We tried a slightly bigger circle this time with me allowing him to go where he wanted - straight or circle - as long as he stayed bent and attentive to my asking of the hind leg. Going to the right (clockwise) was harder, that's the direction he has a harder time understand "forward around me" instead of simply turning and facing me. We got a few good steps in though. After all that bending we went for a stroll along the rail again. It was plesant but then he found a tuft of extremely lushy grass, followed by another even better tuft and so on. had I had several hours to spend I'd have let him graze until he became interested again - but as it was I had very little time left to get him washed up and I knew it. I waited a few minutes, strolling along in circles near him pretending to ignore him. Then I tried to drive him forward - he ignored me. Finally I took to swinging my arms above his head to get it to raise - but I think it was partly because I stepped into his space as well. I hate that I had to 'force' him away from the grass but what else could I do? =( I'm still figuring these things out.
Anyways. He was happy in the barn, although looking for his food. I tied and rinsed him, then worked on his face, which he did NOT like. He finally settled for me wetting my palm and rubbing a miniscule amount of water into his forehead at a time. It took forever but he wasn't flinging his head up. His heels & pasterns are looking okish, a few new scabs formed on his hind heels where it was worse. I scrubbed everything I could and also took the scrub brush to his head, he grudgingly obliged and then acted like his head itched, poor thing. He's loosing some chunks of forelock due to that scabby yellow crust that's formed just underneath. Rinsing took forever as well, but once the cream and towel came out he knew it was almost over and stood still for me, though he mouthed my shirt like "Hurry up will you..I'm bored." After pulling the new tube of zinc oxide cream out of it's box I walked over to where he was tied and saw his nostrils flare... and he whuffled O_O This horses NEVER whuffles to a person, EVER. In fact he's rarely vocalized to humans (other than grunts) ever. I've only ever heard him whuffle at a mare he was interested in once (Rose). It was very very low and airy. I stood shocked thinking I was hearing things and he rocked forward against his leadrope and bobbed his head at me, maintaining the pretty neck arch. I left him sniff the cream, in case he thought it was food but I think it wasn't wholly about the cream, it was about knowing that I would feed him very soon. I applied the cream and then untied him and fed him, still in shock. Apparently he was a happy horse yesterday...
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Shortcuts
Anyone that’s a complete perfectionist shudders at that word. Often shortcuts are not without problems, either in the execution of a task OR in the final product. I’ve been turning my attention the past few days to shortcuts in riding, or horses more specifically. Two things have sparked this:
*Reading an article on Anky van Grunsven. (famous dressage Olympian for those not familiar – Google her and be prepared for a bunch of controversy)
*Reading the blogs about rollkur (again, Google, it’s a method) on the Writing of Riding site.
The writer of the blog pointed out our patterns of taking shortcuts in training to produce a faster image of dressage ‘finishedness” (collection). And how many of the methods (cruel and/or just plain frivolous) are really not the issue – taking shortcuts and impatience is the issue! The thought had never truly occurred to me. The article I read on Anky solidified that statement though, and I was shocked (I had read the article before I read the blog on rollkur).
While often the press twists words to make a viewer feel a certain emotion and thus a certain opinion regardless of whether it’s truthful and accurate I don’t believe this was the case with the Anky article. It was very pro Anky and honestly focused on her home life with the horses and her famous horse Bonfire. But amongst the glitz and glamour the article conveyed, talking about what a lavish lifestyle the horses lived and what a scheduled and dedicated life Anky and her family led in working on her riding goals, I caught a glimpse that confirms my newfound opinion on the shortcuts we take with horses.
Even Olympians are not above this.
Anky felt that turning to breeding [note I am not saying she should run a breeding stable] would be rather useless for her, as she had much rather have an already 5 or 6 year old horse that is ready to ride and suitably trainer for saddle so he “doesn’t buck her off”. While enemies of Anky might scoff at the seeming yellow-belliedness I think the more important implication is the impatience of wanting something handed to you on a silver (or maybe bronze) platter, a third of the work is already done, now she gets to put the more esteemed and revered work of strength and high level movements into the horse for the glory and rush of competition.
-No bonding from early youth with the horse – she doesn’t have time for that.
-No bonding over being the first one on it’s back – no time for that either.
It’s like saying you love children and want to raise them, but you’re not willing to spend the time with them building those crucial bonds in early stages of development. If you truly care that much about them wouldn’t YOU want to be the one to show them the way when they’re young? Heaven knows I’d rather have that than have to undo some of what someone’s already put in their head before I could work on the current issues with them…
*shakes head*
I don’t get it - and yet - I do. Impatience.
Everyone who knows me really well is smirking and raising an eyebrow at this. I’ve been pegged as a rather impatient person myself. But what good am I if I can’t overcome these faults in myself? What do I contribute to life if I continue on with them affecting everything I do and never working to change that?
So that’s my rant on impatience. I’m quoting the one main section of the article that got me but there were slight hints elsewhere that to me spoke of an impatience to ‘get the training on’ so Anky could then ‘get the competition on’. *sigh* I’m sure she loves her horses, but it’s a question of degrees – for years I loved my pony – but I loved myself and competition more. I tuned her occasional quiet protests out because I wanted the rush and thrill of competing, because I knew what was best for her, etc. We can all blindly tell ourselves we love our horses, kids, pets, spouses, etc. but when it comes down to truly listening and observing – if given another choice from what I give them now, what would they choose? That’s a question everyone should reach at some point. Even now though it makes me slightly sick to my stomach: because for me and my horse, it has meant the end of a lot of my horse and competition dreams. On the otherhand I believe it is the beginning of his own dreams that he’s never before been able to believe were possible. Until Anky, and others all over the world sit down and ask themselves if their dreams are more important than truly listening to see if the horse wants something different? They will continue to take shortcuts at the expense of the horse to reach their goals, and this cycle will continue.
On another side note – the article mentioned the horses were pampered to the extreme : their description of the care made me wonder if the article was even from a horse magazine or not because of the level of ignorance about care! Kept in stalls all day and “taken out” 3 times a day? Fed grain? Only the special/current horses being handwalked? (the rest were resigned to a hotwalker…gee how personal.) Sure they’re groomed, have plenty of human interaction etc. but what about BEING A HORSE??? Geez! Years ago I might have accepted that picture as 'pampered', but nowdays to me “pampered” means grass – space – social time with others, along with regular grooming and human interaction. What are we DOING to horses? Uhg!
*Reading an article on Anky van Grunsven. (famous dressage Olympian for those not familiar – Google her and be prepared for a bunch of controversy)
*Reading the blogs about rollkur (again, Google, it’s a method) on the Writing of Riding site.
The writer of the blog pointed out our patterns of taking shortcuts in training to produce a faster image of dressage ‘finishedness” (collection). And how many of the methods (cruel and/or just plain frivolous) are really not the issue – taking shortcuts and impatience is the issue! The thought had never truly occurred to me. The article I read on Anky solidified that statement though, and I was shocked (I had read the article before I read the blog on rollkur).
While often the press twists words to make a viewer feel a certain emotion and thus a certain opinion regardless of whether it’s truthful and accurate I don’t believe this was the case with the Anky article. It was very pro Anky and honestly focused on her home life with the horses and her famous horse Bonfire. But amongst the glitz and glamour the article conveyed, talking about what a lavish lifestyle the horses lived and what a scheduled and dedicated life Anky and her family led in working on her riding goals, I caught a glimpse that confirms my newfound opinion on the shortcuts we take with horses.
Even Olympians are not above this.
Anky felt that turning to breeding [note I am not saying she should run a breeding stable] would be rather useless for her, as she had much rather have an already 5 or 6 year old horse that is ready to ride and suitably trainer for saddle so he “doesn’t buck her off”. While enemies of Anky might scoff at the seeming yellow-belliedness I think the more important implication is the impatience of wanting something handed to you on a silver (or maybe bronze) platter, a third of the work is already done, now she gets to put the more esteemed and revered work of strength and high level movements into the horse for the glory and rush of competition.
-No bonding from early youth with the horse – she doesn’t have time for that.
-No bonding over being the first one on it’s back – no time for that either.
It’s like saying you love children and want to raise them, but you’re not willing to spend the time with them building those crucial bonds in early stages of development. If you truly care that much about them wouldn’t YOU want to be the one to show them the way when they’re young? Heaven knows I’d rather have that than have to undo some of what someone’s already put in their head before I could work on the current issues with them…
*shakes head*
I don’t get it - and yet - I do. Impatience.
Everyone who knows me really well is smirking and raising an eyebrow at this. I’ve been pegged as a rather impatient person myself. But what good am I if I can’t overcome these faults in myself? What do I contribute to life if I continue on with them affecting everything I do and never working to change that?
So that’s my rant on impatience. I’m quoting the one main section of the article that got me but there were slight hints elsewhere that to me spoke of an impatience to ‘get the training on’ so Anky could then ‘get the competition on’. *sigh* I’m sure she loves her horses, but it’s a question of degrees – for years I loved my pony – but I loved myself and competition more. I tuned her occasional quiet protests out because I wanted the rush and thrill of competing, because I knew what was best for her, etc. We can all blindly tell ourselves we love our horses, kids, pets, spouses, etc. but when it comes down to truly listening and observing – if given another choice from what I give them now, what would they choose? That’s a question everyone should reach at some point. Even now though it makes me slightly sick to my stomach: because for me and my horse, it has meant the end of a lot of my horse and competition dreams. On the otherhand I believe it is the beginning of his own dreams that he’s never before been able to believe were possible. Until Anky, and others all over the world sit down and ask themselves if their dreams are more important than truly listening to see if the horse wants something different? They will continue to take shortcuts at the expense of the horse to reach their goals, and this cycle will continue.
On another side note – the article mentioned the horses were pampered to the extreme : their description of the care made me wonder if the article was even from a horse magazine or not because of the level of ignorance about care! Kept in stalls all day and “taken out” 3 times a day? Fed grain? Only the special/current horses being handwalked? (the rest were resigned to a hotwalker…gee how personal.) Sure they’re groomed, have plenty of human interaction etc. but what about BEING A HORSE??? Geez! Years ago I might have accepted that picture as 'pampered', but nowdays to me “pampered” means grass – space – social time with others, along with regular grooming and human interaction. What are we DOING to horses? Uhg!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Pleasure & Learning
Yesterday I got to do something I haven't in the past few weeks - ride around and gallop up hills with D. It was a refreshing, positive point in a depressing time for me.
It was humid and approaching 96 degrees, with 'realfeel' well over 100... Uhg. D just stood, breathing hard from the heat, under the barn roof with me. The walk from the paddock exsausted us both. Still, I wanted to move though, and the cool breeze under the grove trees in the back pasture were calling me, surely a very short saddled ride wouldn't hurt. Currently I'm refusing to put the Wintec on his back since I'm trying to help heal all that muscle wastage. Bareback has been uncomfortable lately, my tailbone has been acting up. >_< I decided to try the Klimkie again, I haven't tried it since April and I figured maybe if I just walked it wouldn't get banged down into his spine. He eyed it suspiciously when I pulled it out, but he didn't show any opinion or emotion when I held it under his nose to sniff. Saddling was ok, I noticed his head and neck tense but he's been that way about every saddle put on his back... but he didn't move at all. Upon mounting he headed back for the barn, and I was about to turn him when I noticed a LARGE herd of deer in the lower field. Since he'd already been acting spooky I didn't want to deal with extra added stimuli at the moment, so I allowed him to walk through the barn to the other side. I figured riding in his pasture with his buddies would alleviate some of the insecurity he was apparently experiencing. After remounting he made it clear he'd rather just go take his usual position under the trees with the herd. Unfortunately with a rider it's hard to fit under the tree. I admit we argued some and for me it's really hard to find a balance right now - if I don't to some degree "make" him excercise he won't walk up and down the hills at all unless he has to. Thus his muscle tone will continue to decrease. After some major "I want to go this way.." "No, We should go this way" I convinced him to head along by the pond and oaktree. He burst into a trot up one of the hills and I worked on keeping a steadily balanced light seat. So much easier with stirrups. Then he wanted to go back X_X. I pointed him towards the beach at the pond corner and suddenly realizing what I was suggesting he splashed gladly into the water and nearly into the middle of the pond! O_O I had to suggest that he NOT take me swimming in my leather saddle. So we stood there in belly deep water while he pawed happily, grunted and blew bubbles. He reached his head around when my hand caught his eye and I gave him a few strokes. He seemed incredibly happy and relaxed. We left and walked back towards the gate, though I still wanted to walk the entire pasture. We started off up the hill by the side of the house but he wasn't comfortable with walking so he started into a bolt-canter. I had to hold on for dear life and apparently me trying to hold him back annoyed him, he let out some hopping bucks and a grunt. At the top of the hill he cantered along for a moment before slowing to a walk. It was really nice actually and I tried very hard to have a soft seat and not bump him. After that though he was about done - wanted nothing more than to stand with his buddies, so I took him back to the barn and unsaddled him. I inspected his back and noted one small spot on either side of his wither, but they weren't dry, just lighter in color.
I figured some trot work would be good without a rider, so we went out to the ring and lounged on an extra large circle. I noticed his bend and any stiffness in his circles. He's definately stiff both ways, both shoulders seem to fall in, but he kept a much lighter feel on the line this time - maybe my circles have been too small and I've been asking for too much bend. His trot transitions were fairly prompt this time but his trot was lazy and draggy - although he did pick up on the straight away a couple times. I wrapped things up quickly because within 5 minutes dark clouds had blown over and it certainly didn't feel like 96 degrees anymore. A big storm was coming. He stood rather nervously in the barn while I put tack away and took him out to his pasture. Upon being turned out Levi came over, to hide behind D because of a cardboard box that'd been blow into the front yard. D immediately seemed relaxed when turned out, despite the massive winds, dust and debris being kicked up.
A note on the rainrot battle - I've been away for 2 days and upon inspection a huge yellow oozing scab came off his forehead just under his forelock. I've really gotta take care of this junk. I think Zinc Oxide based cream might do for his heels now that they're getting better from the dew poisoning/rainrot.
I think my point about yesterday was the relaxing feel of a short but free ride, and my slow learning about working together with him.
It was humid and approaching 96 degrees, with 'realfeel' well over 100... Uhg. D just stood, breathing hard from the heat, under the barn roof with me. The walk from the paddock exsausted us both. Still, I wanted to move though, and the cool breeze under the grove trees in the back pasture were calling me, surely a very short saddled ride wouldn't hurt. Currently I'm refusing to put the Wintec on his back since I'm trying to help heal all that muscle wastage. Bareback has been uncomfortable lately, my tailbone has been acting up. >_< I decided to try the Klimkie again, I haven't tried it since April and I figured maybe if I just walked it wouldn't get banged down into his spine. He eyed it suspiciously when I pulled it out, but he didn't show any opinion or emotion when I held it under his nose to sniff. Saddling was ok, I noticed his head and neck tense but he's been that way about every saddle put on his back... but he didn't move at all. Upon mounting he headed back for the barn, and I was about to turn him when I noticed a LARGE herd of deer in the lower field. Since he'd already been acting spooky I didn't want to deal with extra added stimuli at the moment, so I allowed him to walk through the barn to the other side. I figured riding in his pasture with his buddies would alleviate some of the insecurity he was apparently experiencing. After remounting he made it clear he'd rather just go take his usual position under the trees with the herd. Unfortunately with a rider it's hard to fit under the tree. I admit we argued some and for me it's really hard to find a balance right now - if I don't to some degree "make" him excercise he won't walk up and down the hills at all unless he has to. Thus his muscle tone will continue to decrease. After some major "I want to go this way.." "No, We should go this way" I convinced him to head along by the pond and oaktree. He burst into a trot up one of the hills and I worked on keeping a steadily balanced light seat. So much easier with stirrups. Then he wanted to go back X_X. I pointed him towards the beach at the pond corner and suddenly realizing what I was suggesting he splashed gladly into the water and nearly into the middle of the pond! O_O I had to suggest that he NOT take me swimming in my leather saddle. So we stood there in belly deep water while he pawed happily, grunted and blew bubbles. He reached his head around when my hand caught his eye and I gave him a few strokes. He seemed incredibly happy and relaxed. We left and walked back towards the gate, though I still wanted to walk the entire pasture. We started off up the hill by the side of the house but he wasn't comfortable with walking so he started into a bolt-canter. I had to hold on for dear life and apparently me trying to hold him back annoyed him, he let out some hopping bucks and a grunt. At the top of the hill he cantered along for a moment before slowing to a walk. It was really nice actually and I tried very hard to have a soft seat and not bump him. After that though he was about done - wanted nothing more than to stand with his buddies, so I took him back to the barn and unsaddled him. I inspected his back and noted one small spot on either side of his wither, but they weren't dry, just lighter in color.
I figured some trot work would be good without a rider, so we went out to the ring and lounged on an extra large circle. I noticed his bend and any stiffness in his circles. He's definately stiff both ways, both shoulders seem to fall in, but he kept a much lighter feel on the line this time - maybe my circles have been too small and I've been asking for too much bend. His trot transitions were fairly prompt this time but his trot was lazy and draggy - although he did pick up on the straight away a couple times. I wrapped things up quickly because within 5 minutes dark clouds had blown over and it certainly didn't feel like 96 degrees anymore. A big storm was coming. He stood rather nervously in the barn while I put tack away and took him out to his pasture. Upon being turned out Levi came over, to hide behind D because of a cardboard box that'd been blow into the front yard. D immediately seemed relaxed when turned out, despite the massive winds, dust and debris being kicked up.
A note on the rainrot battle - I've been away for 2 days and upon inspection a huge yellow oozing scab came off his forehead just under his forelock. I've really gotta take care of this junk. I think Zinc Oxide based cream might do for his heels now that they're getting better from the dew poisoning/rainrot.
I think my point about yesterday was the relaxing feel of a short but free ride, and my slow learning about working together with him.
Friday, July 23, 2010
New Barefoot Trimmer!
(written post trim, which was on the 19th)
7/20/10
Well I’m stoked. ^_^
It seems like a few things are finally being lined up properly. I had an appointment with our new trimmer Marion Figley yesterday. I got a lot of information about D’s feet and health, conformation and movement and confirmed some suspicions of mine. It also helped do away with some of my pessimism about other issues as well.
Feet First
The condition of D’s hooves, especially the walls were about as bad as I thought. She hardly took anything off except to bevel the walls and lower his heels. His heels are definitely growing forward, and she felt they’re out of balance (the front), and his hinds need to be lowered, gradually to help the toe-drag he does with the hind feet. The integrity of the walls is not good at all and needs to be strengthened by good nutrition and worn properly by – you guessed it – regular work.
Conformation
She noted D’s slightly more ‘upright’ hind legs, the dragging of the hind toes and a slight ‘coon footedness’ (that being the straight line/angle of the hoof matching the pastern is broken one way or another). She feels a good part of the hoof drag can actually be addressed by proper heel height (lower) and hill work to strengthen the muscles. She suggested a joint supplement might be in order but we will have to see, I don’t know if I can afford it currently, so I’m leaning towards the hillwork.
She also explained D’s bump in his spine behind the saddle, calling it a ‘hunters bump’ more technically a spinal subluxation (yeah I had to look that word up). Mostlikely came from an injury or fall, possibly in a pasture where his hind end slid the wrong way – out of synch with his front end. Knowing how wild he can be when he wants I wasn’t surprised. She recommended a chiropractor who’s name I quickly forgot. Will have to get that again… She also noted the muscle wastage all along his back when I pointed it out and recommended her favorite bareback pad (BestFriend Barebackpad). She feels there’s some muscle wastage on top of his quarters as well but that regular hillwork will fill those in.
Diet
His hooves were definitely in that terrible shape from lack of nutrition – plain and simple. Grain just doesn’t cut it (like at Leslie’s) and even the good quality hay at Adrian’s wasn’t enough. To get everything in good healthy growing condition again she suggested a ration balancer, surprise surprise. Needless to say I’ll have him 100% on the Gro N Win again ASAP.
On first glance D’s hooves still seem too long – the toes are. But I can definitely see a difference today in the way he uses his hooves, with the lowered heels. In time I know the toe will be able to be taken off, just not now. He now lands heel first and I see the roll-the transfer of the weight from front to back. Almost a rocking of the hoof… but no straining or digging like if he had a long toe on a 100% flat hoof.
She also was quick to say she’s willing to train anyone who is interested. My boyfriend showed some mild interest in learning and I am definitely interested, so she told us she’s looking to train apprentices. I really should look into this, as she’s moving to Montana next year… o.o talk about timing. ;)
7/20/10
Well I’m stoked. ^_^
It seems like a few things are finally being lined up properly. I had an appointment with our new trimmer Marion Figley yesterday. I got a lot of information about D’s feet and health, conformation and movement and confirmed some suspicions of mine. It also helped do away with some of my pessimism about other issues as well.
Feet First
The condition of D’s hooves, especially the walls were about as bad as I thought. She hardly took anything off except to bevel the walls and lower his heels. His heels are definitely growing forward, and she felt they’re out of balance (the front), and his hinds need to be lowered, gradually to help the toe-drag he does with the hind feet. The integrity of the walls is not good at all and needs to be strengthened by good nutrition and worn properly by – you guessed it – regular work.
Conformation
She noted D’s slightly more ‘upright’ hind legs, the dragging of the hind toes and a slight ‘coon footedness’ (that being the straight line/angle of the hoof matching the pastern is broken one way or another). She feels a good part of the hoof drag can actually be addressed by proper heel height (lower) and hill work to strengthen the muscles. She suggested a joint supplement might be in order but we will have to see, I don’t know if I can afford it currently, so I’m leaning towards the hillwork.
She also explained D’s bump in his spine behind the saddle, calling it a ‘hunters bump’ more technically a spinal subluxation (yeah I had to look that word up). Mostlikely came from an injury or fall, possibly in a pasture where his hind end slid the wrong way – out of synch with his front end. Knowing how wild he can be when he wants I wasn’t surprised. She recommended a chiropractor who’s name I quickly forgot. Will have to get that again… She also noted the muscle wastage all along his back when I pointed it out and recommended her favorite bareback pad (BestFriend Barebackpad). She feels there’s some muscle wastage on top of his quarters as well but that regular hillwork will fill those in.
Diet
His hooves were definitely in that terrible shape from lack of nutrition – plain and simple. Grain just doesn’t cut it (like at Leslie’s) and even the good quality hay at Adrian’s wasn’t enough. To get everything in good healthy growing condition again she suggested a ration balancer, surprise surprise. Needless to say I’ll have him 100% on the Gro N Win again ASAP.
On first glance D’s hooves still seem too long – the toes are. But I can definitely see a difference today in the way he uses his hooves, with the lowered heels. In time I know the toe will be able to be taken off, just not now. He now lands heel first and I see the roll-the transfer of the weight from front to back. Almost a rocking of the hoof… but no straining or digging like if he had a long toe on a 100% flat hoof.
She also was quick to say she’s willing to train anyone who is interested. My boyfriend showed some mild interest in learning and I am definitely interested, so she told us she’s looking to train apprentices. I really should look into this, as she’s moving to Montana next year… o.o talk about timing. ;)
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Questioning Everything
Starting out with some slight depression this morning. I was in Chattanooga all weekend and haven't seen D since Saturday morn. Atleast I had time to let our less-than-stellar interaction sink in and mostly roll off...
(Quick back track)
Saturday started with a beautiful day - him walking away from me when I went to get him. Then he refused to hold his feet up for longer than 2 seconds despite the fact that they're long and cracking and desperately needed rasping. He cooaperated part of the time for treats but still fussed, nearly getting me in the face 3 times with his front hoof. I finally gave up and finished up and turned him back out.
(Quick back track)
Saturday started with a beautiful day - him walking away from me when I went to get him. Then he refused to hold his feet up for longer than 2 seconds despite the fact that they're long and cracking and desperately needed rasping. He cooaperated part of the time for treats but still fussed, nearly getting me in the face 3 times with his front hoof. I finally gave up and finished up and turned him back out.
Anyways. I've been frustrated with D's lack of energy/will to do anything this past week or so. Sure following me around the ring is a start, but there is no spark, no nothing. He rarely focuses on me at all. I'll catch him watching me out of the corner of his eyes as he walks around the arena, but that's all the signal I get. And he mainly comes up to me because he's bored or wants treats. -__- *sigh* Oh how I would love to hop on his back and us gallop across the fields happily with him shaking his mane and grunting like he used to... I'm missing that right now.
In talking about his lack of attention to me that brings up another BIG point of frustration: the respect issue. I know he doesn't respect me, and despite me working on the windmill arms now when he gets in my space I can't do it all the time and he also doesn't always respond to that. Hoping some of the AND members and myself can figure this out... The gate is a huge point of contention and maybe the truth is I'm just not patient enough. (still?! You're killin me here ;p ) I've worked (what I thought was extensively) with him about the gate, waiting, not always grazing, etc. It just doesn't stay "good" though even after a good session. I don't know how I'm screwing it up though as I can't have 4 hands to deal with a cranky gate and a large pushy horse while holding onto him so he doesn't bolt etc. O_o'''' Maybe the answer lies in my own patience, making gate equitte the lesson of the day until we see true progress. I'm still kind of a mess with him: one minute it's non confrontational, non preassure body communication to ask for what I need (move away from me etc.) and the next when he crosses the line I do something that makes him throw his head up or I start applying preassure on the halter or his chest. Very frustrating, I don't feel like I have a proper "new habit" to replace each old reaction I gravitate towards when he does something I don't like. I've only replaced some of my habits, so I revert back to them when I don't have an immediate answer for his behavior, because oddly the last thing I feel like I should do is stand still and do nothing.
Some people did remind me on the MB about the head being held high releasing adrenaline and causing tension mentally as well as physically. With as much as D throws his head up or raises it to get it away from people, I imagine he's pretty tense even when I think he's not. Despite the domaneering manner and insistance that Adrian exerted over him this past winter, the ultimate product of having D lower his head for a person during haltering & leading had a nice effect on him. He was often very calm with little head swinging. He's never hit me with his head when it was wither height or below. *thinks about that* Playing with the head down response has started dancing in my mind again this morning... although I'm probably going to have to find a new way to get him to do it considering the somewhat firm poll preassure is something he'll most likely reject now that he's been able to say 'No' so much.
Also another random idea occurred to me: Chase the Tiger in the pasture? even if D didn't take me up on the offer (as he still seems to have very little interest in the thing on the ground) I'm sure Levi the colt would. Would watching other horses frolick and play encourage Diego to become more open to the idea? Will have to test this theory...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)