The farrier had pronounced that Sammie's hinds are looking good and he's doing a fine job of keeping them in trim himself. He said it must be a mixture of the type of work and the sand in the school giving them a bit of a manicure, like a nature emery board!
He said the shape was pretty good although the right does have a slight flare (he's always had this but it used to be a lot worse) . I was pretty pleased because I said what I thought needed doing and the farrier agreed; that was the right outside heel.
However Sammie, whilst absolutely foot perfect with the fronts, was a monkey with the hinds. Not so bad with the left, but the right got too much for him. Part of me was concerned that maybe he's feeling pain in his left so he doesn't want to put more weight on it. But then I've seen him rest both equally and as YM said, he's still stepping through nicely. I'm going to give him a day and then have another go myself. Our farrier talked me through exactly what to do and said to call him if I needed any advice.
I think this is the best way forward - just Sammie and me. Always has been and always will be I guess! As the farrier said, the feet really didn't need anything doing to them; a lot of it would be purely cosmetic. But he would feel totally happy if that right heel just had a bit taken off it and that's doable when I get Sammie on his own.
If I do a little bit every day, "a couple of strokes a day" as the farrier advised, I'll have it under control. Ok, they don't look as pretty as they could but who cares? I know we're not out of the woods yet and we've got a long way to go but I feel happy that I know what I'm looking at.
My other theory at the moment - a gut instinct really - is that the Sedalin might actually be making him worse with his hinds. I think the if he happens to be feeling extra vulnerable that day for some reason, the Sedalin just heightens that feeling. He wouldn't even accept YM picking up the right foot today and she picks his feet out every day without a problem.
So next time, farrier will do the fronts without Sedalin (Sammie will be fine) and he can advise me on the hinds. Blimey, I never thought I'd be learning how to do things like this! I tell you, if I ever got another horse I would have this farrier look after its feet like a shot. He is just so patient and so keen for me to succeed.
We might meet a problem in one or two, three or four months time, but at least I know I'm doing my best under the circumstances and Sammie will hopefully be happier about the whole thing too. I've got to go back to little steps on this one.
We've a new arrival on the yard: a miniature shetland! She's just 6hh. I arrived at the yard today to find YM and farmer giving her a bath. What a cutie with the smallest hooves you've ever seen. She's been known to sit on the back seat of the farmer's truck, she's been in the lounge at the cottage and she's even sat on the sofa. Nothing scares that wee little thing at all. She's full of confidence and is as bright as a button. She's got her own little trap, too.
I brought Sammie round to get him ready for riding and he really couldn't work out what she was. She obviously smelt like horse but I don't think he'd ever seen one so small. Talk about little and large. Daisy wasn't put off at all when Sammie walked up to her. She stood her ground and carried on munching her hay. Not bothered in the least.
Thursday 31 July 2008
Tuesday 29 July 2008
Can canter, can't stop!
I can't stop Sammie cantering on the left rein now. He's gone from being a horse that was difficult to get into anything that resembled a canter to a horse that once he starts, won't stop. He will break for a trot now and again, when he decides that what I'm asking might be a good idea, but the slightest move from me and he's off again. This is primarily on the left rein - his favourite side.
We were working on the long lines today and the barmy thing just kept doing it! Not a crazy canter at all, so nothing to worry about. In fact it's a pleasure that he's so willing. When I eventually got him back to walk he immediately started the Spanish Stamp with both legs - still very odd looking and it does make me laugh with all the effort he puts in with such a stern and determined look on his face.
Crikey, these days if you give him an idea he takes it to the extreme. Funny boy. He made me quite dizzy today.
It's a month without hind shoes now and I still can't see any tell tale signs. I just hope our farrier doesn't tell me something different on Thursday.
We were working on the long lines today and the barmy thing just kept doing it! Not a crazy canter at all, so nothing to worry about. In fact it's a pleasure that he's so willing. When I eventually got him back to walk he immediately started the Spanish Stamp with both legs - still very odd looking and it does make me laugh with all the effort he puts in with such a stern and determined look on his face.
Crikey, these days if you give him an idea he takes it to the extreme. Funny boy. He made me quite dizzy today.
It's a month without hind shoes now and I still can't see any tell tale signs. I just hope our farrier doesn't tell me something different on Thursday.
Sunday 27 July 2008
Hot work, cold shower
We did some long lining today and his canter on the left is coming on so well. It seemed I just had to think canter and he was off. He got very puffed up at one stage, all proud and arched, and just want to go, go, go. Then he decided the Spanish Stamp might help. I had to laugh because he was trying so hard to do both legs while walking along but he really can't seem to sort his legs out and ends up at a standstill in the oddest position, looking at me as much to say, "Well? What do you think of that then?" Why on earth does he like doing that so much?
I was a bit of a sweaty mess by the end of all that and Sammie was very grateful for the cold hose treatment. Just stood there ground tied and didn't move a muscle apart from lifting his hind leg very slightly when I sprayed his crown jewels, but I think he quite liked it once he got over the initial shock!
I remember the first days of hosing and bathing Sammie - it was an absolute nightmare, so much so that I gave up in the end and used to sponge him down instead. I think he was just plain terrified of the hose. I've heard that some people use hoses and plastic water pipes to beat horses because they don't leave marks on the skin - nice eh? I'm not sure if that was every in Sammie's life, but now he's an absolute angel and he still gets some treats for being so good.
I rode in the school this morning hoping that it might be a wee bit cooler, but by the time we got ready the sun was starting to do its stuff. It didn't seem to put Sammie off though, he worked so hard. We worked a bit on transitions and I think I must be improving because he is starting to listen more and more.
The important thing seems to be to start off as you mean to go on. No dawdling or pootling, but clear directions and signals right from the start. Well that seems to be the way with Sammie. We still warm up and down properly but we do it all with purpose if that makes sense.
We really were hot and sweaty after nearly 40 minutes of that so I decided to give him a proper bath for which he seemed pretty grateful. Stood there like a rock with his lead rope dangling on the ground and even let me get the hose right up his neck to just behind his ears. He was wary and lifted his head a bit but certainly wasn't that bothered by it.
I was a bit of a sweaty mess by the end of all that and Sammie was very grateful for the cold hose treatment. Just stood there ground tied and didn't move a muscle apart from lifting his hind leg very slightly when I sprayed his crown jewels, but I think he quite liked it once he got over the initial shock!
I remember the first days of hosing and bathing Sammie - it was an absolute nightmare, so much so that I gave up in the end and used to sponge him down instead. I think he was just plain terrified of the hose. I've heard that some people use hoses and plastic water pipes to beat horses because they don't leave marks on the skin - nice eh? I'm not sure if that was every in Sammie's life, but now he's an absolute angel and he still gets some treats for being so good.
I rode in the school this morning hoping that it might be a wee bit cooler, but by the time we got ready the sun was starting to do its stuff. It didn't seem to put Sammie off though, he worked so hard. We worked a bit on transitions and I think I must be improving because he is starting to listen more and more.
The important thing seems to be to start off as you mean to go on. No dawdling or pootling, but clear directions and signals right from the start. Well that seems to be the way with Sammie. We still warm up and down properly but we do it all with purpose if that makes sense.
We really were hot and sweaty after nearly 40 minutes of that so I decided to give him a proper bath for which he seemed pretty grateful. Stood there like a rock with his lead rope dangling on the ground and even let me get the hose right up his neck to just behind his ears. He was wary and lifted his head a bit but certainly wasn't that bothered by it.
Tuesday 22 July 2008
Barefoot in the Park
Sammie and I had our first hack with back bare feet this past Sunday. Sammie didn't seem to be ouchy at all, despite a few stony areas. Helps that the soil here is sandy, so the stones sink into the sand under pressure. We were only out for about 45/50 minutes walking with one or two short trots. He was tracking up the whole way round and I certainly didn't feel anything that worried me. I think he's lost a wee bit of fitness, but apart from that we came back in one piece.
I long lined him yesterday just to check that he was still ok and he was. In fact he did the most lovely canter on the left rein I've ever seem him do and on quite a small circle. So for the time being, we seem to be on the right path. I'm still going to be building it up gradually over the next month or so and I'll be interested to hear what our farrier thinks when he seems him next week.
I've been thinking about Spanish Stamp and I think I know what I've got to do. Yesterday on the long lines we did start to get the other leg working a bit too - not brilliant but he was shocked by the amount of praise he got for it so hopefully it will help. We also did the hoppity hop version as well and once he starts he just doesn't want to stop. It really does need two people. He does it with such energy though, not an elegant rise and fall but a real STAMP. I can't work out why he does it with such force! But it does make me laugh.
I long lined him yesterday just to check that he was still ok and he was. In fact he did the most lovely canter on the left rein I've ever seem him do and on quite a small circle. So for the time being, we seem to be on the right path. I'm still going to be building it up gradually over the next month or so and I'll be interested to hear what our farrier thinks when he seems him next week.
I've been thinking about Spanish Stamp and I think I know what I've got to do. Yesterday on the long lines we did start to get the other leg working a bit too - not brilliant but he was shocked by the amount of praise he got for it so hopefully it will help. We also did the hoppity hop version as well and once he starts he just doesn't want to stop. It really does need two people. He does it with such energy though, not an elegant rise and fall but a real STAMP. I can't work out why he does it with such force! But it does make me laugh.
Sunday 20 July 2008
Sleight of hip
I had my lesson in the morning and I was surprised when both RI and her trainee observed that Sammie actually looked a bit loser on the back end. Quite comforting that they could see a minor improvement rather than any problems at the moment. Time will tell.
RI understood that I had been taking it a bit easy with Sammie since the shoes had come off, so we spent some time revisiting subtle aids and getting his hocks to really lift up in trot. Then we worked some more on the paces within trot. This was followed by some sideways work with Sammie crossing his legs beautifully at one point.
Then we moved onto canter, again with subtle aids. By the end, just one gentle nudge with my inside leg and a slight lift of the hip, brought an immediate reaction and RI said you couldn't actually see me doing anything at all. One interesting thing she made me do was put my stirrups up a hole. She said as I hadn't been riding so much I didn't look comfortable. I thought I'd feel like a jockey but it actually felt so much better, helping my legs to stay more still and gluing my backside to the saddle in canter.
RI said that some days you can ride longer and some days you just can't, so there's no point struggling and getting into bad habits. Although you obviously shouldn't ride too short, her point of view is that once the legs and backside learn where they should be and what they should be doing, they will be able to do it at any length, but they have to learn first. So if on some days you feel you're struggling with longer stirrups, make yourself more comfortable and put them up a hole as you'll ride a lot better. Made perfect sense to me.
Sammie was a superstar, but I know and I can see where I keep confusing him and blocking him at times - poor boy. His cantering at the end was lovely on the left rein, but then RI upped the ante a bit more and said we needed to work on paces within the canter with a big smile on her face. Hmmm...now that was hard work! We worked on that for a wee bit by using core strength to slow it down. I used too much and Sammie came to a standstill, so at least I learnt something!
RI was explaining about asking for canter when the inside shoulder is moving forwards as this gets the horse to lead from their back end rather than their front end, so you get a much better canter.
I just love all this stuff about the subtle aids; nobody can see what you're doing but things happen. My RI is really into this, not only because it looks far better, but it also means that the horse is really listening and won't get deadened to constant requests. That's what had happened to Sammie before he was mine, and that's what we had to work through together. You have to be consistent when retraining, and while I'm certainly not consistent enough (yet), I do have Sammie going into canter from a nudge of my inside leg and a lift of my inside hip, so subtle that you can't even see what's happening. That is truly, truly amazing to me. I just wish we could have RI there with us more often. She really does have a great way of getting us to focus and learn and have some fun at the same time.
RI understood that I had been taking it a bit easy with Sammie since the shoes had come off, so we spent some time revisiting subtle aids and getting his hocks to really lift up in trot. Then we worked some more on the paces within trot. This was followed by some sideways work with Sammie crossing his legs beautifully at one point.
Then we moved onto canter, again with subtle aids. By the end, just one gentle nudge with my inside leg and a slight lift of the hip, brought an immediate reaction and RI said you couldn't actually see me doing anything at all. One interesting thing she made me do was put my stirrups up a hole. She said as I hadn't been riding so much I didn't look comfortable. I thought I'd feel like a jockey but it actually felt so much better, helping my legs to stay more still and gluing my backside to the saddle in canter.
RI said that some days you can ride longer and some days you just can't, so there's no point struggling and getting into bad habits. Although you obviously shouldn't ride too short, her point of view is that once the legs and backside learn where they should be and what they should be doing, they will be able to do it at any length, but they have to learn first. So if on some days you feel you're struggling with longer stirrups, make yourself more comfortable and put them up a hole as you'll ride a lot better. Made perfect sense to me.
Sammie was a superstar, but I know and I can see where I keep confusing him and blocking him at times - poor boy. His cantering at the end was lovely on the left rein, but then RI upped the ante a bit more and said we needed to work on paces within the canter with a big smile on her face. Hmmm...now that was hard work! We worked on that for a wee bit by using core strength to slow it down. I used too much and Sammie came to a standstill, so at least I learnt something!
RI was explaining about asking for canter when the inside shoulder is moving forwards as this gets the horse to lead from their back end rather than their front end, so you get a much better canter.
I just love all this stuff about the subtle aids; nobody can see what you're doing but things happen. My RI is really into this, not only because it looks far better, but it also means that the horse is really listening and won't get deadened to constant requests. That's what had happened to Sammie before he was mine, and that's what we had to work through together. You have to be consistent when retraining, and while I'm certainly not consistent enough (yet), I do have Sammie going into canter from a nudge of my inside leg and a lift of my inside hip, so subtle that you can't even see what's happening. That is truly, truly amazing to me. I just wish we could have RI there with us more often. She really does have a great way of getting us to focus and learn and have some fun at the same time.
Sunday 13 July 2008
Struttin' Sammie
Sammie is still offering it up, strutting around the school and doing his big bouncy trot. I keep wondering where on earth this trot has come from. I can really feel his legs lifting and going forward with a distinctive side to side movement as well. It's difficult to explain, but it's a sensation of power more than anything.
I think it all started when our RI showed me how to open him up down the long side of the school after taking it slow and balanced round the corners. So I'm guessing that those back feet can't be sore otherwise he just wouldn't want to be doing that at all. We had one reasonable canter on the right rein (our worst side) so we called it a day after that. When Sammie has his working head on, he's a whole different horse.
I think it all started when our RI showed me how to open him up down the long side of the school after taking it slow and balanced round the corners. So I'm guessing that those back feet can't be sore otherwise he just wouldn't want to be doing that at all. We had one reasonable canter on the right rein (our worst side) so we called it a day after that. When Sammie has his working head on, he's a whole different horse.
Friday 11 July 2008
Hard hooves, soft heart?
We haven't had any rain here today (yet) so I rode Sammie in the school and once again he gobsmacked me slightly. It was in the morning so he was a wee bit sleepy but once we got shifting he was lovely. He even did his slightly extended (or opened up) trot (the one that nearly bounces me out of the saddle) down the long side and he just felt so willing to do it.
Then I thought we'd try the canter and again, he did just as I asked - trot to canter for a few strides, back to trot, back to walk and then walk to canter. We did it a few times and he responded really well. I think I'm sitting to the canter a bit better as well. Probably because he is more 'up' when he goes into canter and we stop before I lose the plot! We were in there for about 45 minutes including warm up and stretching out at the end.
YM suggested we try taking him out for a very short (40 min) hack next week some time on the easy smooth tracks, just to see how he goes. If he looks or feels dodgy I can get off and walk and it will be good to have someone there to keep an eye on him as well. Farrier advised to just gradually build up the work and exposure to different surfaces during the first month, so that sounds like a good plan. I just put a wee bit of the hoof hardener today before turning him out as I don't want all this wet weather to mess with his feet - I'm probably being over protective, but I think I'm entitled to be
Then I thought we'd try the canter and again, he did just as I asked - trot to canter for a few strides, back to trot, back to walk and then walk to canter. We did it a few times and he responded really well. I think I'm sitting to the canter a bit better as well. Probably because he is more 'up' when he goes into canter and we stop before I lose the plot! We were in there for about 45 minutes including warm up and stretching out at the end.
YM suggested we try taking him out for a very short (40 min) hack next week some time on the easy smooth tracks, just to see how he goes. If he looks or feels dodgy I can get off and walk and it will be good to have someone there to keep an eye on him as well. Farrier advised to just gradually build up the work and exposure to different surfaces during the first month, so that sounds like a good plan. I just put a wee bit of the hoof hardener today before turning him out as I don't want all this wet weather to mess with his feet - I'm probably being over protective, but I think I'm entitled to be
Thursday 10 July 2008
Ministry of Silly Walks
Sammie and I did some long lining today. We long lined down to the school via the lane and went back the same way to make up for the tarmac work we couldn't do yesterday unless we had both wanted to drown.
This Spanish Stamp thing is such a favourite that I only have to start it off and he just won't stop. But now he thinks it's good fun to just do it with one leg while he's still walking along even though I haven't asked for it. Talk about a silly walk! And he gets so annoyed when a treat doesn't come his way. I have to put him into trot to get it out of his head.
His hinds are still looking ok with all this wet weather and there's no ouchiness. He's still springing along in trot, so all is looking good three weeks in.
Ole!
This Spanish Stamp thing is such a favourite that I only have to start it off and he just won't stop. But now he thinks it's good fun to just do it with one leg while he's still walking along even though I haven't asked for it. Talk about a silly walk! And he gets so annoyed when a treat doesn't come his way. I have to put him into trot to get it out of his head.
His hinds are still looking ok with all this wet weather and there's no ouchiness. He's still springing along in trot, so all is looking good three weeks in.
Ole!
Monday 7 July 2008
Striding forward
Sammie did some long lining yesterday, so we went for a tarmac walk in hand today - making sure his head was out in front at all times. He really does worry when he's out there and keeps glancing back to make sure I'm still there. Poor lad, you can see it written all over his face, but he keeps going and that's the main thing.
I found my 2006 diary while I was sorting out a mound of paperwork the other day. I shouldn't have looked, but I couldn't help myself. He went barefoot on the hinds at the end of March 2006 and by July we had a right hind problem followed swiftly by the left hind kicking off again with that same horrible lump thing between the coronet and fetlock. So that's around three months after the shoes coming off, which is roughly as I remembered it.
However, he had been unlevel for about 2/3 months prior to that with only one shoe and a plate on the left hind (putting extra stress on the right hind I guess) so that might have been why the right hoof had a problem. Lord knows why the left hind kicked off again; maybe it was taking the shoe off, maybe the foot wasn't in good enough shape to cope. Aaargh! Who knows?
I keep trying to work it all out in my head, but it's pointless. Only time will tell and I have to just deal with the now. And for now he's looking fine, not pottery at all.
I found my 2006 diary while I was sorting out a mound of paperwork the other day. I shouldn't have looked, but I couldn't help myself. He went barefoot on the hinds at the end of March 2006 and by July we had a right hind problem followed swiftly by the left hind kicking off again with that same horrible lump thing between the coronet and fetlock. So that's around three months after the shoes coming off, which is roughly as I remembered it.
However, he had been unlevel for about 2/3 months prior to that with only one shoe and a plate on the left hind (putting extra stress on the right hind I guess) so that might have been why the right hoof had a problem. Lord knows why the left hind kicked off again; maybe it was taking the shoe off, maybe the foot wasn't in good enough shape to cope. Aaargh! Who knows?
I keep trying to work it all out in my head, but it's pointless. Only time will tell and I have to just deal with the now. And for now he's looking fine, not pottery at all.
Sunday 6 July 2008
To trot or not?
I rode Sammie for the first time in nearly two weeks yesterday. I was intending just to give him a walk in the school and hop off straight away if I felt anything odd.
"Walk?", said Sammie. "No, you don't want to be doing that - let's just trot and trot and trot!" Even when I didn't ask, he wanted to trot. YM was in the school at the same time and said he looked just the same as usual - she said he looked lovely going round. So we did about half an hour in the end and whilst it's wonderful to feel that he's still ok, I'm well aware that it could be a different picture in 2 or 3 months' time. But I guess we just have to keep going, although I will be avoiding overly rough tracks etc for at least the next month. I'll just keep trying to condition him on tarmac and wee bits of rough stuff without me on his back.
Today we did some long lining and he was as good as gold. He even went out of the school the opposite way we normally go back up to the yard. He had a mild tantrum about me changing the route but it was a good way to do some tarmac work as well. So we turned right, went down the hill and back up the lane. It was all a bit scary for Sammie, but we coped.
I managed to do a bit of rasping as well, just as the farrier showed me, to tidy up around the nail holes, so they're not looking too bad any more.
YM said Sammie's feet looked a really good shape and like me, she wondered how on earth the farrier managed it. She said he's so quick that he must do it purely on instinct; she would suspect any other farrier of not doing a proper job judging by the speed, but the proof is in the pudding on the fronts and hinds. He must just have a very good and practised eye.
"Walk?", said Sammie. "No, you don't want to be doing that - let's just trot and trot and trot!" Even when I didn't ask, he wanted to trot. YM was in the school at the same time and said he looked just the same as usual - she said he looked lovely going round. So we did about half an hour in the end and whilst it's wonderful to feel that he's still ok, I'm well aware that it could be a different picture in 2 or 3 months' time. But I guess we just have to keep going, although I will be avoiding overly rough tracks etc for at least the next month. I'll just keep trying to condition him on tarmac and wee bits of rough stuff without me on his back.
Today we did some long lining and he was as good as gold. He even went out of the school the opposite way we normally go back up to the yard. He had a mild tantrum about me changing the route but it was a good way to do some tarmac work as well. So we turned right, went down the hill and back up the lane. It was all a bit scary for Sammie, but we coped.
I managed to do a bit of rasping as well, just as the farrier showed me, to tidy up around the nail holes, so they're not looking too bad any more.
YM said Sammie's feet looked a really good shape and like me, she wondered how on earth the farrier managed it. She said he's so quick that he must do it purely on instinct; she would suspect any other farrier of not doing a proper job judging by the speed, but the proof is in the pudding on the fronts and hinds. He must just have a very good and practised eye.
Friday 4 July 2008
Hoof OCD?
It's now official - I have become obsessed with hooves again. I've been reading my Pete Ramey book all over again and I've been inspected the feet of other horses on the yard. Yikes - I don't like the look of some of 'em I can tell you.
I had a go at a wee bit of rasping today with Sammie. He was as good as gold but I just can't hold those heavy old legs up for too long. At least he accepted me doing it. In fact he couldn't have looked less bothered if he tried. I just took off some of the rough bits that the nail holes had left.
We did some long lining and H (with her two dogs) was riding in the school at the same time. I knew Sammie looked ok but just wanted to check, and she also said he was looking just fine in walk and trot. I watched him going over the gravelly bits today and there wasn't the slightest hesitation.
I know I'm obsessed, but it's also made me realise that even though the farrier could never do the complete job he wanted to do on Sammie's hinds, he's managed to get them in far better shape than the previous guy ever could, even with Sammie under vet sedation. That really is quite amazing.
Sammie has a new neighbour, a big and beautiful bay with a great sense of fun. He's come to us on holiday before, but now he's come back to stay. He was in a dressage institution before so I'm sure his life is going to improve dramatically now. Sammie kept squealing and then the new boy decided that all the rugs hanging between them had to be pulled off the rails for closer inspection, nearly giving poor Sammie a mild heart attack.
I had a go at a wee bit of rasping today with Sammie. He was as good as gold but I just can't hold those heavy old legs up for too long. At least he accepted me doing it. In fact he couldn't have looked less bothered if he tried. I just took off some of the rough bits that the nail holes had left.
We did some long lining and H (with her two dogs) was riding in the school at the same time. I knew Sammie looked ok but just wanted to check, and she also said he was looking just fine in walk and trot. I watched him going over the gravelly bits today and there wasn't the slightest hesitation.
I know I'm obsessed, but it's also made me realise that even though the farrier could never do the complete job he wanted to do on Sammie's hinds, he's managed to get them in far better shape than the previous guy ever could, even with Sammie under vet sedation. That really is quite amazing.
Sammie has a new neighbour, a big and beautiful bay with a great sense of fun. He's come to us on holiday before, but now he's come back to stay. He was in a dressage institution before so I'm sure his life is going to improve dramatically now. Sammie kept squealing and then the new boy decided that all the rugs hanging between them had to be pulled off the rails for closer inspection, nearly giving poor Sammie a mild heart attack.
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