|
Post by Chloe on May 3, 2010 11:20:40 GMT
Not yet - no local ones about for a while but once I've passed my trailer test I'll start planning properly
|
|
|
Post by nicxf on May 3, 2010 15:01:17 GMT
Yay for trailers! How is the practising coming along? Are you feeling that you'll be ready to take the test? It's not long now, is it..
|
|
|
Post by Chloe on May 3, 2010 16:37:05 GMT
Test's booked for the 29th...practiced Friday and will practice next weekend since Dolly'll be out of action due to Bowen, then a weekend off visiting relatives before practicing in the week running up to the test, and keeping fingers very firmly crossed for a pass
|
|
|
Post by Chloe on May 4, 2010 19:04:19 GMT
Did some ground work tonight - warmed her up on the long lines in walk and trot, getting her to work on tracking up and bending, then moved onto some single line lungeing to get some faster work in (without her useless mother tying herself up in double lines!), then let her off and loose schooled over some jumps before cooling off with some stretching exercises. Only a short session and she didn't get at all out of puff, but she was in great spirits when I took her back in - she enjoys doing something different to riding sometimes Need to work her every day this week as she's getting both days off this weekend due to Bowen and I'm paranoid about grass and no exercise!
|
|
|
Post by kas on May 6, 2010 6:22:10 GMT
You're not alone in that paranoia!
|
|
|
Post by leigh on May 6, 2010 19:26:18 GMT
What a lovely read. But you've now got me panicking about grass and no exercise Still, cast comes off Wednesday so not much longer
|
|
|
Post by Chloe on May 9, 2010 11:09:19 GMT
Dolly had her saddle narrowed and a Bowen session today and was a very good girl for both! I'm very spoilt in that my saddle fitter is also a Bowen therapist so is able to fit the saddle to take into account the horse's musculature and any expected changes due to workload so today we narrowed Dolly's saddle up as she's lost a lot of weight since it was last fitted (I've been padding it out with a sheepskin to compensate) but left it still a tiny touch wide so I can keep using my sheepskin under it for fast work and jumping where she stretches right out and narrows futher but it will be absolutely fine with just a thin pad under it for flatwork and quiet hacks when she's working rounder and wider. She had a very positive Bowen session with very few problem areas. The only issues identified were where she's muscled up considerably since the last session (over a year ago - deliberately left a long gap so I could properly monitor her lameness as she does move differently after a Bowen session) so she released the tension and has said to carry on as we are as it's obviously working. She was very impressed with the muscle tone in Dolly's back end but has suggested trotting poles and long and low work to encourage her to transfer the muscle from the underside of her neck to her topline as she looks a bit weak in front compared to behind. So very positive! She gets the day off today and tomorrow then hacking for a week then back to normal next week
|
|
|
Post by nicxf on May 9, 2010 12:21:53 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Chloe on May 9, 2010 12:24:08 GMT
It's a Saddle Company saddle so the tree width is adjustable using a clever machine that Susan has. I really like the saddle as not only is the tree adjustable, but it has a lovely wide gullet, big flat panels and the serge lining is very soft and forgiving.
|
|
|
Post by nicxf on May 9, 2010 12:30:58 GMT
oo, that's interesting to know. Just in case, you know, I happen to be on the lookout for a new saddle for any reason at all in the future...
|
|
|
Post by Chloe on May 9, 2010 12:32:38 GMT
lol sneaky! I can definitely highly recommend them - and with a seatsaver on they're comfy too
|
|
|
Post by kas on May 9, 2010 17:30:44 GMT
They appear quite regularly on EBay at reasonable prices...
|
|
|
Post by Chloe on May 9, 2010 19:03:40 GMT
They certainly do - it's where mine came from.
|
|
|
Post by Chloe on May 13, 2010 22:18:42 GMT
Had a horrid night tonight and any suggestions would be hugely appreciated! Took Dolly hacking today for the first time in 4 days (she had her saddle refitted and a Bowen session on the weekend so needed a few days off, then yesterday the weather was vile so didn't ride). She was being quite sticky and spooky so I kicked her on and trotted her a bit, figuring she was a bit nappy after her time off. About 3/4 mile from the yard she totally locked up, back hunched, breathing erratic, the works. Leapt off and pulled her saddle off, her whole body was spasming and each time she moved her back end collapsed Typical I didn't have my mobile with me so cue much panicking and waving trying to attract attention. Finally managed to borrow a mobile and phoned my OH (only number I could remember off the top of my head) telling him I needed a vet and a trailer as Dolly couldn't walk. He phoned one of my friends at the yard who then phoned everyone else. One of the girls and my YO drove out in seperate cars to try and find me while another phoned the vet. Car issues meant my OH had to drive the 4x4 to the yard and one of the liveries lent me her trailer and drove out to collect us. Pony hates loading at the best of times and when she's struggling to move anyway, she hates it even more. Between about 6 of us we managed to carry on and take her home. The vet came out and diagnosed azoturia. She doesn't know why it happened as it's never happened to her before. She said my regime for Dolly was perfect and that she isn't the type to get it. Nothing's changed recently as far as turnout, she doesn't get cereals, although she's had time off, it was no more than she has over winter and I wasn't asking her to work hard or fast. She's taken bloods, injected a painkiller, and I have a ridiculous amount of bute to give her over the next 10 days. They're coming out to take more bloods tomorrow, and if she's no better in a week, they'll take more bloods. She's peeing brown urine so they're concerned about her liver and even though she was high as a kite on painkillers she was still uncomfortable and shifting her weight a lot when I left her. She's now rugged up in the stable with her hay and water on the bed with her so she doesn't need to move to get to them. No idea what caused it or whether it will happen again. Vibes would be hugely appreciated, as would any suggestions as to what caused it.
|
|
|
Post by nicxf on May 14, 2010 8:34:03 GMT
oh no.....poor Dolly. Poor you! That sounds horrendous. Big, big hugs.
|
|