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Post by quest on Nov 9, 2011 18:24:30 GMT
I am now starting to ride again after almost a year off. Before we moved Nancy was diagnosed with asthma (can't remember the new name for it) and she and I were sharing an inhaler. I spend a day putting the mask on her nostril then giving her a treat before administering the puffer. After a day she was actively looking for it and placing her nose in ready to breath - so clever. I was advised to keep her out but found she was much better in the stable - as we lived next to a motorway I suspect the diesel and petrol fumes were the cause. As she picked up health I had her sarcoid removed. It was near her girth line and was starting to irritate. After consultation I decided to go for chemical treatment rather than surgical as she is very sensitive. This proved to be very painful for her and I would advise anyone thinking of going down this line to think carefully. She went onto a high dose of bute for a week and lost weight. All is well now and the sarcoid scab although about the size of my hand does not affect the girth position. Today we decided to attempt a full circuit, and I was prepared to get off and lead her if she found it too much. She is used to hacking out alone but on hills, valleys and woodland. The banks were fine and we had a trot, the feral sheep were in their own field and the large bonfire didn't phase her too much (these are on the droves). We reached the village main road (1 car every 2 minutes) and then turned up Bells Drove the tarmaced drove leading back to the banks. Along here is a field of 3 very pretty donkeys which produced some enormous snorts from Nancy, who stalked passed them with her tail and ears touching. But she coped and walked the rest of the way home on the end of her reins. I usually ride in ropes but have been using the bridle when I think there may be some interesting things to pass. She's now dozing in her stable after a couple of ours out and has had an ET session. Life is looking good.
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Post by kas on Nov 10, 2011 16:46:42 GMT
Did you use Liverpool Cream Quest? I've heard that is painful for them. Glad it's all cleared up and not causing problems now. I think we need a photo thread from you over on the General board...
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Post by quest on Nov 10, 2011 20:34:22 GMT
Not sure what cream was used, but the vet was covered up like a space man (no, only his hands) but the precautions taken were extreme. Photo thread - that sounds technical - I'll need an idiots guide.
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Post by quest on Nov 18, 2011 18:49:07 GMT
After the arrival of Abbey we had to stop play as she, being a pony quickly realised that the electric fencing wasn't on so now they are all grazing the hay field while we dash round locating the necessary equipment as some of our stuff is still in Kent. Abbey is now recognised by the other 2 as a valuable herd member. Our hacking out is still improving and drains, ditches dykes, bridges, feral sheep are tollerable and we are now getting used to pigs. I hitched up with 2 other riders who introduced me to some bridle paths - strangely they trott on roads and walk on grass (!?) I rode in Nancy's bit to be on the safe side, but am now feeling really depressed after seeing el's latest post - she spent a lot of th time with her mouth open and overbent. Hey ho, back to ropes and riding alone so I can control the environment and get off if in doubt - sadly if I do get off its could be a long walk home as they don't have convenient fences for me to climb onto. I wonder if I could convince Nancy to stand in a drain
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Post by kas on Nov 18, 2011 19:04:39 GMT
Sometimes being in control of the environment is the answer for a while, but it's a pain. I too am doing a bit of walking and looking for things to use as mounting blocks, so I feel your pain.
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Post by quest on Nov 19, 2011 21:55:48 GMT
So, today I took the bit between my teeth (and out of Nancy's) and went for a hack round the bridle paths and roads I had been shown by my 2 previous escorts (who incidently never thanked or saluted slowing motorists - strange). I used ropes and only had to dismount for a difficult gate and short walk through a farm yard full of store cattle. We took the whole ride slow and easy with a couple of short trots on the beautiful tracks. We had one other incident with "the dog on the running chain" which made a terrible noise and I was quite with Nancy's thoughts that is was a seriously bad thing. She tiptoed past and then let out a very unlady like snort. We both enjoyed urselves. The electric fence is now up and Abbey is standing 6 inches away from it with an annoyed look on her face. Hattie achieved a milestone by cantering 30 meters with no bucking or tension - just a rather babylike canter. She is worked only in ropes with no contact at all.
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Post by breakfast on Nov 21, 2011 23:29:52 GMT
This sounds like a big improvement for you both in terms of geography, lack of motorways and so on.
Glad to hear you're enjoying yourselves.
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Post by kas on Nov 26, 2011 12:02:30 GMT
That's sounding great Quest, it was always going to take a while to settle in, but it's a lovely place to live and is the best move you could have made. At least when I come to visit we'll be able to talk to each other in the field without shouting above the noise of M20 traffic.
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Post by quest on Nov 26, 2011 20:04:15 GMT
Any one is welcome at any time.
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Post by quest on Nov 27, 2011 17:16:55 GMT
Today I wasn't going to do anything with Nancy as it was a 20 peg day (if you're hanging up washing). M decided to take H for a walk up the Banks as part of her development. To start with Nancy continued grazing, but slowly became more and more agitated and mindful of her last disastrous attempt at jumping I went out with the 22' line and most interesting it was. Her adrenalin was very high but her sends, stops, backups change of rein were excellent at all paces and even the sideways was average instead of dreadful. As we walked back to the stables on a long rope her head and tail were high but she shadowed all my movements even when I rocked back and forwards from foot to foot. It appeared that although her attention was solely focused on H but her body (as a totally separate thing) was focused on my body.
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Post by breakfast on Nov 27, 2011 22:03:10 GMT
I was in lincolnshire yesterday, passing through to visit a lady who had a saddle. Are you on one of the flat bits?
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Post by kas on Nov 27, 2011 23:19:17 GMT
It's all flat bits isn't it? Interesting stuff Quest, and rather nice to know she will stay physically with you in those circumstances.
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Post by snigsby on Nov 28, 2011 8:39:46 GMT
The north is hilly,I think? Around Lincoln?
Khan's previous owner lives east of Grantham,on the road to Skegness, and that is flat as a pancake.
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Post by quest on Nov 28, 2011 12:29:03 GMT
Lincolnshire has everything apparently. We're on the flat bit, right on the border of Norfolk and Cambridgeshire. Although flat its not bleak like some parts of Norfolk, there are a fair number of trees and a County driven initiative to plant hedges. Its a welcome change nor to have to climb hills every day to do animals and we do get the most stunning sunsets.
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Post by quest on Dec 2, 2011 19:51:00 GMT
Winding down now for short holiday in Spain and Christmas - I have just started "the shopping". I probably wouldn't ride as Nancy's scacoid scab fell off last night and the area looks a little sore. I have songed it with calendula and put form calendula cream on. On the upside little Abbey is now actively coming towards us and allowing herself to be caught. Its absolutely freezing here but sunny and bright.
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