Lady suffered the same lameness again in the summer of 2013 and the shoes were pulled immedietely. Once again a few months of rest and she was ready to go. I did find out in Feruary of 2014 that she was close, if not already, to twenty years old. It was a bit of a shock and I decided to retire her from jumping. We are working with an excellent dressage trainer and Lady looks and feels better then ever.
We have been so lucky to find excellent instructors. Some we could only work with a few times, others in half or full training (when my poor check book allowed). The current dressage trainer is incredable. The difference in Lady`s power and use of her hind end is amazing, it is like I now have a Ducati instead of a scooter.
Saturday, May 23, 2015
Two Years Later!
Saturday, January 5, 2013
So much for regular posts......
Lady was doing so well that I placed her in half training. As showing seemed to be a possibility, we were concerned that barefoot may not continue work. What if there was gravel or pavement? Paying stall fees and scratching due to sore feet would not help my little show budget.
So I relented. Two farriers later Lady is not only still in half training, but jumping! We moved up to 2'6"-2'9" at our last show.
My goal with this blog was to make sure and spread the word - Do not give up! No one knows your horse like you. Pulling Lady's shoes and letting her recover naturally was the best decision I have ever made. Had I listened to veterinarians who knows what would have happened. I was told she would Not be rid-able again. That was so far off! This mare is jumping, higher and better, then ever before.
A knowledgeable team is crucial. With help from an experienced barefooter, I made the call, but the process of increasing her fitness and training was nothing less then a group effort. We are blessed with an amazing trainer who realizes the importance of comfortable happy horses. She also recommended our farrier that has made a huge difference. We have also kept her out in a large grass paddock. Being able to move around constantly is a huge factor in her level of soundness. Not only is Lady back to work, but better then ever.
When I think back to that time of pasture rest and hand walks, it seems so long ago. I was frustrated that I could not ride and concerned for Lady's well being. Fellow boarders thought I was nuts to leave her barefoot. Although the actual injury remains diagnosed, I believe the increased circulation and natural environment encouraged healing and has made it possible for Lady's return to work.
Go with your gut. Complete your own research. Equestrians love to give advice, it never hurts to listen. Take some, leave some, make your own plan for your horses health and well being.
Lady was doing so well that I placed her in half training. As showing seemed to be a possibility, we were concerned that barefoot may not continue work. What if there was gravel or pavement? Paying stall fees and scratching due to sore feet would not help my little show budget.
So I relented. Two farriers later Lady is not only still in half training, but jumping! We moved up to 2'6"-2'9" at our last show.
My goal with this blog was to make sure and spread the word - Do not give up! No one knows your horse like you. Pulling Lady's shoes and letting her recover naturally was the best decision I have ever made. Had I listened to veterinarians who knows what would have happened. I was told she would Not be rid-able again. That was so far off! This mare is jumping, higher and better, then ever before.
A knowledgeable team is crucial. With help from an experienced barefooter, I made the call, but the process of increasing her fitness and training was nothing less then a group effort. We are blessed with an amazing trainer who realizes the importance of comfortable happy horses. She also recommended our farrier that has made a huge difference. We have also kept her out in a large grass paddock. Being able to move around constantly is a huge factor in her level of soundness. Not only is Lady back to work, but better then ever.
When I think back to that time of pasture rest and hand walks, it seems so long ago. I was frustrated that I could not ride and concerned for Lady's well being. Fellow boarders thought I was nuts to leave her barefoot. Although the actual injury remains diagnosed, I believe the increased circulation and natural environment encouraged healing and has made it possible for Lady's return to work.
Go with your gut. Complete your own research. Equestrians love to give advice, it never hurts to listen. Take some, leave some, make your own plan for your horses health and well being.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Much Overdue Update
Better late then never, right? There is never a good excuse, but my husband and I recently closed escrow on our first house. So... trying to prioritize. On that note I have been riding! And with none other then Lady as my mount. There is no evidence of her mysterious front end lameness. I really need to get the details of her symptoms out there there in hopes that others may recover from the same issues.
We tried Lady out in pasture but ended up putting her back in her paddock. The pasture she was in had a decent amount of standing water and she had taken to lounging around in it. I think she was spending enough time in it to keep her soles wet and make her uncomfortable on hard ground. By the end of October she was not doing better and I decided to take her to a local equine hospital for a second opinion. Around that time the barn manager mentioned he was thinking of seeing if my friend would want to put her gelding out in a large grass paddock with our trainer's lesson horse. On the way up to watch a horse show I could not stop thinking about trying Lady out there. There was not standing water and it seemed to stay dryer then other paddocks. We did decide to give it a try, and thank goodness! Lady and the gelding got along great. Her hooves started to improve as soon as she was out moving around. Needless to say she did so well I cancelled the appointment.
So back under saddle we went. She was so fresh that I could not start her back as slow as I had planned. Fellow boarders were asking who I was riding and they could not believe it was Lady ( I imagine a large portion was due to her incredibly thick winter coat since we are going blanket-less for the first time in 7 years). Around 6 weeks ago our trimmer commented that she could not believe how dramatically her hind feet were improving. She had to take quite a bit off even at 4 weeks. Side note - the trick with Lady seems to be frequent mellow trims. She seems very sensitive to changes in her hooves. One night I lunged her in side reins and did not use her hoof boots. Lady was moving so good that I jumped on her bareback and rode her around the property, bootless! We have been doing arena work completely barefoot ever since. We had three lessons this month and she just keeps improving. I did try a new DVM for some adjusting and acupuncture. That really did the trick as she is now relaxing into the bridle much easier.
Yesterday we had a nice trail ride (in our Renegades of course) and trotted and cantered a bit, just like the good old days. There are no words to describe it, I never thought we would be out there again. I truly believe we owe it all to loosing the shoes and putting her out on grass. My dream of a hunter pace or two this year no longer seems too far from reach..............
We tried Lady out in pasture but ended up putting her back in her paddock. The pasture she was in had a decent amount of standing water and she had taken to lounging around in it. I think she was spending enough time in it to keep her soles wet and make her uncomfortable on hard ground. By the end of October she was not doing better and I decided to take her to a local equine hospital for a second opinion. Around that time the barn manager mentioned he was thinking of seeing if my friend would want to put her gelding out in a large grass paddock with our trainer's lesson horse. On the way up to watch a horse show I could not stop thinking about trying Lady out there. There was not standing water and it seemed to stay dryer then other paddocks. We did decide to give it a try, and thank goodness! Lady and the gelding got along great. Her hooves started to improve as soon as she was out moving around. Needless to say she did so well I cancelled the appointment.
So back under saddle we went. She was so fresh that I could not start her back as slow as I had planned. Fellow boarders were asking who I was riding and they could not believe it was Lady ( I imagine a large portion was due to her incredibly thick winter coat since we are going blanket-less for the first time in 7 years). Around 6 weeks ago our trimmer commented that she could not believe how dramatically her hind feet were improving. She had to take quite a bit off even at 4 weeks. Side note - the trick with Lady seems to be frequent mellow trims. She seems very sensitive to changes in her hooves. One night I lunged her in side reins and did not use her hoof boots. Lady was moving so good that I jumped on her bareback and rode her around the property, bootless! We have been doing arena work completely barefoot ever since. We had three lessons this month and she just keeps improving. I did try a new DVM for some adjusting and acupuncture. That really did the trick as she is now relaxing into the bridle much easier.
Yesterday we had a nice trail ride (in our Renegades of course) and trotted and cantered a bit, just like the good old days. There are no words to describe it, I never thought we would be out there again. I truly believe we owe it all to loosing the shoes and putting her out on grass. My dream of a hunter pace or two this year no longer seems too far from reach..............
Monday, October 17, 2011
Ride Number 3!
What is it about riding your own horse that is so incredible? Is it when you know where they are going to go before they start to move a hoof? Or the times they respond before you even thought you asked?
Today was my third ride in tack on Lady. She is really enjoying being back out on the trail and I am getting the hang of taking the boots on and off. She will have the next two days off to bask in the sun and nibble the grass. Lucky thing.
Today was my third ride in tack on Lady. She is really enjoying being back out on the trail and I am getting the hang of taking the boots on and off. She will have the next two days off to bask in the sun and nibble the grass. Lucky thing.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
A Little (or lot) of History
Lady is my 16 old Thoroughbred mare. February 6th will be the 7th anniversary of her rescue date. She was given to me by a girl who could not take care of her. After spending a year or so feeding her I was finally persuaded by a friend to hit the trail. Prior to this we had tried a little flat work but due to my lack of understanding as to how critical using your leg is, I did not have fun (Lady may have as she was flying around while I held on for dear life). So anyways we hit the trail.
First time out was Woodward Resevoir. Lady promptly turned around, cantered past our trailor, and decided a solo mission would not be her best option. She then calmly followed my friend's gelding around the lake. As this was early on in my greenie years, I accounted our success to the fact that I had borrowed her barrel racing saddle instead of using my dressage. Next weekend we were off to Dinosour point. At one point my friend was seperated from her mount. As he cantered away I picked up Lady's nose and circled her convinced we would soon be bolting off to the sunset. However, as the gelding returned to his owner my poor girl was still trying to figure out what the heck was wrong with her crazy rider. Another wonderful ride, was the barrel saddle our trick? Our next adventure was a poker ride in Madera. As other riders galloped by and my Thouroubred conitinued to calmly walk head down, with no care in the world, it struck me, what that heck am I doing wrong when we try to school on the flat?
Lady and I took up lessons and have learned so many things. We have participated in local dressage schoooling shows and competed in a few hunter paces. I think she may enjoy little cross country jumps as much as I do. This spring was amazing. We have a fabulous trainer at our barn and the flat work was transforming into something with many possibilities. But for some reason we were struggling with jumping. Lady would loose her calm demeaner and seem concerned aproaching a small vertical even with an expereinced rider.
One Friday I turned her out and she looked a little off. Suddenly she was clearly lame at the trott, and even walk, on her right front. It came on so quickly everyone assumed it was an abcess. After five weeks I took her to a teaching hospital (she was seen by a DVM twice before and it was diognosed as an abcess). I was given a "bad prognosis". They veterinarians suspected an injury in her hoof where a ligament joins the coffin bone and put her on a bute and hand walking regiman. Months later we had no improvement. The last time she was shod I realized that her metal shoes seemed to be making her even more uncomfortable. On August 24th a barefoot trimmer removed Lady's shoes. She now recieves a trim every four weeks. There have been good and bad days, but her hooves have been changing and for the better. Last Saturday a friend and I tried Renegade Hoof Boots on her and I rode her for the first time since May 4th. She felt great, and promptly threatened to buck me off when I tried a little trot. I am picking up my new pair of Renegades today, and will begin a slow rehab program.
There are barefoot sucess stories everywhere and I have allways had mixed feelings. However my time of doubt may soon be over. I would like to share our journey, gain further knowledge, and hear from those who have or are traveling down the same path.
First time out was Woodward Resevoir. Lady promptly turned around, cantered past our trailor, and decided a solo mission would not be her best option. She then calmly followed my friend's gelding around the lake. As this was early on in my greenie years, I accounted our success to the fact that I had borrowed her barrel racing saddle instead of using my dressage. Next weekend we were off to Dinosour point. At one point my friend was seperated from her mount. As he cantered away I picked up Lady's nose and circled her convinced we would soon be bolting off to the sunset. However, as the gelding returned to his owner my poor girl was still trying to figure out what the heck was wrong with her crazy rider. Another wonderful ride, was the barrel saddle our trick? Our next adventure was a poker ride in Madera. As other riders galloped by and my Thouroubred conitinued to calmly walk head down, with no care in the world, it struck me, what that heck am I doing wrong when we try to school on the flat?
Lady and I took up lessons and have learned so many things. We have participated in local dressage schoooling shows and competed in a few hunter paces. I think she may enjoy little cross country jumps as much as I do. This spring was amazing. We have a fabulous trainer at our barn and the flat work was transforming into something with many possibilities. But for some reason we were struggling with jumping. Lady would loose her calm demeaner and seem concerned aproaching a small vertical even with an expereinced rider.
One Friday I turned her out and she looked a little off. Suddenly she was clearly lame at the trott, and even walk, on her right front. It came on so quickly everyone assumed it was an abcess. After five weeks I took her to a teaching hospital (she was seen by a DVM twice before and it was diognosed as an abcess). I was given a "bad prognosis". They veterinarians suspected an injury in her hoof where a ligament joins the coffin bone and put her on a bute and hand walking regiman. Months later we had no improvement. The last time she was shod I realized that her metal shoes seemed to be making her even more uncomfortable. On August 24th a barefoot trimmer removed Lady's shoes. She now recieves a trim every four weeks. There have been good and bad days, but her hooves have been changing and for the better. Last Saturday a friend and I tried Renegade Hoof Boots on her and I rode her for the first time since May 4th. She felt great, and promptly threatened to buck me off when I tried a little trot. I am picking up my new pair of Renegades today, and will begin a slow rehab program.
There are barefoot sucess stories everywhere and I have allways had mixed feelings. However my time of doubt may soon be over. I would like to share our journey, gain further knowledge, and hear from those who have or are traveling down the same path.
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