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Member:
scooter

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 6, 2008 - 7:38 pm:

Ok So now that I have the arena to ride in I am trying to get Hank back in shape. He has not been ridden consistently for at least 18 mos. Last year it was his hooves, this year has been a bit of everything. He is a well trained animal...but also has a mind of his own....a very smart, sometimes evil mind. Here's how the agenda has gone and he is starting to irritate me a bit....thus the question.

SUNDAY....First time I had rode him in about a month. Arena is new to him and me so it was more of a get to know the arena ride. He was VERY lazy for Hank and getting him to hold a trot for 20 sec. was more work for me than him. Did a little warm up walk first, then some trot sets, and everytime I asked for the canter he would buck. Some little bucks and some big bucks...the last one just about got me off, and popped my bad knee.

I thought ok he is fat and out of shape we ended on a good note ...put him away.

MONDAY...He was ok but still a little bucky and defiant.

TUESDAY....Took the arena toys down so we would have something to concentrate on. Trot poles....cones to weave in out of ect.

We had a wonderful time...no defiance...no buck...nice canter, beautiful sidepass. I did NOT work him hard at all, praised all his goodness and put him away

I am going slow because I know he is out of shape, we do walk, trot sets, and at the end I will ask for a short canter if I feel his mind is in it. He is NOT sore. He barely breaks a sweat.

WEDNESDAY... I was really looking forward to riding tonight, and the A$$ was back. He was spooking at everything...he is not a spook...it is one of his evasion tricks..believe me I know them all. He did not want to go on the outside "rail" it was too scary all the sudden after 4 days. So I just kept walking him up and down it until he quit it. Then we did a few walk trot sets....played around a little bit...he was ok but VERY up...no knee popping bucks anyway.

The trainer I used to work for at the barn always told me to let Hank work it out for himself, let him trot for an hour if he wanted to...throw in some shoulder ins ect to get his mind on something. (which by the way is very good advice) he always said the forward motion he wants will go somewhere if you try to stop it...either a rear or a buck. So I let him be "forward" and in the end he was listening (pretty much).

Why is he good one day and a total A$$ the next?? He's been like this most of his days. He's not mean,,,he just a difficult horse to ride. When he's on you couldn't ask for a better, talented ride, but when he is not in the mood he is very difficult...how do you fix this??? His ground work is almost perfect.... Am I just expecting to much for the "layoff" he has had? I'm not scared of him at all, I know all of the tricks he has and we have worked through them before. I just don't want to work through them again! He is a tester
Member:
mrose

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 6, 2008 - 8:14 pm:

Gosh, Diane, he just sounds like a horse that's gotten used to not doing much for a long time, and a little lazy and spoiled. He also sounds smart! I'd be tempted to just go back to real basics for a little while, then work back up to where he should be. It won't take as long the 2nd time around.

Sure he's not Arab or TB???
Member:
terrido

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 6, 2008 - 8:18 pm:

Not sure how old this horse is, but if he is fairly young (like under age 8) or just green in general this is not to be unexpected, imho.

First he has zero muscle strength, I don't care what he's been doing, he hasn't been worked or ridden. Asking more than what he can do will be pushing. I wouldn't be cantering at all yet. Just me. I'd concentrate on walk mostly and some trot until his topline and muscle strength allows him to sustain a decent trot, working correctly, for a long period of time, then I might reintroduce a bit of canter, not work in canter, just allowing the canter. Not working a horse for just 4 weeks will cause muscle strength to go away. Starting back after over a year is like starting a baby that has never used muscles before. Kinda like us after not exercising for a long while, he get tired and sore. :-)

As to the spooking, could be lots of reasons. I don't look at suddenly spooking in a "familiar" place as an evasion. There could be something else happening, the least of which may be a bit of soreness. I do agree keeping him moving forward and giving him something to do, or directing/managing that energy is the key. The spooks will settle again once he's been back into regular work for a while.

If a horse bucks when you ask for canter there is a reason for it. In his case it's possible that it's a bit too difficult for him to balance well at that pace with your weight on him.

Slow, steady and easy progression should be the matter of course until he's back into working condition.

just my 2 cents
New Member:
canvas

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 6, 2008 - 8:33 pm:

This all sounds very familiar. My horse was off for various reasons last year and is just now coming back. Mine had his sacro-iliacs injected in June. I have been working him on the lunge because he can be a real jerk (rearing, bucking, balking). Raised trotting poles have turned into his favorite thing! He loves them and he's building muscles in his back that he hasn't used in a long time.

After 5 weeks of lunging (30- 45 min sessions 5-6 days a week) I started him back under saddle. He's stronger and much happier. I lunge him, then work him lightly in the ring under saddle for 10 or 15 minutes then take him out on the road and fields to cool out. 2 or 3 days a week I just let him do walking and trotting in the hay fields.

So far he's happy, strong and increasingly interested in work. Actually did a few flying changes (on command) out in the field the other day. It's been over a year since I have been able to even ask for a canter without great resistance.

Hang in there and play to his happy side! You can sneak work in and he won't even think of it as torture!
Member:
ajudson1

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 6, 2008 - 8:44 pm:

Diane,

I agree with the advice not to do too much. My sweetest horse, Cody, can be perfect one day, a bugger the next. In all fairness, I don't ride him or anyone for that matter, on a regular basis, much like your situation.

I take the good days, try not to push too much on the not so good days, and play it by ear. If he's off, we might just walk, doing some flexing, side passes, or whatever! (I never remember all the "dressage" terms, but we move all kinds of directions! Probably not in "correct form" but don't care!) I might push a little to see what response I get, and if he's "Blah" I let it go. WHY? Well, I think most horses are "honest" and not out to get our feathers ruffled, and if they are "off" there is a reason for it.

With Cody, he might be sticky footed if he hasn't ate yet. He's not good on morning rides unless he's grazed the night before, or I give hay early! Seriously, he don't like to work on an empty stomach. And other days, a few laps in the arena, and he wants to go to the gate and go OUT. Not back to the barn, but out on a trail ride. Of course I don't let him choose his work schedule, but do try to be aware of what he's telling me. Applies to the rest of them too.

I also with a lazy horse, do lots of backing and moving the hind quarters over when backing. It changes their perspective about going forward as suddenly that's the easy thing!

BTW, thought of you and Hanks bucks tonight, wish I would have had the camera when I let the horses out on pasture. Cody did some crazy moves, and I was thinking "man, glad I am not on him, wonder how that compares to Hank's bucks?"
Member:
scooter

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 6, 2008 - 9:03 pm:

Sara I do believe it is the TB side that does this to him!! I like it when the arab or qh side shows up.

Terrie he is the MASTER of evasion. However I have grown enough in my skills to know there has to be something they are evading! he is flabby and out of shape...but I'm not asking much of him either.

I do think I figured out the problem tonight when I fed though...his pulses are elevated again in his hooves, and I noticed he was walking a tad short again. Maybe the thin soles can't handle it, even though the ground is soft. He is not on grass/clover anymore so it just may be the riding.

I'm going to get some shoes and equipak put in for riding, and see if he turns back into the happy boy I know he can be.

Thanks
Member:
dres

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 6, 2008 - 11:44 pm:

All I can add is every horse is different.. and every horse has a tool belt of evasions.. you know this horse and know if you are asking to much or not asking enough...

happy riding..

On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots.
Member:
mrose

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 6, 2008 - 11:49 pm:

Diane, have you looked into the Soft Ride boots? (I thing someone mentioned them on another thread quite some time ago.) You can check them out on www.soft-ride.com

They are a little pricey, but I think they are worth it. They have holes so the sand/water will drain out, go on and off easily with velcro fasteners, and have many different types of pads that can go in them. Just a thought for ol' Hank.
Member:
paardex

Posted on Thursday, Aug 7, 2008 - 4:01 am:

Okay Diane we already agreed Hank had horns too so I bet you will all his life keep sending emails like this Good thing is I feel immediately comforted[at your expense] as mine are not the only horses on the planet behaving like this.
Though I think after a long time of almost no work he can be a little sore after a few days [even if you go slow] perhaps only his muscles? and his feet added to that: Hank is doing his best imo and just behaving like one of our 'horned darlings'
Jos
Member:
scooter

Posted on Thursday, Aug 7, 2008 - 7:03 am:

Ann you are very right, I know Hank better than the back of my hand and I was not asking too much of him.

Fat, in shape or not a horse should be able to handle walk trotting....at leisure for 20 min. regardless.(IMHO)

Sara I have so many boots I can't bring myself to buy anymore, his constantly changing feet, make him hard to fit.

Jos until someone actually owns one of the horned devils it's hard to explain them.
I have rode horses since I was 10 (40) yrs. broke my own babies and been aboard many a difficult horse....but this one takes the cake. He is a (non conforming) horse, but so darn sweet you can't help but love him. I hope it is just his feet and the horns haven't grown a bit. He is 11 years old and should behave by now, but I have a feeling you are right he will forever be like this. He does get much better with consistent riding(usually) so I'll see what happens once his hooves feel better. I'm getting to old for this and am going to tell him so
Member:
scooter

Posted on Thursday, Aug 7, 2008 - 8:06 am:

HMMM when I fed he was walking just fine and the pulses are gone. I think he was being an A$$ after all. I'm going to try an "experiment" with the horned devil today if I have time, then we'll see.
Member:
ajudson1

Posted on Thursday, Aug 7, 2008 - 8:36 am:

Gotta love a horse with a sense of humor. I think he knows how to push your buttons and he knows he has to give you something to put on the HA board every morning, lol!! Maybe he's in this for the fame?!
Member:
lilo

Posted on Thursday, Aug 7, 2008 - 10:27 am:

Hi Diane,

I sense your frustration! We have a saying about both my horses (22 year old mare, 12 year old gelding): "When they are good, they are very, very good - but when they are bad, they are horrid!" When my mare was younger (I got her at age 6) I never let her take more than 2 weeks off - in fact I tried to ride several times a week. When she had too much time off - watch out!
Now the gelding is 12, and had many, many miles on trails. But after two very bad winters with no riding at all, I feel like I am at square 1 in the spring. Of course now I am laid up with a broken bone in my foot - it will be interesting when I get on him again.
I am sorry to hear about your knee.
I guess I have no advice to add to the good advice above, except what Pat Parelli says: Do some ground work and see what side of the corral your horse got up on.
Lilo
Member:
scooter

Posted on Thursday, Aug 7, 2008 - 4:14 pm:

I called the vet and asked what he thought about Hanks hooves, I really don't want to do any more harm to them, IF that's the problem.

Told him the history and he wasn't on pasture since sundays bloat/colic episode. Up until last night his pulses and stride have been good...considering everything anyway. Today everything is back to normal again.

He suggested shoes also, but when I really think about that how will shoes or boots make a difference. The arena is VERY soft and cushy....but not too deep. What could shoes do to make a difference?????? Vet said in theory it is suppose to help hold their white line together....sigh, that's a new one to me.

Maybe he is going through a bit of muscle soreness, but my goodness if he is so sore how can he buck so well???

I'm going to try something different tonight and see if devil or angel is in there. I have my own theory LOL.
Member:
cgby1

Posted on Thursday, Aug 7, 2008 - 6:06 pm:

Diane,
If the arena is soft I do not see how shoes will help. If you put metal on his feet you will add concussion. He is out of shape so that will cause his heart to work harder which elevates his blood pressure. I would take it slow and give him time to get fit.
Cynthia
Member:
scooter

Posted on Thursday, Aug 7, 2008 - 6:30 pm:

Will Do... I don't see how I can take it any easier on him, if he offers something I take it other than that we are following Dr.O.'s article on weight reduction. Honestly his resp. hasn't even risen.

Here's an excerpt from the article......

Distilled down to it's simplest factors the following exercise regimen for weight reduction is recommended: walk, then trot the horse long enough to make the horse begin sweating; then walk until he begins to dry, and respiration is normal. Repeat one time and do this once daily five days a week. These recommendations seem rather dry and a good daily trail ride that achieves these objectives should help your horse loose weight. If you are unable to exercise your horse adequately consider loaning or leasing your horse to someone you trust, for your horses health sake.

Again give you changes about 3 or 4 weeks then reevaluate and note the results. If this alone has not got you heading in the right direction or if you cannot institute a decrease concentrate, increased exercise regimen move on the step 2
Member:
scooter

Posted on Thursday, Aug 7, 2008 - 8:15 pm:

Well Sara gets the prize. He was just being moody I think. Hank and I have always had a routine before we go in the arena. A good brushing, told how handsome and good he is. Then we weave down through the pasture to get to it and we stop and graze and relax a few times before we get there.

I have not been doing that. I have been knocking the dust off, throwing the saddle on and down we go for business. EXCEPT TUES.(our good ride) I had a little more time because I got my route done early....so we took the leisurely route.

Tonight we did our bonding and relaxing before work in the arena, he was a VERY good boy again. No spooks and no bucks, listened wonderfully to EVERYTHING I asked. We'll see if that holds, but I have a feeling it will. He has always looked forward to our leisure ride down to the arena, and I had forgotten.

Thanks
Member:
lhenning

Posted on Thursday, Aug 7, 2008 - 9:18 pm:

Somewhere I read "ride the horse you have today" but I can't remember who said it. They have different moods, days, just like we do. Consistent work will help smooth things out, but he will always have different moods. What I try to do is evaluate the mood of today and do specific work to change that mood into the soft, responsive mood I want. When my horse is spooky, I ride in circles always getting a little closer to the scarey place and then retreating. Keep the feet moving and busy. When he is being Mr. Snotbucket, I do what Angie suggests - a lot of backing and disengaging hindquarters. I find in this mood he often starts by resisting it, but if I remain calm and slow in my requests and praise enormously when he does it correctly, he softens dramatically. Patience goes a long way! Some days my horse is bored and sleepy. Then I do a lot of transitions to wake him up and get him paying attention to me. By tailoring the work, I get the focus and softness I am looking for. Some days the best I get is that and we quit, but there are days that start bad and turn into our best days. My goal is a good ride with a happy, soft horse and a relaxed rider.
Member:
imogen

Posted on Friday, Aug 8, 2008 - 3:57 am:

Diane

Conventional wisdom says you should walk only for the first week. :-) Then small trots for a further two weeks. You shouldn't be cantering until about week 4...

If I were Hank I'd be objecting... but I know what you mean about the moody stuff.

All the best

Imogen
Member:
scooter

Posted on Friday, Aug 8, 2008 - 6:16 am:

If the horse "offers" the trot or canter should I stop it? Hank is usually a very "up" horse and the best way to control that energy is to let him blow it off. He wants to trot and canter, he also wanted to gallop up the big hill when we were done. I didn't let him, but was tempted.

I seriously don't know the ans. to that question. Should I be holding him back? Fighting his energy is not a good idea FME. Once he trots around at will and occasionally canters we are good to go. It usually only takes once or twice around the arena

I CAN make him walk, if it necessary.
Member:
dres

Posted on Friday, Aug 8, 2008 - 10:06 am:

Diane treat your horse as an athlete!~ He has been out of work/ exercise for a while now.. a athlete would not just put on the running shoes and go run 10 miles without building up to it first again... remember that muscle has memory, and will condition back faster then when you first started a conditioning program..
Walk work in a arena can be work in itself.. trust me on this one.. Rehabbing my mare I found that walk under saddle is marvelous conditioning and 'training' opportunity.. Remember this filly had only 45 days under saddle when injured, I have been walk rehabbing her all summer , and now have introduced canter this past three weeks.. you should see her top line AND I am planning on showing her this NOV. in First level.. we are past training level and did it thru the walk / rehab / training work!~

So think of Hank as your athlete..

On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
Member:
sunny66

Posted on Friday, Aug 8, 2008 - 10:22 am:

Seconding Ann, Brave will offer more, but I can't take it all yet. He offered canter the other day! I don't "make" him stop with the reins or anything, I just still my seat, keeping my core strong and my elbows heavy, and he stops. Start with the walk, do lateral work, turns on the haunches/forehand, etc... and keep it fun for him.

Ann....YIPPEE!!!!!!!!!!!!! for YOU!
Member:
terrido

Posted on Friday, Aug 8, 2008 - 11:50 am:

Diane - if he is full of energy, and wants to GO for a few minutes by all means don't hold him back. I mean I wouldn't. Sometimes a short burst of energy and allowing them to use it is better than trying to hold them back and bottle it up. He doesn't have the stamina or strength to continue for very long, but if he's really UP and needs to MOVE then by all means allow him to move out.

Someone posted about "Ride the horse you have today" not a bad piece of wisdom, but I would add "Work for the horse (today) you want to ride tomorrow." (Today's work shapes tomorrow's ride.)
Member:
paardex

Posted on Friday, Aug 8, 2008 - 12:33 pm:

Diane if I would let fat Grasse her way she would canter and trot 20 miles the first day and be sore the second. I really have to forbid her to do anything but a very light trotbecause she exaggerates[but hey she is half Arab] As I don't trust my own sense of'work' I take my fat [and lazy] Cocker Spaniel and as she starts to pant return home!
Jos
PS Grasse and Kenzo say this is ridiculous but better safe then sorry
PPS Oh and I only ride every other day and lunge on the inbetween days but Grasse is fat as a tick as you know so thats no comparison to Hank
Member:
scooter

Posted on Friday, Aug 8, 2008 - 1:27 pm:

OK I will try to take it easy on fat boy. Last night he WANTED to trot so I let him. He doesn't stay at it very long, one trot around the arena and he's happy. He did offer up a canter and I let him take a few strides and stopped him for the fact I could feel it was not a "good canter".... either he or I aren't ready for it...It killed my knee

HOWEVER what ever he popped in there Sunday hurt bad....very bad MON-WEDS. Thursday not too bad, and NOW I am walking normal the nagging pain that has been in the side of my knee since the injury is gone!!! God works in mysterious ways.

Maybe Hank can be a therapy horse...by bucking things back where they belong.
Member:
scooter

Posted on Sunday, Aug 10, 2008 - 9:39 pm:

Just a little update to let you guys know you are awesome!. Hank and I are getting along fabulously now that I'm not pushing him.

This is the end of week one. Tonight we "worked" for about 1/2 an hour, about 8 mins of trot sporadicaly through the half an hour the rest was mostly walk... with a little shoulders in, turns on the haunches, and backing. He is happy and getting in better shape already, something I wouldn't have expected. His hooves are doing wonderful too and so is my knee!

SOOOO do I continue what I did tonight for week 2 or should I add a little more trot???
Member:
dres

Posted on Sunday, Aug 10, 2008 - 10:14 pm:

Are you riding like you just explained 5 days a week? If so you can add 5-10 mins of work every week ..2 mins of that trot.. if you are only riding 3 days or less, it will take more time to condition him.. just like us humans !~ :-)

On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots.
Member:
scooter

Posted on Monday, Aug 11, 2008 - 7:00 am:

Thanks Ann, I am riding 5 times a week. The midwest weather decided to turn VERY Nice. Perfect... for a fair weather rider.

I will add 5 mins.the beginning of the week and work up to 10 mins by the end of next week.


Thanks
Member:
leslie1

Posted on Monday, Aug 11, 2008 - 10:44 am:

great news diane!
Member:
lilo

Posted on Monday, Aug 11, 2008 - 10:48 am:

Good luck! I am happy to hear that you have come up with a system. Enjoy your saddle time! Lilo
Member:
scooter

Posted on Monday, Aug 11, 2008 - 5:05 pm:

Thanks, the sad thing is by the time I have him in shape it will be winter again.


But we will enjoy the journey anyway, I don't know how you guys with the rehab horses have the patience.

Lilo how's the ankle? would you like me to ship you Hank for a little "buck therapy"


Ann I forgot to say CONGRATS on Danni, you must be thrilled to pieces. Have you cantered her yet? or is just the trainer cantering her for now...I am so happy for you both!
Member:
dres

Posted on Monday, Aug 11, 2008 - 6:18 pm:

when winter hits you can hand walk up and down the driveway for 30-50 mins aday... no problem!~ will keep you BOTH in shape.. .
yes rehab took patience and TIME mostly time .. I ride Danni two days a week and her canter is AWESOME.. your body barely moves with this floating like feeling under you that is coming up from the shoulder and undulating you!~ But .. the other direction , the tendon leg still does not have the carrying power so that direction ,right, is a little less cloud like .. again TIME ...

On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
Member:
lilo

Posted on Monday, Aug 11, 2008 - 6:31 pm:

Hi Diane - thanks for asking. It is healing, I hope. I wish I had x-ray eyes - would love to know what is going on in there. Next x-ray will be on September 4 - seems like an awful long time not to be able to ride.
Lilo
Member:
scooter

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 12, 2008 - 7:31 am:

Hank was VERY lazy last night, I think his feet may still be bothering him. He was VERY good though. He just don't have his normal "zippy" attitude. I don't think this is good.

The arena has finally packed down...something it needed to do, right before I ride him I harrow it and the top 1/2 in. is very soft. Perfect for a normal soled horse. I also think like sand, the lime is a little abrasive and may be wearing his sole down a bit....something he can't afford.

I set the barrels out to walk the pattern...he knows barrels very well and got excited when he saw them. He didn't even TRY to trot them just walked around them with his head low. He has a high head carriage...more like a tb or an arab.

I think it is time to try shoes, can't hurt...might help. Hopefully my normal horse will come back...it's just too weird the way he is, somethings wrong. He didn't even want to trot on the lunge line.

We walked for about 10 mins, head hanging so I called it a night. It feels as if somethings off and I'm pretty sure it's his hooves. That's why I TRIED to lunge him, when I got him to finally trot a few steps, everything else looked fine. I thought he looked a little short in front, exactly like when his hooves are bothering him. And with his history it makes sense.
Member:
ajudson1

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 12, 2008 - 8:39 am:

Diane,

Oh, I cringe when you say it might be time to try shoes. Sorry, but you know I am ANTI SHOE!

If I may suggest, don't jump to the conclusion it's his feet! His back may be sore, or any muscles may be sore! And if his feet are sore, they won't get tough by putting shoes on them. Right? Right!

Why not give him a few days off? A Bute tab if he seems LAME, a hot soak in a tub of Epsom salts? Oops, sorry, that's what I do when I am sore, guess that might not work for Hank!

Everytime I rasp, whittle and mess with my horses hooves, I go through a day of "OH, OH, is s/he off? Did I mess up?" I watch like a hawk, go into panic mood, and so far, knock on wood, everything turns out o.k. I always lunge before riding, watching for any gimpiness, short stride, etc. Always ready to blame myself, and assume it's HOOF trouble. Very bad habit to get into!

Wow, did I get too much sleep last night, and too much coffee this morning already! LOL!!! Sorry!!

He may need his hoof wall to grow out a tad, wasn't the toe very short?
Member:
dres

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 12, 2008 - 9:43 am:

I know some are against shoes.. but with a lot of arena riding you have to do something to protect the natural 'rasping' of of the sand.. My three years olds when i start their training have to have shoes put on with in two months.. as the sand just wears their feet down quickly.. YES, you can boot them up... its a choice...

On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
Member:
scooter

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 12, 2008 - 10:31 am:

I had the vet out to ease my mind and yes it is his feet. He isn't laminatic, but he is a thin soled beast and like Ann said,and I suspected the arena riding is abrasive enough to not let the sole thicken up...which it won't anyway. Vet suggested the equithane and wide web shoes again. Hank was VERY happy in the get up last year and came out of them with nicer hooves. Hope he don't go back to bucky boy when he feels better. At least I would know he was "normal" then LOL.

Angie this boy is not a very good canidate for barefoot, if his sole was little thicker ...maybe.
I would like nothing better than to leave him barefoot, but soon as the ground is hard he hurts and it's not worth it. He's been barefoot for almost a year now. Has had some ups and downs, but managed, BUT he wasn't being ridden. I don't think any trim is going to fix the damage in his hoof. From his x-rays this spring his coffin bone was definitely de-rotateing, but the soles very thin and always have been.
Member:
scooter

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 12, 2008 - 6:35 pm:

What an immediate change in demeanor. I put SAMS old Macs on Hank (too small) but good enough for pasture turnout. He took a deep breath cocked his hind leg and looked very relaxed. After his nap he was moving around like the Hank I know.

All this naughtiness could have been his hooves, I'm pretty sure it was actually. I have Old Macs for Hank but they are Too big now. I am not going to ride him until I can get some shoes on him. will let you know how that goes.

At least I got my knee fixed out of it
Member:
scooter

Posted on Friday, Aug 15, 2008 - 5:42 pm:

OK just to update now that shoes are on...what a GOOD BOY!!!!. He did a very nice working walk...instead of peanut pushing (he is not that kind of horse).

He carried himself well in the trot. Ears up...soft eye and just happy.

We trotted the barrels and the one on "the way home" he wanted to run..I let him! It was great he felt so much more coordinated. His canter was not all dicombobulated! I did not work him hard, but we had to throw in a little fun at the end....he gets bored easy. We cantered up the hill when done and OH MY...his nice collected canter is B-A-C-K.

So lesson learned here when you own one of the special horned devils, make sure they are not in pain anywhere, they are not afraid to show their dis-pleasure. Which is a good thing I guess
Member:
sunny66

Posted on Sunday, Aug 17, 2008 - 12:36 pm:

I'm so glad that you're able to ride him and he's a happy boy :-)
Member:
lilo

Posted on Sunday, Aug 17, 2008 - 3:19 pm:

Diane - I am so glad Hank is happy in his shoes and that you had such a great ride! Lilo
Member:
scooter

Posted on Saturday, Aug 23, 2008 - 11:23 am:

Hank is doing so well in his shoes, all defiance has all but disappeared. We are trotting the pole pattern now and he is eating it up!

Finally got a chance to hop on him again (stupid cows) and we cantered the pattern. He did his lead changes GREAT...we had a little head tossing going on, but I think that was because I was holding him back. He is starting to "move under himself" pretty well now and is loosing some fat!!! and gaining some muscles. Hubby brought me home some "real barrels" had been using 5 gallon buckets. So we are going to start the barrels now. Hank loves the speed games, he also will come right down and do his turns on the forehand, haunches in. leg yields. Now we aren't real pretty doing this stuff, mostly because of me!! BUT we are having so much fun..WHO CARES!!!!
Member:
paardex

Posted on Saturday, Aug 23, 2008 - 4:06 pm:

Get your hubby to take some pics Diane!
I love seeing all these 'exotic' sports!
Jos
Member:
scooter

Posted on Saturday, Aug 23, 2008 - 6:56 pm:

JOS I'll see if I can get him to do that. If I can figure out the video on my camera, maybe he can video us doing one of our "exotic" sports.

Maybe you should turn Cascade into a game horse...maybe he feels the need for speed!!
Member:
paardex

Posted on Saturday, Aug 23, 2008 - 7:38 pm:

Oh yes he does you should see him with the foals! He is getting slim all by himself, if YOU would like to teach him'under saddle' fast I'll exchange him for Pukey!
Jos
Member:
sunny66

Posted on Sunday, Aug 24, 2008 - 9:02 am:

Diane, that is just wonderful!!! Good for you and Hank!!!

um... Jos... who's Pukey? lol... I must have missed something!
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