For years now I have worried about Ashke . . . . I don't think it's possible to get a horse in the condition he was and NOT worry. It has taken years to get him where I feel he is strong and sound and fluid. The past six months have been golden and I haven't hesitated to try things I have been afraid to try. Our step up to Intermediate A has been a testament to his development and health.
All that has crashed and burned in the past two weeks. We have had a set back in our progress.
In our evaluation of Ashke's movement, both Amanda and myself believe that the release of pain in the right hock has affected how Ashke swings the right hind leg. Amanda says that there is not as much twist in the hock and I can see from the tracks on the ground that he is now stepping into his front foot print or even over stepping the front by a couple of inches. Before, his hind hoofprint was to the outside of his front hoofprint and now the hind hoof is coming down on top of the front hoofprint. The leg is swinging forward instead of inside to the outside.
That is all great news . . . however . . . it means the muscles are being used in ways that they haven't been used in the past and all of the strength and support we've developed is no longer as functional as it has been.
He's a little off. Not head bobbing lame, but sore. This is especially visible during our right canter lead and he's not able to collect his canter the way he's been able to over the past month. At this point, I'm not sure I am going to show him in our first A-Rated show next week.
I will ride this weekend, hopefully out on trail on Saturday, and then a lesson on Sunday. We will make a decision at that point if he is able to do the work we are needed to ask him to do. If the answer is maybe or no, we will skip the show. I can still ride in the clinics and enjoy Expo without pushing him to perform in the show. The last thing I want is to ride him in a show where we are both tense and trying to hard if he's not a hundred percent.
I think you are taking excellent care. I would think that the change in his way of going is going to make him sore- same as with humans. I wonder if a massage would help?
ReplyDeletePoor guy. He's lucky to have you looking out for him. I hope he gets some relief and that you can go to your show, too.
ReplyDeleteIt has been a real pleasure to watch his progress, especially in the working equitation. His muscling and self carriage have improved so much.
ReplyDeleteTherapeutic ultrasound and cold laser can make a real difference in treating soreness, they aren’t an instant fix, but speed up the natural healing process. The vetrolaser company makes a small model the size of a small flashlight for about 1100.00. Have used it on myself for various painful conditions and it really helps!
BTW, the bit you ended up with was the exact same one I would have chosen, it really complements his head, the curves are complimentary.
Keep us posted on his recovery, the show, etc. Love the videos of you two practicing together, you have a real partnership!