the success for tonight - using clicker training to get her to pick her feet up without trying to kick me in the head - not that she really tries to do that, but her back feet in particular are difficult to do. She had an accident to her near hind in a wagon when she was 3 1/2 (will never pass the vet and you can still see the scars, although she's not lame on it) (same leg she hurt on the wire fence last may...) so she really dislikes picking the foot up on the other side, especially if she's the slightest bit unlevel/it's not flat ground. And there's not much flat ground about, even her stable has a slight slope.
I got them all picked out. I did have to tie her up = otherwise she wanted to follow me round the stable to see what the game was!
So more of that for that task, I think....
this morning, it was -5 when i got to the yard.
tonight, it was +6 when i left (and rising, had been =3 when i got there from work). So she's back in her lightweight rug (with the new vest on!) and i can put my thermal trousers in the wash. that's been one of the best investments of the winter... equigear thermal trouser, with sticky bum seat, from anna dressur on ebay. Highly recommended!
Keeping My Fingers Crossed
8 years ago
4 comments:
Claire are you sure she's actually sound? If she still has pain from that injury which makes it difficult for her to pick up her foot, then it would also account for an awful lot of her bolshy behaviour when she's ridden.
C
yes, i'm sure .. she's been checked out by various vets at various times - twice in particular when she's hurt that leg when in my ownership, the last time last may.
well, as sure as you can ever be in this situation!
one thing she never looks is unsound behind!
i don't know if it is actual pain...
although she did have reiki earlier in the year and the reiki person did notice a clear difference at that leg .. reiki person hadn't reiki'd a horse before....
the last vet who saw her is my mate's fiance, when we were down there for max in June - he was very pleased with her ...he's a top racehorse vet...
i suppose next time they're up i could ask him to have another look, but really if there is anything it's now t obvious.
and none of that would have given her a bitting issue!
I agree with Caroline, but in terms of the fact that a serious injury like that might cause some long term muscular compensation which you are still trying to overcome.
Might be one more thing to put in your head when you are working her--not so much as an excuse but as an explanation and something you will need to figure out how to overcome. (Hope that makes sense.)
Meanwhile, good going with the clicker. More progress is always a good thing, no matter how small the steps.
well - a thought from someone else - could equally be remembered pain and a need to be working correctly to strengthen the muscles/quarters - and that's what i'm trying to do at the moment.
interesting.
she is regular in her walk & trot, nothing to indicate anything amiss...
so we'll see how we go
thanks for input!
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