I think Sam is sore. I have booked the chiropractor for this weekend so hopefully we will have an answer to what is the problem. I can't really see anything, maybe a little short stepping from behind but on the left rein he won't go forward - something hurts. Canter on the left rein on the lunge is accompanied with a lot of bucking, changing the lead or just falling back to a trot. I guess this is why we should listen to our horses more.
Yesterday I rode and really concentrated on the warm up and asking for him to be really loose. I sort of got it, more on the right rein, the left rein was tense. He was able to give me a few strides of relaxed coming from behind but then straight back to being tense. I finished by taking him over to the reserve and going for a walk. In walk either rein he is fine. He walked out happily, very forward for a good 25min.
I put him on the lunge this afternoon just to see if there was any improvement. I started him on the right rein and no problems. Happy to walk trot and canter. Happy to travel around with his nose near the ground. Change the rein to the left. Walk fine, trot a little tense, canter - it took a lot to even get him to canter then buck, flying change so he was on the other leg. I left it at that - no point on pushing him when he is obviously in pain.
I pushed down along his shoulder/neck line on both sides and he moved away from the pressure. Now I don't know if he was moving away from the pressure or from pain. I guess we will just have to wait and see what the chiropractor says. I will take him for walks I think - keep the mind ticking over and to see new things.
The blog of a worry wort owner and her wonderful horse Sam.
2 comments:
Could be anywhere in his body, but could be right hind and related structures, including back, if he's having trouble with the left lead canter (this can also affect left shoulder and left side of neck in compensation)- the right hind has to work extra hard as the push-off leg. If you can get someone to lead him, walk beside him and match his feet - first fronts and then backs - with your feet - if he's got even a subtle lameness you're likely to immediately feel it in your own body even if it's hard to see with your eyes. Good luck.
Thanks Kate I will give that a go!!!!
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