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ACGODFREY
Silver Member
United Kingdom
440 Posts |
 Posted - 11 Apr 2009 : 7:53:02 PM
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Some regulars may remember my 5 yr old boy had an accident a year ago involving a bolt sticking out of a gateway resulting in a very long deep incision almost to the ribs from girth nearly to point of hip. He also has bilateral navicular disease which was diagnosed in early stages 9 months before that. Anyway, after 14 months off work I am back on him - just! He's a very clever boy and tries very hard, but what with the fact that one leg is actually slightly shorter than the other and the fact that he never got to the point of schooling properly before his ND was diagnosed, we have no steering at all. He tends to circle right ok (ish) but to the left he falls out through the outside shoulder really badly with overexaggerated left bend. His off fore is also his boxy foot, and a seemingly shorter leg and more upright shoulder (if that makes sense). Normally in this situation I would take a stronger contact with the right rein and also use legs well to guide the bend; inside leg on girth, outside leg just behind etc. Problem being that since his accident, he doesn't feel much in the area where my leg sits, the vet feels probably due to the deepness of the laceration damaging his nerves. On the ground I have to move him over by touching him very far back on his belly near his hip. Someone has suggested using a spur on that leg, but I'm reluctant - if he doesn't feel anything unless you really jab him hard, what's the point? I thought of trying to teach him awareness of his shoulders etc by using pressure of a jumping whip on his shoulder but would be grateful for any ideas. He is a clever boy so as long as I am consistent I think he will catch on quickly. He seeks the contact at the moment, leaning into it and responds very well to voice. He's ridden in a peanut snaffle with full cheeks.
Thanks
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Mrs Vlacq
Platinum Member
Wales
3776 Posts |
Posted - 11 Apr 2009 : 9:03:58 PM
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| I was going to suggest a cheek bit so that's a good start for steering. I'd opt for a side saddle cane to act as your false leg aid. It's solid so you can use it at his hsoulder or as far back as you need to. Also, be mindful of your seat aids as this is what he will eventually respond to best - look into some WEstern exercises that are close to the English ones you already know (shoulder in, half pass etc). Make sure he's fittened slowly and check his range of movement by carrot stretches before you mount. You can also do a afir bit long reining and hacking out. Also a good exersise is to go for inside bend on short sides and counter bend on long sides - it'll stop you focussing so hard on his poor bend side |
    
- V Khazad - V Calacirya & V Sulime - Quarida(L) - V Boogie Knights - V Hamra Tofiq |
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ACGODFREY
Silver Member
United Kingdom
440 Posts |
Posted - 11 Apr 2009 : 10:07:47 PM
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Mrs Vlacq, thanks for the good ideas - it's good to know I was roughly thinking along the right lines! I don't think I have ever seen a side saddle whip - how long are they and where do i get one from?
We have done carrot stretches for a while now as part of his rehab from his accident and he is excellent at them on both sides when he can calm himself down from the excitement of the carrots!
He is a very over reactive little horse so hacking out will be difficult until we can go out on our own. I have a couple of people willing to come out on foot so i think this is the way forward in the immediate future. First I will take him out in hand on set routes after a brief session in the school to try and desensitive him to the excitement of going somewhere new. He will love it!
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Pauline
Platinum Member
England
3185 Posts |
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Mrs Vlacq
Platinum Member
Wales
3776 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2009 : 2:00:33 PM
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| just like a normal show cane but longer - I have been known to use the handle from a cobweb sweeper-thing at times! |
- V Khazad - V Calacirya & V Sulime - Quarida(L) - V Boogie Knights - V Hamra Tofiq |
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bey_sirocco
Bronze Member
87 Posts |
Posted - 21 Apr 2009 : 11:59:00 AM
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Let us know how you get Godfrey!
Good luck and congratulations on being back in the saddle!  |
My Beautiful, my beautiful,
That standeth meekly by,
With proudly arched and glossy neck,
With deep and fiery eye...
  
http://angelonhorseback.blogspot.com/ |
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