I tried Ace on the stones again today and he was much improved. Phew, thank goodness for that, I think we can cope without brewers yeast after all :-) He wasn't rock crunching, but I would do the path again, whereas last time you would never have made him walk on those stones a second time, it would have been unfair even if it did no lasting damage.
I schooled Jazz and got some great lengthening in trot but it took quite an effort to get there. He did not want to really shift himself in trot today and I had to send him out strongly on a circle to get it to click in his brain. If I tried to stay on the track I lost in on the corners, or he ran for it on the straights. On the circle I got him to power forward, then sat to the trot once he was truly in front of me, then lengthened and shortened on the circle and finally put him back out on the track and asked him to keep the lengthening. He did well and so we stopped.
I've been to see George and can see exactly how he got in the pickle he is in. His foot balance is all wrong. I hope that getting the shape of his foot right will cure his lameness. Fingers crossed, he comes to me tomorrow morning to start the process. We'll see if he turns up! If he does, the foot fetishists can have his full story and follow his progress like Campo,
C.
Good news on all fronts, then. Good for Jazz, good for Ace, and hopefully, good for George.
ReplyDeleteThat leaves Buttie the "mask bandit," Radar, and SH unreported. I guess no news is also good news....*S*
I'm pleased you can see George's problem, hopefully he'll be right as rain in a few weeks of your magic.
ReplyDeleteDrive you mad doesn't it.
I gained a new client this week, old man, late 70s, had two horses in their teens which he has driven. Both had problems, one hocks and poor balance/stiffness meaning no one had trimmed him properly as it "took too long". The other recovering from laminitis.
Old man is ill, Parkinsons and terminal cancer, and he was beside himself with worry about the horses and was physically unable to do anything himself. After 3 hours hard work on my part, they looked great and the stiff horse trotted for the first time in months. The old chap gave me a hug and said he was so relieved that I'd taken away this worry for him.
It wasn't hard, but it did take time. The next time it won't take as long as there will be less to do, and the horses will be more comfy/relaxed about being done.
Its days like that that make me love my job.
Tracey that is a lovely story and bought a tear to my eye, it is people like that, and horses that have been written off, that are the most rewarding to work with.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to hear about George Caroline, I am sure you will get him on the road to recovery in no time.
Another one who can't wait to hear about George:) I'm deeply sorry that the poor chap has got into difficulties but I do so enjoy (and learn from) your hoof stories.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant that you were able to bring such help and comfort to those horses and such relief to their owner Tracey B.
George did not arrive.
ReplyDeleteWell done Tracey with that guy's horses. I should think they feel a lot happier now and the owner is in a much better place mentally.
C
Darn, just read your post re George's silly teenager owner. I just hope they send him to Rockley this week in that case. I hope George is well built enough to recover even if its a little late.
ReplyDeleteCheers for the comments, guys.