Radar is completely sound on a flat, hard surface, so I tried him on the arena where at least nothing is hard enough to bruise his foot again. He was very forward and happy to work, and he was perfectly sound except in trot and then only on the right rein, and even then sound on the straight and hoppy on the corners. More peculiarly still, I could hold him together and stop him limping at all, as if it were a bridle lameness. I wonder if I have two horses fearing pain more than actually experiencing it?
We did a full 45 minutes and he seemed perfectly happy, and ended sound in trot on both reins. We'll have to see how he is tomorrow, though I won't be able to ride because I'm working.
Ace kicked a foot up when I went to mount, for which he got a toe in the ribs and a telling off. When I brought him around to the block again, he stood nicely and accepted being held up when he moved away before I was ready. His work was as quiet and gentle as yesterday, but his trot is now developing some real suspension. In addition to that, we trotted and cantered very much earlier than we ever have before, without a single issue.
Things appear to be looking up on all fronts.
C
Some horses with mild lameness can appear sound with extra rider support. Could be too that as Radar worked, the soreness worked out with the exercise--kind of like working out the kinks in a muscle. Either way, it's good that he ended up the session sound.
ReplyDeleteAnd once again, good for Ace. Every time you ride him successfully, you are making huge inroads into his reschooling. Happy to hear that your nerve is back and you are feeling much better about riding him.
He's fine tonight too, so I didn't damage him by working, which is pleasing.
ReplyDeleteC
Radar I meant :-)
ReplyDelete:-)
ReplyDelete