Snip's Story: June 2009

Some History

Ok, so it’s probably about time I wrote all this down in one place, it’s been a hell of a three years with more ups and downs than I can count any more!Firstly, a bit of the history…I bought Snip from a dealer. The dealer told me he was a 5 year old, 16hh gelding who had been backed and ridden away’ (always wondered exactly what does that term mean!?) He was 3 ½, 16.1, and ‘backed and ridden away’, in this instance, meant they’d bunged a saddle and bridle on, chucked a brave rider up and chased him round their round pen a few times with a lunging whip. He was skinny and wild eyed and looked like he’d been dragged through a hedge in every direction!Well, I probably should have walked away, that would have been the sensible thing to do!So after getting him home (oops, what happened to walking away?!) I started with basic ground work, grooming, general attention. There was a really pretty horse under there – fed him up, had him chucked out in a good field for a while. Once he was handleable (that took a while – he was WILD) I started to move from ground work to lunging, then I backed him, was lunged on him, gradually started being able to ride him on my own – we had the odd setback, he had a hell of a buck/rear and had broken my ribs just by flinging his head back at me whilst I was sat on him – but I’d sort of factored in a few injuries along the way (didn’t factor in having at least one broken toe permanently, but hey!) Over the first 6 months of owning him (summer time) he went from a wild, unhandled baby who’d been dragged off a field in Ireland and shipped over wit a ‘job lot’ of youngsters…to a loving, talented, promising, willing (mostly) youngster.Then I broke my arm, badly. Not falling off Snip – I was ice skating, of all things. I was standing STILL on the ice rink and some tit skated into me. I was operated on, pinned back into place and in cast for 10 weeks – then still out of action for a further 8 weeks as the arm was so weak, almost had to have a second op…In this time Snip was out of work, it was winter and he was stabled. He was, and always has been, a stable stresser. When I was finally able to ride again I started back from the beginning, backed him and started the ridden work – the rearing and napping was back, but he was a 4 year old who’d had an entire winter off…kind of expected a few problems!Very quickly he started to come around to the idea and by the time they were out 24/7 for the summer he was a lovely, if somewhat opinionated, riding horse again. Had a fab summer. He hacked alone, we tried a few tiny cross poles, and we had some dressage lessons. Not a problem (ok, still a few broken toes, clumsy oaf he is!)Then it was winter again, what did I go and do? Got myself in a car accident (well, I was a passenger) and was out of action for 10 weeks. Idiot. Again, stable stress, few manners lost and general stroppy youngster behaviour. When I started riding him again we took it right back to basics and went at a pace that suited him. This time I was noticing some strange problems, kicking up at my legs when I asked him to go forwards, napping more than usual, refusing to go forwards, the odd rear, the occasional buck.Ok, so he’s a rising 5 year old who’s had 10 weeks off after being relatively fit, he’s naturally opinionated, theres going to be some issues…Then we moved into spring, and into better grazing, and then out 24/7….and the problems disappeared completely and we had the best summer ever. Hacking alone, with galloping and o/ditch jumping. We accompanied a baby horse on hacks – he was the sensible older horse!!! Woohoo!We had jumping lessons, we even went to a dressage competition where he excelled himself and was an utter star!Then it was winter again. This time I didn’t get injured (an achievement in itself!) the problems came back. Napping, rearing, bucking, kicking up at me….slowly at first but getting gradually worse. I started having nasty falls, I had one really bad one out hacking on Christmas eve. This is the point I decided, finally, that something was wrong with my horse.I’d always been good about making sure his teeth were done, back checked, saddle checked (saddle had been bought made to measure earlier that year after insurance payout for the car accident!) I had noticed odd behaviour ridden was always worse when he then went for a pee after being untacked…so I had liver/kidneys blood tested – nothing.We did all the normal checks like eye sight, hearing, back, feet, legs, and many more. Vet did a full work up and I had dentist, back person and saddler out again to be sure.In a conversation with the vet, we both said the word ‘stomach ulcers at the same time, and that’s the next route of investigation we tried.The scope showed grade 2 ulceration of the stomach and Pylorus. I was both elated and gutted. On the one hand I had something ‘real’ to fix, on the other hand I’d put my poor boy through hell for how long? After talking to the vet about his history we were both sure that the ulcers had been there for both previous winters, and probably when I initially bought him.But guilt over that was going to get me nowhere. I had a problem to fix and, damn it, I was going to fix it to make it up to him. After just 3 days on Gastrogard you could see the old Snip back. He relaxed, he was happy….everyone on the yard commented that you could see the change in his eyes. The vet had told me that I was to start riding him again as soon as possible because this was the main way to monitor his behaviour patterns – nothing too challenging, just gentle schooling to see his reactions.After initially napping a bit and being a bit of a git, he seemed to realise they actually, this didn’t hurt anymore! Very quickly he opened up and was obviously trying so hard for me. After a month on Gastrogard we rescoped him, and I saw for myself, a lovely smooth white stomach linin, no ulcers! Brilliant. The vets advice was to stop the Gastrogard and put him on to a maintenance supplement, Neighlox. A much better price than the £900 of Gastrogard!But after only 10 days the behaviour started to show again, gradually he became stuffier, crabby, not himself until after 3 days of this I got on and he dropped to his knees in pain, eyes rolling back in his head.I phoned the vet in floods of tears, and drove over to the practice later that day to collect our next course of Gastrogard. The ulcers were back.Again, after 3 days he was back to himself again, and the vet told me to start the ridden work again after a further week. This time Snip was not so convinced. The reactions were different, he wasn’t reacting as though he was in pain, but he wasn’t giving it chance to get to hat point, he was going to fight before it hurt. It took a lot of time, and a lot of convincing to even start to gain his trust that it wouldn’t hurt. I would sit on his back, holding my legs away from his side for ong periods of time, just willing him to take one step forward of his own accord, and when he did, praising him as though he’d just been round Burghley!During all of this time I was spending my entire non work life (and a good portion of the working time!) obsessing over researching ulcers, symptoms, cures etc. His diet and supplements were geared to solving the problem, I changed his stable layout, put p a breast bar so the door could stay open, all sorts.Then one day I went to the yard early and found him left on his own in the stable, climbing the walls in panic as all the other horses had been moved away from him for the day. I learned that they did this regularly, it was almost a ‘game’ to wind him up. I was furious and out for blood!I demanded to be allowed more turnout (in winter we were restricted) but was refused, so spent 8 hours driving round the area, stopping riders out on hacks, knocking on farm doors, texting all my horsey friends, anything to fond anther yard. I found one, a lovely place where an old friend of mine had her and her daughters ponies, they had space, they welcomed us in. So a few weeks later (in the remaining few weeks I had managed to get more turnout) we moved. He seemed to settle instantly, the layout of the place meant that even when he was in the stable, he was able to see all the other horses, the arena, and the fields….so none of the worry about being left alone.He was still on the Gastrogard, a scope had proved him clear again, so after a couple of weeks we started to gradually reduce the dosage of GG, until eventually it was all gone. In this time I was riding him more and more, this time the behaviour was worse than ever, total loss of trust, he was convinced it was going to hurt and the slightest thing would have him shaking with anxiety.But he did come round. For about 3 weeks I was able to get on, ride a bit, walk him across the fields….we even jumped! Then suddenly he threw in the towel and didn’t want to try anymore. Another scope showed he was still clear of ulcers, so this was different.He’s been having Bowen Therapy, he’s had an iridology assessment, he seen 2 communicators and he’s had a session learning how to ‘self medicate’ with a herbal therapist. But at the moment it seems the more of these things I do, the worse he gets. One theory is that the Bowen is working on deeper problems and he’s panicking at feeling the changes happening, fighting it before it can hurt him, which he’s convinced everything will.But after the hellish time I’ve been through, I’m an emotional wreck, he’s a wreck. So I’ve turned him away…I’ll give him 2 months entirely without non essential human contact…taken rugs off and just chucked him in a field full of grass. After 2 months I’ll start to groom and give him attention again and take it from there. At that point I’ll get professional help to start him again. This time is sort of a last chance; I don’t know where to go from here.Sorry, that was a very long account, but it has covered 3 years of ups an downs! I’ll keep a track of his progress on here, once I start working him again.

Monday, 29 June 2009

A Whole New World...

...Outside the arena!

So today I decided to get straight into longreining, and to start off going for a walm outside the arena. I started him off in the small winter paddocks so that I was still in a reasonably enclosed area. We had one challenge from him in each corner, but I was quick enough to sstop it becoming anything. Then second time around he didn't bat an eyelid.

So off we went around the back of the stables, and lined him up and down the banks with me staying down at the bottom. We had a couple of moments going past some of the stored equipmwnt, but again I was quick enough and there was no major drama.

So lined him into the arena, round the outside once, and then started the mounting block work. He settled very quickly tonight and showed no sign of stressing at all, not even the slight head lift. So I hopped on board! Woohoo! He seemed fine with this, no drama, so had someone lead us round until Snip let out a great big sigh - got off t that point. We walked around in hand a bit more and then went back to the mounting block, and hopped on again - and no drama this time either! Only did 3/4 of a lap of the school the second time as he relaxed almost straight away so hopped off and called it a day.

Happy bunny tonight!

Saturday, 27 June 2009

Small things...

There's always a haynet hanging at Snip's tie ring, tis a good idea for him to have hay in his belly before any work, with the ulcers n'all.

He used to eat lots of it. Then he stopped, and for about 5 weeks he barely made any impression on the haynet.

Since last Saturday that haynet has gone, and so have the three others I've filled since!

I don't think he's hungrier, I think he's just more relaxed and therefore wanting to stand and munch, rather than panicking about all the nothings that aren't happening around him.

Anyway, I decided not to do any actual work with him today, I'm exhausted after all the trauma with the cat (who is fine(ish) but is having to stay at the vets for at least the weekend and is on a drip. I thought that my less than great mood and outlook on life would probably result in a negative session, and that it was more productive to just bring him in for a feed than to ruin a session and put us back!

I did go for a 3 hour hack on a fun pony, with a friend, round a newly discovered hack. I already ache so there's a good chance I won't be moving to quickly in the morning! It did make me feel a whole lot better though so I'm now ready with the positivity to get on with another session tomorrow (after we visit the cat at the vets - poor thing must think we've abandoned her!)

Oh, and the little'un did good today. He went to a show with his loaner and got a 6th place in veteran pony, and 1st place in Most Appealing Thelwell pony! They also did a bit of clear round jumping....good old Bert! Bit gutted I missed it, i had intended to go, but I thought it was on tomorrow (dimwit) but wouldn't have been able to go even if I had got the day right, as the cat took up all the time and energy today!

Friday, 26 June 2009

Nothing tonight

I had to cancel the ground work plan for tonight and take my poor cat to the vet. Not looking good for her :-( we have to go back tomorrow for blood tests and she has to stay there the whole weekend.

Thursday, 25 June 2009

Something new...

So tonight i wanted to change something, just to keep things varied, but I'm not quite ready to venture out of the school yet.

So I decided to combine the mounting block work with the long lining work, so after doing some work through the ground poles, I started lunging him alongside the mounting block and asking for halt next to it - he was perfect first time and every time after! Stood very nicely and even did a rein back step and then forwards to it again. We approached it form all angles - no issues.

Thought that might be a good way to have him tackle something by himself.

Everything else tonight went without a hitch, nothing particular to report.

Wednesday, 24 June 2009

Getting OCD about body language!

Yonight was good again. He was very distracted as there were lots of people on the yard, and everyone was making the most of the sun and playing with various ponies, too much to look at!

But he was a good boy, not quite as amenable as last night, but that seemed to be more because he wanted to watch everyone else, rather than it being due to stress.

Leading work was fairly standard, being not so switched on meant I had to get in his face a little bit to focus him back on me, lots of slapping the rope against my boot to get his attention back!

The mounting work was very good, he was totally not fussed about standing at the block and me getting up to sand on it, so I did more work picking up the reins and putting my foot in the stirrup....again, he was distracted by other people so I spent some time putting his head back round to where it should be, so he wasn't really reacting to me at all with my foot in the stirrup.

I did try just easing my weight in the stirrup, his face didn't change (not from my view point anyway) but he just rocked backwards everso slightly....didn't toss his head, or move his feet, but just rocked back everso slightly braced. But after a few goes at that the bracing stopped.

Longlining was uneventful, I need to think of some more obstacles, or perhaps venture out to explore the fields?

Tuesday, 23 June 2009

Baby Steps and Progress! 23.06.09

So last night I took it right back to even more basics, starting with just standing by the mounting block, it worked well.

Tonight he stood by the block, first time, with no fussing at all. A nice big sigh, a low head carriage and floppy chill ears.

I decided to try the reins again, and again no fussing. He was so good I even tried raising my foot to the stirrup - he looked around when I first did it but then relaxed to that as welll.

I'd started the session with just some leading, had a small maze of ground poles so was walking him through them, and over them, with halts at the turns, and then we tried going backwards through them. He even managed all the corners first time in reverse!

Long lining was also good tonight, I started off by taking him right around the edge of the arena, having him walk right into, and halt in, all the corners. There were a couple of squirmy moments in his 2 worst vorners, and I wasn't quick enough the first time, but had it sudded the second time!

We then spent some time practicing aiming on the lines, by lining through the ground pole maze - that was good fun and we go it right every time! Even managing to halt at each of the corners before making the turn.

There was no nipping or foreleg pawing tonight, but he did do a lot of yawning - y'know the really exaggerated tongue lolling out type of yawning.

Monday, 22 June 2009

Day 2 after RA visit - 22.06.09

So last night he was getting stressed at me standing on the mounting block, so tonight I just walked him up to it and stood on the ground with him. He was still a bit tense to begin with but gave me some lovely big sighs...and on the walk offs he didn't try and take control, like he did last night.

After a few of these he was totally settled so I stood up on the block again and he was a little tense, but he didn't even try and chew his reins, and never showed any sign of biting at me. And after a few walk aways he was standing nicely, even with me gathering up the reins.

I stopped on the go where he let out a nice big sigh just as I was picking up the reins!

I have noticed that he does a weird breathing thing, he is exhaling loudly - but not a ralaxed 'sigh' it's a more stressed 'heavy breathing' thing...so going to have to watch out for that and make sure i can tell the difference every time!

Long lining went really well, only one small challenge but he didn't really follow it through so i kept the session really short and did some more leading.

Went over to the ground poles and just did some turning and following and backing up through, and over the poles...no issues there at all tonight so left that quickly!

Happy bunny tonight!

Bowen Therapy - 12.06.2009

Well, that was an interesting session.Bowen therapist arrived and asked how we'd been getting on, all I told her at that point was that it had all gone wrong again and I'd made the decision to turn him away for a bit.So she suggested a quick iridology checkk to see what she could see...she said 'oh!' and told me that the ulcer mark was totally gone, and so was the kidney mark, but that the digestion ring was pointing to his liver still, and that mark was exactly the same as it was in session one....meaning all the stuff I've been doing has sorted the problems apart from the liver.I KNEW this time wasn't the ulcers again, people have been telling me to get him back on gastrogard, but I just KNEW this was different!She did her Bowen session, which he loves, and he was showing tension around the liver area, and when she'd worked on that area he got really itchy and was scratching like mad - a good sign that the Bowen is working on something! So that backed up the iridology signs.She gave me a liver tonic so we can try and really target the liver issue - it's a non specific issue, probably toxicity build up, so these herbs should help...I tried the test that Dena showed me where I offer it to him to see if he will self select it - and he went mad for it! Gobbled it up, even though she did say a lot of horses won't eat the stuff because it tastes bitter....so again that backed up the other signs!So all very interesting, and I was right, the ulcers ARE gone, he's stopped self medicating on any of the digestive things, and gone mad for the calmer oils.Therapist showed me some literature on liver problems and the symptoms can be hypertension, hypersensitivity, muscle spasms, spookyness, anger, resentment, headshaking - he doesn't headshake but yes to all those others!So will be interesting to see what this tonic does, and what the iridology shows up in her next visit. She was so good, the liver tonic is VERY expensive and I couldn't afford it this month, but she made me take it and said to pay her on my next payday (I work with her husband so she knows where to find me! lol) She did say that the eye wasn't showing any kind of deficiency in anything like magnesium, but that something like that could be quite vague and that it is worth trying him on a Mag Ox supplement anyway...she is going to find out about the dandelion theory for me but she didn't think the dried stuff could do that, but it's more likely the acidic soil.

Snip's Story