So, Wed we went with Llewi to Hankley Common and bombed around for 2hrs popping a few little hunt jumps - great fun! Covered just over 8miles in that time so good work out for him.
Yesterday I lunged in my draw reins/tail bandage get up and he worked really well. Seemed to be holding himself less to the outside on the right rein - it was actually most obvious in walk.
Schooling at lunchtime today and it was very hot but he worked really well. Started with usual walk to halts remembering to activate the right hind into the left rein. Then walk HP on a circle into working pirouettes - he finds this hard so determined to keep working on it as if it's hard then it will benefit him. Moved on to a bit of trot and canter on the circle with some changes of rein through half 20 and 10m circles keeping him soft in the change of bend. Some trot-walk-trots and then onto canter.
Canter was good - giving me good G&R from the beginning. Cant believe it's taken me 2.5yrs but finally I can G&R without him going giraffe on me - hard work does pay off! Did some 20m circles moving into medium canter then 10m circles in collected before canter to walk, walk a few strides then back to canter and repeat. Beautiful canter to walk on L rein, tending to drop me on the R rein - need to remember not to hang onto his head in the transition so he doesn't have anything to lean on. Followed this up with medium canter up the long side then back to collected and then a half 10m circle into counter canter round the school followed by changing the leg through trot keeping him soft. Trot work after this was amazing. Did a medium trot across the diagonal then down the centre line into a square halt - he wants to drop me here too so need to keep hands soft and make the transition gradual then leg on into square halt. Really pleased with the work he did especially as so hot but he was off the leg and working hard.
Finished by running through BE95 as riding this tomorrow at eventing camp and WW/BCA are using it too. He was a little tired by this point so not consistently soft in the hand in the trot and a little on the forehand in the canter - not enough jump but not too bad although had to have a 2nd attempt at the final halt - will master them if it kills me! Have to remember he's not fully fit yet so actually giving his best work after a shorter warmup.
Friday, 31 May 2013
Monday, 27 May 2013
Flatwork schooling 27-05-13
Started with the obligatory walk to halts and got a couple of dead square ones straight away! Shame it didnt carry on like that but maybe one day we'll crack it! Worth a lot of marks square halts so worth working on and an easy thing to work on during breaks between faster work.
Did the same exercise as yesterday - HP into working walk pirouettes - the wind was up today and he finds this hard so we had some serious strops - was on the edge of rearing or being bucked off a few times. It is good for him though - softens him in front and gets his back end working.
Some trot work next - trot-walk-trots, trot-walk-halt-trots. Making my shoulders ache a bit so not as soft in the contact as he was before this break. Had my slight suspicions on the right rein again that he was nodding slightly - will have to get it on video again as not sure how much of it is my paranoia and how much is really there. Nothing there on a loose rein which is good. Trot to halts down the centre line and moving off softly - nice to have cracked that one. Did a couple of leg yields changing the bend into them - more to work on there.
Then did a really good chunk of canter work. Need to remember to do decent amount of canter work now to increase his fitness. Did some rein back to canter which he did nicely on both reins. Did some canter-trot-canter across the diagonal which we still need to improve to keep him rounder. Did a bit of counter canter round the short side and then simple change. Another thing we could really work on. Llewi's counter canter is far superior to Monty's and he hasn't been schooled in 18mths. Working on his counter canter is likely to benefit his normal canter a lot so should make more of an effort to work on this. Did some on and back in the canter, coming back into a 10m circle then transition into walk as hit the track, few strides walk then back to canter. Did a couple of simple changes on half 10m circles to finish. Right to left we struggled a bit on the half 10m circle R but got the canter to walk and then a nice upwards transition. Left to right he did a perfect canter to walk but head up in the walk to canter.
Finished with a trot stretch on both reins.
Did the same exercise as yesterday - HP into working walk pirouettes - the wind was up today and he finds this hard so we had some serious strops - was on the edge of rearing or being bucked off a few times. It is good for him though - softens him in front and gets his back end working.
Some trot work next - trot-walk-trots, trot-walk-halt-trots. Making my shoulders ache a bit so not as soft in the contact as he was before this break. Had my slight suspicions on the right rein again that he was nodding slightly - will have to get it on video again as not sure how much of it is my paranoia and how much is really there. Nothing there on a loose rein which is good. Trot to halts down the centre line and moving off softly - nice to have cracked that one. Did a couple of leg yields changing the bend into them - more to work on there.
Then did a really good chunk of canter work. Need to remember to do decent amount of canter work now to increase his fitness. Did some rein back to canter which he did nicely on both reins. Did some canter-trot-canter across the diagonal which we still need to improve to keep him rounder. Did a bit of counter canter round the short side and then simple change. Another thing we could really work on. Llewi's counter canter is far superior to Monty's and he hasn't been schooled in 18mths. Working on his counter canter is likely to benefit his normal canter a lot so should make more of an effort to work on this. Did some on and back in the canter, coming back into a 10m circle then transition into walk as hit the track, few strides walk then back to canter. Did a couple of simple changes on half 10m circles to finish. Right to left we struggled a bit on the half 10m circle R but got the canter to walk and then a nice upwards transition. Left to right he did a perfect canter to walk but head up in the walk to canter.
Finished with a trot stretch on both reins.
Simon lesson 26-05-13
Walk to halt - feel which seatbone is being pushed forwards and has more weight on it - opposite hindleg is the one left behind. Often he leaves the RH behind so try to ride the RH up into the left rein when asking for the halt. Ties in with asking the LF to stop first and get the right side to step up. Did some walk-halt in the SI as helps to get him to stand up square.
Walk, SI on the circle, HP in to a working pirouette. He finds it more difficult on the left rein because the RH has to step further round so although the bend in front is easier it's harder for him to bring the RH round which is why he gets stuck. On right rein more difficult to get the bend in front and he would rather try and bend out to the left or hollow. This exercise really benefits him though as the quality of the trot afterwards was much nicer. Did some trot on and back but didn't really feel he had the strength or the petrol in the tank there today.
Canter work - must remember to ask for inside flexion, then release, then ask for the transition (either up or down) - cant be asking for flexion in the transition as blocks him from picking up into the transition. Did some on and back - needs more of this to build up his strength.
Simon said no doubts about his soundness - all looked good.
I felt in general he wasn't quite back to how he was before he went lame in March - bit on the forehand, not quite as soft in the contact. Getting there again though - just needs to rebuild the strength he's lost with those 5wks off.
Walk, SI on the circle, HP in to a working pirouette. He finds it more difficult on the left rein because the RH has to step further round so although the bend in front is easier it's harder for him to bring the RH round which is why he gets stuck. On right rein more difficult to get the bend in front and he would rather try and bend out to the left or hollow. This exercise really benefits him though as the quality of the trot afterwards was much nicer. Did some trot on and back but didn't really feel he had the strength or the petrol in the tank there today.
Canter work - must remember to ask for inside flexion, then release, then ask for the transition (either up or down) - cant be asking for flexion in the transition as blocks him from picking up into the transition. Did some on and back - needs more of this to build up his strength.
Simon said no doubts about his soundness - all looked good.
I felt in general he wasn't quite back to how he was before he went lame in March - bit on the forehand, not quite as soft in the contact. Getting there again though - just needs to rebuild the strength he's lost with those 5wks off.
Saturday, 25 May 2013
Merrist Wood UA SJ 25-05-13
Warming up I really tried to get him into my outside rein and going forwards. He was a bit sticky towards the fences and not keen to go on the longer ones - just how he generally is when he's in bored, lazy mode.
Took him into the arena and he lit up. 14 fences, 2 phase course, pretty much all up to 90cm height although nothing very wide. Tried to think about into the outside rein, forwards and just letting fences come to me. There were a few times when I held slightly or pushed slightly for the right stride but not once did he chip in and give me an awkward jump. It all felt controlled and the fences just arrived. Even managed the 180degree turnback in the jump off with the help of lots of leg. Super clear and really chuffed with both of us, having not jumped a course since mid-March. Think only 4 went double clear so even though we weren't pushing for time we would have been placed if we weren't HC. About 25 in the class I think so good result there.
Bit of standing around waiting for the next class which had changed so a whole new 14 fences to learn and again now mostly up to 100cm mark, although they really hadn't changed the spreads so given it's oxers that give me the heeby-jeebies I was ok with the course. Not really much time to do a good warmup as was 5th to go so just popped over a couple and off we went. He did another super round. For some reason I felt the need to hook him into the base of the planks after the oxer on a related 4 strides and got 5 in there and he did really well to clear it. He spooked at something or other after fence 8 and nearly missed no.9 so that was interesting and then stupidly hung onto his head coming to the little white stile at the last and he just got in too close and took it out in front. Still really pleased with him though and again, mostly I let the fences come to the me and the ones I was most likely to mess up (the double and the oxers) we did well.
Annoyingly pony decided to be his usual clumsy self loading onto the lorry and stood right on the edge of the ramp which proved a very effective lever on his right fore shoe and I just watched it peel off his foot in front of me. Argh. Fortunately farrier is being a star and coming out tomorrow morning to sort it out. He is booked in for shoeing anyway on Monday so rather bad timing but have got a dressage lesson tomorrow so really need 4 shoes on my pony! Wondering if might have to try and fashion some kind of filler to fill the gap between the ramp and the lorry so he cant stand on the edge like that as it's very difficult to make him walk up slowly and carefully to avoid it happening and he often does the same on the way down too - I forsee us losing many shoes in this way which is ok if going eventing and farrier on site but not otherwise. Clumsy horse.
Took him into the arena and he lit up. 14 fences, 2 phase course, pretty much all up to 90cm height although nothing very wide. Tried to think about into the outside rein, forwards and just letting fences come to me. There were a few times when I held slightly or pushed slightly for the right stride but not once did he chip in and give me an awkward jump. It all felt controlled and the fences just arrived. Even managed the 180degree turnback in the jump off with the help of lots of leg. Super clear and really chuffed with both of us, having not jumped a course since mid-March. Think only 4 went double clear so even though we weren't pushing for time we would have been placed if we weren't HC. About 25 in the class I think so good result there.
Bit of standing around waiting for the next class which had changed so a whole new 14 fences to learn and again now mostly up to 100cm mark, although they really hadn't changed the spreads so given it's oxers that give me the heeby-jeebies I was ok with the course. Not really much time to do a good warmup as was 5th to go so just popped over a couple and off we went. He did another super round. For some reason I felt the need to hook him into the base of the planks after the oxer on a related 4 strides and got 5 in there and he did really well to clear it. He spooked at something or other after fence 8 and nearly missed no.9 so that was interesting and then stupidly hung onto his head coming to the little white stile at the last and he just got in too close and took it out in front. Still really pleased with him though and again, mostly I let the fences come to the me and the ones I was most likely to mess up (the double and the oxers) we did well.
Annoyingly pony decided to be his usual clumsy self loading onto the lorry and stood right on the edge of the ramp which proved a very effective lever on his right fore shoe and I just watched it peel off his foot in front of me. Argh. Fortunately farrier is being a star and coming out tomorrow morning to sort it out. He is booked in for shoeing anyway on Monday so rather bad timing but have got a dressage lesson tomorrow so really need 4 shoes on my pony! Wondering if might have to try and fashion some kind of filler to fill the gap between the ramp and the lorry so he cant stand on the edge like that as it's very difficult to make him walk up slowly and carefully to avoid it happening and he often does the same on the way down too - I forsee us losing many shoes in this way which is ok if going eventing and farrier on site but not otherwise. Clumsy horse.
Wednesday, 22 May 2013
Schooling 22-05-13
Similar to yesterday's schooling session but today I thought he felt sounder. Straight away he seemed happy on the left rein whereas normally it might take him a few mins to warm up. Much more even in the contact on the right rein - poss very slight intermittent nod at times but loads better than normal.
Did a couple of walk to canters today - as per usual good on the left, not so good on the right - bucks are not required! Simple changes - struggle to control his body around the first half 10m circle but the change itself not bad.
Did some nice leg yielding in trot but wasn't willing to try and get his brain around HP - difficult in such a small school.
Walk piris were a bit hopeless - reluctant to accept contact and resistant to leg - he can get so flipping arsey when he doesn't understand something - was in danger of being ejected so gave up on those.
Good stretchy trot on both reins to finish.
Did a couple of walk to canters today - as per usual good on the left, not so good on the right - bucks are not required! Simple changes - struggle to control his body around the first half 10m circle but the change itself not bad.
Did some nice leg yielding in trot but wasn't willing to try and get his brain around HP - difficult in such a small school.
Walk piris were a bit hopeless - reluctant to accept contact and resistant to leg - he can get so flipping arsey when he doesn't understand something - was in danger of being ejected so gave up on those.
Good stretchy trot on both reins to finish.
Tuesday, 21 May 2013
Schooling 21-05-13
Just a short, easy session this afternoon after joint injections on Saturday. Had a sachet of bute on Sunday and Monday evening.
Generally he felt good. Certainly no obvious lameness. I still felt he wasn't 100% steady in the contact on the right rein on a circle in trot. Not sure if am expecting improvement too soon or if it means it hasn't worked or if he's still a bit sore from the actual injection process. Guess we'll see how he goes over the next week or so. He feels the same as he did when we were competing earlier this year so not like we cant carry on but would be nice if we could sort this completely.
Did lots of walk to halts - perhaps 50% of them acceptable - he is a bugger about halting square. Found it easier to get him square in front halting from trot - in walk he just tends to stop his feet in the pattern of the walk stride and dont really know how to get him to square up. Unfortunately have to halt from walk in BE 90 tests so need to master it as worth an important couple of marks. Could be the difference between Badminton and no Badminton - keep practising! Trot down the centre line, halt and trot on - spot on. You'd think walk to halt would be easier but not in Monty land.
Did some transitions and got some nice ones into and out of canter via trot. Did some G&R in canter - cant believe how easy that is these days - not perfect yet and could have been softer giving me the contact back but sooooooooooooooooooooo much better than it used to be! No giraffe impressions at least! Had a go at changing the bend when coming onto the centre line before leg yielding to the track as you have to do in Ele's - needs much more practice before suitable for competition - have always practised keeping the same bend, not changing it - Monty needs a request in writing before changing the bend! Finished with some nice deep stretching in trot. Only did 35mins in total as meant to be taking it easy next few days after the injections.
Generally he felt good. Certainly no obvious lameness. I still felt he wasn't 100% steady in the contact on the right rein on a circle in trot. Not sure if am expecting improvement too soon or if it means it hasn't worked or if he's still a bit sore from the actual injection process. Guess we'll see how he goes over the next week or so. He feels the same as he did when we were competing earlier this year so not like we cant carry on but would be nice if we could sort this completely.
Did lots of walk to halts - perhaps 50% of them acceptable - he is a bugger about halting square. Found it easier to get him square in front halting from trot - in walk he just tends to stop his feet in the pattern of the walk stride and dont really know how to get him to square up. Unfortunately have to halt from walk in BE 90 tests so need to master it as worth an important couple of marks. Could be the difference between Badminton and no Badminton - keep practising! Trot down the centre line, halt and trot on - spot on. You'd think walk to halt would be easier but not in Monty land.
Did some transitions and got some nice ones into and out of canter via trot. Did some G&R in canter - cant believe how easy that is these days - not perfect yet and could have been softer giving me the contact back but sooooooooooooooooooooo much better than it used to be! No giraffe impressions at least! Had a go at changing the bend when coming onto the centre line before leg yielding to the track as you have to do in Ele's - needs much more practice before suitable for competition - have always practised keeping the same bend, not changing it - Monty needs a request in writing before changing the bend! Finished with some nice deep stretching in trot. Only did 35mins in total as meant to be taking it easy next few days after the injections.
Saturday, 18 May 2013
Vet visit 19-05-13
Both coffin joints injected with a vial (3ml) of HY-50 (hyaluronic acid) and 5mg of triamcinolone and half a bottle of Amikin (amikacin - antibiotic)
Max dose of triamcinolone recommended is 16mg so 10mg split between 2 joints should be safe. Risk of laminitis - likely to show up approx 1wk after injection.
When he put the needle into the LF coffin joint the joint fluid looked very healthy - normal flow, normal viscosity. When he put the needle into the RF coffin joint it was still very watery and also much more came out suggested the joint is a bit distended at the moment so clearly despite the LF having the worse angles on his xray, it's the RF coffin joint that's causing him the most problems.
Should see improvement within days although have to give him a day off and 5 easy days before cracking on with getting him fit. Saw no reason why shouldn't be ok to run him at WW in 3wks time.
Suspects will need monthly cartrophen and special shoes long term.
Withdrawal for triamcinolone is 2wks
Withdrawal for cartrophen is 72hrs
Max dose of triamcinolone recommended is 16mg so 10mg split between 2 joints should be safe. Risk of laminitis - likely to show up approx 1wk after injection.
When he put the needle into the LF coffin joint the joint fluid looked very healthy - normal flow, normal viscosity. When he put the needle into the RF coffin joint it was still very watery and also much more came out suggested the joint is a bit distended at the moment so clearly despite the LF having the worse angles on his xray, it's the RF coffin joint that's causing him the most problems.
Should see improvement within days although have to give him a day off and 5 easy days before cracking on with getting him fit. Saw no reason why shouldn't be ok to run him at WW in 3wks time.
Suspects will need monthly cartrophen and special shoes long term.
Withdrawal for triamcinolone is 2wks
Withdrawal for cartrophen is 72hrs
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