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George
Oct 24, 2012 22:57:08 GMT 1
Post by Erika George on Oct 24, 2012 22:57:08 GMT 1
Sorry no picture this time. I had a nerve racking time it has to be said. Thank goodness it wasn't my 1st sponsored ride. George travelled well though I am not sure that George really likes his travel boots. There was a lot of stomping around in the back especially towards the end of the trip. He was a bit jumpy as we set off but started at the jumps with gusto despite them being quite unusual for him. Much more posh than we are used to, with wings and such. However things started to go down hill from there. October in Great Windsor Park and the deer are rutting. Horses are not happy, George included. There was a great deal of bellowing, galloping about and fighting amongst the stags. George was on high alert and wasn't really paying that much attention to the jumps. He started running out on the fences because he was too anxious about everything else going on. I very nearly got dumped as he swerved away at the last moment. We did manage one long canter a bit further away from the deer, but unfortunately a stag came out of the woods and bellowed. George stopped and stared but 2 thoroughbreds bolted passed us in fright. George and Murphy were angels and we got to the next set of jumps still in control. We did a few more jumps but I have to say I was quite relieved when it was over. The last 30 minutes back George marched at top speed back to the trailer overtaking everybody. He wasn't about to wait for anyone. As we got to the finish the chap in the finishing box announced over the loud speaker that could we ride past slowly so he could see our numbers. Well, all the horses jumped out of their skins and shot off in all directions, George included. So he shouted at us even louder ..... . To cap it all then there was an enormous flash of light and a clap of thunder overhead. That freaked me out and quite a few other horses who were already boxed as it started to hail really hard. We couldn't dismount fast enough. Poor George was very well behaved but I could see that he was extremely anxious about all the commotion going on around him. It was so bad that when I got the hay net out he was more than happy to share with Murphy which is totally unheard of. Thankfully George loaded without a backward look and we got home, still with much stomping and shuffling. It was certainly an experience. Enjoyable?, possibly not, but we got through it. We even managed to jump a bit of a spread. There was one moment of great humour when George got a round of applause. Having run out at a couple of fences, I decided to let him look at the next fence before jumping it. So having had a spectacular swerve in front of a large group of marshals and spectators, I walked George up to the next fence (of tyres on a pole) to get a closer look. Next thing I knew he climbed over it ... ;D It was quite a scramble because it was bigger than it looked. There was sooooo much laughing (good natured), but I took George around and he cleared it with an enormous leap as if to say "Up yours!". No more sponsored rides planned this year, hunkering down for winter now. Erika & George
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George
Oct 25, 2012 12:30:57 GMT 1
Post by picasso on Oct 25, 2012 12:30:57 GMT 1
Well done Erica and George! It sounds a bit of a nightmare.
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George
Oct 25, 2012 19:04:28 GMT 1
Post by avril on Oct 25, 2012 19:04:28 GMT 1
Oh, Erika, you did make me smile reading your sponsored ride story. It was clearly a challenge on many fronts, even on a cob like George. It must have been hair raising on your average TB or warmblood. I can imagine you sighing with relief on the drive home that you made it through a highly charged day, jumped some fences, climbed over and then sprung into the air over one of them, got some applause, all without being unseated. A well earned rest now and by the spring, you will no doubt be ready to do it all over again. Well done both of you.
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George
Nov 4, 2012 15:22:12 GMT 1
Post by Erika George on Nov 4, 2012 15:22:12 GMT 1
Hi Avril and Picasso, Thanks for the comments. Yes poor old George was definitely on sensory overload that day. But despite it all I still managed to stay in control and on board (just!). Must improve my jumping though because he can really leap, one canter stride and he took off over those tyres as though they were 3 foot high. It is interesting that it has really sparked him up on hacking out. He is really forward going and "on a mission" every time we go out. Conditions are appalling so stuck in walk and trot everywhere.
Not long until it starts getting lighter again (I keep telling myself ...)
Erika and hairy boy George
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George
Nov 4, 2012 16:02:16 GMT 1
Post by angelac on Nov 4, 2012 16:02:16 GMT 1
Well done Erica and George ;D Sounds like one of those occasions that are fun when looked back upon rather than at the time Hope you have a relaxing and not too muddy winter Angela & Co
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George
Jun 27, 2013 20:36:16 GMT 1
Post by Erika George on Jun 27, 2013 20:36:16 GMT 1
Hi everyone, Can't believe it is 7 months since posting an update on Georgie boy. Probably something to do with the never ending winter and state of soggy depression that went with it. Unfortunately since then George has gone lame, big time. After nearly 8 years of absolutely no problems whatsoever he has become dead lame. This happened about 4 weeks ago, he has since been on rest, partly because I have been away, and he has had intermittent lameness since. Yesterday we were all day at the vets, that in itself was a traumatic experience, and after extensive X-rays and a nerve block it looks like it might be side-bones. A big intake of breath I can feel you all taking, as side-bones are often not the cause of lameness but it is the only thing that stands out on the x-ray at the moment. He has had a steriod injection which clearly has made a difference as when I turned him out again he took off like a scalded cat and rodeo'd all the way down the field to his mates. Not quite what I had in mind for his treatment plan . Not sure what the progress is but I am sure missing the riding, as is George who is getting a bit bored confined to the paddock. Looks like our days of sponsored rides are at an end Hey ho, what ever happens he is here until he can no longer stand up. Erika & George
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George
Jun 27, 2013 23:46:18 GMT 1
Post by liz on Jun 27, 2013 23:46:18 GMT 1
I'm sorry to hear George is not sound. What a b*gger Sidebone can be resolved sometimes - I found this and thought it may be of interest. www.thenaturalhoof.co.uk/13.html I do hope the prognosis is good. You may well get back in the saddle! Good luck. x
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George
Jun 28, 2013 8:12:23 GMT 1
Post by sarah on Jun 28, 2013 8:12:23 GMT 1
Erika, I am so sorry to hear about George's lameness issues - I will keep everything crossed for a good recovery, and hope you can be back in the saddle having lovely hacks again in the future.
Very best wishes, Sarah. xx
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George
Jun 28, 2013 18:30:15 GMT 1
Post by Erika George on Jun 28, 2013 18:30:15 GMT 1
Thanks for your thoughts ladies, Yes his sidebones look just like that! He has had his shoes put back on today without a front toe click and with rolled toes to change his balance a bit. My farrier is pretty knowledgeable and feels that George's feet are a lot better than 3 weeks ago when he was last shod. He was dead lame yesterday because he basically freaked out at the vets and spent 2 hours running around in circles in his stable trying to knock the wall down. I did warn the vet that I thought that George would be very unsettled in a strange environment, I think they were relieved that I stayed all day to help. I'm not sure that they would have got in the stable without him bolting out of the door.
I will keep you posted on progress,
Erika
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George
Jun 28, 2013 21:33:19 GMT 1
Post by Dawn Perkins on Jun 28, 2013 21:33:19 GMT 1
Hi Erika, I'm sorry to hear about George's lameness and the various traumas this has caused him. It must be such a worry for you after years of no problems at all. You may know from some of my posts that I am very interested in barefoot management - partly because it reduces the concussion which can cause problems in the hoof - and that I am a follower of Nic Barker at Rockley Farm. It may not be your cup of tea and I see that Liz has already posted a link to another site (which I have also read before) but, in case all else fails, you may be interested in this rehab case who was sent to Nic from France with a diagnosis of sidebone causing the horse to be lame:_ rockleyfarm.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/abbey-arrives-from-france.htmlAnd this was him after 12 weeks at Rockley, with his new hooves partly grown out :- rockleyfarm.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/abbey-partway-down-road.htmlThe comparative footage is interesting. Nic thinks that it was his balance which had contributed to the sidebone. Being barefoot and allowed to grow his hooves in the way he needed them to be, his balance and soundness were already improving when he left Rockley. As I have said, I don't expect everyone to be enthusiastic about it as I am but I see these cases time and time again and the ability of the hooves - when not interfered with -to grow exactly as they need to be in order to create perfect balance for the horse is absolutely extraordinary. As Nic says, the hoof is the only part of the limb which is perfectly elastic and able to change its shape. This enables horses in the wild to cope with injuries to their limbs which would otherwise compromise their ability to run from danger and predators. Because they are not shod or trimmed their hooves are free to grow into the precise shape the horse needs to compensate for any biomechanical imperfections or historic injuries. Sometimes, this can look rather weird or untidy but the horse knows what it needs to stay sound and doesn't care about the aesthetics! Whatever you decide, I know George is very much loved and will continue to live a life with you which seems to be as close to idyllic as is possible. Very best wishes to you and George. Dawn Perkins
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George
Jun 28, 2013 21:41:21 GMT 1
Post by Dawn Perkins on Jun 28, 2013 21:41:21 GMT 1
Hi Erika, (By the way, I didn't insert the non-smiley face - either it just appeared or I accidentally clicked on something!)
I've just remembered that George had a bit of a shoulder and back problem in 2011. I just scrolled back through to find it. It could be that whatever it was (and I don't think you ever got to the bottom of it?) might have very slightly changed his balance and that, over time, it has led to the formation of the sidebone. Obviously, I don't know anything and I may be putting 2 and 2 together and getting 5 but, as Nic thinks balance is a contributory factor in these cases, I thought I would mention it.
Good luck. Everything crossed for George.
Dawn Perkins
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George
Jun 30, 2013 20:54:04 GMT 1
Post by avril on Jun 30, 2013 20:54:04 GMT 1
So sorry to hear George is lame, he is such a trouper, physically very strong despite his many adventures of the years, I thought him indestructible. Side bones don't generally cause lameness, especially so severe. We all hope whatever the cause, it is treatable and that he will soon be back to his usual taking it all in his stride self.
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George
Jul 2, 2013 22:38:36 GMT 1
Post by erika George on Jul 2, 2013 22:38:36 GMT 1
Thanks Dawn & Avril for your thoughts. Dawn, 20 years ago suffered a chronic back injury and was told by my doctor that I would never do any sport every again or have children. Thankfully I ignored his prognosis and sorted myself out with the help of an excellent physio, against said doctor's advice. I am therefore very open minded and always have felt a bit uneasy about nailing things into horses hooves. My goodness they were doing that 2000 years ago you would have thought that technology would move on! My back injury also caused terrible pain to my feet and legs and meant that I walked as though one leg was shorter than the other, so again something that I am aware of. George does look reasonably OK most of the time but he did canter up and down the field today because he thought he was missing out on food, and definitely pulled up on the return circuit with lameness. It didn't last long and he was soon marching about bossing the other horses about. I will just take it really easy and watch to see if there is any progress. He generally doesn't seem in pain and he is quite chilled in the field and isn't looking out of sorts. I am reluctant to put him on long term bute as I do have the view if your body is hurting it is because it is telling you to stop doing something. So I will keep you posted, in the meantime the garden might actually look fairly presentable this year.
Best wishes,
Erika & George
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George
Jul 3, 2013 16:20:46 GMT 1
Post by angelac on Jul 3, 2013 16:20:46 GMT 1
Adding my best wishes for a good recovery. He's a lovely lad Hope you enjoy some time with him anyway, when you are not gardening of course Angela and four legged friends
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George
Jul 11, 2013 23:41:33 GMT 1
Post by erika George on Jul 11, 2013 23:41:33 GMT 1
Well ladies, I have been hacking George very gently and it has been going reasonably well. Yesterday I had a slightly longer ride and he was fine and quite forward going in his walk on the way home, I havn't trotted yet, goodness the ground is so hard!, but we will keep walking. The other horses did a rodeo around the field the other night but George didn't join in, which is very telling in it self. He loves nothing more than a great jolly around the field with the best of them, he just stood and watched, Ummm, definitely need to get the back lady in...
Keep you posted,
erika & not quite himself George
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