|
Post by gillybou on Feb 13, 2012 22:31:20 GMT 1
Hi Erica
I've certainly tried to ensure she is in the right saddle. I made a big thing about width when I first contacted the saddler and he came loaded with extra wide saddles all of which were too wide and sat right down on her withers. She was a bit of a nightmare trying on the saddles but we had to persevere and eventually selected a Jefffries wide over 2 more fitting appointments. It has been checked twice since it was first fitted. I might just have to live with the fact that she is never going to be happy having the saddle put on - which is absolutely no problem as long as I am happy she is not in discomfort. At the moment, I feel terribly guilty every time she catches site of the saddle. I feel particularly bad when, rather than nip me, she will sometimes bite the wall!! I would add that she didn't like her temporary borrowed saddle either even though the saddler assured me it was ok. This sensitivity also means that grooming her chest and belly involves talking to her and slow careful strokes plus keeping a careful eye on her head as it can whip round pretty quickly. Obviously I try to be as gentle as I can with the saddle but I'm going to give your advice a go and really string the process out - time is not usually too much of an issue - i'll let you know how I get on and thanks so much for your help.
Gilly
|
|
|
Post by Erika George on Feb 16, 2012 23:29:32 GMT 1
Gilly, Can I also suggest sometimes saddling her even when you don't intend to ride. So put the saddle on, do it up and then take if off again. George has a serge lined saddle rather than the normal leather lined saddle, and he loves it. My saddler says that it is very gentle and almost massages his back when being ridden. It is also far more hard wearing than I thought it would be as I have had it 5+ years. As my saddler advised, when you saddle up and tighten the girth it is like somebody doing up the belt on your skirt/trousers. Sometimes horses also make it difficult for themselves by deliberately bloating out as you are trying to do up the girth, so it is bound to pinch. Even George does this which is why the slowly slowly approach is more effective. Good luck, I am sure that patience and a quiet approach will win the day.
Erika & George
|
|
|
Post by gillybou on Feb 20, 2012 11:29:16 GMT 1
Hi Erika I am now trying to take the slow girthing route as you suggest - one hole at a time. She was very good yesterday - clearly not happy but not bothered enough to nip! And she's best when I keep talking to her. I'll keep on with that one and let you know how I get on. I use a wool lined numnah which is soft and not cold like a cotton one. The funny thing is she doesn't like her rugs put on either - even though that means she is either going to eat hay and carrots in her stable or going out in the field. Absolutely fine when the is on and ok witn straps - it's just the initial putting it on. When I show her the rug, she nips it as a matter of course. My husband has a view that some of this might relate to her being covered 7 or 8 times when she was in France. He wonders whether she had something put on her mane and withers for protection and whether rugs remind her of those times. We can but speculate. She is like two horese - a sensitive one at the front and and a totally unphased one at the back! I've just seen a picture of Sula on her forum page and she really does look so like Coco - and in many ways seems to have a similar personality. I'm going to attempt a photo of Coco in the snow soon. Self indulgent but I love the photo.
Gilly
|
|
ange
Full Member
Posts: 219
|
Post by ange on Feb 24, 2012 15:06:26 GMT 1
Hi Gilly,
do you have a good Equine Physio (look for one that's ACPAT registered) in your area? It might be worth getting one out if you haven't already to check her over! You may have read about all of the problems I've been having with Millie (and with saddles too), including my vet checking her and finding no problems, whilst the Physio found moderate levels of pain only two days later!! A good physio won't just treat the horse but should also give you advice re what you can do yourself to help make her more comfortable.
Do you know which Jefferies model it is that you are using?
Cheers, Ange.
|
|
|
Post by gillybou on Mar 1, 2012 23:31:17 GMT 1
Hi Ange Yes I've been thinking about this and have found a McTimoney chiropractor nearby. Don't know too much about this type of thing (for horses anyway) so will check out your advice too. It seems a good idea to have check up occasionally in any event.
We ride in a Jeffries Melton GP wide saddle. I know Coco has always been sensitive to girthing, from before she came to Avril, so hopefully we will find it's an association thing rather than an actual problem.
By the way, I bought Heather Moffett's Enlightened Equitation as you recommended and have thoroughly enjoyed reading through it. I'm still working on the leaning on the bit problem. Not sure if I'm imagining it, but I think it is happening less often - time will tell.
Gilly
|
|
|
Post by anakin14 on Apr 30, 2012 14:12:07 GMT 1
I picked up a good tip the other day for horses that lean on the bit, ani does this in trot occasionally on hacks. I was told to halt, rein back a few steps to get the weight back onto their hocks and then ask forwards again. I tried it and it did work, although I would rather do the schooling to improve carriage in the long run x
|
|
|
Post by gillybou on Apr 30, 2012 15:11:16 GMT 1
Another piece of good advice which I will add in on Wednesday on our hack. I guess it works on a similar process to transitions. I often start my hacks with walk, trot, walk, trot and find that can also gets Coco a little sharper off the leg and she is getting better with the leaning. I've tried out all the tips I've been given and I think it's coming together. I cannot claim to have the ability to school her but, as we only hack now, I work on what I can.
She is also getting much better with the saddle and girth. Taking more time has certainly helped and being totally calm reduces stress levels for us both.
I was recommended a whip whop for times when forwardness is a bit of an issue. I shouldn't really have been surprised when it didn't work on a SafeCob. Coco didn't bat an eyelid!! I just have to put a bit more energy in when I need a bit more energy out.
Gilly
|
|