Ceaser's 3 monthly MOT!

For the last couple of weeks I have noticed Ceaser has been trotting slightly short with one hind leg when working. In the beginning it didn't worry too much as it was barely noticeable, but as always once you notice something it becomes more and more apparent the more you do.

A friend advised he could just have a touch of arthritis due to his age and to feed apple cider vinegar as an additional supplement in his feed. It is known for being a good supplement to add to horses feed that are arthritic and help with suppleness. However, I noticed a slight different but not on that particular hind leg.

Me being me began to worry myself silly, that he was developing arthritis and all sorts of thoughts went through my mind about retiring him and not being able to compete him as much as I have been used to.

We have a vet on work experience with us at the yard and after a chat with her about going down the Cortisone injections route and what I should do next I decided to get a second opinion from an equine sports massage therapy lady that I had never used before, nor even met before I went into typical Sian panic mode. She had been recommended to me by a good friend who I know is picky when it comes to who touches her horses, so I knew she must be good.

After a brief chat last night about whether I could get Ceaser booked in for "as soon as possible" she surprised me by saying "tomorrow?". Of course I happily and eagerly obliged, as I was keen to see what was wrong with him sooner rather than later.

For the whole day I was on tenterhooks wondering what news I was going to get once she arrived. I can honestly say the wait was nerve-wracking!

After a quick meet and greet she asked to see him in action and moving in trot. I trotted him up and down the tie up area a few times and she said it didn't seem to be arthritis but rather a muscle causing the problem as he wasn't lame, nor barely even stiff but actually quite free moving for his age! Oh! Apparently with arthritis they won't be able to track up properly, whereas Ceaser tracks up beautifully.

Once we got him back into his stable and she began to take a closer look at him she had confirmed what was thought - he was tight through his shoulder on the left side, but then on the right he was tight through the poll, shoulder and noticeably weaker. Additionally his right hamstrings are weak, which explains him being slightly short.

She got me to stand behind him and look at the difference in muscle along his back. Admittedly as you look along his back the difference in muscle tone is quite evident and I am kicking myself as to why I haven't noticed this before. She also asked if I prefer working him on one rein more than the other or if he is easier on one rein. Of course it all clicked and he is more difficult on the right rein which ties in with it all.

After a few questions of whether it was sortable and what I could do to improve him and even him out more she made me feel more at ease by saying he could be sorted with a few simple stretches.

After exercise I have to do post exercise stretches of the forelimb and hindleg stretches so his muscles are still warm and supple. Carrot stretches need to be done to improve suppleness and a little more work on the pessoa than I already do. In fact we barely do any work on the pessoa because Ceaser is so damned difficult to lunge! It's more a case of he lunges us.... Anyway, he will have to get used to throwing his toys out the pram and just grin and bear it for now.

I must admit I do warm up and cool down on the left rein every time I ride. If I am being quite honest I do a lot more work on the left rein and I have been wondering whether this could be part of his problem. So now, I need to do my homework and ensure I do equal amounts on both reins - even if there is more monsters in the hedge when Ceaser is working on his horrible rein (yes, it's true.... when he's on the scary rein there is monsters!)

I'll let you know how we get on and whether I notice a difference! So, sorry folks - we'll still be competing against you for some time yet I hope!

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Schooling exercises for winter

Recently I have received lots of requests to help people keep their horses fit and supple over the winter months. Winter doesn't need to be any different than summer and there is no need to change what you're doing with your horse.

However, I am putting together a blog post of basic schooling exercises and will continue to update it over the next few weeks. With each update I will add more complex exercises both on the flat and over jumps.

I was asked by the Love Likit company to write this blog for their website so here is a taster of what is to come and you will be able to find the whole post on their site in the next few days.

"Another thing I have always noticed whilst watching various individuals at my livery yard is that barely any people use the whole of the arena. Most will trot, canter and do transitions around the outside but seem scared to introduce circles of different sizes in the middle.

I never spend my time exercising riding around the outside. I like to add variety and will very rarely use the outside track. Why not introduce circles in to your daily ride and other exercises? Don’t be afraid to ride serpentines; both three and four loops. Do a range of circle sizes at different places in the arena."

To read the full article please go to:  http://www.likit.co.uk/our-blog/posts/2012/november/winter-schooling-tips/

Don't forget if you have any tips then tweet me @FurryMane or comment below.

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Winter with horses - Part 2

I don't doubt by now that you will be experiencing a taste of what is to come with this dreaded weather. One thing about living in England is the horrible winters we have to go through. Plus if you have horses, you can guarantee you will spend most evenings wet through to your underwear and freezing cold.

However, don't despair as I am here to help. Having had horses since the tender age of six I have had my fair share of horrible, dark winters to endure.

Exercising, clipping and feeding for work.

- By now your horse will probably have been clipped. Don't forget to use an exercise sheet if he is as it will help keep him warm during exercise. It may sound stupid that he can get cold even when being ridden, but it is true.

- When clipping ensure your horses coat is clean and free from mud. If you don't this could blunt your clipper blades very quickly and end up being costly.

- Avoid riding around your arenas track too many times during the winter. If you haven't got a lot of time to harrow it then it could cause it to become boggy.

- Lunging your horse for 20 minutes is still enough to keep him fit. If you haven't got enough time to ride because of the dark nights then lunging will do just as good a job.

- After working your horse in winter ensure he is rugged up quickly after. If you don't rug up soon after he could get a chill, which isn't good.

- Some horses tend to get fat during the winter because owners think they need to increase feed. Yes, feed increases is necessary, however if your horse is not doing any work then it wont need as much food. Adjust food rations accordingly. 

- Exercising your horse in the morning can save a lot of stress. Sometimes owners think they will leave exercising until the afternoon, but often the weather can take a turn for the worse and it means you don't get to ride at all.

 Rugging

 - If your horse is one that feels the cold during winter or he is completely clipped then in stead of layering on thousands of rugs, try bandaging his legs as well. Bandages can make a huge difference in keeping a horse warm.

- Rugs with neck covers are fantastic for keeping horses that extra bit warm.

- To avoid manes from becoming rubbed then spray a little show shine onto the inside of the neck. It works a treat.

Yard work

- Check your water pipes are well insulated to stop them from freezing over. Automatic water drinkers are a pain for freezing over, so ensure they are well maintained to stop this.

- If you have water buckets, try putting a tennis ball or any ball of some sort to stop them freezing over so your horse has no access to water.

- Put salt or grit on your yard before you go in for the night if you know the weather is going to reach freezing temperatures. This will stop your yard from freezing over. Black Ice is and can be lethal to your four-legged friends. However remember to wash your horses hooves off regularly as salt dries them out!

-  Get your horses stable ready in the morning, so when he comes in at night everything is already done. It will save time at night when it gets dark fast.

Other tips

Whilst having horses in winter can seem a chore, it can also still be rewarding. Winter doesn't have to mean you can't ride or can't compete, but it just means you will need to plan things in advance a little more.

Buy supplies in well in advance if the weather says we are going to get some bad weather. If you usually go to the feed shop to buy one bag of feed, then buy two in stead. You never know, you could well just experience snow that could stop you getting anywhere and the second bag of feed will be needed.

Planning ahead will ensure winter being as easy going as possible. If you think your field gate-way will need extra drainage then sort it now, before the weather gets any worse.

When our menage freezes over I find harrowing it sorts it out straight away. Investing in an all weather arena is well worth its money and there have been endless times when I have been able to ride yet friends who have other surfaces haven't been able to.

I have my pony on rubber matting as I find it much easier, especially in the winter. It not only saves time, but also money. Having rubber matting is also dust free, so if your horse suffers from the dust in winter, this is the perfect thing for him to be on - along with some shavings!

One thing I hate seeing in winter is horses with manes and tails absolutely sodden with mud. When it dries it is horrible and can be a real pain to get out. If it means cutting your horses tail a little shorter in winter to keep it from dragging along the floor then do it - its much nicer for him than it dragging around in mud and water!

Last but not least, don't forget to still enjoy your horse. You can still ride during the winter, it may just mean riding a little earlier than usual. If you can't ride until its dark, try and find a livery yard that offer a flood lit menage. We only charge a £1 for our flood-lights to be used for an hour. Yes, some might moan about the charge, but it goes towards the maintenance of the lights and cost to keep them running! A good livery yard will help you as much as possible during winter if you're still having to work until its dark. Sometimes its about a little give and take.

This is it from me for now. I will updating my winter tips again soon. Watch out for part 3! If you have any tips tweet me at @FurryMane and let me know, or comment below!

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