This morning, the plan was to take both girls up to the ring and have a quick spin on both. It's continued NFL mania around here, so obviously we had to go quite early in the morning in order to be home for the Sunday games!
Ginger was predictably wide eyed and anxious about this development. I'm never at the barn that early unless the farrier or vet is coming, after all :) She's so expressive it's funny to watch the thought process play out across her cute face.
No pictures today. It was really dark and foggy and damp and not a good day for cameras. Instead you get miscellaneous pics from the past week. Ginger models her pretty new halter |
My actual ride on Ginger was short and sweet, she behaved perfectly and is just such a pleasure to deal with. She still feels a bit rusty and 'tight' overall but it's to be expected with so much time off in 2014 and her light schedule over the past three months. She tries so hard and is so forward, it's always quite the change from Bridget. Depressingly, once again she felt off behind at the trot and a quick lunge on a circle showed she's a bit short again on the right hind. I actually didn't say anything about what I was thinking and G called out that she looked lame behind, so boo to that :( I'm at a loss about this - longtime readers will know this has been an off and on issue for over a year now, with multiple vet checks, a diet change for a mineral imbalance/muscle soreness, some time off, etc. Sadly it seems we are still chasing whatever the issue is, but I'm going to try (likely unsuccessfully) to get too worked up about it because my vet is excellent and has yet to be overly concerned by anything he's seen of it. Still, it may be time for a second opinion to put my mind at ease.
Missing the sunshine already |
I was a bit down and out about the above. Also, if I'm honest, Ginger was such a good girl and finds everything so easy, I worry about getting on Midge and having a bad ride and making the inevitable comparisons to Ginger which simply aren't fair to little Bridget. I'm not supposed to have an obvious favorite, right? Instead, I just hopped on Bridget bareback and tied a loop in her lead rope and let her do what she does best, act as my personal taxi ride back to the barn :) I do have to give her credit though - I squeezed her lightly to get going and BOOM - she was so responsive! Someone remembers Friday's lesson! I played with leg yields as well on our way home and she was really very good. I'm feeling hopeful our next proper ride will be a good one.
It's not cold, that steam coming out of Bridget's nose is angry dragon breath ;) |
Ginger was quite happy to follow along at G's side and didn't even find a car to spook at, which in itself means it was a very good day for the big mare!
Brave big mare |
In other excellent news, this little guy is coming home with us as soon as he's ready to leave his mama in mid February:
I'm beyond excited as we haven't had a house kitty for many years!
I wonder if the cold could be a contributing factor to Ginger's lameness? I know Suzie gets quite stiff in the colder weather.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, since you mentioned that this has been an ongoing thing, I wonder if shoeing is the problem. Or, if perhaps she has some mild arthritis? I am uncertain as to how old she is, but something like Equinoxx may help - it is an NSAID to control pain and inflammation associated with arthritis/ osteoarthritis. If you cannot get your hands on Equinoxx (it IS a bit expensive), you can also supplement with Previcox which is the dog version of it (You just get the Vet to write the prescription for your dog since it is a bit of a... grey area for Vets to be prescribing dog medication to horses.... but anyways). The Previcox is a NSAID as well and it also relieves pain and inflammation from arthritis.
It may be something to delve into a bit deeper, and you can feel free to email me about it, as I don't want to post a novel!
My pony is also super stiff and borderline off behind in the winter, but if you've been dealing with it for a while I'm sure you've looked into it already. Yay promising rids, and good luck with G!
DeleteHi Cathryn, thanks for the thoughts :) It's an issue up higher (stifle?SI?muscles?) and I've had the 'go-to equine lameness vet' check it out a few times now. Her hocks flex fine, her feet are good as per vet (who used to be a farrier - how convenient!) We've tried a few different things. He seems to think it's minor and not worth the mega $ to fully investigate at this point. She's only 7 and had a very easy life so it's a bit worrying to me, though - I don't want to be ignorant of something bigger brewing and make it worse. The other vet we have is also a chiropractor and I'm intrigued by that for a second opinion. Good idea to discuss an NSAID with them for sure!
DeleteThanks Nicole. Yes, it's been ongoing for a bit and driving me a bit nuts - precious pony that she is, I do worry when it's a worse than normal day :) Of course she's on high survival alert when the vet visits and would probably fake soundness with a leg missing lol
DeleteYay kitten!!! So cute!!!! I'm sorry you're having problems with the girls. If the lameness is bothering you, definitely get a second opinion. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm beyond excited about the little kitty! I think I need a second opinion for my own sanity. It's been one of those weeks with the ponies, but - onwards and upwards and any barn time is good time!
DeleteI feel your pain on the weird re-occuring lameness issue! I hope you get to the bottom of that soon :) Kitty is sooo cute!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I hope Apollo is feeling better soon as well :)
Deleteahh that kitty is so cute!!! definitely brightens up the picture of a NQR horse... glad you got to enjoy some positive pony time, and hopefully your vet is right about the lameness not being particularly concerning
ReplyDeleteAdorable kitty - has it got a name or are you waiting to get it home to find out about personality? :)
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about Ginger's hind ouchies - i hope you get some peace of mind soon *hugs*