Following 2 physio / osteo treatments and some H-wave therapy and
manipulation, my little Ruby is back on track with her work again. Natalie who
treated her, found her to be locked through the whole middle section of her back
under the saddle, unable to bend in the neck and with significant sacroiliac
pain.
Again, Ruby had to go back to long reining (boo hiss) and lunging
just at walk for a few weeks, to allow everything to settle down, and is now
able to crack on. She was lovely and supple after the second treatment, and
showing an equal ability to bend both ways –a miracle in itself for my little
one-sided mare!
I’ve brought her back into work tentatively, trying to analyse
for changes. My first lesson with Sharon, Ruby started off...um...belligerent I
think would describe it! Probably some degree of expecting things to hurt, and
partly just her funny little stubborn ways. Lots of foot stamping and shaking of
her head! Once she stopped fighting long enough for me to get her straight we
got some lovely work and I was pleased with the progress.
I’ve noticed in the Equi-ami she’s relaxed into it much more
quickly; you can see her take the contact forward and stretch, getting her
hocks underneath her, and the quality of the pace seemed to have improved. She
has seemingly been more able to float and carry herself in the trot, rather
than the rushed shuffle she preferred before.
On a hack, although she started off like Frankel, she relaxed the
further we went, and actually started walking deeper, rounder and lighter than
I’d ever felt her! Amazing, especially for such a nosey youngster who usually
likes to watch everything out hacking instead of concentrating! My reins were
literally between finger and thumb at times, and the stretch along her topline
was amazing.
Finally today, Di came to ride her and put her through
her paces. I wanted a second and more educated opinion on how she felt (it’s
very difficult to be objective when you spend every day studying her and looking
for the slightest change!) and thankfully she agreed with my sentiments. Lots of
improvement, yes some attitude, but not because she couldn’t do it this time –
just because she thought she might get away with it! She even popped up to
canter a couple of times to test the water, and the difference was huge. We
actually saw some clean transitions, as opposed to the tucked up bum, and
running behind until she hit canter. She started off a bit reliant on the left
rein and bearing down, but when she worked more correctly she soon became
equal. I think I’ll always be
reluctant to get excited too soon with Ruby because of her history of physical
issues, but I am really happy with what I’ve seen so far.
Onwards and upwards...we will take it slowly getting walk and
trot, transitions and half halts, leg yields etc established, and then really
try to tackle the canter again when she has grown a little bit
stronger.
She has another treatment booked in December, and I’m hoping that
if we can build the muscle and keep on top of the soreness, we hopefully won’t
end up going back to the start again. Because good lord! I really want a
healthy, happy horse who is ready to go to some parties!! Watch this
space...
manipulation, my little Ruby is back on track with her work again. Natalie who
treated her, found her to be locked through the whole middle section of her back
under the saddle, unable to bend in the neck and with significant sacroiliac
pain.
Again, Ruby had to go back to long reining (boo hiss) and lunging
just at walk for a few weeks, to allow everything to settle down, and is now
able to crack on. She was lovely and supple after the second treatment, and
showing an equal ability to bend both ways –a miracle in itself for my little
one-sided mare!
I’ve brought her back into work tentatively, trying to analyse
for changes. My first lesson with Sharon, Ruby started off...um...belligerent I
think would describe it! Probably some degree of expecting things to hurt, and
partly just her funny little stubborn ways. Lots of foot stamping and shaking of
her head! Once she stopped fighting long enough for me to get her straight we
got some lovely work and I was pleased with the progress.
I’ve noticed in the Equi-ami she’s relaxed into it much more
quickly; you can see her take the contact forward and stretch, getting her
hocks underneath her, and the quality of the pace seemed to have improved. She
has seemingly been more able to float and carry herself in the trot, rather
than the rushed shuffle she preferred before.
On a hack, although she started off like Frankel, she relaxed the
further we went, and actually started walking deeper, rounder and lighter than
I’d ever felt her! Amazing, especially for such a nosey youngster who usually
likes to watch everything out hacking instead of concentrating! My reins were
literally between finger and thumb at times, and the stretch along her topline
was amazing.
Finally today, Di came to ride her and put her through
her paces. I wanted a second and more educated opinion on how she felt (it’s
very difficult to be objective when you spend every day studying her and looking
for the slightest change!) and thankfully she agreed with my sentiments. Lots of
improvement, yes some attitude, but not because she couldn’t do it this time –
just because she thought she might get away with it! She even popped up to
canter a couple of times to test the water, and the difference was huge. We
actually saw some clean transitions, as opposed to the tucked up bum, and
running behind until she hit canter. She started off a bit reliant on the left
rein and bearing down, but when she worked more correctly she soon became
equal. I think I’ll always be
reluctant to get excited too soon with Ruby because of her history of physical
issues, but I am really happy with what I’ve seen so far.
Onwards and upwards...we will take it slowly getting walk and
trot, transitions and half halts, leg yields etc established, and then really
try to tackle the canter again when she has grown a little bit
stronger.
She has another treatment booked in December, and I’m hoping that
if we can build the muscle and keep on top of the soreness, we hopefully won’t
end up going back to the start again. Because good lord! I really want a
healthy, happy horse who is ready to go to some parties!! Watch this
space...
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