Attack plan: Step one

I have a multi pronged attack plan to figure out/deal with Jezebels acting out issues. Vet, Chiro, Saddle fitter, training. Yesterday I had the vet out. The plan was to give Jez the once over and see if there were any physical issues that could be the cause of her, kicking out, bucking, rearing and all around bad attitude when working. It was the first time the new vet was going to evaluate her. We went over her history with the right hind and what issues she  currently having so that Dr. L could get the full story. Then we went to the lunge. The ring was an icy, slushy, snowy mess but i was determined to get her out there on the lunge. Which i did, then Jez decided that walking was good enough and she really didnt need to jog for the vet. Really? Yes, really. Jez is usually good on the lunge today ..no jogging. Ugh. We took her out to the driveway and jogged her in a straight line on the flat. She jogged fine. She did do a little one foot in front of the other in the back but it was very subtle and likely caused by the muddy terrain. Back into the ring this time with an actual lunge whip and Jez decided trotting was doable. Both directions but the footing was dicey and not exactly easy to pick up very subtle issues. Ice, slush and snow… story of my life.

Dr L palpated her back and Jez is muscle sore on the left from the back of where the saddle would end to the high point of the top line of her hip. She also has more fluid in the left stifle then the right. Which could be normal, or could be due to the spectacular fall she took out in the filed running around like an idiot. Oh i didn’t write about that fall? Probably because i just wanted to forget that shes really a Corvair and not a horse. However the good news is the right hind looks great. Hazzar! Cuz re-injury on suspensory injuries is high. Looks like the shock wave was well worth the money. During the whole exam Jez was chewing on her lead shank like she used to do when she was brand new to me. A nervous habit, something she does when she needs to calm herself. She hasn’t done it in a long time. I suppose it was because the vet was new to her, even though she knows Dr L and has seen her around a lot since shes also a majority of the boarders vet including the farm owner. The bottom line is there is nothing glaringly obvious but Dr L wants to see her in the lunge when the footing is better in a week or two so she can rule out any low grade lameness.  So this exam will be two pronged. We will likely flex her at that time too. If theres no low grade lameness that will give us a baseline since shes never been flexed when there hasn’t been an issue. The Doc was on board with the training approach that Michelle and i had come up for her moving forward and wants me to document any acting out so we can see if there’s a pattern. Which i will happily do.

We also discussed taking Jez off grain and putting her on a ration balancer. Which Dr L thought was a good approach. Horses at my barn get an abundance of hay both in their stalls and now that its winter there are round bales AKA hay vending machines in the fields. Jez though muscling up some is not losing the weight she gained on stall rest. In two weeks the grain is going buh-bye and then hopefully when the weather gets a little warmer and more stable between feed changes and regular work i can get her in better shape. I will just continue on the path i am on after the vet rules out any underlaying issues, i will then move onto the chiro. Training will continue as planned with small baby steps forward, lots of transitions and lots of positive reinforcement. Short happy rides.

A friend is coming to visit me at my barn today which i’m looking forward to and my farrier comes out today. I’m always happy to see her and i’m real interested in her evaluation of Circe’s feets (i’m hoping for even more improvement, shes been doing so well). Have i told you guys i have the best farrier in MD? Cuz i do!