Adult new or returning riders part 2

[theferry]

I thought I’d start a new thread seeing as the existing one is full.

I’m due to ride tomorrow. Maybe I’ll jump. I’ll see.

Thanks @maxelly and @tinyspiny it’s absolutely gutting .. I suspect ulcers are unlikely but our vet said he’d scoped a little fat cob last month - not originally looking for ulcers but the silly pony had swallowed a fishing hook and line and he was checking he’d got it all out. The cob had no clinical signs of ulcers, lived out in a retirement herd 24/7 and yet he had grade 3 bleeding ulcers. So I think it’s worth ruling out and it’s something that is treatable at least - if there aren’t any ulcers we’ll run bloods to see if anything comes up but that will be it as far as investigations go. His eyesight seems to be ok - there’s no visible cataract - my gut feeling is it’s something neurological which has got worse the more work he does. I don’t feel safe riding him knowing what he can do - when he’s charged off with me I’ve had no brakes or steering and it’s been sheer luck that a car wasn’t coming the other way down our narrow lane. At first I thought it must be me but dd is a very good rider and he’s managed to blind bolt and deck her too.

@Pleasedontdothat do you think better brakes might mean you can have more control when it happens , I had to hack one of mine in a market harborough as she was very unreliable on the road .

Is it possible he is seeing something specific @Pleasedontdothat and being set off?

We were on holiday last year and the guides' horse was deathly afraid of bits of twine in hedges but otherwise afraid of nothing. She was a very good rider...

Nope - it’s not something he’s seeing - it’s happened out hacking and in the arena with absolutely no discernible trigger. It’s such an extreme reaction that I’m pretty sure it’s physical but what it might be is a puzzle

I am similar to you. Had a 4th degree tear on first child and c section on second. I have ridding sporadically over recent years but not on a regular basis at a riding school, just on holidays etc
I have been offered a horse share. Going to meet the owner and horse next week. Really apprehensive and dont know why 🙈

Timmy was scoped today - absolutely no sign of ulcers, absolutely textbook healthy stomach lining - our vet said it was very seldom he was disappointed by not finding ulcers but he’d been hoping there was an obvious treatable reason for Timmy’s unexpected behaviour. His gut feeling is it’s a facet joint abnormality which can cause sudden twinges of excruciating pain but not something that’s easy to diagnose or treat. So I’m going to retire him - which is gutting - he’s only 8 and he’s such a lovely, sweet-natured horse 99% of the time ..

That is a shame @Pleasedontdothat , will you be getting another to ride ?

@PleasedontdothatOh I’m really sorry to hear that, good for you knowing when the right time to retire him has come x

I’m not actively going to look but if a perfect pony comes up nearby I might go and see.

This is me every week! I have my own pony and I've ridden for years but had a massive loss of confidence after a fall. Luckily I've found a fantastic instructor, still doesn't stop me getting my knickers in a twist before every lesson though!

Seems the thread is a little dead so hope all well and...

Did my first ride after breaking wrist and then getting frozen shoulder. Was v nervous but coach gave me the saintly horse who stood patiently at the block whilst I got on.

Did lots of trotting and several laps of canter which was just a dream. Both shoulder and wrist a bit jabby but no mishaps and just remembered to unclip the airbag in time. Was bloody cold though.

Have massively sore thighs today!

@NormalAuntFanny well done. You must be pleased and proud of how it went. You are very brave.

i’ve fallen a bit out of love with riding to be honest and it’s not just because it’s dark and cold! The riding school I go to seems to have run out of horses I can ride!

They’ve had to retire a couple, a couple are still injured and every time they get some in with potential they are sold within a matter of months so I don’t get to know them very well. I currently have a choice of a youngster whom is still learning the ropes, the biggest one on the yard who is hard for me to ride as my legs aren’t long enough and everyone’s favourite who I don’t get to ride very often as he’s normally already done his hours by the time it’s my lesson. I just want my favourites back and fit again!

We have had two retirees as well @Tupperwarelid and the new horses are young and too difficult for me :-(.

Apparently it's very hard now to find a good RSq horse unless you take a chance on a young one.

This time of year is a bit dismal, but could you find a club with a few more horses ?

I have some cute pics of my foal, if anyone would like to see?

Hes a very soppy, cuddly, four month old giant, now.

Yes please @LunaNorth

personally I’ve gone a bit quiet because I’ve been really struggling with the cob I bought in May. I think we are fast approaching the decision that we are just not right for each other! But it’s so hard!

Its dented my confidence and taken quite a bit of enthusiasm out of it!

Oh yes please!!

@NormalAuntFanny I think the problem is a lack of decent horses with four sound legs that aren’t complete lunatics and of course if they find a decent one they can make so much more money by selling them on as they are in such demand.

i’ll stick it out, it will soon be spring and I can go hacking again.

Here you go then. Merlin’s cutest moments!

Number 2…

@LunaNorth please for photos.

Nice to hear everyone's news even if not all au top.

Hope the already-long-awaited spring will be better for everyone!

One more…

Oh he is gorgeous @LunaNorth; I especially love the first photo of his cheeky grin over the door :)

Honest to god, I can’t believe how much I love him. I feel so lucky. He’s my little pal.

What’s been happening @Hereforthedramaz

i am back riding regularly. Fell off at speed in the summer and was slightly concussed for a couple of days. I took a bit of time out as we were away a lot and the horse flies were so bad this year I kept ending up covered in enormous lumps. I got fed up in the end, as I was reacting so badly to them.

He looks lovely @LunaNorth , do you know how big he’s likely to get ? Have you started getting mum back into work yet ? What has gone awry with your horse @Hereforthedramaz ? I have probably said upthread that I don’t actually ride anymore due to my various chronic illnesses but we still have our elderly pony ( full livery) and I love to talk horse still after 45+ years of continuous ownership .