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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

And a Little Bit More ...

1/14/2015

 
This was not my intended post for the day. I wanted to share how Izzy is settling in (really well) and how his first "lessons" are going. Instead I need to thank all of you for your overwhelming interest and support in Izzy's situation.

Boy, I know who to call if I need an attack dog! Some of you are tough ladies who can kick some butt! I also appreciated the many comments suggesting various recuperating therapies and remedies; I will certainly be talking those over with my vet. And some of you just sent much appreciated cyber hugs, thank you!

I think everyone wants to know how this happened. If I knew exactly, I would certainly have shared it, but since so many want to know I can only share what the trainer told me:
I’m so disappointed about Izzy’s mishap today but relieved it should end up being minor and that it should heal completely with no scars or permeant damage. Dr. [edited] of [edited] Veterinary was very optimistic about the end results saying the vertical wound was superficial and away from the areas that are problematic for proud flesh and scarring.
When I removed the bandage on Saturday, what I saw didn't look superficial, but by a veterinarian's point of view, maybe it was. 
When he hurt himself he was having one of his fits running in and out of the stall because his neighbor was removed before him and he was frantic about temporary abandonment though he could still see all the other horses and [assistant] was trying to get him out for my ride that day. He kept running past her into and out of the stall calling for his friend and at one point she attempted to come into the stall with him the instant before he decided to charge out. Seeing that he was not going to stop she jumped clear while he launched left side swiping the panel at speed tearing the skin off the front of him lower left hind front cannon area.
This may very well be true. but the wound looks more like a leg that has been pulled across a board or bar of a fence. How he ripped the flesh straight down while swiping it sideways is a mystery to me, but there it is.

The trainer felt that Izzy's "extreme herd attachment" was the cause for all of this, and that could be true. When I bought him he was living in a huge (more than an acre) pasture by himself. He had neighboring horses in the pastures next to and across from his so he could always see horses, but this is the first time (in a awhile at least) he's had friends so close. Maybe in his anxiousness of being in a new place he used his neighbors as a security blanket and became distraught when they were removed. That's what the trainer thought anyway.

It's not what I've seen at home though ...

When I brought him home, he did attach himself to Speedy quite quickly, and started pacing and whirling and crying the second I took Speedy out of his stall. BUT. He remained aware of his surroundings and never bumped or touched a thing. Maybe he "taught" himself the need to be careful when he hurt himself. But then, when I separated the two horses I did it very carefully and for a short duration. On Saturday, I was able to ride, and while Izzy paced and called for a few minutes, he didn't lose his head.

I rode last night, and there were maybe two minutes of calling and a little bit of pacing. At one point during my ride, Izzy went inside and gave up on the whole thing. This is just after four days of living with me. The trainer had him six weeks.

Somewhere during the early part of adulthood, I learned a few things about happiness. Holding grudges just makes you unhappy. Being a victim makes you unhappy. Harboring anger and resentment make you unhappy, so does living in the past. While this is a terribly unjust situation (lots of lost time and money spent), I simply can't waste my time and energy being mad or trying to make her pay for it (literally or figuratively). I wouldn't win a court case, so there is no sense in revving up for that much stress. 

Instead, I immediately focused on the good that can come out of this. Izzy and I now have several months to build a relationship before we begin the under saddle work. He now has time to build some confidence, which he really does lack. I'll work on getting him better for farrier work, being tied alone, lowering his head for the bridle (he's perfect for the halter now), and so on.

There is one more part to this story which I hesitate to share because it does seem mean spirited on my part and it might betray a confidence, but here goes ...

When I first called the trainer, she mentioned that she had been interested in buying Izzy herself but had passed because she doesn't need a horse for herself. I later found out that she had inquired about the horse. The owner refused the trainer's offers, but it seems like the trainer persisted at least several times. The owner eventually quite responding.

What does all of this mean? I don't know. I just find the entire situation puzzling, disappointing, and on the edge of suspect. So that's it. From here on forward, I am working on building a confident, happy horse!

Thanks for following our journey!
Lauren link
1/14/2015 12:23:06 am

I hope if I ever have a situation like this, that I handle it with as much grace as you are.

Bakersfield Dressage link
1/14/2015 10:13:54 am

That's really kind of you to say, Lauren. I am quite certain that you have already demonstrated grace under pressure. :0)

Austen link
1/14/2015 12:26:38 am

Honestly, I think knowing that the trainer tried to buy Izzy several times and was turned down would help me understand the situation if I was in your place. It puts a reason behind it and makes it much less senseless, even if it's just speculation. I think having a reason behind something makes it easier to move past.

The story is weird, but doesn't seem entirely false. They might just be trying to protect themselves somehow.

Glad you're trying to move past the whole thing. Your attitude toward holding a grudge is refreshing, and probably best for Izzy. I would say that letting local friends know about the issues you had in an open manner wouldn't be untoward. As a friend, that sort of thing is exactly the information I would like to have.

Bakersfield Dressage link
1/14/2015 10:16:21 am

I agree (protecting themselves). It did seem as though she was trying to extricate herself from the situation with as little responsibility as possible. And yes, if anyone local asks, I will be quite honest about my feelings toward her training program.

Cathryn link
1/14/2015 12:47:55 am

Wow! You certainly are being the bigger person here :) Good for you

Bakersfield Dressage link
1/14/2015 10:17:11 am

Which is hard to do when you're only 5'3". LOL :0)

Kelly link
1/14/2015 01:04:37 am

I think you are handling the entire situation well and looking for the positive is wonderful! Thank you for sharing how the trainer said the wound happened.

Bakersfield Dressage link
1/14/2015 10:17:54 am

Thanks. I think honesty is usually the best policy. :0)

Mia link
1/14/2015 01:13:30 am

That's interesting that the trainer tried to buy the horse.
Did Izzy's old owner say why she decided not to sell to the trainer? I'm curious now. :)

Bakersfield Dressage link
1/14/2015 10:18:51 am

She didn't, but it sounded like money was the issue. I didn't want to pry, but I too wanted to know more. ;0)

Tori link
1/14/2015 01:16:44 am

The explanationSeems strange to me also. Although I can see how that cut could occur, I'm
Sure there is more to the story.

He's lucky to have you. Can't believe they said that was not serious and would have no scarring. Are they blind?

Bakersfield Dressage link
1/14/2015 10:20:07 am

My best friend had a weird vibe about the whole thing and was CERTAIN there was more to it as well. I tend to agree with you both. :0)

Sarah K link
1/14/2015 01:32:02 am

Huh. So maybe she thought that if she presented him as being such a high-strung horse, you'd talk to her about selling him and she'd offer to buy him?

Love the attitude though happiness, you go girl.

Bakersfield Dressage link
1/14/2015 10:21:13 am

That's EXACTLY what my best friend thinks. :0)

Katharyn
1/14/2015 02:25:36 am

I can see where a horse would be safe and not likely to hurt himself running and pacing in and out of his stall and paddock, but then the additional factor of someone trying to catch him could make all the difference. I think it could especially make a difference for Izzy since we all know that he was not happy being ridden by these people. He was probably double stressed by the loss of the neighbor and by trying to not get caught to be ridden.

Bakersfield Dressage link
1/14/2015 10:23:16 am

I do think that you might be right about having a person in there. Had it been me, I would have shut him out of the stall so that he didn't have so much room in which to evade me. The trainer did say the injury happened while he was trying to jump around her assistant.

Valerie
1/14/2015 02:26:30 am

You know Karyn I am with you. This is a terribly unfortunate event but remaining angry and bitter will do nothing to remedy the situation. Your attitude of let's do what needs to be done and bring some positive into the situation is a sound resolution. I commend you on your professionalism and your kind spirit. Onward and upward.

Bakersfield Dressage link
1/14/2015 10:24:30 am

Thanks, Valerie. I just don't see any other productive way to deal with it. Forward seems to be the best bet. :0)

Karen
1/14/2015 02:48:24 am

If I was a suspicious person, I would believe the trainer was trying her damnest to portray Izzy in such a manner that you would want to sell him to her.

And under no circumstances would I consider that a superficial wound, unless you were using the term superficial to mean not impacting the tendons, muscles or ligaments of the leg.

Bakersfield Dressage link
1/14/2015 10:25:48 am

That's exactly what my best friend thinks too. I can't say one way or the other. And I agree with you about the leg. From one non-vet to another, I would think that it would be considered a pretty major cut.

emma link
1/14/2015 05:32:55 am

what a strange (and sad!) story about it all - and a shame that people were seemingly not being very honest or forthcoming with you, and that Izzy came away injured. love your perspective tho - and glad he's settling so well!

Bakersfield Dressage link
1/14/2015 10:26:35 am

He IS settling well and seems more relaxed each day. :0)

Sarah link
1/14/2015 06:55:42 am

Perhaps its possible the trainer had a subconscious grudge against the horse due to the failed purchase situation - that the horse turning out to be bad makes her feel better about not getting it for herself? Who knows, but it doesn't matter and you're moving on which is for the best.

Also, the description of the incident makes sense to me. The skin would be scraped "down" the leg while side-swiping a panel, if the leg was raised such that the hoof was pointed backwards at that moment. The photo showed a much more serious wound than the description though.

Love that you continue to look on the bright side with this frustrating situation. I can't wait to meet Izzy sometime!!

Bakersfield Dressage link
1/14/2015 10:27:36 am

You could very well be right, and I hope you meet him a lot sooner than later. Maybe he's the world's quickest healer. :0)

April
1/14/2015 07:39:26 am

I can't help but wonder if they were pushing Izzy too far too fast in his training and if his so called "outbursts" were due to stress. His dealings with you have all been positive and he probably looks to you for his comfort. Perhaps that is why he reacts differently to you. I had this same issue with a young horse I had years ago. Even though the trainer was fair (I was there for literally EVERY training session), my little horse viewed him as a very dominant figure and just got unnerved - actually he got pretty darn close to a total meltdown. We ended up taking a break and that led to me working with him on my own. He knew me to be his "mama"
who offered grooming, feed, and love. The trust was already there, so when I took over it went seamlessly. I really like the idea of working with a calm, sensitive and patient trainer - cowboy or otherwise - who is close enough that you can visit daily and who will also work with you and Izzy as a team. Develop the basics and take your time. The investment will be worth it!!! I just did this with my young horse this Spring. I visited as often as I wanted, petted and loved on my horse, watched the trainer work with him, and ended up with a very willing partner. He is still a long way off from being "finished", but he remains as sweet trusting as the day I dropped him off. That was very important to me!
You are wonderful to your horses and always have their best interests in mind. I know that you and Izzy will overcome this and have a fabulous partnership :)

Bakersfield Dressage link
1/14/2015 10:30:45 am

I am wondering the same thing as he has been nothing but sweet and willing since he arrived. I don't baby my horses, but I am very concerned with their mental health. I am challenging Izzy every day, but I am doing it with kindness and respect for his lack of experience. Each day I take Speedy away for longer and longer periods. Tonight, he whinnied once while Speedy was turned out and then just forgot about it.

I think it's very important for horses to feel safe and comfortable with their handlers, especially the sensitive ones. I hope Izzy's experience matches your own. :0)

Judy
1/14/2015 10:08:18 am

I'm proud of you Karen! I see good things ahead for you and Izzy!

Bakersfield Dressage link
1/14/2015 10:31:32 am

Thanks, Judy. We both know holding a grudge doesn't make us happy, does it? :0)

Jan link
1/15/2015 01:26:16 pm

One, you are an incredible person for not blowing a gasket. I would have thrown a bomb on that bridge and not just burned it, but blown it to smithereens.
Two, the fact the trainer called you for instruction about the vet before calling the vet is ridiculous. If that happened to Mikey, I would have been the last to know, probably because my trainer would be all over him and on the phone with the vet and I probably wouldn't know until after the vet had come and gone!
Three- I also agree she was trying to paint a 'this horse is crazy and he's too much for you to handle' picture (come on, his thoroughbred bloodlines made him do it???) to try to buy him from you at a low price.

It seems like you've had difficult horses in the past, I'm sure you'll do just fine working Izzy yourself when he's all healed up and ready! A horse knows who his mom is, and he'll always work harder for that person. Don't worry about him getting the proper basics- take the very basic idea of what you're doing with Speedy and apply it to Izzy. Keep everything simple, positive and correct as you can, and make sure he knows moving forward is never the wrong answer (forward thinking halts too!). Keep the forward thinking and he'll end up putting himself together without stressing himself out.

Bakersfield Dressage link
1/16/2015 11:26:37 pm

I am hoping that once Izzy has healed enough for riding, our relationship will be good enough that I can just "hop on up." And if he's still too green (I've started several other horses from scratch), i still have the option of the cowboy trainer.

While Speedy had been ridden a few times as a three year old and was "broke," I had him for three months before I got on him. He had quite a few holes in his training, so I simply started over form scratch. I did lots of round pen work, saddle on saddle off, and so on.

He was, and still is, an opinionated stinker to ride during his 4,5, and even 6 year old years, but he has FINALLY settle into a very solid citizen (with an opinion). Hopefully Izzy will be more compliant. :0)


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    About the Writer and Rider

    ​I am a lifelong rider. 
    I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.
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    About Speedy G

    ​Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
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    Izzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
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