Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
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! 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)
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. 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. 1/14/2015 10:17:54 am
Thanks. I think honesty is usually the best policy. :0) 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) 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)
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. 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. 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. 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. 1/14/2015 10:26:35 am
He IS settling well and seems more relaxed each day. :0)
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. 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" 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.
Judy
1/14/2015 10:08:18 am
I'm proud of you Karen! I see good things ahead for you and Izzy! 1/14/2015 10:31:32 am
Thanks, Judy. We both know holding a grudge doesn't make us happy, does it? :0)
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. 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. Comments are closed.
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About the Writer and RiderI 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. Welcome to my dressage journey. About Speedy GSpeedy 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.
About IzzyIzzy 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.
National Rider AwardsState Rider Awards
State Horse Awards
Working Towards:
CDS Sapphire Rider Award Third Level: 63.514% Third Level: 62.105% Fourth Level: Fourth Level: 2023 Show Season
Show Rating (***) CDS/USDF/USEF (*) CDS (s) Schooling (c) Clinic (r) Ride-a-Test Clinic 2023 Show Schedule
TBD 2023 Completed … Pending 2023 Qualifying Scores
Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC) Qualifying Training Level 3 Scores/2 Judges/60%: Score 1: Score 2: Score 3: Archives
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