Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
As I said a week or so ago, there are never dull moments when Speedy is around. It was suggested that I soak Speedy's hoof in an Epsom Salt bath in order to draw out some of the soreness that is making him lame. I am still pretty sure he's just bruised, and he's nearly back to 100%. I've soaked a few horses' hooves before, so I know it can be a disconcerting experience for the more sensitive ponies out there. Speedy let me gently lower his foot into the warm bath. After two minutes, he seemed to be relaxing, so I slowly started to brush his neck and shoulder hoping to relax him even more. Nope. In a freak out moment, he jerked his foot out of the bucket, launched it sideways, and then he turned himself into a pretzel and flew out of the cross ties. He tried to sit down in his panic, but finally, the halter slipped over his ears, and he bolted. I rounded up my terrified pony, soothed his little brain, and tried it all again. The second time, I only managed to pick his foot up before he kicked, re-launching the bucket and escaping the cross ties. The second time, the halter's breakaway piece snapped. I've been using the Tekna Halters for several years, and I love them! When I first blogged about using a synthetic halter, several readers expressed concern about whether or not the breakaway piece would work. I am happy to report that it snapped in half exactly as it was designed to do, leaving the halter unharmed. Riding Warehouse carries the breakaway piece for a paltry $4.50, less if you buy two or more. I had to use my own Loctite of course, but the halter is now good as new and a lot cleaner! Normally, I hate breaking stuff, but this was one of those times when I was grateful something at the barn broke. I only hope I didn't jinx myself by not buying multiple breakaway pieces while I had the chance!
jenj
1/21/2016 06:22:07 am
Oh man, soaking and buckets. I now use one of those round black squishy feed tubs for soaking instead of an actual bucket, because I've had exactly what you had happen one too many times. It's like having a foot in water short circuits their brains, I swear! 1/21/2016 06:43:52 am
I later tried with a black rubber bucket, but he wouldn't let me get it anywhere near him. Oh well. I didn't have a lot of faith in the efficacy of the soak at this stage anyway. :0) poor Speedy, soaking is the *worst*... the one time i had to soak my mare's foot for a few days, i ended up borrowing one of those soaking boots that straps on to the hoof (then you can just pour the warm water mixture in, repeatedly as necessary if they slosh it around) so that she could graze/roam on a lead line rather than be tied in one place... 1/23/2016 10:29:10 am
He's a big cry baby. If I had to soak for real, I'd definitely get a soaking boot! 1/23/2016 10:30:32 am
If I had to soak regularly, I'd get a boot for sure. Comments are closed.
|
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
|