I'm easing back into a normal schedule again after a sad and tumultuous month and a half... And nothing soothes my soul more than quality time in the sunshine with my favorite silly biscuit.
the look of champions, folks
And as mentioned yesterday, the timing works well for Ms Mondeuse in terms of reassessing how she's feeling after a few recent veterinary and farrier related soundness interventions.
but oh no! we have encountered an unexpected error!
Verdict? Well. Lol I don't really know. There are a few different ways to interpret this most recent ride (which is captured almost entirely in the video below, so you can judge for yourself).
NOBODY SAID THERE WOULD BE CHAIRS
The good news? The mare seems remarkably steady and happy and established in the work -- despite having the better part of a month off. She clocked right on around quite pleasantly -- and I didn't even have the metronome running!
whew, made it past alive lol
Given how challenging I personally found it to get the horse going in the first place (compared to Charlie's earliest days), it feels like a solid win that the training is holding. It also gives me a really good feeling that, hypothetically speaking, I could pick the mare back up in a year again if it came to that and she'd still be the horse I love.
"that was a close call" -- the silliest mare ever
The next piece of "news," which could be a good thing depending on your world view, is that I don't think the fetlock was the culprit after all. Or at least, the injection we did doesn't seem to have 'done the trick,' so to speak. I didn't love the idea of a barely-7yo horse intended for a jumping career already having ouchy fetlocks so... I choose to see this as maybe a good thing.
annnnyway. ahem. brace yo'self for about a dozen variations of this
Obviously tho, that takes us to the, er, less good news. I still feel the same lameness in there. It was subtle in this ride, but there are definite lame steps in the video (even if only occasionally) while the feeling itself is pretty consistent throughout.
playing with the hackamore (set fairly loose with only padded leather straps) bc she goes so quietly in it
As of this writing I haven't had a chance to confer with my vet about next steps, and am assuming we may want to wait another week or two after we get the Equioxx going just to see where that plus more regular riding gets us.
it's a pleasant picture, no?
Will the mare get better? Stay the same? Get worse? It's all information, ya know?
grateful for the pics even if it's mostly bc we were getting video for the vet....
Realistically, she's been on and off now since about January. And when she's "on," well.. She's fine, ya know?
pause for applause snuggles
The ouchiness seems to either be there, or not be there. And when it's there it seems to get worse through the course of a ride.
pictured: a fucking fun horse
But there have also been days when she's been super ouchy one day, and.... maddeningly fine the next. Which, obvi, is also part of why it's been hard to pin down the main issue -- she hasn't always been entirely forthcoming with my vet lol.
we played briefly with canter too bc #yolo
All that said, tho, it doesn't seem like riding around has made anything worse, per se, this season. And actually, if it DID seem to start going in that direction, that might reasonably make it easier still to figure out where the main complaint actually is.
EL-OH-EL doozy it's just a ground pole omggggg
Sooo this is me rationalizing why I'm going to continue riding her. For now, at least, or until my vet advises against. And ya know. Another reasonable experiment is continued tweaking in her shoeing, for which the next cycle is still a few weeks away. May as well keep testing how she feels leading up to that, right?
unprepared emma is unprepared for mare's adorable efforts
Depending on how the next few weeks unfold, we may even do a lesson or two -- if the mare is up for it. I figure, at the very least it could help us get a fresh set of eyes and perspectives on what might be going on, ya know?
just casually fabulous
Tho at this rate I'm kinda just assuming that our spring competition season is a wash -- over before it started, womp. I don't usually like to compete in the heat and hard ground of July or August anyway, and it feels like stepping back from trying to do any calendar planning gives me more room to keep working incrementally on getting Doozy fixed up.
she was struttin' for the cute arab ring mate <3 <3
Or at least... Lol, that's the plan. Subject to change without notice, as always!
(or ya know. just one of those internet folks convinced maybe you can crack the lameness case!)
With horses, as with life in general, sometimes unexpected shit happens. That's certainly been the case for me this last month!
hangin out cool as a cucumber after we finished
But I've said it before and I'll say it again: sometimes hardship can be clarifying in that it helps us see more clearly what's really important. For me, riding and competing -- challenging myself, pushing my boundaries, expanding my education -- these are all critically important facets of my horsey experience.
"all in a day's work!" -- doozy, who is NOT ready to retire yet!
It's hard to do ANY of that, tho, without a good horse. And Doozy is a good horse <3
So for now, we content ourselves with tons of media from a pleasant ride in perfect spring conditions. Good enough, eh?
A pleasant ride in perfect spring conditions - amen to the important things. Keeping my fingers crossed for Dooz and wishing you more lovely weather and rides
She looks really lovely. I can't quite pinpoint the lameness beyond what you posted about yesterday, but I definitely do see that she's NQR some of the time. Fingers crossed you can figure it out and get it sorted!
Right ?? Like I can definitely see why I’ve tried to kinda overlook it or assume it would just resolve itself these past few months… but it’s gone on long enough (and I’ve wasted enough on missed lessons / clinics / entries) that we are trying to get serious about figuring it out…
Can I just say how lovely she is and how far you have brought her? She is such a cute mover and so much more relaxed. Just a lovely picture. I have to say I don't really see the lameness. To me, she looks sounder than probably 90% of the horses I see regularly out there competing.
Aw thank you - I really appreciate that! She is such a special horse I really want to get her feeling 100%. It was one thing with Charlie who had certain limitations that we just had to work around, but who could also more or less get around without getting rung out in dressage. With doozy’s particular lameness, I think on a day like this and a sympathetic judge (and no hawkeyes in warm up….) we might be able to squeak thru, but on the days when it’s more pronounced I think we would definitely be eliminated for unsoundness :(
I hope the next month is easier for you. I'm glad Doozy was able to help with some lovely work- seriously, while I see it she's coming so much more off her hind end and over her back in a truly delightful way.
I am not entering the Internet diagnosis game but hope that you can get to the bottom of it. Although have you considered ulcers-KS-and-Lyme???? LOL
HA! Well if it isn’t KS ulcers or Lyme, and it’s not saddle fit or dentist bc we just did those things too…. Then must be that the only possible solution is careful slow walk / hill work — preferably walking backwards uphill — amirite?!? It’ll cure what ails ya! Or so they say LOL…..
For real tho, I see videos of her moving around so well (even with the off steps) that it’s really hard for me to believe something truly career limiting is lurking under the surface. My vet honestly isn’t convinced that we can rule out some type of deep bruise or strain or foot thing either. So idk. Even tho I can rationally see the slippery slope into a sunk costs fallacy type situation here, I’m willing to follow this road for a while longer and see what happens.
I'm frustrated for you! She really looks fantastic 99% of the steps. So odd that she has that occasional off one. I wish it was only happening in one ring, and then you could blame the footing. I also wish it wandered around more so you could be all "it's gotta be lyme" but it's consistently the same leg, yes? It would be so much easier if they could just tell us.
On one hand I def sometimes wish the horses could just tell us how they’re feeling. On the other hand tho…. Idk if I reeeeeally need to know exactly what doozy thinks of me LOL
How frustrating that you're still dealing with this :( Especially since she has come along so beautifully in every other aspect. Unpopular opinion, perhaps, but I'd also keep riding her. In endurance, we often say, "Let the trail sort it out. It'll get better, or it will get worse." In this case, worse might make it better to pinpoint. Not that you need to justify ANYTHING you are doing with your own horse.
She sure does look good in the photos. I am sure you are hoping you can get her feeling consistently good as well. The subtle and changing health symptoms can be so difficult to suss out.
A pleasant ride in perfect spring conditions - amen to the important things. Keeping my fingers crossed for Dooz and wishing you more lovely weather and rides
ReplyDeleteThanks ha and me too! It’s amazing how much better everything can seem after a great ride in sunny weather <3
DeleteShe looks really lovely. I can't quite pinpoint the lameness beyond what you posted about yesterday, but I definitely do see that she's NQR some of the time. Fingers crossed you can figure it out and get it sorted!
ReplyDeleteThanks - my fingers are crossed too!! She’s getting to such a fun point in the training, I don’t wanna have to pivot lol!!!
DeleteShe looks so good. And there’s the jar step then fine again. It’s so weird.
ReplyDeleteRight ?? Like I can definitely see why I’ve tried to kinda overlook it or assume it would just resolve itself these past few months… but it’s gone on long enough (and I’ve wasted enough on missed lessons / clinics / entries) that we are trying to get serious about figuring it out…
DeleteCan I just say how lovely she is and how far you have brought her? She is such a cute mover and so much more relaxed. Just a lovely picture. I have to say I don't really see the lameness. To me, she looks sounder than probably 90% of the horses I see regularly out there competing.
ReplyDeleteAw thank you - I really appreciate that! She is such a special horse I really want to get her feeling 100%. It was one thing with Charlie who had certain limitations that we just had to work around, but who could also more or less get around without getting rung out in dressage. With doozy’s particular lameness, I think on a day like this and a sympathetic judge (and no hawkeyes in warm up….) we might be able to squeak thru, but on the days when it’s more pronounced I think we would definitely be eliminated for unsoundness :(
DeleteI hope the next month is easier for you. I'm glad Doozy was able to help with some lovely work- seriously, while I see it she's coming so much more off her hind end and over her back in a truly delightful way.
ReplyDeleteI am not entering the Internet diagnosis game but hope that you can get to the bottom of it. Although have you considered ulcers-KS-and-Lyme???? LOL
*It being the NQRness
DeleteHA! Well if it isn’t KS ulcers or Lyme, and it’s not saddle fit or dentist bc we just did those things too…. Then must be that the only possible solution is careful slow walk / hill work — preferably walking backwards uphill — amirite?!? It’ll cure what ails ya! Or so they say LOL…..
DeleteFor real tho, I see videos of her moving around so well (even with the off steps) that it’s really hard for me to believe something truly career limiting is lurking under the surface. My vet honestly isn’t convinced that we can rule out some type of deep bruise or strain or foot thing either. So idk. Even tho I can rationally see the slippery slope into a sunk costs fallacy type situation here, I’m willing to follow this road for a while longer and see what happens.
I'm frustrated for you! She really looks fantastic 99% of the steps. So odd that she has that occasional off one. I wish it was only happening in one ring, and then you could blame the footing.
ReplyDeleteI also wish it wandered around more so you could be all "it's gotta be lyme" but it's consistently the same leg, yes? It would be so much easier if they could just tell us.
On one hand I def sometimes wish the horses could just tell us how they’re feeling. On the other hand tho…. Idk if I reeeeeally need to know exactly what doozy thinks of me LOL
DeleteBicipital Bursitis or strained chest muscle. This is worth what you are paying for it ;)
ReplyDeleteHa touché ! Something like that is definitely not ruled out (real talk. Virtually nothing is ruled out), and would theoretically be improved by the time, rest and equioxx currently planned. I feel like if there was an acute physical injury somewhere frequently touched via grooming, that the mare would uh, *let me know* - as red mares often do lol…. But honestly who knows
DeleteI'm so frustrated for you! Hoping a clear answer presents sooner than later.
ReplyDeleteHow frustrating that you're still dealing with this :( Especially since she has come along so beautifully in every other aspect. Unpopular opinion, perhaps, but I'd also keep riding her. In endurance, we often say, "Let the trail sort it out. It'll get better, or it will get worse." In this case, worse might make it better to pinpoint. Not that you need to justify ANYTHING you are doing with your own horse.
ReplyDeleteShe sure does look good in the photos. I am sure you are hoping you can get her feeling consistently good as well. The subtle and changing health symptoms can be so difficult to suss out.
ReplyDeleteBuh, she really does look fabulous and like "a fucking fun horse". Keeping my fingers and toes crossed for you two.
ReplyDelete