Updates, Updates, Updates

So since my last post there has been many updates. Firstly and foremost Connor had a rescope of his sinus for fungal infection and all is clear, so that equals a very happy me!! 

 

(Getting ready for visit to the vets)

As he has now been given the go ahead I felt it was time to re-start our lessons. Our first lesson was all about getting him forwards and off my leg which involved a firm swift kick with my legs and then to leave him alone completely, learning to keep my legs away from his sides (East and West). We also worked on keeping him round through his trot to walk transitions- the butterfly transition which followed up in our second which was yesterday. Again, we carried on with keeping him off my leg, marked improvements as well as getting him to push 'up' and forwards through his walk to trot and halt to trot transitions. We then ventured into lateral transactions through the neck in walk and trot and then moved up to flexion and counter flexion in the canter and counter canter = hard work!

 

(Snoozes in his 200g PE Turnout)

We have also revisited his diet again, I recently put him on Turmeric due to all the raves about how good it is, unfortunately I haven't really seen any 'noticable' difference so once the powder I have bought has run out his will not be having it again. I have bought a trial tub of Equishure to see if it helps to improve his gut function and cribbing, recently I have noticed he has become rather 'grumpy' whilst eating and cribbing so thought this would be worth a trial to see if there is any improvements otherwise diet will need to be revisited.

Due to the change in Connors management I now have to feed him off the floor which has become rather messy and costly due to the waste therefore, I have invested in a HayBar which I am in love with. However, I am not happy Connor has turned it into his new cribbing toy (been re-attached to the wall already).

Last Friday we attempted our first jumps in over 6 months. All I can say is Connor was very good and seemed to be enjoying himself. We have trimmer again tomorrow along with delivery of FP balancer so should hopefully know if there has been any improvement in his feet. I have bought him another present to hopefully help reduce tension in his poll, he is becoming unmanageable to groom or touch his poll area, also getting a magnetic poll guard.

 

(Charcoal Poll guard by HorseDreams)

Photo shoot

In the last week Connors diet has began to change. He was previously been fed:

Pure Condition
Kwikbeet
Copra
Linseed
Brewers Yeast
Yeasacc
Herbs
FP Winter Balancer

He is now being fed 3/4 of the Pure Condition and 1/4 ERS pellets by Dodson & Horrell. The ERS Pellets will slowly be increased and the Pure Condition reduced until it is completely out of his diet, the brewers yeast has also been removed.

His diet should eventually look like this:

ERS Pellets
Copra
Linseed
Yeasacc
FP Balancer

I think the ERS pellets have already kicked in, he is looking rounder and perkier already! My friend popped over yesterday and took some photos of us in his bling.

(I'm wearing Gatehouse Conquest Suede Navy, Kingsland Denim style Breeches.

Connor's wearing Lemiuex D Vogue Dressage Pad and Brown with gold binding Thermatex quarter sheet)

Start of something new

This weekend has been a learning curve. I had a new trimmer come out to look at my boys feet and provide a consultation. It was very interesting and overwhelming how much is truly involved keeping your horse happy and healthy barefoot.

To sum up this meeting, Connor's diet will be staying the same for the time being. New things include pads for his front feet and hinds to provide more comfort when working, as well as cutting holes into the pads at the point of the pedal bone to provide relief from pressure.

I have been told that he needs to complete 3 miles walking out daily, unfortunately at the momenet this task is unachieveable due to no time and day light limitations but I am working on a resolution.

I have also discovered that the reason my boy has asymmetrical front feet is due to his legs not straightening correctingly as a youngster. To amend this confirmational fault I need to ride with my right hip back.

I including this new way of riding last night in our schooling session, it was not easy to say the least. My main aim for last nights schooling session was to get him off my leg and get him more supple. I achieved this by riding him very forwards with transitions through the walk, trot and canter. To increase his suppleness I flexed this neck through the diagonals.

With all good intentions my aim was to just school however, there had been jumps left out from previous people using the school. There was a tiny cross pole that I could not resist so had to pop it. First time Connor and I had jumped since August last year. All things considered he was very good considering his attitude to jumping is generally lacking in confidence. The first time round was understable hairy, however, by second and third attempt he was flying.

Drop the reins, pat the pony and that was the end of his schooling session. What a GOOD boy!

Back on board

Connor has had his third trip to the vets now who have confirmed the fungal infection seems to be gone, one more visit to the vets left and hopefully this will be well and truly behind us. Vet has advised to crack on and as such that is what I have started to do! Sedation and twitch later, Connor has been clipped and we are now ready to start schooling again.

So far we have only hacked once and schooled twice but this will now increase as the weeks go on and he becomes more comfortable in his feet. I have a new trimmer booked to come out and see him on Saturday and he needs an appointment with the dentist. After this small MOT we should be all ready to go for the 2014 season. My aim is to improve my position, learn how to use my aids more correctly, improve test riding for both Connor and I which will involve plenty of shows I hope.

I am in the process of booking my first dressage lesson since August last year in the next coming weeks and aim to do a Prelim test at the end of the month.

(First time school since August 2013

N.B Saddlecloth is Eskadron)

Okay I am new to this blogging malarkey so bear with me. So winter has set it and so it seems all the problems have as well. Connor's sinus problems seem to have re-appeared after much efforts and a sinus surgery later!! So where the future lies with my guy I do not yet know so the longevity of this blog page may cease sooner than planned-we shall see!

Not only has the fungal infection in his sinus reared its ugly head again we are still battling with the ongoing journey of transitioning to barefoot. Although his feet have made great strides in improving we still have a long way to go. On the good side Connor is enjoying his new environment with friends, day time turnout and fluffy coat!

Any ways here is a photo of my boy and the end of my first post!