Remi second lesson

Remi second lesson in the wind and rain Wednesday night.About 10th ride in school since back in work.

 http://youtu.be/Z6EhM2VI1pk
He was very good and tried very hard. Still lots of basics to work on, but am really pleased with his progress. We are working on rhythm, flexion and crookedness. I want his neck longer and lower without him disconnecting, falling through shoulder or ducking the contact. It is coming and there.

I think both reins have improved. But left still better rein. My riding faults still horrify but that is the value of video. Generally I am pleased with his progress, still lots of basics to work on.

The deviation on his front foot is splitting but showing no signs of breaking off.

 

As for Mac – the less said about him on Wednesday night the better. He tried very hard too, but to be as unhelpful as possible. He did NOT think he should work or cooperate in the wind and rain. (Despite having lived out since November). Grrr

Paddock paradise :-)

 

Mac seems settled in new field

 

Mac dreaming of mischief

Remi standing watch for Mac

 

Both ponies looking hopeful for breakfast

 

 

 

 

 

 

Out of bed and eating breakfast

Remi :-)

Remi work update

Remi work update

Tuesday - hacked with new sharer. He was fab. Did longest hack to date of 1.5 hours.

Wednesday off

Thursday hacked again.

Friday quick lunge and schooled. He felt good. Making progress. Ran through Elementary 43 (as doing it with Mac). Remi loved this - funny horse - thought he was so clever. We did kind of hack round - he slowed for leg yields and broke in harder counter canter. But wasn't a bad try :-) :-) Bless him.

Friday night moved to new paddock 

Saturday evening lunged in Pessoa. Starts bit stiff left (quite common) but moved really well once warmed up and Pessoa attached. Left rein more up hill. Right rein tending to be quite on shoulders - did loads of transitions on lunge. He is really responsive. Took Pessoa off and he trotted round stretching to floor on both reins. Looking good.

Had slight pulse in left fore. Query increase in grass. Nothing in right fore. Noticed vertical cracks in hoof walls increasing. Covered feet in Red Horse hoof paste - made me feel better :-) 

Sunday sharer rode him in school for 30 minutes and enjoyed riding him :-) Then we hacked both horses for fairly slow 1.5 hours. Remi bit footier on stones but okay on soft / Tarmac. Not unexpected with new paddock. Think careful regular work will help.

Put some NT dry in deep crevices at side of frogs. 

Monday off. 

Feet 8th June

Left front foot

 

Front left. Showing the deviation that has broken off. That doesnt bother Remi, and I am not worried about it. Am a bit worried though about the vertical cracks in outer hoof wall. Any thoughts on these?







 





Front left. Showing the deviation that has broken off. That doesnt bother Remi, and I am not worried about it. Frogs bulking up nicely. White line still rather spread - this is worst foot for this.

left heels - still weak, but slight improvement 

Right front foot

 

Massive deviation. How he moves as well as he does in the arena, I dont know.

 

Massive deviation. How he moves as well as he does in the arena, I dont know.

Side show of right front foot. Shows cracks in deviation. Amazing how different same feet can look from different anges! Photo below is inside shot of right fore, and looks about normal! 

 

 Right fore heels. Still weak but have bulked out a little.





Frog bulkng up nicely. Crack in deviation. Looking like might fall off soon.





Left hind foot

 

 

 

 

 

Right hind foot

 

 

 

 

 

Summer field paddock

All change. Mac and Remi moved into summer paddock friday night. Two other horses had been grazing it down for us. Still more grass than ideal but hopefully will soon eat down and eat more haylage than grass.

 Handsome boy

 paddock water supply

 good pony eating haylage not grass!

 Mac showing paddock looking down

 Mac showing paddock looking up

 Good ponies eating haylage

 Remi using both hay feeders :-)

  Remi using both hay feeders :-)

Side view from field

Feet update 3rd June

Most of my pictures came out too dark but here are a few. Will take better ones at weekend. 

Left fore showing deviation that has broken off

Right fore showing deviation

 
















Left fore showing where hoof wall has chipped deviation off (ignore the black rubber school surface I failed to pick out before taking picture)

left fore showing deviation that has chipped off




Right fore showing deviation (ignore the black rubber school surface I failed to pick out before taking picture)

right fore showing deviation that is starting to split. Think there will be a big bit of deviation falling off in next few weeks. Photo above and one above that show were slits are starting.

left fore heels - still weak


right fore heels  - still weak

left fore heels - still weak

left fore heels - still weak




left hind heels stronger than front heels

Not very tidy, but I am encouraged they are starting to change for the better. 

Remi bodywork 5th session post Rockley

www.orchardfarmequitherapy.co.uk

email: elaine@orchardfarmequitherapy.co.uk                                                                          
Mob:07815 310568

Remi notes 1^st June 2013

Lunge session:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiOCmTG2oFA&feature=youtu.be

Pre massage assessment – Remi’s balance so much improved, especially on left rein. Much more upright. Movement better though still not completely free. Braced in neck as always – habit? Left hind moving better – right hind stickier but overall the best to date. Leaning has transferred to right rein/shoulder but nothing like it had been on the left. As his balance and musculature improves and schooling progresses and hind end strengthens this should even out. Needs to maintain straightness which will only happen when muscles more able to support frame.

Palpation and massage:  (See diagram)

Palpation showed sensitivity C3 to C5 – Remi curled towards me and pressed into me as I massaged. Left cervical region most sensitive/tight. Nothing else remarkable – tension in shoulders/glutes and hamstrings. The best he has felt to date.

2^nd lunge session post massage

Neck far less braced and muscles bouncing mid neck. More willing to lower neck and movement better.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiOCmTG2oFA&feature=youtu.be

Pip rode a short schooling session afterwards.

Remi looks far more ‘normal’ – less holding himself/tucked up/braced – a green, let-down horse ready to continue work and with muscle already improving. Foot falls are approaching heel first in front (always have been behind), no longer stands so far under behind. Still plaits and hock wobbles behind but hopefully this will improve with work/muscle building.

 Aftercare: