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Post by dalesnfellfan on Aug 13, 2015 7:09:21 GMT -1
She has been doing really well with her treatment and is a different pony in the field and to handle, she's gone back to the calm, polite pony she used to be. About 5 weeks ago I was given the go ahead to do some light ridden work with her but as I'd got a lot going on I thought I'd leave it until I'd got more time rather than stopping and starting. I'd been doing some ground work with her in tack and she is fine long reining in walk with saddle and bridle, so after a good session yesterday I took her to the block, she stood still while I leaned over her, no reaction, so I swung my leg over and sat on her, still Ok, made a fuss of her and tightened the girth, still OK. I was feeling really excited, then I asked for a step forward and she turned her head to touch her girth several times, I asked again gently and she took a few steps backwards touching her girth and my leg a lot. I knew this meant she wasn't comfortable but needed to get her clear of the block to get off, I just can not get off the wrong side, so asked her to go forward a little firmer, she did take a couple of steps forward but became very agitated, constantly swinging her head from side to side to touch her girth area, as soon as we were clear of the block I got off and she went back to her old self.
I am really disappointed that although she seems to be doing so well she is clearly still in discomfort with the weight of a rider, I am going to talk to Donna but I think I will leave her now until she has finished the treatment and had the second lot of tests done and try again if all is OK with the tests.
If she still won't tolerate a rider then I'll just accept that she will be a companion to Connie, I had hoped she could come back to being ridden and that I could find a sharer for her, but it's just too dangerous to have a rider on her if there is any doubt about her comfort as she reacts so violently, I may just have to accept that having her comfortable enough to be a field ornament is the best we can do for her. |
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Post by harveydales on Aug 13, 2015 7:55:31 GMT -1
It could be remembered pain but, either way, best to leave it for now and hope Donna has some thoughts on the matter. I do understand your disappointment but even if she isn't ridden again, it won't matter. You have Connie to ride and having 2 to ride would put a lot of pressure on you. That's why I don't ride Dolly whole Harvey is still in work. Dolly is quite happy being a field companion and she still gets lots of fuss from the ground.
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Post by dalesnfellfan on Aug 13, 2015 11:22:19 GMT -1
You're right Pam, it won't matter, in a way it will be a relief not to have to bring her back into work and I know I can't do justice to riding 2.
When I was first looking for another pony around Christmas when I knew it was the end of the line for Spud I had thought I'd have something to ride until Em was fully fit again then find a sharer for the new one, but Connie has far exceeded my expectations and as time has gone on it's her I want to ride not Em.
I guess I just felt it would be nice for Em to have a fulfilling life as a ridden pony going out and about having some fun, but in fact I don't think she cares, she is quite happy in the field and still gets lots of fuss and attention. She is the perfect companion as she doesn't mind being left in the field on her own while I'm out riding Connie and was quite happy on her own for 4 days while we were at camp.
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Post by zeldalithgow on Aug 13, 2015 11:44:57 GMT -1
Remind me what was the problem with Em
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Post by Debbie on Aug 13, 2015 19:12:25 GMT -1
I agree that it's better since you have Connie to ride, fuss and enjoy  sometimes things don't go as we plan with ponies. It's nice to hear she's made such good progress, even if it's not quite there yet. Who knows, in time she may come right still, and it might be a better time for you. |
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Post by harveydales on Aug 14, 2015 4:48:11 GMT -1
Well it sounds like you really do have the perfect companion pony in Em. Not many would be happy to be left alone for a few days. Dolly enjoyed going out and about but she is just as happy in the field with Frankie and I don't think Frankie would cope without her now. As Debbie says, things don't always turn out as you expected but somehow they often work out for the best in unexpected ways.
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Post by tinkerdorisalison on Aug 14, 2015 6:09:20 GMT -1
what a shame. did you rule out ovarian cysts?
its good that she's a happy companion, ponies don't generally mind not being ridden!
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Post by dalesnfellfan on Aug 14, 2015 9:59:31 GMT -1
Remind me what was the problem with Em Zelda she has a problem with her gut, tests showed she had no normal gut flora and an overgrowth of Candida and Psuedomonas so she is 3/4 way through treatment to kill off bad bacteria, stabilize the gut and replace the good bacteria, she has about 5 weeks left and then she will be retested to see how well it's worked. I think her gut was in a bad way when she came to me, it was a violent reaction to wormer/Detromax that caused my accident, and I believe the anaesthetic, sedatives, painkillers and antibiotics she had after her op to remove her fractured splint bone tipped an already delicate gut over the top.
Alison it is Connie who was tested for a growth on her ovaries and yes we've ruled that out.
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Post by tinkerdorisalison on Aug 14, 2015 12:55:43 GMT -1
Oh thats good then. I think Pam is right about the remembered pain/discomfort. Hopefully in time, once the treatment is finished and she feels a lot better, you can try again x
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Post by valerie n scout on Aug 14, 2015 17:43:44 GMT -1
It's really hard to fathom whether it's now pain or something remembered x best of luck x
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Post by zeldalithgow on Aug 14, 2015 20:21:25 GMT -1
I remember now (old age lol) Maybe she just needs a bit longer, could you try putting a weight on her first maybe a couple of sacks with some sand or something in tied together and put on her saddle before anyone gets on to ride, get her used to a bit of weight again
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