So which ponies does every one have these days?

[Fi]

Oh no, poor Evie, and poor you. I suppose on the plus side they are all separate incidents and at least the lockdown isn’t pony/injury related! But it’s so frustrating, especially as you get older I think. Here’s hoping this lockdown doesn’t go on and we can all get back to it.

I’m not riding much, doing a bit of inhand work and walking both boys out together for Sammie. Like you I feel a bit sensitive about riding even though it’s not been banned.

I wouldn’t/couldn’t do box rest either, it’d have to be a longer time turned out too.

Like you say, you don’t know what has happened to her, such a waste that someone has failed to understand her and possibly spoilt her. ☹️

[harveydales]

Yes, me getting older doesn't help matters. Ideally I would like a safe, bombproof old pony just to potter about on round the lanes. But I can't sell Eve - mainly because I've got too attached to her but also because of her physical problems and history. She thrives on attention and mental stimulation and we really have bonded so I couldn't just let her be a field ornament and get myself another pony. So maybe I have to accept I may not ride much again and just enjoy doing stuff with Eve in hand and what ever she is capeable of and enjoys. I sometimes think she was sent to me for a reason. Through her I have learnt a lot, about horses, myself and life. Horses teach us a lot....

[dalesnfellfan]

I have Connie, 17 yo unregistered Dales, I've had her 5 years, no health issues, very sensitive, forward going, opinionated but safe ride and Roandale Pippa who I bought 2 years ago when the arthritis in my knees was bad and Connie's bounciness and bustle was too much for me.

Pippa is the exact opposite to Connie, very laid back and an energy conservationist (lazy) and can be nappy, planting and refusing to move, very smooth action so much better for my aches and pains, she is lovely, cheeky, has to be involved in everything and very lovable, BUT has been plagued by injury/ill health almost since I first got her. First was a series of unexplained small things, then 6 months of obvious discomfort in her head/mouth/neck region, I had every professional imaginable out trying to get to the bottom of it, some of whom found things wrong i.e. wolf teeth, huge ulcers on her tongue from twigs stuck in her back teeth, several found poll stiffness but no treatment made any difference. Then after 6 months she went to a vet/osteopath who correctly diagnosed a serious poll injury, she had somehow torn the collateral ligaments in her poll, she also had several bones in her head out of place, and we think that Emerald may have kicked her in the head as in the last 9 months she was alive, while she was so ill she became very aggressive with the other 2 especially bullying Pippa.

This was last April and she started treatment for the poll only to come down with laminitis, (EMS), so sent the summer on the yard, by Sept her poll had improved enough to try bringing her back into work, all was well for a few weeks but then had gut and liver issues, more treatment, back in work a few weeks and then she was in obvious discomfort from the poll again, Xrays at Xmas showed she had now put up a bone spur on top of the poll, just where the headpiece sits, more anti-inflammatories and rest, plus a specially made super soft bridle that sits further back and she seems better atm, she has had 3 rides this week and so far all is OK.

I don't know whether she will come back to be ridden properly or just be a lovely field ornament, but at just 9 I'm quietly hopeful, it does feel like Emerald all over again though.

My knees have since settled down and last year I was back riding Connie and competing in Trec and PR's with her, she gets very excited at a ride though and at least once at every event I have a moment when I think I'm getting too old for this, she hates been passed so gets in a strop when she hears horses coming up behind her.

Since I lost Emerald I have been contemplating another pony as I did like having 3, not actively looking but if the right pony were to come along.....

[mickey]

If you've been having lots of issues with Pippa it may be worth running a pssm type 2 test. We had endless issues with Rory and finally decided to bite the bullet. Many vets don't consider it and the test is run in Germany. It has given us an answer and some ways of helping him

[dalesnfellfan]

Thanks Emily, if she doesn't stay well this time I will consider it, is it treatable or does it just give you an answer and have to retire them anyway? I would love her to come back into full work and fulfil the job I bought her for, but it will be no hardship to have her as a field ornament, she is so lovely. If that happens I will look out for something with the right temperament to be my main ride and take over from Connie, Connie has 2 sides to her, she can be perfect and easy to ride, mostly on her own or with one other well matched companion, but she can also be strong and feisty and want to go everywhere at top speed with some minor tantrums thrown in, I no longer enjoy it when she is like that, although she is always safe it unnerves me.

[mickey]

It's not curable but manageable with hard work. Vitamin e and amino acids and a high protein diet have made a huge difference to Rory though he's retired as we've too many to be working him consistently daily. He's happy enough.
You need a Jane... She did some trec out on loan last year and was fab at it. Even went to the GB champs!

[harveydales]

Yes, I saw Jane competing at Trec twice last year - I think you did too, Andrea? She is lovely - the sort I need too! Lately when I watch Eve in the field she seems to be resting her left hind (the one she injured) but she does look sound. The ground is so hard and rutted at the moment that I suspect she is jarring herself.

Interesting about the PSSM diet - I didn't realise it was high protien required. I assumed it was high oil as in PSSM1 or have I got it all wrong?

[mickey]

Jane is a good sort but hasn't got the best reputation 😂. I've been so lucky as we really do click. You will have seen her at trec a few times but not under her proper name.
Pssm2 is totally different, tbh calling it pssm is probably wrong. Type 2 needs amino acids vitamin e and high protein. It's more like muscular dystrophy I believe

[harveydales]

Thanks Emily, I hadn't read up on it at all, just assumed it was like pssm 1. Interesting.

[mickey]

It's deceiving having the same name. Rory has 2 copies of the P3 defective gene so if more affected than a pony with 1 copy. His dad is also his mum's dad which may explain why he has 2 copies rather than it being a widespread breed problem. That said, his dad sired a lot of foals.

[harveydales]

Interesting!

[zeldalithgow]

Well as we have decided it's time to move back to a town (impending old age, health issues and only one driver) we have rehomed our lot and have the house on the market so no animals at all for us now

[Jenni]

Sorry to hear that Zelda. I am sure you will have found them all lovely homes. I hope the move goes well and that you enjoy your new home.