Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Hi Claire,
	I'd agree that the horse is being ridden beyond his physical limits. 
Probably only a vet exam with xrays or ultrasound could pinpoint his 
problem.  It might be the shape of his feet & the way he is  shod or it 
might be sidebone or ringbone or something else.  I'm not a vet so I 
wouldn't pretend to make a diagnosis.  You are in a difficult position 
because you see that the horse is uncomfortable but there isn't much you 
can do about it since the owner doesn't see it.
	I worked at a boarding stable for many years and just hated seeing 
horses being misused because I couldn't help them.  Hopefully, this 
horse will become unrideable quickly and then the owner will be forced 
to acknowledge the problems and, hopefully, do something about it!
Good luck!  Give the horse lots of pats and tell him that you know he is 
uncomfortable.
Laney

Claire Nystrom wrote:
> There is a woman who boards her horse where I work who is on vacation
> this week, so is riding her horse every day for 3-4 hours.  These are
> not light rides as he comes back very sweaty and exhausted.  It will
> be 10 days in a row as of tomorrow.  She usually rides like this every
> Saturday and Sunday and the horse is exercised for her for about an
> hour on the trail or in the ring twice during the week.  Her horses
> legs stock up after these rides on the weekend.  However, now that
> she's been riding every day, the horses legs stock up within 20
> minutes of being put in his stall and even have slight puffiness when
> she comes back from the ride.  He is not always the sweetest horse,
> but has been trying to kick me when I groom him.  I can tell that he's
> feeling a bit grumpy and miserable.  His saddle fits him and is back
> is not sore.  Additionally, he is shod on all 4 feet with pads up
> front.  His heels are too high and contracted.  I am also worried that
> the improper hoof shape is putting a lot of undue stress on his legs. 
> My boss has mentioned to her that she needs to give the horse a day
> off and she just says, "oh, he's fine, he can take it."  He's about 9.
>  I am definitely concerned that he's being overridden right now.  I
> just wanted to post here so I could get some input from endurance
> riders who would have more knowledge than I on this subject.  My mare
> and I are working towards doing a ride one day, and I read Ridecamp
> religiously so I can learn more.   Thank you.
>
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
>  Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
>  Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
>  Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp
>
>  Ride Long and Ride Safe!!
>
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp

Ride Long and Ride Safe!!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=