ridecamp@endurance.net: back pain and gel pads. (a short story)

back pain and gel pads. (a short story)

Karolyn N Wcislo (karriew@juno.com)
Wed, 23 Jul 1997 14:42:32 -0400

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I have to share this because I know a lot of time would not have been
waisted had I been enlightened sooner. Sage (my 17 yo arab-x Mare) was
wonderful when I got her. I noticed after several weeks, that she was
becoming progressively more irritable and uncontrollable until we reached
the point one day where she took off like a bat out of hell and almost
killed the both of us. In the mean time, I was trying new bits and
various assortments of equipment not knowing what the problem was. I had
suggested to my trainer that maybe there was pain somewhere, but he said
"no, the horse just needs more work" Finally, I decided we needed help.
I started with a new trainer and fresh ideas. Well, she watched us go
around a little and noticed the horses reactions when asked to do certain
things, like canter. Sage would almost rear up on cue (I thought maybe
someone had abused her mouth some, but at this point I had no bit in her
mouth, only a side pull, which, by the way, I use to this day. It has
made for a happier more willing partner. I wish they were allowed in more
types of competitions-- a whole other debate)

Well, thsi new trainer saw it right off the bat. This horse has pain in
her back, get thicker pads. Well, being a little vain, I decided to go
with a Gel pad (same concept, not so bulky) that I use with her regular
pad, AND I bought a nice soft synthetic saddle to boot. You would NOT
recognize this horse. Beautiful and unspookable on the trails, canters
right on cue (getting there with flying lead changes as well), jumps any
obstacle (I do alot of trail paces as well as longer endurance). I swear
all this happened in a matter of a week.

The moral of this story? Your horse may not REALLY be a butthead, s/he
just may be trying to tell you something!

Thanks for listening Karolyn and Sage!

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Previous message: Linnea Skoglund: "easyboots exclusively?"

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